System and method for creating a controlling device

Abstract

A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key / command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key / command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 463,153, filed Jun. 17, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,579 which, in turn, is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 716,888, filed Nov. 20, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,144.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to controlling devices and, more particularly, relates to a system and method for creating a controlling device such as a universal remote control.[0003]Controlling devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,353 discloses a universal remote control which can be coupled via coded signals with a receiver built into various types of consumer appliances. In this manner, the universal remote control can be used to transmit a command code signal to the consumer appliances to control the operation of the consumer appliance(s) that are adapted to respond to the command code signal.[0004]...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]To overcome this disadvantage, the subject invention provides a system and method for creating a controlling device. The controlling device is created by a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device. By way of example, operating criteria may include the intended market for the controlling device, the intended end use of the controlling device, the types of devices the controlling device is intended to control, the functions intended to be supported within the controlling device, the size of the memory within the controlling device, and / or the processor chip within the controlling device.

Problems solved by technology

Presently, creating a controlling device is a time consuming and, therefore, costly endeavor.

Manually performing these tasks suffers the disadvantage of failing to create a controlling device that adequately balances the needs of an end user against the development cost of the controlling device.

Images