The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 12, 2010
Filed:
May. 02, 2002
Polly Stecyk, Fountain Valley, CA (US);
Brian Peterson, Cypress, CA (US);
Brian D Maxson, Riverside, CA (US);
Pavel Houda, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
George E. Palmer, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Shenta T. Pu, Irvine, CA (US);
Martin Zanfino, Coto de Caza, CA (US);
Robert A. Perry, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Polly Stecyk, Fountain Valley, CA (US);
Brian Peterson, Cypress, CA (US);
Brian D Maxson, Riverside, CA (US);
Pavel Houda, Laguna Hills, CA (US);
George E. Palmer, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Shenta T. Pu, Irvine, CA (US);
Martin Zanfino, Coto de Caza, CA (US);
Robert A. Perry, Mission Viejo, CA (US);
Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices;, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system. The user interface, which includes a visual recognition system, enables the user to transparently control multiple input devices over a variety of protocols while operating on a single control layer of an input command device. In an alternative embodiment, the control system also enables gated signal pass-through control while avoiding signal jamming.