Plural Transmitters Patents (Class 341/174)
  • Patent number: 11076763
    Abstract: A system comprising a remotely programmable micromonitor with a wireless sensing system-on-module (SOM), one or more sensors to detect one or more conditions in a subject by monitoring one or more parameters associated with the conditions by comparing any monitored parameter to a baseline measurement of the monitored parameter from the subject, a plurality of sensors corresponding to a monitored parameter and connected to the micromonitor to convey measurements of all monitored parameters, the sensors including at least one of a non-optical pulse wave sensor or an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, a communications module capable of communicating with a wireless technology, wherein the module can send an alert signal to the subject or an attending physician or a remote service center or any other subject, and one or more algorithms for monitoring conditions and/or for predicting conditions, including at least one of a fall detection or fall prediction algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Atlasense Biomed Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Atlas
  • Patent number: 10958646
    Abstract: A method of authenticating a health measurement taken from a medical measurement device may include establishing a network connection between a computing device and a medical measurement device. The network connection may be established via contact of a user with electrodes of the computing device and contact of the user with electrodes of the medical measurement device. While user contact is maintained with the electrodes of the computing device, the electrodes of the medical measurement device, and a biometric sensor of the computing device health measurement data of the user may be received at the computing device from the medical measurement device. Also while contact is maintained, the user may be authenticated using a measurement of the biometric sensor of the computing device. The health measurement data may be signed based on the authenticating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Patrice Bertrand
  • Patent number: 10705580
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that controls cooling in a computer system. During operation, this system monitors a temperature of one or more components in the computer system. Next, the system determines a thermal-headroom margin for each of the one or more components in the computer system by subtracting the temperature of the component from a pre-specified maximum operating temperature of the component. Then, the system controls a cooling system that regulates an ambient air temperature for the computer system based on the determined thermal-headroom margins for the one or more components. In some embodiments, controlling the cooling system additionally involves minimizing a collective energy consumption of the computer system and the cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Kalyanaraman Vaidyanathan, Sanjeev Sondur
  • Patent number: 10325486
    Abstract: In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • Patent number: 9703517
    Abstract: Techniques for external device screen targeting are described. In one or more implementations, location information of a mobile computing device is calculated based on a distance between the mobile computing device and multiple signal transmitters having predefined locations. In addition, a compass heading of the mobile computing device is identified that indicates an orientation of the mobile computing device. The location information and the compass heading of the mobile computing device is then applied to correlate with display-location data of an application for interaction with one or more objects displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Joseph Michael Andolina
  • Patent number: 9081570
    Abstract: A network access device is disclosed, having a transceiving circuit, a demodulation circuit, and a control circuit. The transceiving circuit is used to receive network signals. The demodulation circuit is coupled with the transceiving circuit and used to generate data frames according to the network signals. The control circuit is coupled with the demodulation circuit and used to wake up one or more components of an electronic device when at least two fields of the data frame match predetermined values, or when the data frames are received in a predetermined order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventors: Ting-Ying Li, Kuang-Yu Yen, Jia-Ching Shen, Yu-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 9024801
    Abstract: A method for configuring a transmitter device to transmit a recognized transmission to a receiving device is provided. The method includes transmitting a first transmission and transmitting a second transmission after the first transmission. The method further includes receiving, during the second transmission, a user input signal from an interface for receiving signals from one or more user interface elements. The method further includes storing an attribute associated with the second transmission in a memory device in response to the user input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Todd R. Witkowski, Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 8963694
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting a remote controlled device to be controlled from among a plurality of remote controllable devices. The system includes an electronic device having a registration interface configured to register device data corresponding to the plurality of remote controllable devices, a position locator configured to determine position data corresponding to a position of the electronic device, and an orientation interface configured to receive orientation data corresponding to an orientation of a user. A controller is configured to select the remote controlled device based on the device data, the position data, and the orientation data. The plurality of remote controllable devices each may include a respective data source configured to provide the device data, and a headset may be configured to generate the orientation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Martin Nystrom, Erik Ahlgren
  • Patent number: 8937529
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: status information input means for inputting status information indicating an operating state and power consumption of each of a plurality of electronic appliances targeted for connection from the plurality of electronic appliances; list screen generating means for generating a list screen that associates the status information inputted from each of the plurality of electronic appliances with the plurality of electronic appliances; and a display control means for controlling display means for displaying the list screen thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Keigo Ito
  • Patent number: 8928519
    Abstract: A base band to frequency up-converter is described wherein the base band to frequency up-converter comprises a first input for receiving a first base band signal of first base band samples and a second input for receiving a second base band signal of second base band samples and an output for providing up-converted radio signal samples. The base-band to radio frequency up-converter further comprises a phase converter for converting the first base band signal of first base band samples and the second base band signal of second base band samples into a first intermediate signal of first intermediate samples, a second intermediate signal of second intermediate samples, and a third intermediate signal of third intermediate samples. The intermediate samples are then up-converted into radio signal samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kathrein-Werke KG
    Inventor: Udo Karthaus
  • Patent number: 8885464
    Abstract: A system and method can have an electroencephalographic (EEG) recording module and a host device. The EEG recording can have a memory module configured to record EEG signals from a patient and a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit the EEG signals as packets. The host device can have a wireless transceiver configured to wirelessly receive at least some of the packets transmitted by the recording module wireless transceiver and a processor configured to identify one or more missing packets. Upon a completion of transmission of the packets, the host device is configured to wirelessly transmit an identity of missing packets to the recording module wireless transceiver. Upon receiving the identity of the missing packets, the recording module wireless transceiver is configured to wirelessly transmit packets including the EEG signals corresponding to the missing packets to the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Bio-Signal Group Corp.
    Inventors: Anderson Micu, James G. Donnett, Paul A. Chudy
  • Patent number: 8773246
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer, William M. Beals, Daniel L. Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C. Morzos
  • Patent number: 8742886
    Abstract: A multi unit controller has a plurality of base units each of which includes a control unit connector, a base unit connector through which the base units juxtaposed to each other are connected to each other, and a plurality of control units connected to the base units respectively through the respective control unit connector, wherein the base units juxtaposed vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuta Sugimoto, Atsushi Nishioka, Eiji Kobayashi, Akihiro Ohashi, Katsumi Yoshida, Satoshi Nakamura, Fumihiko Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8723655
    Abstract: A remote control having a touch-sensitive control panel and a transmission unit for transmitting encoded signals which are produced on the basis of a direction of movement of contact with successive regions of the control panel, regardless of the location at which contact is made with the control panel. It is also possible to produce encoded signals on the basis of a movement by the remote control in combination with a motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: FM Marketing GmbH
    Inventor: Ferdinand Maier
  • Patent number: 8552838
    Abstract: A passive wireless system for monitoring a protected area. The passive wireless system comprises at least one passive sensor for sensing an event, a reader for receiving signals from the at least one passive sensor, a plurality of exciters disposed within the protected area for transmitting a radio frequency pulse at a variable time interval to the at least one passive sensor, and a controller for controlling each of the plurality of exciters to transmit the radio frequency pulse at the variable time interval. The radio frequency pulse powers the passive sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Addy
  • Patent number: 8306096
    Abstract: A method for interference reduction is described. A sampling frequency is selected for a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) so that images within a DAC output signal do not interfere with one or more receivers. A sample rate is adjusted of an input signal that is provided to the DAC to match the sampling frequency for the DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hemanth Sampath, Christian Holenstein, Jeremy Huei Lin, Tamer Adei Kadous, Thomas Domenick Marra
  • Patent number: 8228224
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first identification signal, where the first identification signal corresponds to a first control. The method also includes determining an active device function to which the first control corresponds, where the active device function is a first function of a first device when the first device is active and where the active device function is a second function of a second device when the second device is active. The method also includes triggering emission of an audible signal identifying the active device function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Philip Ted Kortum, Marc Andrew Sullivan, Jeffrey Lewis Brandt
  • Patent number: 8213549
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a symbol estimate includes a detection unit, an information storage, a channel decoder, and an estimator. One or more detectors of the detection unit is configured to detect a first data stream and the one or more detectors or one or more other detectors are configured to detect a second data stream when interference cancellation is carried out and when interference cancellation is not carried out parallel to detection of a first data stream to obtain results of detection. The information storage is configured to store the results of the detection of the second data stream, and the channel decoder is configured to channel decode a detected first data stream. The estimator is configured to determine a symbol estimate by using the stored results of the detection of the second data stream and based on the success of the channel decoding of the first data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Markku J. Heikkila
  • Patent number: 7973648
    Abstract: When a television receiver is connected to a DVD player via an HDMI cable, HDMI authentication is carried out. EDID data is then acquired from the television receiver and a manufacturer name is determined. When the manufacturer name is determined to be, for example, “company A”, a table indicating a correspondence relationship of manufacturer names and remote control codes is referred to and remote control codes corresponding to the determined company A are selected. The selected remote control codes are then transmitted after selection of remote control codes of the company A is carried out. Remote control codes corresponding to the manufacturer name of the company A received from the DVD player are then stored in a memory in a manner corresponding to operation key numbers allocated in advance to a plurality of operation keys at a remote control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Kawakita
  • Patent number: 7924150
    Abstract: A wireless sensor network for wirelessly monitoring a medical subject includes a plurality of sensor nodes (22, 24, 26, 122, 124, 126). Each sensor node includes a wireless transceiver (46) for sending and receiving wireless messages, a sensor (40, 42, 130, 132, 140, 142) monitoring a characteristic of the medical subject, and a processor (50). The processor is programmed to at least perform an authentication method including: (i) acquiring sensor data via the sensor for a predetermined time (76) responsive to receiving a wireless trigger message; (ii) storing an association code (60, 150, 152, 160, 162) computed from the acquired sensor data; and (iii) authenticating a subsequently received wireless message containing an association code tag by comparing the association code tag with the stored association code. The processor further attaches the stored association code as the association code tag in messages sent to other sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Heribert Baldus, Thomas Falck, Karin Klabunde, David Sanchez Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7877588
    Abstract: This invention provides a remote control capable of automatically sending signals to a variety of electronic devices so that a user does not have to send signals to each of the electronic devices individually. The remote control may include a dedicated button that when activated may send signals to a plurality of electronic devices to perform one or more operations. The remote control may send the signals simultaneously or sequentially. The signals may be also encoded with the specific address for each of the plurality of electronic devices. This way, only the electronic device with the matching address may receive the signal. The signals may be also encoded with any number of commands such as turn “on” or turn “off” so that each electronic device may perform a similar or different operation as other electronic devices. The remote control may be any type of device that may be distinct from the electronic device such as a hand-held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Ara H. Gharapetian
  • Patent number: 7839314
    Abstract: In a satellite radio navigation receiver receiving a transmitted radio navigation signal, a method of removing I/Q-mismatches in the received signal, comprising: resolving the received signal into I and Q signal component, and providing them as inputs to a demixing stage which removes unwanted signals, the demixing stage including first and second cross-coupled adaptive filters, whose coefficients are updated by the outputs of the demixing stage, the outputs of the demixing stage representing an IQ mismatch corrected signal. The coefficients are updated only by the polarity values of the outputs, resulting in great simplification. The receiver may be a zero-IF or low-IF receiver, and may operate on time domain or frequency domain signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: University of Westminster
    Inventors: Ediz Cetin, Izzet Kale, Richard Charles Spicer Morling, Andrew Graham Dempster
  • Patent number: 7779435
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to export tuning data collected in a receiving device are disclosed. An example method of collecting audience measurement data comprises collecting tuning data within a receiving device, and modulating an LED associated with the receiving device to export the collected tuning data from the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLC
    Inventors: Christen V. Nielsen, Mark Richard Cave
  • Patent number: 7764190
    Abstract: An IR blaster including one or more IR emitting LEDs used to generate IR signals for controlling operations of a plurality of controlled appliance and a plurality of fiber optic cables where one or more of the plurality of fiber optic cables are in light communication with an IR emitting LED. Each fiber optic cable is provided for distributing the IR signals generated by an IR LED to a respective one of the plurality of controlled appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Mortensen
  • Patent number: 7605737
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a data transmission system. The system comprises a data transmitter that provides a plurality of data bits over at least one data line. The data transmitter comprises a clock that provides a clock signal associated with timing for latching the plurality of data bits and a data encoder configured to encode error data associated with the data transmission system in the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert F. Payne, Richard M. Prentice
  • Patent number: 7589651
    Abstract: A serial interface for a programmable logic device (PLD) uses an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in place of conventional signal detect and receiver detect circuitry. A separate ADC can be used in each receiver and each transmitter in each serial interface on the PLD. Alternatively, time division multiplexing can be used to allow the receiver and transmitter in each receiver/transmitter pair, or even multiple receiver/transmitter pairs, to share a single ADC. When none of the receiver/transmitter pairs associated with a particular ADC is being used, the ADC can be accessed for use simply as an ADC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Sergey Shumarayev, Rakesh H. Patel, Wilson Wong
  • Patent number: 7564381
    Abstract: A method for compressing information is provided that includes receiving a plurality of bits associated with a communications flow and determining if a match exists between the plurality of bits and a selected one of a plurality of bit patterns. A header bit segment that corresponds to the selected bit pattern may be communicated in place of the plurality of bits associated with the communications flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manjari Asawa, Mehryar K. Garakani, Tmima Koren, Rong Wang
  • Patent number: 7551856
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of infrared devices (ICDs) is provided herein. A remote controller is used to generate an optical signal for controlling a plurality of ICDs. The optical signal generated by the remote controller is converted into an electrical signal by an infrared repeater device. An implementation of such a system includes a rotary mechanical switch to direct the electrical signal generated by the infrared repeater device to a light emitting diode (LED) located near one of the plurality of ICDs. The LED converts the electrical signal into an optical signal and re-transmits the optical signal to the one of the plurality of ICDs. The system allows controlling the plurality of ICDs located in a remote location without having the user commute closer to such ICDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Siu
  • Patent number: 7541966
    Abstract: An apparatus for demodulating a modulated signal comprises an analog to digital converter (2, 12) for converting an analog modulated input signal to a digital signal. The analog to digital converter is arranged to sample the input signal at a predetermined sampling rate. A digital down converter (4, 14) then receives the digital signal at the sampling rate. The digital down converter has an associated digital intermediate frequency and reduces the frequency of the digital signal to one quarter of the sampling rate. A low pass filter (6, 16) filters selected frequencies from the digital signal. A frequency offset stage (8, 18) applies a modification to the frequency of the filtered signal to reduce frequency offset therein, and a differential demodulator (10, 20) demodulates the signal after modifying the frequency to reduce the frequency offset. There is also disclosed a method for demodulating a signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Oki Techno Centre (Singapore) Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Xu Changqing, Li Zhiping, Hu Saigui, Tan Kai Ren, Wang Tingwu, Tomisawa Masayuki
  • Patent number: 7539267
    Abstract: A method signals in an ultra-wide bandwidth network. A data symbol is generated. A set of reference pulses is transmitted for the data symbol. Each reference pulse is of a different type. One data pulse is also transmitted for each reference pulse. A type of each data pulse is identical to the type of the corresponding reference pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Zafer Sahinoglu, Sinan Gezici
  • Patent number: 7538711
    Abstract: An integrated remote control device and method using multi-modal inputs are provided. The integrated remote control device may include an input module that receives inputs of at least two modalities from a user, a first modality recognition module that recognizes and interprets an input of a first modality received from the input module, a second modality recognition module that recognizes and interprets an input of a second modality received from the input module, a command database (DB) that stores commands, a control module that interprets a user command by synthesizing information about the inputs interpreted by the first and second modality recognition modules, and extracts a control command that corresponds to the interpreted user command from the command DB, and an output module that outputs the control command extracted by the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-hye Chung, Myung-hyun Yoo, Kee-eung Kim, Seung-nyang Jung
  • Patent number: 7436346
    Abstract: A portable communication device is provided and includes a display. At least one remote control soft button is presented at the display and an electronic device control command is associated with each remote control soft button. Further, the electronic device control command is enabled in response to a code received at the portable communication device from a service provider. The portable communication device also includes a keypad that can be used to select the remote control soft button. Further, the electronic device control command is selected from the group consisting of: play, stop, pause, volume up, volume down, record, channel up, channel down, fast forward, and rewind. Additionally, the portable communication device includes a text input field and a send button that are presented at the display. The portable communication device selectively can control a selected remote electronic device using the at least one electronic device control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Edward Walter, Yolius Diroo
  • Publication number: 20080165044
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for an efficient channel quantization method for MIMO pre-coding systems may include quantizing channel state information in a MIMO pre-coding system onto a codebook, which comprises one or more unitary matrices, using a cost function; selecting a quantization function that enables the quantizing based on a number of receive antennas and a number of transmit antennas associated with the MIMO pre-coding system; and selecting the cost function from a set of cost functions based on the number of receive antennas and the number of transmit antennas. The channel state information may be a matrix ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Kent, Vinko Erceg, Jun Zheng
  • Patent number: 7352288
    Abstract: A malfunction of interpreting one remote control operation as a plurality of remote control operations by mistake is prevented without impairing the responsiveness of a remote controller. A counter code which is updated each time a key of the remote controller is operated is added to a remote control signal. If an electronic device acquires the remote control signal from a control bus, the counter code contained in the remote control signal is checked to determine whether or not a remote control signal having the same count has already been acquired from the remote control light reception unit. If such a remote control signal has already been acquired, the remote control signal acquired subsequently is invalidated. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience of a plurality of operations from being carried out due to validated remote control signals subsequently obtained through the control bus, without setting a certain time period in which all signals are considered to be the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Alpine Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Miyake
  • Patent number: 7319426
    Abstract: An illuminable user interface includes a plurality of input elements, a source of light energy, and a fiber optic filament mat provided with irregularities arranged in one or more controlled patterns to thereby form one or more visible images when the fiber optic filament mat is illuminated by the source of light energy. The one or more visible images are positioned relative to the input elements to convey information concerning the input elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Electronics
    Inventor: Alejandro Garfio
  • Patent number: 7307574
    Abstract: A system provides an audible signal to the user of the system before a control or function is activated by the user. In one embodiment, a remote control can be used with an apparatus, such as a set-top box. When the user places an object near a control of the remote control, a control or function associated with the control may be announced to the user before activating the control. The system can include an apparatus configured to be operated at least in part from a remote control that includes a plurality of controls including a first control. The apparatus includes a control module configured to receive an identification signal from the remote control, wherein the identification signal corresponds to the control, determine a state of the apparatus, determine a function to which the control corresponds, and send another identification signal to an audio system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP
    Inventors: Philip Ted Kortum, Marc Andrew Sullivan, Jeffrey Lewis Brandt
  • Patent number: 7298311
    Abstract: A remote controller apparatus has a controller body, which is provided with annularly disposed display devices displaying as images operating buttons for the purpose of executing functions of a remotely controlled apparatus, and which is further provided with a display device at the center of the annularly disposed display devices. Operating switches are provided below each of the display devices, a transparent shuttle ring is disposed over the annularly disposed display devices, and a transparent center button is provided over the display device at the center. The shuttle ring is caused to rotate, and if necessary operating buttons displayed by each of the display devices are switched to other operating buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Horie, Tomokazu Kake
  • Patent number: 7263292
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of infrared devices (ICDs) is provided herein. A remote controller is used to generate an optical signal for controlling a plurality of ICDs. The optical signal generated by the remote controller is converted into an electrical signal by an infrared repeater device. An implementation of such a system includes a rotary mechanical switch to direct the electrical signal generated by the infrared repeater device to a light emitting diode (LED) located near one of the plurality of ICDs. The LED converts the electrical signal into an optical signal and re-transmits the optical signal to the one of the plurality of ICDs. The system allows controlling the plurality of ICDs located in a remote location without having the user commute closer to such ICDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Siu
  • Patent number: 7154428
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitation and encouragement of user interaction and functionality with a multimedia program via an entertainment system and remote control device. The entertainment system and remote control device are in two-way communication to accomplish various interactivity functions and features. The remote control includes one or more selectively illuminated buttons under the control of the entertainment system, such that when the entertainment system displays a prompt to the user requiring a response, the entertainment system may send a signal to the remote control selectively illuminating the button(s) to indicate to the user that the button(s) may be operated to make a response to the prompt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan de Clercq, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20020109621
    Abstract: A wireless, programmable system for medical monitoring includes a base unit and a plurality of individual wireless, remotely programmable biosensor transceivers. The base unit manages the transceivers by issuing registration, configuration, data acquisition, and transmission commands using wireless techniques. Physiologic data from the wireless transceivers is demultiplexed and supplied via a standard interface to a conventional monitor for display. Initialization, configuration, registration, and management routines for the wireless transceivers and the base unit are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Khair, Salvador Lopez, Richard Ng, Sanjar Ghaem, William L. Olson
  • Patent number: 6243000
    Abstract: A processor-based transmitter-receiver system and method in which a receiver receives coded signals from at least two transmitters. A circuit for receiving a first coded signal from a first transmitter and a second coded signal from a second transmitter. Each of the coded signals includes a unique identification code and a variable security code. A memory stores at least two codes, each including a unique identification code and a variable security code. A processor coupled to the circuit and the memory, compares each of the received coded signals with each of the stored sets of codes. The processor generates a valid signal if one of the received coded signals matches one of the stored codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Philip Y. W. Tsui
  • Patent number: 6225889
    Abstract: A rolling code producing method is provided which may be employed in a keyless entry system for automotive vehicles designed to compare a rolling code derived in a receiver installed in the vehicle and a rolling code derived in a portable transmitter to allow authorized access to the vehicle if both the rolling codes match. The rolling code producing method includes producing different rolling codes, in sequence, using an initial code variable according to a given algorithm and changing the initial code variable in response to insertion of an initial code variable memory card carried by a vehicle operator into the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Noritoshi Furuta, Masahiro Goto
  • Patent number: 6130606
    Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a controller comprising a pseudorandom decoder for decoding a pseudorandomly coded signal from a remote transmitter, a remote transmitter adding feature for permitting addition of a coded remote transmitter capable of generating a pseudorandomly coded signal for operating the controller, and a remote transmitter verification feature for generating a signal based upon a number of coded remote transmitters capable of generating a pseudorandomly coded signal for operating the controller. The controller may be switchable between armed and disarmed modes responsive to the coded remote transmitter, and may generate an alarm responsive to a vehicle security sensor when in the armed mode. The controller may alternately generate door lock and unlock commands responsive to the coded remote transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 5986571
    Abstract: A building security system includes an alarm controller for learning a unique remote transmitter code to define a learned transmitter capable of switching the controller between armed and disarmed states. The controller performs learned code verification to generate an indication relating to whether a new remote transmitter has been learned by the controller. In one embodiment, the learned code verification is based upon the alarm controller being recently entered into the learning mode. According to another embodiment, the learned code verification is based upon a number of learned remote transmitters, a change in that number, or a change in the identity of a learned code. The indication may be provided at the building or remote therefrom by any of a light, a visual display, a speech message generator, and an audible signal generator, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 5748135
    Abstract: A wireless remote control transmitter for remotely controlling the operation of home entertainment devices. In one embodiment, the transmitter comprises a generally rectangular housing having a top end, a bottom end, a front, a back, a right side and a left side. An L-shaped printed circuit board is disposed within the housing, the board having a front portion and a right side portion. The printed circuit board includes a first LED adapted to transmit a beam of infrared light through a window in the top end of the housing, a second LED adapted to transmit a beam of infrared light through a window in the right side of the housing, suitable electronics and a printed circuit coupling the LED's to the electronics. A first keyboard, whose keys are accessible from the front of the housing, is positioned over the front of the printed circuit board. A second keyboard, whose keys are accessible from the right side of the housing, is positioned over the right portion of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventors: Irving M. Kriegsman, Edward M. Kriegsman, Daniel S. Kriegsman
  • Patent number: 5654688
    Abstract: A vehicle security system includes a controller for permitting addition of a coded remote transmitter capable of switching the controller from an armed mode to a disarmed mode, and generates a signal based upon a number of coded remote transmitters capable of switching the controller to the disarmed mode. The remote transmitter verification is preferably communicated to the user by flashing a dashboard mounted light a number of times corresponding to the number of coded remote transmitters responsive to turning vehicle ignition to the on position, and when the controller is in the disarmed mode. Accordingly, the user is ensured that only the coded transmitters under his control may operate the vehicle security system. The controller may also enter the disarmed mode responsive to receiving a predetermined coded signal from a remote transmitter, and generate an alarm based upon receipt of a coded signal other than the predetermined coded signal from the remote transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Omega Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Allen, Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 5598435
    Abstract: Data are transmitted using multiple carriers modulated by quadrature amplitude modulation. In general, the carriers carry different numbers of bits, to exploit the fact that the properties of a transmission path are more favorable to carriers at some frequencies than to those at others. The bit allocation process is made closer to optimum by permitting allocation of a non-integer number of bits to a carrier. Input bits are grouped for several carriers and this binary representation is converted to a number representation in which the base of each digit corresponds to the number of points in the QAM constellation for a respective carrier (or to this number divided by a power of two).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited company
    Inventor: Richard G. C. Williams
  • Patent number: 5515051
    Abstract: A wireless signaling system includes a plurality of transmitters and a single receiver. The transmitter sequentially transmits serial data blocks to the receiver. Each data block includes a transmitter identification code and predetermined time intervals defining the beginning and end of the data block. The receiver receives the data block, detects the time intervals before and after the received data block to recognize reception of a complete data block, and checks the transmitter identification code included in the received data block to identify the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junji Tanaka, Katsunori Takeda
  • Patent number: 5227780
    Abstract: A plurality of infrared controlled appliances are controlled from a single UHF radio transmitter remote controller. The controller provides a plurality of separate distinct output control signals to an UHF to infrared transponder. The transponder has a UHF receiver, an infrared receiver, and an infrared transmitter. In one mode of operation, the transponder stores a received infrared signal and correlates it with a received UHF signal. In the operational mode, the transponder transmits a stored infrared signal through the infrared transmitter upon receiving a correlated UHF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Houston Satellite Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Tigwell