Eugene E Huang

US Patent:

6437836, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Sep 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/157594

Inventors:

Eugene Huang - Philadelphia PA
Peter Daley - Palo Alto CA

Assignee:

Navispace, Inc.

International Classification:

H04N 718

US Classification:

348734, 348906, 348134, 34082525, 34082569, 34082572, 34082531, 34082524, 725 39, 725 40, 725131, 725132, 725133, 341175, 341176

Abstract:

An extended functionality remote control (EFRC) provides a hardware/software implementation of an integrated interface for remote control emulation. A PDA or other portable computing device is used as a platform for the EFRC application software and peripheral hardware. The EFRC also merges information services into remote controls. Implementation of these information services takes the form of, e. g. , electronic program guides (EPGs) merged with the functioning of remote controls. In addition to the portable computing device, the hardware portion of the invention according to a preferred embodiment includes a keypad and an infrared transmitter subsystem which are managed by a microcontroller. The microcontroller also exchanges data with application software of the computing device via a serial communications link. The EFRC according to a preferred embodiment provides a universal remote control which can remain current by shifting the remote control code functions of a universal remote control from to software.