Abstract: A processing device of a universal controlling device is programmed to distinguish between a first input type provided to a touch-sensitive surface and a second input type provided to the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being provided the first input type which is indicative of an icon selection made upon the touch-sensitive surface the processing device causes a transmitter to transmit first data representative of the selected icon. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being provided the second input type which is indicative of a moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface, the processing device causes the transmitter to transmit second data being representative of the moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface.

Abstract: A processing device of a universal controlling device is programmed to distinguish between a first input type provided to a touch-sensitive surface and a second input type provided to the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being provided the first input type which is indicative of a static touch made upon the touch-sensitive surface the processing device causes a transmitter to transmit first data representative of the static touch made upon the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being provided the second input type which is indicative of a moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface, the processing device causes the transmitter to transmit second data being representative of the moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface.

Abstract: A processing device of a universal controlling device is programmed to distinguish between a first input type provided to a touch-sensitive surface and a second input type provided to the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being provided the first input type which is indicative of an icon selection made upon the touch-sensitive surface the processing device causes a transmitter to transmit first data representative of the selected icon. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being provided the second input type which is indicative of a moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface, the processing device causes the transmitter to transmit second data being representative of the moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface.

Abstract: A controlling device has a configurable key. An overlay, such as a sticker, is provided to the configurable key and includes an indicia representative of media content and machine readable data indicative of an identity of the media content represented by the indicia. A memory of the controlling device stores a correspondence between the configurable key and data indicative of a source of the media content. Upon activation of configured, configurable key, the controlling device uses select command codes from a library of command codes and the correspondence between the configurable key and the data indicative of the source of the media content to transmit one or more commands for causing one or more appliances to access the source of the media content.

Abstract: A system and methods for facilitation of enhanced user interactions with metadata corresponding to one or more media files. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced metadata entry and modification interface to a user. A method of providing for automated step through of media files for metadata entry is described, as well as a method for quickly presenting the user with the most appropriate media sample from which an appropriate metadata entry or modification can be made by the user.

Abstract: A system and methods for facilitation of enhanced user interactions with metadata corresponding to one or more media files. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced metadata entry and modification interface to a user. A method of providing for automated step through of media files for metadata entry is described, as well as a method for quickly presenting the user with the most appropriate media sample from which an appropriate metadata entry or modification can be made by the user.

Abstract: A hand-held device with a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a position of the hand-held device relative to an object surface enables power to the sensor at a first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is stationary and adjacent relative to the object surface, enables power to the sensor at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is moving and adjacent relative to the object surface, and enables power to the sensor at a third time interval when the hand-held device is determined to be in a position that is removed relative to the object surface.

Abstract: A learning remote “learns” both a digital code carried by an infrared operational signal as well as a timing characteristic (for example, time period) of a carrier used to modulate the operational signal. When the photodiode of the learning remote is close to the transmitter of the remote to be learned from, a low frequency saturation current is superimposed on the intelligence signal. Rather than using a fixed reference voltage to detect when the carrier component of the intelligence signal transitions, an adaptive reference voltage (VAR) is used. A comparator compares a photocurrent voltage to VAR. Because VAR is maintained between the envelope of positive peaks and the envelope of negative peaks of the photocurrent voltage despite changes in the low frequency current, the comparator detects each transition of the carrier component. A microcontroller timer determines the time between transitions output by the comparator and thereby determines the timing characteristic.

Abstract: A universal controlling device having a touch-sensitive display. The display provides one or more graphical user interfaces comprised of graphical user interface icons that are selectable via the touch-sensitive display and the display accepts motions made by a stylus or finger in contact with the touch-sensitive display. The different interactions with the touch-sensitive display are used to cause the transmission of respective data to one or more appliances.

Abstract: Data indicative of physical characteristics of an object of interest is received at a recognition system having an associated database in which is stored physical characteristic data for a plurality of reference objects each of which is cross-referenced to configuration information for a universal controlling device. The reference system uses the received data and the physical characteristic data for the plurality of reference objects to discern one or more reference objects as being a match for the object of interest. At least a subset of the configuration information that has been cross-referenced to the one or more reference objects discerned by the recognition system as being a match for the object of interest is then used to configure the universal controlling device to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to one or more target appliances.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc.) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).

Abstract: A system and methods for facilitation of enhanced user interactions with metadata corresponding to one or more media files. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced metadata entry and modification interface to a user. A method of providing for automated step through of media files for metadata entry is described, as well as a method for quickly presenting the user with the most appropriate media sample from which an appropriate metadata entry or modification can be made by the user.

Abstract: An IR blaster including one or more IR emitting LEDs used to generate IR signals for controlling operations of a plurality of controlled appliance and a plurality of fiber optic cables where one or more of the plurality of fiber optic cables are in light communication with an IR emitting LED. Each fiber optic cable is provided for distributing the IR signals generated by an IR LED to a respective one of the plurality of controlled appliances.

Abstract: A user provides to an image recognition system an image that is intended to be used to identify one or more appliances that are to be controlled by a universal controlling device. The image recognition system has access to a database of images that have been cross-referenced to appliances and configuration information for those appliances. The image recognition system uses the provided image to identify one or more appliances to be controlled using the universal controlling device and, accordingly, the configuration information for those one or more appliances so identified. The configuration information may then be provided to a user for manual provision to the universal controlling device or be provided in a form for downloading into the universal controlling device, whether directly or via an intermediate device. The configuration information may also be provided to an intermediate device which has programming for use in connection with a process of configuring the universal controlling device.

Abstract: In response to the establishment of a communication connection between an appliance capable of effecting a recording of a program and a portable device capable of displaying to a user in a display of the portable device a program guide including a listing for the program the appliance capable of effecting the recording of the program receives data indicative of a request to record the program that is stored in a memory of the portable device via user interaction with the program guide prior to establishment of the communication connection and the appliance capable of effecting the recording of the program then functions to record the program in accordance with the received data indicative of the request to record the program.

Abstract: A device includes a sensor which generates a value representative of a position of the device relative to an object surface. The device then uses the value obtained from the sensor to automatically transition from a first state in which the input interface is enabled to a second state in which at least a portion of the input interface is inhibited.

Abstract: A method for configuring a controlling device to command functional operations of at least one controllable appliance. The method includes the steps of receiving at the controlling device from the at least one controllable appliance, via a first communication channel, data indicative of an identity of the at least one controllable appliance and using the data indicative of the identity of the at least one controllable appliance to configure the controlling device whereby, in response to activation of one or more command keys of the controlling device, the controlling device will be caused to transmit to the at least one controlling device, via a second communication channel, those commands selected from a library of commands that are appropriate for commanding functional operations of the at least one controllable device.

Abstract: A configurable controlling device and associated editor program that allows a consumer to modify on a personal computer for downloading to the controlling device configuration data which is used to cause the controlling device to perform a function, such as to transmit a command to an appliance, to change the user interface page being displayed, etc. A central server facility is provided through which the managed exchange of configuration data between the editor program and remotely-located controlling devices may be performed.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method whereby an user interface editing device is used to create a user interface for a controlling device, the created user interface including user interface elements that are associated with functional operations of a virtual equivalent of an appliance. After the created user interface is transferred to the controlling device, the virtual equivalent of an appliance is caused to be linked to an intended target appliance whereupon activation of those user interface elements of the graphical user interface that were associated with functional operations of the virtual equivalent of an appliance will cause the controlling device to transmit commands to control corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance.