EP0203668A2 — Universal remote control unit

Claim 1

Independent Claim 242 words

Unit for remotely controlling a plurality of appliances each belonging to a one of a plurality of categories, each having a model number signifying a given model of a given manufacturer, each adapted to carry out a predetermined function upon receipt of a remote control signal having a predetermined format, comprising: transmitter means for transmitting remote control signals having formats corresponding to transmit control signals applied thereto; first user-operable selector means for generating a first selector signal signifying the selected one of said plurality of model numbers; second user-operable selector means for generating a second selector signal signifying the user-selected one of said appliance categories; command display and select means for displaying user selectable commands associated with the selected one of said appliance categories, and for generating a command signal signifying one of said commands in response to user's selection thereof; means for scanning said first and second user-operable selector means and said command and select means and generating an address signal corresponding to the user selected category, model number and operation command; memory means storing a plurality of command tables in individually addressable storage locations; and a readout means for receiving said address signal and reading out command table data in said storage locations under control thereof, and applying the so-read out command data to said transmitter means, whereby said transmitter means transmits a remote control signal having the correct format to control the user-selected appliance to perform the user-selected operation.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 242 words

Unit for remotely controlling a plurality of appliances each belonging to a one of a plurality of categories, each having a model number signifying a given model of a given manufacturer, each adapted to carry out a predetermined function upon receipt of a remote control signal having a predetermined format, comprising: transmitter means for transmitting remote control signals having formats corresponding to transmit control signals applied thereto; first user-operable selector means for generating a first selector signal signifying the selected one of said plurality of model numbers; second user-operable selector means for generating a second selector signal signifying the user-selected one of said appliance categories; command display and select means for displaying user selectable commands associated with the selected one of said appliance categories, and for generating a command signal signifying one of said commands in response to user's selection thereof; means for scanning said first and second user-operable selector means and said command and select means and generating an address signal corresponding to the user selected category, model number and operation command; memory means storing a plurality of command tables in individually addressable storage locations; and a readout means for receiving said address signal and reading out command table data in said storage locations under control thereof, and applying the so-read out command data to said transmitter means, whereby said transmitter means transmits a remote control signal having the correct format to control the user-selected appliance to perform the user-selected operation.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 55 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said command display and select means comprises an array of command display elements, and third means operable in dependence upon operation of said second user-operable selector means for displaying commands associated with the user-selected appliance category in corresponding ones of said command display elements.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 146 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein said command display and select means is a keyboard having a plurality of keys and at least a first and second command respectively associated with a first and second one of said categories associated with at least one of said keys; wherein said command display element associated with said at least one of said keys comprises a first and second symbol respectively signifying said first and second command positioned in proximity of said button; wherein said third means comprises a slider carrying means for making said first or said second symbol legible depending on the relative position of said slider means to said symbols; and wherein said third means comprises means coupled to said second user of operable selector means for moving said slider means in correspondence to movement of said second user-operable selector means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

A remote control unit as set forth-in claim 3. - wherein said second user-operable selector means comprises a rotary selector mechanism.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein said third means is mechanically coupled to said second user operable selector means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 90 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one additional command is associated with a predetermined one of said selected commands for transmission in a predetermined time relationship to the latter; wherein said readout means is operative under control of program means; and wherein said program means automatically controls said readout means to read out command table data associated with said selected and said associated commands in said predetermined time relationship upon receipts of an address signal associated with said predetermined one of said commands.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 42 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein said at least one of said predetermined selected commands is a VCR "play" command and said associated command is a TV channel switch command generated prior to said VCR "play" command.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 33 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said user-selectable commands further comprise commands associated with an additional appliance category operationally associated with said selected one of said appliance categories.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 51 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 8, wherin said selected one of said appliance categories is the "VCR" category and said additional category is the "television" category, whereby user control of a television set can take place when said remote control unit is set for controlling a VCR.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 130 words

Apparatus for remotely controlling a first and a second appliance respectively responsive to command signals having a first format and a second format different from said first format, comprising memory means for storing format defining data for each of said appliances in addressable memory locations; user controllable means for selectively addressing said memory locations and reading out said format defining data stored therein; user controllable means for generating command signals signifying a desired operation of said appliance; means connected to said command signal generating means and said memory means for formatting said command signal in accordance with said read out format defining data, thereby creating a formatted command signal, and transmitting means connected to said formatted command signalling generating means for transmitting said signals to said appliance to be controlled.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 130 words

Apparatus for remotely controlling a first and a second appliance respectively responsive to command signals having a first format and a second format different from said first format, comprising memory means for storing format defining data for each of said appliances in addressable memory locations; user controllable means for selectively addressing said memory locations and reading out said format defining data stored therein; user controllable means for generating command signals signifying a desired operation of said appliance; means connected to said command signal generating means and said memory means for formatting said command signal in accordance with said read out format defining data, thereby creating a formatted command signal, and transmitting means connected to said formatted command signalling generating means for transmitting said signals to said appliance to be controlled.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 103 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 10, wherein operation of said first appliance in response to a first command requires transmission of a second command to said second appliance; further comprising means responsive to said first command signal for automatically generating said second command signal, formatting said second command signal and said first command signal in accordance with read out format defining data corresponding to said second and first appliance, respectively, and means for applying the so formatted first and second command signals to said transmitting means in a predetermined sequence for transmission to said first and second appliance, respectively.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 63 words

A remote control unit as set forth in claim 11, wherein said first appliance is a video cassette recorder and said second appliance is a television receiver; wherein said first command is a "play" command and said second command is a "switch to predetermined channel" command; and wherein said transmitting means to transmit said second command prior to transmission of said first command.

Universal remote control unit

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

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