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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8181259 | System and method for upgrading the functionality of a controlling device via a secure portable adapter device Secure access to a database of upgrade data is provided by storing an encryption key value in an adapter device used to interconnect a first device to be upgraded and a second device that is associated with the database of upgrade data. The second device allows acce... | 05/15/2012 |
| 8180373 | System and method for controlling device location determination A controlling device such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments, each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response hav... | 05/15/2012 |
| 8179892 | System and method for managing communication links A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic... | 05/15/2012 |
| 8166558 | System and method for upgrading the functionality of a controlling device in a secure manner Secure access to a database of upgrade data is provided by storing an encryption key value in a cable used to interconnect a first device and a second device that is associated with the database of upgrade data. The second device allows access to the database of upg... | 04/24/2012 |
| 8154381 | System and method for interactive appliance control A controlling device interacts dynamically with a plurality of appliances using state information known to a master appliance. The master appliance conveys to the controlling device the state information and the controlling device uses the state information to dynam... | 04/10/2012 |
| 8098140 | Customizable and upgradable devices and methods related thereto A remote control is configured by a user specifying a type and brand of a consumer electronic device. A plurality of function code sets that have been identified as being candidates for commanding operations of the specified type and brand of consumer electronic dev... | 01/17/2012 |
| 8094880 | System and method for using image data in connection with configuring a universal controlling device A method for configuring a universal controlling device to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to one or more target appliances. A system having an associated database of original equipment remote control images that are cross-referenced ... | 01/10/2012 |
| 8063923 | System and method for updating information in an electronic portable device A Web server by which a user can request that reminder data, movie guide data, and/or TV guide data be downloaded to a portable electronic device. ... | 11/22/2011 |
| 8059621 | System and method for controlling device location determination A controlling device such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments, each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response hav... | 11/15/2011 |
| 8049655 | Controlling device using visual cues to indicate appliance and function key relationships A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to a... | 11/01/2011 |
| 8018436 | Device that manages power provided to an object sensor A hand-held device with a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a position of the hand-held device relative to an object surface enables power to the sensor at a first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is stationary ... | 09/13/2011 |
| 8015446 | User interface for a remote control application A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances f... | 09/06/2011 |
| 7999794 | Controlling device with dual-mode, touch-sensitive display A processing device of a universal controlling device is programmed to distinguish between a first input type provided to a touch-sensitive surface and a second input type provided to the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being prov... | 08/16/2011 |
| 7969514 | System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured ... | 06/28/2011 |
| 7941786 | Configurable controlling device and associated configuration distribution system and method A configurable controlling device and associated program that allows a consumer to modify on a personal computer for downloading to the controlling device configuration data which is used to cause the controlling device to perform a function, such as to transmit a c... | 05/10/2011 |
| 7928961 | Universal remote control or universal remote control/telephone combination with touch operated user interface having tactile feedback A touch operated user interface having tactile feedback for use in connection with a universal remote control or universal remote control with cordless phone functionality is shown in FIG. 13. Surface features are provided as part of or as an overlay (1300... | 04/19/2011 |
| 7917553 | System and methods for enhanced metadata entry A system and methods for facilitation of enhanced user interactions with metadata corresponding to one or more media files. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced metadata entr... | 03/29/2011 |
| 7917550 | System and methods for enhanced metadata entry A system and methods for facilitation of enhanced user interactions with metadata corresponding to one or more media files. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced metadata entr... | 03/29/2011 |
| 7907222 | System and method for simplified setup of a universal remote control A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured ... | 03/15/2011 |
| 7877705 | System and methods for interacting with a control environment 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 int... | 01/25/2011 |
| 7876255 | Controlling device using visual cues to indicate appliance and function key relationships A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual and/or audio cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, etc., to indicate a relationship between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to a... | 01/25/2011 |
| 7872642 | Controlling device having multiple user interfaces A controlling device using a source of energy, such as light energy, to provide the controlling device with a user interface having multiple, different visual appearances. ... | 01/18/2011 |
| 7831930 | System and method for displaying a user interface for a remote control application A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances f... | 11/09/2010 |
| 7827344 | Interface adapter for a portable media player device A “smart cable” that connects one or more peripheral devices to a digital media player having multiple, different types of input and/or output connections. ... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7825995 | Two way communication using light links Two-way communications between a video system and a control device is disclosed. The communications links comprise visible light, IR light, or a combination of visible and IR light. The communications link provide a convenient route to capture data or lock system fe... | 11/02/2010 |
| 7821505 | Controlling device with dual-mode, touch-sensitive display A processing device of a universal controlling device is programmed to distinguish between a first input type provided to a touch-sensitive surface and a second input type provided to the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being prov... | 10/26/2010 |
| 7821504 | Controlling device with dual-mode, touch-sensitive display A processing device of a universal controlling device is programmed to distinguish between a first input type provided to a touch-sensitive surface and a second input type provided to the touch-sensitive surface. In response to the touch-sensitive surface being prov... | 10/26/2010 |
| 7821499 | Device that manages power provided to an object sensor A hand-held device with a sensor for providing a signal indicative of a position of the hand-held device relative to an object surface enables power to the sensor at a first time interval when the hand-held device is indicated to be in a position that is stationary ... | 10/26/2010 |
| 7821419 | Media return system A remote control stores a sequence of key strokes in memory for as long as a predetermined key of a plurality of keys of the remote control is held down. The stored sequence of key strokes may then be repeated, for example, upon release of the predetermined key or u... | 10/26/2010 |
| 7783676 | System and method for using image data in connection with configuring a universal controlling device Data indicative of physical characteristics of an object of interest is received at a recognition system having an associated database in which is stored physical characteristic data for a plurality of reference objects each of which is cross-referenced to configura... | 08/24/2010 |
| 7783205 | Learning infrared amplifier for remote control devices A learning remote “learns” both a digital code carried by an infrared operational signal as well as a timing characteristic (for example, time period) of a carrier used to modulate the operational signal. When the photodiode of the learning remote is close to th... | 08/24/2010 |
| 7782309 | Controlling device with dual-mode, touch-sensitive display A universal controlling device having a touch-sensitive display. The display provides one or more graphical user interfaces comprised of graphical user interface icons that are selectable via the touch-sensitive display and the display accepts motions made by a styl... | 08/24/2010 |
| 7765245 | System and methods for enhanced metadata entry A system and methods for facilitation of enhanced user interactions with metadata corresponding to one or more media files. A number of user interface methods are described and may be used alone or in combination with one another to present an enhanced metadata entr... | 07/27/2010 |
| 7764190 | System using a fiber optic cable to distribute commands for controlling operations of an appliance 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 communicati... | 07/27/2010 |
| 7760907 | System and method for using image data in connection with configuring a universal controlling device A user provides to an image recognition system an image that is intended to be used to identify one or more appliances that are to be controlled by a universal controlling device. The image recognition system has access to a database of images that have been cross-r... | 07/20/2010 |
| 7743012 | Configurable controlling device and associated configuration upload and download system and method A configurable controlling device and associated editor program that allows a consumer to modify on a personal computer for downloading to the controlling device configuration data which is used to cause the controlling device to perform a function, such as to trans... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7653212 | System and method for using image data in connection with configuring a universal controlling device A user provides to an image recognition system an image that is intended to be used to identify one or more appliances that are to be controlled by a universal controlling device. The image recognition system has access to a database of images that have been cross-r... | 01/26/2010 |
| 7460050 | Controlling device using cues to convey information A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual, audio, and/or tactile cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, vibrations, etc., to indicate relationships. Relationships may be between a function key and an intended target appliance... | 12/02/2008 |
| 7432916 | Controlling device with dual-mode, touch-sensitive display A universal controlling device having a touch-sensitive display which is switchable between two operational modes. In one operational mode, the display provides one or more graphical user interfaces comprised of graphical user interface icons that are selectable to ... | 10/07/2008 |
| 7412653 | Remote control having a display with multi-function EL segments An EL display is provided with EL segments which are individually illuminable and which include one or more complete function key images and/or fragments of complete function key images. One or more of the EL segments may thus be illuminated to present multiple, dif... | 08/12/2008 |
