Programming An Appliance Patents (Class 340/12.29)
  • Patent number: 11952823
    Abstract: In example implementations, a method is provided. The method includes determining, by a processor, that a vehicle is approaching a door of a building based on a velocity vector of the vehicle, calculating, by the processor, a time of arrival of the vehicle at the door based on the velocity vector of the vehicle and a distance of the vehicle from the door, and controlling, by the processor, the door to begin opening at a time based on the time of arrival and an amount of time for the door to open such that the door is opened when the vehicle arrives at the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: CornellCookson, LLC
    Inventors: Zhizhuo Wu, Ryan Carroll
  • Patent number: 11512518
    Abstract: In example implementations, a method is provided. The method includes determining, by a processor, that a vehicle is approaching a door of a building based on a velocity vector of the vehicle, calculating, by the processor, a time of arrival of the vehicle at the door based on the velocity vector of the vehicle and a distance of the vehicle from the door, and controlling, by the processor, the door to begin opening at a time based on the time of arrival and an amount of time for the door to open such that the door is opened when the vehicle arrives at the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CORNELLCOOKSON, LLC
    Inventors: Zhizhuo Wu, Ryan Carroll
  • Patent number: 11341795
    Abstract: A method of advertisement filtering including receiving advertisements from a multiple of access controls; filtering the received advertisements based on a credential on the mobile device; comparing the filtered received advertisements and determining a user intent to access a particular access control in response to the comparing and to a destination intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Kuenzi, Jonah J. Harkema, Steve Switzer
  • Patent number: 11335151
    Abstract: A method for controlling a reader communicating with a user terminal using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), comprising: transmitting a first advertising packet to the user terminal; performing a first authentication with the user terminal that has received the first advertising packet; discovering service of the user terminal by the reader that has transmitted the first advertising packet after the first authentication is performed; obtaining a first service data from the user terminal in response to the discovering service; discovering characteristic of the user terminal based on the first service data; and obtaining a first characteristic data from the user terminal in response to the discovering characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: MOCA SYSTEM INC.
    Inventors: Jae Hyun Kyung, Jong Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 11313168
    Abstract: A universal add-on device for controlling a movable barrier opener to open and close a movable barrier includes a control module which wirelessly communicates with a user's mobile electronic device. The opener includes a hand-held remote transmitter having a push-button switch. The hand-held remote transmitter is configured to transmit wireless signals to the opener for initiating the opener to move the movable barrier upon actuation of a push button of the push-button switch. The control module is either connected to an actuator to physically actuate the push-button switch of the hand-held remote transmitter or electrically connected in parallel with the push-button switch to electrically actuate the push-button switch of the hand-held remote transmitter. The device enables a manufacturer's compatible remote transmitter or a universal remote transmitter to be utilized to control the movable barrier using the user's mobile electronic device such as a smart phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: William Kyle Virgin
  • Patent number: 10955968
    Abstract: A input system (100), controlling an electromedical device (105), includes a network (110), an input unit (120) and a control unit (140). The input unit has a touch display (122) and detects an input area (125) and outputs an input signal (126) to the network via an input interface (128), if a comparison between the input area and a displayed control menu (130) makes possible an assignment, between the input area and the control command, if the input area is located within a command area (132) on the touch display, and if the control command is contained in a group of currently executable control commands. The control unit receives the input signal and outputs a control signal (142), based on the input signal, to the electromedical device for actuating the corresponding application and sends a confirmation signal (144) to the input unit after the output of the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Christian Düppe, Stefan Schlichting, Maximilian Merkel, Christian Brandt, Andi Kern
  • Patent number: 10777375
    Abstract: Electronic leakage reduction techniques are provided, whereby a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is off or otherwise placed in a mode for reduced power use by said appliance, and whereby voltage and power provided to the appliance are then substantially reduced. In other aspects of the disclosed technology, user behavior may also manually control power delivered to the appliance, for example, with a switch. In still other aspects of the disclosed technology, a device is configured to detect characteristics of an appliance and its power supply when the appliance is on or otherwise placed in a mode for higher power use by said appliance, and increases power to the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Gula Consulting Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Christopher V. Beckman
  • Patent number: 10673225
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle contains a plug outlet that has a pair of contacts for electrical connection to respective hot and neutral power lines. A controlled switch, such as a TRIAC, is connected in series relationship between the outlet contact and the hot power line. Sensors in the receptacle outputs signals to a processor having an output coupled to the control terminal of the controlled switch. The processor outputs an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the controlled switch in response to received sensor signals that are indicative of conditions relative to the first and second contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Brainwave Research Corporation
    Inventors: John Eriksen, Jean-Guy Gagne, James W. Rogers, Patrick Belanger, Rene K. Pardo
  • Patent number: 10638585
    Abstract: A load control system may include one or more wireless control devices that may be associated via a programming device. An identifier for a first wireless control device may be determined in response to an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. An association between the first wireless control device and a second wireless control device may be defined at the programming device. The identifier for the first wireless control device may be transmitted to the second wireless control device, which may cause the first wireless control device to enter a sleep mode. The first wireless control device may enter the sleep mode after an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. The identifier may be determined in response to the actuation of the button on the first wireless control device and/or prior to the first wireless control device entering the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Mann
  • Patent number: 10552361
    Abstract: An input/output (I/O) and control system for long distance communications and industrial applications is provided having a two wire bus and bus protocol for communications between field devices and a channel generator for monitoring and control of the field devices. The channel generator produces an offset square wave on the bus, and sends a synchronization pulse of selected duration at the start of each bus scan cycle in a pulse train cycle to reset counters in the field devices before the bus scan cycle is repeated, to ensure field devices are synchronized, transmitters transmit on the correct channel, and receivers sample the pulse cycle at the correct time. High side and low side current detectors for respective ones of the two wires of the bus and an algorithm are provided to improve detection of valid inbound transmissions by the channel generator for increased noise immunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Nik Ilijic, Andrew Rhydian Jones
  • Patent number: 10432886
    Abstract: A display system is provided. The display system includes a display apparatus configured to display an image, an image providing apparatus configured to provide an image, and a remote control device configured to transmit a control signal for controlling the image providing apparatus. The display apparatus is further configured to control the remote control device to transmit at least one control signal to the image providing apparatus, and acquire apparatus information of the image providing apparatus by analyzing an image provided by the image providing apparatus to the display apparatus in response the image providing device receiving the at least one control signal transmitted by the remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-il Yoon, Kwan-young Kim, Sergei Sudakov, Jae-min Soh, Ji-hyo Lee, Sang-jin Choi, Hyun-kyu Yun
  • Patent number: 10409238
    Abstract: Smart power socket comprising an MCU, a power supply circuit connected to the MCU, a wireless module circuit, and a drive switch control circuit, where the power supply circuit is connected to a low voltage power line, the wireless module circuit is connected to an external control device by means of wireless communication, and the drive switch control circuit is controlled by the MCU to implement controlling of on and off states of the smart power socket. Further, a smart home system comprising a remote control terminal and the smart power socket, where the smart power socket constitutes a LAN and is connected to Internet by means of a smart home gateway, and the remote control terminal is connected to the smart power socket by means of Internet to implement remote controlling of a household appliance plugged into the smart power socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: Ze Chen
  • Patent number: 10368426
    Abstract: A load control system may include one or more wireless control devices that may be associated via a programming device. An identifier for a first wireless control device may be determined in response to an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. An association between the first wireless control device and a second wireless control device may be defined at the programming device. The identifier for the first wireless control device may be transmitted to the second wireless control device, which may cause the first wireless control device to enter a sleep mode. The first wireless control device may enter the sleep mode after an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. The identifier may be determined in response to the actuation of the button on the first wireless control device and/or prior to the first wireless control device entering the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Timothy Mann
  • Patent number: 10212794
    Abstract: A load control system may include one or more wireless control devices that may be associated via a programming device. An identifier for a first wireless control device may be determined in response to an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. An association between the first wireless control device and a second wireless control device may be defined at the programming device. The identifier for the first wireless control device may be transmitted to the second wireless control device, which may cause the first wireless control device to enter a sleep mode. The first wireless control device may enter the sleep mode after an actuation of a button on the first wireless control device. The identifier may be determined in response to the actuation of the button on the first wireless control device and/or prior to the first wireless control device entering the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventor: Timothy Mann
  • Patent number: 9865161
    Abstract: A method, a remote controller and an electrical appliance for releasing a binding of a remote controller are provided. The method includes: acquiring, by the remote controller, a trigger event for releasing a binding; broadcasting, by the remote controller, a request to release the binding based on the trigger event for releasing the binding; judging, by an electrical appliance, whether a binding relationship between the electrical appliance and the remote controller needs to be released based on the request to release the binding; and releasing the binding relationship between the electrical appliance and the remote controller upon the judgment that the binding relationship between the electrical appliance and the remote controller needs to be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: XIAOMI INC.
    Inventors: Yanlu Zhang, Deguo Meng, Enxing Hou
  • Patent number: 9762718
    Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of domestic appliances with the aid of a portable operating apparatus which wirelessly communicates with the domestic appliances includes transmitting a control signal from the portable operating apparatus to the domestic appliances and using the control signal to jointly change over the domestic appliances between an at-home mode, in which first settings are made in the domestic appliances, and a not-at-home mode, in which second settings are made in the domestic appliances. The portable operating apparatus receives an operator input which is carried out by a user using an input device of the portable operating apparatus, and the control signal for changing over the domestic appliances is emitted by the portable operating apparatus on the basis of the operator input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Haepp, Ingo Pietsch, Duc Hanh Bui Tran
  • Patent number: 9582993
    Abstract: A home appliance includes a controlled assembly, a control module, and a signal converter. The control module is electrically connected to the controlled assembly, and the control module has a port for receiving an electrical signal. The control module controls the controlled assembly according to the electrical signal received through the port. The signal converter receives a wireless control signal, and converts the wireless control signal into the electrical signal to be transmitted to the port. The signal converter is selected from a plurality of signal converters which respectively convert signals of different types. While assembling, the signal converter is connected to the port, which makes the control module and the connected signal converter constitute a control device of the home appliance. Whereby, the inventory pressure of control devices can be reduced for manufacturers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: GRAND MATE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chung-Chin Huang, Chin-Ying Huang, Hsin-Ming Huang, Hsing-Hsiung Huang, Yen-Jen Yeh, Kuan-Chou Lin, Yu-Chin Tsai
  • Patent number: 9538355
    Abstract: A targeted discovery between a first device and a second device in a network, in particular, a WHDI network, provides discovery for an identified device or a group of identified devices. The targeted discovery determines an identifier for a second device or a group of devices that the second device belongs to, and sends a device discovery message to the second device using the identifier for the second device when the second device is configured to respond to the device discovery message if the device discovery message includes the identifier for the second device. The first device receives a response to the device discovery message from the second device and can start further communication with the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jiang Zhang, Petr Peterka
  • Patent number: 9480117
    Abstract: A control system includes a load including an operative part, and a control device for supplying AC power to the load through a power line and operating the operative part. The control device includes an interruption mechanism and a transmission mechanism. The load includes a controller. The transmission mechanism transmits a predetermined control signal to the load through the power line by blocking the power supply to the load by the interruption mechanism for a time duration shorter than a half cycle of AC output. The controller controls the operative part based on the control signal received from the control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: TOKYO METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Shiro Shirai, Ken Sato, Hiroyasu Sano
  • Patent number: 9373252
    Abstract: A remote control system includes a mobile device and a receiver connected to a control target. The mobile device includes an input unit accepting user's input operation; an operation signal transmission unit wirelessly transmitting an operation signal corresponding to the input operation during the input operation; a frequency switching determination unit determining whether to switch the transmission frequency band from a first frequency band to a second frequency band based on at least any one of a manner of the input operation and a state of wireless communication; and a transmission frequency switching unit switching the transmission frequency band when the frequency switching determination unit determines to switch the transmission frequency band. The receiver includes an operation signal reception unit receiving the operation signal; and a control unit controlling the control target on the basis of the received operation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroko Murakami, Hiroki Okada, Arinobu Kimura, Kazuhiro Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9232038
    Abstract: A wireless communications interface couples wireless service to conventional wireline phone appliances. In one embodiment, the wireless communications interface is connected to the phone appliances through existing phone jacks. This allows a user to place and receive calls over a wireless network using the existing wireline infrastructure in a building. By using the invention, users can consolidate their portable and fixed phone service with one of the multiple wireless service provides and bypass the wireline service provider entirely, if so desired. In a second embodiment, the wireless communications interface is directly connected to the phone appliances, bypassing the installed wireline infrastructure. In a third embodiment, both wireline and wireless service are operative, and the wireless communications interface may include logic arbitration to route multiple calls to multiple phone appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Bultman
  • Patent number: 9230373
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided wherein the method includes the steps of a downstream controller of a security system advertising a service type of the downstream controller on a sub-network, a gateway controller of the security system detecting the advertisement and authenticating the downstream controller as being part of a group that also includes the gateway controller, the gateway controller sending a connection request to the downstream controller, the gateway and downstream controllers establishing an L4 connection based upon the connection request, and the gateway and downstream controllers establishing a L5 session channel through the L4 connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: John A. Dziadosz, Shiyuan Qi
  • Patent number: 9030132
    Abstract: A system for remote control includes a user device configured to run an application that receives a user input; a remote device including a controller and a controlled device; and a computing cloud being connected to the user device and the remote device through the Internet and configured to convert the user input received at the user device to a command. The controller is configured to receive and execute the command and thereby control the controlled device accordingly. The application is a non-customized application. The controlled device includes a plurality of cascadable LED cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: FONGSHEK TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Ming Fong
  • Patent number: 9024734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote control device, a far-end device, a multimedia system and a control method thereof. Said remote control device comprising: a communication unit for establishing a connection with a far-end device and performing communication; an operating unit for operating a specific program in said far-end device by the operation of the user; and a mode change unit for switching a operating mode in said remote control device according to feedback information associated with the specific program which is fed back by said far-end device in response to the operation in said operating unit. Through the remote control device, the far-end device, the multimedia system and the control method thereof, it may be operated in any device possessing communication function in despite of the hardware and system configuration of said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Chun Xu
  • Patent number: 9019083
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a remote control device is configured to receive a portable control device into a recess, such that the portable control device is mechanically and electrically coupled to the remote control device. The portable control device communicates with a programmable multimedia controller, by way of a bi-directional wireless communication path, and with a dedicated wireless receiver, providing a redundant communication path. The remote control device includes surface enhanced buttons that allow a user to make selections by the sense of touch for changing settings of components associated with the programmable multimedia controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Peter H. Corsini, Timothy R. Locascio, Michael E. Noonan, Michael C. Silva
  • Patent number: 8994539
    Abstract: The disclosure includes an HVAC data processing and communication network, and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment the HVAC data processing and communication network includes a system device and a user interface. The system device is configured to store alarm data in local memory in response to an alarm event. The user interface is configured to send an alarm request message to the system device, and to receive an alarm reporting message including alarm data from the system device via a data bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Lennox Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wojciech Grohman, Darko Hadzidedic, Amanda Filbeck, Timothy E. Wallaert, Timothy H. Thorson, Thomas Gerard Pavlak, Jacob Jennings
  • Publication number: 20150084750
    Abstract: A location determination device is configured to effect the transmission of a message or command to change the configuration of at least one appliance at or proximate to a premises when the current destination for the location determination device is set to a preprogrammed location corresponding to the premises. Accordingly, unintended configuration changes in appliances are avoided with the knowledge that a user of the location determination device intends to proceed to the preprogrammed location corresponding to the premises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 8988498
    Abstract: A method for controlling operations of an image display apparatus and shutter glasses are disclosed. The method for controlling an operation of the image display apparatus includes transmitting a signal including information about channels available as a pairing channel to a remote controller in response to key code information of the remote controller received from the remote controller, receiving from the remote controller a signal including information about a channel selected by the remote controller from among the channels available as a pairing channel, establishing the channel selected by the remote controller as a pairing channel of the remote controller, and establishing the pairing channel of the remote controller as a pairing channel of shutter glasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sanghyun Kim, Hagryang Kim
  • Publication number: 20140375441
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Publication number: 20140375440
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing registration at a remote site that may include, for example, a monitoring module that may communicate with a remote site. A registration protocol may be used by the monitoring module and the remote site in generating the messages communicated during the registration process. The monitoring module may gather and generate various identification information to be included in the registration protocol messages. The registration information provided by the monitoring module maybe stored at the remote site in a database server having a database. A confirmation message may be communicated from the remote site to the monitoring module that may either acknowledge successful registration or report that an error occurred during the registration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: NEST LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Babak Rezvani, Edward B. Kalin, Jack L. Chen, Reza Jalili
  • Publication number: 20140266587
    Abstract: An original generator generates a sequence of access values that are stored into a longer range communication device. A short range communication device, which can be the original generator, uses short range communication during a programming process to transmit an identification number to enable subsequence access from the longer range communication device using the sequence of access values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: KeylessRide
    Inventor: Emmanuel Enrique Lopez
  • Publication number: 20140266640
    Abstract: A method for optimizing memory usage in a device having a universal controlling application includes receiving into the device data for use in configuring the universal controlling application wherein the data is used to identify from within a library of command code sets stored in a memory of the device a command code set that is appropriate for use in commanding functional operations of the appliance and causing a non-identified one or more of the command code sets of the library of command code sets stored in the memory of the device to be discarded to thereby create freed space in the memory of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Naimisaranya Das Busek, Thomas Henley
  • Patent number: 8816828
    Abstract: A recipe wand reads meal plans and recipes for a recipe book, and with data about the appliance and one or more cycles of operation, sends data about a consumable to the appliance to automatically create and selectively commence a cycle of operation oh the consumable according to the recipe book.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Wallace J. Elston, III, Layne E. Heilman, Anthony E. Jenkins, Richard A. McCoy, James P. O'Shaughnessy, Randy A. Voss
  • Patent number: 8810737
    Abstract: To a video display device, a remote control transmitter for remotely operating the video display device is attached. When at least one of predetermined keys provided in the remote control transmitter of an external device is operated, the video display device switches, according to the setting of an “input target”, the validness and the invalidness of an remote operation on the at least one of predetermined keys of the external device which outputs a video stream to the video display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Hayashi, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, Masafumi Nishi
  • Patent number: 8786412
    Abstract: An appliance network has messaging protocol to establish communication between a first networked appliance and a remote user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew P. Ebrom, Wallace J. Elston, III, Layne E. Heilman, Anthony E. Jenkins, Richard A. McCoy
  • Publication number: 20140176313
    Abstract: A particular device may configure one or more of other devices to accept and execute remote control commands from the particular device's remote control unit. This may be performed via one or more various communication links between the devices on that enables the devices to communicate with each other. For example, the remote control of a set-top box can be used to control both the set-top box and a television without a user having to specially program the set-top box or other universal remote control. One example of a communication link between the devices that enables the devices to communicate with each other is a device-to-device messaging protocol such as that provided by the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jon Richardson
  • Patent number: 8736427
    Abstract: Systems and methods for associating a remote controller with a device are provided. The systems and methods generally relate to receiving a request from a remote controller to pair the remote controller to a device at several devices and determining at each of the several devices the strength of the wireless pairing request signal received by that device. If a device determines that its received signal is the strongest, the device may be paired with the remote controller. If instead a device determines that its received signal is not the strongest, it may ignore subsequent communications received from the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Vincent King
  • Patent number: 8713697
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing event information relating to operation of an HVAC system includes: (a) at least one memory controller coupled with the HVAC system for receiving the event information; and (b) at least one memory unit coupled with the at least one memory controller. A first memory unit of the at least one memory unit is configured for receiving first selected information of the event information for accessing by at least one of a first party and a second party. A second memory unit of the at least one memory unit is configured for receiving second selected information of the event information for accessing by the second party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Lennox Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Courtney, Wojciech Grohman, Peter Hrejsa
  • Patent number: 8659400
    Abstract: A system and method used to configure a smart device to command functional operations of a target appliance. The smart device retrieves from a controllable appliance, such as a settop box, data indicative of a codeset identity of the target appliance wherein the codeset identity was determined during a process used to configure a conventional universal remote control to command functional operations of the target appliance and wherein the process used to configure the conventional universal remote control is performed in cooperation with the controllable appliance. A remote control application resident on the smart device then uses the data indicative of the codeset identity retrieved from the controllable appliance to also configure the smart device to command functional operations of the target appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8653951
    Abstract: A remote control method applied to a remote control system, including a remote control device and at least one be-controlled device, includes the following steps. The remote control device discovers the at least one be-controlled device dynamically via a network and retrieves a device control profile from the at least one be-controlled device. The device control profile includes a composite finite state machine representing the dependency of various operation states of the at least one be-controlled device and multiple control codes coded in a bit-string format. Then the remote control device retrieves a current operation state code from the at least one be-controlled device via the network periodically. The remote control device analyzes the current operation state code based on the device control profile to accordingly generate a user interface to control the at least one be-controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Kuen-Ming Lee, Chi-Wei Huang, Yu-Chang Chao
  • Patent number: 8629942
    Abstract: A method of processing remote control commands at a control device consistent with certain embodiments involves at the control device, receiving commands directed to the control device; at the control device, receiving a command directed to a source device, the source device being operative to provide video content to a display; and at the control device, interpreting the command directed to the source device in order to track a state of operation of the source device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Brant L. Candelore
  • Patent number: 8598978
    Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) load control system includes both two-way and one-way (e.g., transmit-only) remote control devices, and provides a simple, reliable process for configuring the one-way devices into the system. The one-way device may be programmed to operate at one of a predetermined number of radio frequencies as part of a frequency-selection procedure, during which, the one-way device transmits a test command to a signal repeater of the system. If the test command is transmitted at the same frequency as the repeater, the repeater emits an audible beep to inform the user that the remote control is transmitting at the appropriate frequency. To associate the two-way devices with the system, the signal repeater streams an “enter address mode” command. To allow the one-way device to be associated with the system, the signal repeater pauses the transmission of the enter address mode command to allow the one-way device to transmit an activation request message to the signal repeater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Galen Edgar Knode
  • Patent number: 8565079
    Abstract: A home appliance and home appliance system are provided which enable a portable terminal not to recognize an acoustic signal sound corresponding to product information output by the home appliance as noise. Thus, the acoustic signal corresponding to product information output by the home appliance may be transmitted to a service center through the portable terminal. The home appliance may include a controller that sets a dead time at a predetermined interval of time with respect to a signal corresponding to product information to avoid a noise detection section of a portable terminal, a converter that converts the signal into an acoustic signal of a predetermined band, and a sound output device that outputs the acoustic signal as sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Sang Kim, Eui Hyeok Kwon, Hae Yong Kang, Yong Tae Kim, Koon Seok Lee
  • Patent number: 8558675
    Abstract: An electronic system including a user interface for transmitting an operational parameter control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface. A processor is coupled to the user interface and adjusts an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal. An actuatable device is actuated by a user. In response to the user actuation, the actuatable device prevents the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Robert F. Combs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8471964
    Abstract: An electronic device (1) which is remote controllable has a conversion table storing unit (31) for holding a conversion table for converting an incompatible control signal that does not support the electronic device (1) into a compatible control signal that supports the electronic device (1), an input receiving unit (32) for receiving the input of the incompatible control signal based on the output of an incompatible remote control (4) that does not output the compatible control signal, a conversion unit (33) for converting the incompatible control signal the input of which has been received by the input receiving unit (32) into the compatible control signal according to the conversion table, and a control unit (34) for controlling the electronic device (1) according to the compatible control signal converted by the conversion unit (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masatoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8405784
    Abstract: An electronic device (1) which is remote controllable has a conversion table storing unit (31) for holding a conversion table for converting an incompatible control signal that does not support the electronic device (1) into a compatible control signal that supports the electronic device (1), an input receiving unit (32) for receiving the input of the incompatible control signal based on the output of an incompatible remote control (4) that does not output the compatible control signal, a conversion unit (33) for converting the incompatible control signal the input of which has been received by the input receiving unit (32) into the compatible control signal according to the conversion table, and a control unit (34) for controlling the electronic device (1) according to the compatible control signal converted by the conversion unit (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masatoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8387095
    Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether an external apparatus is capable of transmitting broadcast program information about a plurality of channels via a communication unit. When the determination unit determines that the external apparatus is capable of transmitting the broadcast program information, an acquisition unit does not acquire the broadcast program information from the digital broadcast signal. The external apparatus is requested to transmit the broadcast program information. The broadcast program information is acquired from the external apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Ohki, Noriaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8378791
    Abstract: An image reproduction system includes a TV set, an AV amplifier connected to the TV set, and a plurality of image output devices, such as a DVD player, a set-top box and a game console, connected to the AV amplifier. The ID information of these image output devices is displayed as a list on the screen of the TV set. The user can select any one of the image output devices from the list by using a remote control, for example. The fact of the selection is transmitted to the AV amplifier from the TV set. Upon this, the AV amplifier connects the selected image output device to the TV set, so that the image signals reproduced by the selected device are sent to the TV set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignees: Onkyo Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazunari Ito, Yasuhiro Miyata, Masanori Shigematsu, Hideki Ohkita, Akira Miyazawa, Tomoaki Nakade
  • Patent number: 8345686
    Abstract: A network system comprising a system of devices having a plurality of nodes defining a communications network. At least one identifier from a pre-determined group of identifiers is associated with each of the nodes and identifies the functionalities that are applicable to that node or device associated with that node. In one embodiment, at least one of the nodes can transmit the at least one identifier by a message sent over the communications network for receipt by at least one of the nodes to thereby publish the functionalities over the communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. McCoy, Matthew P. Ebrom, Robert J. Feldbruegge, David J. Kmet
  • Patent number: 8299901
    Abstract: An electronic system including a user interface for transmitting an operational parameter control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface. A processor is coupled to the user interface and adjusts an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal. An actuatable device is actuated by a user. In response to the user actuation, the actuatable device prevents the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
    Inventor: Robert E. Combs, Jr.