System and method for personalized remote control of an interactive television system

1. A method for providing personalized remote control of an interactive television system, the method comprising:

receiving a first code sequence identifying a particular remote control from a set of available remote controls;

receiving a second code sequence indicating an activated control on the identified remote control;

using the first code sequence to identify a particular control-to-function map from a plurality of control-to-function maps, each control-to-function map corresponding to a different remote control and associating code sequences with respective available functions within the interactive television system;

using the second code sequence to select a corresponding one of the available functions from the identified control-to-function map;

executing the selected function within the interactive television system; and

sharing the identified control-to-function map over a network to allow a user to access another interactive television system with the identified remote control using the same control-to-function map.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first code sequence is unique to the identified remote control among all manufactured remote controls compatible with the interactive television system.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second code sequences are transmitted from the identified remote control to the interactive television system using infrared (IR) transmission.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second code sequences are transmitted from the identified remote control to the interactive television system using radio frequency (RF) transmission.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each available function is capable of being performed by the interactive television system in response to activation of a control on a remote control.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the identified remote control includes a set of buttons, and wherein the number of available functions is greater than the number of buttons on the identified remote control.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identified remote control includes a key chain attachment for coupling the remote control to a key chain.

8. A method for providing personalized remote control of an interactive television system, the method comprising:

receiving a first code sequence identifying a particular remote control from a set of available remote controls;

receiving a second code sequence indicating a control on the identified remote control;

receiving a third code sequence specifying a particular user-selected function from a set of available functions capable of being performed by the interactive television system in response to activation of the indicated control, wherein the interactive television system includes a set of remote-specific control-to-function maps, each control-to-function map corresponding to one of the available remote controls, each control-to-function map associating a code sequence with one of the available functions;

identifying a particular control-to-function map from the set of control-to-function maps based on the first code sequence;

associating the second bode sequence with the specified function within the identified control-to-function map; and

sharing the identified control-to-function map over a network to allow a user to access another interactive television system with the identified remote control using the same control-to-function map.

9. A method for providing personalized remote control of an interactive television system, the method comprising:

detecting activation of a control on a remote control;

transmitting a first code sequence identifying the remote control from a set of available remote controls for the interactive television system;

using the first code sequence to identify a particular control-to-function map from a plurality of control-to-function maps, each control-to-function map corresponding to a different remote control and associating code sequences with respective available functions within the interactive television system, wherein the identified control-to-function map is shared over a network to allow a user to access the interactive television system with the identified remote control using the same control-to-function map as a user on another interactive television system; and

transmitting a second code sequence indicating the activated control on the identified remote control, wherein the second code sequence is used to select a corresponding one of the available functions from the identified control-to-function map to be performed by the interactive television system.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

transmitting a third code sequence to associate a control on the identified remote control with a particular user-selected function from the available functions to be performed by the interactive television system in response to activation of the control.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first code sequence is unique to the identified remote control among all manufactured remote controls compatible with the interactive television system.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and second code sequences are transmitted from the identified remote control to the interactive television system using infrared (IR) transmission.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first and second code sequences are transmitted from the identified remote control to the interactive television system using radio frequency (RF) transmission.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein each available function is capable of being performed in response to activation of a control on a remote control.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the identified remote control includes a set of controls, and wherein the number of available functions is greater than the number of controls on the identified remote control.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the identified remote control includes a key chain attachment for coupling the remote control to a key chain.

17. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

transmitting a third code sequence configured to open a garage door.

18. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

transmitting a third code sequence configured to unlock an automobile door.

19. An interactive television system providing personalized remote control, the system comprising:

a remote identification component that receives a first code sequence identifying a particular remote control from a set of available remote controls and uses the first code sequence to identify a particular control-to-function map from a plurality of control-to-function maps, each control-to-function map corresponding to a different remote control and associating code sequences with respective available functions within the interactive television system, wherein the identified control-to-function map is retrieved through a network to allow a user to access the interactive television system with the identified remote control using the same control-to-function map as a user on a different interactive television system;

a control identification component that receives a second code sequence indicating an activated control on the identified remote control;

a function selection component that uses the second code sequence to select a corresponding one of the available functions from the identified control-to-function map; and

an execution component that performs the selected function within the interactive television system.

20. The interactive television system of claim 19 , wherein the first code sequence is unique to the identified remote control among all manufactured remote controls compatible with the interactive television system.

21. The interactive television system of claim 19 , wherein the first and second code sequences are transmitted from the identified remote control to the interactive television system using infrared (IR) transmission.

22. The interactive television system of claim 19 , wherein the first and second code sequences are transmitted from the identified remote control to the interactive television system using radio frequency (RF) transmission.

23. The interactive television system of claim 19 , wherein each available function is capable of being performed by, the interactive television system in response to activation of a control on a remote control.

24. The interactive television system of claim 23 , wherein the identified remote control includes a set of controls, and wherein the set of available functions is greater in number than the set of controls on the identified remote control.

25. The interactive television system of claim 19 , wherein the identified remote control includes a key chain attachment for coupling the remote control to a key chain.

26. An interactive television system providing personalized remote control, the system comprising:

a remote identification component that receives a first code sequence identifying a particular remote control from a set of available remote controls;

a control identification component that receives a second code sequence indicating a control on the identified remote control;

a function specification component that receives a third code sequence specifying a particular user-selected function from a set of available functions capable of being performed by the interactive television system in response to activation of the indicated control, wherein the interactive television system includes a set of remote-specific control-to-function maps, each control-to-function map corresponding to one of the available remote controls, each control-to-function map associating a code sequence with one of the available functions;

a function association component that associates the indicated control on the identified remote control with the specified function to be performed in response to activation of the control, wherein the function association component is configured to identify a particular control-to-function map from the set of control-to-function maps based on the first code sequence and to associate the second code sequence with the specified function within the identified control-to-function map; and

a network interface that shares the identified control-to-function map over a network to allow a user to access another interactive television system with the identified remote control using the same control-to-function map.

27. A personalized remote control for an interactive television system, the remote control comprising:

at least one control; and

a transmitter, coupled to the control, configured to transmit a first code sequence identifying the remote control from a set of available remote controls for the interactive television system,

wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a second code sequence indicating the activated control on the identified remote control, wherein the first code sequence is used to identify a particular control-to-function map from a plurality of control-to-function maps, each control-to-function map corresponding to a different remote control and associating code sequences with respective available functions within the interactive television system, and wherein the second code sequence is used to select a corresponding one of the available functions from the identified control-to-function map for execution by the interactive television system, wherein the identified control-to-function map is retrieved through a network to allow a user to access the interactive television system with the remote control using the same control-to-function map as users on one or more different interactive television systems.

28. The remote control of claim 27 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a third code sequence for associating a control on the identified remote control with a particular user-selected function from the available functions to be performed by the interactive television system in response to activation of the control.

29. The remote control of claim 27 , wherein the first code sequence is unique to the identified remote control.

30. The remote control of claim 27 , wherein the first and second code sequences are transmitted from the identified remote control to the interactive television system using infrared (IR) transmission.

31. The remote control of claim 27 , wherein the first and second code sequences are transmitted from the identified remote control to the interactive television system using radio frequency (RF) transmission.

32. The remote control of claim 27 , wherein each available function is capable of being performed in response to activation of a control on a remote control.

33. The remote control of claim 32 , wherein the identified remote control includes a set of controls, and wherein the number of available functions is greater than the number of controls on the identified remote control.

34. The remote control of claim 27 , wherein the identified remote control includes a key chain attachment for coupling the remote control to a key chain.

35. The remote control of claim 27 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a third code sequence configured to open a garage door.

36. The remote control of claim 27 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a third code sequence configured to unlock an automobile door.

37. A method for providing personalized remote control of an interactive television system, the method comprising:

detecting activation of a control on a remote control;

transmitting a first code sequence to a set top box distinguishing the remote control from a set of available remote controls;

selecting a remote-specific control-to-function map within the set top box based on the first code sequence, wherein the selected control-to-function map is retrieved through a network to allow a user to access the interactive television system with the remote control using the same control-to-function map as users on one or more different interactive television systems;

transmitting a second code sequence to the set top box indicating the activated control;

selecting a function to be performed by the set top box from a set of available functions within the selected remote-specific control-to-function map based on the second code sequence; and

executing the selected function within the set top box.

38. A system for providing personalized remote control of an interactive television system, the system comprising:

a control detection component that detects activation of a control on a remote control;

a remote identification component that transmits a first code sequence to a set top box distinguishing the remote control from a set of available remote controls;

a map selection component that selects a remote-specific control-to-function map within the set top box based on the first code sequence, wherein the selected control-to-function map is accessed through a network to allow a user to control the interactive television system with the remote control using the same control-to-function map as users on one or more different interactive television systems;

a control identification component that transmits a second code sequence to the set top box indicating the activated control;

a function selection component that selects a function to be performed by the set top box from a set of available functions within the selected remote-specific control-to-function map based on the second code sequence; and

an execution component that performs the selected function within the set top box.

39. A personalized remote control for an interactive television system, comprising:

means for detecting activation of a control on a remote control;

means for transmitting a first code sequence identifying the remote control from a set of available remote controls for the interactive television system;

means for using the first code sequence to identify a particular control-to-function map from a plurality of control-to-function maps, each control-to-function map corresponding to a different remote control and associating code sequences with respective available functions within the interactive television system, wherein the identified control-to-function map is accessed through a network to allow a user to control the interactive television system with the particular remote control using the same control-to-function map as users on one or more different interactive television systems; and

means for transmitting a second code sequence indicating the activated control on the identified remote control, wherein the second code sequence is used to select a corresponding one of the available functions from the identified control-to-function map to be performed by the interactive television system.

40. An interactive television system providing personalized remote control, comprising:

means for receiving a first code sequence identifying a particular remote control from a set of available remote controls;

means for receiving a second code sequence indicating an activated control on the identified remote control;

means for using the first code sequence to identify a particular control-to-function map from a plurality of control-to-function maps, each control-to-function map corresponding to a different remote control and associating code sequences with respective available functions within the interactive television system, wherein the identified control-to-function map is accessed through a network to allow a user to control the interactive television system with the particular remote control using the same control-to-function map as one or more users on one or more different interactive television systems;

means for using the second code sequence to select a corresponding one of the available functions from the identified control-to-function map; and

means for executing the selected function within the interactive television system.

41. A interactive television system for providing personalized remote control, comprising:

means for receiving a first code sequence identifying a particular remote control from a set of available remote controls;

means for receiving a second code sequence indicating a control on the identified remote control;

means for receiving a third code sequence specifying a particular user-selected function from a set of available functions capable of being performed by the interactive television system in response to activation of the indicated control, wherein the identified remote control includes a set of controls, wherein the number available functions is greater than the number of controls on the identified remote control, and wherein each function is assignable to each control on the identified remote control, wherein the identified control-to-function map is accessed through a network to allow a user to control the interactive television system with the particular remote control using the same control-to-function map as one or more users on one or more different interactive television systems; and

means for associating the indicated control on the identified remote control with the specified function to be performed in response to activation of the control.

42. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sharing the identified control-to-function map over a network to allow a user to access another interactive television system with the identified remote control using the same control-to-function map.

43. The method of claim 8 , wherein receiving a first code sequence further comprises:

determining that no control-to-function map exists for the first code sequence when the particular first code sequence is received for the first time; and

prompting a user to set up a control-to-function map for the identified remote control.

44. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

allowing a user to associate the first code sequence with a preexisting code-to-function map.