Abstract:
An IR blaster including one or more IR emitting LEDs used to generate IR signals for controlling operations of a plurality of controlled appliance and a plurality of fiber optic cables where one or more of the plurality of fiber optic cables are in light communication with an IR emitting LED. Each fiber optic cable is provided for distributing the IR signals generated by an IR LED to a respective one of the plurality of controlled appliances.
Abstract:
A control device (100a) using a light source energy (320), such as light energy, to provide the controlling device with a use interface having multiple, different visual appearance.
Abstract:
A controlling device (10) location determination system and method. A controlling device (10) such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments (100, 130, 140), each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response having a unique ID (associated with location definitions relating to the environment from which he signaling device is located) which is chosen to be characteristically attenuated by the surroundings of the environment (i.e., IR signals in a room). Because the controlling device (10) can only be in one environment at a given time, and given the attenuation characteristics of the signal response from each signaling device, only one signal response will be received by the controlling device (10) in each environment (100). Location definitions associated with the received unique ID may be used by programming in the controlling device to recall saved devices states, commands sets, macros, and even to dynamically generate commands based on the location information.
Abstract:
A power strip adapted to support power status reporting as well as the issuing of commands to control functional operations of the appliances. The power strip may receive a command from a remote control (for example transmitted via radio frequency or wired connection) and, in turn, issue a corresponding command (for example transmitted via infrared) to one or more appliances to cause the one or more appliances to perform a functional operation.
Abstract:
A universal controlling device (100) having a touch sensitive display (504) which is switchable between two operational modes. In one operational mode, the display provides one or more graphical user interfaces comprises of graphical user interface icons that are selectable to command operational functions of one or more appliances (404, 406). In a second operational mode, the display provides pointer control where motions made by a stylus or finger in contact with the touch sensitive display result in corresponding motions of a pointer (42) on a display located remotely from the universal controlling device (100).
Abstract:
A home control and automation system and method. The system generally includes one or more wireless remote controls, a plurality of appliances (including network enabled appliances and traditional legacy appliances in the exemplary system), associated control centric devices, and associated content centric devices. Various methods for control and operation of appliances in the networked home control and automation environment are disclosed. Specifically, methods are disclosed which enable advanced home control features such as location based control setup and operation, network enabled legacy appliances and system integration, save and recall capabilities for appliance and media states, generic command based appliance controls, dynamic/complex macro command generation, and Internet based control capabilities from remote locations are disclosed in conjunction with the system of the current invention.
Abstract:
Media rendering system including a remote control device (10) and associated docking station (700). The remote control device (10) interfaces with a remote server (90) to stream media content for local and/or external playback. The remote control device (10) may interface with a docking station (700) to playback rendered media on one or more entertainment appliances (12). The remote control device (10) preferably has standard remote control capability in order to enable advanced features and functions for media playback.
Abstract:
A system and method for facilitation and encouragement of user interaction and functionality with a multimedia program via an entertainment system and remote control device (100). The entertainment system and remote control device are in two-way communication to accomplish the various interactivity functions and features of the invention. The remote control includes one or more selectively illuminated buttons under the control of the entertainment system (220, 222, 224), such that when the entertainment system displays a prompt to the user requiring a response, the entertainment system may send a signal to the remote control selectively illuminating the button(s) to indicate to the user that the button(s) may be operated to make a response to the prompt.
Abstract:
A system and method is disclosed for enhanced data transfer methods within control environment for implementing functions on control devices. Generally, as a user browses content on a Content Server via a Control Point, various content sets will be concatenated by the Content Server based on an initial request from the Control Point, and all content in the content set will be sent as a single item from the Content Server to the Control Point, thus minimizing the number of message round trips and thus the protocol overhead needed to retrieve all content requested by the user. Information about the concatenated content set may be sent separately from the Content Server to the Control Point, or may be embedded in the content set as metadata, such that individual elements of the content set may be selectively displayed, controlled, and/or manipulated by the user via the Control Point.
Abstract:
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.