Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics
  • Controlling device with selectively illuminated user interfaces
    Patent number: 8149218
    Abstract: A controlling device using a source of energy, such as light energy, to provide the controlling device with a user interface having multiple, different visual appearances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro Garfio, Cesar Alvarado
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING IMAGE DATA IN CONNECTION WITH CONFIGURING A UNIVERSAL CONTROLLING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20120076347
    Abstract: Data indicative of topography of an object of interest is received at a recognition system having an associated database in which is stored topography data for a plurality of reference objects each of which is cross-referenced to configuration information for a universal controlling device. The reference system uses the received data and the topography data for the plurality of reference objects to discern one or more reference objects as being a match for the object of interest. At least a subset of the configuration information that has been cross-referenced to the one or more reference objects discerned by the recognition system as being a match for the object of interest is then used to configure the universal controlling device to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to one or more target appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lim, Joseph Lee Haughawout
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A LOW POWER REMOTE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20120066528
    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: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Christopher Lee Sommerville, Weidong William Wang
  • Customizable and upgradable devices and methods related thereto
    Patent number: 8098140
    Abstract: A remote control is configured by a user specifying a type and brand of a consumer electronic device. A plurality of function code sets that have been identified as being candidates for commanding operations of the specified type and brand of consumer electronic device are selected and at least a subset of each of the plurality of selected function code sets is made available such that a user may determine by experimentation which one of the plurality of function code sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type and brand of consumer electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Escobosa, Patrick H. Hayes, James N. Conway, Jr.
  • System and method for using image data in connection with configuring a universal controlling device
    Patent number: 8094880
    Abstract: A method for configuring a universal controlling device to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to one or more target appliances. A system having an associated database of original equipment remote control images that are cross-referenced to configuration information for a respective plurality of appliances receives identification data that specifies at least a brand and type of an appliance. The system uses the received identification data to discern one or more images from the associated database as being a match for the received identification data. The one or more images from the associated database that were discerned as being a match for the received identification data are then displayed to allow for the selection of one or more of the displayed plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Haughawout, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECOMMENDING HOME APPLIANCES TO A CONSUMER
    Publication number: 20110302201
    Abstract: A system functions to recommend equipment expansions, additions and/or substitutions; interconnections; supplemental capabilities; features; etc. based upon a knowledge of a consumer's existing audio and/or visual system configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul Ogaz, Arsham Hatambeiki, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING THE REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY OF A PORTABLE DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110289113
    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: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett, Norman G. Sheridan, Patrick H. Hayes
  • System and method for updating information in an electronic portable device
    Patent number: 8063923
    Abstract: A Web server by which a user can request that reminder data, movie guide data, and/or TV guide data be downloaded to a portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Lilleness, Steve LanPing Huang, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY
    Publication number: 20110279223
    Abstract: A hand-held device having a touch sensitive surface uses a relative distance from an origin location to each of a plurality of touch zones of the touch sensitive surface activated by a user to select a one of the plurality of touch zones as being intended for activation by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Jeffrey Kohanek, Naimisaranya D. Busek
  • SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY
    Publication number: 20110279375
    Abstract: A hand-held device has a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, at least one transmitter, a first user interface associated with the top surface of the housing having first user interface input elements which, when active, are actuatable to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit communications to an external device, and a second user interface associated with the bottom surface of the housing having second user interface input elements which, when active, are actuatable to cause the at least one transmitter to transmit communications to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Jeffrey Kohanek, Pamela Eichler Keiles, Ramzi Ammari
  • System and method for controlling device location determination
    Patent number: 8059621
    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: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan de Clerq, Christopher Chambers, Scott Wayne, Allen Yuh, Paul D. Arling, Robert Lilleness
  • Controlling device using visual cues to indicate appliance and function key relationships
    Patent number: 8049655
    Abstract: A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: James N. Conway, Jr., Adam N. Villani
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING CONFIGURATION OF A CONTROLLING DEVICE VIA A 3D SYNC SIGNAL
    Publication number: 20110228046
    Abstract: A controlling device is configures to control functional operations of an appliance by using a 3D sync signal transmitted to synchronize a wearable 3D viewing apparatus with a device adapted to render 3D media to select from a library of command codes a command code set appropriate for controlling functional operations of the appliance. The command codes within the command code set selected from the library of command codes are assigned to respective keys of the controlling device whereupon a subsequent activation of one or more of the respective keys of the controlling device will cause the controlling device to issue a command transmission via use of one or more of the command codes within the command code set selected from the library of command codes to thereby control one or more functional operations of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Graham Williams, Jeremy K. Black
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BATTERY CONSERVATION IN A PORTABLE DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110230228
    Abstract: A hand-held device, such as a remote control, has a time-limited feature, such as backlight illumination, that is caused to be activated upon the occurrence of a triggering event sensed by a triggering sensor, such as a motion sensor. The hand-held device functions to disable and/or downwardly adjust a time period during which the time-limited feature will be allowed to be active upon a future occurrence of a triggering event in response to the device determining that a predetermined number of trigger events sensed via the triggering sensor are false trigger events. The time-limited feature may be disabled by disabling the triggering sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Richard Young, Christopher Chambers
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNIVERSAL 3D VIEWING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20110227909
    Abstract: A signal format definition data appropriate for a rendering device used to present alternate-frame sequencing based 3D material is identified and the identified signal format definition data is thereafter used to decode received synchronization signals associated with the rendering device. A shutter of a universal viewing device may thus be controlled as a function of the decoded synchronization signals associated with the rendering device to thereby allow for viewing of the alternate-frame sequencing based 3D material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Jeremy K. Black
  • Device that manages power provided to an object sensor
    Patent number: 8018436
    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: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Brian Gates, Jeremy K. Black
  • User interface for a remote control application
    Patent number: 8015446
    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: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Scott, Wayne Scott, Steve LanPing Huang
  • DEVICE THAT MANAGES POWER PROVIDED TO AN OBJECT SENSOR
    Publication number: 20110205159
    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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Brian Gates, Jeremy K. Black
  • Controlling device with dual-mode, touch-sensitive display
    Patent number: 7999794
    Abstract: A processing device of a universal controlling device is programmed to distinguish between a first input type provided to a touch-sensitive surface and a second input type provided to the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being provided the first input type which is indicative of a static touch made upon the touch-sensitive surface the processing device causes a transmitter to transmit first data representative of the static touch made upon the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being provided the second input type which is indicative of a moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface, the processing device causes the transmitter to transmit second data being representative of the moving touch made across the touch-sensitive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Janik
  • CONTROLLING DEVICE USING VISUAL CUES TO INDICATE APPLIANCE AND FUNCTION KEY RELATIONSHIPS
    Publication number: 20110187512
    Abstract: A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: James N. Conway, JR., Adam N. Villani