A controlling device has at least a light-based energy harvesting system disposed within the controlling device housing. The light-based energy harvesting system is operative to supply power to at least one of a processing device and a transmitter of the controlling device. The light-based energy harvesting system includes s a substrate having a photovoltaic (PV) active area and a lens, separate from the substrate, disposed over the PV active area.
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.
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/0346 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
G06F 3/038 - Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
A programming access device such as, for example, a cable or satellite set top box (STB), a digital video recorder (DVR), a personal computer, and/or a digital media receiver automatically optimizes an order of content choices presented in a content listing, such as a program guide display, favorite channel display, and/or a recording listing display based on the past viewing and/or recording history of an identified user.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabi
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
4.
THERMOSTAT FOR CONVEYING EXPECTED THERMAL RESPONSES TO USERS
A method and apparatus for summarizing and conveying expected thermal responses is described. Expected thermal responses of a room or an entire structure are calculated based on thermostat setpoints. The expected thermal responses are summarized into an expected thermal response visualization and displayed to a user for easy understanding of current, and future, temperature expectations before or as a room or entire structure is heated or cooled.
A controlling device has at least a light-based energy harvesting system disposed within the controlling device housing. The light-based energy harvesting system is operative to supply power to at least one of a processing device and a transmitter of the controlling device. The light-based energy harvesting system includes s a substrate having a photovoltaic (PV) active area and a lens, separate from the substrate, disposed over the PV active area.
A system functions to recommend consumer electronic device expansions, additions and/or substitutions; interconnections; supplemental capabilities; features; etc. to a consumer and/or a retailer based upon a knowledge of a consumer's existing audio and/or visual system configuration.
A device may use a device discovery process to automatically determine a configuration of a home network system of the user. A device may store data representative of the determined configuration of a home network system of the user in a data repository. A device may use the data representative of the determined configuration of the home network system of the user to automatically verify a compliance by the user with a condition for receiving the targeted advertisement. A device may provide the targeted advertisement to the user when the determined configuration of the home network system of the user is determined to be in compliance with the condition for receiving the targeted advertisement.
A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.
A browser device communicates via Wi-Fi with a central function device. The function device has information regarding all the various remote controls needed by the consumer. The function device communicates wirelessly with the browser device and in turn then operates all of the consumer's electronic devices
A listing of each of the plurality of appliances is used, with reference to a command and/or protoctol database, to configure a software agent to exchange communications, via a one or more communication channels, with each of the plurality of appliances. An action triggering state of at least one of the plurality of appliances is associated with an action. The action is performed when it is determined that a current state of the at least one of the plurality of appliances corresponds to the action triggering state.
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04L 41/0893 - Assignment of logical groups to network elements
H04L 41/12 - Discovery or management of network topologies
H04L 41/0853 - Retrieval of network configuration; Tracking network configuration history by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
A first appliance receives from a second controllable appliance a command for causing the first controllable appliance to be placed into a state and, in response, determines a trust level of the second controllable appliance. When it is determined that the second controllable appliance is trustworthy, the first controllable appliance executes the command. When it is determined that the second controllable appliance is untrustworthy, the first controllable appliance ignores the command. Otherwise, the first controllable appliance enters into a state in which the first controllable appliance waits for at least a predetermined period of time for a user to confirm whether or not the first controllable appliance should be caused to execute the command.
A system for use in controlling operating functions of a controllable device includes a hand-held device and an intermediate device in communication with the hand-held device and the controllable device. The hand-held device is adapted to receive a gesture based input and to transmit a signal having data representative of the gesture based input. The intermediate device has programming for translating the data representative of the gesture based input in a signal received from the hand-held device into a command signal to be communicated to the controllable device wherein the command signal has a format appropriate for controlling an operating function of the controllable device that is associated with the gesture based input.
G06F 3/04883 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
G08C 23/04 - Non-electric signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
H05B 47/19 - Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission
H04M 1/72415 - User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories for remote control of appliances
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
13.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING NOISE SUPPRESSION TO AN INTELLIGENT PERSONAL ASSISTANT
A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.
G10L 25/84 - Detection of presence or absence of voice signals for discriminating voice from noise
G10L 15/22 - Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialog
G01S 3/02 - Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using radio waves
H04R 1/40 - Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
14.
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THERMOSTAT THAT IS NOT IN COMMUNICATION WITH LAN
A system, method and apparatus for remote control of a thermostat by a network-based server, when the thermostat is not connected to a local or wide-area network. A network-based server calculates a modified temperature profile for a thermostat based on a utility's time-of-use pricing and/or weather forecasts. After the server has calculated the modified temperature profile, it is provided to a mobile device via a wide-area network, and the mobile device provides the modified temperature profile directly to the thermostat when the mobile device is within range of the thermostat.
G05B 19/042 - Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
F24F 11/54 - Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
F24F 11/58 - Remote control using Internet communication
F24F 11/64 - Electronic processing using pre-stored data
F24F 11/65 - Electronic processing for selecting an operating mode
15.
DYNAMIC LINKING OF CODESETS IN UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES
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.
A universal remote control (URC) is programmed to control a particular type and make of electronic consumer device using a graphical user interface. A plurality of images is displayed on the user-interface. Each image of the plurality of images is a digital photograph of an electronic consumer device or a remote control device usable to control the corresponding electronic consumer device. A user selects the digital photograph of the particular type and make of electronic consumer device or its corresponding remote control device. Codeset information associated with the selected device is transmitted to the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device. If the codeset information is a codeset identifier, then it is displayed on the user interface. The user enters the codeset identifier into the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device.
A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances provides an interactive instruction set and associated programming which is downloadable to a controllable appliance having an associated display, such as an Internet enabled television. The programming is accessible by the controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions from the interactive instruction set to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for setting up the controlling device to communicate commands to another controllable device (e.g., a DVD, VCR, DVR, etc).
Various ways to control the ambient temperature of a room in a structure are described. In one embodiment, a method for intelligently controlling an ambient room temperature in a structure is described, comprising receiving a future outdoor temperature forecast related to a geographic area where the structure is located, and altering a temperature profile for controlling the ambient room temperature based on the future outdoor temperature forecast.
F24F 11/67 - Switching between heating and cooling modes
F24F 11/46 - Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
F24F 11/64 - Electronic processing using pre-stored data
F24F 11/65 - Electronic processing for selecting an operating mode
G05B 13/02 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric
F24F 11/61 - Control or safety arrangements characterised by user interfaces or communication using timers
F24F 11/58 - Remote control using Internet communication
In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
A controlling device is automatically configured to issue a communication directly to a first controllable appliance to control a functional operation of the first controllable appliance in the event that the first controllable appliance is determined to be unresponsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link or to issue a communication to a second controllable appliance to control the functional operation of the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link in the event that first controllable appliance is determined to be responsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 5/765 - Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
H04N 5/775 - Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
A system, apparatus and method for automatically controlling the volume of a home entertainment device by an HVAC component. An HVAC component determines when it, or another HVAC, is active or not, and causes a home entertainment device to adjust its volume accordingly.
A password less login using a smart device is caused to retrieve from a cloud-server a one-time use code. The smart device is associated with a virtual user account to control a plurality of controllable devices with a device app installed on a smart device. The one-time use code is provided to a controllable device and the controllable device is caused to provide the one-time use code back to the smart device. The app causes the one-time use code provided back to the smart device by the controllable device to be authenticated. In response to the one-time use code being authenticated, the controllable device is bound to the app whereupon the controllable device is controllable through use of the app.
A controlling device has at least a light-based energy harvesting system disposed within the controlling device housing. The light-based energy harvesting system is operative to supply power to at least one of a processing device and a transmitter of the controlling device. The light-based energy harvesting system includes s a substrate having a photovoltaic (PV) active area, a lens disposed over the PV active area, and a mask associated with the lens. The mask provides a finishing to a surface of the lens that functions to allow light to reach the PV active area through the mask while blending the light-based energy harvesting system into the housing.
A controlling device has at least a light-based energy harvesting system disposed within the controlling device housing. The light-based energy harvesting system is operative to supply power to at least one of a processing device and a transmitter of the controlling device. The light-based energy harvesting system includes s a substrate having a photovoltaic (PV) active area, a lens disposed over the PV active area, and a mask associated with the lens. The mask provides a finishing to a surface of the lens that functions to allow light to reach the PV active area through the mask while blending the light-based energy harvesting system into the housing.
A universal controlling device is provided with one or more buttons which, when activated in a set up mode, serves to initiate a rapid configuration of the universal controlling device to adapt the universal controlling device to transmit communications to an intended target appliance.
A consumer electronic device tracks the current channel to which the electronic consumer device is tuned. The consumer electronic device determines an amount of time that the current channel remains unchanged. Based at least in part on this amount of time, the consumer electronic device determines whether the current channel should be stored as a favorite channel. When the consumer electronic device subsequently receives a favorite channel command, the consumer electronic device is caused to tune to the favorite channel that is currently stored in memory. Changing user preferences are thus automatically accommodated without manual intervention, resulting in an effortless user interface.
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
A system, apparatus and method for automatically controlling the volume of a home entertainment device by an HVAC component. An HVAC component determines when it, or another HVAC, is active or not, and causes a home entertainment device to adjust its volume accordingly.
Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.
G06F 3/0346 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
H01H 35/02 - Switches operated by change of position, inclination, or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field
G08C 17/00 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
29.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECONFIGURATION OF AN ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM CONTROLLING DEVICE
An entertainment device initiates a configuration process of a controlling device in response to a change in an audio visual entertainment system configuration in which at least one of a plurality devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device.
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
A system for use in issuing commands to a plurality of appliances each of a specific one of a plurality of different appliance types includes a smart device adapted to transmit command communications and a plurality of low-energy consuming controllers each adapted to transmit a command to a one of the plurality of appliances of a specific one of the plurality of different appliance types in response to receipt of a command communication originating from the smart device.
H04M 1/72415 - User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories for remote control of appliances
H04N 21/418 - External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
H04M 1/72412 - User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
Apparatus, system and method for promoting media apps to an end user of a smart device. The smart device gathers information of apps that have been installed into the smart device and provides this information to a remote server. The remote server compares the information sent by the smart device to an identification of promoted apps received from a remote source to identify apps that are not installed in the smart device that are included in the identification of promoted apps. The remote server then notifies the smart device of which apps in the identification of promoted apps are not installed into the smart device, so that a user of the smart device may choose to have the missing app installed.
Information obtained from a smart device is used to determine a unqiue identity for the smart device. The identity for the smart device is then used to locate installed app information for the smart device. Data for installing one or more apps corresponding to the installed app information for the smart device is then provided to a setup app to thereby facilitate installation on the centralized, host device of the one or more apps corresponding to the installed app information for the smart device.
H04L 67/06 - Protocols specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
G06F 16/27 - Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
H04L 41/04 - Network management architectures or arrangements
A system and method whereby an user interface editing device is used to create a user interface for a controlling device, the created user interface including user interface elements that are associated with functional operations of a virtual equivalent of an appliance. After the created user interface is transferred to the controlling device, the virtual equivalent of an appliance is caused to be linked to an intended target appliance whereupon activation of those user interface elements of the graphical user interface that were associated with functional operations of the virtual equivalent of an appliance will cause the controlling device to transmit commands to control corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance.
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G08C 23/04 - Non-electric signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
G06F 9/06 - Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
G06F 1/16 - Constructional details or arrangements
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
Information obtained from a smart device is used to determine a unique identity for the smart device. The identity for the smart device is then used to locate installed app information for the smart device. Data for installing one or more apps corresponding to the installed app information for the smart device is then provided to a setup app to thereby facilitate installation on the centralized, host device of the one or more apps corresponding to the installed app information for the smart device.
A system functions to recommend equipment expansions, additions and/or substitutions; interconnections; supplemental capabilities; features; etc. based upon a knowledge of a consumer's existing audio and/or visual system configuration.
A bridge device, in communication with a smart device, functions to command one or more controllable appliances in response to communications received from the smart device. The bridge device also includes input elements by which the bridge device can be used to directly command common functional operations of the one or more controllable appliances. In this manner, common functional operations, such as volume control, playback pause/resume control, etc., may be made readily available without necessitating the use of the smart device, whilst the more sophisticated GUI provided by the smart device remote control app may be advantageously utilized when more complex or less frequently used command functions are to be performed.
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
G08C 23/04 - Non-electric signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
H04M 1/72415 - User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories for remote control of appliances
37.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONFIGURATION OF A CONTROLLING DEVICE TO ENABLE SELECTION OF ONE OR MORE MEDIA STREAMS
A controlling device has a configurable key. An insert is provided to the configurable key and includes an indicium representative of a media content provider. An image of the indicium or an image of a QR code associated with the indicium is used to assign one or more commands to the configurable key. The one or more commands are used to cause a controllable device to tune to a channel on which the media content provider is being broadcast, to invoke an app associated with the media content provider, to access a website associated with the media content provider, and the like.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/023 - Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
G08C 17/00 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04N 21/438 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving MPEG packets from an IP network
A first data that identifies a first device is used to identify within a data store a one or more capabilities of the first device. When a voice input having one or more keywords that have been pre-associated within the data store to an operational problem associated with at least the first device is received, a system causes a state of at least the first device at a time at which the voice input is received to be identified, causes the one or more keywords, the one or more capabilities of the first device, and the state of at least the first device to be used to identify within the data store a set of instructions for interacting with at least the first device to solve the operational problem, and causes the set of instructions to be presented to a user.
A codeset is described in a Public Codeset Communication Format (PCCF) as a format block including a plurality of fields having readily decipherable values, such as ASCII character values. One field is a mark/space information field that includes a sequence of mark time indicators and space time indicators for an operational signal of the codeset. A second field is a signal characteristic information field for the operational signal. Signal characteristic information may include carrier on/off information, repeat frame information, toggle control information, and last frame information. The PCCF is a codeset interchange format of general applicability.
A method of controlling the operating mode of a remote device based upon a local user preference setting includes determining a user privacy setting by a user at a local device and storing the user privacy setting. The user privacy setting is conveyed to the remote device and the operational mode of the remote device is modified based upon the transmitted user privacy preference setting. The operational mode of the remote device is returned to the normal operational mode upon meeting a predetermined condition.
A system and method whereby an user interface editing device is used to create a user interface for a controlling device, the created user interface including user interface elements that are associated with functional operations of a virtual equivalent of an appliance. After the created user interface is transferred to the controlling device, the virtual equivalent of an appliance is caused to be linked to an intended target appliance whereupon activation of those user interface elements of the graphical user interface that were associated with functional operations of the virtual equivalent of an appliance will cause the controlling device to transmit commands to control corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance.
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
G08C 23/04 - Non-electric signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
G11B 27/034 - Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals on discs
A controlling device has a configurable key. An insert is provided to the configurable key and includes an indicium representative of a media content provider. An image of the indicium or an image of a QR code associated with the indicium is used to assign one or more commands to the configurable key. The one or more commands are used to cause a controllable device to tune to a channel on which the media content provider is being broadcast, to invoke an app associated with the media content provider, to access a website associated with the media content provider, and the like.
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
A configurable input element of a controlling device is configured by using a data representative of an over-the-top (OTT) media app determined to be installed on an OTT device and a data representative of the OTT device to identify at least one command that is required to be transmitted to cause the OTT device to launch the OTT media app. The at least one command is provisioned to the controlling device and assigned to the configurable input element. When the input element is subsequently activated, the controlling device will transmit the at least one command to cause the OTT device to launch the OTT media app.
A system functions to recommend consumer electronic device expansions, additions and/or substitutions; interconnections; supplemental capabilities; features; etc. to a consumer and/or a retailer based upon a knowledge of a consumer's existing audio and/or visual system configuration.
A controlling device has a moveable touch sensitive panel positioned above a plurality of switches. When the controlling device senses an activation of at least one of the plurality of switches when caused by a movement of the touch sensitive panel resulting from an input at an input location upon the touch sensitive surface, the controlling device responds by transmitting a signal to an appliance wherein the signal is reflective of the input location upon the touch sensitive surface.
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
H01H 25/04 - Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
A controlling device is used to control a presentation of a one of a AR content or a VR content on a display device. A radio frequency connection between the controlling device and a signaling device located remotely from the controlling device is used to determine at least an orientation of the controlling device relative to the signaling device. The presentation of the one of the AR content or the VR content on the display device is then controlled as a function of the determined at least the orientation of the controlling device relative to the signaling device.
A controlling device is used to control a presentation of a one of a AR content or a VR content on a display device. A radio frequency connection between the controlling device and a signaling device located remotely from the controlling device is used to determine at least an orientation of the controlling device relative to the signaling device. The presentation of the one of the AR content or the VR content on the display device is then controlled as a function of the determined at least the orientation of the controlling device relative to the signaling device;
G06F 3/0346 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
G09G 3/00 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
G06T 19/00 - Manipulating 3D models or images for computer graphics
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
48.
Systems and methods for configuration of a controlling device to enable selection of one or more media streams
A controlling device has a configurable key. An insert is provided to the configurable key and includes an indicium representative of a media content provider. An image of the indicium or an image of a QR code associated with the indicium is used to assign one or more commands to the configurable key. The one or more commands are used to cause a controllable device to tune to a channel on which the media content provider is being broadcast, to invoke an app associated with the media content provider, to access a website associated with the media content provider, and the like.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
H04N 21/438 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving MPEG packets from an IP network
G06F 1/16 - Constructional details or arrangements
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/023 - Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
G08C 17/00 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
49.
COMMUNICATING DISCOVERY INFORMATION FROM REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES
A set top box receives from a remote control device one or more of a codeset identifier, data indicative of a brand and model for a consumer electronic device, and remote control diagnostic information. The set top box then causes information representative of the received codeset identifier, data indicative of a brand and model for a consumer electronic device, and remote control diagnostic information to be displayed in a display device associated with the set top box.
A first appliance receives from a second controllable appliance a command for causing the first controllable appliance to be placed into a state and, in response, determines a trust level of the second controllable appliance. When it is determined that the second controllable appliance is trustworthy, the first controllable appliance executes the command. When it is determined that the second controllable appliance is untrustworthy, the first controllable appliance ignores the command. Otherwise, the first controllable appliance enters into a state in which the first controllable appliance waits for at least a predetermined period of time for a user to confirm whether or not the first controllable appliance should be caused to execute the command.
A browser device communicates via Wi-Fi with a central function device. The function device has information regarding all the various remote controls needed by the consumer. The function device communicates wirelessly with the browser device and in turn then operates all of the consumer's electronic devices.
An apparatus includes a head portion, an undercarriage portion, and a telescopic portion configured to adjustably move into a plurality of different lengths. A first end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the undercarriage portion and a second end of the undercarriage portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the telescopic portion. A second end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a second end of the telescopic portion. In a first position, the telescopic portion has a first length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a first angle. In a second position, the telescopic portion has a second length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a second angle different from the first angle.
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
A47B 97/00 - Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
53.
System and method for aggregating and analyzing the status of a system
A listing of each of the plurality of appliances is used, with reference to a command and/or protocol database, to configure a software agent to exchange communications, via a one or more communication channels, with each of the plurality of appliances. An action triggering state of at least one of the plurality of appliances is associated with an action. The action is performed when it is determined that a current state of the at least one of the plurality of appliances corresponds to the action triggering state.
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04L 41/0893 - Assignment of logical groups to network elements
H04L 41/12 - Discovery or management of network topologies
H04L 41/0853 - Retrieval of network configuration; Tracking network configuration history by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
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.
A system, apparatus and method for deactivating HVAC equipment when the thermostat determines that a door or a window has been opened. The thermostat determines that a door or window is open using one or more security sensors previously installed for use with a separate security system.
G08B 25/10 - Alarm systems in which the location of the alarm condition is signalled to a central station, e.g. fire or police telegraphic systems characterised by the transmission medium using wireless transmission systems
H04W 4/20 - Services signalling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
56.
SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING SECURITY SENSORS IN CONNECTION WITH A THERMOSTAT
A system, apparatus and method for deactivating HVAC equipment when the thermostat determines that a door or a window has been opened. The thermostat determines that a door or window is open using one or more security sensors previously installed for use with a separate security system.
G05B 13/00 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion
G08B 19/00 - Alarms responsive to two or more different undesired or abnormal conditions, e.g. burglary and fire, abnormal temperature and abnormal rate of flow
An apparatus, system and method is described for controlling one or more consumer electronic devices that is performed by a smart device. The smart device causes one or more graphical elements, each for performing a particular operation to be displayed. The smart device then causes an action to be performed when the user selects one of the graphical elements, for example by pressing one of the keys on the universal controlling device or by speaking a command.
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
G06F 3/04886 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
G06F 3/023 - Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
58.
Graphical user interface for programming universal remote control devices
A universal remote control (URC) is programmed to control a particular type and make of electronic consumer device using a graphical user interface. A plurality of images is displayed on the user-interface. Each image of the plurality of images is a digital photograph of an electronic consumer device or a remote control device usable to control the corresponding electronic consumer device. A user selects the digital photograph of the particular type and make of electronic consumer device or its corresponding remote control device. Codeset information associated with the selected device is transmitted to the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device. If the codeset information is a codeset identifier, then it is displayed on the user interface. The user enters the codeset identifier into the URC such that the URC is programmed to control the selected device.
Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.
H01H 35/02 - Switches operated by change of position, inclination, or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
G06F 3/0346 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
G08C 17/00 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
60.
System and method for app discovery, installation, and usage
A system and method functions to make an app as installed on a smart device usable to access a service, such as a media streaming service. A presence of a counterpart to the app as installed on an appliance within a home network which includes the smart device is detected. A user credential, such as a username and password combination, that is associated with the counterpart to the app is then identified. The user credential is caused to be automatically associated with the app as installed on the smart device.
An entertainment device initiates a configuration process of a controlling device in response to a change in an audio visual entertainment system configuration in which at least one of a plurality devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 5/765 - Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
A system and method functions to make an app as installed on a smart device usable to access a service, such as a media streaming service. A presence of a counterpart to the app as installed on an appliance within a home network which includes the smart device is detected. A user credential, such as a username and password combination, that is associated with the counterpart to the app is then identified. The user credential is caused to be automatically associated with the app as installed on the smart device.
H04N 21/858 - Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object or by creating a hotspot
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/437 - Interfacing the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. for transmitting client requests to a VOD server
G06Q 20/32 - Payment architectures, schemes or protocols characterised by the use of specific devices using wireless devices
G16Y 40/00 - IoT characterised by the purpose of the information processing
H04H 60/45 - Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying users
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clock; Client middleware
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
63.
GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE AND DATA TRANSFER METHODS IN A CONTROLLING DEVICE
A smart device is provided with a main remote control application that may be configured using information. The main remote control application may present images of original remote controls corresponding to devices which are controllable by the configured main remote control application. In connection with a presented image of an original remote control, the display may present icons that are representative of a subset of the buttons of the original remote control. The user interface also allows a user to select amongst the images of the original remote controls to change which appliances are to be controlled via the user interface. A pop-up remote control widget may also be provided which may be invoked without switching to the main remote control application provisioned on the smart device.
G06F 3/04842 - Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
G06F 16/00 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/04886 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
G06F 3/04817 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
A smart device is provided with a main remote control application that may be configured using information obtained from a QR code. The main remote control application may present images of original remote controls corresponding to devices which are controllable by the configured main remote control application. In connection with a presented image of an original remote control, the display may present icons that are representative of a subset of the buttons of the original remote control. The user interface also allows a user to select amongst the images of the original remote controls to change which appliances are to be controlled via the user interface. A pop-up remote control widget may also be provided which may be invoked without switching to the main remote control application provisioned on the smart device.
G06F 3/04842 - Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements
G06F 16/00 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/04886 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
G06F 3/04817 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance using icons
A controllable device, such as a set top box, responds to a transmission received from a one of a plurality of controlling devices of differing capabilities by entering into a one of a plurality of operating modes wherein the one of the plurality of operating modes entered into corresponds to the capabilities of the controlling device from which the transmission originated.
Sensing interfaces associated with a home entertainment system are used to automate a system response to events which occur in a viewing area associated with the home entertainment system. Data derived from such sensing interfaces may also be used to enhance the response readiness of one or more system components. Still further, user presence data derived from such sensing interfaces may be used to capture and report user viewing habits and/or preferences.
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
G06Q 30/0201 - Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
Described are systems and methods for enabling an audio assisted connection between a device and appliances, networks, and the like by way of determination of relative locations. A device utilizes a microphone and/or speaker to communicate with a target device to ensure that the two devices are within sufficient proximity to ensure a proper connection.
Contextual information for an ecosystem that includes a consumer electronic device is used by a virtual agent to speed up the process by which the virtual agent provides technical support related to the consumer electronic device. The contextual information is used to reduce the amount of information the virtual agent requires from the consumer. Whilst collecting information from the consumer, the virtual agent also functions to determines if a hand-off of the consumer to a further agent is needed.
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
G10L 25/63 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups specially adapted for particular use for comparison or discrimination for estimating an emotional state
G10L 15/22 - Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialog
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
70.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING A VIRTUAL AGENT TO PROVIDE CONSUMER ELECTRONIC DEVICE RELATED TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Contextual information for an ecosystem that includes a consumer electronic device is used by a virtual agent to speed up the process by which the virtual agent provides technical support related to the consumer electronic device. The contextual information is used to reduce the amount of information the virtual agent requires from the consumer. Whilst collecting information from the consumer, the virtual agent also functions to determines if a hand-off of the consumer to a further agent is needed.
A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.
A system and method uses a first device fingerprint for a set-top box (STB) installed within a home theater environment which includes an over-the-top (OTT) device to cause a one a plurality of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) remote control setup procedures to be selected for use to configure an OEM remote control for the STB and the selected one of the plurality of OEM remote control setup procedures uses a second device fingerprint for the OTT device to cause the OEM remote control to be configured to transmit one or more commands to control functional operations of the OTT device.
A pre-defined cost savings benefit is provided to a guest as a function of an amount of a calculated cost savings that can be attributed to the guest during a period of occupancy by the guest. Utility cost saving are tracked in real-time during the period of guest occupancy and the guest will be able to use a device to visualize the utility cost savings that are being realized during this period. By being able to view the utility cost savings being realized in real-time, the guest will be incentivized to directly engage in a utility cost savings effort for the personal benefit of the guest which will, in turn, benefit the hotel.
A system and methods for facilitation of user interactions with an electronic device. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced interface to a user. A method of providing user interaction using a compact status indicator is described. A method for providing a virtual scroll wheel to a user for interaction with content sets is described. A method for allowing a user to dynamically modify a scalable user interface is described. A method for providing gesture based input to a user via a virtual gesture pad is described. A method of providing an interactive graphic search query interface is described. A method for indicating and selecting available content type is described.
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/04883 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
A slave relay station is adapted to serve and/or host pages comprising a simplified graphic user interface (GUI) encoded in a widely recognized format such as, for example, HTML, or WML. The GUI embodies activatable links corresponding to control functions for configured appliances. A wireless phone or other device with network access and the capability to process and present such pages, for example via a Web browser, may then be utilized to effect control of such appliances by simply navigating to the network address of the slave relay station, obtaining an appropriate GUI page, and interacting with the links.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/6547 - Transmission by server directed to the client comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
H04M 1/72415 - User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories for remote control of appliances
An apparatus includes a head portion, an undercarriage portion, and a telescopic portion configured to adjustably move into a plurality of different lengths. A first end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the undercarriage portion and a second end of the undercarriage portion is rotatably attached to a first end of the telescopic portion. A second end of the head portion is rotatably attached to a second end of the telescopic portion. In a first position, the telescopic portion has a first length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a first angle. In a second position, the telescopic portion has a second length of the plurality of different lengths and the head portion and the undercarriage portion form a second angle different from the first angle.
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
A47B 97/00 - Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
77.
Codeset communication format and related methods and structures
A codeset is described in a Public Codeset Communication Format (PCCF) as a format block including a plurality of fields having readily decipherable values, such as ASCII character values. One field is a mark/space information field that includes a sequence of mark time indicators and space time indicators for an operational signal of the codeset. A second field is a signal characteristic information field for the operational signal. Signal characteristic information may include carrier on/off information, repeat frame information, toggle control information, and last frame information. The PCCF is a codeset interchange format of general applicability.
A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances provides an interactive instruction set and associated programming which is downloadable to a controllable appliance having an associated display, such as an Internet enabled television. The programming is accessible by the controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions from the interactive instruction set to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for setting up the controlling device to communicate commands to another controllable device (e.g., a DVD, VCR, DVR, etc).
A bridge device, in communication with a smart device, functions to command one or more controllable appliances in response to communications received from the smart device. The bridge device also includes input elements by which the bridge device can be used to directly command common functional operations of the one or more controllable appliances. In this manner, common functional operations, such as volume control, playback pause/resume control, etc., may be made readily available without necessitating the use of the smart device, whilst the more sophisticated GUI provided by the smart device remote control app may be advantageously utilized when more complex or less frequently used command functions are to be performed.
H04M 1/72415 - User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories for remote control of appliances
G08C 23/04 - Non-electric signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
80.
APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIRECTING VOICE INPUT IN A CONTROLLING DEVICE
Apparatus, system and method for using a controlling device for receiving voice input to control the operation of voice controlled smart appliances and, more particularly, to a controlling device for recognizing voice commands and for use in routing a signal, based on voice commands from the user, to two or more voice controlled smart appliances from different consumer brand names.
A signature comprised of a plurality of data blocks formatted in accordance with a multicast communications protocol is received from a target appliance. When it is determined that one or more of the plurality of data blocks has been populated with user data, a representation of at least a portion of signature is provided to an analytics engine for processing whereby the user data within the one or more of the plurality of data blocks is replaced with a predicted, original data. The predicted, original data is then usable to provision a controlling device with a command code set for use in communicating commands to the target appliance.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04W 4/06 - Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
82.
System and method for using a multicast service to configure a controlling device
A signature comprised of a plurality of data blocks formatted in accordance with a multicast communications protocol is received from a target appliance. When it is determined that one or more of the plurality of data blocks has been populated with user data, a representation of at least a portion of signature is provided to an analytics engine for processing whereby the user data within the one or more of the plurality of data blocks is replaced with a predicted, original data. The predicted, original data is then usable to provision a controlling device with a command code set for use in communicating commands to the target appliance.
A system and method used to displaying advertising content. A first app installed on a first device functions to retrieve the advertising content and to then provide the advertising content to a second app installed on a second device. The second app installed on the second device will cause the advertising content to be displayed as an overlay in a display associated with the second device.
A controlling device has a moveable touch sensitive panel positioned above a plurality of switches. When the controlling device senses an activation of at least one of the plurality of switches when caused by a movement of the touch sensitive panel resulting from an input at an input location upon the touch sensitive surface, the controlling device responds by transmitting a signal to an appliance wherein the signal is reflective of the input location upon the touch sensitive surface.
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
H01H 25/04 - Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
A controlling device has a moveable touch sensitive panel positioned above a plurality of switches. When the controlling device senses an activation of at least one of the plurality of switches when caused by a movement of the touch sensitive panel resulting from an input at an input location upon the touch sensitive surface, the controlling device responds by transmitting a signal to an appliance wherein the signal is reflective of the input location upon the touch sensitive surface.
G06F 3/02 - Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
G06F 3/041 - Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
H01H 25/04 - Operating part movable angularly in more than one plane, e.g. joystick
Axis orientation compensation is provided in a system in which movement of a controlling device is used to control navigational functions of a target appliance by determining which one of plural sides of the controlling device is an active side of the controlling device and by causing navigational functions of the target appliance made relative to at least one of an X, Y, and Z axis of the target appliance to be dynamically aligned with movements of the controlling device made relative to at least one of an A, B, and C axis of the controlling device as a function of the one of the plural sides of the controlling device that is determined to be the active side of the controlling device.
H01H 35/02 - Switches operated by change of position, inclination, or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
G06F 3/0346 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
G08C 17/00 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
88.
Systems and methods for controlling device configuration in a networked environment
A system and method uses a first device fingerprint for a set-top box (STB) installed within a home theater environment which includes an over-the-top (OTT) device to cause a one a plurality of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) remote control setup procedures to be selected for use to configure an OEM remote control for the STB and the selected one of the plurality of OEM remote control setup procedures uses a second device fingerprint for the OTT device to cause the OEM remote control to be configured to transmit one or more commands to control functional operations of the OTT device.
A system and method uses a first device fingerprint for a set-top box (STB) installed within a home theater environment which includes an over-the-top (OTT) device to cause a one a plurality of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) remote control setup procedures to be selected for use to configure an OEM remote control for the STB and the selected one of the plurality of OEM remote control setup procedures uses a second device fingerprint for the OTT device to cause the OEM remote control to be configured to transmit one or more commands to control functional operations of the OTT device
A controlling device is automatically configured to issue a communication directly to a first controllable appliance to control a functional operation of the first controllable appliance in the event that the first controllable appliance is determined to be unresponsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link or to issue a communication to a second controllable appliance to control the functional operation of the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link in the event that first controllable appliance is determined to be responsive to a command communication transmitted to the first controllable appliance via a digital communications link.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 5/765 - Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
H04N 5/775 - Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
91.
Method and apparatus for providing noise suppression to an intelligent personal assistant
A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.
G10L 25/84 - Detection of presence or absence of voice signals for discriminating voice from noise
G10L 15/22 - Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialog
G01S 3/02 - Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using radio waves
H04R 1/40 - Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
A system functions to recommend consumer electronic device expansions, additions and/or substitutions; interconnections; supplemental capabilities; features; etc. based upon a knowledge of a consumer's existing audio and/or visual system configuration.
A universal controlling device is provided with one or more buttons which, when activated in a set up mode, serves to initiate a rapid configuration of the universal controlling device to adapt the universal controlling device to transmit communications to an intended target appliance.
A system functions to recommend consumer electronic device expansions, additions and/or substitutions; interconnections; supplemental capabilities; features; etc. based upon a knowledge of a consumer's existing audio and/or visual system configuration.
A system provides advertising by using a device discovery process to automatically determine an information about a home network system of a user. When it is determined that a first advertisement has been caused to be presented via a first content providing service or a first media access device, the information is used to automatically prevent a second content providing service or a second media access device from causing a second advertisement to be presented.
A system functions to recommend consumer electronic device expansions, additions and/or substitutions; interconnections; supplemental capabilities; features; etc. to a consumer and/or a retailer based upon a knowledge of a consumer's existing audio and/or visual system configuration.
In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
A system and method whereby an user interface editing device is used to create a user interface for a controlling device, the created user interface including user interface elements that are associated with functional operations of a virtual equivalent of an appliance. After the created user interface is transferred to the controlling device, the virtual equivalent of an appliance is caused to be linked to an intended target appliance whereupon activation of those user interface elements of the graphical user interface that were associated with functional operations of the virtual equivalent of an appliance will cause the controlling device to transmit commands to control corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance.
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
G06F 1/16 - Constructional details or arrangements
G06F 9/06 - Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units using stored programs, i.e. using an internal store of processing equipment to receive or retain programs
A system, apparatus and method for automatically controlling the volume of a home entertainment device by an HVAC component. An HVAC component determines when it, or another HVAC, is active or not, and causes a home entertainment device to adjust its volume accordingly.
