Patents by Inventor William R Reams
William R Reams 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).
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Patent number: 10198066Abstract: A remote controlling device is disclosed that includes one or more motion sensors configured to sense a motion of the device. The remote control further includes a capacitive sensor and a power source. The capacitive sensor selectively couples the power source to the one or more motion sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: DISH Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 9633556Abstract: A remote receives an instruction to transmit and determines whether or not to include an acknowledgement request in the instruction based on statistics regarding receipt of acknowledgements associated with previously transmitted instructions. If so, the remote control device includes the request before transmitting. The remote control may determine whether or not to include the request in a variety of different ways in a variety of different implementations. In some implementations, the remote control may classify instructions into two or more different classifications and may treat instructions of different classifications differently. In other implementations, the remote control may treat the same instruction differently depending on the number of requested acknowledgements successfully received during a time period. In various other implementations, the remote control may perform various combinations of these approaches.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Publication number: 20170075413Abstract: A remote controlling device is disclosed that includes one or more motion sensors configured to sense a motion of the device. The remote control further includes a capacitive sensor and a power source. The capacitive sensor selectively couples the power source to the one or more motion sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventor: William R. REAMS
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Patent number: 9520058Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are described for outputting audible or visual indicators via a remote control for a controlled device. A remote control queries an associated controlled device for information. The controlled device generates a request for the remote control to activate an audio or visual indicator. The request is integrated with a response to the query that is transmitted to the remote control. The remote control outputs an audio or visual indicator responsive to the request.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 9520743Abstract: A remote controlling device (100) is disclosed that includes one or more motion sensors (120, 130, 140) configured to sense a motion of the device. The remote control further includes a capacitive sensor (150) and a power source (405). The capacitive sensor selectively couples the power source to the one or more motion sensors.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 9401084Abstract: A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Publication number: 20160155323Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are described for outputting audible or visual indicators via a remote control for a controlled device. A remote control queries an associated controlled device for information. The controlled device generates a request for the remote control to activate an audio or visual indicator. The request is integrated with a response to the query that is transmitted to the remote control. The remote control outputs an audio or visual indicator responsive to the request.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 9338495Abstract: A system and method for optimizing pairing between a remote device and a plurality of devices including establishing a list of pairing-capable devices, the list comprising a portion of the plurality of devices, measuring a plurality of link qualities between the remote device and the pairing-capable devices, comparing, with a processor, the plurality of link qualities with one another and determining a highest link quality, selecting, by a computing device, an available pairing-capable device having the highest link quality, pairing with the selected device, and controlling a presentation device, the controlling including checking if the selected device is the associated device and where the selected device is not the associated device, relaying commands via the network to the associated device.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: William R. Reams, Christopher W. Bruhn
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Patent number: 9257034Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are described for outputting audible or visual indicators via a remote control for a controlled device. A remote control queries an associated controlled device for information. The controlled device generates a request for the remote control to activate an audio or visual indicator. The request is integrated with a response to the query that is transmitted to the remote control. The remote control outputs an audio or visual indicator responsive to the request.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 9202372Abstract: A remote control device may include: first circuitry to control a function of a first electronic device; second circuitry to be set to control a function of a second electronic device; and a setup controller to set the second circuitry to control a function of a target electronic device based on a code received from a separate device. An electronic device to be controlled by a remote control device may include: an input device to receive a signal from the remote control device; an output device to send a signal to the remote control device; and a processor coupled to the input and output devices, and configured to access a database of codes and to selectively provide codes from the database to the remote control device, the codes configured to set circuitry of the remote control device to control a function of the electronic device and/or an auxiliary electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: William R. Reams, Matthew P. Zenthoefer
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Patent number: 9117362Abstract: Described herein are various techniques for transferring command codes between multiple remote controls. A first controlled device receives a signal from a remote control associated with a second controlled device. The signal is associated with a command for the second controlled device. The first controlled device receives user input, assigning the command to a selected button of a second remote control. The first controlled device transmits a message to the second remote control. The message includes information utilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button, allowing the second remote control to generate the command for the second controlled device.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 9050531Abstract: In various implementations, a remote transmits a first signal to a currently controlled first content player of a network of content players and a second signal to a proximate content player. If the first player is notified that a second player received the second signal, the first player may command the remote to activate a display associated with the second player. However, if the first player is not notified, the first player may command the remote to activate all known displays. In addition, the first player may also instruct the remote to configure which player the remote controls. In some implementations, the remote stores a table transmitted by a player of the network of players including entries corresponding to players and including commands for associated components. In such implementations, control configuration may include configuring which entry of the table is utilized.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Publication number: 20140327525Abstract: A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 8786413Abstract: A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies, L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 8749427Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in an electronic device may include selecting between an on mode of the electronic device in which first circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a first operation, an off/standby mode in which second circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a second operation, and a sleep/vacation mode in which the second circuitry is controlled to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation. An electronic device may include: first circuitry configured to perform a first operation when the electronic device is in an on mode; second circuitry configured to perform a second operation when in an off/standby mode; and a circuitry controller configured to control the second circuitry to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation when in a sleep/vacation mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 8710771Abstract: A remote directs illumination of an illumination source according to a duty cycle. The duty cycle defines a first portion of time power is provided from a battery and a second portion of time power is not provided. The remote monitors voltage output by the battery and adjusts the duty cycle to increase the duration of the first portion based on a decrease of the monitored voltage compared to a maximum voltage level. The remote may adjust the duty cycle in order to maintain a consistent illumination output level. In some implementations, the remote may adjust the duty cycle based on one or more threshold values. In other implementations, the remote may adjust the duty cycle directly based on the measured voltage. In still other implementations, the remote may not calculate the duty cycle directly but may instead reference a lookup table.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Patent number: 8707291Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a method and apparatus for remotely providing firmware to a wireless device. The wireless device may be configured to detect when the device's firmware is corrupted or may need updating. The device may then transmit a request for a firmware image on a first wireless communication channel. If the request is answered by an updating device, the wireless device may establish a communication with, and begin receiving the firmware image from, the updating device. Further, the wireless device may verify transmitted data and send an acknowledgment message to the updating device for each transmitted data packet.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Nathan A. Hale, Jeremy S. Mickelsen, William R. Reams, David A. Innes
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Patent number: 8698745Abstract: A control device controls the functionality of two or more sets of control elements. A processing unit of the control device determines that it is oriented in a first zone or in a second zone based on input received from a magnetometer. The first and second zones are defined with respect to a magnetic reference point and are oriented relative to a controlled device or an electronic device. If the processing unit determines that the control device is oriented in the first zone, the processing unit configures a first functionality for the first set of control elements. If the control device's orientation changes from being oriented in the first zone to being oriented in the second zone, the processing unit configures the first set of control elements with a second functionality.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventor: William R. Reams
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Publication number: 20130344962Abstract: In various implementations, a remote transmits a first signal to a currently controlled first content player of a network of content players and a second signal to a proximate content player. If the first player is notified that a second player received the second signal, the first player may command the remote to activate a display associated with the second player. However, if the first player is not notified, the first player may command the remote to activate all known displays. In addition, the first player may also instruct the remote to configure which player the remote controls. In some implementations, the remote stores a table transmitted by a player of the network of players including entries corresponding to players and including commands for associated components. In such implementations, control configuration may include configuring which entry of the table is utilized.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventor: William R. Reams
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Publication number: 20130340002Abstract: A system and method for optimizing pairing between a remote device and a plurality of devices including establishing a list of pairing-capable devices, the list comprising a portion of the plurality of devices, measuring a plurality of link qualities between the remote device and the pairing-capable devices, comparing, with a processor, the plurality of link qualities with one another and determining a highest link quality, selecting, by a computing device, an available pairing-capable device having the highest link quality, pairing with the selected device, and controlling a presentation device, the controlling including checking if the selected device is the associated device and where the selected device is not the associated device, relaying commands via the network to the associated device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: William R. Reams, Christopher W. Bruhn