System and method for optimized appliance control

• US 10,325,487 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2018
• Issued: 06/18/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Arling, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aziz, Adnan
• Application Number:
  US15/900,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20180174437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/70 Device selection
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4363 Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) circuit that comprises:

a first detection component configured to receive a signal from a first HDMI connector and detect from the signal from the first HDMI connector first indicia of an operational mode of a first HDMI device connected to the first HDMI connector;

a second detection component configured to receive a signal from a second HDMI connector and detect from the signal from the second HDMI connector second indicia of an operational mode of a second HDMI device connected to the second HDMI connector;

a control component configured to;

receive the first indicia and the second indicia, and provide one or more operational status signals based on the first indicia or the second indicia; and

a switching circuit configured to;

receive the one or more operational status signals and cause a command signal to be transmitted to a third HDMI device to provide an active connection, based on the one or more operational status signals, between either of the first and the second HDMI connectors and a third HDMI connector of the third HDMI device.

2. The HDMI circuit of claim 1, wherein the signal received from the first HDMI connector is a power status signal indicative of a power status of the first HDMI device and the signal received from the second HDMI connector is a power status signal indicative of a power status of the second HDMI device.

3. The HDMI circuit of claim 1, comprising a third detection circuit configured to receive a signal from a fourth HDMI connector and detect from the signal from the fourth HDMI connector third indicia indicative of the third HDMI connector of the third HDMI device and wherein the control component is configured to receive the third indicia and provide the one or more operational status signals based on the third indicia in combination with the first indicia or the second indicia.

4. The HDMI circuit of claim 3, wherein the third HDMI connector comprises an HDMI input port of the third HDMI device.

5. The HDMI circuit of claim 4, wherein the command signal comprises an HDMI input port selection command signal.