System and method for upgrading the remote control functionality of a device

摘要

A system and method for upgrading a remote control application resident on a device. Information identifying a controllable appliance is caused to be uploaded to a remote server device and the uploaded information is used to automatically display user-selectable, downloadable data files relevant to the control of the controllable appliance. Downloaded data files, which may include command codes and/or graphical user interface elements, may be used within the device to upgrade the ability of the remote control application to communicate with the controllable appliance. The information uploaded to the server may also be used to generate demographic data regarding consumer preferences.

主权项

1. A method for downloading configuration data for use in connection with a remote control application resident on a device, comprising:
receiving at a server device data indicative of an appliance to be commanded through use of the remote control application resident on the device; using the data indicative of the appliance to be command through use of the remote control application resident of the device to identify within a database accessible to the server device at least one command code usable by the remote control application resident on the device to command a corresponding functional operation of the appliance; using an identifier that is uniquely associated with the device at the server device to encrypt the identified at least one command code; and downloading the encrypted at least one command code from the server device whereupon, after the encrypted at least one command code is decrypted using the identifier that is uniquely associated with the device, the identified at least one command code will be available for use by the remote control application resident on the device.