Universal Electronics Inc.

Jan Van Ee

Haiming Huang

Khanh Q Nguyen

Michael Courtney

Jeremy Mickelsen

Arsham Hatambeiki

Jesus Perez

Lokanath Penukonda

Nicu Ahmadi

Maryam Owrang

Chris Chambers

Brian G Barnett

Nikki Ahmadi

A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.

Method and apparatus for providing noise suppression to an intelligent personal assistant

A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.

System and method for determining the location and/or relative environment of a controlling device

A method for synchronizing time within a local, networked system including a first device and a least one second device. The first device uses a short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio communications protocol to advertise a time that is being maintained by a first clock of the first device. The second device uses the received time to discipline a second clock of the second device such that the second clock of the second device is generally synchronized to the first clock of the first device.

System and method for synchronizing and/or disciplining clocks

Described are systems and methods for enabling an audio assisted connection between a device and appliances, networks, and the like by way of determination of relative locations. A device utilizes a microphone and/or speaker to communicate with a target device to ensure that the two devices are within sufficient proximity to ensure a proper connection.

Universal audio device pairing assistant

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.

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Santa Ana, CA, United States of America

Jan Van Ee