Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics Inc.
  • Publication number: 20070077784
    Abstract: An adapter provides a link between a digital media player having a memory on which is stored digital media files, a display device, and a remote control. The adapter receives from the digital media player data which is used to generate a representation of a user interface which is provided to the display device for display. The adapter also receives from the remote control data for use in generating commands for controlling operations of the digital media player whereby a change in state of the digital media player resulting from a performance of an operation caused by the remote control will be reflected in the user interface on the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Kalayjian, David Isbister, Michael Hirsch
  • Patent number: 7200357
    Abstract: An automotive storage and playback device and method for using the same are described. The automotive storage and playback device is capable of being detachably coupled to an automobile. The device includes a wireless transceiver to receive compressed digital content automatically from a computer system via a wireless local area network based on user defined preferences input into the computer system. The wireless transceiver is communicably coupled to the wireless local area network when the wireless transceiver is a predetermined distance from a wireless local area network access point. The device also includes a decoder and converter to decompress and convert the digital content. The decompressed and converted digital content is sent to be played on an output device in the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Janik, Nick Kalayjian, Bruce Edwards
  • Publication number: 20070073958
    Abstract: A “smart cable” that connects one or more peripheral devices to a digital media player having multiple, different types of input and/or output connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Kalayjian
  • Publication number: 20070063860
    Abstract: A customizable and an upgradable remote control is provided which may be customized or upgraded via a Web site or through other remote, and preferably interactive, processes. A database is provided which includes a plurality of functions of a consumer electronic device, such as a TV and/or a DVD player. A user selects among the plurality of functions at least one of the desired functions. In response to the user selection a virtual configuration is created to virtually configure the customizable remote control. The virtual configuration may be downloaded to the customizable remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Patrick Hayes, James Conway
  • Patent number: 7193661
    Abstract: Two-way communications between a video system and a control device is disclosed. The communications links comprise visible light, IR light, or a combination of visible and IR light. The communications link provide a convenient route to capture data or lock system features or various combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mauro Dresti, Patrick H. Hayes, Youping (Edward) Yun
  • Publication number: 20070061029
    Abstract: An audio converter device and a method for using the same. The audio converter device receives the digital audio data from a first device via a local area network. The audio converter device decompresses the digital audio data and converts the digital audio data into analog electrical data. The audio converter device transfers the analog electrical data to an audio playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Janik
  • Publication number: 20070061028
    Abstract: An audio converter device and a method for using the same. The audio converter device receives the digital audio data from a first device via a local area network. The audio converter device decompresses the digital audio data and converts the digital audio data into analog electrical data. The audio converter device transfers the analog electrical data to an audio playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Janik
  • Publication number: 20070061027
    Abstract: An audio converter device and a method for using the same. The audio converter device receives the digital audio data from a first device via a local area network. The audio converter device decompresses the digital audio data and converts the digital audio data into analog electrical data. The audio converter device transfers the analog electrical data to an audio playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Janik
  • Publication number: 20070052547
    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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Haughawout, Steve Huang, Patrick Hayes
  • Patent number: 7167765
    Abstract: An audio converter device and a method for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, the audio converter device receives the digital audio data from a first device via a local area network. The audio converter device decompresses the digital audio data and converts the digital audio data into analog electrical data. The audio converter device transfers the analog electrical data to an audio playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Janik
  • Patent number: 7167913
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Alan Chambers
  • Patent number: 7161524
    Abstract: A system and method for using an universal remote control to access extended operational functions of a device. A consumer causes the universal remote control to transmit a code data value selected from the library to a target device while observing the effect of the transmitted code data value on the target device. When the target device responds in a manner desired by the consumer, the consumer may tag the code data value that caused the desired effect and assign the tagged code data value to a programmable key on the universal remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kimthoa Thi Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20060294217
    Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Chambers
  • Patent number: 7155305
    Abstract: A home control and automation system and method. The system generally includes one or more wireless remote controls, a plurality of appliances (including network enabled appliances and traditional legacy appliances in the exemplary system), associated control centric devices, and associated content centric devices. Various methods for control and operation of appliances in the networked home control and automation environment are disclosed. Specifically, methods are disclosed which enable advanced home control features such as location based control setup and operation, network enabled legacy appliances and system integration, save and recall capabilities for appliance and media states, generic command based appliance controls, dynamic/complex macro command generation, and Internet based control capabilities from remote locations are disclosed in conjunction with the system of the current invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Jeremy Black
  • 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: 20060288300
    Abstract: A configurable controlling device and associated editor program that allows a consumer to modify on a personal computer for downloading to the controlling device configuration data which is used to cause the controlling device to perform a function, such as to transmit a command to an appliance, to change the user interface page being displayed, etc. A central server facility is provided through which the managed exchange of configuration data between the editor program and remotely-located controlling devices may be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Chambers, Han-Sheng Yuh
  • Publication number: 20060283697
    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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Alejandro Garfio
  • Patent number: 7142127
    Abstract: A remote control adapted for use with a releasable readable media storage device. A readable media storage device having data and target indicators. Electrical contacts provide releasable connection with the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Robert A. Campbell
  • Patent number: D533515
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sandro David Klein, Alejandro Garfio
  • Patent number: D534489
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sandro David Klein, Alejandro Garfio