Programmable remote control and methods of using same

Abstract

The present invention provides a remote control, a system for programming the remote control, and methods of programming or using the remote control. The remote control is configured to be selectively set up or programmed using a display screen and corresponding function buttons on the remote control. The set up process allows a user to only set up the remote control features of interest to for that particular user. In addition, the remote control includes a module that may be accessed directly by the remote control or via a computer where the module guides the user through the set up process. Thus, the user does not need to set up any feature of the remote control that is not applicable to that user.

1 . A remote control comprising:
 a microprocessor;   a memory accessible by the microprocessor;   a display screen configured to display an icon, the icon corresponding to a channel of a media device;   a screen interface that allows a selection of the icon, wherein the selection of the icon causes the microprocessor to operate programming instructions stored in the memory; and   a transmitter controlled by the processor to transmit a wireless signal from the remote control in response to the operation of the stored programming instructions, the signal containing information to change the channel of the media device to the channel represented by the selected icon.   
     
     
         2 . The remote control of  claim 1 , wherein the display screen is sized to display a plurality of icons. 
     
     
         3 . The remote control of  claim 1  wherein the memory includes stored information associating each of a plurality of icons with a respective television channel. 
     
     
         4 . The remote control of  claim 1 , further comprising a receiver configured to receive a signal sent by a computer in response to a signal from the security device, the signal sent by the computer being used by stored instructions in the memory to cause the remote control to display an indicator associated with a condition of the security device. 
     
     
         5 . The remote control of  claim 1 , further comprising a status bar indicator located proximate the display screen, the indicator configured to display a progression of data transmitted or received by the remote control. 
     
     
         6 . The remote control of  claim 1 , further comprising a restriction module selectable via an interface of the remote control, the restriction module programmable to limit a desired amount of functionality of the remote control. 
     
     
         7 . The remote control of  claim 1 , wherein the screen interface comprises a touch screen. 
     
     
         8 . The remote control of  claim 1 , further comprising a setup module to receive input from at least one interface of the remote control, the setup module digitally coupled with the display screen to permit a user to directly program the remote control. 
     
     
         9 . The remote control of  claim 9  wherein the setup module is manageable by the user to setup only desired remote control features. 
     
     
         10 . The remote control of  claim 1 , further comprising stored programming instructions responsive to a user input and operable by a user to change a configuration of the remote from a first configuration associated with a first user to a second configuration associated with a second user. 
     
     
         11 . The remote control of  claim 1 , further comprising a removably attachable faceplate. 
     
     
         12 . A method of using a remote control having a memory, a display screen, and a user interface, the method comprising:
 displaying a plurality of icons on the display screen of the remote control, the plurality of icons selected from a database of icons stored in the memory;   activating the user interface to select one of the icons;   communicating with a media device to change the media device from a first state to a second state.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein displaying the plurality of icons on the display screen includes displaying icons representative of selected media device channels. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein displaying icons includes displaying television channels. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising storing information in the memory associating the plurality of icons with a respective plurality of channels. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein storing comprises downloading over a network in response to entering a zip code. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein storing comprises downloading over a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein activating the user interface includes depressing a button located on the remote control. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein communicating with the media device to change the media device from the first state to the second state includes changing a channel of the media device from a first channel to a second channel. 
     
     
         20 . A method of configuring a remote control having a memory, the method comprising:
 storing in the memory a first database corresponding to a first set of media device channels selected for a first user, wherein the first set of media device channels are displayable on a display screen of the remote control;   storing in the memory a second database corresponding to a second set of media device channels selected for a second user, wherein the second set of media device channels are displayable on the display screen; and   displaying on the display screen at least some information stored in the memory associated with one of the first or second databases.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising switching the information displayed on the display screen from information associated with the first database to information associated with the second database. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein switching the remote control includes pressing a button located proximate the display screen. 
     
     
         23 . A method of configuring a remote control for use with a media device, the method comprising:
 entering information into the remote control, the information including a geographic reference designator;   entering a number for a media device channel; and   automatically associating the number with an icon that represents a media brand.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein entering information into the remote control includes downloading the information into a memory of the remote control from a personal computer. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein entering the geographic designator includes entering a postal zip code. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein entering the geographic designator includes entering at least a portion of a telephone number. 
     
     
         27 . A method of configuring a remote control for use with a media device, the method comprising:
 specifying a region of geographic use of the remote control; and   associating a plurality of icons with a plurality of media device channel numbers available within the geographic region.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein associating includes downloading information into a memory of the remote control from a personal computer. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein specifying the region of geographic use comprises entering a zip code into the remote control. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein associating the plurality of icons with the plurality of media device channel numbers includes associating television network logos with the channel numbers and storing in a memory of the remote control. 
     
     
         31 . A method of determining a condition of a home security system using a remote control for controlling a media device, the method comprising:
 transmitting information from a home security device of the home security system;   receiving the information with the remote control; and   providing a notification at the remote control to indicate a condition of the home security system.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein transmitting information from the home security device includes sending a wireless signal from the home security device. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein transmitting the information from the home security device includes transmitting the information to a personal computer. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein receiving the information with the remote control includes receiving the information from a personal computer. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein providing the notification includes displaying an iconic message on a display screen of the remote control. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein providing the notification includes activating an audible signal from the remote control.