Monday's update: I've just started a new chat
forum covering all remote control products sold under the One For All label - such as the
Cinema 6, Cinema 7, A/V Producer 8 and Home Producer 8.
Macro patent: Speaking of One For All, the manufacturer of these products
(Universal Electronics Inc.) released an interesting press release last Wednesday. Basically,
it gives them sole ownership of macro buttons! UEI now has "ownership of the technology that
makes it possible for anyone to use a single macro key on a remote to fully control a home
'infotainment' system of diverse components... On one key, the user can define and program a
sequence of events -- turn the cable set-top box on, turn the TV on to channel 7, turn the VCR
on to channel 3, and turn the stereo on and set the volume at level 4". While the release doesn’t
state exactly how limited in range of uses the patent is, UEI could elect to "collect royalties
from licensees who use the technology." Read the full press release here.
New CCF files: I've also uploaded my updated CCF file,
which has several new graphics, including new home page icons found only in the gallery file
for DSS, Lighting, Projectors and Game Systems.
Also available are new CCF files by Greg Staten,
Dale Crawford, Jose Martinez,
Mark Spurgeon and Mark Weston.
This news report was updated on May 19, 2006.
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