Diverse Delivery Media (e.g., Wired And Wireless, Etc.) Patents (Class 340/12.3)
  • Patent number: 11974004
    Abstract: A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may obtain information on one or more control methods supported by an external device, select a first control method according to a predetermined priority based on the obtained information, and switch the first control method to a second control method having a next priority according to a change in a control situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Miyeon Kwon, Kyungryun Lee
  • Patent number: 11751035
    Abstract: One or more presence sensors of a vehicle are used to detect the presence of one or more people outside the vehicle. When the presence of the one or more people outside the vehicle is detected, one or more external microphones of the vehicle are used to capture any speech by people. A speech recognizer of the vehicle is used to determine whether the captured speech includes a verbal request for emergency services. And, upon determining that the captured speech includes the verbal request for emergency services, a network access device of the vehicle is used to automatically request emergency services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Dodman
  • Patent number: 11628246
    Abstract: A patient care system is disclosed that includes a medical device such as an infusion pump. The medical device generates a data message containing information such as the status of the therapy being delivered, operating data or both. An alarm generating system assesses the data message from the pump and generates an alarm message if certain conditions established by a first set of rules are met. The alarm message is assessed according to a second set of rules as to whether to suppress the alarm message. The data message contains a required input for both the first and second algorithms. A dispatching system is adapted to forward the alarm message to an alarm destination according to a third set of rules. The alarm destination expresses an alarm upon receipt of the alarm message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kenneth Day, Steve Joseph Lindo, Paul John Foryt, Justin Joseph Schmidt, Robert Cousineau, Michael Kremliovsky, Sumant Ramachandra, Anatoly S. Belkin, Gary Mills
  • Patent number: 11259067
    Abstract: A codeset having function-code combinations is provisioned on a controlling device to control functions of an intended target device. Input is provided to the controlling device which designates a function to be controlled on the intended target device. From a plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in a database stored in a memory of the controlling device a first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device is selected. When the codeset is then provisioned on the controlling device, the provisioned codeset includes as a function-code combination thereof the designated function and the first code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: George Vergis, Sunilkumar Mankame
  • Patent number: 10978191
    Abstract: A system that monitors various conditions of a plurality of hospital beds located in different rooms of a healthcare facility is provided. Alternatively or additionally, other types of equipment may be monitored by the system. Various configurations of network interface units that are coupleable to or integrated into a hospital bed are also disclosed. The system receives data from the hospital beds and/or other equipment and initiates a communication to a wireless communication device of at least one designated caregiver in response to the received data being indicative of an alarm condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Williams F. Collins, Jr., James M. Allen, Keith A. Huster, Carl W. Riley, Patricia A. Glidewell, Irvin J. Vanderpohl, III, Richard J. Schuman, Christopher A. Mathura
  • Patent number: 10979145
    Abstract: An optical transmitter and an optical transmission method that enable asynchronous operations between transmitters and between the transmitter and a receiver and do not require a synchronization signal line and a synchronization signal generator for connecting between the devices are provided. An optical transmitter includes a generating part generating transmission information including identification information unique to a device and composed of a plurality of bits and generating transmission data with each bit of the generated transmission information in combination of a light-off state and a light-on state, and a transmitting part transmitting a unique beacon signal by controlling the light-on state and the light-off state of a light emitting part in accordance with the generated transmission data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenro Udono, Yuki Endo, Yoshiki Maezawa
  • Patent number: 10911891
    Abstract: A targeted alarm system is described that includes a network probe for sending test data to terminal devices connected to a network and deriving reliability data of the terminal devices and the network. When a targeted alarm message needs to be sent, the system identifies a targeted terminal device based on the reliability data for sending the targeted alarm message. Related methods, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: DRÄGERWERK AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventor: Christopher J. Brouse
  • Patent number: 10898641
    Abstract: A patient care system is disclosed that includes a medical device such as an infusion pump. The medical device generates a data message containing information such as the status of the therapy being delivered, operating data or both. An alarm generating system assesses the data message from the pump and generates an alarm message if certain conditions established by a first set of rules are met. The alarm message is assessed according to a second set of rules as to whether to suppress the alarm message. The data message contains a required input for both the first and second algorithms. A dispatching system is adapted to forward the alarm message to an alarm destination according to a third set of rules. The alarm destination expresses an alarm upon receipt of the alarm message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kenneth Day, Steve Joseph Lindo, Paul John Foryt, Justin Joseph Schmidt, Robert Cousineau, Michael Kremliovsky, Sumant Ramachandra, Anatoly S. Belkin, Gary Mills
  • Patent number: 10865069
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elevator system having an elevator including a controller, wherein the controller is configured to communicate over a plurality of networks with a plurality of devices, the plurality of networks including a first network and a second network and the plurality of devices including a first device and a second device, the first device being within or proximate the elevator, wherein the plurality of devices are configured to communicate over a third network, and wherein, while the plurality of devices are communicating over the third network, the controller selectively effects a communications bridge over the plurality of networks between the plurality of devices and supersedes the communication over the third network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Guru Charan Kottur, Tejas Arunrao Dhumal, Aditya Swami
  • Patent number: 10852828
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for automatic peripheral pairing with hand assignments in virtual, augmented, or mixed reality (xR) applications are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution, cause the IHS to: receive one or more Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) landmarks corresponding to a peripheral device; transmit a pairing code to the peripheral device via a first communication channel; in response to activation of a pairing button, receive an indication of the pairing code from the peripheral device via a second communication channel; and pair the peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael S. Gatson, Yagiz Can Yildiz
  • Patent number: 10847023
    Abstract: An information processing system for monitoring a system. An embodiment of the present invention is a system (and concomitant methods and computer software embodied in non-transitory computer readable media) providing prioritized information and several extensions. These extensions include improved information flow between actors that participate in monitoring the system. These actors each have a model of its environment and may include either human operators, computational or software systems, or hardware systems that can act on information; for example, a pilot flying, a pilot monitoring, an aircraft itself, and responses taken and electronics readings therein. Components of the system comprise a metadata workbench, an information source, a condition monitor, and a notification terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: METIS TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Karle Jessop
  • Patent number: 10617815
    Abstract: A patient care system is disclosed that includes a medical device such as an infusion pump. The medical device generates a data message containing information such as the status of the therapy being delivered, operating data or both. An alarm generating system assesses the data message from the pump and generates an alarm message if certain conditions established by a first set of rules are met. The alarm message is assessed according to a second set of rules as to whether to suppress the alarm message. The data message contains a required input for both the first and second algorithms. A dispatching system is adapted to forward the alarm message to an alarm destination according to a third set of rules. The alarm destination expresses an alarm upon receipt of the alarm message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: ICU Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: William Kenneth Day, Steve Joseph Lindo, Paul John Foryt, Justin Joseph Schmidt, Robert Cousineau, Michael Kremliovsky, Sumant Ramachandra, Anatoly S. Belkin, Gary Mills
  • Patent number: 10263989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for matching multiple devices, and a device and a server system for enabling the matching thereof. A matching method includes receiving first characteristic information on a biological state of a user from a first device, receiving second characteristic information associated with or generated according to the biological state of the user from a second device, and matching the first device with the second device on the basis of the first characteristic information and the second characteristic information. The user is granted a permission for the first device when the first device authenticates the user on the basis of identification information of the user, and the user is granted the same or equivalent permission for the second device when the first device is matched with the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: FUTUREPLAY INC.
    Inventor: Sung Jae Hwang
  • Patent number: 9884263
    Abstract: An artificial cave has various features that resemble speleothems (e.g., stalactites, stalagmites, etc.) found in real subterranean caves. Human users may pass through the artificial cave, with each user wearing a wearable transceiver that broadcasts a signal code unique to that user. Fixed transceivers throughout the cave can detect and identify any user who is sufficiently close to that fixed transceiver. Other components of the system collect user identification information from the fixed transceivers for any of several possible purposes (e.g., identifying which user was probably responsible for inappropriate interaction with a speleothem that is adjacent to a given fixed transceiver, where all of the various user of the cave are currently located in the cave, etc.). A count of users currently in the artificial cave passageway may be maintained and used for a number of purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: David Alexander Jackson
  • Patent number: 9866892
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for pairing information appliance devices, such as set-top boxes and/or set-back boxes (the “set-top/back boxes”), to wireless remote control devices. The systems, apparatus, and methods allow the pairing between a set-top/back box and a remote control device to be made to be stateless, thereby facilitating the arbitration of subsequent pairings of the remote control device with one or more set-top/back boxes on a communications network, by a server computer communicably coupled to the respective set-top/back boxes over the communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Glen Hardin
  • Patent number: 9756705
    Abstract: The present invention provides an LED lighting device and an LED lighting control system. The LED lighting device includes an LED lighting unit configured to emit light; an LED driving circuit configured to drive the LED lighting unit, the LED driving circuit being connected to the LED lighting unit; an infrared module configured to send infrared signals to an appliance; and a Wi-Fi module configured to receive and send data. The Wi-Fi module is connected to the infrared module, and sends received data to the infrared module. Embodiments consistent with the present disclosure provide integrated control of lighting and appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG SHENGHUI LIGHTING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jinxiang Shen, Chaoqun Sun, Shengming Deng
  • Patent number: 9754480
    Abstract: A controlling device such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments, each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response having a unique ID which is chosen to be characteristically attenuated by the surroundings of the environment. Because the controlling device can only be in one environment at a given time, and given the attenuation characteristics of the signal response from each signaling device, only one signal response will be received by the controlling device in each environment. Location definitions associated with the received unique ID may be used by programming in the controlling device to recall saved devices states, commands sets, macros, and even to dynamically generate commands based on the location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Arling
  • Patent number: 9736417
    Abstract: An object is to realize a control system capable of displaying a display screen of a television receiver (control target device) including a high-resolution display device and quickly performing processes such as a movement of the display, a change in a display magnification, a change in a display angle, and the like through intuitive operations. In the control system (1000), by specifying one point of a display screen on a second display unit (23) of a remote control device (2), that is, acquiring one-point specifying information, it is possible to perform a display position changing process (movement process) using absolute position coordinates. Accordingly, for example, when a control target device (1) serves as a television receiver (control target device) including the high-resolution display device, the second display unit (23) of the remote control device is able to display a display screen of the control target device and quickly perform movement of the display through an intuitive operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Soichiro Miura, Makoto Shiomi, Masayuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9723353
    Abstract: A remote control for a smart TV or a set-top box is disclosed. The remote control includes a capacitive fingerprint sensor, a processor and a wireless transmitter. The present invention takes advantages of the capacitive fingerprint sensor so that every user's personal data and corresponding setting for the smart TV or set-top box are available. Channel (or web-site) content rating can be achieved. Purchasing over TV can be safer than ever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Sunasic Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Chi-Chou Lin, Zheng-Ping He
  • Patent number: 9717133
    Abstract: A wireless LED driver can include: an electrical energy transmitter comprising an inverter circuit coupled to receive an input power supply, and being configured to convert a received voltage signal to an AC signal; the electrical energy transmitter comprising N transmitter coupling circuits coupled to the inverter circuit, and being configured to be driven by the AC signal; an electrical energy receiver comprising M receiver coupling circuits coupled to the transmitter coupling circuits in a contactless mode, and being configured to receive the AC signal; and the electrical energy receiver comprising M rectifier circuits coupled to the receiver coupling circuits one by one, where each the rectifier circuit is configured to convert the AC signal to a DC signal to drive an LED load coupled to output terminals of the rectifier circuit, and where N and M are integers not less than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Wang Zhang, Wei Chen, Chen Zhao
  • Patent number: 9650062
    Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a ground treatment machine includes a hand-held device that wirelessly communicates with the ground treatment machine. The system includes a radio frequency and an infrared frequency wireless communications that are established between the hand-held device and the ground treatment machine. Instructions associated with operation of the machine are communicated to the machine from the hand-held device via the radio frequency communications. A status of the infrared wireless communication is utilized to assess the proximity of the ground working machine relative to the operator and the operating environment such that operation of the machine in accordance with the operational instructions can be interrupted if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Wacker Neuson Production Americas LLC
    Inventor: David J. Schulenberg
  • Patent number: 9539930
    Abstract: A system for coupling to a vehicle and for causing actuation of a remote device via a control signal transmission includes a transmitter for causing the control signal transmission to the remote device. The system further includes a circuit configured to cause a back-up display to indicate status of the remote device in response to a status determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 9475196
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle may include control circuitry, a device interface and a detachable user interface. The control circuitry may be configured to execute stored instructions to direct operation of the robotic vehicle on a defined area. The device interface may enable electronic communication of a device with the control circuitry. The detachable user interface may be configured to be removably mated with the robotic vehicle to enable communication between the detachable user interface and the control circuitry via the device interface. The detachable user interface may provide user interface capability to enable an operator to define one or more setting parameters or instructions responsive to the detachable user interface being mated with the robotic vehicle for execution by the control circuitry to control operation of the robotic vehicle when the detachable user interface is not mated with the robotic vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Patrik Jägenstedt, Magnus Öhrlund, Olle Markusson
  • Patent number: 9438044
    Abstract: A method is provided for using telemetry data, and a wearable device that communicates with a social network. One or more sensors, coupled to the wearable device that has a unique user ID, are used to acquire at least one of a user's activities, behaviors and habit information. The wearable device has ID circuitry and a communication system that reads and transmits the unique ID from an ID storage. The wearable device communicates with a social network. A telemetry system communicates with the one or more sensors. The telemetry system includes a database of user ID's. Telemetry data is analyzed based on at least one of, user's activities, behaviors and habit information. Personalized information is created about the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hello Inc.
    Inventor: James Proud
  • Patent number: 9325815
    Abstract: A cordless telephone apparatus comprises a portable handset and a base station. The base station including a first wireless communication unit which, in operation, communicates data with a music player, a first control unit which, in operation, monitors a status of the music player and remotely controls the music player via the first wireless communication unit, a speaker which outputs audio data, an audio processing unit which, in operation, reproduces the audio data received by the first wireless communication unit from the music player and outputs the audio data to the speaker, a second wireless communication unit which wirelessly communicates data with the portable handset; and a second control unit which, in operation, controls the portable handset as an operation unit to remotely control the music player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikaru Fukuda, Hideyuki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 9270526
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-terminal positioning method, and a related device and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xingguang Song, Shiguo Lian, Wei Hu
  • Publication number: 20150145653
    Abstract: A system and method are directed to controlling multiple devices using a common control unit for an established context. More particularly, the system and method are directed to controlling multiple devices using a common control unit such as a wearable device which controls activities for an established context. The control unit may control multiple devices where for a particular situation or context, a controlling activity, such as gesturing, enables the control unit to control and communicatively connect with the devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Karthik KATINGARI, Ardalan HESHMATI
  • Publication number: 20150137956
    Abstract: A universal console using infra-red (IR) technology allows users to consolidate their remote control devices to a single universal device that can control a PC, DVD, games, TV, and other IR coupled devices. It further has the benefit of being highly power efficient and thus allowing the use of batteries without needed to be recharged or replaced for many months. Through the use of different dongles (and different configurations) different models can be offered for use on game consoles, smart TVs, and other connected devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Joe Born, Xiuzhi Gao
  • Patent number: 9024734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a remote control device, a far-end device, a multimedia system and a control method thereof. Said remote control device comprising: a communication unit for establishing a connection with a far-end device and performing communication; an operating unit for operating a specific program in said far-end device by the operation of the user; and a mode change unit for switching a operating mode in said remote control device according to feedback information associated with the specific program which is fed back by said far-end device in response to the operation in said operating unit. Through the remote control device, the far-end device, the multimedia system and the control method thereof, it may be operated in any device possessing communication function in despite of the hardware and system configuration of said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Chun Xu
  • Publication number: 20150054629
    Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a ground treatment machine includes a hand-held device that wirelessly communicates with the ground treatment machine. The system includes a radio frequency and an infrared frequency wireless communications that are established between the hand-held device and the ground treatment machine. Instructions associated with operation of the machine are communicated to the machine from the hand-held device via the radio frequency communications. A status of the infrared wireless communication is utilized to assess the proximity of the ground working machine relative to the operator and the operating environment such that operation of the machine in accordance with the operational instructions can be interrupted if necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Wacker Neuson Production Americas LLC
    Inventor: David J. Schulenberg
  • Publication number: 20140285326
    Abstract: Techniques associated with a combination speaker and light source (“speaker-light device”) responsive to states of an organism based on sensor data are described, including generating motion sensor data in response to a movement captured using a motion sensor, deriving movement data using a motion analysis module configured to determine the movement to be associated with one or more of a gesture, an identity, and an activity, using the motion sensor data, generating acoustic sensor data in response to sound captured using an acoustic sensor, deriving audio data using a noise removal module configured to subtract a noise signal from the acoustic sensor data, detecting a radio frequency signal using a communication facility, the radio frequency being associated with a personal device, obtaining state data from the personal device, and determining a desired light characteristic using the state data and one or both of the movement data and the audio data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: ALIPHCOM
    Inventors: Michael Edward Smith Luna, Scott Fullam, Patrick Alan Narron, Chris Merrill, Derek Boyd Barrentine, Sankalita Saha, Jeremiah Robison
  • Publication number: 20140266634
    Abstract: In embodiments, apparatuses, methods and storage media are described that are associated with remote control of media devices. A remote control and a content player may be configured to facilitate a secured pairing process. The remote control may be configured to send non-secured signals (such as through an IR transmitter) as well as send and receive secured signals (such as via an RF transceiver). The remote control may non-securely broadcast an uncompressed identifier of itself. Then, in response to being turned on or asked to pair, the remote control may send a pairing request to the player that includes a compressed identifier. The player may then identify the remote control based on the compressed identifier and the previously-broadcast uncompressed identifier and the remote control and player may then perform a pairing process without requiring additional action on the part of a user. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Michael J. Castillo, Richard S. Bell, Anil Kumar, Suri B. Medapati, Kelly J. Couch
  • Patent number: 8823499
    Abstract: A power unit includes an AC/DC converter for converting VAC input to DC, a zero cross unit for modulating the AC/DC converter output to facilitate zero crossing detection based on the output, and a high pass filter (HPF) for filtering data signals, where the data signals are transmitted and received on the same medium from which the VAC input is received. A method for providing power and data signals from a single powerline source, including receiving incoming VAC in an external power unit, converting the incoming VAC to DC, modulating the DC in accordance with zero crossings from the incoming VAC, filtering the VAC to isolate high frequency data signals, where the data signals are transmitted and received on a same medium from which the incoming VAC is received, and providing the DC, modulated DC, and data signals to an embedded processing unit capable of processing the data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sigma Designs Israel S.D.I. Ltd.
    Inventors: Reuven Franco, Uri Weiss, Pablo Omar Sandoval Silva, Mileend Gadkari, Michael Weissman, Amir Kanchuk
  • Patent number: 8810378
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to enhanced control of user configurable devices, such as robots. One system may include a user-configurable device and an on-vehicle programmable controller coupled to the user-configurable device. This system may further include a wireless receiver coupled to the on-vehicle programmable controller via one signal wire, where a substantial portion of the receiver-controlled communications occur using the one signal wire. Another system may include (alternatively or in combination as appropriate) a user-configurable device including an on-vehicle programmable controller and a first tether port. The system may also include a remote control transmitter with at least one wireless output and a second tether port, where the transmitter is communicably coupled to the user-configurable remote control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: David Anthony Norman, Robert H. Mimlitch, Corey Lee Chitwood, Richard D. Torrance, Mark J. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8786414
    Abstract: A communication device includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a communication module, and a controller. The first receiver receives an operation signal from a remote controller. The second receiver receives a radio signal with a specific frequency. A power consumption of the second receiver is less than that of the first receiver. The communication module is capable of transmitting the operation signal to a first communication device. The controller controls power supply to the first receiver and the communication module and starts power supply to the first receiver and the communication module if the second receiver receives the radio signal. The communication module turns to a standby state if the first receiver does not receive the operation signal after start of power supply to the first receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsu Nakajima, Tomoko Adachi, Kiyoshi Toshimitsu
  • Patent number: 8766783
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of controlling electronics is performed at an apparatus that includes one or more processors, a camera, and a transmitter. In the method, the camera acquires a first image of an electronic device situated within view of the camera and configured for remote control. User input is received specifying a command for the electronic device. Based on the first image, a determination is made that the electronic device is not in a state corresponding to the command. In response to the determination, an instruction corresponding to the command is transmitted to the electronic device using the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Hughes
  • Patent number: 8723655
    Abstract: A remote control having a touch-sensitive control panel and a transmission unit for transmitting encoded signals which are produced on the basis of a direction of movement of contact with successive regions of the control panel, regardless of the location at which contact is made with the control panel. It is also possible to produce encoded signals on the basis of a movement by the remote control in combination with a motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: FM Marketing GmbH
    Inventor: Ferdinand Maier
  • Publication number: 20140085059
    Abstract: A smart home network system includes a number of traditional home devices having wireless communication function, a smart gateway, and a plurality of signal conversion devices. When the smart gateway wants to control a traditional home device, the smart gateway sends a cable control signal to a related signal conversion device in the area where the target traditional home device is placed. The related signal conversion device receives the cable control signals from the smart gateway, and converts the cabled control signal into a wireless control signal conforming to the wireless communication function type of the target tradition home device, then transmits the wireless control signal to the target traditional home device. Therefore, the traditional home devices with wireless communication function can be connected into the system, and be controlled by the smart gateway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: TE-SHENG CHEN, XIAO-GUANG LI, KUAN-HONG HSIEH, YUN XIAO, SHANG-HUI PI
  • Patent number: 8643791
    Abstract: An information communication system includes: a communication line which connects a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus to each other; a transmission unit which is included in the first information processing apparatus and transmits identity information of the first information processing apparatus without passing through the communication line; a reception unit which is included in the second information processing apparatus and receives the identity information of the first information processing apparatus transmitted from the transmission unit without passing through the communication line; and an information transmission unit which is included in the second information processing apparatus and transmits information to the first information processing apparatus via the communication line by using the identity information received by the reception unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Sato
  • Publication number: 20130307675
    Abstract: A wireless control system usable with portable electronic device includes at least one controlled device, at least one portable electronic device, and a wireless control device. The portable electronic device is electrically connectable to the wireless control device, and has application software stored therein. The portable electronic device is capable of reading in an operating command to thereby execute the application software that corresponds to the controlled device and generate a remote-control signal. The wireless control device transmits the remote-control signal generated by the portable electronic device to the controlled device for the latter to execute an operation in response to the received remote-control signal. With the above arrangements, the wireless control system is very convenient for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ASIA VITAL COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuang-Tsu Teng
  • Patent number: 8558676
    Abstract: A method for configuring a controlling device to command functional operations of at least one controllable appliance. The method includes the steps of receiving at the controlling device from the at least one controllable appliance, via a first communication channel, data indicative of an identity of the at least one controllable appliance and using the data indicative of the identity of the at least one controllable appliance to configure the controlling device whereby, in response to activation of one or more command keys of the controlling device, the controlling device will be caused to transmit to the at least one controlling device, via a second communication channel, those commands selected from a library of commands that are appropriate for commanding functional operations of the at least one controllable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Gregory L. Johns, James N. Conway, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8519831
    Abstract: A remote control device and a recognition method thereof. The recognition method is adapted to the remote control device for generating a corresponding remote control signal to control an electronic device when the remote control device is moved. A sequence of sensing signal corresponding to movement of the remote control device is provided. The sequence of sensing signal is converted into a sequence of characteristic data. A sequential predetermined data matching the sequence of characteristic data is selected from a plurality of sequential predetermined data respectively corresponding to a respective remote control signal. The remote control signal corresponding to the matched sequential predetermined data is transmitted to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Ko-Chien Chuang, Albert Chia-Che Young, Wei-Tsun Lee, Ching-Hui Chiu
  • Patent number: 8519830
    Abstract: A system and method of lighting protocol and architecture to control lighting parameters, consisting of an X-byte data packet with command, addressing, Hue, Saturation, and Intensity selection, and fading control whereby commands set a remote device state with no need for a constant stream of data, each fixture computing its own parameters. Management of a lighting fixture is done with its own local controller having light management thus eliminating the need for the central controller to handle a magnitude of lighting fixtures. The central controller sending only commands for state changes, eliminating the need for continuous computation and command transmission to all fixtures within its realm. The remote controller manages transitions from one state to another after a command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Daniel John Julio
  • Publication number: 20130154810
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to one or more transcoder devices in communication with an input device such as a remote control device and multiple destination devices in which the transcoder device(s) facilitate communication between the remote control and the various destination devices in the vicinity. The transcoder device(s) can also provide the user with an environmental awareness of conditions and events surrounding the user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Bran Ferren
  • Patent number: 8416074
    Abstract: A solar powered portable control panel is disclosed herein for wirelessly controlling one or more lights or other devices. An embodiment of the control panel includes a solar panel, a regulator connected to the solar panel, a power storage device connected to the regulator, a wireless transceiver, a controller connected to the power storage device, and a user interface connected to the controller. The user interface is adapted to accept control input and provide it to the controller. The controller is adapted to transmit commands on the wireless transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Laurence P. Sadwick
  • Patent number: 8334798
    Abstract: There are provided a remote control unit configurable to be used to control a plurality of devices together with corresponding methods to use the remote control. Advantageously, the transmission of both master IR signals and an illumination beam from the remote control unit is adjustable for varying a field of coverage of the master IR signals, with at least one of the plurality of devices within the field of coverage receiving the master IR signals allowing the at least one of the plurality of devices to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Jiun Pink Tai
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8279103
    Abstract: A remote control device and a remote control method thereof are provided. The remote control method is adapted to a remote control device, which includes a sensing unit for generating remote controlling signals while shaking the remote control device. The remote control method includes the following steps. Firstly, a series of sensing signal is provided by the sensing unit. Next, a series of reference value is generated according to the series of sensing signal. Then, when to start/stop to store the series sensing signal is determined according to the series of reference value. Afterwards, the series of sensing signal is recognized for generating the remote controlling signal. Finally, the remote controlling signal is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Ko-Chien Chuang, Wei-Tsun Lee, Ching-Hui Chiu
  • Patent number: 8149105
    Abstract: A communications system for an alarm panel including: an alarm panel adaptor in operable communication with the alarm panel generating analog alarm signals; a first powerline communications device in operable communication with a the alarm panel adaptor converting the analog alarm signals to powerline alarm signals; a second powerline communications device receiving the powerline alarm signals over an electrical grid and converting the powerline alarm signals to internet protocol alarm signals; and a broadband connection in operable communication with the second powerline communications device for transmitting the internet protocol alarm signals to a remote central control station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Albert Pumpelly, James Keith Reed