ONLINE REMOTE CONTROL CONFIGURATION SYSTEM
An online remote control configuration system for efficiently programming a remote control to recognize a plurality of external electronic devices. The online remote control configuration system includes a remote control having a housing, a keypad, and an electronic system for receiving configuration data from a control station via a global computer network (e.g. Internet). The user preferably “samples” one or more signals from a remote control into the electronic system and then uploads the samples to the control station. The control station analyzes the uploaded samples and transmits the appropriate configuration data to properly configure the electronic system. The user may also access a web site of the control station and manually select each of the external electronic devices that the remote control is to operate after which the control station sends the appropriate configuration data to the electronic system.
1 . A method of using a remote control configuration system having an electronic system with a communication device, an input device, and a means for communicating with a control station, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) sampling a signal sample from a remote control;
(b) storing said signal sample within said electronic system into a sample storage;
(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for additional remote controls;
(d) uploading said sample storage to said control station;
(e) determining an identity of a remote control that corresponds with each said signal sample of said sample storage; and
(f) generating a configuration data for said electronic system that allows said electronic system to mimic each remote control sampled.