Remote Control Patents (Class 340/12.22)
  • Patent number: 8441369
    Abstract: A remote user interface system and method for effectively controlling functions of a client device and remote user interface rendered on the client device by means of a client-specific or content-specific control user interface rendered on a remote control device is provided. A method for controlling a remote user interface device with a remote control device includes broadcasting, at the remote control device, a discovery message for discovering the remote user interface device; performing, when a response is received, a capability exchange and matching with the remote user interface device; rendering a control user interface transmitted by the remote user interface device and displaying the rendered control user interface on a screen; and transmitting, when an input is detected on the control user interface, a control command corresponding to the input to the remote user interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ho Yeon Park, Young Sin Ryu, Jae Yeon Song, Bo Sun Jung
  • Publication number: 20130106586
    Abstract: Disclosed is a remote control unit having a button to selectively disable and enable the physical buttons of the remote control. The remote control unit, which may be able to remotely control an electronic device, may include: a plurality of physical buttons able to receive manual input from a user; and an activator/deactivator physical button able to toggle the remote control unit between a first operational mode and a second operational mode, wherein in the first operational mode the physical buttons are enabled and pressing of the physical buttons affects the operation of the electronic device, and wherein in the second operational mode the physical buttons are disabled and pressing of the physical buttons does not affect the operation of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: MONIQUE S. VIDAL, Joel Vidal
  • Patent number: 8432264
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing remote control operations is provided. A remote control detects a particular movement, and performs operations based on the detected movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: TiVo Inc.
    Inventor: Roger Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130099904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detection device (2) designed to detect the intensity of a signal emitted by a source (12), said source (12) being powered by pulse-width modulation at a first frequency (f0). The device comprises a reactivation circuit (22) comprising means (220) for detecting a signal modulated at a second frequency (f1), the second frequency (f1) being different from the first frequency (f0), and tripping means (222) for tripping a reactivation of the detection device (2) when the signal is modulated at the second frequency (f1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Hynek RAISIGEL, Eric Leger
  • Publication number: 20130099903
    Abstract: A remote controller generates control signals according to the speed of movement sensed by a three-axis accelerometer and the direction of movement sensed by a gyroscope and transmits the control signals to a remotely controlled device communicating with the remote controller when the remote controller is in a first work mode, generates control signals according to touch sensing signals from a touch pad and transmits the control signals to the remotely controlled device when the remote controller is in a second work mode, and further generates control signals according to variations in the capacitance of the capacitive type pressure transducer unit and transmits the control signals to the remotely controlled device when the remote controller is in a third work mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KUO-CHIH YU, CHIH-CHENG HU, CHIEN-CHUN FU
  • Patent number: 8427325
    Abstract: A system for use in playing a video game, the system acting to measure the movement, motion, acceleration, orientation, and/or position of transponders while being guided by interactive and sensory feedback. A bidirectional communication link to a processing system supporting the video game provides functional movement assessment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Motiva LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Ferguson, Donald Gronachan
  • Patent number: 8427283
    Abstract: A remotely controllable receptacle system is disclosed. The remotely controllable receptacle system includes a remote control device for emitting a first request signal and a searching signal, and a plurality of receptacle devices for emitting a first reply signal according to the first request signal. The remote control device determines whether the first reply signal is received and the receptacle device emitting the first reply signal is classified as the vicinity receptacle device and the receptacle device not emitting the first reply signal is classified as the missing receptacle device. The vicinity receptacle device is configured to emit a second request signal according to the searching signal and determine whether the missing receptacle device emits a second reply signal according to the second request signal before a mutual communication between the remote control device and the missing receptacle device via the vicinity receptacle device is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Lee, Jung-Hui Hsu, Chun Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8421602
    Abstract: A remote control unit is provided that includes an annular touch sensor for manipulating an annular menuing system displayed on a display device. In response to a user gesturing by scrolling clockwise or counter-clockwise about the annular touch sensor, pressing firmly on the annular touch sensor, or tapping at a particular location on the annular touch sensor, the annular menuing system is manipulated to select particular items. The remote control unit is further configured to implement location-awareness features. Control is adapted to the location of the remote control unit and to the devices located nearby to this location. Similarly the remote control unit is further configured to implement user-awareness features, such that the control is adapted for the individual preferences of different users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Robert P. Madonna, Michael E. Noonan, Michael C. Silva, Peter H. Corsini, Arthur A. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 8421603
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus is designed so that a change in state of the operation key leads to a predetermined processing operation. In the electronic apparatus, a first detector detects operation keys being touched among a plurality of operation keys. A second detector detects an operation key being subjected to an operation of changing the state thereof among the operation keys. A device of notification signal generation generates a notification signal for providing the user with an explanation about processing corresponding to the operation key currently touched based on a detection result of the first detector. A first control device brings a hardware module and/or a software module, which corresponds to the operation key subjected to the change of the state thereof to an operation of changing a state is performed, into an execution state. The operation keys may be formed on a remote control transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sho Murakoshi
  • Patent number: 8421597
    Abstract: A portable communication terminal having a remote control apparatus includes a CPU. The CPU detects electronic appliances around there by a wireless tag reader, displays characters respectively corresponding to the detected appliances on a monitor, transmits test signals to these appliances, and changes a manner of the character of the appliance except for the appliance which responds, that is, in an off-state. Furthermore, the CPU detects identification information of a base station which is able to communicate with the terminal, registers the identification information detected under a desired location condition in the register, and determines whether or not a match condition is satisfied between detected identification information and the identification information which has been registered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiaki Matsumoto, Michiaki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8400344
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William R. Reams
  • Patent number: 8400263
    Abstract: A slide actuated key fob includes a housing having a transmitter disposed therein and at least one slide actuated button disposed on the housing. The transmitter sends an actuating signal when the at least one slide actuated button is slidably moved in a first direction and subsequently depressed in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian K. Lickfelt, Dave Choi
  • Patent number: 8390434
    Abstract: A power controller includes an infrared emitting circuit, an infrared receiving circuit, and a switching circuit. The infrared emitting circuit emits an infrared signal received by the infrared receiving circuit which outputs a corresponding control signal. The switching circuit is connected to the infrared receiving circuit to receive the control signal, and is connected to a powering control terminal of a motherboard of a computer to output a pulse signal to turn the computer on and off according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hai-Qing Zhou
  • Patent number: 8378800
    Abstract: A security system is disclosed with a digital processor-based wireless remote controller that sends command to perform system operations and receive confirmation of various aspects of the system. The security system monitors environmental and vehicle system parameters and automatically provides commands or prohibits issuance of commands to operate vehicles systems based on preset environmental and vehicle system conditions. The system reports command and response status to users through the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: DEI Headquarters, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyson James Mackjust, Joseph Kunkel
  • Publication number: 20130038430
    Abstract: A building management system controller (10) is provided. The building management system controller may be configured to detect electro-magnetic interference on a plurality of frequency channels of a narrow band frequency, and select one of the plurality of frequency channels having a detected electro-magnetic interference which less than a predetermined electro-magnetic interference threshold as a communication channel for communicating with at least one device (12, 14). The building management system controller may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with at least one device (12, 14), to determine a communication reliability for communications between the controller and the at least one device, and to determine a communication route between the controller and the at least one device in dependence on the determined communication reliabilities. Devices 12, 14 together make up a network 8 of controllers/sensors for the building management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Wireless Energy Management Systems Internatioal Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Blower, Andrew Smith, Tim Wright
  • Patent number: 8373546
    Abstract: A system that remotely controls a mobile body includes a guideway (i.e., balanced feeder line) for guiding the mobile body to its destination, and a coupling device provided on the mobile body for transmitting and receiving control information to control movement of the mobile body along the guideway. The coupling device includes a first loop antenna and a second loop antenna that are cross-connected to each other. A distance from the center of the balanced feeder line to the center of the first loop antenna is less than a distance from the center of the balanced feeder line to the center of the second loop antenna. The system can operate with an extremely low power of emission with a weak electric field intensity of a radio wave for controlling the movement of the mobile body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Futaba Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20130027194
    Abstract: This invention provides remote control devices, electronic apparatuses, and their controlling methods. In an embodiment, a remote control device having buttons is used to control an electronic apparatus having a screen, and the user employs the buttons and the screen to disable one or more of the buttons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Bomin WENG
  • Publication number: 20130027193
    Abstract: A remote control system includes a receiver equipped in a device and a remote controller. The receiver includes a positioning unit to acquire current position information of the receiver. The controller includes a positioning unit to acquire current position information of the remote controller. The current position information of the remote controller and a control signal is transmitted to the receiver. The receiver further includes a processor to control the device to execute an operation corresponding to the control signal based on the current position information of the remote controller and the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHONG-QING DAI
  • Patent number: 8362886
    Abstract: A remote control system for a vehicle of a type including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle and connecting a plurality of vehicle devices within the vehicle may include a remote transmitter and a vehicle remote function controller being responsive to the remote transmitter. The vehicle remote function controller may include a controller data link interface. The remote control system may include a multi-controller data bus adaptor for adapting the vehicle remote function controller to communicate via the data communications bus and may include an adaptor data link interface coupled to the controller data link interface. The multi-controller data bus adaptor may be operable with a given set of controller codes for the vehicle remote controller from among a plurality of different sets of controller codes for a plurality of different vehicle function controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Omega Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Flick
  • Patent number: 8358194
    Abstract: A remote control system (1) is described, in particular for regulating and controlling industrial drives, comprising at least one transmitting remote control (10) and at least one receiver (20) cooperating with the drive, such transmitting remote control (10) containing at least one inclination sensor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sist & Matica S.R.L.
    Inventor: Giacomo Baravalle
  • Patent number: 8354919
    Abstract: A system for activating and deactivating a remotely controlled vehicle starter includes a handheld mobile communication device having at least a speaker mounted therein and a wireless transmitter having at least a start switch mounted therein. A first wire connects a negative voltage supply path to the speaker circuit with a negative voltage supply path to the start switch circuit. A variable resistor is provided and has a pair of end terminals. There is a second wire having each of a first end thereof electrically connected to a positive voltage supply path to the speaker circuit and an opposed second end thereof electrically connected to one terminal end of the variable resistor. A third wire is also provided to connect an opposed end terminal of the variable resistor to a positive voltage supply path to the start switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: Jose L. Gallarzo
  • Patent number: 8350672
    Abstract: Method for wirelessly transmitting control commands for a controller for lifting gear, wherein a wireless operating part has an unmistakeable address and a receiving part of the lifting gear has a selectable identifier, wherein the operating part is unambiguously assigned to a receiving part of lifting gear, said method comprising the following steps for assigning the operating part to the receiving part: (i) an address feature is formed from the address of the operating part and the identifier of the receiving part; (ii) the address feature is emitted in an allocation message; (iii) the emitted allocation message is received in the receiving part and (iv) the operating part is allocated to the receiving part, if the receiving part has not been allocated, by storing the address feature as a valid address feature in the receiving part, and corresponding system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventor: Anton Münzebrock
  • Publication number: 20130002408
    Abstract: An electronic system including a user interface for transmitting an operational parameter control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface. A processor is coupled to the user interface and adjusts an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal. An actuatable device is actuated by a user. In response to the user actuation, the actuatable device prevents the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventor: Robert E. Combs, JR.
  • Patent number: 8344859
    Abstract: A method of changing an association of a remote control device from a first electronic device to a second electronic device is presented. In the method, a command for an electronic device is generated and transmitted by the remote control device. At this point, the remote control device is associated with the first electronic device to control the first electronic device, and the remote control device is not associated with the second electronic device. If an acknowledgment of the command is not received, a request to associate the remote control device with another electronic device is transmitted. A reply to the request is then received from the second electronic device. In response to the reply, the remote control device is disassociated from the first electronic device and associated with the second electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Reams, Nathan Alexander Hale, Jeremy Mickelsen, David A. Innes
  • Patent number: 8345686
    Abstract: A network system comprising a system of devices having a plurality of nodes defining a communications network. At least one identifier from a pre-determined group of identifiers is associated with each of the nodes and identifies the functionalities that are applicable to that node or device associated with that node. In one embodiment, at least one of the nodes can transmit the at least one identifier by a message sent over the communications network for receipt by at least one of the nodes to thereby publish the functionalities over the communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. McCoy, Matthew P. Ebrom, Robert J. Feldbruegge, David J. Kmet
  • Patent number: 8344848
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and appropriate devices for safely, unequivocally and exclusively, temporarily assigning the command authority of an operator (1) to a controllable technical system (60) using a mobile control device (2) which is technically suitable for periodically controlling a plurality of controllable technical systems (60), which is equipped as standard with safety switch elements (38, 39) such as an emergency stop switch, ok key and operating mode selection switches and for a data coupling with the controllable technical system (60) in spite of having only normal transmission means (6) or network technologies without any particular features specific to safety function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Keba AG
    Inventors: Manfred Möschl, Manfred Schininger
  • Publication number: 20120326852
    Abstract: A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Glen McLean Harris, Justin M. Henry
  • Publication number: 20120326850
    Abstract: A device capable of being controlled by user commands transmitted from a remote control apparatus is disclosed. The device includes a signal receiving unit configured to continuously receive a plurality of same remote control signals from the remote controller which are each generated according to a manipulation of the remote controller for a predetermined unit time; and a control unit configured to perform a first control action corresponding to one remote control signal of the plurality of same remote control signals and neglect other remote control signals of the plurality of remote control signals, if the one of the plurality of same remote control signals is received, wherein if a subsequent remote control signal generated according to an additional manipulation of the remote controller within the predetermined unit time is received, the control unit is configured to perform a second control action corresponding to the received subsequent remote control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Byoung-chul KIM
  • Patent number: 8339246
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques for locating a lost remote control. The method includes receiving user input, at a controlled device, the user input requesting to locate a lost remote control for the controlled device. The method further includes lowering a volume of the output of content associated with the controlled device responsive to the user input and transmitting a message from the controlled device to the remote control, the message requesting the remote control to activate an indicator device (e.g., sound, visual, physical or the like) of the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Paul Langer
  • Patent number: 8330582
    Abstract: A remote control is configured to control a multimedia appliance and to be communicatively coupled to a remote server via a network. The remote server is configured to provides information to the remote control via the network. The remote control includes a transmitter configured to send commands to the multimedia appliance. The remote control further includes a memory configured to store information provided by the remote server. The remote control further includes a controller configured to synchronize information with the remote server to obtain current information on an irregular basis from the remote server to thereby obtain information that degrades partially over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Glen McLean Harris, Justin M. Henry
  • Patent number: 8330583
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for controlling a RC device via a secure radio link. In one embodiment of the invention, spread spectrum modulation may be employed which may provide a digital radio frequency (RF) link between a controller and a RC device. A controller may be coupled with a transmitter module and a radio controlled device may be coupled with a receiver module in accordance with the present invention to provide an add-on upgrade capability. The method and system for controlling a RC device may also include error detection and correction, interpolation of lost packets, failsafe technology and force-feedback telemetric technology to further enhance the user experience with radio controlled devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Horizon Hobby, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Beard, John Adams, Mathew Lee, Eric Meyers
  • Patent number: 8325009
    Abstract: An unlocking device for automobiles that is able to be mounted on the interior of an automobile's rear window to facilitate reentry inside the automobile once a driver is locked out. The unlocking device is rectangular in shape and is mounted on the glass with suction cups. It is a stand alone module that is non evasive of the oem electronics of the automobile. The device is designed to receive dtmf tones from a cellphone operating in bluetooth mode. The device is universal in nature in that it is designed to enable unlocking for any automobile manufacturer's vehicle that uses an oem keyfob transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Albert Virgil Anderson
  • Patent number: 8325021
    Abstract: A remote controlling system for an electric device includes one or more electric devices for communicating with a remote controlling device through a wireless communication network. The one or more electric devices transmit state information to the remote controlling device according to a state request command from the remote controlling device, and control a predetermined operation according to an operation control command from the remote controlling device. The remote controlling device is supplied with power by a common power source for transmitting the state request command to the electric device selected by the user, receiving the state information from the electric device, and displaying the state information, or transmitting the operation control command to the electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hoonbong Lee, Yong-Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20120299709
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a remote control device includes a display unit, an operation detecting unit, a reading unit, a control unit, and a code transmitting unit. The operation detecting unit detects an operation. The reading unit reads information used for remotely controlling an electrical device from the electrical device. The control unit causes the display unit to display a control screen used for remotely controlling the electrical device based on the information read by the reading unit. The code transmitting unit transmits a control code acquired based on the information read by the reading unit to the electrical device in response to an operation detected by the operation detecting unit while the control screen is displayed on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fuminori NISHIMURA
  • Patent number: 8320294
    Abstract: The inventive method makes it possible to communicate in a network comprising wireless nodes provided with communications means enabling to communicate through a wireless channel and wire nodes provided with communication means enabling to communicate through a wire channel. Said method is characterised in that the wire node repeats a message received exclusively through a wireless channel if a signal acknowledging the message reception is not received, wherein the transmission of said acknowledgement signal is generated in a first time slot upon the reception of the signal though a wire channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Orsat
  • Publication number: 20120286179
    Abstract: A remotely activatable valve unit having: an inlet port; an exit port; an electronically activatable valve configured and arranged between the inlet port and the exit port; a receiver having an output; and a controller configured to operate the valve as a function of the receiver output. The exit port may be configured to attach to a vacuum means or to a wall vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: MEDTEK DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Palmerton, Samantha Bonano, Daniel R. Palmerton, Gregory J. Pepe, Anthony L. Lizauckas, III, Kyrylo Shvetsov, William J. Kellner, Michael J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20120287350
    Abstract: Provided are a remote controller, and a control method and system using the same. The remote controller controls an electronic device and includes an input unit that is disposed on a first surface of a main body and provides first and second user interfaces. A sensor unit is configured to detect a user handling of the remote controller. A control unit is configured to control a user interface environment of the input unit according to a signal detected by the sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: TOSHIBA SAMSUNG STORAGE TECHNOLOGY KOREA CORPORATE
    Inventors: Byung-youn Song, Nag-eui Choi
  • Patent number: 8312495
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for remotely controlling set-top boxes. In general, a virtual remote controller is described including a memory device and a processor. The memory device is configured to store an image file and more than one signal file. The image file defines an image of a set-top box remote controller, and each signal file defines a command to control an operation of the set-top box. The processor is configured to generate the image of the remote controller according to the image file. The image of the remote controller includes buttons, and a signal file is associated with each button. Selecting a button causes a signal defined by the signal file associated with the selected button to be transmitted from the apparatus to the respective set-top box to command the set-top box to perform an operation. A method and a computer program product are also provided for remotely controlling set-top boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Earl W. Vanderhoff
  • Patent number: 8305199
    Abstract: A wireless remote control device for controlling an electronic device includes a switch module, a wireless transmission module, a wireless receiving module and a control module. The switch module receives a DC voltage and outputs a first control signal. The wireless transmission module receives the first control signal and encodes the first control signal to output an encoded first control signal. The wireless receiving module receives the encoded first control signal and decodes the encoded first control signal to output a decoded first control signal. The control module receives the decoded first control signal and outputs a second control signal to turn on/off or reset the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan-Hui Wu, Ya-Jun Pan, Song-Lin Tong
  • Publication number: 20120276891
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for remotely controlling household appliances comprising: storing corresponding relation between household appliance identification information, operation action instructing information and control signal encoding format in a wireless network card integrated with a remote control circuit; a terminal sending a remote control command to a specified wireless network card, the remote control command carrying at least identification information of a controlled household appliance and operation action instructing information; and after receiving the remote control command, the wireless network card analyzing the remote control command and sending a control signal in a corresponding encoding format to the controlled household appliance using the remote control circuit according to the carried identification information of the controlled household appliance, the operation action instructing information and the locally stored corresponding relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Chunsheng Bai
  • Patent number: 8299954
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a proxy remote control signal receiver device, first control data from a remote control device that is associated with a first device. The first control data is prevented from being received at a remote control signal receiver associated with the first device. The first control data is associated with execution of a first action at the first device. The method includes communicating the first control data from the proxy remote control signal receiver device to a proxy controller and receiving second control data from the proxy controller. The second control data is associated with execution of a second action at the first device that is different from the first action. The second control data is communicated to the first device via the proxy remote control signal receiver device. The incoming commands may be superseded with another command set destined for the second device or ignored based on the context of the incoming commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee Friedman
  • Patent number: 8299901
    Abstract: An electronic system including a user interface for transmitting an operational parameter control signal in response to manual manipulation of the user interface. A processor is coupled to the user interface and adjusts an operational parameter of the electronic system in response to receiving the operational parameter control signal. An actuatable device is actuated by a user. In response to the user actuation, the actuatable device prevents the processor from adjusting the operational parameter of the electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
    Inventor: Robert E. Combs, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8294555
    Abstract: A return communication system and method for an Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) System allows a pick-up device (3) to receive an instruction and supply a load (36) in such a way that a predetermined variation occurs in current in the primary conductive path (2) of the system The variation may be detected and decoded to determine a response from the pick-up to the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Auckland UniServices Limited
    Inventor: Stephen D. Tetlow
  • Publication number: 20120256736
    Abstract: A method for remote control of an electric equipment unit, and device therefor, that includes a first actuation sequence of a generator and a second actuation sequence of that generator, wherein, in the first sequence, actuation stores energy of the first actuation and information of a control order to be sent to the equipment unit, and in the second sequence, actuation stores energy of this second actuation and enables the stored control order to be sent to the equipment unit and enables information of effective transmission of the control order to be sent to indicating means. The device mainly includes a control interface to be placed in the equipment unit, a remote control having two actuating buttons, a dongle which can be detached and temporarily inserted in the control interface, and means for forcing the operator to reposition the dongle inside the housing of the remote control after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Didier Vigouroux
  • Publication number: 20120256734
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device of an electric equipment unit comprising a remote control comprising at least one actuating button of the mechanism of the equipment unit by means of transmission means provided partly in the remote control and partly in the control interface of the equipment unit. This device comprises a dongle designed to be inserted in the control interface of the equipment unit to be connected to the mechanism by a connector, said dongle being commanded by the remote control and being designed to transmit the control orders between the remote control and the mechanism of the equipment unit, said dongle being stowed in a location provided for this purpose inside the remote control housing after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Didier Vigouroux
  • Patent number: 8279049
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multimedia device comprising a remote control system for wirelessly controlling a multimedia appliance. In order to establish a connection between a remote control system and a multimedia appliance, the remote control system must identify itself to the multimedia appliance, by means of a hardware device, especially a SIM card. The individual user must also identify him/herself to the multimedia appliance, by means of a hardware device for detecting biometric data. The respective identification data is encoded by means of asymmetrical cryptography. During the initialization process between said two appliances, data encoded for the identification of the remote control system and each person is transmitted to the multimedia appliance and stored therein in an encoded manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: FM Marketing GmbH
    Inventor: Ferdinand Maier
  • Patent number: 8274362
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device that is connected to one or more other devices via a specified signal line and capable of operating in accordance with a control signal transmitted from any of the one or more other devices connected to the electronic device. The electronic device includes: a reception section configured to receive the control signal transmitted from any of the one or more other devices connected to the electronic device; a control section configured to perform a specified process if, after receiving a specific control signal, the reception section does not receive a control signal corresponding to the specific control signal within a set signal waiting period; and a waiting period adjustment section configured to adjust the signal waiting period based on traffic in the signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sato, Kikutada Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20120235800
    Abstract: A receiver for receiving messages from a transmitter includes a controller and a driver stage for providing a supply voltage to the transmitter based on a control signal. The controller is configured to provide the control signal to compensate for changes of the supply voltage caused by a modulation of the current consumption of the transmitter, such that the supply voltage remains in a predefined range. Furthermore, the controller is configured to evaluate a series of succeeding values of the control signal to derive a message generated by the transmitter by modulating its current consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 8269612
    Abstract: A laser device operating system includes a laser device generating a laser beam when receiving a remote control unit command signal. The remote control unit operates in a public or private mode. In public mode the remote control unit generates a command signal transmitted to the laser device. In private mode the remote control unit generates a unique identifier prepended to the command signal. The laser device operates in a laser device public or private mode. In public mode the laser device responds to the remote control unit command signal or the command signal if transmitted by a second remote control unit. In private mode the laser device operates only upon receipt of the command signal and unique identifier, preventing laser device operation by the second remote control unit if the second unit does not include the unique identifier with the command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Horky, Geoffrey S. Howard, James P. Bascom, Stamati Arakas, Gabriel E. Concari, Gary Noffke
  • Patent number: 8264334
    Abstract: A remote control unit, an electronic device and a method for controlling an electronic device using the same are provided. The remote control unit includes: a key input part including a menu key for allowing an electronic device to enter a setup mode, a numeric key rotatably provided to display different numerals depending on degree of rotation, and a confirm key for transmitting a control signal corresponding to the numeral of the numeric key; a memory for storing a control code for controlling the electronic device; a microcomputer for reading out and transmitting the control code stored in the memory depending on a signal inputted from the key input part; and an infrared transmitter for transmitting the control code in a form of an infrared signal depending on a control of the microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: In Hui Kim