Using hdmi-cec to identify a codeset

Abstract

A system for control of electronic consumer device (ECD) functions includes a device having a signal output adapted to communicate with an ECD function information database to obtain function information for the ECD and to create a signal, transmittable via the signal output, using the function information for the ECD obtained from the function information database and a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable that communicates the signal transmitted via the signal output to the ECD.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for control of electronic consumer device (ECD) functions, the system comprising:
 a device having a signal output adapted to communicate with an ECD function information database to obtain function information for the ECD and to create a signal, transmittable via the signal output, using the function information for the ECD obtained from the function information database; and   a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable that communicates the signal transmitted via the signal output to the ECD.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the device uses ECD identity data obtained from the ECD via the HDMI cable to obtain the function information for the ECD from the function information database. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the ECD identity data comprises a brand name and a model number for the ECD. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the ECD identity data comprises device type information. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the function information database is resident on the device. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the function information database is remote from the device. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the device uses a High-Definition Multimedia Interface-Consumer Electronic Control (HDMI-CEC) communication to identify an infrared codeset (IR codeset) for the ECD in a database of IR codesets. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the device communicates across the Internet to a remote server that is associated with the database of IR codesets and wherein the device receives from the remote server an identification of the IR codeset for the ECD. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the database of IR codesets is maintained on the device. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , comprising a remote control wherein the IR codeset for the ECD is used to enable the remote control to transmit operational signals to the ECD.