Easy RF remote control pairing for networked set top boxes

1. A method comprising:

transmitting a pairing signal in an infrared frequency band from a remote control;

transmitting command signals from the remote control in a radio frequency band;

receiving the pairing signal in a first set top box;

unpairing the remote control from a second set top box in response to reception of the pairing signal by the first set top box by causing the first set top box to transmit a signal to the second set top box, the second set top box configured upon receipt of the signal to no longer execute command signals received by the second set top box from the remote control in the radio frequency band; and

pairing the remote control to the first set top box in response to reception of the pairing signal by the first set top box by causing the first set top box to execute command signals received from the remote control in the radio frequency band.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein unpairing the remote control from the second set top box comprises transmitting an unpairing signal from the first set top box to the second set top box in response to reception of the pairing signal by the first set top box.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

pairing the remote control to a display coupled to the first set top box upon reception of the pairing signal by the first set top box; and

transmitting display control signals from the remote control to control the display when the remote control is paired to the display.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein pairing the remote control to the display comprises:

transmitting a display code from the first set top box to the remote control; and

storing the display code in a memory of the remote control.

5. The method of claim 3 comprising transmitting video signals from the first set top box to the display.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the display is a television.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the pairing signal comprises transmitting an identity code of the remote control.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the pairing signal is encrypted.

9. A set top box comprising:

an infrared signal receiver configured to receive an infrared pairing signal from a remote control;

a processing circuit configured to process the pairing signal and to pair the set top box to the remote control; and

a radio frequency signal receiver configured to receive radio frequency control signals from the remote control, the processing circuit configured to allow the control signals to control the set top box when the set top box is paired to the remote control, and to transmit an unpairing signal to a second set top box upon reception of the pairing signal, the unpairing signal configured to unpair the second set top box from the remote control.

10. The set top box of claim 9 wherein the control circuit is configured to pair the remote control to a television in response to receiving the pairing signal.

11. The set top box of claim 10 comprising a memory configured to store a television control code, the set top box configured to transmit the television control code to the remote control upon receiving the pairing signal.

12. A system comprising:

a remote control having:

an infrared transmitter configured to transmit an infrared pairing signal; and

a radio frequency transmitter configured to transmit a control signal;

a first set top box including:

a first infrared receiver configured to receive the pairing signal; and

a first radio frequency receiver configured to receive the control signal;

a second set top box having:

a second infrared receiver configured to receive the pairing signal; and

a second radio frequency receiver configured to receive the control signal, the first set top box configured to pair the remote control to the first set top box and to transmit an unpairing signal to the second set top box that unpairs the remote control from the second set top box upon reception of the pairing signal by the first set top box, the first set top box being further configured to be controlled by the control signal when the remote control is paired to the first set top box.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first set top box is configured to output video signals to a display.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the first set top box comprises a first memory configured to store a display control code and to transmit the display control code to the remote control upon receiving the pairing signal.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the remote control has a second memory configured to store the display control code, the remote control being configured to transmit display control signals to control the display.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the display is a television.

17. The system of claim 12 comprising a satellite antenna coupled to the first and the second set top boxes.

18. A method comprising:

transmitting a pairing signal from a control unit, the pairing signal being in an infrared frequency band;

receiving the pairing signal in a first processing unit;

pairing the control unit to the first processing unit upon reception of the pairing signal by the first processing unit;

transmitting an unpairing signal from a first processing unit to a second processing unit upon reception of the pairing signal by the first processing unit;

unpairing the control unit from the second processing unit upon reception of the unpairing signal by the second processing unit; and

transmitting a control signal from the control unit, the control signal being in a radio frequency band, the first processing unit being configured to be controlled by the control signal when the control unit is paired to the first processing unit, the second processing unit being configured to be controlled by the control signal while the second processing unit is paired to the control unit and to not be controlled by the control signal while the second processing unit is not paired to the control unit.