David L Mann

US Patent:

6930730, Aug 16, 2005

Filed:

May 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/138451

Inventors:

Brian Maxon - Riverside CA, US
Polly Stecyk - Fountain Valley CA, US
Brian Peterson - Cypress 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
Sorin I. Teodorescu - Fountain Valley CA, US
David M. Mann - Upland CA, US

Assignee:

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

H04N005/44

US Classification:

348734, 348552, 715717, 715718, 34082572

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.

US Patent:

7619692, Nov 17, 2009

Filed:

Aug 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/204878

Inventors:

Brian Maxon - Riverside CA, US
Polly Stecyk - Fountain Valley CA, US
Brian Peterson - Cypress 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
Sorin I. Teodorescu - Fountain Valley CA, US
David M. Mann - Upland CA, US

Assignee:

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc. - Irvine CA

International Classification:

H04N 5/44

US Classification:

348734, 348552, 715717, 715718, 34082572

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.