IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,647,637
Granted Patent B2
US 12,647,637 · App. 18/135,825 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Systems and methods for a customized media access user experience with privacy settings

Inventors: Paul D. Arling (Irvine, CA); Arsham Hatambeiki (Irvine, CA)
Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
H04N21/4222H04N21/42224H04N21/42226H04N21/4753
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,647,637
App. No.
18/135,825
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of controlling the operating mode of a remote device based upon a local user preference setting includes determining a user privacy setting by a user at a local device and storing the user privacy setting. The user privacy setting is conveyed to the remote device and the operational mode of the remote device is modified based upon the transmitted user privacy preference setting. The operational mode of the remote device is returned to the normal operational mode upon meeting a predetermined condition.

Claims (35)

1 . A non-transitory, computer-readable media having stored thereon instruction wherein the instructions, when executed by a first device, causing the first device to perform steps comprising:

receiving from a second device a user privacy preference configured by a user at the second device;

using the user privacy preference configured by the user to cause the first device to operate in a first configuration that is unlinked to any user;

receiving from the second device an expiration of the user privacy preference configured by the user; and

in response to receiving from the second device the expiration of the user privacy preference configured by the user, causing the first device to operate in a second configuration that is linked to the user.

2 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the first device is a remote control.

3 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further cause the first device to verify the user privacy preference configured by the user.

4 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 1 , wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user is received from the second device via an active beacon broadcast.

5 . A non-transitory, computer-readable media having stored thereon instruction wherein the instructions, when executed by a first device, causing the first device to perform steps comprising:

receiving from a second device a user privacy preference configured by a user at the second device;

using the user privacy preference configured by the user to cause the first device to operate in a first configuration that is unlinked to any user;

detecting that the first device is not in proximity to the second device; and

in response to detecting that the first device is not in proximity to the second device, causing the first device to operate in a second configuration that is linked to the user.

6 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 5 , wherein the first device is a remote control.

7 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 5 , wherein the instructions further cause the first device to verify the user privacy preference configured by the user.

8 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 5 , wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user is received from the second device via an active beacon broadcast.

9 . A non-transitory, computer-readable media having stored thereon instruction wherein the instructions, when executed by a first device, causing the first device to perform steps comprising:

receiving from a second device a user privacy preference configured by a user at the second device;

using the user privacy preference configured by the user to cause the first device to operate in a first configuration that is unlinked to any user;

determining an expiry of a predetermined time period from receiving the user privacy preference configured by the user; and

in response to determining the expiry of the predetermined time period from receiving the user privacy preference configured by the user, causing the first device to operate in a second configuration that is linked to the user.

10 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the first device is a remote control.

11 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the instructions further cause the first device to verify the user privacy preference configured by the user.

12 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 9 , wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user is received from the second device via an active beacon broadcast.

13 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media as recited in claim 1 wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user includes data that specifies a plurality of devices including the first device.

14 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media as recited in claim 5 wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user includes data that specifies a plurality of devices including the first device.

15 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media as recited in claim 9 wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user includes data that specifies a plurality of devices including the first device.

16 . A non-transitory, computer-readable media having stored thereon instruction wherein the instructions, when executed by a first device, causing the first device to perform steps comprising:

receiving from a second device a user privacy preference configured by a user at the second device;

using the user privacy preference configured by the user to modify the operation of the first device from a first operating mode in which the first device is free to track a presence of the user to a second operating mode in which the first device is inhibited from tracking the presence of the user;

receiving from the second device an expiration of the user privacy preference configured by the user; and

in response to receiving from the second device the expiration of the user privacy preference configured by the user, returning the operation of the first device from the second operating mode to the first operating mode

wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user includes data that specifies a feature of the first device that is to be turned off.

17 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media as recited in claim 5 wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user includes data that specifies a feature of the first device that is to be turned off.

18 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media as recited in claim 9 wherein the user privacy preference configured by the user includes data that specifies a feature of the first device that is to be turned off.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2024
From: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 067417/0402 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 18, 2023
From: ARLING, PAUL D.; HATAMBEIKI, ARSHAM
To: UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
Reel/Frame 063354/0727 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17075300 · Oct 20, 2020
Continuation In Part 16855324 · Apr 22, 2020
Continuation 16656153 · Oct 17, 2019
Related Publication 20230254525A1 · Aug 10, 2023
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