Universal remote control with automated setup

Abstract

A controller that automatically identifies one or more peripheral devices which need to be programmed for use with the controller. In some embodiments, the controller is able to visually identify a peripheral device from an image, obtain the configuration information for the peripheral device, and program itself in the background according to the configuration information. These tasks are advantageously performed by the remote control, without user input. The controller can be programmed to support a plurality of peripheral devices. When the controller is used to control a peripheral device, the controller may first present a selection list on the display screen. The selection list may include all the peripheral devices that the remote is communicatively coupled with. Upon the user selecting the desired peripheral device to be controlled, the remote control may dynamically outputs a customized user interface associated with the selected peripheral device.

1 . A method for configuring a control device, comprising:
 using the control device to obtain an identifying indicia of a peripheral device to be controlled by the control device, wherein at least one of the peripheral device and a document comprises the identifying indicia, and wherein the document includes at least one of a user manual, a receipt, a credit card statement, a loyalty card statement, and a rewards card statement;   identifying the peripheral device from the identifying indicia;   obtaining configuration data corresponding to the peripheral device; and   configuring the control device utilizing the configuration data such that the peripheral device is controllable by the controller.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the using operation involves capturing an image using a camera of the control device. 
     
     
         3 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the using operation involves accessing a database containing the identifying indicia. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the database includes at least one of a credit card information database, a loyalty card information database, and consumer information database. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining operation includes accessing a local database stored on the control device, wherein the local database includes the configuration data correlated to the identity of the peripheral device. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the obtaining operation includes accessing a remote database, wherein the remote database includes the configuration data correlated to the identity of the peripheral device. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the configuration data includes at least one of remote control programming codes and driver software. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the identifying operation, obtaining operation, and configuring operation do not require user intervention. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the identifying operation, obtaining operation, and configuring operation occur in the background of the control device such that the user may utilize the control device for other functions while the identifying operation, obtaining operation, and configuring operation occur. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising: communicating instructions from the control device to the peripheral device. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the communicating operation utilizes at least one of radio-frequency communication, infrared communication, and hardwired communication. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes displaying functional elements associated with the peripheral device on a display of the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the functional elements include touch screen icons configurably displayed on the display. 
     
     
         16 . A configurable controller, comprising:
 a processor;   a peripheral device communication module in operative communication with the processor and configurable to communicate with one or more peripheral devices; and   a peripheral device identification module including a camera operable to capture an image of identifying indicia comprising an image of the peripheral device, wherein the peripheral device identification module is operable to recognize a peripheral device;   wherein the peripheral device identification module is operable to retrieve configuration data in order to configure the peripheral device communication module to communicate with the peripheral device.   
     
     
         17 . The controller according to  claim 16 , wherein the peripheral communication module includes at least one of an IR communication device, a RF communication device, and a hardwired connection to the one or more peripheral devices. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The controller according to  claim 7 , wherein the peripheral identification module is operable to retrieve the configuration data from one of a local data store or remote data storage. 
     
     
         20 . The controller according to  claim 19 , wherein the controller is a universal remote control.