Patents by Inventor James R. W. Phillips

James R. W. Phillips has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8063749
    Abstract: A remote control device for communicating between a computer system and a plurality of electronic devices. The remote control device includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, a RF receiver, an optical transmitter, a memory unit, and a processor in data communication with the memory unit, the RF transmitter, the RF receiver, and the optical transmitter. The processor includes a first component that instructs the optical transmitter to emit at least one signal in response to information received by the RF receiver from a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: X10 Ltd.
    Inventors: David J. Rye, Leslie A. Leech, James R. W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7606872
    Abstract: A system and method providing a media server system are disclosed. A software module for storage on a computer and operable by the computer is provided to receive a media request for a media selection from a media source including video and audio data. The media selection is retrieved, and a media signal conveying the media selection is communicated. A communications hub receives the media signal and transmits the media selection for play on a remote media device. A receiver configured to communicate with the communications hub and with the remote media device receives the media selection and communicates the media selection to the remote media device for play. A set of media preferences associated with an identifier allows for selectable access to media content. A plurality of remote interfaces each can be coded for generating an identifier, whereby using a particular remote interface invokes a set of media preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: X10 Wireless Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Stevenson, Leslie Alan Leech, James R. W. Phillips, David J. Rye
  • Patent number: 7574141
    Abstract: Inventive systems and methods for remotely controlling infrared controlled devices by using addressed radio frequency control signals. Radio frequency signals propagate through most obstructions to infrared control signals. Augmenting each control signal with an address allows for great selectivity in an environment with several transmitters and receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: X10 Wireless Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Stevenson, Leslie Alan Leech, James R. W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7062175
    Abstract: Inventive systems and methods for remotely controlling infrared controlled devices by using addressed radio frequency control signals. Radio frequency signals propagate through most obstructions to infrared control signals. Augmenting each control signal with an address allows for great selectivity in an environment with several transmitters and receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: X10 Wireless Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Stevenson, Leslie Alan Leech, James R. W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 6998997
    Abstract: A remote control for learning a macro routine of optical signals is provided. An optical receiver is arranged to receive optical signals from one or more original equipment remote controls. The optical receiver outputs electrical signals. A microprocessor receives the electrical signals from the optical receiver. A memory device stores the electrical signals from the optical receiver. An operator interface is electrically coupled to the microprocessor. The operator interface receives operator input to designate a macro routine of operator-selectable optical signals from the original equipment remote control. The microprocessor causes the electrical signals from the optical receiver that correspond to the operator-selectable optical signals from the original equipment remote control to be associated with the designated macro routine and stored in the memory device. Electrical signals associated with a macro designation are retrieved from the memory device and electrically coupled to an optical transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: X10 Wireless Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Stevenson, Leslie Alan Leech, James R. W. Phillips, David J. Rye
  • Patent number: 6493020
    Abstract: A system and method for performing videophone operations over a television. The system includes a television system, a transceiver and a personal computer that is coupled to a communications network and the transceiver. The television system includes a camera, a microphone, a wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving audio and video signals, a signal processor for processing the received audio and video signals for presentation on a television. The transceiver includes a receiver for wirelessly receiving audio and video signals from the television system, and a transmitter for wirelessly sending audio and video signals to the television system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: X10 Wireless Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: George E. Stevenson, Leslie Alan Leech, James R. W. Phillips, Dave J. Rye