Patents Assigned to SP Controls, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8525639
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Patent number: 8086759
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Publication number: 20090184839
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Patent number: 7515062
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, configurable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The circuitry can include a limit switch that is biased in a default state but moveable into a learning state in response to user-exerted force. In some embodiments, the controller includes an IR emitter and an IR receiver and is operable to clone another device by sending configuring radiation from the emitter to the other device's IR receiver. Preferably, the emitter and receiver are positioned so that a controller's IR emitter aligns with the IR receiver of an identical controller when the controllers are positioned face to face. In some embodiments, the controller provides audible and visual feedback to users when operating in a learning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Patent number: 7334067
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wall-mountable, programmable controller having control keys (e.g., less than eight keys or another small number of keys), a subassembly including circuitry, and a control key insert removably mountable to the subassembly and including at least one of the control keys. The controller can have first and second key sets in distinct regions of the controller's surface and programmable switches that are actuatable by pressing control keys in the key sets. At least one switch actuatable by pressing a key of the first key set is programmed to perform a control operation of a first type (e.g., a power control operation), at least one switch actuatable by pressing a key of the second key set is programmed to perform a control operation of a second type (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anson Brown, Aaron Daniel Thieme
  • Patent number: 6137794
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a remotely located audio-visual projector. In preferred embodiments, the invention enables connection of any selected one of a number of input devices (such as video cassette recorders or computers) to the projector so that a sequence of different input devices can be selected during a single presentation. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes removable rubberized keys for selecting individual ones of the input devices, and pre-printed transparent labels that are backlit to identify each selected input device. In some embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes a projector power status detection and indication subsystem which performs a calibration operation to determine one or more power threshold values and then uses each determined threshold value to determine the power status of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anson Brown
  • Patent number: 6064668
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a remotely located audio-visual projector. In preferred embodiments, the invention enables connection of any selected one of a number of input devices (such as video cassette recorders or computers) to the projector so that a sequence of different input devices can be selected during a single presentation. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes removable rubberized keys for selecting individual ones of the input devices, and pre-printed transparent labels that are backlit to identify each selected input device. In some embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes a projector power status detection and indication subsystem which performs a calibration operation to determine one or more power threshold values and then uses each determined threshold value to determine the power status of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anson Brown
  • Patent number: D478563
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: SP Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Anson Brown