Patents Assigned to Universal Electronics
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 10943469
    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: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 10937306
    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 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 10937308
    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: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 10937305
    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: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett
  • Apparatus, system and method for directing voice input in a controlling device
    Patent number: 10930276
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a controllable appliance resident in an environment which includes a device adapted to receive speech input. The system and method establishes a noise threshold for the environment in which the device is operating, receives at the device a speech input, determines a noise level for the environment at the time the speech input is received by the device, compares the determined noise level to the established noise threshold, and causes one or more commands to be automatically issued to the controllable device to thereby cause the controllable device to transition from a first volume level to a second volume level that is less than the first volume level when the determined noise level for the environment is greater than the established noise threshold for the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Arsham Hatambeiki
  • System and method for simplified activity based setup of a controlling device
    Patent number: 10922959
    Abstract: A controlling device having an activity mode corresponding to a controllable activity in which activation of a command key within a logical group of command keys of the controlling device causes a transmission of command data to control one or more functional operations of an intended target appliance. For a controllable activity the controlling device has a memory in which is stored a plurality of predetermined appliance to logical group of command keys mappings. To configure the controlling device for the controllable activity one or more predetermined keys of the controlling device are activated to thereby designate one or more intended target appliances for the controllable activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kohanek, Ramzi Ammari
  • System and method for optimized appliance control
    Patent number: 10922958
    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: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Brian Barnett
  • System and method for prioritizing and filtering CEC commands
    Patent number: 10917686
    Abstract: A first controllable appliance receives from a second controllable appliance a command for causing the first controllable appliance to be placed into a state and, in response, determines a trust level of the second controllable appliance. When it is determined that the second controllable appliance is trustworthy, the first controllable appliance executes the command. When it is determined that the second controllable appliance is untrustworthy, the first controllable appliance ignores the command. Otherwise, the first controllable appliance enters into a state in which the first controllable appliance waits for at least a predetermined period of time for a user to confirm whether or not the first controllable appliance should be caused to execute the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Arsham Hatambeiki
  • System and method for facilitating appliance control via a smart device
    Patent number: 10902716
    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 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jesus Perez, Joven Jubilo, Rex Xu, Jeffrey Kohanek, Brandt Thompson
  • Apparatus, system and method for promoting apps to smart devices
    Patent number: 10904727
    Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for promoting media apps to an end user of a smart device. The smart device gathers information of apps that have been installed into the smart device and provides this information to a remote server. The remote server compares the information sent by the smart device to an identification of promoted apps received from a remote source to identify apps that are not installed in the smart device that are included in the identification of promoted apps. The remote server then notifies the smart device of which apps in the identification of promoted apps are not installed into the smart device, so that a user of the smart device may choose to have the missing app installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Jon Gallegos
  • Apparatus, system and method for using a universal controlling device for displaying a graphical user element in a display device
    Patent number: 10896600
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method is described for controlling one or more consumer electronic devices that is performed by a smart device. The smart device causes one or more graphical elements, each for performing a particular operation to be displayed. The smart device then causes an action to be performed when the user selects one of the graphical elements, for example by pressing one of the keys on the universal controlling device or by speaking a command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Xu, Jesus Perez, Jon Gallegos
  • System and method for appliance detection and app configuration
    Patent number: 10893094
    Abstract: A system and method is used to provision an app to a smart device for use in connection with an appliance. A presence of the appliance on a wireless network which includes the smart device is detected and data received from the appliance is used to initiate a retrieval of the app. When the retrieved app is installed on the smart device the app is usable with the smart device to provide at least an interface between the smart device and the appliance. In some circumstance, installation of the app on the smart device may also include causing the app to be synchronized with a corresponding app that was prior installed on another smart device capable of communicating with the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Arsham Hatambeiki
  • System and method for recommending home appliances to a consumer
    Patent number: 10885569
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Ogaz, Arsham Hatambeiki, Patrick H. Hayes
  • System and method for appliance detection and app configuration
    Patent number: 10868858
    Abstract: A system and method is used to provision an app to a smart device for use in connection with an appliance. A presence of the appliance on a wireless network which includes the smart device is detected and data received from the appliance is used to initiate a retrieval of the app. When the retrieved app is installed on the smart device the app is usable with the smart device to provide at least an interface between the smart device and the appliance. In some circumstance, installation of the app on the smart device may also include causing the app to be synchronized with a corresponding app that was prior installed on another smart device capable of communicating with the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Arsham Hatambeiki
  • System and method for pairing a hearing device and an appliance
    Patent number: 10853021
    Abstract: When a hearing device is determined to be capable of being of being paired with each of a plurality of appliances, a one of the plurality of appliances is automatically selected for an attempted pairing with the hearing device. The one of the plurality of appliances is selected using priority information that has been associated with each of the plurality of appliances. One the one of the plurality of appliances has been selected; the hearing device is caused to automatically attempt to pair with the selected one of the plurality of appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Peter William Chalmers, Jon Gallegos, Jeff Kohanek, Kenneth G. Sweeney
  • System and method for detecting the removal of a controlling device
    Patent number: 10820046
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gerben Meijer, Patrick H. Hayes
  • System and method for user monitoring and intent determination
    Patent number: 10820047
    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: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Paul D. Arling
  • System and method for saving and recalling state data for media and home appliances
    Patent number: 10785539
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Christopher Chambers, Wayne Scott, Mark Momot
  • System and method for provision of appliance control functionality to a smart device
    Patent number: 10771608
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Brandt Thompson, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Remote control housing
    Patent number: D909314
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ryan, Richard Remmes, Alex Lai