Remote Control Patents (Class 348/734)
  • Patent number: 10536739
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a method. The display apparatus may include a display, an interface configured to be connected with an output terminal of a source device, a main processor configured to control an operation of the display apparatus and a sub-processor configured to identify whether the output terminal of the source device is connected with the interface. The main processor may identify whether the source device is turned on if the display apparatus is in a first state, and the sub-processor may identify whether the source device is turned on if the display apparatus is in a second state. The main processor may control the display to display a UI based on one or more of whether the interface is connected to the output terminal of the source device and whether the source device is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Je-hwan Seo, Seung-il Yoon, Jae-myung Hur, Kwan-young Kim, Dong-wook Kim, Min-sup Kim, Hyun-kyu Yun
  • Patent number: 10536752
    Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing method and an electronic device capable of playing a multimedia file. The method includes when detecting a first operation of adjusting a play time of a multimedia file from a first time to a second time different from the first time in the process of playing the multimedia file, acquiring and storing a play progress of the multimedia file corresponding to the first time; and when detecting a second operation of a user, retrieving the play progress of the multimedia file corresponding to the first time and playing the multimedia file from the play progress corresponding to the first time in response to the second operation. With the method and electronic device, a video can accurately return to a play progress corresponding to a previous play time after a fast forward or rewind is performed in the process of playing the video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignees: Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd., Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
    Inventors: Linxuan Lu, Shu Gao
  • Patent number: 10521264
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus and systems for improving data management and workload distribution in pattern recognition systems. An example method of managing data for a sign language translation system includes receiving multiple sets of data acquired by one or more data acquisition devices. Each set of data including an image frame that illustrates at least a part of a gesture. The method includes determining, for each of the multiple sets of data, a plurality of attribute values defined by a customized template. The method includes accessing the multiple sets of data, by a plurality of processing units, based on a location indicated by the attributes for recognizing the at least a part of a gesture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: AVODAH, INC.
    Inventors: Trevor Chandler, Dallas Nash, Michael Menefee
  • Patent number: 10510039
    Abstract: A planning system can receive media advertising orders including flexibility attributes indicating whether the orders are flexible with regard to various different circumstances. The planning system can obtain both booked an unbooked inventory from a traffic and billing system, and determine associations or re-associations between the advertising orders and the booked and unbooked inventory based on the flexibility attributes. The planning system can then generate a non-guaranteed order including the associations or re-associations, and transmit the order to media delivery system. The planning system can obtain feedback and/or real time data that can be used to reassess existing associations, and in some cases adjust the flexibility attribute values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: iHeartMedia Management Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. MacTiernan, Amit Aggarwal, James Liao, Brian Kaminsky
  • Patent number: 10506192
    Abstract: A gesture-based control for a television is provided that runs in the background of a computing device remote from the television, where the control is activated by a gesture. Advantageously, the user need not interrupt any task in order to control the television. The gesture based control can be configured to activate a voice control that will run robustly even in the presence of noise and competing voices emanating from the television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Jian Wei Leong
  • Patent number: 10489052
    Abstract: A system for use in controlling operating functions of a controllable device includes a hand-held device and an intermediate device in communication with the hand-held device and the controllable device. The hand-held device is adapted to receive a gesture based input and to transmit a signal having data representative of the gesture based input. The intermediate device has programming for translating the data representative of the gesture based input in a signal received from the hand-held device into a command signal to be communicated to the controllable device wherein the command signal has a format appropriate for controlling an operating function of the controllable device that is associated with the gesture based input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Negron, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 10474241
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving data by using HDMI (High Definition Media Interface). A method and an apparatus according to the present invention comprises requesting reading EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) from a sink device in case the sink device is connected; receiving from the sink device EDID including capability information of the sink device, wherein the capability information indicates whether the sink device is capable of processing gesture information; requesting gesture information indicating a predetermined gesture which may be recognized or extracted from the sink device on the basis of the EDID; and receiving the gesture information from the sink device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dokyun Kim, Hyunsik Yang, Hyeonjae Lee, Jangwoong Park, Jinkwon Lim
  • Patent number: 10469786
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a plurality of consumer electronic devices by displaying a plurality of broadcast channel identifiers each corresponding to a broadcast channel in a display of a controlling device adapted to command at least channel tuning operations of the plurality of consumer electronic devices. Input is accepted into the controlling device that functions to designate one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers and the controlling device uses the designation of the one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers to cause a transmission of a wireless signal from the controlling device to a one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to thereby cause the one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to tune to the broadcast channel corresponding to the designated one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Mauro Dresti, Sandro David Klein, Alex Louie, Han-Sheng Yu, Steve LanPing Huang, Patrick H. Hayes, Weidong William Wang
  • Patent number: 10459738
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a power controlling method thereof are provided. The electronic apparatus may include a wireless communicator that communicates with a remote controller, a wired communicator that connects with an external input device and a processor that controls the wireless communicator to transmit a control signal to the remote controller for turning off power of the connected external input device in response to receiving a signal from the remote controller for turning off power of the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Je-hwan Seo, Jong-jin Park, Seung-il Yoon, Min-sup Kim, Hyun-kyu Yun, Kyung-ik Cho
  • Patent number: 10448106
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the generation and utilization of a profile based channel lineup. A multimedia device delivering video services to one or more users may monitor channel and content requests received by the individual one or more users, and the multimedia device may create a profile for each of the users, wherein the profile includes a channel list of only those channels that are frequently tuned to by the respective user. The multimedia device may create an association between a user, a frequently viewed channel, and a time at which the channel is typically viewed by the user. A profile based viewing session or feature may be enabled at the multimedia device, wherein tuning decisions, channel change responses, and program information displays are controlled by the multimedia device based on a profile associated with a selected user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Satya Prakash Pati, Krishna Prasad Panje
  • Patent number: 10429961
    Abstract: A controller device is used for more information processes. The controller device is capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing device. The controller device includes a communication unit, a display unit, and a program executing unit. The communication unit transmits, to the information processing device, operation data obtained based on an operation performed on the controller device, and receives, from the information processing device, image data generated in the information processing device through a process performed based on operation data. A display unit displays an image represented by the image data received from the information processing device. When a predetermined operation on the controller device is performed, the program executing unit executes a predetermined program and displays at least the image resulting from the execution of the program on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shimohata, Toru Yamashita, Kuniaki Ito
  • Patent number: 10431074
    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: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 10425618
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: displaying a program guide on a display device, the program guide being such that respective program frames for a plurality of programs are arranged in a display area having a time axis of one or more time slots and a channel axis; displaying a cursor on the display device and allowing a user to move the cursor, highlight desired ones of the program frames, and select from among the plurality of programs in the program guide; and displaying detailed program information regarding content of one of the programs of one of the program frames that is highlighted and/or selected by the user via the cursor, where the detailed information is displayed by enlarging the one of the program frames as compared with others of the program frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Manabu Nishizawa, Yuki Kobayashi, Kensaku Ishizuka, Koji Kanai
  • Patent number: 10423237
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for enabling members of the deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired (D-HOH-SI) community to start and control communications conducted through a video relay service (VRS) without the need for a remote-control device. A combination of standard-ASL and non-ASL hand commands are interpreted using “hand recognition” (similar to “face recognition”) to control the operation of a VRS system through multiple operating modes. The “hand recognition” process employs a camera/codec connected to a CPU which executes commands which may be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Purple Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Episkopos, Cliff Pearce, Francis Kurupacheril
  • Patent number: 10405049
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a digital device and a method of processing data in the digital device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jeongbae Shin
  • Patent number: 10405043
    Abstract: Provided herein is an audio processing apparatus including: a controller configured to determine an initialization mode for processing video and audio signals provided from an audio provision apparatus of among a plurality of initialization modes, and to perform an initialization process differently according to the result of determination; and an audio processor configured to process the audio signal and output the processed audio signal, when the initialization process is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myoung-ho Kim, Byeong-hu Lee, Jong-jik Lee, Sang-deok Kim, Yong-hee Park, Dana Jung, Taek-gyun Kim, Sang-rae Lee
  • Patent number: 10394335
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a communication interface, a display, and a controller. The communication interface communicates with a movement detection apparatus including a motion sensor that detects a predetermined movement of a user. The controller activates the motion sensor when a screen displayed on the display is related to the predetermined movement. The predetermined movement includes a plurality of motions, the motion sensor includes a plurality of sensors that detect the plurality of motions, and when the screen displayed on the display is related to one motion among the plurality of motions, the controller activates the sensor that detects the one motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeki Tanabe, Hideki Morita, Isao Masuike, Shinya Saito, Yasushi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 10395517
    Abstract: Usage of a universal controlling device is monitored by determining a current operating mode of the universal controlling device, sensing an event occurring within the universal controlling device, and storing within a memory of the universal controlling device data indicative of the event occurring in the current operating mode of the universal controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Prahalladachar Havinal
  • Patent number: 10382829
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application on a first device that detects a user's engagement with a second device, and alerts the user to an important event in the media asset, thereby reminding the user to view the media asset presented on the first device. The media guidance application may determine when the next important event will occur in the media asset and determine an estimated usage time of the second device based on the application with which the user is engaged on the second device. Depending on the estimated usage time and the time of the next important event in the media asset, the media guidance application may restrict the amount of content presented to the user on the second device so that the user will end his or her engagement with the second device prior to the important event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishwas Sharadanagar Panchaksharaiah, Vikram Makam Gupta
  • Patent number: 10338662
    Abstract: A low power detection apparatus and a method for displaying information are provided. When a low power manager drives a proximity detection sensor to generate a proximity interrupt in a state within which the portable terminal is in an idle state, the low power manager drives a motion detection sensor and determines a motion of the portable terminal for a preset time. When there is no motion of the portable terminal for the preset time, the low power manager generates proximity data for displaying screen information and then transmits the generated proximity data to an application processor so as to display screen information which the user desires with low power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Heon Oh, Hyun-Su Hong, Sung-Min Park, Jae-Myeon Lee, Hyun-Ki Jung
  • Patent number: 10332081
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a remote control device for operating a media device that can be used to conduct financial transactions. The remote control device includes a user interface to accept user input, and a communication interface to communicate with the media device. The remote control device also includes a hardware security module that is coupled to the user interface and the communication interface. The hardware security module includes a secure processing unit, and a public processing unit that is configured to selectively request the secure processing unit to encrypt user input based on a function that is being performed on the media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Horatio Huxham, Alan Joseph O'Regan
  • Patent number: 10326960
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. For example, a display apparatus which may control a hidden external apparatus that cannot be directly controlled by a remote control device and a control method thereof. Some of the disclosed example embodiments may provide a display apparatus which may analyze received first control information for the hidden external apparatus and output second control information for controlling the hidden external apparatus, and a control method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-myung Hur, Dong-wook Kim, Seung-il Yoon, Hyun-kyu Yun
  • Patent number: 10311714
    Abstract: A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Steve LanPing Huang, Cheryl Scott, Wayne Scott
  • Patent number: 10313496
    Abstract: A first Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) compatible device comprises a physical layer profiling circuit and a spectrum abstraction circuit. The physical layer profiling circuit may for example be operable to measure a performance metric for each of a plurality of subbands on a shared coaxial cable of a MoCA network. The spectrum abstraction circuit may for example be operable to select, based at least in part on the measured performance metric, a subset of the subbands to be used for communication over the coaxial cable between the first MoCA-compatible device and a second MoCA-compatible device. The spectrum abstraction circuit may for example be operable to receive an indication of whether channel bonding is to be used for the communication over the coaxial cable between the first MoCA-compatible device and the second MoCA-compatible device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Maxlinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Sridhar Ramesh
  • Patent number: 10311716
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 10304326
    Abstract: A terminal having an infrared remote control function and a pairing method for infrared remote control, where in the terminal, a memory stores an infrared code library, a processor selects an infrared code from the infrared code library, an infrared transmitter sends an infrared signal to a to-be-remotely-controlled device according to the infrared code, a sensor senses a status change of the to-be-remotely-controlled device that occurs after the to-be-remotely-controlled device receives the infrared signal, and the processor determines, according to the status change of the to-be-remotely-controlled device sensed by the sensor, whether the terminal successfully establishes a pairing with the to-be-remotely-controlled device. Therefore, the terminal automatically establishes the pairing with the to-be-remotely-controlled device, and an automation degree of a pairing process during intelligent remote control is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinhua Zhou, Chenfei Xiong
  • Patent number: 10297144
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 10291948
    Abstract: It is made possible to easily acquire and use various kinds of information of each HDMI device in an HDMI cluster. A database in which at least an HDMI CEC logical address, an HDMI CEC physical address, and acquisition destination information for acquiring unique information are registered for each HDMI device in an HDMI cluster is included. A processing unit performs processing using this database. For example, the processing unit transmits the database to an external device. Also, for example, the processing unit displays an HDMI device in an HDMI cluster, a connection status thereof, and unique information of each HDMI device on the basis of this database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Miyazaki, Gen Ichimura, Kazuaki Toba
  • Patent number: 10284805
    Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting trigger events, such as an advertisement during a video program, and activating a remote control device in response to the prediction are described. By activating the remote control device at a particular time, the remote control device may save energy when listening for data from one or more terminal devices. The time to activate the remote control may be based on one or more factors, including the current presentation position and/or presentation speed of the video program. A remote control device may take additional actions the next time it listens for data, including illuminating backlights, turning on a display, displaying content on the display, interacting with other devices, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Ross Gilson, Michael Sallas
  • Patent number: 10269344
    Abstract: Provided is a smart home appliance. The smart home appliance includes: a voice input unit collecting a voice; a voice recognition unit recognizing a text corresponding to the voice collected through the voice input unit; a capturing unit collecting an image for detecting a user's visage or face; a memory unit mapping the text recognized by the voice recognition unit and a setting function and storing the mapped information; and a control unit determining whether to perform a voice recognition service on the basis of at least one information of image information collected by the capturing unit and voice information collected by the voice input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Juwan Lee, Lagyoung Kim, Taedong Shin, Daegeun Seo
  • Patent number: 10257576
    Abstract: A global speech user interface (GSUI) comprises an input system to receive a user's spoken command, a feedback system along with a set of feedback overlays to give the user information on the progress of his spoken requests, a set of visual cues on the television screen to help the user understand what he can say, a help system, and a model for navigation among applications. The interface is extensible to make it easy to add new applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: PROMPTU SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Jordan, Scott Lynn Maddux, Tim Plowman, Victoria Stanbach, Jody Williams
  • Patent number: 10255465
    Abstract: A magnetic information processing device for use with a magnetic recording medium storing a magnetic signal may include a magnetic card detection unit comprising a sensor and being structured to detect insertion of the magnetic recording medium; a magnetic head structured to read the magnetic signal recorded in the magnetic recording medium, and output the magnetic signal as an analog signal; a signal detection unit structured to amplify the analog signal output from the magnetic head, and output a detection output signal when the analog signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value of a magnetic detection sensitivity; and a judgment unit structured to judge that the detection output signal output by the signal detection unit is different from the magnetic signal recorded in the magnetic recording medium, when no insertion of the magnetic recording medium is detected by the magnetic card detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Fujimoto, Shigeki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 10248219
    Abstract: An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Mikhail Shoykher, Sanjiv Sirpal
  • Patent number: 10242562
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, apparatus, methods, products, and other implementations, including a control system that includes a receiving structure to receive a plurality of modular devices, with one or more of the plurality of modular devices being coupled into respective locations on the receiving structure and with each of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices configured to transmit a short-range communication in response to receiving a respective stimulus by the each of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices. The control system further includes a communication module to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of modular devices coupled to the receiving structure, and a controller configured to perform a respective operation in response to receiving a short-range message from a respective one of the one or more of the plurality of modular devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Thames Technology Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 10209790
    Abstract: A remote control apparatus is disclosed. The remote control apparatus includes: a motion detecting sensor for detecting a motion on the remote control apparatus; a touch sensor for detecting a touch input on the remote control apparatus; and a controller for controlling an external apparatus by selectively using a sensing value of the touch sensor and a sensing value of the motion detecting sensor according to whether the touch input corresponds to a touch input for controlling the external apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-bo Moon, Yong-deok Kim, Hyun-kyu Yun, Do-sung Jung, Je-sun Hwang, Min-sup Kim
  • Patent number: 10175881
    Abstract: A system for use in controlling operating functions of a controllable device includes a hand-held device and an intermediate device in communication with the hand-held device and the controllable device. The hand-held device is adapted to receive a gesture based input and to transmit a signal having data representative of the gesture based input. The intermediate device has programming for translating the data representative of the gesture based input in a signal received from the hand-held device into a command signal to be communicated to the controllable device wherein the command signal has a format appropriate for controlling an operating function of the controllable device that is associated with the gesture based input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Negron, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 10171881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a backup module operative for a content item delivery system. The backup module is configured to identify a series of user invoked interruptions. Each user invoked interruption comprises a transition between the display of a first content item and the display of a second content item prior to completion of the first content item. The backup module stores interruption records each including a locator to the first content item subject to a corresponding user invoked interruption; and initiates display of a first content item based on an interruption record corresponding to the first content item responsive to a backup signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MT Digital Media Limited
    Inventors: Patrick Michael Sansom, Ian James Valentine
  • Patent number: 10164788
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for remote control, and a remote control method using a control user interface of a remote user interface (UI) client according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes receiving, by the remote UI client, a message requesting a service from a remote device; transmitting a message requesting a control UI related to the requested service to a remote UI server when the remote UI client receives the message requesting the service from the remote device; receiving, by the remote UI client, a control UI corresponding to the message requesting the control UI from the remote UI server; and transmitting, by the remote UI client, the received control UI to the remote device. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user may easily control a corresponding remote user interface through a control user interface specified for a screen on which the remote user interface is being reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho Yeon Park, Sung Oh Hwang, Bo Sun Jung
  • Patent number: 10154316
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device obtains first motion information describing motion of an accessory of a multi-user device that is in communication with a display, and obtains second motion information describing motion of a user device that is associated with a first profile, wherein the motions of the accessory and the user device are detected during the first time period. In response to obtaining the first motion information of the accessory and/or the second motion information of the user device, in accordance with a determination that the motion of the accessory and the motion of the user device satisfy profile-switching criteria, including a criterion that is satisfied when the motion of the accessory and the motion of the user device have corresponding movement profiles during the first time period, the electronic device optionally initiates a process for configuring the multi-user device based on the first profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Lu Zhao
  • Patent number: 10152075
    Abstract: Information equipment 300 is controlled by a HEMS 200 and located in a consumer's facility 10. The information equipment 300 comprises a storage unit 300configured to store a variable indicating a route type of an operational instruction on the information equipment 300.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Nakamura, Takashi Inoue, Daisuke Hoshi
  • Patent number: 10142699
    Abstract: Interactive content may be provided by a smart television or other media device using a wireless communication protocol to detect the presence or proximity of a mobile device. When a mobile device is detected, the media device can establish a communication link with the mobile device via the wireless communication protocol. When content is displayed by the media device, additional data can be sent to the mobile device to enhance the user experience via the communication link. The user can interact with the data sent to the mobile device or with the content itself by providing feedback on the mobile device. The feedback may be provided to a content server via a second communication link, such as a cellular link or wireless link to the Internet. In some implementations, content server may modify content for display on the media device based on feedback on the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Ames Bunner
  • Patent number: 10129324
    Abstract: Methods and systems for allowing interaction between devices are described. At a first device, an application is executed. The application operates interactively with a remote control application executing on a second device. One or more information items are transmitted to the second device for display as one or more selectable display items. Each respective information item is associated with an action definition. The action definition includes a command to be sent by the second device to the first device in response to a user selection of the respective information item. A command is received from the second device in response to a selection of a first one of the selectable display items by the user. A predefined action is performed in response to receiving the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventor: Jeff Ting Yann Lu
  • Patent number: 10123089
    Abstract: A client-server interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide client is implemented on user television equipment. The interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to define expressions that are processed by the program guide server. The program guide server may provide program guide data, schedules reminders, schedules program recordings, and parentally locks programs based on the expressions. Users' viewing histories may be tracked. The program guide server may analyze the viewing histories and generates viewing recommendations, targets advertising, and collects program ratings information based on the viewing histories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: ROVI GUIDES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ellis, Thomas R. Lemmons, William L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10110954
    Abstract: An advertisement system includes an advertising manager that receives a content-event indicator, which indicates playback of an advertisement for viewing on a first display screen at a media-playback device or indicates playback of recorded content that includes advertisements. The advertising manager can determine an optimal time offset as a duration of time before or after playback of an advertisement to the start of an event that is associated with the advertisement for viewing on a second display screen at a mobile device. For recorded content, an optimization schedule is determined that replaces and time-shifts advertisements during playback of the recorded content. The advertising manager can also determine a fulfillment criterion for a product or service based on latency constraints to indicate a duration of time within which fulfillment of the product or service is expected when offered as a second advertisement corresponding to a first advertisement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Nitya Narasimhan, Venugopal Vasudevan, Jehan Wickramasuriya, Joseph F. Wodka
  • Patent number: 10089064
    Abstract: An audio playback device includes a housing, an electroacoustic driver, and a wireless receiver capable of receiving first and second signals from respective first and second remote control devices. The first signal includes an identification of the first remote control device and an identification of the selected one of the first plurality of preset indicators. The second signal includes an identification of the second remote control device and an identification of the selected one of the second plurality of preset indicators. In response to receiving one of the first and second signals, the playback device is configured to use both the identification of the corresponding remote control device as well as the identification of the selected one of the corresponding plurality of preset indicators in the received signal to select an audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Clark Don Woolstenhulme, David A. Howley
  • Patent number: 10068460
    Abstract: An interactive media device comprises a remote control interface that receives a wireless signal from a corresponding remote control with an emergency button. A controller decodes the wireless signal to determine if the user has pressed a button of the remote control to operate an associated television or if the user has pressed the emergency button on the remote control. If the user has pressed a button of the remote control to operate the associated television, then a television interface that issues an instruction based on the wireless signal to the associated television. However, if the user has pressed the emergency button, a medical emergency interface that issues an alert to a local or remote response unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: ESCO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jerry Grove
  • Patent number: 10061742
    Abstract: Techniques pertaining to advertising through a digital data network are disclosed. Advertisement information is embedded in multimedia data stream as structured metadata, and transmitted through networks. Multimedia players installed in different locations, or zones, in a data network are configured to receive the stream data, and detect the presence of the embedded metadata. Through a network interface in the player, the metadata information is transmitted to and displayed on a controller. A user input interface in the controller allows a user to response to the displayed metadata and select to obtain the desired information accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lang, Ron Kuper
  • Patent number: 10063804
    Abstract: A display apparatus and a method for controlling display of a display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes a display; a communicator configured to receive control information from a remote control device; and a controller configured to control the display and the communicator. In a standby mode in which the display is powered off, the controller may control to change a state of the display apparatus from the standby mode into a pre-power on mode in response to first control information received from the remote control device, and the controller may control the display to display content in a normal mode which is changed from the pre-power on mode in response to second control information received from the remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Geun-sam Yang, Seung-bok Lee
  • Patent number: 10062276
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote control device (10), comprising one or more command buttons, each of which, when operated, directly or indirectly generates a command signal. The device includes a determination module (20) for determining a button-held-time parameter associated with the operation of a command button; and a transmitting module (18) that is configured to transmit the button-held-time parameter in association with the command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: AUTOMATIC TECHNOLOGY (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD
    Inventors: Ray Hawkins, Geoff Baker
  • Patent number: 10034034
    Abstract: The MOBILE REMOTE MEDIA CONTROL PLATFORM METHODS (“MR-Control”) transforms TV program schedule listing information and user channel selection via MR-Control components, into TV audience viewing data and ad effects data. A method is disclosed, comprising: obtaining TV program schedule listing data; providing the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile device; receiving an indication of user channel selection; determining a media program associated with the received indication of user channel selection; determining an ad associated with the determined media program; providing a survey question related to the determined ad to the user mobile device; and receiving a user response to the survey question.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Symphony Advanced Media
    Inventors: Manish Bhatia, Michael Scott Saxon, Nigel Stephen Pratt, Pyeush Gurha