Abstract: A system and methods for facilitation of user interactions with an electronic device. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced interface to a user. A method of providing user interaction using a compact status indicator is described. A method for providing a virtual scroll wheel to a user for interaction with content sets is described. A method for allowing a user to dynamically modify a scalable user interface is described. A method for providing gesture based input to a user via a virtual gesture pad is described. A method of providing an interactive graphic search query interface is described. A method for indicating and selecting available content type is described.

Abstract: A remote control for communicating commands to a target device having first data that specifies a function supported by the target device. The remote control includes a set of command key indicias, stored within the universal remote control prior to any communications with the target device, each command key indicia being assigned a function identifier. The remote control is adapted to receive the first data from the target device and select a command key indicia from the set of command key indicias that has a function identifier that corresponds to the function specified by the first data. The selected command key indicia is displayable on a display of the universal remote control in association with a command key actuatable to communicate one or more commands to the target device to control the function supported by the target device that is represented by the first data.

Abstract: An illuminable user interface includes a plurality of input elements, a source of light energy, and a fiber optic filament mat provided with irregularities arranged in one or more controlled patterns to thereby form one or more visible images when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by the source of light energy. The one or more visible images are positioned relative to the input elements to convey information concerning the input elements.

Abstract: A controlling device is provided with the ability to present personalized program guide information by using personal preferences provided to a home computing device. The personal preferences are used to filter program guide data received at the home computing device whereby the program guide data will include only programming information for user-specified sources of programming for each of plural, different user-specified periods of time. The filtered program guide data is then downloaded to the controlling device from the home computing device for use in connection with an application of the controlling device that functions to display program guide information within a display of the controlling device.

Abstract: A system and method for using an RFID tag to automatically setup and configure a universal remote control to command appliances of various types and various manufacturers.

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: 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 transferring encrypted data between a data source device and a data target device is en-closed. A system is also disclosed for using a detachable media to enable software applications on each device (target and source) to select an appropriate public key for specific data types to accomplish synchronization of encrypted file between a first electronic device and a second mobile or portable device.

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 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 method for configuring a controlling device to allow the controlling device to generate commands for commanding operations of a new appliance which new appliance was previously unable to be supported by the controlling device. The system and method uses a definition input into the controlling device to create a new device data set for use in generating commands to command operations of the new appliance. The new device data set is a new combination of elements selected from device data sets already stored within a memory of the controlling device.

Abstract: A power strip adapted to support power status reporting as well as the issuing of commands to control functional operations of the appliances. The power strip may receive a command from a remote control (for example transmitted via radio frequency or wired connection) and, in turn, issue a corresponding command (for example transmitted via infrared) to one or more appliances to cause the one or more appliances to perform a functional operation.

Abstract: A controlling device having keys actuatable to emit signals to a consumer appliance and a releasable media storage device having data which is readable by the controlling device. At the controlling device at least a subset of the keys of the controlling device are selectively enabled or disabled as a function of the data read from the releasable media storage device. The releasable media storage device thus limits the ability of a user to interact with the consumer appliance via actuation of certain of the subset of keys of the controlling device.

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 system and method for enabling a remote control to automatically and dynamically set-up a V-chip in a consumer appliance. The remote control is configured with an ID code which ID code is transmittable to the consumer appliance. Within the consumer appliance is stored a plurality of V-chip parameter tables. The consumer appliance is responsive to the ID code transmittable by the remote control to select one of the plurality of V-chip parameter tables to be used by the V-chip to determine accessibility to programming.

Abstract: A configurable controlling device and associated editor program that allows a consumer to create on a personal computer for downloading to the controlling device a user interface comprised of user interface pages having icons which icons, when activated on the controlling device, 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. The editor program allows for the visualization of links created between user interface pages, single step assigning of commands to logical groups of function keys (both iconic and hard keys), single step assigning of backgrounds to groups of user interface pages, and pre-rendering of user interface pages prior to the downloading of the user interface to the controlling device.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide and for remotely controlling the recording functionality of an appliance. A user registers with a Web site to enable the downloading of an electronic program guide (“EPG”) to a portable device. The downloaded and displayable EPG includes a listing of programs from which the user may select a program of interest. In response to receiving input from the user requesting that the program be recorded, data indicative of the recording request is stored in the portable device. Then, when it is determined that the portable device is able to establish communication with the appliance (either directly or via an intermediate PC), the data indicative to the recording request is provided to the appliance to effect the recording of the program.

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 storage and playback device is capable of being detachably coupled to an output device, such as speakers of an automobile. The device includes a wireless transceiver to receive compressed digital content automatically from a computer system via a wireless local area network based on user defined preferences input into the computer system. The wireless transceiver is communicably coupled to the wireless local area network when the wireless transceiver is a predetermined distance from a wireless local area network access point. The device also includes a decoder and converter to decompress and convert the digital content. The decompressed and converted digital content is sent to be played on the output device.