Remote Controller Patents (Class 340/815.6)
  • Patent number: 11249449
    Abstract: An operation terminal includes a display unit with a display screen to display an airflow input screen image indicating a plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of indoor units installed in a room and a layout of the room, an input unit to receive input of a trace indicating an airflow on the display screen displaying the airflow input screen image, and a terminal-side communication unit to transmit a command for setting an air direction and air volume corresponding to the inputted trace on at least one of the plurality of indoor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Katsukura, Takuya Mukai, Taichi Ishizaka
  • Patent number: 10538147
    Abstract: A vehicle air condition display device used together with a vehicle air-conditioning apparatus includes a display unit and a display controller. The vehicle air-conditioning apparatus is capable of adjusting a direction of an air blown out from an outlet port in response to an operation made on an operation portion located away from the outlet port, and has a mechanism for adjusting a direction of the air blown out from the outlet port. The mechanism is located on upstream of the outlet port in a flow path of the air. The vehicle air condition display device includes a display unit disposed at a visually recognizable position from a driver's seat in a vehicle compartment and a display controller displaying a direction of the air blown out from the outlet port on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuko Nakamura, Takeshi Yamamoto, Yoshinori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9721466
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for automatically pairing a remote control device with a target device (e.g., electronically controllable device). In one embodiment, IR communication data and auto-pairing discovery requests are transmitted from the remote control device to the target device. The target device may be configured to accept auto-pairing discovery requests during a predetermined pairing time window. The target device may be further configured to confirm whether received IR communication data and auto-pairing discovery requests were transmitted from the same remote control device. In other embodiments, the remote control device may be configured to receive data from the target device indicating one or more parameters for automatically initiating a pairing and validation process. The remote control device may be further configured to initiate a blackout period upon attempting a predetermined number of unsuccessful discovery operations with a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Sallas, Ross Gilson, Mariel Sabraw, Jonathan Palmatier
  • Patent number: 8994509
    Abstract: Method for connecting wireless electric actuating devices (2) to a medical appliance (1) via a wireless communication channel, having the steps of initiating the connection operation for a wireless electric actuating device (2) to a medical appliance (1) and performing a connection procedure, in which the actuating device (2) is assigned to the medical appliance (1), characterized in that the initiation of the connection operation is carried out from the medical appliance (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventor: Joachim Gottlich
  • Patent number: 8988247
    Abstract: Provided is a mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit that is configured to communicate with an air conditioner, a camera that captures an image of at least one photographic subject, a display unit to which the image that includes at least one graphic object corresponding to the at least one photographic subject, respectively, is output, and a controller that, if the at least one photographic subject is the air conditioner, outputs state information on the air conditioner, which includes operation information relating to a wind that is output from the air conditioner, to the vicinity of the graphic object corresponding to the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Younkyung Lee, Yongwoo Kim, Hyunju Kim, Jungmin Park, Joohyeon Oh, Junsoo Park
  • Patent number: 8963694
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting a remote controlled device to be controlled from among a plurality of remote controllable devices. The system includes an electronic device having a registration interface configured to register device data corresponding to the plurality of remote controllable devices, a position locator configured to determine position data corresponding to a position of the electronic device, and an orientation interface configured to receive orientation data corresponding to an orientation of a user. A controller is configured to select the remote controlled device based on the device data, the position data, and the orientation data. The plurality of remote controllable devices each may include a respective data source configured to provide the device data, and a headset may be configured to generate the orientation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Martin Nystrom, Erik Ahlgren
  • Patent number: 8957762
    Abstract: An intermediary between a remote control device and a remotely controllable device implements identification and/or authentication. The intermediary is, e.g., a node or set of nodes within a head end of a cable network service provider. A remote control device at a customer premise sends a command intended to control a remotely controllably device which is also located at the same customer premise. The customer premise includes a network interface, e.g., a cable modem, which has associated identification information. The command and the associated network interface identification information are communicated to the intermediary, e.g., via a cable modem. The intermediary accesses a subscriber record corresponding to the location based on the network interface identification information. The intermediary identifies the device to be controlled, e.g., a particular set top box and/or authenticates the remote control device. A command is sent via the network to the device to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventor: Scott Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 8836483
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical remote control system, and a method for controlling a light source of the system. The system includes: a light source including a plurality of lighting units, the light source generating at least one light beam; an image sensor receiving an image including the light beam; and a processor determining a number or positions of the lighting units which are activated according to an area of the light beam in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Chip Goal Electronic Corporation, R.O.C.
    Inventor: Chun-Huang Lin
  • Patent number: 8818572
    Abstract: The method and system may be used to control the movement of a remote aerial device in an incremental step manner during a close inspection of an object or other subject matter. At the inspection location, a control module “stabilizes” the remote aerial device in a maintained, consistent hover while maintaining a close distance to the desired object. The control module may retrieve proximal sensor data that indicates possible nearby obstructions to the remote aerial device and may transmit the data to a remote control client. The remote control module may determine and display the possible one or more non-obstructed directions that the remote aerial device is capable of moving by an incremental distance. In response to receiving a selection of one of the directions, the remote control module may transmit the selection to the remote aerial device to indicate the next movement for the remote aerial device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Nathan Lee Tofte, James M. Freeman, Brian N. Harvey
  • Patent number: 8803655
    Abstract: A hand-held device having a touch sensitive surface uses a relative distance from an origin location to each of a plurality of touch zones of the touch sensitive surface activated by a user to select a one of the plurality of touch zones as being intended for activation by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Arsham Hatambeiki, Jeffrey Kohanek, Naimisaranya D. Busek
  • Patent number: 8754992
    Abstract: A system and method for programming a remote control includes pressing keys to enter a programming mode. State changes are communicated from the remote to a set top box. A user selects a device to be controlled and instructions are communicated to a user. The set top box tracks signals received from the remote corresponding to a device code entered by the user into the remote. A program guides and informs the user of programming success or failure based on signals received by the set top box. The remote includes a transmitter and runs a program associating a particular device code with a particular electronic device. The set top box includes a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter and runs a program providing an interface on a display. The interface guides the user through programming in response to signals received by the set top box from the remote.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim W. Schulze, Roshan Menon
  • Patent number: 8730405
    Abstract: In order to display selected content as desired by a viewer by performing an easy operation without interrupting current viewing, a display apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving from a remote controller for transmitting an operation instruction to the display apparatus operation information including the amount of operation of a selection member which is detected at the time of selecting content and identification information identifying selected content, a determination unit for determining an output attribute of the selected content identified using the identification information based on the amount of operation, an output image generation unit for generating an output image of the selected content based on the output attribute determined by the determination unit, and a display control unit for displaying the output image generated by the output image generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8614632
    Abstract: This device, by its organization and operation, processes sound, usually music. It provides output voltages, for driving lights, which is proportionally representative of input sound levels. Range of sound perception of the human ear exceeds the range of perception of the human eye. It is necessary to adjust the sound level by compression and Automatic Gain Control, particularly by compression, to accommodate the eyes. A requirement to have the output drive voltage drive the lights is to have a linear response to the compressed audio signal. This requirement is met with an output drive circuit which, has a linear response to the compressed signal. This is achieved with a linear firing circuit when providing output voltage using SCR's or Triacs. In a straightforward variation of the output circuit to improve the power factor, the linear response is maintained by modulating the output with transistors instead of using SCR's or Triacs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventors: Kenneth A Wells, Victor W Hatch
  • Patent number: 8598993
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling lighting fixtures over a wireless network that includes connecting a junction box to a power source, connecting a lighting fixture to the junction box, establishing a connection over a wireless network between the junction box and a controller, and controlling a function of the lighting fixture by transmitting a signal from the controller to the junction box over the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Homerun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Yan Rodriguez, Thomas Bennett, III
  • Patent number: 8564411
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for synchronizing data received at a central location that has been collected at plural remote locations and separately transmitted to the central location. A plurality of remote sensors is provided and configured to be simultaneously triggered to begin a data collection sequence and to subsequently transmit the collected data along with remote sensor identification data and timing information to the central location. Timing information may include a specifically transmitted time reference or may be derived based on successive transmissions from the individual remote sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique
    Inventor: David Alan Weston
  • Patent number: 8564398
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for identifying a source or sources of noise that interferes or potentially interfere with communications between a remote and a receiver. The noise source may be detected through the operation of a noise detector which is integrated as a component of a remote. The remote may be configured to operate in one of two modes. In a first mode, the remote may convey commands inputted by a user from the remote to the receiver. In a second mode the receiver may operate as a noise detector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: Anthony Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 8558716
    Abstract: A media client receives, from a remote control device, a signal to launch a selected interactive television application and sends, to the remote control device, a client program for reprogramming buttons on the remote control device. The media client sends, to the remote control device, a script, for button functions of the remote control device, which are based on the selected interactive television application. The remote control device executes the script on the client program to reprogram the buttons functions. The media client presents, on a display device, a button map that corresponds to the script, and receives, from the remote control device, a signal based on the scripting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Sudhanshu Sharma, Carl Randall Mosty
  • Patent number: 8473115
    Abstract: The present invention is applied to, for example, a multimedia terminal having a function of navigation equipment and a function of playing back video and switches a display from a map display to a source display also with source switching operators 13P, 13R. In addition, menus of upper and lower hierarchies are simultaneously displayed to accept operations through a touch panel and a remote commander. In addition to a press-operable main rotary operator, a press-operable sub rotary operator is provided on a side surface. Among operations accepted through the main rotary operator, only a specific operation relating to content processing is accepted through the sub rotary operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Nezu, Makoto Sasaki, Satoshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8462011
    Abstract: A remote control is provided including a plurality of sensors which sense movement of the remote control, and a control unit which turns on at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors and thereby senses movement of the remote control, and determines whether to turn on or off the remaining sensors according to whether or not the at least one sensor senses movement of the remote control. Consequently, battery consumption is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-kyu Yun
  • Patent number: 8456284
    Abstract: A remote control unit selectively transmits a control signal for remotely controlling an electronic device. The unit defines an imaginary cut plane that substantially bisects the unit. The unit includes a plurality of input features collectively disposed symmetrically with respect to the imaginary cut plane. The input features include a first and second input feature. The first and second input features are disposed on opposite sides of the cut plane. Furthermore, the unit includes a sensor that detects a first and second holding position of the unit. The first holding position and the second holding position are substantially opposite to each other. Moreover, the unit includes a controller that associates the control signal with the first input feature when the sensor detects the first holding position, and the controller associates the control signal with the second input feature when the sensor detects the second holding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Luca Rigazio, Philippe Morin, David Kryze
  • 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
  • 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: 8395477
    Abstract: An intermediary between a remote control device and a remotely controllable device implements identification and/or authentication. The intermediary is, e.g., a node or set of nodes within a head end of a cable network service provider. A remote control device at a customer premise sends a command intended to control a remotely controllably device which is also located at the same customer premise. The customer premise includes a network interface, e.g., a cable modem, which has associated identification information. The command and the associated network interface identification information are communicated to the intermediary, e.g., via a cable modem. The intermediary accesses a subscriber record corresponding to the location based on the network interface identification information. The intermediary identifies the device to be controlled, e.g., a particular set top box and/or authenticates the remote control device. A command is sent via the network to the device to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Ramsdell
  • Patent number: 8330613
    Abstract: A remotely controlled electronic display sign which operates with a plasma display and which provides for humidity and heat control and the like allowing the sign to be used in various environments. The sign is essentially self-contained and includes those components necessary for enabling a display of desired material from a remote control source or one located at the sign. A controller in or associated with the sign is accessible either electrically, or through satellite transmission or other wireless transmission from the remote source which allows the display of the sign to be changed at will. Thus, an operator at a remote source may, with the aid of a pre-prepared graphic design, transmit that design to the controller at or associated with the sign for display of that graphic information and potentially with sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Locke International Teast
    Inventor: Dave Gothard
  • Patent number: 8193945
    Abstract: A system and method for remote activation of a device includes, in one embodiment, a user interface for selecting a command associated with the one or more vehicle functions, a controller for processing the selected command, the controller having a plurality of input ports, and a switch array including a plurality of switches corresponding to the one or more vehicle functions. The plurality of switches can be divided into a first set and a second set with the first set of switches being connected across a fixed voltage and a controller input port and the second set of switches being connected across multiple controller input ports. The at least one of the controller input ports connecting the second set of switches may be temporarily configurable to an output port for determining which of the plurality of switches has been actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald O. King, Neal Richard Manson, Tom Q. Tang
  • Patent number: 8134649
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the elimination of interference of an IR signal emitted from an IR blaster by the IR signal emitted from a remote control unit. In a preferred embodiment in which an AV device coupled to a television receives IR signals repeated and transmitted by the television over an IR blaster cable, a right hand polarizer lens is positioned on the front of the remote control unit in front of the IR emitter and a left hand polarizer lens is positioned on the AV device in front of its IR detector. In operation, the IR beam emitted from the remote control unit is right hand polarized and is blocked by the left hand polarizer lens. The IR beam emitted from the IR blaster is randomly polarized and passes through the left hand polarizer lens with only a slight attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America, Inc.
    Inventor: Harlan Rogers
  • Patent number: 7936337
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with text disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device includes a number of non-alphabetic characters that are assigned to keys and that can be accessed directly by the text disambiguation software without the need to active a non-alphabetic input routine or to additionally actuate and <SHIFT> key or an <ALT> key, for instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Vadim Fux, Michael Elizarov, Alexander Kornilovsky
  • Patent number: 7936253
    Abstract: Source of input of an instruction to a remote controller is switched between manipulation on hand and external manipulation. A remote controller includes an instruction input portion accepting input of an instruction for controlling equipment, a supply accepting portion accepting supply of power from a cradle, a charging portion, a power storage portion, a control portion controlling an operation of the remote controller, a storage portion, an infrared light emission portion, and a display portion. The control portion includes a placement detection portion detecting whether or not the remote controller is mounted on the cradle, a selection portion switching between sources of input of the instruction from the instruction input portion based on a result of detection by the placement detection portion, and a control signal generation portion generating a control signal for controlling the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Ishimoto, Yasuo Masaki
  • Patent number: 7932811
    Abstract: A remote controller that can infer the intention of a user and that can control a plurality of devices based on the inferred intention is provided. A remote controller includes memory, a control circuit, and a transmission portion. The memory stores in advance, in association with a situation sensed by a sensor, information of a first control signal. The control circuit generates, in association with the situation sensed by the sensor and the information stored in the memory, the first control signal. The transmission portion transmits the first control signal generated by the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Tanabe, Yasuo Masaki, Masahiro Takeshita, Sadanori Murakami
  • Patent number: 7839297
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote controller for controlling playback of multimedia files. The remote controller includes a controller body and a receiver. By changing the inclination statuses of the controller body and pressing down the button on the external surface of the controller body, the user can remotely control playback of the multimedia files. The multimedia file playback remote controller of the present invention is small in size and thus convenient for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Tzu-Chiang Shih
  • Patent number: 7804422
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light-emitting element, an ultrasonic member, a signal processing unit, a light control unit, an indicator and an indicator control unit. The light-emitting element emits a light. The ultrasonic member emits an ultrasonic signal and receives the ultrasonic signal reflected from an object. The signal processing unit is communicated with the ultrasonic member for converting the reflected ultrasonic signal into a control signal. The light control unit is interconnected between the signal processing unit and the light-emitting element for controlling the light-emitting element to emit light in a selected operating mode in response to the control signal. The indicator control unit is interconnected between the signal processing unit and the indicator for controlling the indicator to assert a notification signal indicative of the operating mode in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Lite-On It Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Liu, Tzu-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 7714941
    Abstract: A control system includes a controlled apparatus adjusting its operation based on a control signal from an independently cased control apparatus. The controlled apparatus includes an indicator light projector projecting indicator light in an invisible wavelength region so that an exiting direction thereof has a known regularity and change over time, a response signal receiver receiving a response signal in response to light reception from the control apparatus having received the indicator light, a relative position recognizer recognizing a relative position of the control apparatus to its housing based on the response signal, and an adjuster performing predetermined adjustment based on the recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kunio Yoneno
  • Patent number: 7663501
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the emitted color of visible light according to the current communication state in a visible light communication (VLC) device. The method includes storing one or more communication states and emitting colors that are correspondingly matched to the one or more communication states to indicate each of the various communication states. The VLC also checks, which can be based upon selection of a VLC mode, the current communication state and an emits a color that corresponds to the current communication state and emits the checked color of light to provide a visible light signal that indicates communication status to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoo Jeong Hyun, Seong Hoon Hyun, legal representative, Yun-Je Oh, Dae-Kwang Jung, Hong-Seok Shin, Kyung-Woo Lee, Dong-Jae Shin, Sung-Bum Park
  • Publication number: 20090174567
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a remote controller for controlling playback of multimedia files. The remote controller includes a controller body and a receiver. By changing the inclination statuses of the controller body and pressing down the button on the external surface of the controller body, the user can remotely control playback of the multimedia files. The multimedia file playback remote controller of the present invention is small in size and thus convenient for storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventor: Tzu-Chiang Shih
  • Patent number: 7369058
    Abstract: A remotely controlled electronic display sign which operates with a plasma display and which provides for humidity and heat control and the like allowing the sign to be used in various environments. The sign is essentially self-contained and includes those components necessary for enabling a display of desired material from a remote control source or one located at the sign. A controller in or associated with the sign is accessible either electrically, or through satellite transmission or other wireless transmission from the remote source which allows the display of the sign to be changed at will. Thus, an operator at a remote source may, with the aid of a pre-prepared graphic design, transmit that design to the controller at or associated with the sign for display of that graphic information and potentially with sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Inventor: Dave Gothard
  • Patent number: 7356141
    Abstract: A encoding/decoding method and device for a remote controller utilizing a baud rate to encrypt data for transmission. The encoding device includes an encoder encoding an identification code into an encrypted code; and an interpreter interpreting the un-encoded portion of the identification code and the encrypted code into a transmission signal. When the encrypted code is in a first base, the plain code corresponding to the encrypted code will be transmitted with a first baud rate; and when the encrypted code is in a second base, the plain code corresponding to the encrypted code will be transmitted with a second baud rate. The decoding device includes a receiver receiving the transmission signal; a interpreter connected to the receiver interpreting the transmission signal into a received signal; an encoder utilizing the same encoding algorithm as in the transmitter to generate a comparison code; and a processor comparing the received signal and the comparison code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Holtek Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hsieh, Jason Tsai
  • Patent number: 7221306
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring and presenting a size of a memory within a universal remote control. The described system and method allows a user to place a universal remote control into an operational mode wherein it measures a size of memory and reports the measured memory by means of an audio or visual indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Young
  • Patent number: 7154408
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wireless remote controller having a navigation function and method of providing the navigation function to the same. The remote controller of the present invention includes a wireless transmission/reception unit, a display unit, a storage unit, at least tow function keys, a mode switching element, a device information selecting key, and a control unit. The function keys selectively operate in a first mode in which remote control key code information is transmitted through the wireless transmission/reception unit to devices and a second mode in which the device information is navigated. The device information selecting key selects information of one or more devices. The control unit controls the remote control key code information to be transmitted through the wireless transmission/reception unit in the first mode, and in the second mode controls the information of the device to be provided to the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-hyun Ku, Ji-hyun Sun, Hoe-seong Ha
  • Patent number: 7123242
    Abstract: A remote control method and system employ remote controller (10) which is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display (222) as well as providing functions such as Internet access or other functions requiring a keyboard and/or a mouse. The remote controller includes a folding housing and may be operated in a closed or opened configuration. A first set of control inputs (12) are provided on the outer surface of the housing. The housing may be opened, thereby doubling the surface area of the remote controller, to expose a keyboard (56). One or more wireless transmitters are operable with the housing in either of two configurations oriented at 90 degrees to each other and controlled by the first set of control inputs and the keyboard. The remote controller may be conveniently held in one hand of a user when in the folded or closed position and conveniently rested on the lap of the user or a support surface when in the opened position and used as a keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventor: David L. Henty
  • Patent number: 6816079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a display. Said device has an actuating member which can be rotated about a longitudinal axis and can be moved in the direction of said longitudinal axis whereby a point can be selected from a menu, partial menus, functional and/or functional value comprising menu structures and is represented on said screen in an optically high-lighted field. Said actuating member has an initial position and relative to said initial position can undergo an additional movement and has two additional degrees of freedom. During such additional movement of actuating member, a field is selectable from a point in the menu structure which is in a peripheral area of said screen and can, by virtue of the rotational/translational movement of the actuating member, be selected from said screen in a middle region surrounded by an edge located in a sub-field within said menu structure assigned to said field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Kuenzner, Michael Herrler
  • Patent number: 6813659
    Abstract: A data transmission system in which a function block is housed in a subunit in a unit to enable communication among the unit, subunit and the function block. To this end, the data transmission system includes a digital STB 60, a DTV 70, and an audio amplifier 80. Within the DTV 70 is housed a video monitor subunit 71 within which are housed a decoder function block 72 and a feature function block 73. Within the audio amplifier 80 is housed an audio sub-unit 81 within which a decoder function block 82 and a feature function block 83, that can be endowed with functions in common with the decoder function block 72 and the feature function block 73, respectively, and a processing function block 83, are housed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Osakabe, Harumi Kawamura, Yoshiyuki Takaku
  • Patent number: 6384736
    Abstract: A remotely controlled electronic display sign which operates with a plasma display and which provides for humidity and heat control and the like allowing the sign to be used in various environments. The sign is essentially self-contained and includes those components necessary for enabling a display of desired material from a remote control source or one located at the sign. A controller in or associated with the sign is accessible either electrically, or through satellite transmission or other wireless transmission from the remote source which allows the display of the sign to be changed at will. Thus, an operator at a remote source may, with the aid of a pre-prepared graphic design, transmit that design to the controller at or associated with the sign for display of that graphic information and potentially with sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Dave Gothard
  • Patent number: 6329943
    Abstract: A new Illuminated Remote Control System for illuminating reading material while allowing control over a remote control or for illuminating a darkened room. The inventive device includes a standard remote control with illuminated control buttons, a lighting device rotatably secured to a bottom surface of the standard remote control which illuminates the reading material, and a clip secured to the lighting device thereby capturing reading material for supporting the present invention with respect to the reading material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Scott B. Pasawicz
  • Patent number: 6215411
    Abstract: A remotely controlled electronic display sign which operates with a plasma display and which provides for humidity control and the like allowing the sign to be used in various environments. The sign is essentially self-contained and includes those components necessary for enabling a display of desired material from a remote control source. A controller in or associated with the sign is accessible either electrically, or through satellite transmission or other wireless transmission from the remote source which allows the display of the sign to be changed at will. Thus, an operator at a remote source may, with the aid of a pre-prepared graphic design, transmit that design to the controller at or associated with the sign for display of that graphic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: David L. Gothard