Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics Inc.
-
Patent number: 6522262Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Kimthoa T. Nguyen, Khanh Q. Nguyen
-
Publication number: 20020190956Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sandro D. Klein, Mauro Dresti, Robert A. Campbell, Han-Sheng Yuh
-
Patent number: 6496135Abstract: 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: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventor: Paul V. Darbee
-
Patent number: 6330091Abstract: 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: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Thomas M. Salsman
-
Patent number: 6271831Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 1997Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Youping Yun, Fusheng Frank Chen
-
Patent number: 6243035Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ronald J. Walter, John D. Dent
-
Patent number: 6225938Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Marcus Escobosa, Fusheng Frank Chen
-
Patent number: 6223348Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 1997Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Robert A. Campbell
-
Patent number: 6195033Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Don G. DuPerault, Qiuju Luo
-
Patent number: 6157319Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Gregory L. Johns, James N. Conway, Jr., Patrick H. Hayes
-
Patent number: 6147677Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 1998Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Robert Campbell, Fusheng Frank Chen, Patrick H. Hayes
-
Patent number: 6097309Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Kimthoa T. Nguyen, Khanh Q. Nguyen
-
Patent number: 6014092Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 11, 1992Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Don G. DuPerault, Qiuju Luo, Kimthoa T. Nguyen
-
Patent number: 5963145Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 1996Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventor: Marcus Escobosa
-
Patent number: 5959751Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 13, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Richard E. Ellis, Louis Steven Jansky, Avram S. Grossman
-
Patent number: 5953144Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 16, 1997Date of Patent: September 14, 1999Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Richard E. Ellis, Louis Steven Jansky, Avram S. Grossman
-
Patent number: 5778256Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventor: Paul Vernon Darbee
-
Patent number: 5689353Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 1996Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Paul V. Darbee, Richard E. Ellis, Louis Steven Jansky, Avram S. Grossman
-
Patent number: 5686891Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 8, 1996Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.Inventors: Frank Sacca, Marcus Escobosa
-
Patent number: 5638050Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Frank Sacca, Marcus Escobosa