Abstract: A system and method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of appliances, to capture demographic data, and to provide services, such as automated warranty registration, instructions, viewing guides, etc., relevant to the appliances is provided. The system includes a database and associated server that are located remotely from the remote control and accessible via a network connection. Command codes, graphical user interface elements, and services are accessed and downloaded to the remote control, as appropriate, using data supplied to the server that identifies the appliances and/or functional capabilities of the appliances. This data can be supplied by the appliances directly or can be obtained from other sources such as barcode labels, network devices, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for setting up a user interface of a remote control. The remote control displays a logical group of function keys the activation of which will cause the remote control to transmit a command to a target device and a plurality of indicators representative of devices. A user input functions to select one of the plurality of indicators and the device represented by the selected indicator is assigned as the target device for the logical group of function keys.

Abstract: A remote control adapted for use with a releasable readable media storage device. A readable media storage device having data and target indicators. Electrical contacts provide releasable connection with the remote control.

Abstract: A remote control transmission monitoring system. A remote control has programming for transmitting a sequence of command codes and a command receiver has programming for determining if the transmission from the remote control included all of the command codes in the sequence of command codes. The programming further functions to generate a signal to cause corrective action to be taken and/or to notify a user that an unsuccessful transmission of the sequence of command codes occurred when the transmission from the remote control is determined to include less than all of the command codes in the sequence of command codes.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing database design information stored in a database repository. To access the information, the system receives user input designating a workarea of the data repository as being of interest. Using the workarea designation, the system retrieves from the database repository a list of application systems associated with the workarea, a list of model details available for each application system, and a list of entities for each model detail. This retrieved information is displayed to the user using a tree-menu structure. Further design information can be accessed by the user designating an entity as being of interest. The system uses the entity designation to retrieve from the database repository design information for the designated entity which retrieved information is then displayed to the user.

Abstract: A system including a wall switch device, a system including a power outlet device, and methods for using are described. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one wall switch device and a wireless transceiver base. The wall switch device is fastened to a wall switch module and communicates with a network. The wireless transceiver base enables communication between the wall switch device and the network via a wireless data transfer protocol.

Abstract: A system for computer aided technician dispatch and communication includes a communications system linking a plurality of subscribers, a team of technicians, a service representative, and a user. An input terminal receives information, the information includes service request information from the plurality of subscribers (116), and work order information from the team of technicians. The system, also includes a server coupled to the input terminals for processing the information and generating a graphical representation of the information, and, a display for receiving the graphical representation and presenting the graphical representation to a user. A method for computer aided technician dispatch and communication includes communicating with a plurality of subscribers and a team of technicians and receiving information, the information including service request information from the subscriber and work order information from the team of technicians.

Abstract: The system described herein allows a user to apply for a credit card on-line. If an electronic application is approved, a temporary credit card number is issued on-line for immediate use. The temporary credit card number may be used to purchase goods and/or services on-line until at least one of a plurality of deactivation conditions is detected. Deactivation conditions may include time limits expiring, the reception of certain messages from a client device, and/or purchasing limits being exceeded. If a deactivation condition is found, the temporary credit card number is deactivated. Purchase requests associated with a particular temporary credit card number are approved or denied based on the current activation status of the temporary credit card number and/or the purchasing history associated with the temporary credit card number.

Abstract: A system which can be configured to communicate command codes to one or more home appliances which includes a keypad and a relay unit. At least one key on the keypad is associated with at least one command code from a plurality of command codes stored in a memory. The system determines if the at least one key on the keypad has been activated or if a command signal transmission that identifies the at least one key on the keypad has been received from the relay unit. When it is determined that either the at least one key has been activated or the command signal transmission that identifies the at least one key has been received, the system communicates to the one or more of home appliances the one or more command codes that have been associated to the at least one key on the keypad.

Abstract: A remote control adapted for use with a releasable readable media storage device. A readable media storage device having data and target indicators. Electrical contacts provide releasable connection with the remote control.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials.

Abstract: Methods for identifying control keys with particular devices are disclosed along with methods of assigning control keys to particular devices. In particular, a remote control comprises a set of hard keys comprising channel group keys and volume group keys and a set of soft keys activated via a touch screen display. The display identifies the device the volume group keys are set to control and the device the channel group keys are set to control. Selecting the device currently controlled by the channel group keys by, for example, depressing the device indicator on the display screen, initiates a set up mode that displays numerous devices that may be controlled by the channel group keys. Selecting one of the numerous devices assigns the channel group keys to that device.

Abstract: A detachable remote controller for an electronic entertainment device and a method for using the same are provided. The detachable remote controller includes a first infrared transmitter and a second infrared transmitter. The first infrared transmitter transmits signals to the electronic device while the detachable remote controller is coupled with the entertainment device. The remote controller is shaped in such a way to be docked within a cavity and flush with one surface of the entertainment device. The first infrared transmitter is aligned in the cavity such that the first infrared transmitter transmits signals to a light pipe embedded within the entertainment device. The second infrared transmitter is located at one end of the detachable remote controller to transmit signals to the entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is not coupled with the entertainment device.

Abstract: A hand-held device having a display and a browser application which supports functionality particularly suited for the hand-held device. For example, the browser application supports a full screen tag which allows information to be displayed as a full screen within the display. The browser application may also support a tag for use in displaying a link the activation of which will cause the hand-held device to transmit command codes to a consumer appliance. Still further, the browser application can support a tag which the hand-held device can use to issue reminders.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method and computer program product to obtain comprehensive vehicle radio listener statistics based on parameters such as radio status (e.g., on/off status and CD/Tape/AM/FM setting), radio volume, station preset information, current frequency setting (i.e., station identification), and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system coordinates is disclosed. A vehicle-mounted field unit for collecting and transmitting such parameters to a base station is also disclosed. The system monitors and stores all events related to the occupants' interaction with the vehicle's radio, including automatic detection of the selected radio station through a speaker port. The stored data is then transmitted to a base station's central collection computer for immediate compilation and analysis.

Abstract: An improved method for creating and searching data files in a database is described. The system and method uses a memory in which is stored a main data file having a plurality of data records each having a data field containing data representative of an alpha-numeric product descriptor. A bitmask generator generates a bitmask value representative of the data in the data field of each data record and appends to each data record stored in the memory a bitmask data field containing the bitmask value representative of the data in the data field of the corresponding data record. A prefix generator generates a plurality of prefix files that are stored in the memory, the prefix files including a copy of selected data records of the main data file, the data records being selected as a function of the prefix of the alpha-numeric product descriptors corresponding to the data in the data fields of the data records.

Abstract: When a command key of a controlling platform is activated, the platform performs an operation associated with the command key and also initiates the retrieval of information from an information source. The information retrieved is related to the operation being performed.

Abstract: A method for determining a power source voltage level of a power source in a system in which the power source is connected to a microcontroller. A charging circuit is in direct communication with a pin of the microcontroller and the power source voltage level is determined by charging the charging circuit using a constant voltage level and determining a time when the charging circuit attains a voltage level sufficient to transition the pin of the microcontroller from a state corresponding to a logic “0” to a state corresponding to a logic “1.” The determined time and a predetermined relationship between the power source voltage level and an input port transition voltage value of the microcontroller is then used to determine the power source voltage level of the power source.

Abstract: A portable hand-held remote control unit device is disclosed which may be utilized for selecting designated functions in a plurality of remotely controllable multimedia processing units. Multiple user selectable screen objects may be created from a general purpose computer and transferred to the remote control unit. The screen objects include screen layout and descriptions of soft keys to be displayed on a graphic display of the remote control unit, as well as commands associated with the screen object, the soft keys and programmable keys on the remote control unit. The user may select any of the loaded screen objects for controlling various multimedia processing units, for performing complex functions of commands to various multimedia processing units.