System and method for learning macro routines in a remote control

Abstract

A remote control for learning a macro routine of optical signals is provided. An optical receiver is arranged to receive optical signals from one or more original equipment remote controls. The optical receiver outputs electrical signals. A microprocessor receives the electrical signals from the optical receiver. A memory device stores the electrical signals from the optical receiver. An operator interface is electrically coupled to the microprocessor. The operator interface receives operator input to designate a macro routine of operator-selectable optical signals from the original equipment remote control. The microprocessor causes the electrical signals from the optical receiver that correspond to the operator-selectable optical signals from the original equipment remote control to be associated with the designated macro routine and stored in the memory device. Electrical signals associated with a macro designation are retrieved from the memory device and electrically coupled to an optical transmitter.

1 . A method of recording a macro routine of original equipment remote control optical signals on a universal remote control, the method comprising: 
 designating a macro routine on the universal remote control;    receiving one or more macro routine optical signals at the universal remote control, wherein the one or more macro routine optical signals being generated on an original equipment remote control by pressing corresponding one or more desired function keys; and    associating the one or more received optical signals with the designated macro routine.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 retrieving the macro routine on the universal remote control.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 formatting the macro routine from the universal remote control to an original equipment remotely controlled.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more macro routine optical signals include infrared optical signals.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein associating includes converting the infrared optical signals to electrical signals.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein associating includes associating the electrical signals with the designated macro routine.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein associating further includes storing the electrical signals in a memory device.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein retrieving the macro routine further includes retrieving the electrical signals from the memory device.  
     
     
         9 . A method of editing a macro routine of original equipment remote control signals on a universal remote control, the method comprising: 
 identifying a macro routine to be edited;    selecting desired steps of the macro routine to be edited;    inserting a desired time delay between the desired steps; and    storing the macro routine with the desired time delays.    
     
     
         10 . A remote control device comprising: 
 a means for designating a macro routine on the universal remote control;    a means for receiving one or more macro routine optical signals at the universal remote control, wherein the one or more macro routine optical signals being generated on an original equipment remote control by pressing corresponding one or more desired function keys; and    a means for associating the one or more received optical signals with the designated macro routine.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a means for retrieving the macro routine on the universal remote control.    
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a means for formatting the macro routine from the universal remote control to an original equipment remotely controlled.    
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more macro routine optical signals include infrared optical signals.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the means for associating includes a means for converting the infrared optical signals to electrical signals.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the means for associating includes a means for associating the electrical signals with the designated macro routine.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the means for associating further includes a means for storing the electrical signals in a memory device.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the means for retrieving the macro routine further includes a means for retrieving the electrical signals from the memory device.