Patents by Inventor Mark Ethard Smith

Mark Ethard Smith 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: 10445079
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of translating and mapping received commands between operating system languages and/or protocol-based languages. One example method may provide receiving an action initiated by an external source, such as a person or automated action selection operation. The method may also include identifying the action as a predetermined command of a first computer operating language stored in a memory and mapping the predetermined command to a corresponding protocol command of a different computer operating language, and executing the corresponding protocol command after the mapping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HARMAN PROFESSIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Ethard Smith, Marjorie Lynne Smith
  • Patent number: 9998336
    Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises a server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith, Joel Shane Dick
  • Publication number: 20180039495
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for generation of a controlled device Module are provided. Various components are provided to a Module designer for selection, and the designer defines the interface APIs specifying the component functionalities. The designer may specify custom commands or events for the Module including Commands, Properties, and Parameters, and custom components corresponding to the custom commands are generated. A self-describing capabilities component is then generated for each component, and a composite capabilities component may then be generated from the capabilities components of each of the components. The completed Module package is then produced by an integrated development environment station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith
  • Patent number: 9792113
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for generation of a controlled device Module are provided. Various components are provided to a Module designer for selection, and the designer defines the interface APIs specifying the component functionalities. The designer may specify custom commands or events for the Module including Commands, Properties, and Parameters, and custom components corresponding to the custom commands are generated. A self-describing capabilities component is then generated for each component, and a composite capabilities component may then be generated from the capabilities components of each of the components. The completed Module package is then produced by an integrated development environment station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: AMX, LLC
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith
  • Publication number: 20170293279
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for configuring a controlled device in a control system are provided. A self-describing device Module associated with a controlled device provides capabilities of a controlled device both at runtime and before installation. The controlled device Module includes a capabilities component that provides a description of the controlled device's capabilities both as a capabilities object that can be queried at runtime and in a self-describing capabilities file implemented in a format prior to operational configuration of the Module or controlled device. The Module is configured to generate its runtime capabilities object and self-describing capabilities file.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith
  • Patent number: 9690574
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for configuring a controlled device in a control system are provided. A self-describing device Module associated with a controlled device provides capabilities of a controlled device both at runtime and before installation. The controlled device Module includes a capabilities component that provides a description of the controlled device's capabilities both as a capabilities object that can be queried at runtime and in a self-describing capabilities file implemented in a format prior to operational configuration of the Module or controlled device. The Module is configured to generate its runtime capabilities object and self-describing capabilities file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: AMX, LLC
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith
  • Publication number: 20160337197
    Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises a server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith, Joel Shane Dick
  • Publication number: 20160259634
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of translating and mapping received commands between operating system languages and/or protocol-based languages. One example method may provide receiving an action initiated by an external source, such as a person or automated action selection operation. The method may also include identifying the action as a predetermined command of a first computer operating language stored in a memory and mapping the predetermined command to a corresponding protocol command of a different computer operating language, and executing the corresponding protocol command after the mapping operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Ethard Smith, Marjorie Lynne Smith
  • Patent number: 9432262
    Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises a server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: AMX, LLC
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith, Joel Shane Dick
  • Patent number: 9342286
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of translating and mapping received commands between operating system languages and/or protocol-based languages. One example method may provide receiving an action initiated by an external source, such as a person or automated action selection operation. The method may also include identifying the action as a predetermined command of a first computer operating language stored in a memory and mapping the predetermined command to a corresponding protocol command of a different computer operating language, and executing the corresponding protocol command after the mapping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: AMX, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Ethard Smith, Marjorie Lynne Smith
  • Publication number: 20160110177
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of translating and mapping received commands between operating system languages and/or protocol-based languages. One example method may provide receiving an action initiated by an external source, such as a person or automated action selection operation. The method may also include identifying the action as a predetermined command of a first computer operating language stored in a memory and mapping the predetermined command to a corresponding protocol command of a different computer operating language, and executing the corresponding protocol command after the mapping operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Ethard Smith, Marjorie Lynne Smith
  • Patent number: 9262133
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of translating and mapping received commands between operating system languages and/or protocol-based languages. One example method may provide receiving an action initiated by an external source, such as a person or automated action selection operation. The method may also include identifying the action as a predetermined command of a first computer operating language stored in a memory and mapping the predetermined command to a corresponding protocol command of a different computer operating language, and executing the corresponding protocol command after the mapping operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Mark Ethard Smith, Marjorie Lynne Smith
  • Publication number: 20160036645
    Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises a server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith, Joel Shane Dick
  • Publication number: 20160004532
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for generation of a controlled device Module are provided. Various components are provided to a Module designer for selection, and the designer defines the interface APIs specifying the component functionalities. The designer may specify custom commands or events for the Module including Commands, Properties, and Parameters, and custom components corresponding to the custom commands are generated. A self-describing capabilities component is then generated for each component, and a composite capabilities component may then be generated from the capabilities components of each of the components. The completed Module package is then produced by an integrated development environment station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith
  • Patent number: 9160625
    Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises a server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith, Joel Shane Dick
  • Patent number: 9134719
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for generation of a controlled device Module are provided. Various components are provided to a Module designer for selection, and the designer defines the interface APIs specifying the component functionalities. The designer may specify custom commands or events for the Module including Commands, Properties, and Parameters, and custom components corresponding to the custom commands are generated. A self-describing capabilities component is then generated for each component, and a composite capabilities component may then be generated from the capabilities components of each of the components. The completed Module package is then produced by an integrated development environment station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith
  • Publication number: 20150146574
    Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises a server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith, Joel Shane Dick
  • Publication number: 20150148915
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for the discovery and registration of controlled devices associated with self-describing Modules in a control system are provided. A controlled device associated with a self-describing module is coupled with a master controller on which the self-describing module is installed. A remote monitoring system is communicatively coupled with the master controller, and a remote monitoring system agent is installed on the master controller. The agent discovers a Module associated with the controlled device and queries the Module for a version thereof. The agent then evaluates whether the Module is self-describing. In the event the Module is self-describing, the agent requests a run-time capabilities object from the Module and registers the controlled device with the remote monitoring system according to the capabilities object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith
  • Patent number: 8954541
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for the discovery and registration of controlled devices associated with self-describing Modules in a control system are provided. A controlled device associated with a self-describing module is coupled with a master controller on which the self-describing module is installed. A remote monitoring system is communicatively coupled with the master controller, and a remote monitoring system agent is installed on the master controller. The agent discovers a Module associated with the controlled device and queries the Module for a version thereof. The agent then evaluates whether the Module is self-describing. In the event the Module is self-describing, the agent requests a run-time capabilities object from the Module and registers the controlled device with the remote monitoring system according to the capabilities object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith
  • Patent number: 8948172
    Abstract: A system that facilitate broadcast of a device discovery beacon by a dynamic physical device wishing to bind to one or more control systems are provided. If the dynamic physical device comprises of server that is configured to bind to multiple master controllers, the dynamic physical device may include a device Type Flag and set the value of the device Type Flag to indicate the dynamic physical device comprises a server. On detection of the beacon, a master controller evaluates the device Type Flag if it is present in the device discovery beacon. If the device Type Flag is present and indicates the dynamic physical device comprise a server which may bind to multiple master controllers, the master controller may automatically load a device Module for the dynamic physical device and commence communications with the dynamic physical device with no manual intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Brigitte Bernadette Birze, Mark Ethard Smith, Joel Shane Dick