Granted Patent B2

US 12,192,559 · App. 18/224,106 · Granted Jan 7, 2025

Inventors: Brian Barnett (Oakland, CA); Arsham Hatambeiki (San Diego, CA); Rex Xu (Tustin, CA); Jesus Perez (Costa Mesa, CA)

Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.

H04N21/42204H04N5/765H04N5/775H04N21/42216H04N21/42227H04N21/43635H04N21/4424H04N21/4516H04N21/485H04N21/41265H04N21/4221H04N21/42221

Abstract

Claims (36)

1. A controlling device, comprising:

a communication interface;

a processing device coupled to the communication interface; and

a memory storing instructions executable by the processing device to cause the controlling device to perform steps comprising:

receiving from a first controllable device via the communication interface a data that identifies a communication port of a second controllable appliance to which the first controllable appliance is communicatively coupled; and

using the data received from the first controllable device to automatically configure a predetermined input element of the controlling device whereupon a subsequent activation of the predetermined input element of the controlling device will cause a transmission of a command via use of the communication interface for causing the second controllable appliance to make active the communications port of the second controllable appliance to which the first controllable appliance is communicatively coupled.

2. The controlling device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the instructions cause the controlling device to be entered into a setup mode for configuring the predetermined input element of the controlling device prior to using the data received from the first controllable device to automatically configure the predetermined input element of the controlling device.

3. The controlling device as recited in claim 2 , wherein the controlling device is caused to enter into the setup mode for configuring the predetermined input element of the controlling device in response to receiving an instruction via the communication interface from the first controllable appliance.

4. The controlling device as recited in claim 3 , wherein the predetermined input element of the controlling device comprises a hard key.

5. The controlling device as recited in claim 3 , wherein the predetermined input element of the controlling device comprises a soft key.

6. The controlling device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication interface comprises a radio frequency interface.

7. The controlling device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the communication interface comprises an infrared interface.

8. A method, performed by a controlling device, comprising:

receiving from a first controllable device via a communication interface of the controlling device a data that identifies a communications port of a second controllable appliance to which the first controllable appliance is communicatively coupled; and

using the data received from the first controllable device to automatically configure a predetermined input element of the controlling device whereupon a subsequent activation of the predetermined input element of the controlling device will cause a transmission of a command via use of the communication interface for causing the second controllable appliance to make active the communications port of the second controllable appliance to which the first controllable appliance is communicatively coupled.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 , comprising causing the controlling device to be entered into a setup mode for configuring the predetermined input element of the controlling device prior to using the data received from the first controllable device to automatically configure the predetermined input element of the controlling device.

10. The method as recited in claim 9 , comprising causing the controlling device to enter into the setup mode for configuring the predetermined input element of the controlling device in response to receiving an instruction via the communication interface from the first controllable appliance.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the predetermined input element of the controlling device comprises a hard key.

12. The method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the predetermined input element of the controlling device comprises a soft key.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the communication interface comprises a radio frequency interface.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 , wherein the communication interface comprises an infrared interface.

15. A system, comprising:

a first controllable appliance;

a second controllable appliance communicatively coupled to the first controllable appliance; and

a controlling device, comprising:

a communication interface;

a processing device coupled to the communication interface; and

a memory storing instructions executable by the processing device to cause the controlling device to perform steps comprising:

receiving from the first controllable device via the communication interface a data that identifies a communication port of the second controllable appliance to which the first controllable appliance is communicatively coupled; and

using the data received from the first controllable device to automatically configure a predetermined input element of the controlling device whereupon a subsequent activation of the predetermined input element of the controlling device will cause a transmission of a command via use of the communication interface for causing the second controllable appliance to make active the communications port of the second controllable appliance to which the first controllable appliance is communicatively coupled.

16. The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the instructions cause the controlling device to be entered into a setup mode for configuring the predetermined input element of the controlling device prior to using the data received from the first controllable device to automatically configure the predetermined input element of the controlling device.

17. The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein the controlling device is caused to enter into the setup mode for configuring the predetermined input element of the controlling device in response to receiving an instruction via the communication interface from the first controllable appliance.

18. The system as recited in claim 17 , wherein the predetermined input element of the controlling device comprises a hard key.

19. The system as recited in claim 17 , wherein the predetermined input element of the controlling device comprises a soft key.

20. The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the communication interface comprises a radio frequency interface.

21. The system as recited in claim 15 , wherein the communication interface comprises an infrared interface.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (7)

References Cited (400)