Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING AND UTILIZING METADATA REGARDING THE STRUCTURE OF PROGRAM CONTENT
    Publication number: 20090093278
    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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Negron, Patrick H. Hayes, Jeremy K. Black
  • MEDIA RETURN SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20090079594
    Abstract: A remote control stores a sequence of key strokes in memory for as long as a predetermined key of a plurality of keys of the remote control is held down. The stored sequence of key strokes may then be repeated, for example, upon release of the predetermined key or upon further activation and release of the predetermined key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes, John E. Hyatt
  • System and method for configuration of network-capable appliances
    Publication number: 20090003240
    Abstract: A controlling device is used to configure an appliance for wireless network communications through use of a setup wizard installed on a computing device. The setup wizard is used to obtain from a user information required to perform communications on a wireless network via a wireless network router and a digital representation of the information obtained from the user through use of the setup wizard is provided to the controlling device. The controlling device is then used to transfer the digital representation of the information to the appliance whereupon the appliance will use the digital representation of the information to configure itself for wireless network communications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Negron, Patrick H. Hayes
  • TWO WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AN APPLIANCE AND A REMOTE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20090002219
    Abstract: A method for storing and using information received from a controllable appliance in a controlling device. In response to a detected activation of a key of the controlling device the controlling device transmits a request signal to the controlled appliance for the purpose of retrieving from the controlled appliance data associated with a media tuning state of the controlled appliance, such as a tuned-to channel, CD or DVD track being played, or the like, The controlling device receives from the controlled appliance the media tuning state data and stores the media tuning state data in memory. The media tuning state data stored in the memory of the controlling device may then be used to transmit from the controlling device to the controlled appliance a media tuning command to cause the controlled appliance to replicate the previously captured media tuning state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Remote control with local, screen-guided setup
    Patent number: 7471281
    Abstract: A system and method for setting up a user interface of a remote control. The remote control displays a logical group of function keys the activation of which will cause the remote control to transmit a command to a target device and a plurality of indicators representative of devices. A user input functions to select one of the plurality of indicators and the device represented by the selected indicator is assigned as the target device for the logical group of function keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Masters, Alex Louie, Lily Tsong-Chou Knowles, Stephen Brian Gates
  • Controlling device using cues to convey information
    Patent number: 7460050
    Abstract: A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual, audio, and/or tactile cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, vibrations, etc., to indicate relationships. Relationships may be between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key, a user and the controlling device, or a room and the controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Cesar Alvarado, Alex Louie, James N. Conway, Jr., Patrick H. Hayes
  • Controlling device with dual-mode, touch-sensitive display
    Patent number: 7432916
    Abstract: A universal controlling device having a touch-sensitive display which is switchable between two operational modes. In one operational mode, the display provides one or more graphical user interfaces comprised of graphical user interface icons that are selectable to command operational functions of one or more appliances. In a second operational mode, the display provides pointer control where motions made by a stylus or finger in contact with the touch-sensitive display result in corresponding motions of a pointer on a display located remotely from the universal controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Janik
  • System and method for upgrading the functionality of a controlling device in a secure manner
    Publication number: 20080235406
    Abstract: Secure access to a database of upgrade data is provided by storing an encryption key value in a cable used to interconnect a first device and a second device that is associated with the database of upgrade data. The second device allows access to the database of upgrade data via the cable only when the cable is first positively authenticated by the second device through use of the encryption key value stored in the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gerben Meijer, Patrick H. Hayes
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAVING AND RECALLING STATE DATA FOR MEDIA AND HOME APPLIANCES
    Publication number: 20080201754
    Abstract: A set of media playback and device settings data from each home appliance of a first set of home appliances is stored on a central server and/or sent to a remote control device upon initiation of a suspend command by a user. The stored media and devices states may be used at a later time to control the first set of home appliances, or a user may, after relocating to a second set of home appliances, initiate a resume state command whereupon media playback and device settings data from the central server and/or remote control device controls each home appliance in the second set of home appliances to bring about the same or substantially similar media and device states as in the first set of home appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Mark Momot
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAVING AND RECALLING STATE DATA FOR MEDIA AND HOME APPLIANCES
    Publication number: 20080201753
    Abstract: A set of media playback and device settings data from each home appliance of a first set of home appliances is stored on a central server and/or sent to a remote control device upon initiation of a suspend command by a user. The stored media and devices states may be used at a later time to control the first set of home appliances, or a user may, after relocating to a second set of home appliances, initiate a resume state command whereupon media playback and device settings data from the central server and/or remote control device controls each home appliance in the second set of home appliances to bring about the same or substantially similar media and device states as in the first set of home appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Mark Momot
  • CONTROLLING DEVICE WITH DUAL-MODE, TOUCH-SENSITIVE DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20080191898
    Abstract: A universal controlling device having a touch-sensitive display. The display provides one or more graphical user interfaces comprised of graphical user interface icons that are selectable via the touch-sensitive display and the display accepts motions made by a stylus or finger in contact with the touch-sensitive display. The different interactions with the touch-sensitive display are used to cause the transmission of respective data to one or more appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Craig M. Janik
  • Remote control having a display with multi-function EL segments
    Patent number: 7412653
    Abstract: An EL display is provided with EL segments which are individually illuminable and which include one or more complete function key images and/or fragments of complete function key images. One or more of the EL segments may thus be illuminated to present multiple, different user interfaces each having one or more complete function key images. A complete function key image presented as part of a user interface may be a complete key image that was included as part of an illuminated EL segment or may be formed by a combination of key image fragments included as part of multiple illuminated EL segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Brian Gates
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DEVICE LOCATION DETERMINATION
    Publication number: 20080137631
    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: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Stephan de Clerq, Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Allen Yuh, Paul D. Arling, Robert Lilleness
  • System and methods for home appliance identification and control in a networked environment
    Patent number: 7379778
    Abstract: A home control and automation system and method. The system generally includes one or more wireless remote controls, a plurality of appliances (including network enabled appliances and traditional legacy appliances in the exemplary system), associated control centric devices, and associated content centric devices. Various methods for control and operation of appliances in the networked home control and automation environment are disclosed. Specifically, methods are disclosed which enable advanced home control features such as location based control setup and operation, network enabled legacy appliances and system integration, save and recall capabilities for appliance and media states, generic command based appliance controls, dynamic/complex macro command generation, and Internet based control capabilities from remote locations are disclosed in conjunction with the system of the current invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Jeremy Black
  • System and method for controlling device location determination
    Patent number: 7363028
    Abstract: A controlling device location determination system and method. 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 (associated with location definitions relating to the environment from which he signaling device is located) which is chosen to be characteristically attenuated by the surroundings of the environment (i.e., IR signals in a room). 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan de Clerq, Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Allen Yuh, Paul D. Arling, Robert Lilleness
  • Device having a device managed input interface
    Publication number: 20080042982
    Abstract: A device includes a sensor which generates a value representative of a position of the device relative to an object surface. The device then uses the value obtained from the sensor to automatically transition from a first state in which the input interface is enabled to a second state in which at least a portion of the input interface is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Gates, Jeremy Black
  • System and methods for interacting with a control environment
    Publication number: 20080016467
    Abstract: A system and methods for facilitation of user interactions with an electronic device. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced interface to a user. A method of providing user interaction using a compact status indicator is described. A method for providing a virtual scroll wheel to a user for interaction with content sets is described. A method for allowing a user to dynamically modify a scalable user interface is described. A method for providing gesture based input to a user via a virtual gesture pad is described. A method of providing an interactive graphic search query interface is described. A method for indicating and selecting available content type is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Cheryl Scott, Allen Yuh, Paul Arling
  • Microphone
    Patent number: D563396
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics
    Inventors: Eli Gregory Probst, Todd Metlen, Bernard Wise
  • Tube microphone amplifier
    Patent number: D570821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics
    Inventors: Eli Gregory Probst, Todd Metlen
  • Snowflake microphone
    Patent number: D586335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics
    Inventors: Bernard Wise, Todd Metlen, Eli Gregory Probst