Abstract: A universal remote control comprising a keyboard having a plurality of pushbuttons including a macro pushbutton and a library of codes and data for use in transmitting operating commands to a plurality of different home appliances of different manufacturers. Instructions within the remote control are used to match the universal remote control to a plurality of different home appliances of different manufacturers such that selected codes and data from the library are used to transmit operating commands to the matched home appliances in response to activation of selected pushbuttons of the keyboard. The instructions are also used to assign to the macro pushbutton a subset of the selected codes and data from the library whereafter activation of the macro pushbutton causes the universal remote control to use the subset of selected codes and data from the library to transmit operating commands to one or more of the matched home appliances.

Abstract: An information delivery system is adapted to selectively deliver information to a viewer across a bi-directional, digital communications link. The information delivery system delivers, as its primary content, video commercials and infomercials of various lengths to an Internet device. Each commercial presented to the viewer may be “packaged” with any one of a number of promotional activities, data gathering activities or programs as selected by the advertiser. Each time a viewer watches a commercial and complies with other advertiser directed activities the viewer may be rewarded immediately with prizes and/or with one or more points that are accumulated in the viewer's account. The data from the viewers'profiles and responses are compiled to provide real-time information relating to the effectiveness of the commercial. The profile data may also be used for statistical tracking of consumer patterns and trends.

Abstract: A universal remote control comprising a keyboard having a plurality of pushbuttons including a macro pushbutton and a library of codes and data for use in transmitting operating commands to a plurality of different home appliances of different manufacturers. Instructions within the remote control are used to match the universal remote control to a plurality of different home appliances of different manufacturers such that selected codes and data from the library are used to transmit operating commands to the matched home appliances in response to activation of selected pushbuttons of the keyboard. The instructions are also used to assign to the macro pushbutton a subset of the selected codes and data from the library whereafter activation of the macro pushbutton causes the universal remote control to use the subset of selected codes and data from the library to transmit operating commands to one or more of the matched home appliances.

Abstract: The universal remote control system includes input means, signal output means for supplying a signal to a controlled device and a central processing unit coupled to the input means and the signal output means, no ROM, and a single non-volatile, read-write RAM coupled to said central processing unit.The RAM in the ROM-less microprocessor system is loaded by carryout out the following steps: (a) disabling the central processing unit; (b) connecting a separate microprocessor system to said RAM; (c) transferring instructions and/or data to said RAM; (d) re-enabling the central processing unit to enable the central processing unit to execute the instructions so transferred.

Abstract: The universal remote control system includes input means, signal output means for supplying a signal to a controlled device and a central processing unit coupled to the input means and the signal output means, no ROM, and a single non-volatile, read-write RAM coupled to said central processing unit.The RAM in the ROM-less microprocessor system is loaded by carrying out the following steps: (a) disabling the central processing unit; (b) connecting a separate microprocessor system to said RAM; (c) transferring instructions and/or data to said RAM; (d) re-enabling the central processing unit to enable the central processing unit to execute the instructions so transferred.

Abstract: A remote control for use in connection with a consumer electronics device and a computer. The remote control comprises a central processing unit, a set of buttons linked to the central processing unit, a circuit linked to the central processing unit for use in transmitting an infrared signal to the consumer electronic device in response to activation of at least one of the set of buttons, and a two-way circuit linked to the central processing unit for enabling two-way communication between the remote control and the computer.

Abstract: The remote control comprises: input circuitry and structure including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands to the remote control; infrared signal output circuitry for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp driver circuitry; a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the input circuitry and structure and to said signal output circuitry means; a memory coupled to the CPU; code data for generating infrared codes stored in the memory; and data coupling circuitry and structure coupled to the CPU for enabling at least one of instruction codes or of infrared code data for generating infrared codes to be supplied from outside the remote control through the data coupling circuitry and structure directly to the CPU for entry into the memory to enable a user of the remote control to operate a selected controlled device upon inputting commands to the remote control by depressing selected keys of the remote control.

Abstract: The universal remote control system comprises data processor, input device including a keyboard and a keyboard circuit connected to the data processor, signal output device including circuitry for generating infrared light codes connected to the data processor means, a memory including a battery backed, non-volatile RAM only and no ROM for storing (a) a set of instructions and (b) a library of code data for enabling the infrared light generating circuitry to generate specific infrared codes, the RAM being coupled to the data processor, and a data coupling device including terminals coupled to the CPU for enabling new code data to be supplied from outside the system to, or retrieved from, the RAM through the terminals and the CPU.