Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics Inc.
  • Patent number: 6522262
    Abstract: A readable medium and systems for utilizing receiver signal reconstruction characteristics, in combination with a knowledge of code formats being used, to enable a control device to learn the coding format of carrier frequencies, and in particular high frequency carrier frequencies, of devices to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Kimthoa T. Nguyen, Khanh Q. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20020190956
    Abstract: Portable device to interface with a printer and with a computing device. The portable device may interface with a local printer through a base mated with the portable device or with a remote printer through a wireless communication link. The portable device preferably has standard remote control capability and web browsing capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sandro D. Klein, Mauro Dresti, Robert A. Campbell, Han-Sheng Yuh
  • Patent number: 6496135
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Paul V. Darbee
  • Patent number: 6330091
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Thomas M. Salsman
  • Patent number: 6271831
    Abstract: A wireless control and pointer system for controlling electronic equipment. The system generally includes a hand held remote control comprising a first infrared signal emitter for use in transmitting a first infrared signal comprising a plurality of signal components each of which is transmitted at a first frequency but out of phase with respect to the other of the plurality of signal components and a receiver comprising an infrared signal sensor adapted to receive the infrared signal, a circuit connected to the infrared signal sensor for generating an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the remote control as a function of the amplitude of each of the plurality of signal components of the infrared signal, and an interface circuit for transmitting a command signal indicative of the orientation signal to the electronic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Youping Yun, Fusheng Frank Chen
  • Patent number: 6243035
    Abstract: A self-contained module including finger depressible keys, said module being mountable on, and useable with, a wireless keyboard for a computer. The module includes a pre-programmed microcontroller for controlling basic functions of the TV and an associated VCR via an IR LED on the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Walter, John D. Dent
  • Patent number: 6225938
    Abstract: A universal remote control system with bar code activated set up wherein the device to be controlled such as a TV, VCR or other consumer electronic product, and the associated remote control unit are pre-programmed and adapted to automatically reconfigure the remote control unit to communicate with a device to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Marcus Escobosa, Fusheng Frank Chen
  • Patent number: 6223348
    Abstract: A system whereby a user-configurable universal remote control has its device library, that is the code data needed to operate various electronics devices, supplied separately from a releasable readable media storage device, such as a Smart Card. The universal remote control is built with a reader slot into which the customer can insert separately purchased Smart Cards to configure the remote control for exactly those electronic devices he/she wishes to control. A signal transmitting system, such as for example a cable television operator, which provides services to a number of individual receiver sets, and wherein the sets each include an associated remote control unit, the method of controlling the functions and operation of each set with relation to said system by utilizing a Smart Card which cooperates with the remote control unit to selectively control, enable and disable the functions, options and/or equipment of the individual subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Robert A. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6195033
    Abstract: The invention teaches remote control device for reassigning functions associated with one key to another key, wherein the functions are stored in memory. In one embodiment the remote control comprises a memory and a plurality of function instructions stored in the memory, including a first function instruction and a second function instruction. A plurality of keys, including a first key, is operably connected to execute the first function instruction. Reassignment programming is stored in memory and provides for connecting the first key such that it will execute the second function instruction instead of the first function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Don G. DuPerault, Qiuju Luo
  • Patent number: 6157319
    Abstract: A universal remote control system with device activated set up wherein the device to be controlled such as a TV, VCR or other consumer electronic product, and the associated remote control unit are pre-programmed and adapted to automatically reconfigure the remote control unit to communicate with a device to be controlled as soon as said device is connected to its power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Johns, James N. Conway, Jr., Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 6147677
    Abstract: A device for providing input information such as the position and movement of a cursor or pointer to a control for a visual display screen having a gravity responsive member mounted in a housing having a plurality of force sensitive resistive elements mounted in spaced relation to one another said gravity responsive member being mounted in position to selectively apply pressure on said resistive elements in response to the orientation of said housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Robert Campbell, Fusheng Frank Chen, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 6097309
    Abstract: A system and method for utilizing receiver signal reconstruction characteristics, in combination with a knowledge of code formats being used, to enable a remote control device to learn the coding format of devices operating at high carrier frequencies even though the carrier frequencies cannot be directly measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Kimthoa T. Nguyen, Khanh Q. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6014092
    Abstract: The remote control device comprises: A microprocessor including a CPU and a memory; a keypad including a set of keys coupled to the microprocessor; lamp driver circuitry coupled to the microprocessor; circuitry for generating IR signals coupled to the IR lamp driver circuitry; code data for executing command functions for a plurality of devices of different manufacturers stored in the memory; a Key Reassignment table in the memory containing key identity, device ID, mode data and command function data; and a program stored in the memory for reassigning a different function for the same or different device to a key on the keypad upon the inputting of a predetermined keystroke sequence on the keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Don G. DuPerault, Qiuju Luo, Kimthoa T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5963145
    Abstract: A system for providing wireless pointer control for controlling electronic equipment, including a remote control pointer device capable of generating a signal having multiple signal components with different frequencies and a base station capable of receiving and decoding the signal having multiple signal components. The base station then interprets the multiple signal components to determine the orientation of the remote control pointer device to properly generate a pointer control signal for properly selecting a particular piece of equipment to receive remote commands or data, and where appropriate, properly displaying and positioning a cursor displayed on the electronic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus Escobosa
  • Patent number: 5959751
    Abstract: The universal remote control system includes input means, signal output means for supplying a signal to a controlled device and a central processing unit coupled to the input means and the signal output means, no ROM, and a single non-volatile, read-write RAM coupled to said central processing unit.The RAM in the ROM-less microprocessor system is loaded by carryout out the following steps: (a) disabling the central processing unit; (b) connecting a separate microprocessor system to said RAM; (c) transferring instructions and/or data to said RAM; (d) re-enabling the central processing unit to enable the central processing unit to execute the instructions so transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Richard E. Ellis, Louis Steven Jansky, Avram S. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5953144
    Abstract: The universal remote control system includes input means, signal output means for supplying a signal to a controlled device and a central processing unit coupled to the input means and the signal output means, no ROM, and a single non-volatile, read-write RAM coupled to said central processing unit.The RAM in the ROM-less microprocessor system is loaded by carrying out the following steps: (a) disabling the central processing unit; (b) connecting a separate microprocessor system to said RAM; (c) transferring instructions and/or data to said RAM; (d) re-enabling the central processing unit to enable the central processing unit to execute the instructions so transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Richard E. Ellis, Louis Steven Jansky, Avram S. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5778256
    Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an infrared code generating and transmitting device adapted to be coupled to or incorporated in a microcomputer system, commonly referred to as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The IR code generating and transmitting device comprises a CPU separate or incorporated into the microcomputer system of the PDA; a memory separate or incorporated into the microcomputer system; an LED output; LED driver circuitry coupled between the CPU and the LED output; an interface connector; an interface buffer circuit coupled between the interface connector and the CPU; and an interface data buffer circuit coupled by data lines between the interface connector and the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Vernon Darbee
  • Patent number: 5689353
    Abstract: A remote control for use in connection with a consumer electronics device and a computer. The remote control comprises a central processing unit, a set of buttons linked to the central processing unit, a circuit linked to the central processing unit for use in transmitting an infrared signal to the consumer electronic device in response to activation of at least one of the set of buttons, and a two-way circuit linked to the central processing unit for enabling two-way communication between the remote control and the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Richard E. Ellis, Louis Steven Jansky, Avram S. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5686891
    Abstract: A system for locating an object. The system includes an electronic device, a wireless transmitter for outputting a transmitted signal, and a receiver wherein one of the receiver or the transmitter is mounted within the electronic device and the other is positioned remote therefrom. The receiver comprises a wake up timer circuit for periodically generating a wake up signal, a wireless signal receiver being activated by the receipt of the wake up signal from the wake up timer circuit for generating a detect signal when the wireless signal receiver circuit receives the transmitted signal from the transmitter; and an audible signal generator circuit for generating an audible signal upon receipt of the detect signal from the wireless signal receiver circuit. The wake up timer circuit and the wireless signal receiver circuit are disabled when the audible signal generator circuit generates the audible signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Sacca, Marcus Escobosa
  • Patent number: 5638050
    Abstract: A system for locating an object, particularly a remote control, has a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the receiver has circuitry implementing power saving features. The receiver includes circuitry for turning off portions of the circuitry not essential for performing the current task. The receiver additionally only activates the wireless signal receiver portion of the circuitry periodically for short periods of time. The time of activation represents a small fraction of the operational time if the wireless signal receiver portion were to remain activated continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Sacca, Marcus Escobosa