Method and configuring a user interface for controlling a controlled device based upon a device class
US6496927B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/42226
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Electronic devices (16, 17) can be controlled by a control unit (11), which in turn is responsive to infrared commands (33) received from a remote (12) utilized by an operator. The remote has a touch-panel display (49), on which images can be displayed. The images are part of a user interface created by a program (86) running in a personal computer (13). An operator enters into the computer an identification of the devices (16, 17) which are to be controlled, and the computer then takes predefined images and automatically customizes them for the these devices. Some of the images have a size which is less than the overall size of the display, so that when one of these images is displayed, a portion of at least one other image will also be visible. For a controlled device which does not recognize each of a discrete power on, discrete power off and power toggle command, the computer automatically effects configuration so as to provide all three functions using a subset of commands which the controlled device actually does recognize.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.