WO2011098933A1

WO2011098933A1 - Method for updating a programmable remote control

Info

Publication number: WO2011098933A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/050433
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Marelli; Alessandro Marelli; Loris Meliconi
Original assignee: Meliconi S.P.A.
Priority date: 2010-02-11
Filing date: 2011-02-01
Publication date: 2011-08-18
Also published as: IT1397835B1; ITBO20100074A1

Abstract

A process for updating a programmable remote control (1) comprises the following steps: generating (4) a binary digital document containing the control information; processing (5) the binary digital document to obtain an audio digital document representative of the control information, the steps (4, 5) constituting a step (2) of preparing control information useful for remote control (1) operation; transferring (6) the audio digital document to a reproduction device (7); reproducing the audio digital document using the reproduction device (7) and consequently generating an analogue signal representative of a sound; transmitting (9) the analogue signal from the reproduction device (7) to the remote control (1) that was connected beforehand to the reproduction device (7); remote control processing (10) of the analogue signal to obtain the control information, the steps (6, 8, 9, 10) constituting a step (3) of transmitting the control information to the remote control (1) from a remote management unit (13).

Description

Method for updating a programmable remote control

Technical Field

This invention relates to a method for updating a programmable remote control.

Background Art

The term remote control refers to a device for controlling electronic equipment (i.e. electronic appliance) from a distance, by sending suitable signals from the remote control to the equipment.

In general, remote control updating comprises preparing control information useful for remote control operation and transmitting said control information to the remote control.

It should be noticed that the process according to the invention also relates to programmable remote controls dedicated to the control of a single, specific type of electronic equipment.

The updating of a programmable remote control dedicated to the control of a specific type of electronic equipment may be applied, for example, in the two situations described below.

A first situation is that of a remote control reseller asked by a customer to supply a specific remote control for a particular piece of equipment. Using the above-mentioned process, the reseller can take a standard programmable remote control (therefore, not the original remote control for that equipment) and update it so that it is ready to control the equipment in question.

A second situation is that in which, in a certain context (for example a hotel) there is a certain number of remote controls which must be programmed to control a specific type of electronic equipment (for example supplied specifically for that context).

However, in particular the invention relates to a process for updating a universal progranmiable remote control, that is to say, a remote control configured for controlling a plurality of electronic appliances of various types.

When people purchase new electronic equipment, they are often unable to set up their universal remote control to control the new equipment purchased.

This problem is caused by the fact that the universal remote control memory does not contain a code suitable for the new equipment. Said lack of a code is due, for example, to the fact that the equipment purchased was put on the market after the universal remote control was purchased (and therefore produced), meaning that none of the codes available in the remote control memory is suitable for the puipose.

The solution normally adopted in such cases is to purchase a new universal remote control, which may be the same brand and model as that already owned, in the hope that in the meantime its memory content will have been updated with new codes, including those for the equipment purchased.

However, there are also prior art programmable remote controls which can be updated.

For example, there are remote controls which have infrared (IR) ports for exchanging data with other remote controls. If the user has this type of universal remote control, he can tiy acquiring the IR signals of all of the buttons of the original remote control for the equipment purchased.

However, that operation, as well as being lengthy, complex and delicate, is sometimes not feasible due to incompatibility between the universal remote control IR signal receiver system and the structure of the equipment IR transmission protocol.

Documents US5414761 and US5410326 describes systems for updating a remote control using the telephone line to transfer data from a remote computer to the remote control using an analogue signal.

That solution comprises transforming the data to be transferred which is present in the remote computer into an analogue acoustic signal to be transmitted via the telephone line.

However, that solution has several disadvantages and limitations, linked to the transmission of the analogue signal via the telephone line.

Said solution makes it difficult to archive the data which was transmitted in the form of an analogue signal. Moreover, said analogue signal is subject to distortion and deterioration as it travels along the telephone line, bringing the risk of remote control updating errors and malfunction.

The remote control of US5410326 comprises also a voice recognition mechanism to recognize a vocal command of the user and sending a command to the audio/video device.

However, regarding the updating of the command codes stored in the remote control, the remote control of US5410326 is coupled to an interface through a radio frequency signal, said interface being coupled to the telephone line to receive an analogical signal.

Therefore, the technical solution of US5410326 has the aforementioned drawbacks, regarding the deterioration of the analogical signal along the telephone line; in addition, it is complicated, because it requires means for exchanging radio frequency signals between the remote control and the interface.

Document EP1198069B1 describes a method for updating a programmable remote control using an internet connection to transfer digital information from a remote server to a client computer.

Said technology is increasingly used by universal remote control manufacturers which have structures available for constantly updating their databases, producing codes suitable for controlling new equipment which comes onto the market.

Using that technology, for transferring the code suitable for controlling his new electronic equipment to the end user's remote control, a port for connection to the user's computer is used, for example, with the USB standard.

Therefore, in such cases the updating data is transferred to the remote control in digital format using a specific protocol for communication with the user's computer (that is to say, a client computer).

However, this technical solution also has several disadvantages.

First, the solution is particularly expensive. The remote control must be fitted with hardware components that set it up for such connectivity (that is to say, transfer of digital data from the client computer to the remote control).

Another disadvantage is the fact that the communication protocols (for example USB) configured for transferring digital data, as well as being complex and expensive, depend on the current communication standards, but in future they could change, Therefore, that updating process is not universal and may be rendered obsolete.

That problem is made even worse by the fact that the systems described above also require updating of the drivers after changing the operating systems (even if the standard, that is to say, the communication protocol, remains the same). Document WO 00/59212 A2 describes a universal remote control for controlling an audio/video device.

The remote control (i.e. the electric appliance to be controlled by the remote control) is configured to establish a bi-directional communications (by means of an IR led or a radiofrequency device) with the audio/video device, to achieve a passive updating of the remote control (i.e. updating the firmware or the internal code).

The remote control is also equipped with a voice recognition mechanism to recognize a vocal command of the user and sending, consequently, a command to the audio/video device.

A drawback of the universal remote control of WO 00/59212 A2 is that it can be updated (programmed) only with audio/video devices which are configured to establish a bi-directional communications; moreover, the aforementioned universal remote control is destined to control only some kind of appliance (i.e. those equipped with a bi-directional communication device).

Disclosure of the Invention

This invention has for an aim to provide a process which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, this invention has for an aim to provide a process for updating a programmable remote control in a particularly efficient way, at the same time allowing the remote control to be produced in a particularly simple and economical way.

Another aim of this invention is to propose a process for updating a programmable remote control which is substantially free of problems relating to the obsolescence of specific communication protocols used.

Yet another aim of this invention is to propose a process for updating a programmable remote control and a programmable remote control which allows the user to perform updating in a particularly flexible and easy way.

Said aims are fulfilled by the process and the remote control according to this invention, as described in the appended claims.

In particular, in the process according to the invention the step of preparing the control information useful for remote control operation (that is to say, the control information for updating) comprises the following steps:

- generating a binary digital document containing said control information; - processing the binaiy digital document to obtain an audio digital document representative of said control information.

Moreover, in the process according to the invention the step of transmitting said control information (for updating) to the remote control comprises the following steps:

- transferring the audio digital document to a reproduction device;

- reproducing the audio digital document using the reproduction device and consequently generating an analogue signal representative of a sound;

- transmitting the analogue signal from the reproduction device to the remote control which was connected to the reproduction device beforehand;

~ remote control processing of the analogue signal to obtain the control information.

Said procedure allows the updating data to be transferred in a particularly secure and efficient way, thanks to the fact that the "long range" transfer (that is to say, from a remote computer or from any other structure designed to prepare the updating data to a device positioned close to the remote control and which can be connected to the remote control) occurs in digital format, using the most modern technologies, for example the internet or communications sent via messages that can be received by mobile phones.

At the same time, said procedure allows the remote control to be produced in a particularly simple and economical way, since the "short range" transfer (that is to say, from the device positioned close to the remote control and which can be connected with the remote control) of updating data occurs using an analogue audio signal, allowing the use of particularly simple and inexpensive electronic components in the remote control.

Therefore, more generally, this invention relates to the generation and use of standard audio or multimedia digital documents as a medium for the transfer of information for setting up and updating specific electronic devices.

It may use various types of computer hardware and software systems (for example servers, internet connection, personal computers, audio cards, operating systems, browsers, audio/video players) and, more generally, any instrument or apparatus able to handle and reproduce digital documents (that is to say, files) with audio content normally dedicated to the spread and use of multimedia elements (audio and video).

In practice, it is based on the transformation of binary digital information into files (that is to say, digital documents) with suitably encoded audio content.

These audio signals (organised in any of the standard formats available, for example wav, midi, mp3, avi, mov, swf) are sent, using existing technologies, platforms and apparatuses commonly dedicated to the normal distribution and reproduction of multimedia elements (in particular music and film clips), to the user devices to be updated, which are connected to the audio outputs normally used by speakers.

In this way, the audio signal for updating the data of a particular device could come either from a client computer connected to the internet or from an MP3 player or a mobile phone terminal, in any case achieving the desired result irrespective of any technological developments.

Therefore, this technique allows, for all electronic equipment (remote controls and other) requiring the loading or updating of small quantities of data, use of a system and a physical medium which is as simple and universal as possible, free of specific interfaces, protocols or specific operating systems, thus always guaranteeing the correct transfer of information, even using the most diverse technological platforms available (for example the internet, digital TV, satellite TV) avoiding obsolescence and incompatibility of the technology as time passes. In the specific application of this invention, this technique is used for transferring the information needed for programming or updating the data in a remote control, particularly a universal remote control.

The preferred embodiment uses the internet platform to allow the end user easy interaction with the structure set up to prepare the updating data to be transferred, for setting up and customising the remote control.

Use of the internet also allows access to constantly updated information which is immediately available everywhere.

In light of this, in a preferred embodiment, the process according to the invention comprises preparing suitable interactive web pages which inform the user about the capabilities of the remote control and provide a step by step guide for making the appropriate choices for correctly configuring the remote control, according to requirements.

In particular, a server is preferably provided which can connect to the internet and contains complete and detailed information about the original electronic equipment which can be controlled with the universal remote control.

The data in the database preferably comprises: - the BRAND of the original electronic equipment;

- the MODEL of the original electronic equipment;

- the ID CODE of the original remote control (that is to say, of the remote control supplied with the original electronic equipment);

- an IMAGE of the original remote control;

- information about each button on the original remote control relating to:

infrared signal transmitted;

function linked to the button;

symbol on the button;

- the blocks of code to be transferred to the universal remote control which are linked to the original electronic equipment to be controlled.

In that way, according to the process disclosed, the user, by following the indications on the web pages and with the support of search tools on the server, is helped to identify the electronic equipment to be controlled amongst all of those present in the database.

In particular, the database (accessible to the remote server) preferably comprises information about the following types of data:

i) data about the original remote controls of a plurality of electronic appliances.

This data comprises in particular the control codes (where the term "control codes" refers to those codes - in particular numeric codes - which, when transmitted by the remote control to the equipment, cause the equipment to perform a predetermined function) loaded in the original remote control and the symbols or icons used by the original remote control to identify the various functions available for that equipment;

ii) data about the universal remote controls made available by a predetermined universal remote control manufacturer. Said data comprises, in particular, control codes loaded in the remote control belonging to the most recent version available on the market and the symbols or icons used by that universal remote control to identify corresponding function of that equipment.

The first type of data is gradually updated as new electronic equipment

(potentially controllable with universal remote controls) comes onto the market.

The second type of data is gradually updated as new versions of universal remote controls come onto the market.

The memories of universal remote controls put on the market contain a set of data which is usually a sub-set of the set which consists of all of the data available for all of the electronic equipment which that universal remote control is designed to control.

For example, for each piece of electronic equipment, the universal remote control sold by the manufacturer comprises a set of data (forming the standard data supplied for that equipment) which covers several of the functions available for that equipment, but (in general) not all. Said functions are referred to hereinafter as "standard functions".

Therefore, it is possible that for a particular piece of electronic equipment there are several functions corresponding to operating codes which are present in the original remote control for the equipment but which are absent in the universal remote control. Said functions are referred to hereinafter as "additional functions". In any case, as already indicated, according to this invention the universal remote control manufacturer's database comprises (and keeps up to date) the data relating to both the standard functions and additional functions, for each piece of electronic equipment represented in the database.

In light of this, the procedure according to this invention also comprises the following.

Once the electronic equipment that the user wants to control has been identified, the user is presented with various possibilities:

- load or update a complete set of data corresponding to the electronic equipment identified (including both control codes corresponding to standard functions and control codes corresponding to additional functions);

- load or update a "standard" set of data corresponding to the electronic equipment identified (including only control codes corresponding to standard functions, without transferring the control codes corresponding to additional functions);

- view a correspondence table including a full list of functions available for the electronic equipment identified, configured in such a way as to allow the user to tell the difference between standard functions and additional functions;

- possibility for the user to assign an arbitrary location on the universal remote control to all functions present on the original remote control (in particular for additional functions), with the possibility of also transferring to the universal remote control data relating to the symbols used by the original remote control to indicate the various functions (this assumes that the universal remote control has a displaying screen and a plurality of buttons adjacent to the screen).

Therefore, according to the invention, the table made available to the user (for example through a website which can be accessed with an internet connection from a user client computer), preferably comprises not just the list of functions available for a particular piece of electronic equipment, but also the corresponding symbols or icons used by the original remote control (or, by the electronic equipment itself) to indicate the corresponding functions.

This helps the user to recognise the equipment functions, both when consulting the table, and afterwards, when he must control the equipment with the universal remote control to make it perform particular functions.

Once the desired set-up is complete, the user confirms and sends to the server the selections made so that they can be processed.

In the server a special software selects, organises and composes all the data needed according to the options selected by the user, then it creates a block of binaiy code which must be transferred to the universal remote control to obtain the required operation.

This transfer is performed using the technique already mentioned, that is to say, the binary data is encoded in a specific audio signal and digitalised in the most suitable format depending on the browser used by the user (wav, mp3, swf, etc.). Then the block of code is sent online as an audio element associated with a web page (or, alternatively, it is transferred to a reproduction device at the user location in any other way, for example by means of a message sent to a user mobile phone).

In the client computer the web page informs the user that he must connect the sound reproduction device (for example the client computer itself) and the universal remote control. Said connection preferably involves connecting a cable supplied with the universal remote control to the audio output of the client computer (for example a PC), or the output for connection to the speakers.

At this point, the user can begin reproduction of the audio element present in the page (that is to say, the audio digital document prepared by the server by processing the binary digital document), thus sending the sound signal directly into the remote control.

It should be noticed that the audio signal is preferably transmitted from the reproduction device to the remote control through the connecting cable. In that case, an analogue electric signal representative of the sound of which the audio is a digital representation is transferred directly.

Alternatively, the remote control may be equipped with an electro-acoustic transducer, designed to detect the audio signal directly through a sound signal transmitted in the form of acoustic pressure waves. In that case, the reproduction device transforms the analogue signal obtained from the audio file into a sound signal (pressure waves) using its own transducer (speakers).

A firmware (or any other equivalent solution) present in the universal remote control is configured for analysing the audio signal received, extracting the binaiy information encoded in it and consequently configuring itself and the universal remote control memoiy in the selected operating mode.

Therefore, this invention also provides a system for updating a programmable remote control, comprising a server having instructions useful for performing the updating.

According to the invention, said instructions ate configured in such a way as to implement the following steps:

- receiving data forming indications for identifying at least one piece of electronic equipment;

- receiving data forming indications about control information useful for the remote control for controlling the at least one piece of electronic equipment;

- generating a binaiy digital document containing said control information;

- processing the binaiy digital document to obtain an audio digital document representative of said control information;

- transferring via the internet the audio digital document to a reproduction device, allowing it to be reproduced by the reproduction device, consequently generating an analogue signal representative of a sound. The signal can be received by the remote control connected beforehand to the reproduction device and can be processed to obtain the control information for use in the remote control.

This invention also provides a programmable remote control designed to control one or more pieces of electronic equipment.

The remote control comprises:

- a memoiy containing control information useful for remote control operation; - an input configured to receive an analogue audio signal representative of update control information for updating the content of the memoiy.

According to the invention, the programmable remote control (preferably a programmable universal remote control) comprises, in combination:

- a screen for displaying data identifying corresponding operations which can be performed by the electronic equipment in response to control codes transmitted by the remote control;

- a plurality of buttons positioned adjacent to the screen and designed to cause the transmission of a predetermined control signal when they are pressed;

- a processor programmed

for extracting from the analogue audio signal a binary digital document representative of the control information for the updating, said information comprising a plurality of control codes corresponding to a plurality of operations which can be performed by the equipment, and

for configuring the memory in such a way that predetermined identification data for said plurality of operations correlated with the control codes can be displayed on the screen at predetermined buttons of the plurality of buttons, according to instructions contained in the binary digital document.

Brief Description of the Drawings

This and other features are described in more detail below with reference to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment provided by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a functional diagram of the system according to this invention;

- Figure 2 is a block diagram of the process according to this invention; - Figure 3 is a table which can be displayed on a website from the system of

Figure 1;

- Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a portion of remote control, which can be displayed on a website from the system of Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 1 denotes a programmable remote control designed to control one or more pieces of electronic equipment (in particular by transmitting infrared signals).

The remote control is intended (that is to say, configured) for controlling a single piece of electronic equipment.

In that case, remote control 1 updating aims to allow the remote control to control said equipment or increase the number of equipment functions that the remote control can control.

However, the remote control 1 is preferably a universal remote control, that is to say, a remote control designed to control a plurality of electronic appliances. In such a case, remote control 1 updating aims to allow the universal remote control to control in particular one or more pieces of electronic equipment which, before the updating, it was not able to control, or to increase the number of functions that the remote control can make one or more of the pieces of equipment which it can already control perform.

Whatever the case, the remote control 1 comprises a memory (containing control information useful for remote control operation) and a processor (or equivalent processing means), of the known type (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings).

In light of this, the remote control 1 is programmable, since it is designed to receive data from the outside to update the content of the memory and/or change the configuration of the processor.

The invention provides a method, i.e. a process for updating the programmable remote control 1.

In general, a process for updating a programmable remote control 1 comprises the following steps:

- preparing 2 control information useful for remote control operation;

- transmitting 3 said control information to the remote control.

The control information comprises, for example, numeric control codes forming instructions which, when transmitted by the remote control 1 to the electronic equipment, make the electronic equipment perform a predetermined function (in a known way).

According to the invention, the preparing step 2 comprises the following steps:

- generating 4 a binary digital document (that is to say, a file) containing the control information;

- processing 5 the binary digital document to obtain an audio digital document (that is to say, a file) representative of the control information.

Also according to the invention, the transmitting step 3 comprises the following steps:

- transferring 6 the audio digital document to a reproduction device 7 (for example a personal computer, or an mp3 player or other system for reproducing digital audio files);

- reproducing 8 the audio digital document using the reproduction device 7 and consequently generating an analogue signal representative of a sound; - transmitting 9 the analogue signal from the reproduction device 7 to the remote control 1, the remote control 1 having been connected beforehand to the reproduction device 7;

- remote control 1 processing 10 of the analogue signal to obtain the control information.

The reproduction device 7 is located in proximity of the remote control which has to be updated.

The connection between the remote control 1 and the reproduction device 7 is preferably made using an audio cable 11 (for example, an audio connecting cable with plugs for a 3.5 mm stereo jack on the end).

The interface with which the remote control is equipped is configured for receiving a sound signal. For example, the interface is a 3.5 mm stereo jack connector.

The step 4 of generating the binary digital document containing the control information is preferably preceded by a step 12 of receiving data forming indications for identifying the at least one piece of electronic equipment.

The user supplies that data to a management unit 13 which is managed by the remote control 1 manufacturer,

The management unit 13 is remote from the remote control 1 to be updated (and from the reproduction device 7).

The management unit 13 preferably comprises a database 14 comprising data about a plurality of electronic appliances and the control codes for controlling them with the remote control 1.

For example, the user can reach the management unit 13 using a telephone network (landline or mobile phone or satellite phone). In that case, the management unit 13 comprises a call centre set up to receive calls from users, to collect the information about the desired remote control 1 updating.

However, in the preferred embodiment (illustrated), the management unit 13 comprises a server 15 which has access to (or is) the database 14.

The server 15 can be (at least temporarily) reached by a user by means of an internet connection 16, through a client computer 17 (to which the user has direct access).

The client computer 17 is preferably a personal computer.

It should be noticed that the client computer 17 is configured so that it forms the reproduction device 7 (according to a known technique, the personal computer or other types of computers are fitted with sound cards and operating systems able to reproduce audio digital documents, generating corresponding analogue signals which are representative of sounds).

Therefore, the step 4 of generating the binary digital document containing the control information is preferably preceded by a step 12 of receiving the data forming indications about control information useful for the remote control 1 for controlling said at least one piece of electronic equipment identified by the user.

Therefore, the step 4 of generating the binaiy digital document containing the control information (for updating) occurs in accordance with the information (that is to say the data) received from the user.

In particular, the step 5 of processing the binaiy digital document to obtain the audio digital document comprises a step 18 of processing the binary digital document to obtain a digital document representative of a analogue signal corresponding to a sound signal (using known electro-acoustic transducer means). The sound signal is such that each sound of which it consists corresponds to one bit of the binaty digital document (according to a predetermined transformation, that is to say, encoding).

Moreover, the step 5 of processing the binary digital document to obtain the audio digital document preferably comprises, after the processing step 18, a step 1 of formatting the audio digital document generated during the processing step 18, preparing it for reproduction by one or more predetermined reproduction devices (that is to say, operating systems).

The step 5 (or 18) of processing the binary digital document to obtain the audio digital document preferably comprises associating with the values 0 and 1 of the binary digital document a first and a second numeric value, respectively, corresponding to predetermined sound frequency values.

Said predetermined frequency values are preferably selected in the range 1000 Hz - 2000 Hz (therefore the first and second numeric values are selected in the range 1000 - 2000). More preferably, the values are 1378 and 1837.

Advantageously, this allows a particularly efficient reproduction of the audio digital document, taking into account the passband of the reproduction device 7 (which is linked to the frequencies to which the human ear is sensitive).

Preferably, the predetermined frequency values (that is to say, the numeric values of the digital file generated during the step 18) are selected so that their ratio is a number which is not an integer (that is to say, the two numbers are not multiples of each other).

Advantageously, this allows the updating data to be transferred to the remote control 1 in a particularly reliable way, avoiding errors. The fact that the first and second numeric values are not multiples of each other avoids the interference of any harmonics produced by imperfect amplification and/or transmission systems in the sound signal reproduced.

The predetermined frequency values (that is to say, the first and second numeric values) are preferably selected so that their ratio is a number which is less than 3, more preferably less than 2.

Advantageously, this allows the updating data to be transferred to the remote control 1 in a particularly precise way. The fact that the first and second numeric values are relatively close to one another allows a reduction of the distortion of amplification linearity in the sound signal reproduced.

What is described above is valid in general for the preparation and transmission of updating data for programmable remote controls (or other electronic devices),

In particular, the process described above may be applied for updating programmable remote controls by means of an internet connection 16, based on instructions given by the user who is connected to the server 15 by means of the client computer 17.

Moreover, the programmable remote control 1 is preferably a universal remote control.

In light of this, it should be noticed that the preparing step 2 preferably comprises the following steps:

- presenting 20A on a website data which allows the user to identify at least one of a plurality of electronic appliances;

- selecting 20B from the database 14 accessible to the server 15 information useful for the programmable (universal) remote control for controlling said at least one piece of electronic equipment identified by the user, forming the control information.

In particular, the presenting 20A and selecting 20B steps precede (and form the precondition for) the step 12 of receiving data forming indications for identifying said at least one piece of electronic equipment.

Preferably, the steps 4 of generating the binary digital document and 5 of processing said document are carried out by the server 15. Preferably, the reproduction device 7 is the client computer 17, configured to connect to the website, allowing the user to supply indications for the identification of the at least one piece of electronic equipment.

Preferably, after the presenting step 20A, there is a step 21 of displaying on the client computer 17 (that is to say, on the website) in communication with the server 15 a list of operations (that is to say, functions) which can be performed by the electronic equipment identified by the user. The list is preferably displayed in the form of a table (see the example in Figure 3).

Preferably, the list (table) comprises symbols or images showing the operations (or functions). The symbols or images are preferably the same as those shown by an original remote control for the electronic equipment for identifying the corresponding operations (or functions).

The binary digital document preferably comprises a plurality of control codes (in particular they are numeric codes) designed to control the electronic equipment so that it can perform a corresponding plurality of operations (or functions) when the codes are transmitted by the remote control.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the remote control 1 comprises a displaying screen 22 (for example, for displaying symbols or images according to the data received during the transmitting step 3) and a plurality of buttons 23 which are adjacent to the screen 22 and designed to cause the transmission of a predetermined control signal (for example, of the infrared type, but in any case a control signal from the remote control to the electronic equipment) when they are pressed.

It should be noticed that in the embodiment illustrated the buttons 23 are positioned close to an outer edge of the screen 22 and comprise buttons which can be pressed down.

Alternatively, the buttons 23 may be directly on the screen 22 (in virtual form, according to a known technique). In that case, the screen is a touch screen.

In that case, the binary digital document preferably also comprises data representative of a plurality of symbols or images corresponding to the plurality of operations (or functions).

Therefore, this invention also provides a programmable remote control 1 (preferably universal) designed to control one or more pieces of electronic equipment.

The remote control 1 comprises (in addition to the above-mentioned memoiy containing control information useful for remote control 1 operation) the input configured for receiving an analogue audio signal representative of updated control information for updating the content of the memoiy.

According to the invention, the remote control 1 comprises the following. The screen 22 is configured for displaying data identifying corresponding operations which can be performed by the electronic equipment in response to control codes transmitted by the remote control 1.

Said identification data is, for example, in the form of alphanumeric strings set according to the data entered by the user through the remote connection (for example, the user enters a string of characters representative of the corresponding function) or entered manually by the user by acting on the remote control 1 buttons.

Also according to the invention, the remote control 1 processor is programmed to perform the following operations:

- extracting from the analogue audio signal a binary digital document representative of the control information for the updating, said information comprising a plurality of control codes corresponding to a plurality of operations which can be performed by the electronic equipment identified;

- configuring the memory (of the remote control 1) and/or of the processor so that predetermined identification data for said plurality of operations correlated with the control codes can be displayed on the screen at predetermined buttons 23 of the plurality of buttons 23, according to instructions contained in the binary digital document.

Said extraction from the analogue audio signal of the binary digital document representative of the control information for the updating comprises, according to a known technique, analysis of the analogue electric signal envelope, to obtain the signal frequency for each period of the signal. The frequency values obtained correspond to the first and second values unambiguously assigned to the binaiy values 0 and 1 (or vice versa), as described above.

In particular, to allow the user to supply the indications about the desired positioning in the remote control for the various functions (of the specific piece of electronic equipment identified), that is to say, the linking of a function to a button 23 and/or to a position on the remote control 1 screen 22, the management unit 13 is configured for displaying on the website (and therefore on the client computer 17 connected to it) a schematic representation of at least one portion of the remote control 1 (illustrated by way of example in Figure 4).

In particular, the management unit 13 is configured so that the user, acting on the client computer 17, can select one or more functions (from the list, or table of Figure 3) and link them (for example by dragging or another known method implemented via software in the server 15) to the remote control 1 buttons 23 displayed in the schematic representation (illustrated in Figure 4).

The list (or table) and the schematic representation of the remote control form, in particular, two (successive) screen pages accessible on the website.

Preferably, the remote control 1 screen 22 is configured for displaying symbols or images identifying corresponding operations which can be performed by the electronic equipment in response to control codes transmitted by the remote control 1 (alternatively or in addition to the above-mentioned alphanumeric strings).

In light of this, the control information for updating which is contained in the binaiy digital document extracted by the processor (of the remote control 1) preferably comprises data representative of a plurality of symbols or images corresponding to one or more of the plurality of operations.

Therefore, the processor is programmed to configure the memoiy so that at least part of the predetermined identification data for the plurality of operations is formed by the data representative of a plurality of symbols or images.

This gives the user a great deal of freedom to organise the updating information transferred to the memoiy of his remote control, with the possibility of using the same symbols as are used by the original remote controls of the various pieces of electronic equipment.

This also has the advantage of allowing the user to transfer to the universal remote control a quantity of information in excess of his requirements (when updating the remote control), then simply and rapidly check directly on the remote control (even after the updating has been performed) whether or not it is appropriate to use some of the functions whose updates were downloaded.

According to another aspect, the invention also provides a system 24 for updating a programmable remote control 1 (preferably, but not necessarily, of the universal type).

The system 24 comprises the server 15. The server 15 is provided with instructions useful for performing the updating. The instructions (for server programming) are configured so that the following steps are implemented: - receiving 12 data forming indications for identifying the at least one piece of electronic equipment;

- receiving 12 data forming indications about control information useful for the remote control 1 for controlling the at least one piece of electronic equipment;

- generating 4 the binary digital document containing said control information;

- processing 5 the binary digital document to obtain the audio digital document representative of said control information;

- transferring 6 via the internet the audio digital document to a reproduction device 7, allowing it to be reproduced by the reproduction device 7, consequently generating the analogue signal representative of a sound. The signal can be received by the remote control 1 connected beforehand to the reproduction device 7 and can be processed to obtain the control information for use in the remote control 1.

Moreover, the instructions with which the server 15 is programmed preferably allow implementation of all of the features described above relative to the steps of the process according to this invention (in particular the steps relating to the preparing step 2).

Said system is advantageous, since it allows a great deal of freedom and completeness when the remote control is updated by the user who is connected remotely.

Moreover, the system is particularly robust, since it is hardly affected by the standards relating to operating systems and data communication protocols, because it is based on the transfer of audio signals.

Claims

1. A method for updating a programmable remote control (1), comprising the following steps:

- preparing (2) control information useful for remote control (1) operation, by generating (4) a binaiy digital document containing said control information; - transmitting (3) said control information to the remote control,

characterized in that the preparing step (2) further comprises a step of processing (5) the binary digital document in a remote server to generate an audio digital document representative of said control information,

and in that the transmitting step (3) comprises the following steps:

- transferring (6) the audio digital document from the remote server to a reproduction device (7) located in proximity of the remote control to be updated;

- reproducing the audio digital document using the reproduction device (7) and consequently generating an analogue signal representative of a sound;

- transmitting (9) the analogue signal from the reproduction device (7) to the remote control (1) coupled thereto beforehand;

- processing (10) of the analogue signal representative of a sound in the remote control (1), to obtain the control information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (5) of processing the binaiy digital document to obtain the audio digital document comprises associating with the values 0 and 1 of the binary digital document a first and a second numeric value, respectively, corresponding to predetermined sound frequency values.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined frequency values are selected in the range 1000 Hz - 2000 Hz.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the predetermined frequency values are selected so that their ratio is a number which is not an integer.

5. The method according to any of the claims from 2 to 4, wherein the predetermined frequency values are selected so that their ratio is a number which is less than 3.

6. The method according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the step (5) of processing the binary digital document to obtain the audio digital document comprises a step (19) of formatting the audio digital document, for preparing it to be reproduced by one or more predetermined types of reproduction devices (7).

7. The method according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the preparing step (2) also comprises the following steps:

- presenting (20A) on a website data which allows a user to identify at least one of a plurality of electronic appliances;

- selecting (20B) from a database (14) accessible to a server (15) information useful for the programmable remote control (1) for controlling said at least one electronic appliance identified by the user and forming the control information, the steps (4) of generating the binaiy digital document and (5) of processing said document being carried out by the server (15).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the reproduction device (7) is a client computer (17), configured to connect to the website (16), allowing the user to supply indications for the identification of the at least one electronic equipment.

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising, after the presenting step (20A), a step (21) of displaying on the client computer (17) in communication with the server (15) a list of operations which can be performed by the electronic equipment identified by the user, the list comprising symbols or images indicating the operations, said symbols or images being the same as those shown by an original remote control for the electronic equipment for identifying the corresponding operations or functions.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the binary digital document comprises a plurality of control codes designed to control the electronic equipment so that it can perform a corresponding plurality of operations when the codes are transmitted by the programmable remote control (1).

1 1. The method according to claim 10, wherein the binaiy digital document comprises data representative of a plurality of said symbols or images corresponding to said plurality of operations, the programmable remote control (1) being equipped with a screen (22) for displaying symbols or images according to the data received during the transmission step (3).

12. A system (24) for updating a programmable remote control (1), comprising a remote server (15) having instructions useful for performing the updating, wherein said instructions are configured in such a way as to implement the following steps:

- receiving (12) data forming indications for identifying at least one electronic appliance;

- receiving (12) data forming indications about control information useful for the remote control for controlling the at least one electronic appliance,

the system being characterised in that the remote server (15) further comprises instructions configured to implement the following steps:

- generating (4) a binary digital document containing said control information;

- processing (5) the binary digital document to generate an audio digital document representative of said control information;

- transferring (6) via the internet the audio digital document to a reproduction device (7) located in proximity of the remote control to be updated, allowing said digital document to be reproduced by the reproduction device (7), consequently generating an analogue signal representative of a sound, the programmable remote control (1) connected beforehand to the reproduction device (7) being able to receive said signal and to process it to obtain the control information for use in the remote control (1).

13. A programmable remote control (1) designed to control one or more electronic appliances, comprising:

- a memory containing control information useful for remote control (1) operation;

- an input configured to receive an analogue audio signal;

- a screen (22) for viewing data identifying corresponding operations which can be performed by the electronic equipment in response to control codes transmitted by the remote control (1);

- a plurality of buttons (23) positioned adjacent to the screen (22) and designed to cause the transmission of a predetermined control signal when they are pressed, the programmable remote control (1) being characterized in that it further comprises a processor programmed for

extracting from the analogue audio signal a binaiy digital document representative of the control information for the updating, said information comprising a plurality of control codes corresponding to a plurality of operations which can be performed by the equipment, and for

configuring the remote control (1) in such a way that predetermined identification data for said plurality of operations correlated with the control codes can be viewed on the screen (22) at predetermined buttons (23) of the plurality of buttons (23), according to instructions contained in the binary digital document, wherein the analogue audio signal received at the input is representative of update control information for updating the content of the memoiy.

14. The programmable remote control (1) according to claim 13, wherein:

- the screen (22) is configured for displaying symbols or images which identify corresponding operations that can be performed by the electronic equipment in response to control codes transmitted by the remote control (1),

the update control information contained in the binary digital document extracted by the processor comprising data representative of a plurality of said symbols or images corresponding to one or more of the plurality of operations;

- the processor being programmed to configure the remote control (1) so that at least part of the predetermined identification data for the plurality of operations is formed by the data representative of a plurality of symbols or images.