The present invention relates to a remote control apparatus which can remotely control multiple devices. A remote control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a key input unit having multiple keys; a reception unit for receiving at least one device identification signal from at least one device or a transmission device corresponding to the device; a processor for detecting an identification signal for a device, which can be remotely controlled, from the at least one received device identification signal, and matching at least one of the multiple keys to a control command for the remote control of the device, on the basis of the detected identification signal; and a transmission unit for transmitting a signal corresponding to the control command when the key matched to the control command is selected. Accordingly, the present invention can remotely control multiple devices.

Various devices, systems, products and methods for customizing a remote control are presented. Sensors are optionally used to aid in the identification of users and user specific remote control configurations and layouts are optionally automatically loaded upon determination that a different user is handling the remote control. The devices, systems, products and methods are useful for minimizing inadvertent changes to system setting and modes due to unanticipated or accidental presses of buttons on a remote control.

Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for creating a configuration for a control device. The method includes determining a plurality of devices controllable with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category, displaying a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, displaying a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, receiving a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options, associating the first device and the second device with a scene object, and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generating a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device.

A vehicle interface system for a vehicle, the vehicle interface system comprising: a vehicle computing system comprising a processor that is configured to collect cabin conditions including cabin temperature of the vehicle; an on board diagnostic (OBD) device attached to the vehicle and configured to communicate data collected from the vehicle computing system to a communication service over a network; and a mobile device comprising a processor and that is connected remote from the vehicle over the network, the mobile device being configured to connect to the network to obtain the data from the OBD device and to receive a command from a user to control one or more components of the vehicle to control the internal temperature of the cabin of the vehicle.

A climatic system includes a climatic apparatus and a local network, in particular wireless. A computer is linked to an internet network access router. The climatic apparatus includes a communicating device to transmit on the local network an item of information relating to its manner of operation. A method for implementing such a climatic system is also provided.

A wearable remote control worn on a finger of a user is provided. The wearable remote control is for use with a medical equipment component. The wearable remote control has a housing, a switch located on the housing, the switch configured to provide a control signal to a control module, and an interface connector attached to the housing and the switch. The interface convector connects the wearable remote control to the control module. The housing of the wearable remote control may include a collar worn around the finger.

A device control apparatus acquires information on the environment surrounding devices from an environment acquisition sensor. The device control apparatus determines, on the basis of the acquired environment information, whether the devices can be remotely controlled safely. When remote operation instruction data is received from a terminal apparatus via an external network (N2), the device control apparatus generates a control signal for controlling devices to be operated and transmits the generated control signal to such devices via an in-house network only in a case where it is determined that such devices can be remotely controlled safely.

A display system is disclosed. The display system comprises a remote control device and a display device. The remote control device receives identification information about an external device from the external device, recognizes the angle of communication with the external device, and transmits the identification information and information about the angle to the display device. The display device identifies the external device on the basis of the information about the angle, and registers the identified external device as an operable external device when the remote control device is determined to have received the identification information while oriented toward the external device.

According to one configuration, a remote controller device wirelessly controls a remote media system. The remote controller device includes multiple selectable control buttons, multiple optical sources, and controller hardware. Each optical source individually back-illuminates a respective selectable control button of the multiple selectable buttons. The controller hardware selectively activates different groupings of the multiple optical sources depending upon a current operational mode of the remote media system. For example, a respective user of the remote controller device selects a particular button of the remote controller device corresponding to the first operational mode. The remote controller device, in turn, transmits a wireless signal to the remote media system to control the remote media system to the first operational mode. Rather than illuminating all buttons, the remote controller device then back-illuminates only a relevant group of multiple selectable control buttons applicable to the first operational mode.

A controlled apparatus periodically transmits state information indicating the state of the apparatus, and when the state has been changed, transmits state information indicating the state after the change. Upon receiving state information from the controlled apparatus, a control apparatus, when not requesting a change of state in the controlled apparatus, returns the state information to the controlled apparatus, and when requesting a change of the state in the controlled apparatus, changes state parameters in the state information that correspond to the state to be changed to required values and transmits the state information after the change to the controlled apparatus as a control command. The controlled apparatus, upon receiving the control command from the control apparatus, changes to a state in accordance with the state parameters that follow the change and transmits the state information indicating the state after the change to the control apparatus.