Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090249086 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE POWER STATE OF REMOTE CONTROL ELECTRONICS - A remote control device may include circuitry configured to receive user input to wirelessly control an electronic device, a power source electrically coupled to provide power to the circuitry, and a power state controller configured to control a power state of the circuitry based on a state of the electronic device. An electronic device may be configured to be controlled by a remote control device, and may include an input device configured to receive a wireless signal from the remote control device, an output device configured to send a wireless signal to the remote control device, and a processor coupled to the input device. The processor may be configured to control a function of the electronic device based on the received signal, to determine information regarding the state of the electronic device, and to send the determined information regarding the state of the electronic device to the remote control device. | 10-01-2009 |
20090262254 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING A LOW BATTERY DETECTION THRESHOLD OF A REMOTE CONTROL - Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a low battery detection threshold in a remote control. An embodiment of a method includes determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold for the battery based on the type of the battery. The first low battery threshold indicates a low battery condition of the remote control. Responsive to measuring a voltage of the battery, a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message is transmitted to an entertainment device. The entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control. | 10-22-2009 |
20090278701 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING REPLACEMENT OF A BATTERY IN A REMOTE CONTROL - Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for indicating to a user a low battery condition of a remote control for a controlled device. More particularly, a remote control detects a low battery condition as well as the replacement of batteries in the remote control. The remote control transmits a low battery message to a controlled device responsive to detecting a low battery condition. Similarly, the remote control transmits a battery status message to the controlled device responsive to detecting the replacement of batteries in the remote control. The controlled device utilizes the low battery message and the battery status message to determine whether to present a low battery indicator to a user regarding a low battery condition of the remote control. | 11-12-2009 |
20090303097 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING AN OPERATIONAL MODE OF A REMOTE CONTROL - Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for changing an operational mode of a remote control for a controlled device. A remote control queries a controlled device to determine the operating state of the controlled device. Responsive to determining the operating state of the controlled device, the remote control determines whether to enter an active mode state and/or limited power mode state. Components of the remote control may then be commanded to enter a selected operating mode state depending on whether the components are utilized by the present operational state of the controlled device. | 12-10-2009 |
20090322583 | Systems and Methods for Remote Control Setup - A remote control device may include: first circuitry to control a function of a first electronic device; second circuitry to be set to control a function of a second electronic device; and a setup controller to set the second circuitry to control a function of a target electronic device based on a code received from a separate device. An electronic device to be controlled by a remote control device may include: an input device to receive a signal from the remote control device; an output device to send a signal to the remote control device; and a processor coupled to the input and output devices, and configured to access a database of codes and to selectively provide codes from the database to the remote control device, the codes configured to set circuitry of the remote control device to control a function of the electronic device and/or an auxiliary electronic device. | 12-31-2009 |
20100013551 | Systems and Methods for Controlling Power Consumption in Electronic Devices - A method of controlling power consumption in an electronic device may include selecting between an on mode of the electronic device in which first circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a first operation, an off/standby mode in which second circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a second operation, and a sleep/vacation mode in which the second circuitry is controlled to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation. An electronic device may include: first circuitry configured to perform a first operation when the electronic device is in an on mode; second circuitry configured to perform a second operation when in an off/standby mode; and a circuitry controller configured to control the second circuitry to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation when in a sleep/vacation mode. | 01-21-2010 |
20100115576 | FIRMWARE RECOVERY OF WIRELESS DEVICES - One embodiment may take the form of a method and apparatus for remotely providing firmware to a wireless device. The wireless device may be configured to detect when the device's firmware is corrupted or may need updating. The device may then transmit a request for a firmware image on a first wireless communication channel. If the request is answered by an updating device, the wireless device may establish a communication with, and begin receiving the firmware image from, the updating device. Further, the wireless device may verify transmitted data and send an acknowledgment message to the updating device for each transmitted data packet. | 05-06-2010 |
20100208146 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN AUDIO INDICATOR VIA A REMOTE CONTROL - Apparatus, systems and methods are described for outputting audible or visual indicators via a remote control for a controlled device. A remote control queries an associated controlled device for information. The controlled device generates a request for the remote control to activate an audio or visual indicator. The request is integrated with a response to the query that is transmitted to the remote control. The remote control outputs an audio or visual indicator responsive to the request. | 08-19-2010 |
20100231384 | BACKLIGHTING REMOTE CONTROLS - A remote control includes sensing circuitry operable to detect a user touching the remote control. The remote control further includes a light source operable to backlight user input circuitry of the remote control. Control logic of the remote control activates the light source responsive to the sensing circuitry detecting the user touching the remote control. | 09-16-2010 |
20110063506 | User Input Command Relaying - Embodiments discussed herein are directed to an apparatus and method for relaying user input commands by a receiver to other devices connected to or in communication with the receiver. In one embodiment, a receiver receives one or more commands from a user input device and determines if the command is intended for the receiver or for a device in communication with the receiver. Based on this determination, the receiver may either execute the command or relay the command to a device that is attached or otherwise in communication with the receiver. | 03-17-2011 |
20110163886 | Systems and Apparatus for Battery Replacement Detection and Reduced Battery Status Transmission in a Remote Control - Various mechanisms are described for indicating to a user a low battery condition of a remote control for a controlled device. More particularly, a remote control detects a low battery condition as well as the replacement of batteries in the remote control. The remote control transmits a low battery message to a controlled device responsive to detecting a low battery condition. The remote control refrains from transmitting one or more subsequent low battery messages to the controlled device prior to detection of replacement of batteries. The remote control transmits a battery status message to the controlled device responsive to detecting the replacement of batteries in the remote control. The controlled device utilizes the low battery message and the battery status message to determine whether to present a low battery indicator to a user regarding a low battery condition of the remote control. | 07-07-2011 |
20110285540 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A LOW BATTERY CONDITION EXISTS IN A REMOTE CONTROL - Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a low battery detection thresholdin a remote control. An embodiment of a method includes determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold for the battery based on the type of the battery. The first low battery threshold indicates a low battery condition of the remote control. Responsive to measuring a voltage of the battery, a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message is transmitted to an entertainment device. The entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control. | 11-24-2011 |
20120293416 | Configuring the Functionality of Control Elements of a Control Device Based on Orientation - A control device controls the functionality of two or more sets of control elements. A processing unit of the control device determines that it is oriented in a first zone or in a second zone based on input received from a magnetometer. The first and second zones are defined with respect to a magnetic reference point and are oriented relative to a controlled device or an electronic device. If the processing unit determines that the control device is oriented in the first zone, the processing unit configures a first functionality for the first set of control elements. If the control device's orientation changes from being oriented in the first zone to being oriented in the second zone, the processing unit configures the first set of control elements with a second functionality. | 11-22-2012 |
20120297440 | System and Method for Remote Device Pairing - A system and method for optimizing pairing between a remote device and a plurality of devices including establishing a list of pairing-capable devices, the list comprising a portion of the plurality of devices, measuring a plurality of link qualities between the remote device and the pairing-capable devices, comparing, with a processor, the plurality of link qualities with one another and determining a highest link quality, selecting, by a computing device, an available pairing-capable device having the highest link quality, pairing with the selected device, and controlling a presentation device, the controlling including checking if the selected device is the associated device and where the selected device is not the associated device, relaying commands via the network to the associated device. | 11-22-2012 |
20120328300 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LEARNING REMOTE CONTROL COMMANDS - Described herein are various techniques for transferring command codes between multiple remote controls. A first controlled device receives a signal from a remote control associated with a second controlled device. The signal is associated with a command for the second controlled device. The first controlled device receives user input, assigning the command to a selected button of a second remote control. The first controlled device transmits a message to the second remote control. The message includes information utilized by the second remote control to reproduce the signal responsive to actuation of the selected button, allowing the second remote control to generate the command for the second controlled device. | 12-27-2012 |
20130036318 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A method of controlling power consumption in an electronic device may include selecting between an on mode of the electronic device in which first circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a first operation, an off/standby mode in which second circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a second operation, and a sleep/vacation mode in which the second circuitry is controlled to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation. An electronic device may include: first circuitry configured to perform a first operation when the electronic device is in an on mode; second circuitry configured to perform a second operation when in an off/standby mode; and a circuitry controller configured to control the second circuitry to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation when in a sleep/vacation mode. | 02-07-2013 |
20130084986 | Assisting Use of Control Devices with Different Content Players in a Network - In various implementations, a remote transmits a first signal to a currently controlled first content player of a network of content players and a second signal to a proximate content player. If the first player is notified that a second player received the second signal, the first player may command the remote to activate a display associated with the second player. However, if the first player is not notified, the first player may command the remote to activate all known displays. In addition, the first player may also instruct the remote to configure which player the remote controls. In some implementations, the remote stores a table transmitted by a player of the network of players including entries corresponding to players and including commands for associated components. In such implementations, control configuration may include configuring which entry of the table is utilized. | 04-04-2013 |
20130106587 | Assisting use of control devices with different electronic devices | 05-02-2013 |
20130111192 | Adjusting acknowledgement requests for remote control transmissions based on previous acknowledgements | 05-02-2013 |
20130113388 | Duty Cycle Adjustment of Remote Illumination Source to Maintain Illumination Output - A remote directs illumination of an illumination source according to a duty cycle. The duty cycle defines a first portion of time power is provided from a battery and a second portion of time power is not provided. The remote monitors voltage output by the battery and adjusts the duty cycle to increase the duration of the first portion based on a decrease of the monitored voltage compared to a maximum voltage level. The remote may adjust the duty cycle in order to maintain a consistent illumination output level. In some implementations, the remote may adjust the duty cycle based on one or more threshold values. In other implementations, the remote may adjust the duty cycle directly based on the measured voltage. In still other implementations, the remote may not calculate the duty cycle directly but may instead reference a lookup table. | 05-09-2013 |
20130340002 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE DEVICE PAIRING - A system and method for optimizing pairing between a remote device and a plurality of devices including establishing a list of pairing-capable devices, the list comprising a portion of the plurality of devices, measuring a plurality of link qualities between the remote device and the pairing-capable devices, comparing, with a processor, the plurality of link qualities with one another and determining a highest link quality, selecting, by a computing device, an available pairing-capable device having the highest link quality, pairing with the selected device, and controlling a presentation device, the controlling including checking if the selected device is the associated device and where the selected device is not the associated device, relaying commands via the network to the associated device. | 12-19-2013 |
20130344962 | ASSISTING USE OF CONTROL DEVICES WITH DIFFERENT CONTENT PLAYERS IN A NETWORK - In various implementations, a remote transmits a first signal to a currently controlled first content player of a network of content players and a second signal to a proximate content player. If the first player is notified that a second player received the second signal, the first player may command the remote to activate a display associated with the second player. However, if the first player is not notified, the first player may command the remote to activate all known displays. In addition, the first player may also instruct the remote to configure which player the remote controls. In some implementations, the remote stores a table transmitted by a player of the network of players including entries corresponding to players and including commands for associated components. In such implementations, control configuration may include configuring which entry of the table is utilized. | 12-26-2013 |
20140327525 | ASSISTING USE OF CONTROL DEVICES WITH DIFFERENT ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control. | 11-06-2014 |