Plural Patents (Class 398/112)
  • Patent number: 7132973
    Abstract: A universal remote control (10) is provided for wireless remote control of one or more devices (D1 . . . Dn) equipped for remote control by respective original remote controls having visual appearances different from one another. The universal remote control (10) includes: a memory (40) that stores one or more descriptions associated with one or more original remote controls that are selectively emulated by the universal remote control (10), the descriptions including information describing the visual appearances of the original remote controls that the descriptions are associated with; and, a graphical user interface (20) upon which is displayed a representation of one of the original remote controls selected for emulation by the universal remote control (10), the representation having a visual appearance substantially the same as the original remote control being emulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Dinesh K. Jindal
  • Patent number: 7027736
    Abstract: An addressable system for light fixtures is described wherein a plurality of light fixture modules is individually or collectively addressable for programming by remote control. The remote control may individually select each of the track control modules through visible and narrowly defined selected light followed by transmission of programming commands for programming of pre-defined scenes, functions or other user defined and desired effects. Each of the track fixture modules may be selected or de-selected through the use of laser light and a plurality of track control modules may be collectively programmed through the use of a track repeater module, all of the modules communicatively connected to each other and selectable by a visible narrow light source such that the user may readily activate or de-activate programming sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC
    Inventors: Alejandro Mier-Langner, James E. Kuchar
  • Patent number: 7024070
    Abstract: A large fiber optic switch system with a free-space optical interconnection configuration. The switch system comprises a plurality of individual switch units, each individual switch unit having a plurality of electronic multi-switch switches each multi-switch switch being re-configurable upon command of a computer processor and having a plurality of electronic input ports and electronics output ports. A first portion of these input ports and a first portion of these output ports are connected directly or indirectly to incoming and outgoing communication lines. A second portion of the output ports is connected to an electronic driver unit that drives an optical emitter array. Each emitter in the emitter array produces a light beam for carrying an optical communication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventors: Brett A. Spivey, Richard B. Holmes
  • Patent number: 7024119
    Abstract: An addressable light fixture is described wherein a light fixture module is individually addressable for programming by remote control. The remote control may individually select each light fixture module through visible and narrowly defined selected light followed by transmission of programming commands for programming of pre-defined scenes, functions or other user defined and desired effects. Each of the fixture modules may be selected or de-selected through the use of laser light and a plurality of track control modules may be collectively programmed through the use of a repeater module, all of the modules communicatively connected to each other and selectable by a visible narrow light source such that the user may readily activate or de-activate programming sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventors: Alejandro Mier-Langner, James E. Kuchar
  • Patent number: 6987899
    Abstract: An optical switching apparatus includes an optical switch having a plurality of input ports and output ports, optical amplifiers, monitor circuits, optical amplifiers monitor circuits, and a controller that controls the optical switch. The optical amplifiers are connected to the input ports of the optical switch. The monitor circuits are connected to the output ports of the optical switch. The controller selects one of the plurality of the monitor circuits based on predetermined rules to obtains the loss at the output ports and/or the differential loss between the channels of the optical switch. The controller further selects one of the optical amplifiers based on the configuration of the optical switch to compensate the loss and the differential loss among the different channels of the optical switch by pre-amplifying the optical signals before they reach the input ports of the optical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fukashiro, Tooru Hirai
  • Patent number: 6985649
    Abstract: An optical switching apparatus includes an optical switch having a plurality of input ports and output ports, optical amplifiers, monitor circuits, optical amplifiers monitor circuits, and a controller that controls the optical switch. The optical amplifiers are connected to the input ports of the optical switch. The monitor circuits are connected to the output ports of the optical switch. The controller selects one of the plurality of the monitor circuits based on predetermined rules to obtains the loss at the output ports and/or the differential loss between the channels of the optical switch. The controller further selects one of the optical amplifiers based on the configuration of the optical switch to compensate the loss and the differential loss among the different channels of the optical switch by pre-amplifying the optical signals before they reach the input ports of the optical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fukashiro, Tooru Hirai
  • Patent number: 6954591
    Abstract: Network for transmitting and using electromagnetic radiation for two or more functionally different useful purposes. Such a network may be comprised of a signal source apparatus to provide information, an electromagnetic radiation generator capable of being modulated for providing electromagnetic radiation, electronic circuitry for modulating the electromagnetic radiation generator, medium through which the electromagnetic radiation passes and is transmitted, a receiver apparatus for receiving and demodulating the modulated electromagnetic radiation, a first user means for processing and making use of the information to achieve a useful functional purpose, and second user means for achieving a useful functional purpose from said radiation said useful functional purpose being different from the purpose of said first user means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventors: Elmer C. Lupton, Steven B. Leeb, George B. Hovorka, Deron Jackson, Billie L. Bentzen
  • Publication number: 20040120716
    Abstract: A universal remote control unit stores signal formatting data which includes an indication of the category of device to which the signal formatting data corresponds. During programming of the universal remote control unit, the user provides a numerical entry which corresponds to the signal formatting data stored in the memory. The universal remote control unit automatically stores the code entered by the user at the appropriate memory location corresponding to the category of device by analyzing the signal format data to which the code corresponds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: CONTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Gustafson, Eugene W. Griesau
  • Patent number: 6714697
    Abstract: An optical switching apparatus includes an optical switch having a plurality of input ports and output ports, optical amplifiers, monitor circuits, optical amplifiers monitor circuits, and a controller that controls the optical switch. The optical amplifiers are connected to the input ports of the optical switch. The monitor circuits are connected to the output ports of the optical switch. The controller selects one of the plurality of the monitor circuits based on predetermined rules to obtains the loss at the output ports and/or the differential loss between the channels of the optical switch. The controller further selects one of the optical amplifiers based on the configuration of the optical switch to compensate the loss and the differential loss among the different channels of the optical switch by pre-amplifying the optical signals before they reach the input ports of the optical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Fukashiro, Tooru Hirai
  • Publication number: 20040056984
    Abstract: A remote control adapted for use with a releasable readable media storage device. A readable media storage device having data and target indicators. Electrical contacts provide releasable connection with the remote control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Robert A. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6657679
    Abstract: A system for programming a remote control. The system utilizes a readable media having electrical contacts for allowing the readable media to be releasably connected to the remote control. The readable media has stored thereon code data where the remote control is adapted to read the code data from the readable media and thereafter use the code data in connection with commanding a first home appliance to perform an operation. The remote control is also adapted to erase the readable media after the code data has been read from the readable media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Hayes, Robert A. Campbell