Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 1 of 17 Page ID #:57
`Case 8:20-cv-00696—DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 1 of 17 Page ID #:57
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`EXHIBIT B
`EXHIBIT B
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 2 of 17 Page ID #:58
`
`US00796.9514B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Haughaw out et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7.969,514 B2
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`(54) SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SIMPLIFIED
`SETUP OF A UNIVERSAL REMOTE
`CONTROL
`
`(75) Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Aliso Viejo,
`CA (US); Patrick H. Hayes, Mission
`Viejo, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: Hayrol Electronics Inc., Cypress, CA
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`past isit G adjusted under 35
`.S.C. 154(b) by
`yS.
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/768,325
`
`(22) Filed:
`(65)
`
`Apr. 27, 2010
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2010/02O7778 A1
`
`Aug. 19, 2010
`O
`O
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 1 1/515.962, filed on
`Sep. 5, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,907,222.
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/715,229, filed on Sep.
`8, 2005.
`(51) Int. Cl
`H04N 5/44
`
`(2011.01)
`
`(56)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ..................... 348/734; 348/552; 348/1405;
`340/426.13
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 348/734,
`348/552, 14.05, 14.04, 114; 340/815.6, 825.75,
`340/426.13, 426.14; 725/80, 81
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`7,154,566 B2 * 12/2006 Gustafson et al. ............ 348,734
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — Jefferey Harold
`Assistant Examiner — Jean W. Désir
`74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Greenberg Traurig, LLP
`ey, Ag
`9.
`9.
`57
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling
`device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an
`interactive instruction set and associated programming. The
`programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable
`appliance and is configured to appropriately display interac
`tive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated
`set up procedure for configuration of another controllable
`device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc.) available to the user.
`Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command
`library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive
`instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial
`by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).
`20 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 3 of 17 Page ID #:59
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
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`US 7.969,514 B2
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`
`
`GRE
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`

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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 4 of 17 Page ID #:60
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 7.969,514 B2
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`
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`

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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 5 of 17 Page ID #:61
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
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`US 7.969,514 B2
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`
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 6 of 17 Page ID #:62
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
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`US 7.969,514 B2
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`
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`*:::::::: x:
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`

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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 7 of 17 Page ID #:63
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
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`US 7.969,514 B2
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 8 of 17 Page ID #:64
`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 8 of 17 Page ID #:64
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 28, 2011
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`US 7,969,514 B2
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 9 of 17 Page ID #:65
`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 9 of 17 Page ID #:65
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 28, 2011
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`US 7,969,514 B2
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 10 of 17 Page ID #:66
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
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`US 7.969,514 B2
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 11 of 17 Page ID #:67
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 7.969,514 B2
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 12 of 17 Page ID #:68
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 28, 2011
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
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`US 7.969,514 B2
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`

`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 13 of 17 Page ID #:69
`
`US 7,969,514 B2
`
`1.
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SIMPLIFED
`SETUP OF A UNIVERSAL REMOTE
`CONTROL
`
`2
`Accordingly, a need exists for a simplified and more user
`friendly system and method for manually setting up and con
`figuring a universal remote control.
`
`RELATED APPLICATION DATA
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 11/515,962, filed on Sep. 5, 2006, which application
`claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
`60/715.229 filed on Sep. 8, 2005, which applications are
`incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`This invention relates generally to remote control systems
`and, more particularly, to a system and method for setting up
`and configuring a universal remote control to command func
`tions of one or more types of remotely controllable appliances
`of one or more manufacturers. Exemplary types of appliances
`include, but are not limited to televisions, video cassette
`recorders (VCRs), cable boxes, disk players, digital video
`recorders (DVRs), thermostats, game consoles, etc.
`Manufacturers typically provide a remote control with an
`appliance and, as such, different appliance types of different
`manufacturers are often commanded with different remote
`controls. To minimize the number of individual remote con
`trols a user requires, universal remote controls have been
`developed. Accordingly, universal remote controls for com
`manding various functions of various types of appliances of
`various manufacturers have become quite widespread. By
`way of example, universal remote controls are described in
`commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4.959,810, 5.255,313 and
`5,552,917.
`In a common method of setting up a universal remote
`control, codes for commanding functions of an appliance are
`learned from a remote control supplied by the manufacturer
`with that appliance. The learned codes, which are stored
`within the universal remote control, are then available for
`Subsequent transmission to the appliance. Alternatively,
`codes for commanding functions of appliances of various
`types and various manufacturers can be preprogrammed into
`the universal remote control. The user then interacts with the
`universal remote control to identify to the universal remote
`control which appliance(s) the user desires to command, i.e.,
`the user manually enters an appliance or brand code, usually
`obtained from a tabulation in a printed user manual or the like,
`into the universal remote control and the universal remote
`control uses that user provided identity information to access
`those preprogrammed codes that are appropriate for com
`manding the identified appliance(s). In this regard, examples
`50
`of known methods for performing an initial setup of an uni
`versal remote control may be foundin, for example, the above
`mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,810 as well as U.S. Pat. No.
`5,614,906, entitled “Method for Selecting a Remote Control
`Command Set, or U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,359 entitled “Univer
`sal Remote Control Unit with Model Identification Capabil
`ity.” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
`entirety.
`An additional system and method for setting up a universal
`remote control is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,248.
`While known setup methods do work for their intended
`purpose, it has been seen that the process of setting up and
`configuring a universal remote control can be demanding,
`exacting, and generally frustrating for many users. For
`example, user manuals or other documents containing setup
`codes and entry instructions may be lost or misplaced, or may
`be superseded as brand and/or model names evolve, etc.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`In accordance with this need, the following describes a
`system and method for allowing a universal remote control to
`be easily setup and configured to command appliances of
`various types and various manufacturers.
`A better appreciation of the objects, advantages, features,
`properties, and relationships of the system and method for
`setting up and configuring a universal remote control will be
`obtained from the following detailed description and accom
`panying drawings which set forth illustrative embodiments
`which are indicative of the various ways in which the prin
`ciples of the system and method may be employed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For use in better understanding the exemplary systems and
`methods for setting up a universal remote control which are
`described hereinafter, reference may be had to preferred
`embodiments shown in the following drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in which the uni
`Versal remote control may be used;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary universal
`remote control for use in the system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram view of various compo
`nents of the exemplary universal remote control of FIG. 2;
`FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate the system of FIG. 1 at various
`stages during initial setup of the exemplary universal remote
`control;
`FIG. 7 illustrates, in flow chart form, the steps performed
`during initial setup of the exemplary universal remote con
`trol;
`FIG. 8 illustrates the system of FIG. 1 at various stages
`during an exemplary key mapping setup of the exemplary
`remote control;
`FIG. 9 illustrates, in flow chart form, the steps performed
`during key mapping setup of the exemplary remote control;
`and
`FIG. 10 illustrates an instruction sheet for an exemplary
`alternate method for key mapping setup of a remote control.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`The following describes a system and methods for setting
`up and configuring a universal remote control to command
`one or more functions of one or more types of appliances of
`one or more manufacturers. By way of example, FIG. 1 illus
`trates an exemplary system 110 wherein a universal remote
`control 100 supplied together with a cable set top box 102
`may be used to command functions of various appliances,
`illustrated as a TV set 104 and a VCR 106.
`For use in remotely commanding a device to perform a
`common and/or extended operational function (i.e., a func
`tion that may not be widely supported by devices of a com
`mon device type), the universal remote control 100, an
`example of which is illustrated in FIG. 2, includes a set of
`command keys within a key matrix which are assigned to
`operational functions. In this regard, common operational
`functions include functions that are usually widely Supported
`by devices of a common device type (e.g., power 202, digit
`tuning 204, volume control 208, channel up/down control
`206, media transport 210, etc.) The universal remote control
`100 also includes device keys 212, e.g., “AUX,” “CBL.”
`
`

`

`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 14 of 17 Page ID #:70
`
`US 7,969,514 B2
`
`3
`“VCR,” and “TV,” the activation of which places the universal
`remote control 100 into a mode to transmit commands to a
`particular type of device, and a setup key 208. It will be
`appreciated that, while illustrated as hard keys, the keys of the
`universal remote control 100 may implemented as soft keys,
`for example, by being displayed on an LCD touch screen or
`the like.
`By way of further example, referring to FIG. 3, the univer
`sal remote control 100 may include, as needed for a particular
`application, a processor 300 coupled to one or more memory
`devices (such as a ROM memory 308, a RAM memory 310,
`and/or non-volatile read/write memory 306), a key matrix
`302 (e.g., physical buttons, a touch screen display, or a com
`bination thereof), an internal clock and timer 301, transmis
`15
`sion circuit(s) 304 (e.g., IR and/or RF), receiver circuit(s)
`and/or transceiver circuit(s) (e.g., IR and/or RF not illus
`trated), a means 303 to provide visual feedback to the con
`Sumer (e.g., LED, display, and/or the like), means to provide
`audio feedback to the user (e.g., a speaker—not illustrated), a
`power supply 307, and/or a serial I/O port (e.g., a jack or
`contacts—not illustrated). As will be understood by those of
`skill in the art, the memory device(s) includes executable
`instructions that are intended to be executed by the processor
`300 to control the operation of the universal remote control
`100. In this manner, the processor 100 may be programmed to
`control the various electronic components within the univer
`sal remote control 100, e.g., to monitor the power supply 307,
`to cause the transmission of signals, display icons and/or
`HTML pages, etc. The non-volatile read/write memory 306,
`for example, an EEPROM or the like, may be provided to
`store setup data and parameters as necessary such that data is
`not required to be reloaded after battery changes. It is to be
`understood that the memory devices may take the form of any
`type of readable media, Such as, for example, a Smart Card,
`memory stick, a chip, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, and/or an
`optical disk. Still further, it will be appreciated that some orall
`of the illustrated memory devices may be physically incor
`porated within the same IC chip as the microprocessor 300 (a
`so called “microcontroller) and, as such, they are shown
`separately in FIG.3 only for the sake of clarity.
`To cause the universal remote control 100 to perform an
`action, the universal remote control 100 is adapted to be
`responsive to events, such as a sensed consumer interaction
`with the key matrix 302, receipt of a transmission, etc. In
`response to an event appropriate instructions and/or data
`within the memory devices are executed and/or accessed. For
`example, when a command key is activated on the universal
`remote control 100, the universal remote control 100 may
`retrieve a code data value corresponding to the activated
`command key from a memory device and access instructions
`to transmit the retrieved code data value to a device inaformat
`recognizable by the device. It will be appreciated that the
`instructions within the memory devices can be used not only
`to cause the transmission of command codes and/or data to
`the devices but also to perform local operations. While not
`limiting, local operations that may be performed by the uni
`versal remote control 100 include displaying information/
`data, favorite channel setup, macro button setup, command
`function key relocation, etc. Since examples of local opera
`tions can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,481.256, 5,959,751, and
`6,014,092 they will not be discussed in greater detail herein.
`To initially program the universal remote control 100 to
`access the operational functions of a device, the consumer
`may use an improved system and method for obtaining, enter
`ing, and testing device code information, one exemplary
`embodiment of which is described hereafter.
`
`65
`
`4
`Turning now to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment a
`remote control 100 may be supplied together with a cable or
`satellite set top box (“STB) 102. Remote control 100 may
`include a universal library of infrared codes for use in con
`trolling other types of appliances which are commonly uti
`lized in conjunction with a set top box, Such as for example a
`TV 104 and/or a VCR 106. To facilitate setting up remote
`control 100 to command operation of appliances 104, 106,
`STB 102 may be equipped with data 404 and application
`program 406, preferably stored locally within STB 102 on
`mass storage 402 or on a device otherwise accessible to STB
`102. It will be appreciated that mass storage 402 may take the
`form of flash memory, ROM memory, RAM memory,
`memory card or stick, hard disk drive, CD ROM, etc., or any
`combination of the above as appropriate. It will be further
`appreciated that data 404 and application 402 may be peri
`odically updated over the cable network and/or may in certain
`embodiments even be partially or fully resident at the cable
`headend or other remote source accessible by STB 102. The
`data 404 and application 402 may also be updated using a
`device other than the STB 102. For example, if the data 404
`and application 402 are maintained on removable memory,
`the removable memory may be updated via a personal com
`puter or other device with an Internet connection and then
`replaced into the STB 102. It should also be appreciated that
`while the exemplary embodiment below is presented interms
`of interactions between a remote control 100 and an applica
`tion 402 resident in an STB, in alternative embodiments
`application 402 may be hosted on, and the interactions may
`occur with, any suitable appliance such as a TV, DVR, AV
`receiver, etc. without limitation.
`Application 406 is responsive to IR signals issued by
`remote control 100 during the user setup process as illustrated
`in the flowchart of FIG. 7 and described below:
`The user enters a Setup Mode by, for example, pressing and
`holding setup key 208. The entering of the Setup Mode may
`be signaled to a user by the LED 303 blinking twice (e.g.,
`upon pressing and holding the setup key for approximately 3
`seconds). Upon entering Setup Mode the remote control
`transmits a specific “setup' IR code to STB 102 which is
`interpreted as a command to initiate the “Remote Setup/
`Help' application 406. Alternatively or as a backup, in certain
`embodiments application 406 may also be invoked from STB
`102’s built-in menu system, upon activation of a dedicated
`key on the STB 102, etc.
`In connection with entering the setup mode, the remote
`control 100 may configure its keyboard as follows:
`Navigation (Left, Right, Up, Down and Select/OK keys)
`214, Exit key 216, and device keys 212 are adapted to
`cause transmission of infrared command data in the
`format recognized by STB 102;
`Digit entry keys 204 do not transmit commands but serve
`only for input of appliance setup codes as described
`hereafter; and
`Function keys such as volume 208, channel up/down 206,
`transport keys 210, etc. are adapted to cause transmis
`sion of infrared command data in the format of the
`appliance under test as described hereafter.
`In connection with the following paragraphs, the reader
`may wish to refer to FIG. 7 which presents, in flowchart form,
`a summary of the steps described below and illustrated in
`FIGS. 4 through 6. Upon initiation, STB application 406 may
`display on TV 104 a user prompt such as for example: “What
`device do you want to setup for control?” together with a list
`of valid device types, e.g. “TV”, “VCR”, “Receiver”, etc. The
`application 406 may also prompt the user to select an appro
`priate language for the prompts. Application 406 may addi
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 15 of 17 Page ID #:71
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`US 7,969,514 B2
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`5
`tionally display messages for general user guidance Such as
`for example “Press Exit at any time to exit remote setup and
`return to watching TV.”
`In the exemplary embodiment the user may then select,
`using navigation keys 214, a desired device type from the
`displayed list, for example “VCR. In an alternative embodi
`ment, the user may directly select the device type by actuating
`one of the device keys 212 of the remote control, which may
`in that instance be adapted to transmit a signal to the STB
`indicative of the device type selected. Application 406 may
`respond by displaying a confirmation of the selected device
`type together with scrollable list 410 of valid brand names for
`that device type, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The brand names that
`comprise this list are obtained by reference to data file 404. In
`this way it will be understood that certain keys or groups of
`keys on remote control 100 may be temporarily reconfigured
`(generally during the setup procedure) to transmit command
`data to STB for purposes of user interaction with application
`406 during the setup process.
`The user may then select (once again via use of keys 214)
`a desired brand name, for example “Samsung.' Application
`406 may respond by displaying the remote control setup code
`number most likely to result in selection of an infrared code
`set which will operate appliances of the type and manufacture
`indicated (once again, obtained by reference to data 404). In
`the exemplary embodiment presented, this number may
`include a leading digit to indicate to the remote control pro
`gramming which device type is to be setup, e.g. '2' for
`“VCR. In alternative embodiments where the user may
`already have explicitly entered the device type being set up
`via one of the keys 212, this may not be necessary.
`The user may then enter this number, for example"2” “0”
`“0” “6” “0” (502 in FIG. 5), into remote control 100 using
`digit entry keys 204. Upon entry of the final digit of the
`sequence, remote control 100:
`Configures itself to transmit commands in the indicated
`infrared command format in response to actuation of
`function keys 206, 208, 210, etc., and
`Transmits an infrared command in STB format to notify
`the STB application 406 that device code entry is com
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`plete.
`Upon receipt of the completion signal from remote control
`100, STB application 406 may display a listing of suggested
`function(s) 602 to test operation of the target appliance using
`the code just entered, together with a user message to, for
`example, press "setup' if the Suggested code works, or to
`press “select to try a different code, all as illustrated in FIG.
`6.
`If the user activates the “setup' key, indicative that the
`current code being tested has been found suitable to com
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`mand operation of the appliance, remote control 100 again
`transmits a completion signal in STB infrared format, which
`is interpreted by application 406 in STB 102 as a successful
`conclusion of the setup process and causes application 406 to
`terminate execution, returning STB 100 to normal operation.
`Likewise, remote control 100 also returns to normal opera
`tion, configured now to issue commands in the chosen format
`that device type (VCR in the example presented) is selected
`by activation of one of keys 212.
`If on the other hand, the user activates the “select key,
`indicative that the current code being tested is unable to
`command operation of the appliance, remote control 100
`transmits the “select command signal in STB infrared for
`mat, which causes application 406 to retrieve and display the
`next most likely setup code number contained in data 404, so
`that the user may repeat the test steps using this new code.
`This setup process may continue until the user finally exits by
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`activating the “setup' or “exit key, or alternatively, data 404
`may include an indicator that no further possibilities exist,
`upon eventual retrieval of which application 406 may cause a
`display of instructions to the user to abort the setup process by
`pressing the “exit' key and, for example, call a customer
`service number. In an alternate embodiment, application 406
`may be configured to monitor command data transmitted
`from remote control 100 during the setup process for use in
`automatically progressing through the various setup instruc
`tions and prompts associated with the setup application. By
`way of example only, application 406 may be configured to
`monitor command data transmitted from remote control 100
`in order to echo key presses on the TV screen as a means of
`visual verification to the user that a setup code was entered
`correctly, or to present prompts such as “Did your DVD
`player respond to the Power On command? Press “1” for yes,
`or press “0” for no” whereupon receipt of either the “1” or “0”
`key command data will cause application 406 to proceed
`automatically to another instruction or prompt in the setup
`procedure.
`In certain embodiments, after the appropriate command
`code sets for the devices to be controlled have been selected as
`described above, it may be desirable to further configure
`certain operational characteristics of remote control 100. In
`particular, as described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,947,
`101 or 7,013,434 (both of like assignee and incorporated
`herein by reference in their entirety) it may be advantageous
`to assign certain subsets of the keys of remote control 100 to
`always transmit command codes corresponding to a specific
`device. As appropriate for a particular embodiment, this may
`take the form of a fixed assignment of certain keys to always
`send the same code regardless of the device currently selected
`via device keys 212 (as described in the aforementioned U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,947,101) or this may take the form of a separate
`special page or device mode (e.g. “Home Theater mode')
`comprised of a composite of groups of key functions from
`other device modes (as described in the aforementioned U.S.
`Pat. No. 7,013,434), or some combination thereof. For
`example, users whose equipment is configured to route all
`audio signals through their afv receiver may wish to have the
`volume keys 208 of exemplary remote control 100 always
`transmit commands that are intended to control correspond
`ing operations of the receiver (i.e., the device code setup on
`the AUX mode key 220). Cable or satellite subscribers may
`wish to have the channel tuning keys 206 and numeric pad
`204 always transmit commands that are intended to control
`corresponding operations of the STB (it will be appreciated
`that remote controls which are supplied together with a STB
`may already be factory pre-configured in this manner, how
`ever remote controls offered as aftermarket accessories and/
`or Supplied together with other appliances may not be.)
`To this end, upon completion of device setup, application
`406 may interactively prompt the user to enter information
`regarding device usage and system configuration, which
`information may then be used to configure key assignments,
`automatically program macro command sequences Such as
`“all on”, “all off, “watch a movie', etc., or for any other
`appropriate remote control configuration purpose. An exem
`plary method for performing key mapping is illustrated in
`FIG. 8 and summarized in flowchart form in FIG. 9. By way
`of this example, upon initiation of this particular setup opera
`tion, which may be initiated in a manner similar to that
`described above, application 406 may display on TV 104 a
`message 802 requesting that the user indicate to the remote
`control which device is normally used for controlling system
`volume. In the example presented, the choices 803 are TV.
`audio receiver, or VCR. Without limitation, this list may
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`Case 8:20-cv-00696-DOC-KES Document 1-2 Filed 04/09/20 Page 16 of 17 Page ID #:72
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`US 7,969,514 B2
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`8
`example based on user response to an initial Screen displaying
`images of the various remote control versions.
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`While specific embodiments of the present invention have
`been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled
`in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those
`details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of
`the disclosure. For example, it should be appreciated that any
`of the above described methods can be used alone or in
`combination to setup the remote control 100. Additionally, as
`noted, the functionality of the universal remote control 100
`can be included in other controlling devices such as PDAs,
`personal computers, home devices, or the like. Further, while
`the exemplary embodiment above is presented in terms of
`interactions between a set top box and a universal remote
`control, it will be appreciated that many other appliance
`types, e.g. TVs, PVRs, DVDs, PCs, etc. may be substituted
`for the STB without altering the spirit of the invention.
`Accordingly, it will be understood that the particular arrange
`ments and procedures disclosed are meant to be illustrative
`only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is
`to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any
`equivalents thereof.
`All of the cited patents and patent applications are hereby
`incorporated by reference in their entirety.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for providing interactive instructions to a user
`to set up a controlling device used to command a plurality of
`controllable appliances, the method comprising:
`providing on a first controllable appliance programming
`for the display of instructions to the user in response to
`input from the user via the controlling device;
`providing input by the user to the first controllable appli
`ance via the controlling device indicating that the con
`trolling device is to be set up to command a second
`controllable appliance;
`accessing instruction data associated with the second con
`trollable appliance by the programming provided on the
`first controllable appliance; and
`in response to input by the user via the controlling device,
`displaying the instruction data by the programming pro
`vided on the first controllable appliance for use by the
`user in setting up the controlling device to command the
`second controllable appliance.
`2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a
`portion of the instruction data is accessed by the program
`ming provided on the first controllable appliance from a
`remote SOurce.
`3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the instruction
`data is provided automatically to the first controllable device
`by a remote source.
`4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a
`portion of the programming provided on the first controllable
`appliance is provided from a remote source.
`5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the program
`ming is provided automatically to the first controllable appli
`ance by a remote source.
`6. The method as recited inclaim 1 wherein the instructions
`include