Abstract: A handheld information processing device such a mobile telephone or portable computer has a normal operating mode in which it executes information processing operations in response to user activation of user controls from the user control interface. Furthermore, the device has a remote control signal transmitter coupled to its processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to switch automatically to a remote control mode when no user activation of the user controls has been detected for a predetermined time duration. In an embodiment handheld information processing device switches to the remote control mode only if it is within a predetermined range of spatial locations after the time duration. In the remote control mode the processing circuit responds user activation of the user controls substantially only by causing the remote control signal transmitter to transmit conventional remote control command signals to equipment like TVs, recorders etc.

Abstract: First apparatuses (1) to be remotely controlled by devices (3) comprise interfaces (11) for receiving first signals from second apparatuses (2) that define that the second apparatuses (2) have received codes from the devices (3), interfaces (12) for sending second signals to the devices (3), and first controllers (21) for detecting the first signals and in response to detection results generating the second signals for providing assistance to the configurations of the devices (3) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2). The devices (3) for remotely controlling the first apparatuses (1) comprise interfaces (14) for sending codes to the second apparatuses (2) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2), interfaces (15) for receiving the second signals from the first apparatuses (1), and second controllers (22) for detecting the second signals for configuring the devices (3) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2).

Abstract: First apparatuses (1) to be remotely controlled by devices (3) comprise interfaces (11) for receiving first signals from second apparatuses (2) that define that the second apparatuses (2) have received codes from the devices (3), interfaces (12) for sending second signals to the devices (3), and first controllers (21) for detecting the first signals and in response to detection results generating the second signals for providing assistance to the configurations of the devices (3) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2). The devices (3) for remotely controlling the first apparatuses (1) comprise interfaces (14) for sending codes to the second apparatuses (2) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2), interfaces (15) for receiving the second signals from the first apparatuses (1), and second controllers (22) for detecting the second signals for configuring the devices (3) for remotely controlling the second apparatuses (2).

Abstract: A handheld information processing device such a mobile telephone or portable computer has a normal operating mode in which it executes information processing operations in response to user activation of user controls from the user control interface. Furthermore, the device has a remote control signal transmitter coupled to its processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to switch automatically to a remote control mode when no user activation of the user controls has been detected for a predetermined time duration. In an embodiment handheld information processing device switches to the remote control mode only if it is within a predetermined range of spatial locations after the time duration. In the remote control mode the processing circuit responds user activation of the user controls substantially only by causing the remote control signal transmitter to transmit conventional remote control command signals to equipment like TVs, recorders etc.

Abstract: A method of programming a Universal Remote Control is described. A user is requested to execute a command sequence comprising more than one command from an original Remote Control for controlling a device (306). The commands from said sequence are captured and analyzed (308). The analyzed commands are matched with a code-set or branches of a code-tree data base (310). The command sequence is used for generating a macro for executing an activity including the device (316).

Abstract: EPG data regarding programs and their scheduled times are structured and/or transmitted in such a way that program and schedule records are interleaved. This scheme allows better handling by receiving devices such as embedded devices (i.e. LCD remote controls), because a more efficient reception and storage of transmitted data is possible. In particular, the receiving device can read, parse and store the downloaded EPG data on the fly as it is being received (it can start reading, parsing and storing before the complete reception of data id finished). At any time when the device would have to stop storing EPG data into persistent storage, (almost) all of the data that was stored can actually be used.

Abstract: A method of programming a Universal Remote Control is described. A user is requested to execute a command sequence comprising more than one command from an original Remote Control for controlling a device (306). The commands from said sequence are captured and analyzed (308). The analyzed commands are matched with a code-set or branches of a code-tree data base (310). The command sequence is used for generating a macro for executing an activity including the device (316).

Abstract: A method for setting up a Remote Control is described. In one step (1) a configuration mode is entered. In another step an identifier entry is accepted (3). In case that the identifier is a brand-id the remote control scans though code-sets corresponding to the brand by sending a remote control signal (7), checking for a user reaction (8), testing further remote control signals of a user selected code-set (9) and checking for a user approval of the selected code-set (10) and wherein the step of scanning is repeated until a user approval is entered. Lastly the remote control installs the user approved code-set (13). In case that the identifier is a code-set-id the remote control sends a remote control signal of the corresponding code-set (7), checks for a user reaction (8), tests further remote control signals of the code-set (9) and checks for a user approval of the code-set Moreover the invention describes a Remote Control that is capable of performing the previously described steps.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a database or a processor/memory combination of a remote control system, for supplying for example infrared codes defining functions for remotely controlling devices wherein code-sets include function-code-combinations for each one of two/more different functions. By distinguishing main-functions such as power on/off and sub-functions such as channel up/down and volume up/down, code-sets may be allocated to a group of code-sets for a target device in case a code of a function-code-combination for the main-function is valid for the target device. This increases an efficiency of the apparatus. The group of code-sets may form a tree, whereby the main-function and its code(s) form root of the tree, whereby a sub-function forms a branch of the tree and a code or cedes defining this sub-function form a leaf or leaves of the branch. The group of code-sets may be defined for device-types and/or device-brands.

Abstract: In an apparatus (1), such as a database or a processor/memory combination of a remote control system (10), for supplying for example infrared codes defining functions for remotely controlling devices, code-sets comprise function-code-combinations for each one of two/more different functions. By distinguishing main-functions such as power on/off and sub-functions such as channel up/down and volume up/down, code-sets can be allocated to a group of code-sets for a target device in case a code of a function-code-combination for the main-function is valid for the target device. This increases an efficiency of the apparatus (1). The group of code-sets may form a tree, whereby the main-function and its code(s) form a root of the tree, whereby a sub-function forms a branch of the tree and a code or codes defining this sub-function form a leaf or leaves of the branch. The group of code-sets may be defined for device-types and/or device-brands.

Abstract: A method for setting up a Remote Control is described. In one step (1) a configuration mode is entered. In another step an identifier entry is accepted (3). In case that the identifier is a brand-id the remote control scans though code-sets corresponding to the brand by sending a remote control signal (7), checking for a user reaction (8), testing further remote control signals of a user selected code-set (9) and checking for a user approval of the selected code-set (10) and wherein the step of scanning is repeated until a user approval is entered. Lastly the remote control installs the user approved code-set (13). In case that the identifier is a code-set-id the remote control sends a remote control signal of the corresponding code-set (7), checks for a user reaction (8), tests further remote control signals of the code-set (9) and checks for a user approval of the code-set Moreover the invention describes a Remote Control that is capable of performing the previously described steps.

Abstract: A control device has an activity-based user interface for controlling a system with a renderer and multiple sources. The renderer is configured for rendering content available from the multiple sources. The user interface provides a first set of user controls for control of the system in a first activity, and a second set of further user controls for control of the system in a second activity. The control device controls switching the system from the first activity to the second activity upon detecting a validating user interaction with the user interface to validate the switching.

Abstract: A service is provided to program a consumer's remote control device to display logos or call signs of the broadcast stations as soft buttons instead of the conventional channel numbering. The broadcast channels available to the consumer depend on the consumer's geographic location and/or service provider. The service determines the proper available channels with a minimum of user intervention, and then supplies software code to properly configure the remote control device.