Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics Inc.
  • System and method for ubiquitous appliance control
    Patent number: 10638187
    Abstract: A slave relay station is adapted to serve and/or host pages comprising a simplified graphic user interface (GUI) encoded in a widely recognized format such as, for example, HTML or WML. The GUI embodies activatable links corresponding to control functions for configured appliances. A wireless phone or other device with network access and the capability to process and present such pages, for example via a Web browser, may then be utilized to effect control of such appliances by simply navigating to the network address of the slave relay station, obtaining an appropriate GUI page, and interacting with the links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Black, Patrick H. Hayes
  • System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control
    Patent number: 10621857
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 10614704
    Abstract: In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control
    Patent number: 10600317
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 10593196
    Abstract: In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 10593195
    Abstract: In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Maryam Owrang, Nikki Ahmadi, Jan Van Ee, Chris Chambers, Arsham Hatambeiki
  • Communicating discovery information from remote control devices
    Patent number: 10553107
    Abstract: A set top box receives from a remote control device one or more of a codeset identifier, data indicative of a brand and model for a consumer electronic device, and remote control diagnostic information. The set top box then causes information representative of the received codeset identifier, data indicative of a brand and model for a consumer electronic device, and remote control diagnostic information to be displayed in a display device associated with the set top box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dan N. McKay, Raymond O. Chock
  • System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control
    Patent number: 10546487
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Graphical user interface for programming universal remote control devices
    Patent number: 10540888
    Abstract: A universal remote control (URC) is programmed to control a particular type and make of electronic consumer device using a graphical user interface. A plurality of images is displayed on the user-interface. Each image of the plurality of images is a digital photograph of an electronic consumer device or a remote control device usable to control the corresponding electronic consumer device. A user selects the digital photograph of the particular type and make of electronic consumer device or its corresponding remote control device. Codeset information associated with the selected device is transmitted to the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device. If the codeset information is a codeset identifier, then it is displayed on the user interface. The user enters the codeset identifier into the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel SauFu Mui
  • Selecting a picture of a device to identify an associated codeset
    Patent number: 10514828
    Abstract: A browser device communicates via Wi-Fi with a central function device. The function device has information regarding all the various remote controls needed by the consumer. The function device communicates wirelessly with the browser device and in turn then operates all of the consumer's electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Pope, Raymond O. Chock, Norman G. Sheridan
  • System and method for flexible configuration of a controlling device
    Patent number: 10509548
    Abstract: A system and method whereby an user interface editing device is used to create a user interface for a controlling device, the created user interface including user interface elements that are associated with functional operations of a virtual equivalent of an appliance. After the created user interface is transferred to the controlling device, the virtual equivalent of an appliance is caused to be linked to an intended target appliance whereupon activation of those user interface elements of the graphical user interface that were associated with functional operations of the virtual equivalent of an appliance will cause the controlling device to transmit commands to control corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Christopher A. Chambers, Han-Sheng Yuh, Steven Clegg
  • System and method for a self adaptive multi-user program guide
    Patent number: 10499111
    Abstract: A media access device such as, for example, a cable or satellite set top box (STB), a digital video recorder (DVR), a personal computer, and/or a digital media receivers automatically optimizes an order of content choices presented in a content listing, such as a program guide display, favorite channel display, and/or a recording listing display based on the past viewing and/or recording history of a current user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • System and method for appliance control via a personal communication or entertainment device
    Patent number: 10489052
    Abstract: A system for use in controlling operating functions of a controllable device includes a hand-held device and an intermediate device in communication with the hand-held device and the controllable device. The hand-held device is adapted to receive a gesture based input and to transmit a signal having data representative of the gesture based input. The intermediate device has programming for translating the data representative of the gesture based input in a signal received from the hand-held device into a command signal to be communicated to the controllable device wherein the command signal has a format appropriate for controlling an operating function of the controllable device that is associated with the gesture based input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Negron, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Codeset communication format and related methods and structures
    Patent number: 10490064
    Abstract: A codeset is described in a Public Codeset Communication Format (PCCF) as a format block including a plurality of fields having readily decipherable values, such as ASCII character values. One field is a mark/space information field that includes a sequence of mark time indicators and space time indicators for an operational signal of the codeset. A second field is a signal characteristic information field for the operational signal. Signal characteristic information may include carrier on/off information, repeat frame information, toggle control information, and last frame information. The PCCF is a codeset interchange format of general applicability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: George Vergis
  • System and method for interacting with a program guide displayed on a portable electronic device
    Patent number: 10469786
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a plurality of consumer electronic devices by displaying a plurality of broadcast channel identifiers each corresponding to a broadcast channel in a display of a controlling device adapted to command at least channel tuning operations of the plurality of consumer electronic devices. Input is accepted into the controlling device that functions to designate one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers and the controlling device uses the designation of the one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers to cause a transmission of a wireless signal from the controlling device to a one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to thereby cause the one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to tune to the broadcast channel corresponding to the designated one of the plurality of broadcast channel identifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Mauro Dresti, Sandro David Klein, Alex Louie, Han-Sheng Yu, Steve LanPing Huang, Patrick H. Hayes, Weidong William Wang
  • Automatic determination and retrieval of a favorite channel
    Patent number: 10462525
    Abstract: A consumer electronic device tracks the current channel to which the electronic consumer device is tuned. The consumer electronic device determines an amount of time that the current channel remains unchanged. Based at least in part on this amount of time, the consumer electronic device determines whether the current channel should be stored as a favorite channel. When the consumer electronic device subsequently receives a favorite channel command, the consumer electronic device is caused to tune to the favorite channel that is currently stored in memory. Changing user preferences are thus automatically accommodated without manual intervention, resulting in an effortless user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Ramaiah Satish
  • System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
    Patent number: 10455272
    Abstract: An entertainment device initiates a configuration process of a controlling device in response to a change in an audio visual entertainment system configuration in which at least one of a plurality devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • User interface for a remote control application
    Patent number: 10444952
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Steve LanPing Huang, Cheryl Scott, Wayne Scott
  • System and method for configuring the remote control functionality of a portable device
    Patent number: 10431074
    Abstract: A system and method used to configure a smart device to command functional operations of a target appliance. The smart device retrieves from a controllable appliance, such as a settop box, data indicative of a codeset identity of the target appliance wherein the codeset identity was determined during a process used to configure a conventional universal remote control to command functional operations of the target appliance and wherein the process used to configure the conventional universal remote control is performed in cooperation with the controllable appliance. A remote control application resident on the smart device then uses the data indicative of the codeset identity retrieved from the controllable appliance to also configure the smart device to command functional operations of the target appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Apparatus, system and method for using a universal controlling device for displaying a graphical user element in a display device
    Patent number: 10417903
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method is described for controlling one or more consumer electronic devices that is performed by a smart device. The smart device causes one or more graphical elements, each for performing a particular operation to be displayed. The smart device then causes an action to be performed when the user selects one of the graphical elements, for example by pressing one of the keys on the universal controlling device or by speaking a command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Xu, Jesus Perez, Jon Gallegos