A remote control apparatus is provided. The remote control apparatus includes a directional antenna, a communicator, and a processor configured to, based on a wireless signal being received from an external device through the directional antenna, identify an angle at which the wireless signal is received, based on the angle being within a predetermine range, obtain identification information of the external device by parsing the wireless signal, based on the identification information, identify whether the external device is registered to a server and based on identifying that the external device is not registered to the server, transmit a signal for requesting registration to the external device through the communicator.

Provided is an operation method of an electronic device for controlling an external device, the operation method including: receiving a user input to a user interface provided for controlling the electronic device; determining whether a foreground application is associated with the external device; and, when the foreground application is associated with the external device, transmitting a control signal corresponding to the user input to the external device.

In particular, a system for the control and/or adjustment of one or several household appliances is disclosed, the system comprising: at least one household appliance; at least one interface device installed in a household, which provides an interface for communication; and at least one server, which provides a service; wherein the at least one household appliance is at least partially controllable and/or adjustable via the at least one interface device and/or via the at least one server. Furthermore, a method for controlling and/or adjusting one or several household appliances, and a device for executing the present method are disclosed.

A remote control system includes an electrical apparatus, a terminal device, and a server device. The terminal device receives a first encrypted apparatus ID in which an apparatus ID is encrypted from the electrical apparatus. The terminal device transmits the first encrypted apparatus ID to the electrical apparatus. The electrical apparatus transmits the apparatus ID and the first encrypted apparatus ID to the server device. The terminal device transmits the first encrypted apparatus ID to the server device. The server device determines whether there is a match in the first encrypted apparatus ID received from the electrical apparatus or the terminal device. When there is a match, the server device registers the apparatus ID in a first security state.

A controlling device is automatically configured to issue a communication directly to a first controllable appliance to control a functional operation of the first controllable appliance in the event that the first controllable appliance is determined to be unresponsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link or to issue a communication to a second controllable appliance to control the functional operation of the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link in the event that first controllable appliance is determined to be responsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link.

A mobile device includes a memory configured to store a program; and a processor configured to control one or more external apparatuses by executing the program. The program includes commands which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify the one or more external apparatuses communicable with and controllable by the mobile device, from a plurality of external apparatuses; provide apparatus information of the one or more external apparatuses, to a server; receive, from the server, control information for controlling the one or more external apparatuses for a user's intention; and transmit a control command to the one or more external apparatuses based on the received control information.

A universal programming station with orientable blocks includes several blocks that can have variable orientations on a support. The orientations of the blocks determine programming instructions applicable to various devices. Such a programming station is intuitive and can be used easily. Moreover, connecting the station with a management platform, via a communication network, promotes the universal character of same with respect to the devices to be programmed.

Included are: a list acquiring unit for acquiring a device list that lists models of a device having functions that can be controlled by operation of a remote controller; a model receiving unit for receiving information of a target model of a target device, of which device control signal generated by operation of the remote controller is to be registered, the target model of the target device selected on the basis of the device list acquired by the list acquiring unit; a function determination unit for determining one or more target functions of the target model received by the model receiving unit; and a guidance generation unit for generating guidance information indicating operation of the remote controller for executing the one or more target functions determined by the function determination unit.

Technologies are described herein for enabling the automated testing of remote control units by providing a suitable test station. The test station includes features that allow it to interact with the remote control units inputs, such as buttons and microphone, and outputs, such as IR and RF remote control codes, status LEDs, and audio output. The test station may be controlled by a controller that executes test scripts or other routines that exercise the functionality of the remote control unit as desired.

A platform for a programmable remote transmitter, designed, and programmed to perform single or multiple operations, optionally incorporated into a custom-made base that attaches to a smart phone case or other mobile devices. The remote transmitter is designed and activated via secured programming provided by an application on the user's mobile device, without the intervention of car dealers, locksmiths or using difficult manual processes. The remote transmitter can be attached to smart phones, mobile devices, or other suitable surfaces (e.g. a briefcase or a vehicle's dashboard) for safekeeping and accessibility.