Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics Inc.
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Patent number: 6701091Abstract: Circuitry using infra-red (IR) diodes in remote control units. In one embodiment an IR LED is used both as a transmitter diode and also as a receiver diode responsive to light to thereby develop photocurrents and/or voltages for use by external circuitry. In a second embodiment an improved amplifier circuit is provided for an IR LED and IR photo detector diode which is mounted behind, and receives light through, the transmitter IR LED.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Thomas M. Salsman, William L. Brown
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Patent number: 6690290Abstract: A remote control for use with a configurable target device. The remote control includes a keypad having a plurality of keys including a function key and a transmission circuit for transmitting a signal to the target device in response to activation of one or more of the plurality of keys. Activation of the function key causes the transmitted signal to be comprised of a command to effect a change in the configuration of the target device where the command is selected from a table comprised of a plurality of commands in the event that a single command has not been assigned to the function key.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Young, David N. Muncy, Richard A. Firehammer, Jr., Anthony H. Phan
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Publication number: 20030233664Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc., Cypress, CAInventors: Steve Lan-Ping Huang, Kim-Thoa Thi Nguyen, Han-Sheng Yuh, JianJun Cao, My Thien Do
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Patent number: 6657679Abstract: A system for programming a remote control. The system utilizes a readable media having electrical contacts for allowing the readable media to be releasably connected to the remote control. The readable media has stored thereon code data where the remote control is adapted to read the code data from the readable media and thereafter use the code data in connection with commanding a first home appliance to perform an operation. The remote control is also adapted to erase the readable media after the code data has been read from the readable media.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Robert A. Campbell
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Patent number: 6650247Abstract: A system and method for configuring a target controlling appliance to communicate with a target controlled appliance. Setup information is supplied to a remote control to configure the remote control to communicate command codes to the target controlled appliance. A representation of configuration data is transmitted in a configuration message to the target controlling appliance. The target controlling appliance uses the representation of the configuration data to automatically configure itself to communicate command codes to the target controlled appliance. In particular, the target controlling appliance uses the representation of the configuration data to select those command codes in a command code library that are recognizable by the target controlled appliance. The command code library could be local or remote to the target controlling appliance.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventor: Patrick H. Hayes
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Patent number: 6642852Abstract: A controlling device having programming which ensures an appliance will be placed into a desired power state. The controlling device transmits a query message to a power monitor associated with the appliance to obtain the current power state of the appliance. If the current power state does not correspond to the desired power state, the controlling device transmits a command to the appliance to effect a change in the current power state of the appliance.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Mauro Dresti, Patrick H. Hayes
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Patent number: 6640144Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be stored in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Steve Lan-Ping Huang, Kim-Thoa Thi Nguyen, Han-Sheng Yuh, JianJun Cao, My Thien Do
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Publication number: 20030193519Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide and for remotely controlling the recording functionality of an appliance. A user registers with a Web site to enable the downloading of an electronic program guide (“EPG”) to a portable device. The downloaded and displayable EPG includes a listing of programs from which the user may select a program of interest. In response to receiving input from the user requesting that the program be recorded, data indicative of the recording request is stored in the portable device. Then, when it is determined that the portable device is able to establish communication with the appliance (either directly or via an intermediate PC), the data indicative to the recording request is provided to the appliance to effect the recording of the program.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Paul D. Arling, Robert P. Lilleness
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Publication number: 20030189509Abstract: A system and method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of appliances, to capture demographic data, and to provide services, such as automated warranty registration, instructions, viewing guides, etc., relevant to the appliances is provided. The system includes a database and associated server that are located remotely from the remote control and accessible via a network connection. Command codes, graphical user interface elements, and services are accessed and downloaded to the remote control, as appropriate, using data supplied to the server that identifies the appliances and/or functional capabilities of the appliances. This data can be supplied by the appliances directly or can be obtained from other sources such as barcode labels, network devices, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2002Publication date: October 9, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, James N. Conway, Robert P. Lilleness, Paul D. Arling
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Patent number: 6629077Abstract: A universal remote control adapted to receive a voice input. The voice input is received by the remote control and compared to a plurality of voice command templates that are stored in the memory of the remote control. If the voice input matches one or more of the plurality of voice command templates, a valid voice input has been received by the remote control. Valid voice input may be a remote control command or keystroke data, input as an entire word or as individual characters. In response to a valid voice input, the remote control may transmit an operational command code and/or alphanumeric symbol code corresponding to keystroke data to a consumer electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
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Publication number: 20030164787Abstract: A controlling device having programming which ensures an appliance will be placed into a desired power state. The controlling device transmits a query message to a power monitor associated with the appliance to obtain the current power state of the appliance. If the current power state does not correspond to the desired power state, the controlling device transmits a command to the appliance to effect a change in the current power state of the appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Mauro Dresti, Patrick H. Hayes
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Publication number: 20030164773Abstract: A remote control for use with a configurable target device. The remote control includes a keypad having a plurality of keys including a function key and a transmission circuit for transmitting a signal to the target device in response to activation of one or more of the plurality of keys. Activation of the function key causes the transmitted signal to be comprised of a command to effect a change in the configuration of the target device where the command is selected from a table comprised of a plurality of commands in the event that a single command has not been assigned to the function key.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Young, David N. Muncy, Richard A. Firehammer, Anthony H. Phan
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Publication number: 20030151538Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Patrick H. Hayes, James N. Conway
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Patent number: 6587067Abstract: A universal remote control comprising a keyboard having a plurality of pushbuttons including a macro pushbutton and a library of codes and data for use in transmitting operating commands to a plurality of different home appliances of different manufacturers. Instructions within the remote control are used to match the universal remote control to a plurality of different home appliances of different manufacturers such that selected codes and data from the library are used to transmit operating commands to the matched home appliances in response to activation of selected pushbuttons of the keyboard. The instructions are also used to assign to the macro pushbutton a subset of the selected codes and data from the library whereafter activation of the macro pushbutton causes the universal remote control to use the subset of selected codes and data from the library to transmit operating commands to one or more of the matched home appliances.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Richard E. Ellis, Louis Steven Jansky, Avram S. Grossman
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Publication number: 20030117427Abstract: An electronic program guide system. A program schedule is presentable in a display as a grid of two-dimensionally arranged cells with a program identifier being displayed in each of the cells, the grid having a plurality of channels listed in a first dimension and time listed in a second dimension of which a portion of the entirety of the grid is displayable in the display. A user may interact with the electronic program guide to change the program schedule information that is displayed and/or to transmit one or more command codes to a target appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Mauro Dresti, Sandro David Klein, Alex Louie, Han-Sheng Yuh, Steve LanPing Huang, Patrick H. Hayes, Weidong William Wang
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Publication number: 20030103088Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2002Publication date: June 5, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Mauro Dresti, Patrick H. Hayes, Robert Campbell, Steve LanPing Huang, Weidong William Wang, Han-Sheng Yuh, James N. Conway, Sandro David Klein, Ingvald Alain Smith-Kielland, Alex Louie, Cheryl Scott, Wayne Scott
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Publication number: 20030095156Abstract: A user interface for displaying graphical operational mode information to a user of a universal remote control. The user interface displays to the user in a circular queue arrangement iconic representations of every home appliance which the universal remote control is setup to control. The user may then interact with the user interface to select an iconic representation of the one of the home appliances which the user desires to control. In response to this selection, the user interface will display the iconic representation of the home appliances such that the iconic representation of the home appliance indicated by the user is moved to a predetermined position in the circular queue arrangement relative to the remaining iconic representations and/or is given an appearance distinct from the appearance of the remaining iconic representations within the circular queue arrangement. In this manner, the user interface indicates to the user the current operational mode of the universal remote control.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sandro David Klein, Ingvald Alain Smith-Kielland, Alex Louie, Cheryl Scott, Wayne Scott
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Patent number: 6567011Abstract: A media system capable of sending a plurality of input signals to a receiving device of the system is provided. A remote control for selecting among the input devices is also provided. An audio remote without numeric keys for an audio system is provided. The present apparatus also provides the user with the ability to control the output of an input selection key. This allows the user to select input source, perhaps from a table, or execute a function assigned to the key. When in a “locked” state, the input key will rotate through a table that contains individual input functions from target devices, or the target sources/devices. The table may consist of as many input functions are as available for each device. In an “unlocked” state the remote will attempt to send a function assigned to the input key prior to selecting a device selection from an input select table. Other features of a remote control for a media system are provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1999Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Young, David N. Muncy, Richard A. Firehammer, Jr., Anthony H. Phan
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Publication number: 20030048295Abstract: A Web server by which a user can request that reminder data, movie guide data, and/or TV guide data be downloaded to a portable electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Lilleness, Steve LanPing Huang, Patrick H. Hayes
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Publication number: 20030046579Abstract: A system and method for enabling a remote control to automatically and dynamically set-up a V-chip in a consumer appliance. The remote control is configured with an ID code which ID code is transmittable to the consumer appliance. Within the consumer appliance is stored a plurality of V-chip parameter tables. The consumer appliance is responsive to the ID code transmittable by the remote control to select one of the plurality of V-chip parameter tables to be used by the V-chip to determine accessibility to programming.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Elissa K. Bordner