Patent US6732197B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6732197B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable controller
Assignee: Nokia Inc
•
Filing: 1999-11-08
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Granted: 2004-05-04
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Expires: 2019-11-08
Abstract
Abstract There is described a system for configuring the functionality of anyone of a plurality of devices by transferring control information from a portable controller thereto. The portable controller comprises: an input for receiving control information for configuring each device; memory circuitry arranged to store and retrieve control information for configuring each one of said plurality of devices; and an output for transferring to a device retrieved control information for that device. Each of the devices comprises: a user interface through which the user controls the device, means for coupling wirelessly with the output of the portable controller to transfer retrieved control information therefrom and control means arranged to configure the device in dependence upon the transferred control information by changing at least one of the functions provided by the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Overy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/038; G06F2203/0384
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A system for configuring the functionality of anyone of a plurality of devices by transferring control information from a portable controller thereto to change at least one function which is available to a user of any one of the plurality of devices during use thereof in accordance with the user's preference, wherein the portable controller comprises: an input for receiving control information for configuring each device to change the function which is available to the user of any one of said plurality of devices during use in accordance with the user's preference; memory circuitry arranged to store and retrieve control information for configuring each one of said plurality of devices; and an output for transferring to a device retrieved control information for that devices and wherein each of said devices comprises a user interface through which the user controls the device, means for coupling wirelessly with the output of the portable controller to transfer retrieved control information therefrom and control means arranged to configure the device in dependence upon the transferred control information by changing at least one of the functions provided by the device during use in accordance with the user's preference.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
A system for configuring the functionality of anyone of a plurality of devices by transferring control information from a portable controller thereto to change at least one function which is available to a user of any one of the plurality of devices during use thereof in accordance with the user's preference, wherein the portable controller comprises: an input for receiving control information for configuring each device to change the function which is available to the user of any one of said plurality of devices during use in accordance with the user's preference; memory circuitry arranged to store and retrieve control information for configuring each one of said plurality of devices; and an output for transferring to a device retrieved control information for that devices and wherein each of said devices comprises a user interface through which the user controls the device, means for coupling wirelessly with the output of the portable controller to transfer retrieved control information therefrom and control means arranged to configure the device in dependence upon the transferred control information by changing at least one of the functions provided by the device during use in accordance with the user's preference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device adapts or augments the functions provided by the device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device adapts or augments the range of functions providable by the device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein configuring the functionality of the device changes the device's mode of operation to more or less complex.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device comprises providing software stored in the controller to the device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device comprises changing a software application used to provide a particular function.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device comprises changing the files used in the control of software applications or of the device itself.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device comprises changing the function performed in response to a predetermined input or inputs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device comprises changing the input required to perform a predetermined function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device adapts or augments the user control of a device available via the user interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device adapts or augments the types of input or output providable via the user interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein configuring the functionality of the device adapts, reduces or augments the content of the user interface displayed to a user.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the means for coupling comprises an IR or radio wave transceiver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the user interface means of the device is electronically controlled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein on reconfiguring the device, a user interface on the portable controller replaces or augments the user interface means of the device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a processor and memory, wherein the memory stores the transferred control information and the processor controls said user interface means, reconfiguring it in dependence upon the received control information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the portable controller comprises: input means arranged to couple wirelessly with anyone of said plurality of devices to receive control information therefrom for configuring another of said plurality of devices; memory circuitry arranged to store control information for configuring a particular device in association with the identity of at least the particular device and to retrieve control information associated with a particular device; and output means arranged to couple wirelessly with anyone of said plurality of devices and transfer thereto retrieved control information associated with the device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
172 words
A portable controller for storing control information for a plurality of devices and for configuring the functionality of anyone of said plurality of devices by transferring control information thereto to change at least one function which is available to a user of any one of said plurality of devices during use thereof in accordance with the user's preference, comprising: input means arranged to couple wirelessly with anyone of said plurality of devices to receive control information therefrom for configuring another of said plurality of devices to change the at least one function which is available to the user of any one of said plurality of devices during use thereof in accordance with the user's preference; memory circuitry arranged to store control information for configuring a particular device in association with the identity of at least the particular device and to retrieve control information associated with a particular device; and output means arranged to couple wirelessly with anyone of said plurality of devices and transfer thereto retrieved control information associated with the device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
172 words
A portable controller for storing control information for a plurality of devices and for configuring the functionality of anyone of said plurality of devices by transferring control information thereto to change at least one function which is available to a user of any one of said plurality of devices during use thereof in accordance with the user's preference, comprising: input means arranged to couple wirelessly with anyone of said plurality of devices to receive control information therefrom for configuring another of said plurality of devices to change the at least one function which is available to the user of any one of said plurality of devices during use thereof in accordance with the user's preference; memory circuitry arranged to store control information for configuring a particular device in association with the identity of at least the particular device and to retrieve control information associated with a particular device; and output means arranged to couple wirelessly with anyone of said plurality of devices and transfer thereto retrieved control information associated with the device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 wherein the memory circuitry is arranged to retrieve control information associated with a device in response to receiving a signal comprising the identity of the device, said control information having been previously stored in association with the identity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the memory circuitry comprises decoding means for decoding the identity of a device and controlling, in accordance with said decoding, which portions of a memory are retrieved.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the memory circuitry comprises a look-up table for associating the identity of devices with their respective control information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 21 wherein the look-up table is arranged to assign portions of memory to each identity.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said output means comprises means for establishing a bi-directional link with a device and for performing a handshaking procedure with the device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 23 , wherein said bi-directional link transfers the identity of a device to the personal controller and transfers control information from the personal controller to the device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable controller as claimed claim 18 , wherein said output means comprises an electrical interface or IR interface or radio interface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the input means is adapted to allow the user to change or vary the stored control information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the input means is arranged to receive control information directly from anyone of a plurality of different devices.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said input means comprises means for establishing a bi-directional link with a device and for performing a handshaking procedure with the device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 28 , wherein said bi-directional link identifies the device to the personal controller and transfers control information from the device to the personal controller.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said input means comprises an IR interface or radio interface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said input means and output means are integrated.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising user input means comprising a key pad having legends.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , comprising user input means comprising a touch sensitive pad and/or a cursor control device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising processor means for controlling the input means, memory circuitry and output means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
A portable controller as claimed in claim 18 further comprising additional functional circuitry.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The use of a portable controller as claimed in claim 18 to change the functionality of anyone of a plurality of devices.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electronic device comprising: processor means; user interface means, controllable by the processor means, through which the user interacts with the device; input means for receiving control information to change at least one function which is available to a user of the electronic device during use thereof in accordance with the user's preference; and a memory for storing the received control information, wherein the processor means is arranged to read the control information stored in the memory and in dependence thereon configure the device by changing at least one of the functions provided by the device to the user during use.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
101 words
An electronic device comprising: processor means; user interface means, controllable by the processor means, through which the user interacts with the device; input means for receiving control information to change at least one function which is available to a user of the electronic device during use thereof in accordance with the user's preference; and a memory for storing the received control information, wherein the processor means is arranged to read the control information stored in the memory and in dependence thereon configure the device by changing at least one of the functions provided by the device to the user during use.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electronic device as claimed in claim 37 wherein said memory is an additional memory.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electronic device as claimed in claim 37 wherein said input means comprises means for establishing a bi-directional link and for performing a handshaking procedure to enable the reception of the control information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electronic device as claimed in claim 39 wherein said processor means is arranged to identify the device by providing an identity code during said handshaking procedure to the input means for transmission in the bi-directional link.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electronic device as claimed in claim 37 further comprising output means wherein said processor means is arranged to produce control information defining the device configuration and transmit the control information via the output means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electronic device as claimed in claim 41 wherein said input means and said output means are integral.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
99 words
A system comprising an electronic device as claimed in claim 37 and a portable controller comprising: input means arranged to couple wirelessly with anyone of a plurality of devices to receive control information therefrom for configuring another of said plurality of devices; memory circuitry arranged to store control information for configuring a particular device in association with the identity of at least the particular device and to retrieve control information associated with a particular device; and output means arranged to couple wirelessly with anyone of said plurality of devices and transfer thereto retrieved control information associated with the device.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of changing the functionality of a device comprising the steps of: storing in a portable controller control information arranged to automatically control the functionality of a device when transferred thereto to change at least one function which is available to a user in accordance with the user's preference; physically transporting the portable controller to the device; establishing a wireless communication link between the portable controller and the device; transferring via the wireless communication link stored control information from the portable controller to the device to change at least one function which is available to the user of the device in accordance with the user's preference; and changing the functionality of the device in response to the transferred control information by changing the at least one of the functions provided by the device to the user thereof.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of changing the functionality of a device comprising the steps of: storing in a portable controller control information arranged to automatically control the functionality of a device when transferred thereto to change at least one function which is available to a user in accordance with the user's preference; physically transporting the portable controller to the device; establishing a wireless communication link between the portable controller and the device; transferring via the wireless communication link stored control information from the portable controller to the device to change at least one function which is available to the user of the device in accordance with the user's preference; and changing the functionality of the device in response to the transferred control information by changing the at least one of the functions provided by the device to the user thereof.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of changing the functionality of any one of a plurality of devices comprising the steps of: in a portable controller, storing distinct control information for each of said plurality of devices, the control information for a device being associated with at least that device in the portable controller and arranged to automatically control the functionality of that device when transferred thereto to change at least one function which is available to a user in accordance with the user's preference; physically transporting the portable controller to a first one of said plurality of devices; establishing a wireless communication link between the portable controller and the first device; identifying the first device; transferring via the wireless communication link stored control information associated with the first identified device from the portable controller to the first device to change at least one function which is available to the user of the device in accordance with the user's preference; and changing the functionality of the first device in response to the transferred control information by changing at least one of the functions provided by the device.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of changing the functionality of any one of a plurality of devices comprising the steps of: in a portable controller, storing distinct control information for each of said plurality of devices, the control information for a device being associated with at least that device in the portable controller and arranged to automatically control the functionality of that device when transferred thereto to change at least one function which is available to a user in accordance with the user's preference; physically transporting the portable controller to a first one of said plurality of devices; establishing a wireless communication link between the portable controller and the first device; identifying the first device; transferring via the wireless communication link stored control information associated with the first identified device from the portable controller to the first device to change at least one function which is available to the user of the device in accordance with the user's preference; and changing the functionality of the first device in response to the transferred control information by changing at least one of the functions provided by the device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-05-04 | 2007-11-03 | 2008-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-04 | 2011-11-03 | 2012-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-04 | 2015-11-03 | 2016-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |