Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics
  • Apparatus, system and method for directing voice input in a controlling device
    Patent number: 11489691
    Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for using a controlling device for receiving voice input to control the operation of voice controlled smart appliances and, more particularly, to a controlling device for recognizing voice commands and for use in routing a signal, based on voice commands from the user, to two or more voice controlled smart appliances from different consumer brand names.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Arling, Norman G. Sheridan, Arsham Hatambeiki, Thomas Henley, Jon Gallegos
  • Communicating discovery information from remote control devices
    Patent number: 11488469
    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 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dan N. McKay, Raymond O. Chock
  • System and method for user monitoring and intent determination
    Patent number: 11477524
    Abstract: Sensing interfaces associated with a home entertainment system are used to automate a system response to events which occur in a viewing area associated with the home entertainment system. Data derived from such sensing interfaces may also be used to enhance the response readiness of one or more system components. Still further, user presence data derived from such sensing interfaces may be used to capture and report user viewing habits and/or preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Paul D. Arling
  • System and method for providing an adaptive user interface on an electronic appliance
    Patent number: 11474487
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Olav B. M. Pouw, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Systems and methods for controlling device configuration in a networked environment
    Patent number: 11457260
    Abstract: A system and method uses a first device fingerprint for a set-top box (STB) installed within a home theater environment which includes an over-the-top (OTT) device to cause a one a plurality of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) remote control setup procedures to be selected for use to configure an OEM remote control for the STB and the selected one of the plurality of OEM remote control setup procedures uses a second device fingerprint for the OTT device to cause the OEM remote control to be configured to transmit one or more commands to control functional operations of the OTT device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • Universal voice assistant
    Patent number: 11451618
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for enabling voice interaction with appliances, services (e.g., media streaming services, gaming services, news feed services, social platform services, etc.), and the like by way of appropriate supplied apps (also referred to as “skills,” “actions,” or the like) which may be presented or downloaded to a smart device having associated therewith one or more cloud-based voice service platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Haiming Huang, Nicu Ahmadi, Rex Xu, Wesley Millora
  • Universal voice assistant
    Patent number: 11445011
    Abstract: Described are systems and methods for enabling voice interaction with appliances, services (e.g., media streaming services, gaming services, news feed services, social platform services, etc.), and the like by way of appropriate supplied apps (also referred to as “skills,” “actions,” or the like) which may be presented or downloaded to a smart device having associated therewith one or more cloud-based voice service platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Haiming Huang, Nicu Ahmadi, Rex Xu, Wesley Millora, Steven McAllister
  • System and method for realizing utility cost savings
    Patent number: 11430026
    Abstract: A pre-defined cost savings benefit is provided to a guest as a function of an amount of a calculated cost savings that can be attributed to the guest during a period of occupancy by the guest. Utility cost saving are tracked in real-time during the period of guest occupancy and the guest will be able to use a device to visualize the utility cost savings that are being realized during this period. By being able to view the utility cost savings being realized in real-time, the guest will be incentivized to directly engage in a utility cost savings effort for the personal benefit of the guest which will, in turn, benefit the hotel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Masakazu Sueda
  • System and methods for interacting with a control environment
    Patent number: 11422683
    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 to described. A method for indicating and selecting available content type is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Cheryl Scott, Allen Yuh, Paul D. Arling
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 11410542
    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: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett
  • System and method for configuring controlling device functionality
    Patent number: 11405677
    Abstract: A controlling device is automatically configured to issue a communication directly to a first controllable appliance to control a functional operation of the first controllable appliance in the event that the first controllable appliance is determined to be unresponsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link or to issue a communication to a second controllable appliance to control the functional operation of the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link in the event that first controllable appliance is determined to be responsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Barnett, Arsham Hatambeiki, Rex Xu, Jesus Perez
  • System and method for facilitating appliance control via a smart device
    Patent number: 11398148
    Abstract: A bridge device, in communication with a smart device, functions to command one or more controllable appliances in response to communications received from the smart device. The bridge device also includes input elements by which the bridge device can be used to directly command common functional operations of the one or more controllable appliances. In this manner, common functional operations, such as volume control, playback pause/resume control, etc., may be made readily available without necessitating the use of the smart device, whilst the more sophisticated GUI provided by the smart device remote control app may be advantageously utilized when more complex or less frequently used command functions are to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jesus Perez, Joven Jubilo, Rex Xu, Jeffrey Kohanek, Brandt Thompson
  • System and method for determining the location and/or relative environment of a controlling device
    Patent number: 11380191
    Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Courtney, Jeremy Mickelsen, Khanh Nguyen, Haiming Huang, Jan van Ee, Lokanath Penukonda, Jesus Perez
  • Television support tilt mechanism
    Patent number: 11371650
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a head portion, an undercarriage portion, and a telescopic portion configured to adjustably move into a plurality of different lengths. A first end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the undercarriage portion and a second end of the undercarriage portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the telescopic portion. A second end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a second end of the telescopic portion. In a first position, the telescopic portion has a first length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a first angle. In a second position, the telescopic portion has a second length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a second angle different from the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Martin van Til, Niek Fox, Luigi D'Andrea
  • System and method for rapid configuration of a universal controlling device
    Patent number: 11335184
    Abstract: A universal controlling device is provided with one or more buttons which, when activated in a set up mode, serves to initiate a rapid configuration of the universal controlling device to adapt the universal controlling device to communicate with an intended target appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kohanek, Jeremy K. Black
  • Method and apparatus for providing noise suppression to an intelligent personal assistant
    Patent number: 11335361
    Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Haiming Huang, Michael Courtney, Jan van Ee, Khanh Nguyen, Jeremy Mickelsen, Arsham Hatambeiki
  • Configuring an electronic device based on a transaction
    Patent number: 11321754
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed for detection of a network signal identifying an electronic device in response to a transaction initiated by an entity. For example, the network signal can be transmitted by the electronic device in response to an initial network connection. An entity identifier identifies the entity associated with initiating a transaction based on matching identifying information contained in the network signal with transaction information from a supply chain. A configurator to configure the electronic device specific to the identified entity can be based on a feature set determined by channels through which the electronic device came to an end user. The feature set programs the electronic device to interoperate with a network device in response to the initial network connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Roman Thielen, Robert Edward Taylor, Patrick James Sansonetti, Ryan Michael Melville, James Joseph Alviani
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 11322016
    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 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett
  • Television support mount
    Patent number: D951239
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Martin van Til, Niek Fox, Luigi D'Andrea
  • Television support tilt mechanism
    Patent number: D961560
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Martin van Til, Niek Fox, Luigi D'Andrea