4178results about "Non-electrical signal transmission systems" patented technology

A remote control uses IR (infrared) commands to control various consumer appliances made by various manufactures. The remote control is low-cost, consumer-friendly, programmable, has its own graphical display so it does not interfere with a TV or other viewing screen, and is capable of interacting with the internet or other data source to provide a rich set of functionality.

Techniques for associating a wireless controller to a host device are disclosed. Once associated, the host device is responsive to the associated wireless controller but not responsive to other wireless controllers that may be in the vicinity. Subsequently, if desired, the association with the wireless controller can be removed and a different association with another wireless controller can be invoked. As an example, the wireless controller can be a portable remote controller, and the host device can be a personal computer, a home stereo, a portable media player, or a docking station for a portable media player. In one implementation, the portable remote controller can be an infrared remote controller.

A mobile terminal including a first display unit configured to display at least one of a first home screen image and a second home screen image as an output home screen image; an interface unit configured to be connected to an external computer display device having a second display unit; and controller configured to generate a monitor window including a copy of the output home screen image displayed on the first display unit of the mobile terminal and to control the external computer display device to simultaneously display the generated monitor window on the second display unit of the second display unit.

A surgery system comprising at least one smart instrument, a computer system, and a sensor system adapted to wirelessly sense the position of the at least one smart instrument and to transmit position information to the computer system, wherein the sensor system includes a sensor array and the sensor array includes at least three linear CCD cameras and at least one infrared transceiver.

A universal remote control, which includes a display screen and a user input mechanism. The universal remote control also includes a processing unit that is configured to display information on the display screen and to accept selection data from the user input mechanism. The universal remote control additionally includes a wireless communication mechanism that is configured to provide communications between the processing unit and an appliance or computer program running on a computer system. The appliance provides information to be displayed on the display screen, and information entered through the user input mechanism is communicated to the appliance. Since the appliance provides the information to be displayed on the display screen and also interprets the entries on the input mechanism, the universal remote control needs no special knowledge about the appliance.

A remote control includes an input means, a transmitter, an interface unit, and a control unit. The input means is arranged with a mode selection key, the mode selection key is capable of being actuated to change the remote control between a TV mode for adjusting various setting of the television and an update mode for transmitting an execution game program to the television. The interface unit is capable of being coupled to an external device that stores an updated game program, the updated game program includes an execution program and a key setting program. The control unit extracts the execution program and the key setting program from the game program by actuating the mode selection key to switch the remote control to the update mode, setting corresponding game control function of the input means by processing the key setting program, and controlling the transmitter to transmit the execution program to the television.

A universal remote controller having a radio frequency (RF) control mode for generating RF signals for controlling an RF based home automation system and having an infrared (IR) control mode for controlling an infrared based electronic device using IR control signals. Control information input via a user interface is used to generate the IR control signals in the IR mode of operation and is used to generate the RF signals in the RF mode of operation. A control unit controls overall operation of the universal remote controller including the generation of IR signals to control electronic devices with the IR signals. A home automation module is connected to the control unit via a communication interface to generate RF signals to control the RF based home automation system. A display displays feedback information to the user regarding operations for controlling the home automation system.

A system for wireless remote control of a gateway and ordering or invocation of services provided by a headend. The remote control includes a video display and user input device or keyboard and can decompress and display compressed streaming video in some embodiments. Some species of the remote control can act as web browsers, appliance control, TIVO function control, an IP telephony telephone, a cellular telephone and/or an MP3 player. In some embodiments, the gateway and/or headend can implement TIVO-like functions under control from a wireless remote of custom design or implemented on a Personal Digital Assistant.

Methods and systems are disclosed for setting up a universal remote control for operation with a system having devices to be controlled such as a TV, VCR, electronics appliances, wherein the devices are preferably interconnected. One method includes the steps of having the devices to be controlled provide a listing of the capabilities of each device, recognizing a single set of standard abstract feature indicators; processing said indicators; and, mapping said indicators into specific IR codes and keys according to said list of capabilities of said controlled device. One embodiment is optimized for use with a virtual remote control, wherein only icons corresponding to related capabilities is displayed on a touch screen of the virtual remote control. Such an embodiment is particularly well suited for controlling different families of function capability associated with correspondingly different entertainment devices to achieve an integrated entertainment, or task, grouping. Reduction of the icons displayed to the user perforce reduces the apparent complexity of the remote with which the devices are controlled.

Abstract of the Disclosure A method for providing wireless remote control capability to an audio playback device equipped with wired control capability is described. The method includes the steps of receiving a wireless signal in a base station coupled to the audio playback device; decoding the wireless signal; and, generating a command compatible with the audio playback device based on the wireless signal. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described.

Provided are an apparatus and method for controlling home appliances using zigbee wireless communication. The apparatus, includes: a memory for storing a control profile and an operation program, and operating the stored operation program; a display means for supporting interface with a user; a display input/output control means for controlling input/output of the display means; a first wireless network interface for transmitting/receiving wireless data to/from home appliances based on zigbee wireless communication; and a control means for forming Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) with the home appliances based on the first wireless network interface, displaying a list of controllable home appliances based on device product information transferred from the home appliances through the WPAN, reading a control profile in the memory upon home appliances control request of the user, and transferring the control profile through the first wireless network interface.

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.

Integrated cross-platform perimeter access control system with a RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter configured with a RFID lock, a wireless communication conversion unit configured for operating under a first wireless communication platform and a second wireless communication platform, and a smartphone is disclosed. RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter is installed above sensor area of RFID lock to facilitate RFID lock to interrogate the RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter. RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter equipped with photo sensor unit can be turned on in a contactless manner using smartphone with camera light source. Methods adapted for short-range or long range space/room management automation, transportation vehicle rental management, and automated vehicle parking lot management are included. Low-power infrared proximity sensing circuit of infrared type having an infrared transmitter and receiver unit or of capacitive type having a metal plate can be added to the RFID-to-Bluetooth selective adapter so that the RFID reader can be actuated to perform RFID signal reading.

A system and method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of appliances, to capture demographic data, and to provide services, such as automated warranty registration, instructions, viewing guides, etc., relevant to the appliances is provided. The system includes a database and associated server that are located remotely from the remote control and accessible via a network connection. Command codes, graphical user interface elements, and services are accessed and downloaded to the remote control, as appropriate, using data supplied to the server that identifies the appliances and/or functional capabilities of the appliances. This data can be supplied by the appliances directly or can be obtained from other sources such as barcode labels, network devices, etc.

An appliance control system of the present invention comprises an appliance and a mobile computing device configured for controlling the appliance by at least one of determining an available content for the appliance, selecting the content used by the appliance, and applying user preferences to the appliance.

A method of controlling an appliance of the present invention comprises establishing a wireless communication link between an appliance and a mobile computing device, and controlling the appliance with the mobile computing device includes at least one of determining an available content for the appliance, selecting the content used by the appliance, and applying user preferences to the appliance.

A home automation system using an infrared (IR)/radio frequency (RF) integration remote control module based on a network. At least one IR/RF integration remote control module (100) is disposed at a predetermined location of a home automation region. The IR/RF integration remote control module (100) with a wireless interface function integrates an RF modulation/reception/transmission function and an IR modulation/reception/transmission. A set-top box (200) is appropriately disposed so that it can carry out an interface function for controlling the IR/RF integration remote control module (100) and a wired/wireless Internet access function. The set-top box (200) receives various control commands over an Internet network using transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) and controls the IR/RF integration remote control module (100). Even though various pieces of equipment using the conventional IR reception/transmission scheme or a new electronic product equipped with an RF module is added to the home automation system using an RF modulation scheme, an automation operation and a bidirectional control operation based on the integrated IR and RF transmission scheme can be appropriately carried out. Thus, the home automation system and method can be cost-effectively and conveniently implemented.

Systems and methods for enabling the use of a device to control multiple devices that participate in the presentation of content are disclosed. In particular, a first device may receive information corresponding to the state of appliances to be controlled. A second device having a graphical user interface may be enabled by the first device to update its graphical user interface in accordance with the appliance states for which the first device receives information. In some embodiments, the second device is a handheld device that controls the appliances.

There is provided a digital device control system using a smart phone, including a smart phone having an application of a remote control function, a digital device of which on/off of a power supply, channel or volume is controlled according to a signal received from the smart phone, and an IR repeater functioning as a central control unit connected to the smart phone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi communication and connected to the digital device through a plurality of infrared ray communications in order to remotely control the digital device, and therefore, the digital device can be controlled using the smart phone instead of a remote controller. In addition, since a plurality of LEDs capable of performing infrared ray communication is included in the IR repeater so as to transmit and receive an infrared signal of a wide range, a digital device desired to be controlled can be remotely controlled even when the digital device is placed at a far distance or at a blind spot in a room, and a plurality of digital devices can be controlled simultaneously.

This invention relates to an acoustic control electronic cigarette case and an electronic cigarette device. The electronic cigarette case comprises a battery device, an audio sensor, a memory module, an audio processing module connecting with the audio sensor and generating an electric detecting instruction during the predetermined period of time when the predetermined type acoustic signals is detected, an electric quantity detecting module, a display control module and a display module. The acoustic control electronic cigarette case and the electronic cigarette device of the present invention through disposing the audio sensor, the audio processing module generating an electric detecting instruction during the predetermined period of time when the predetermined type acoustic signals is detected, the electric quantity detecting module, the display control module and the display module achieve technical effects of being easily and conveniently to display the electric quantity, durable, and rapidly response.

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 for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.

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.

An interactive input system comprises a consumer electronic device and a controller for the consumer electronic device. The controller is operable in one of a touch input mode and a gesture input mode and controls the consumer electronic device in response to one of the detected user touch input and user gesture input depending on the operating mode of the controller.

A system, remote control device and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a visible light communication system comprising a remote control device and a plurality of controlled devices. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the visible light communication system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.

Remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray light sources, e.g., environmental light sources and/or reflections are provided. The predetermined light sources can be disposed in asymmetric substantially linear or two-dimensional patterns. The predetermined light sources also can output waveforms modulated in accordance with one or more signature modulation characteristics. The predetermined light sources also can output light at different signature wavelengths.

A device receives a request from a controlling device, such as a remote control, smart phone, or the like, where the request is intended to have one or more target devices perform one or more functional operations. The device responds to the request by applying the optimum methodology to propagate one or more commands to each intended target appliance to cause each intended target appliance to perform the intended one or more functional operations.

An integrated remote controller and a method of selecting a device controlled thereby are disclosed. The present invention is implemented such that it can store position data of devices to be controlled by the integrated remote controller; recognize devices around the integrated remote controller and displaying the devices; determine as to whether an angular velocity of the integrated remote controller is varied, if the recognized devices are plural; if the angular velocity is varied, sense movement direction of the integrated remote controller based on the angular velocity to search for a device to be controlled by a user; and display a control menu of the device to be controlled by the user.

Described herein are devices and systems that transmit data from a first device using an ultrasonic digital modem to a second device that receives the ultrasonic signal and can interpret the ultrasonic signal. The second device may be a telecommunications device such as a smartphone running an ultrasonic digital modem receiver application. In particular, devices, systems and methods for encoding and transmitting an ultrasonic signal that includes both digital (e.g., FSK) and analog signal components. Such hybrid ultrasonic signals may efficiently and reliably transmit information, and particularly biological information. Also described herein are devices, systems and methods for securely transmitting ultrasonic signals using encryption keys that may be read by the receiving device using a separate (e.g., non-ultrasound modality) from the transmitting device.

A remote control facilitates the visual indication of the position of an instrument on a touchpad by an external display device. The remote control includes a touchpad that produces a signal responsive to being touched by an instrument, a decoder that decodes the signal and that provides a position signal indicating instrument position on the touchpad, and a transmitter that transmits a coded signal to an external display device. The coded signal facilitates a visual indication of the instrument touchpad position by the external display device.

A remotely controlled game is composed of host and handler unit consistingof encoder and emitter for encoding the state information and operation instruction of user and emitting the encoded signals. Said host can receive said encoded signals and demodulate them. After they are processed by CPU, the game can be controlled.

A method and system for adaptively configuring a remote control includes analyzing a log of events, maintained by the remote control, which indicate how the remote control and the devices it controls are used by a user. Once the analysis is performed, the system and method can suggest alternative configurations of the remote control to the user. The range and type of alternative configurations is not particularly limited and can include changing which devices are employed for various user activities and/or how those activities are performed, the placement and hierarchy of commands in a menu tree and/or troubleshooting and set up configurations. The analysis can be performed either partially or totally within the remote control, or at, or in conjunction with, a service to which the remote control connects through a network.