Data processing: structural design – modeling – simulation – and em – Emulation – Compatibility emulation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2002-06-04
Frejd, Russell (Department: 2123)
Data processing: structural design, modeling, simulation, and em
Emulation
Compatibility emulation
C341S176000, C386S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06401059
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to personal digital assistants and more particularly to using a personal digital assistant as a remote control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), such as 3COM's PALMPILOT and INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION'S WORKPAD, are very popular today. Millions of users around the world now use some type of PDA. The PDA's are mainly used as an information device for applications such as a calendar, email, address book, and memo pad.
FIG. 1A
is a simple block diagram illustrating some of the components of a conventional PDA. The PDA
100
comprises a central processing unit
102
(CPU) and memory
104
. Software is stored on the memory
104
and executed by the CPU
102
. Some PDA's also has an infrared port
106
used for transmitting information between PDA's. A user of the PDA
100
may store various information in the PDA's memory
104
. For example, the user may input and store television program schedules and refer to this information when interested in watching television.
FIG. 1B
is a block diagram illustrating the combination of a conventional television
110
, video cassette recorder
112
(VCR), and universal remote control
108
. When the user determines which television program he/she wishes to watch, based on the schedule information on his/her PDA, the user can utilize a universal remote
108
to send instructions to a television
110
via an infrared signal to display that program. If the user wishes to record a program, he/she may use the universal remote
108
to program the VCR
112
with the time, date, and channel of the program via another infrared signal.
However, this method of accessing program information, and controlling the television and VCR based on this information, is cumbersome to the user. The user must operate both a PDA and a remote control in order to place the program schedule information in the PDA
100
to use with the television
110
and VCR
112
.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a method and system of simplifying the use of program schedule information through a remote control. The method and system should be easy to implement. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system for controlling a device. The system includes a personal digital assistant with a computer program for receiving a program information from a source and selecting a program based upon the program information; and an emulator for sending a signal to a device based upon the selected program. The personal digital assistant receives the program information from a source and selects a program based upon the program information. In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a television and a video cassette recorder. With the method and system of the present invention, a user can place into use the program schedule information in the personal digital assistant without the need for a separate remote control. This simplifies the use of the program schedule information in the personal digital assistant.
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Cheng Josephine Miu
Shen HongHai
Foerster Ingrid M.
Frejd Russell
International Business Machines - Corporation
Sawyer Law Group LLP
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