Abstract: A universal remote control device (10) is programmed by determining layout properties of an existing remote control device (12) that must be replaced by the universal remote control device (10). Information identifying at least part of said layout properties is input into a selection system (14, 18). A command set for the universal remote control device (10) is selected dependent on said information. The universal remote control device (10) is programmed to implement the selected command set.

Abstract: A keycode data structure includes a device type byte, a set of keycodes, system code information, a system data byte, a protocol pointer that points to a protocol table and a number of flagbytes that are used to index a particular key among the keycodes. The keycode data structure also contains a plurality of keycode data structure pointers (KDSPs). Keycode data structures are linked together using KDSPs. A special value in the keycode data structure is used to indicate that the keycode data structure contains multiple KDSPs. The number of pointers is stored in a particular location of the keycode data structure.

Abstract: A universal remote control (URC) is programmed to control a particular type and make of electronic consumer device using a graphical user interface. A plurality of images is displayed on the user-interface. Each image of the plurality of images is a digital photograph of an electronic consumer device or a remote control device usable to control the corresponding electronic consumer device. A user selects the digital photograph of the particular type and make of electronic consumer device or its corresponding remote control device. Codeset information associated with the selected device is transmitted to the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device, if the codeset information is a codeset identifier, then it is displayed on the user interface. The user enters the codeset identifier into the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device.

Abstract: A remote control method and an apparatus for home appliances, wherein a remote controller performs situation recognition using sensors and automatically controls home appliances without a control message from a portable device when communication with the portable device is not possible, are provided. The remote control method is designed for a remote controller managing home appliances installed in a home. The remote control method includes receiving a remote control request from a portable device capable of remotely controlling one or more home appliances, performing, upon reception of the remote control request, situation recognition with respect to the home appliances, and controlling operations of the home appliances based on situation recognition results.

Abstract: An electronic device communicates with a plurality of household appliances to execute a method to control the household appliances. A reference orientation of each household appliance relative to the electronic device is obtained and stored in a storage. When an acceleration of the electronic device exceeds a predetermined value, a movement orientation of the electronic device is detected and one or more household appliances having the reference orientation matching the movement orientation of the electronic device are displayed in a selectable image via a display. One or more household appliances selected from the selectable image can be controlled to perform corresponding functions using the electronic device according to user operations.

Abstract: A companion remote control system is usable with smart devices for controlling a plurality of controlled components. An overall control system includes: a companion remote configured for remote communication, and providing command options for a user desiring to interact with a controlled component; a software application configured for running on smart devices, which typically includes a graphical interface for the user to select desired controlled component from plurality of controlled components; and a control processor capable of communicating with companion remote, smart device and controlled components. The control processor is programmed to correlate user commands received from companion remote to appropriate instructions for a specific controlled component selection received from smart device.

Abstract: A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. After initiating a serial programming mode on the URC, a user may be instructed to operate a plurality of control elements of an original remote control (ORC) of the remote-controlled device in a predetermined sequence. As a result of operating the ORC control elements, a plurality of programming codes for the remote-controlled device may be received by the URC. Alternatively, the ORC may be requested to transmit a plurality of programming codes for the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device.

Abstract: A control device configurable to couple to one or more devices having different control functions and a method of facilitating remote control of at least one device having different control functions includes a processor that receives an instruction for at least one of the control functions and additional information from the at least one device, the processor including a plurality of processing algorithms, the additional information received from the at least one device including at least a locally transmitted data signal. The processor selectably processes the additional information using at least one of the processing algorithms and controls a touch sensitive display reconfigurable for the different control functions, such that the at least one control function and the selectably processed additional information are presented on the touch sensitive display. The processor also generates at least one control signal responsive to receiving the locally transmitted data signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A communication device includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a communication module, and a controller. The first receiver receives an operation signal from a remote controller. The second receiver receives a radio signal with a specific frequency. A power consumption of the second receiver is less than that of the first receiver. The communication module is capable of transmitting the operation signal to a first communication device. The controller controls power supply to the first receiver and the communication module and starts power supply to the first receiver and the communication module if the second receiver receives the radio signal. The communication module turns to a standby state if the first receiver does not receive the operation signal after start of power supply to the first receiver.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device comprises a storage unit, a determination unit, controller, and a communication unit. The storage unit stores pieces of registration information including information concerning a target device and information concerning a direction of the target device. The determination unit detects a first direction of this electronic device. The controller selects one piece of first registration information from the pieces of registration information based on the first direction and sets a first target device based on selected information. The communication unit transmits a control signal that is used for controlling the first target device.

Abstract: A method of controlling at least one home device in a home network system through a home gateway is provided. The method includes transmitting information about at least one home device installed in a home to a server, receiving extracted scenario information configured with combinations of services that are providable through the at least one home device from the server, and transmitting the extracted scenario information to a user terminal, receiving a control signal corresponding to a scenario selected by the user terminal from the user terminal, and if an event signal is detected from the at least one home device corresponding to the selected scenario, controlling the at least one home device according to the selected scenario.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing remote device (e.g., thermostat, lighting, appliance, etc.) control and/or energy monitoring. A system monitors sensor data captured by one or more sensors that sense attributes relevant to user presence at one or more monitored properties and status of one or more energy consuming devices associated with the one or more monitored properties. The system analyzes the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to a set of one or more rules and performs an operation related to controlling the one or more energy consuming devices based on the analysis of the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to the set of one or more rules.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely controlling a remote-controlled device (RCD) includes receiving an instruction from a remote control (RC). The instruction may include an RC code and a control code. The RC code may identify the RC and the control code may identify an operation to be performed on the RCD. RC codes matching an authorized set of RC codes may cause the control code to be accepted, since the RC is authorized. If a non-matching RC code is received, the control code may be rejected as coming from a prohibited RC. An authorization mode on the RCD may allow modification of the authorized set of RC codes.

Abstract: An information communication system includes: a communication line which connects a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus to each other; a transmission unit which is included in the first information processing apparatus and transmits identity information of the first information processing apparatus without passing through the communication line; a reception unit which is included in the second information processing apparatus and receives the identity information of the first information processing apparatus transmitted from the transmission unit without passing through the communication line; and an information transmission unit which is included in the second information processing apparatus and transmits information to the first information processing apparatus via the communication line by using the identity information received by the reception unit.

Abstract: By a user selecting a name of a device displayed in association with identification information identical to the identification information notified at an icon of an under-control device at a table of a control device, an under-control device subject to control by the control device can be selected while reliably identifying an under-control device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing remote device (e.g., thermostat, lighting, appliance, etc.) control and/or energy monitoring. A system monitors sensor data captured by one or more sensors that sense attributes relevant to user presence at one or more monitored properties and status of one or more energy consuming devices associated with the one or more monitored properties. The system analyzes the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to a set of one or more rules and performs an operation related to controlling the one or more energy consuming devices based on the analysis of the monitored sensor data and the monitored device status with respect to the set of one or more rules.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products disclose a remote control device that controls multiple consumer electronics devices based on orientation.

Abstract: A system and method for promoting enhanced healing of a medical patient includes a patient room having accommodations for the medical patient, a central computer connected to a media server, a main display located in the patient room, the main display connected to the central computer and including at least a navigation pane and a content pane, an audio system connected to the central computer and capable of providing sound to the patient room, and a remote unit directly accessible to the medical patient, the remote unit having a capability to control the central computer and a content of the main display and a content of the audio system.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to one or more transcoder devices in communication with an input device such as a remote control device and multiple destination devices in which the transcoder device(s) facilitate communication between the remote control and the various destination devices in the vicinity. The transcoder device(s) can also provide the user with an environmental awareness of conditions and events surrounding the user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of interfacing with a plurality of devices. A user command is received by a computing system. The computing system identifies a device, amongst a plurality of devices, to implement the user command. The user command is transmitted to the identified device through a remote control unit and implemented in the identified device.

Abstract: A remote control system for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and connecting a plurality of vehicle devices within the vehicle may include a remote transmitter and a vehicle remote function controller being responsive to the remote transmitter. The vehicle remote function controller may include a controller data link interface. The remote control system may include a multi-controller data bus adaptor for adapting the vehicle remote function controller to communicate via the data communications bus and may include an adaptor data link interface coupled to the controller data link interface. The multi-controller data bus adaptor may be operable with a given set of controller codes for the vehicle remote controller from among a plurality of different sets of controller codes for a plurality of different vehicle function controllers.

Abstract: A network system comprising a system of devices having a plurality of nodes defining a communications network. At least one identifier from a pre-determined group of identifiers is associated with each of the nodes and identifies the functionalities that are applicable to that node or device associated with that node. In one embodiment, at least one of the nodes can transmit the at least one identifier by a message sent over the communications network for receipt by at least one of the nodes to thereby publish the functionalities over the communications network.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are described for bumping a mobile device, such as a smart phone, against a fixed poster board display at a store to initiate a download of coupons, advertisements, or other benefits to the mobile device. Products can be rated by a user's up/down bump or other bump patterns. Using accelerometer-based inertial measurements, multiple users can control multiple mouse cursors on a large display with their mobile devices in order to select information to be downloaded to their mobile devices.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a universal remote control, which includes a display screen and a user input mechanism. The universal remote control also includes a processing unit that is configured to display information on the display screen and to accept selection data from the user input mechanism. The universal remote control additionally includes a wireless communication mechanism that is configured to provide communications between the processing unit and an appliance or computer program running on a computer system. The appliance provides information to be displayed on the display screen, and information entered through the user input mechanism is communicated to the appliance. Since the appliance provides the information to be displayed on the display screen and also interprets the entries on the input mechanism, the universal remote control needs no special knowledge about the appliance.

Abstract: A system controller for operating one or more controllable devices in dependence upon commands received from a mobile device includes a first communication interface for receiving a command from the mobile device and a second communication interface for receiving a message from a controllable device. One or more processors are configured to determine whether the mobile device that sent the command is authorized to operate a target controllable device to which the command pertains, and generate a command identifier for identifying the command, and send an instruction corresponding to the command and including the command identifier to the target controllable device when the mobile device is authorized to operate the target controllable device. The system controller replies to a pending command identified by a particular command identifier with a response indicating transaction complete when the message from the controllable device acknowledges the particular command identifier.

Abstract: A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key.