Remote Control Patents (Class 340/12.22)
  • Patent number: 10671042
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to learn and share remote commands are disclosed. An example method to configure a playback device to be controlled by a remote control includes receiving by the playback device a first code for a first command from the remote control. The example method includes identifying by the playback device a second code for a second command based on the received first code. The example method includes receiving by the playback device the second code from the remote control. The example method includes executing the second command by the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Simon Jarvis, Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos
  • Patent number: 10644460
    Abstract: A multipurpose wall outlet includes a support structure on which are mounted at least one output, at least one electrical outlet and a circuit board in electrical voltage communication with the at least one output. A connector in communication with the circuit board is adapted to receive electrical power having a first voltage from a power source. A smart chip and a passivated bridge are mounted on the circuit board and are electrically coupled to the at least one output and the connector. The multipurpose wall outlet is adapted, during operation, to receive electrical power having the first voltage from the power source, convert the electrical power to a second voltage different from the first voltage, and output the converted electrical power from the at least one output. The smart chip is configured to control the voltage of the converted electrical power output from the at least one output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Manolo Fabio Rivera
  • Patent number: 10641545
    Abstract: A domestic refrigeration device comprises an interior for storing foods, a light source arrangement which is configured to emit light, in particular white light, of different spectral characteristics into the interior, and a sensor unit which is configured to optically detect light emitted by the lit interior, to allocate to the detected light a value that is characteristic of the color of the emitted light, and to control the light source arrangement in such a manner that light of a specific spectral characteristic, which is dependent on the value that is characteristic of the color, is emitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Manfredi Signorino, Martin Brabec, Daniel Sygnat, Johann Schenkl
  • Patent number: 10599377
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments for controlling visual indicators of an audio responsive electronic device. In some embodiments, an audio responsive electronic device operates by receiving audio input, and then analyzing the audio input to identify an intended target of the audio input. The intended target may be one of a plurality of electronic devices or services which are native or non-native to the audio responsive electronic device. The audio responsive electronic device transmits the audio input to the identified intended target. A reply message is received from the intended target. Then, the audio responsive electronic device controls its visual indicators using information in the reply message, to thereby provide visual feedback to a user. Also disclosed herein are embodiments for capturing and providing audio to an application according to an application programming interface of a media device. The raw audio captured by the media device is not in a form useable by the requesting application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Roku, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Vassigh, Soren Riise, Robert Burdick, Kevin Cooper
  • Patent number: 10571991
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing auto-switching and/or auto-playing video content. In various embodiments, a computing system might determine whether a display device that is communicatively coupled to the computing system is in an off-state, and might determine whether a first video content will begin its broadcast from a first content source within a predetermined period after initiating such determination. Based on a determination that the display device is in the off-state and based on a determination that the first video content will be broadcast within the predetermined period, the computing system might automatically switch the display device to an on-state, and might automatically set the display device to display the first video content being broadcast from the first content source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Sprenger, Steven M. Casey, Katie S. Feiman, Zubin Ingah
  • Patent number: 10516721
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a process-management interface on a companion device that allows a user to control characteristics of an application running on a primary device. The interface can change a size or position of a viewport and change the primary device's control focus to or away from viewport. The process-management interface also allows a user to target a process on the companion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ross David Heeter, Jason Robert Tuck, Cyrus Kanga
  • Patent number: 10511337
    Abstract: An integrative software radio embodies a single multi-radio device including functionalities that are a superset of a plurality of individual discrete radio devices includes a radio frequency transmitter that integrates transmission capabilities of a plurality of discrete transmitters such that the radio frequency transmitter is configured to generate a first amalgamated waveform that is a combination of individual waveforms, each individual waveform corresponding to the transmission capabilities of its respective one of the plurality of discrete transmitters, wherein the transmission capabilities each of the plurality of discrete transmitters comprise operating characteristics different from one or more of the other discrete transmitters, wherein a waveform of a discrete transmitter comprises an adjustable electromagnetic wavefront and a proprietary waveform generation component; and a mission module communicatively coupled to the plurality of discrete transmitters and configured to alter the wavefront of at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: PHYSICAL OPTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pedram Boghrat, Thomas C. Forrester, Tomasz Jannson, Andrew Kostrzewski, Robert Anthony Kunc, Anthony Shangchi Lai, Kang S. Lee, John Matthews, Ranjit Dinkar Pradhan, Robert Everett Stephens
  • Patent number: 10460542
    Abstract: A communication system for communicating with a barrier operator for remotely controlling operation of a barrier. The communication system may include a remote device that can be handheld or incorporated into a vehicle. The communication system may also include a remote token separate from the remote device and capable of communicating information to the remote device. The remote device may be paired with a communication channel for communicating one or more commands to the barrier operator. The remote device may be configured to suppress or disable communication of a requested command on the communication channel until after information is received from the remote token that authorizes communication of the requested command on the communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven L. Willard, II
  • Patent number: 10445467
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for pairing a command device to a remotely controlled medical system. A command device is paired to a remotely controlled system, to control one or more medical devices from the command device. Registering the command device is done at a registration component at a designated location in an operating area, with an identifier for the operating area. While registered, the command device is able to transmit commands for controlling the medical equipment. The command device location is repeatedly estimated from its sensors based on markers or beacons in the operating area, to determine if it has left the area. Upon leaving, it is deregistered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: KARL STORZ Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Matteo Contolini, Ted Applebaum
  • Patent number: 10388150
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a storage configured to store a plurality of IR code sets corresponding to a plurality of external electronic apparatuses, a communicator configured to perform communication with at least one of the plurality of external electronic apparatuses and a remote control apparatus, and a processor configured to, in response to an operation corresponding to a test code included in one of the plurality of IR code sets being performed in the external electronic apparatus, determine an IR code set including the test code as an IR code set corresponding to the external electronic apparatus, and transmit, to the remote control apparatus, a command to map the determined IR code set to the remote control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-jin Park, Young-in Park, Min-sup Kim, Hyun-kyu Yun, Won-jae Lee, Dae-woo Cho
  • Patent number: 10345773
    Abstract: A currently touched position on a capacitive touch interface is determined based at least in part on sensing a capacitance associated with the currently touched position along a geometric shape, wherein the capacitive touch interface comprises a touchable surface at least a portion of which defines the geometric shape. The currently touched position is mapped to a corresponding value of an attribute associated with a current context. The corresponding value of the attribute is used to operate an external system associated with the current context in a manner determined at least in part by the corresponding value of the attribute. A feedback associated with the determined currently touched position and the current context is provided via the capacitive touch interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Josh.ai LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Earl Gill, Alex Nathan Capecelatro, Jason Hsin, Paul Philip Russo
  • Patent number: 10347120
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display device. The display device comprises: a storage unit for storing control code sets corresponding to each of a plurality of remote controllers; a communication unit for receiving a first remote controller signal from a remote controller capable of controlling an external device; and a processor implementing controlling for automatically detecting a control code set corresponding to the remote controller from among the stored control code sets, on the basis of the received first remote controller signal, and transmitting the detected control code set to an integrated remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byuk-sun Kim, Kwan-young Kim, Kyu-jung Jo
  • Patent number: 10326875
    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: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Brandt Thompson, Patrick H. Hayes
  • Patent number: 10284913
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for managing an entertainment system are provided. In some implementations, systems for managing an entertainment system are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor configured to: detect a first instruction; select a component of the entertainment system; determine a first state of the component; store an indication of the first state; detect a second instruction; retrieve the indication of the first state; generate a third instruction based on the indication of the first state; and transmit the third instruction to the component of the entertainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Majd Bakar
  • Patent number: 10248303
    Abstract: Disclosed is an operation display device including: a display unit to display a group of operation input items among a plurality of operation input items which are arranged in an arrangement order; an operating unit to receive a moving instruction operation for moving a position of the group of operation input items in accordance with the arrangement order, and to receive a setting operation for the operation input item; and a control unit to instruct the display unit to move the position of the group of operation input items so as to shorten a first display time for displaying one or more operation input items having a prohibition relation with the operation input item which has been set as compared with a second display time for displaying each of the other operation input items, in case that the operating unit receives the moving instruction operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 10251056
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor, to identify biometric input. One or more processors are then operable to identify at least one paired device and at least one companion device operating within a wireless communication radius. The paired device then detects and identifies a simple gesture, communicating this in an electronic communication to a wireless communication circuit of the electronic device. The one or more processors then identify at least one authentication agent operating on the at least one companion device and select at least one authentication credential for the at least one authentication agent. The wireless communication circuit then delivers an authentication credential in response to the predefined gesture input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Sudhir Vissa, Vivek Tyagi, Douglas Lautner, David Schuster
  • Patent number: 10236986
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. At such far-field distances, light beams emitted from the optical transmitters can be combined in a tiled fashion to create energy efficient and directable optical transmissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ARON SUREFIRE, LLC
    Inventors: Narkis E. Shatz, John C. Bortz
  • Patent number: 10225377
    Abstract: This document relates to protocol translation for remote control of various devices. One example is a technique that includes identifying a controlled device that has a controlled device communication protocol for controlling the controlled device. The technique also includes obtaining translation data that conveys translations of commands from another protocol into the controlled device protocol. The technique also includes configuring a delay for transmitting the translated commands, and performing translation between the another protocol and the controlled device protocol using the translation data and the configured delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Garrett Blankenburg, Michael Duggan, Andres Hernandez
  • Patent number: 10213352
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held control (1) for furniture drives (81), comprising a touch-sensitive control panel section (3, 3a, 3b) that has a number of actuation surfaces (4). A method for detecting actuation of the hand-held control (1) is also provided. An electromotive furniture drive (81) is fitted with a hand-held control (1) of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DewertOkin GmbH
    Inventor: Armin Hille
  • Patent number: 10179568
    Abstract: A remote access system for a vehicle may include at least one receiver configured to detect a location of a mobile device, and a controller having a processor. The processor may be configured to determine an association of the mobile device to an authorized user when the mobile device is within a first range from the vehicle, and authenticate the user when the mobile device is within a second range from the vehicle, wherein the second range is smaller than the first range. The processor may also be configured to determine a vehicle function to perform based on data associated with the mobile device or the user, and perform the vehicle function when the mobile device is within a third range from the vehicle and the user is authenticated, wherein the third range is smaller than the second range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Faraday & Future Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamad Mwaffak Hariri, Adam Michael Kibit, Mark Lewis Zeinstra, Matthew R. Partsch, Daniel L. Kowalewski, Cian John Francis Brogan
  • Patent number: 10176783
    Abstract: A computer-driven wearable display device incorporating a display engine for presenting virtual images to wearers is interconnected with a computer-driven portable display device incorporating a display screen for presenting real images to the wearers of the wearable display device. An applications management and communication system including an external manager application residing on the portable display device provides for managing and launching applications residing on the wearable display device through the user interface of the portable display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Vuzix Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Travers, Michael McCrackan
  • Patent number: 10166080
    Abstract: A cooperatively controlled robotic system includes a main robot assembly, and an arm assembly comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The arm assembly is connected to the main robot assembly at the proximal end. The system also includes a tool assembly connected to the arm assembly at the distal end, a first force sensor between the distal end of the arm assembly and the tool assembly, and a second force sensor between the proximal end of the arm assembly and the main robot assembly. The system includes a control system that is configured to determine a force applied at the first force sensor based on a force detected by the second force sensor, and to compare the determined force to a force detected by the first force sensor to detect a failure of at least one of the first and second force sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Marcin Arkadiusz Balicki, Kevin C. Olds, Russell H. Taylor
  • Patent number: 10163336
    Abstract: Various arrangements involving an absolute direction of a remote control device are presented herein. In response to user input received by a remote control device, the orientation of the remote control device may be determined. A compass heading direction in which the remote control device is pointed may be determined. An absolute direction may be determined based on the determined orientation and the determined compass heading. A target control device may be selected from a plurality of target control devices based on the absolute heading of the remote control device. A message indicative of the user input may then be transmitted to the selected target control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventors: Luke VanDuyn, Christopher Burns
  • Patent number: 10163337
    Abstract: A method for automatically transmitting an activation signal from a trainable transceiver to a remote electronic system, includes receiving, at a control circuit of the trainable transceiver, image data from an image data source; determining, using the control circuit, if the received image data matches one or more reference images stored in memory and associated with the remote electronic system; and determining, in response to a match between the received image data and the one or more reference images, if the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system. The method includes, in response to determining that the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system, formatting an activation signal to control the remote electronic system and transmitting, using a transceiver circuit, the activation signal formatted to control the remote electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, David M. Bostrom
  • Patent number: 10144345
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a running board operable between deployed and undeployed positions. The running board includes a light source. An energy storage device is electrically coupled to the light source. An inductive receiving coil is electrically coupled to the energy storage device. A transmitting coil is positioned proximate an exterior surface of the vehicle. The transmitting coil is configured to transmit a magnetic field to the receiver coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Stinson, Mark Beilman
  • Patent number: 10127240
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to data assembly and analytics, as can be used in the personal finance and banking field, and more particularly to the field of lending and credit notification methods and systems. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for creating objects which can be used in multiple implementations to generate scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: ZestFinance, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. L. Merrill, John J. Beahan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10126737
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with an auxiliary device for commanding a movable barrier operator, the apparatus having a first communication interface, a processor device, and a second communication interface. The first communication interface being configured to receive a status change request from the auxiliary device. The processor device runs a movable barrier controller application and is configured to generate a control signal for the movable barrier operator in response to receiving the status change request. The second communication interface is configured to send the control signal to the movable barrier operator through a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Fitzgibbon
  • Patent number: 10085905
    Abstract: A person support apparatus includes a first transceiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver of a headwall interface that is positioned off of the person support apparatus. A communication link is automatically established between the first and second transceivers without requiring a user of the person support apparatus to activate a designated control and without requiring the user to identify the headwall interface. The first transceiver includes a unique identifier assigned to the headwall interface in its messages to the headwall interface. The first transceiver may also automatically transmit a disconnect signal to the headwall interface indicating the termination of the communication link is not accidental. The disconnect signal is sent based on one or more of the following: (1) a brake being off, (2) an A/C power cord being unplugged; and/or (3) a signal strength between the transceivers decreasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna Sandeep Bhimavarapu, Annie Désaulniers, Michael Joseph Hayes
  • Patent number: 10049420
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a response/suggestion to a user by a digital assistant is provided herein. During operation the digital assistant will have access to devices connected to it via a personal-area network (PAN). The digital assistant will then tailor any response/suggestion to the user based on PAN devices associated with the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Geng Xiang Lee, Kok Khian Ng, Luiloon Stephen Kuan, Raamkumar Krishnan, Kong Chin Chee
  • Patent number: 10034340
    Abstract: A network switch (5) for example a PoE switch, is operable to control supply of electrical power to individual luminaires (1,2) in a lighting network. The luminaires receive both electrical power for operation and signals to switch on and off through a common cable connection (9) such as an Ethernet connection. When switched on, each luminaire sends a signal repeatedly towards the Po E switch until switched off and the switch (5) supplies power to the luminaire while successive signals are received within a period less than a predetermined shut off period (?). In this way, power to the luminaire can be disconnected to avoid consumption of standby power when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventor: Xiangyu Wang
  • Patent number: 10032364
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wireless lighting application (app) is executed on a mobile device to configure a wireless lighting control system including a plurality of wireless lighting control devices. A connection is established between the mobile device and a wireless lighting control device. In response to user input in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the wireless lighting app, the wireless lighting app configures at least one of a lighting controller, keypads or lamp modules by at least associating an attached lighting load with a load name. Further, the wireless lighting app defines a lighting scene that uses the lighting load having the load name. Still further, the wireless lighting app assigns the lighting scene to a programmable button of one of the wireless lighting control devices such that, in response to a press of the programmable button, the wireless lighting control system produces the predefined lighting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew R. Hamm, Kevin C. Kicklighter, Nichol F. Draper
  • Patent number: 10029649
    Abstract: A vehicle system comprises an onboard apparatus that is mounted to a vehicle, and a portable device. The vehicle system controls the vehicle according to a result of collation using wireless communication in which a signal is transmitted and received on electric wave, between the onboard apparatus and the portable device. The onboard apparatus includes a vehicle-side transmission processor that transmits a first signal which specifies signal intensity information and, following transmission of the first signal, transmits a second signal having a signal intensity, the signal intensity information being information on the signal intensity of the second signal. The portable device includes a portable device-side reception antenna that receives a signal transmitted from the vehicle-side transmission antenna, a signal intensity measurement portion, and a reply determiner that determines whether a replay is performed to the onboard apparatus for the collation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Katou, Nobuyoshi Nagai
  • Patent number: 10019001
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic movement maneuver of a motor vehicle between an initial position and a final position includes establishing a path between the initial position and the final position of the vehicle and recording the path in a memory. The method also includes initiating automatic movement of the vehicle from the initial position, automatically moving the vehicle along the path, and automatically stopping the vehicle in the final position. Additionally, the method includes emitting a repetitive control signal from a mobile terminal and slaving the automatic movement of the vehicle along the path to a reception of the repetitive control signal by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Christophe Dang Van Nhan
  • Patent number: 10002524
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling groups of devices in a home network system are provided. The method includes receiving a request message for executing a first operation mode from a mobile station through the Internet, reading a control list stored for the first operation mode, in order to determine home devices associated with the first operation mode and in order to determine functions of the home devices, in response to the request message, transmitting control commands, instructing the home devices to execute the functions, to the home devices, respectively, according to the control list, and reporting the results of execution of the functions, according to the control commands, to the mobile station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hyun Shim, Kyung-Jae Kim, Keun-Cheol Lee, Kyung-Tack Kwon, Hae-Moon Jung
  • Patent number: 9989939
    Abstract: A wireless device (1) searches a database that stores positional information of the wireless device (1), a device (2-4) and control identifiers for controlling the devices (2-4) in an associated manner, acquires a device (2-4) located near the wireless device (1) and a control identifier for controlling the device (2-4) based on the positional information of the wireless device (1), and, based on the device (2-4) and the control identifier for controlling the device (2-4) that have been acquired, determines a controlled device (at least one of the devices (2-4)) and generates a control identifier for the controlled device. The wireless device (1) transmits, by wireless communication, the generated controlled identifier to a receiver mounted on the controlled device to control the controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: NEC COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, LTD., A SCHOOL CORPORATION KANSAI UNIVERSITY, ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE INT
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ito, Yukihiro Hara, Masahito Iwai, Yuma Asada, Yuta Okamoto, Shota Kakibuti, Ryou Nagase, Shohei Fukayama, Hironori Fukui, Noboru Miyamoto, Hiroyuki Yomo, Takatoshi Kimura, Suhua Tang, Akio Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9980002
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent TV control system and implementation method thereof, through a group of pressure sensors, pressure data and vital signs data of a plurality of body parts of user are collected; before being transmitted to terminal of intelligent TV, which then processes pressure data and vital signs data received from terminal of pressure sensors, and obtains sitting posture information and mental state information of user, before sending out a corresponding sitting posture adjustment advice or controlling to change play state of TV, based on sitting posture information and mental state information. The system and implementation method thereof, as described in present invention, by obtaining user state information, and controlling TV to adjust parameters automatically according to user state information, has improved an intelligence of intelligent TV, and provided convenience to users when using intelligent TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen Skyworth-RGB Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ge Yan
  • Patent number: 9955210
    Abstract: A voice control system and method for a multimedia device are provided. The system includes an image sensing module configured to collect a user action image; an image recognizing module configured to determine a type or a status of a control instruction according to the user action image; a voice recognition status managing module configured to activate or wake up the voice recognition program according to a type of a current control instruction; a pickup module configured to collect voice signal; a voice recognizing module configured to recognize the collected voice data to generate a control instruction; and a multimedia function module configured to execute the control instruction to provide a corresponding multimedia function to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN PRTEK CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Hongzhi Wang, Leyuan Liu, Nong Sang, Guohua Liu
  • Patent number: 9947153
    Abstract: A Bluetooth enabled Smartphone may be used for both access control and start authorization in a secure and safe way, and embodiments are backward-compatible with conventional vehicle access and start systems. A smart phone acts as an intermediary authorization device to a code generator which effectively resembles a car key that is installed in a vehicle. A Bluetooth transceiver and the code generator—and, optionally, for the retrofit solution, an RF/LF transceiver—are added to the vehicle. The Bluetooth transceiver communicates with the smart phone. The code generator communicates with electronic control units in the vehicle that control access, immobilization, and engine start. The communication may happen via a wired connection or, in the case of the retrofit solution, via an RF/LF transceiver that mimics an additional car key programmed to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Nikolas Bergerhoff, Ritesh Ahuja
  • Patent number: 9934188
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a housing including a connector configured to connect to an external device, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter communicates with a sink device via the connector. The receiver communicates with a source device via the connector. If the connector is set as an output port for outputting a video signal, the transmitter is connected to the connector via first, second and third switching circuits. If the connector is set as an input port for inputting a video signal, the receiver is connected to the connector via the first, second and third switching circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hiroaki Chiba
  • Patent number: 9930395
    Abstract: A method including receiving a first input for displaying an external input list; and displaying, by the display device, the external input list in response to the first input. The external input list includes a first button for displaying a first external input list including at least one icon corresponding to at least one external device connected to the transmitting device, and a second button for displaying a second external input list including at least one icon representing at least one external device connected to the display device. The first external input list is displayed when the first button is selected. The second external input list is displayed when the second button is selected. The method further includes receiving a second input for selecting an icon from the external input list; and accessing an external input corresponding to the selected icon in response to the second input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS
    Inventors: Tae Hyoung Kim, Woo Jin Jeong, Man Gu Kwon
  • Patent number: 9905125
    Abstract: According to the principles as disclosed herein, a remote control contains a microphone. The microphone inside the remote control picks up the audio content of all surrounding sound in the room in which is it located. Specifically, if a program is being presented for viewing and listening on a particular A/V system, a remote control with a microphone will hear the program which is being presented at the same time that the system is sending the signal to its own speakers. The A/V system then receives a signal from the remote control providing the audio signal that that remote control has received. If the audio signal which the remote control has received matches the audio signal which the A/V system output to its speakers to broadcast into the room, then the A/V system will switch to be able to receive input from that particular remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gregory H. Greene
  • Patent number: 9894414
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that selects media content for consumption by a user while the user is moving from one location to another. For example, the media guidance application may present advertisements or recommend content to a user that is contextually relevant to the destination of the user. Additionally or alternatively, the advertisements or recommended content may be selected based on the potential destinations of the user, how quickly a user is traveling, a direction the user is traveling, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Thomas Ward, Walter R. Klappert, Calvin Nguyen, Donn Smith
  • Patent number: 9877077
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for managing an entertainment system are provided. In some implementations, systems for managing an entertainment system are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor configured to: detect a first instruction; select a component of the entertainment system; determine a first state of the component; store an indication of the first state; detect a second instruction; retrieve the indication of the first state; generate a third instruction based on the indication of the first state; and transmit the third instruction to the component of the entertainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventor: Majd Bakar
  • Patent number: 9858808
    Abstract: A method for automatically transmitting an activation signal from a trainable transceiver to a remote electronic system, includes receiving, at a control circuit of the trainable transceiver, image data from an image data source; determining, using the control circuit, if the received image data matches one or more reference images stored in memory and associated with the remote electronic system; and determining, in response to a match between the received image data and the one or more reference images, if the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system. The method includes, in response to determining that the trainable transceiver is approaching the remote electronic system, formatting an activation signal to control the remote electronic system and transmitting, using a transceiver circuit, the activation signal formatted to control the remote electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven L. Geerlings, Thomas S. Wright, David M. Bostrom
  • Patent number: 9826187
    Abstract: Methods and systems, such as television receivers, are disclosed for receiving data from remote controls for manipulation of graphical user interfaces. Aspects include providing a seamless transition between absolute and relative navigational schemes to allow for users to more efficiently make use of touch and position sensitive remote controls. Further, aspects include dynamically scaling the touch and position sensitive remote controls outputs to match various grid sizes that may be included in the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Morgan Kirby
  • Patent number: 9813482
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a process-management interface on a companion device that allows a user to control characteristics of an application running on a primary device. The interface can change a size or position of a viewport and change the primary device's control focus to or away from viewport. The process-management interface also allows a user to target a process on the companion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ross David Heeter, Jason Robert Tuck, Cyrus Kanga
  • Patent number: 9802574
    Abstract: An apparatus in a wireless vehicle-access system, that includes a vehicle and a fob, includes: a vehicle-authorization parameter module configured to obtain a value of a vehicle-authorization parameter wherein the vehicle-authorization parameter comprises at least one of movement of the fob, a received directional signal, or a received audible signal; and a vehicle function compatibility module configured to: determine whether the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter is consistent or inconsistent with a desired function of the vehicle; inhibit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be inconsistent with the desired function of the vehicle; and permit the desired function of the vehicle in response to the value of the vehicle-authorization parameter being determined to be consistent with the desired function of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Bjorn Markus Jakobsson
  • Patent number: 9799211
    Abstract: A control signal receiver of an equipment control device receives a control signal for equipment transmitted by a remote control terminal from a communication device via the Internet. A remote control authorization receiver receives, from a resident of a home, an authorization with respect to the control signal received by the control signal receiver. When the authorization receiver receives an authorization from the resident of the home, an equipment controller controls the equipment on the basis of the received control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tadaaki Sakamoto, Masayuki Komatsu, Shinji Nakamura, Satoshi Minezawa, Yuki Ogawa, Shiro Suzuki, Masaaki Yabe
  • Patent number: 9787968
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a first data stream generation unit, a second data stream generation unit, and a data transmission unit. The first data stream generation unit generates an image compression data stream. The second data stream generation unit generates a audio compression data stream to which specific information which is not directly related to audio data is added. The data transmission unit multiplexes the image compression data stream generated by the first data stream generation unit and the audio compression data stream generated by the second data stream generation unit, and transmits the resulting data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC
    Inventor: Ikuo Tsukagoshi
  • Patent number: 9762065
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for controlling electronic devices. The method includes the following steps. According to a triggering signal, a first control signal is generated for controlling a first electronic device to execute a first action. After that, based on whether the first electronic device executes the first action, a first feedback signal is generated. When the first feedback signal indicates that the first electronic device executes the first action, a second control signal is generated for controlling a second electronic device to execute a second action. Therefore, the method and the device of the present invention provide interaction and simultaneous control between the device and a plurality of electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chih-Kuo Lu