Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics
  • System and method for interactive appliance control
    Patent number: 8896413
    Abstract: A controlling device interacts dynamically with a plurality of appliances using state information known to a master appliance. The master appliance conveys to the controlling device the state information and the controlling device uses the state information to dynamically configure itself to command functional operations of one or more of the plurality of appliances. The master appliance also causes a graphical representation of the current configuration of the controlling device to be displayed on a display device that is associated with the master appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Kohanek
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD TO FACILITATE CONFIGURATION OF A CONTROLLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140340201
    Abstract: A system and method wherein geographic data is used to configure a controlling device to control operations of a target device and/or to configure the controlling device to control tuning operations of a target device. The system additionally provides for the harmonization of controlling device configurations made on the controlling device and/or a remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Brandt J. Thompson, Jon Gallegos, Jason L. Godwin, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING MEMORY USAGE IN A UNIVERSAL CONTROLLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140317363
    Abstract: A method for optimizing memory usage in a device having a universal controlling application includes receiving into the device data for use in configuring the universal controlling application wherein the data is used to identify from within a library of command code sets stored in a memory of the device a command code set that is appropriate for use in commanding functional operations of the appliance and causing a non-identified one or more of the command code sets of the library of command code sets stored in the memory of the device to be discarded to thereby create freed space in the memory of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Jan VanEe, Christopher Lee Somerville, Daniel Morrionne
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DEVICE LOCATION DETERMINATION
    Publication number: 20140315573
    Abstract: A controlling device such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments, each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response having a unique ID which is chosen to be characteristically attenuated by the surroundings of the environment. Because the controlling device can only be in one environment at a given time, and given the attenuation characteristics of the signal response from each signaling device, only one signal response will be received by the controlling device in each environment. Location definitions associated with the received unique ID may be used by programming in the controlling device to recall saved devices states, commands sets, macros, and even to dynamically generate commands based on the location information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan de Clercq, Christopher A. Chambers, Wayne Scott, Allen Yuh, Paul D. Arling, Robert Lilleness
  • System and method for creating and utilizing metadata regarding the structure of program content
    Patent number: 8868614
    Abstract: Metadata is created in connection with an editing of a copy of a digital media for the purpose of generating a sample of the digital media, such as a ringtone generated from a song. The metadata is published and is retrievable for use in editing another copy of the digital media to automatically recreate the media sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Negron, Patrick H. Hayes, Jeremy K. Black
  • System and method for presenting program guide information in an electronic portable device
    Patent number: 8863184
    Abstract: A controlling device is provided with the ability to present personalized program guide information by using personal preferences provided to a home computing device. The personal preferences are used to filter program guide data received at the home computing device whereby the program guide data will include only programming information for user-specified sources of programming for each of plural, different user-specified periods of time. The filtered program guide data is then downloaded to the controlling device from the home computing device for use in connection with an application of the controlling device that functions to display program guide information within a display of the controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • System and method for using an universal remote control to access extended operational functions of a device
    Patent number: 8854245
    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: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kimthoa Thi Nguyen
  • System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control
    Patent number: 8854556
    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 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING MEMORY USAGE IN A UNIVERSAL CONTROLLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140282806
    Abstract: A method for optimizing memory usage in a device having a universal controlling application includes receiving into the device data for use in configuring the universal controlling application wherein the data is used to identify from within a library of command code sets stored in a memory of the device a command code set that is appropriate for use in commanding functional operations of the appliance and causing a non-identified one or more of the command code sets of the library of command code sets stored in the memory of the device to be discarded to thereby create freed space in the memory of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Arsham Hatambeiki
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING MEMORY USAGE IN A UNIVERSAL CONTROLLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140266640
    Abstract: A method for optimizing memory usage in a device having a universal controlling application includes receiving into the device data for use in configuring the universal controlling application wherein the data is used to identify from within a library of command code sets stored in a memory of the device a command code set that is appropriate for use in commanding functional operations of the appliance and causing a non-identified one or more of the command code sets of the library of command code sets stored in the memory of the device to be discarded to thereby create freed space in the memory of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Naimisaranya Das Busek, Thomas Henley
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING USER INTERACTIONS WITH A UNIVERSAL CONTROLLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140278249
    Abstract: Usage of a universal controlling device is monitored by determining a current operating mode of the universal controlling device, sensing an event occurring within the universal controlling device, and storing within a memory of the universal controlling device data indicative of the event occurring in the current operating mode of the universal controlling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Prahalladachar Havinal
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS
    Publication number: 20140282659
    Abstract: Data indicative of first and second members of a social group, a media content accessed by the first and second members of the social group, and a time at which the media content was accessed by the first and second members of the social group is collected. A system then compares the received data to determine if the second member of the social group accessed the same media content as the first member of the social group and if the second member of the social group accessed the same media content within a predetermined amount of time. When the second member of the social group accessed the same media content as the first member of the social group within the predetermined amount of time the first member of the social group is identified as a social influencer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CHANNEL LINEUP DETERMINATION
    Publication number: 20140259078
    Abstract: A current geographical location of a portable device is used to facilitate selection of channel lineup that is appropriate for a Multi-System Operator (MSO) provider and the current geographical location of the portable device. A program guide GUI of the portable device is then configured using the selected channel lineup. The configured GUI is displayable to a user of the portable device whereupon the configured GUI is available for use in commanding tuning operations of a set-top box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
    Patent number: 8830074
    Abstract: An entertainment device is used to notify a user of 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 and/or to notify a user of a perceived problem in a configuration of a controlling device used to control functional operations of the audio visual entertainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A LOW POWER REMOTE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140250314
    Abstract: To conserve power in a controlling device having a processing device in communication with an input element and a transmitting device the processing device is caused to be placed into a low-power state for at least a portion of a transmission inactive interval intermediate the transmission of at least a pair of command frames. The command frames are caused to be transmitted by the transmitting device in response to an activation of the input element sensed via the processing device to thereby command a functional operation of an intended target device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Christopher Lee Sommerville, Weidong William Wang
  • CODESET COMMUNICATION FORMAT AND RELATED METHODS AND STRUCTURES
    Publication number: 20140247178
    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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: George Vergis
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING THE REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY OF A PORTABLE DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140240104
    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: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes, Arsham Hatambeiki
  • USER INTERFACE FOR A REMOTE CONTROL APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20140245142
    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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mauro Dresti, Patrick H. Hayes, Robert Campbell, Weidong William Wang, Han-Sheng Yu, James N. Conway, JR., Sandro David Klein, Ingvald Alain Smith-Kielland, Alex Louie, Cheryl Scott, Wayne Scott
  • System and method for configuring the remote control functionality of a portable device
    Patent number: 8812629
    Abstract: A server device receives identity data retrieved from an appliance through use of a physical and logical interconnection referenced to a standard. The identity data is used at the server device to identify within a database having a plurality of appliance records, each of which is cross-referenced to an appliance, an appliance record having data in one or more record fields which matches the identity data retrieved from the appliance. A codeset identifier associated with the identified appliance record is then used to select from a plurality of codesets a codeset for use in configuring the portable device to command functional operations of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett, Norman G. Sheridan, Patrick H. Hayes
  • GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE AND DATA TRANSFER METHODS IN A CONTROLLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140229889
    Abstract: A smart device is provided with a main remote control application that may be configured using information obtained from a QR code. The main remote control application may present images of original remote controls corresponding to devices which are controllable by the configured main remote control application. In connection with a presented image of an original remote control, the display may present icons that are representative of a subset of the buttons of the original remote control. The user interface also allows a user to select amongst the images of the original remote controls to change which appliances are to be controlled via the user interface. A pop-up remote control widget may also be provided which may be invoked without switching to the main remote control application provisioned on the smart device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Marcel Hilbrink, Rex Xu, Cesar Alvarado, Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes