Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics
  • Device that manages power provided to an object sensor
    Patent number: 8717295
    Abstract: A hand-held device with a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a position of the hand-held device relative to an object surface enables power to the sensor at a first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is stationary and adjacent relative to the object surface, enables power to the sensor at a second time interval shorter than the first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is moving and adjacent relative to the object surface, and enables power to the sensor at a third time interval when the hand-held device is determined to be in a position that is removed relative to the object surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Brian Gates, Jeremy K. Black
  • System and method for controlling device location determination
    Patent number: 8712352
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan de Clerq, Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Allen Yuh, Paul D. Arling, Robert Lilleness
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZED APPLIANCE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140111318
    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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • System and method for provision of infrared signalling in smart phone devices
    Patent number: 8700106
    Abstract: A smart phone device is fitted with a dual mode communications interface device having a housing wherein the housing provides access via an exterior of the smart phone device to both an infrared communications pathway and an electrical communications pathway each of which are coupled to one or more processing devices carried within the smart phone device. To this end, the communications interface device may be in the form of an audio jack having a plug receiving opening wherein the plug receiving opening is in communication with the electrical communications pathway and wherein at least a portion of the housing surrounding the plug receiving opening forms a light pipe for the infrared communications pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Hilbrink, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RETRIEVING INFORMATION WHILE COMMANDING OPERATION OF AN APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20140098299
    Abstract: Media rendering system including a remote control device and associated docking station. The remote control device interfaces with a remote server to stream media content for local and/or external playback. The remote control device may interface with a docking station to playback rendered media on one or more entertainment appliances. The portable device preferably has standard remote control capability in order to enable advanced features and functions for media playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Universal Electronics Inc.
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RETRIEVING INFORMATION WHILE COMMANDING OPERATION OF AN APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20140098300
    Abstract: Media rendering system including a remote control device and associated docking station. The remote control device interfaces with a remote server to stream media content for local and/or external playback. The remote control device may interface with a docking station to playback rendered media on one or more entertainment appliances. The portable device preferably has standard remote control capability in order to enable advanced features and functions for media playback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Marcel Hilbrink, Patrick H. Hayes, Jeremy K. Black
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RETRIEVING INFORMATION WHILE COMMANDING OPERATION OF AN APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20140101563
    Abstract: When a command key of a controlling platform is activated, the platform performs an operation to initiate a playing of media content and also initiates the retrieval of information from an information source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Universal Electronics Inc.
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVISION OF APPLIANCE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY TO A SMART DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140064735
    Abstract: A system for use in issuing commands to a plurality of appliances each of a specific one of a plurality of different appliance types includes a smart device adapted to transmit command communications and a plurality of low-energy consuming controllers each adapted to transmit a command to a one of the plurality of appliances of a specific one of the plurality of different appliance types in response to receipt of a command communication originating from the smart device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Brandt Thompson, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DEVICE LOCATION DETERMINATION
    Publication number: 20140062678
    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: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan de Clercq, Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Allen Yuh, Paul D. Arling, Robert Lilleness
  • System and method for configuring the remote control functionality of a portable device
    Patent number: 8659400
    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: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ADAPTIVE USER INTERFACE ON AN ELECTRONIC APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20140046461
    Abstract: A controllable device, such as a set top box, responds to a transmission received from a one of a plurality of controlling devices of differing capabilities by entering into a one of a plurality of operating modes wherein the one of the plurality of operating modes entered into corresponds to the capabilities of the controlling device from which the transmission originated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Olav B.M. Pouw, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SELF ADAPTIVE MULTI-USER PROGRAM GUIDE
    Publication number: 20140047467
    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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SIMPLIFIED SETUP OF A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140028922
    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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZED APPLIANCE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140022462
    Abstract: A device receives a request from a controlling device, such as a remote control, smart phone, or the like, where the request is intended to have one or more target devices perform one or more functional operations. The device responds to the request by applying the optimum methodology to propagate one or more commands to each intended target appliance to cause each intended target appliance to perform the intended one or more functional operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett, Dan N. McKay
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE APPLIANCE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140022049
    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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Kohanek
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE APPLIANCE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20140022062
    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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Kohanek
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING A MARK-UP LANGUAGE PAGE TO COMMAND AN APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20140009689
    Abstract: A hand-held device having a display and a browser application which supports functionality particularly suited for the hand-held device. For example, the browser application supports a full screen tag which allows information to be displayed as a full screen within the display. The browser application may also support a tag for use in displaying a link the activation of which will cause the hand-held device to transmit command codes to a consumer appliance. Still further, the browser application can support a tag which the hand-held device can use to issue reminders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Universal Electronics Inc.
  • Electret microphone circuit
    Patent number: 8588433
    Abstract: There is disclosed a microphone, a circuit, and a method. A microphone capsule may include an electret microphone and a field effect transistor (FET). A floating DC voltage source may have a first end connected to a drain terminal of the electret microphone capsule and a second end. A load resistor may be connected between the second end of the floating DC voltage source and a source terminal of the electret microphone capsule. A voltage follower may have an output connected to the source terminal of the electret microphone capsule and the first end of the floating DC voltage source. A coupling capacitor may couple an audio signal from the source terminal of the electret microphone capsule to an input of the voltage follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Martins Saulespurens, Felikss Stanevics
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THE REMOVAL OF A CONTROLLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20130290997
    Abstract: A system and method for using a controllable appliance to report an inoperable state of a controlling device. The appliance is caused to repeatedly determine, at a first predetermined timed interval, if a wireless notification signal, repeatedly transmitted by the controlling device at a second predetermined timed interval, has been received from the controlling device. When the wireless notification signal has not been received from the controlling device within the first predetermined timed interval, the appliance is caused to issue a status notification that the controlling device is in an inoperable state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Gerben Meijer, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Digital interconnect of entertainment equipment in the home
    Patent number: 8558676
    Abstract: A method for configuring a controlling device to command functional operations of at least one controllable appliance. The method includes the steps of receiving at the controlling device from the at least one controllable appliance, via a first communication channel, data indicative of an identity of the at least one controllable appliance and using the data indicative of the identity of the at least one controllable appliance to configure the controlling device whereby, in response to activation of one or more command keys of the controlling device, the controlling device will be caused to transmit to the at least one controlling device, via a second communication channel, those commands selected from a library of commands that are appropriate for commanding functional operations of the at least one controllable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Gregory L. Johns, James N. Conway, Jr.