Patents by Inventor William M. Beals

William M. Beals 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).

  • Methods and apparatus for simplified remote control operation of components
    Patent number: 9232255
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ECHOSTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer, William M. Beals, Daniel L. Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C. Morzos
  • Remote control macro instruction operation
    Patent number: 8773246
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer, William M. Beals, Daniel L. Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C. Morzos
  • Programming of remote control operational modes
    Patent number: 8613017
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer, William M. Beals, Daniel L. Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C. Morzos
  • Remote Control Device Programming and Indication of Programming Mode Status
    Publication number: 20120026413
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting a user in programming a universal remote control. More specifically, a method and apparatus for helping the user reestablish system configurations, providing feedback, instructing the user, and supplying system information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William M. Beals
  • Remote control device programming and indication of programming mode status
    Patent number: 8013942
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting a user in programming a universal remote control. More specifically, a method and apparatus for helping the user reestablish system configurations, providing feedback, instructing the user, and supplying system information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William M. Beals
  • PROGRAMMING OF REMOTE CONTROL OPERATIONAL MODES
    Publication number: 20110090055
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer, William M. Beals, Daniel L. Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C. Morzos
  • REMOTE CONTROL MACRO INSTRUCTION OPERATION
    Publication number: 20110090408
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer, William M. Beals, Daniel L. Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C. Morzos
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SIMPLIFIED REMOTE CONTROL OPERATION OF COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20110083147
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Charles W. Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A. Kummer, William M. Beals, Daniel L. Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C. Morzos
  • Methods and apparatus for simplified remote control operation of components
    Patent number: 7814510
    Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventors: Charles W Ergen, Michael T. Dugan, David A Kummer, William M Beals, Daniel L Rudolph, Mark H. Gomez, Henry Gregg Martch, Adam C Morzos
  • SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING AN OPERATIONAL MODE OF A REMOTE CONTROL
    Publication number: 20090303097
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for changing an operational mode of a remote control for a controlled device. A remote control queries a controlled device to determine the operating state of the controlled device. Responsive to determining the operating state of the controlled device, the remote control determines whether to enter an active mode state and/or limited power mode state. Components of the remote control may then be commanded to enter a selected operating mode state depending on whether the components are utilized by the present operational state of the controlled device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Echostar Technologies LLC
    Inventors: William R. Reams, William M. Beals
  • Method and apparatus for a simplified power scan for remote control
    Patent number: 7626641
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting a user in programming a universal remote control. More specifically, a method and apparatus for helping the user reestablish system configurations, providing feedback, instructing the user, and supplying system information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: William M. Beals
  • REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE PROGRAMMING
    Publication number: 20090244403
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting a user in programming a universal remote control. More specifically, a method and apparatus for helping the user reestablish system configurations, providing feedback, instructing the user, and supplying system information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: EchoStar Technologies LLC
    Inventor: William M. Beals