Patent landscapes › Electronics & gadgets
Is a universal remote patented?
Short answer: specific designs of a universal remote have been patented many times, but "a universal remote" as a general idea is not what is protected. What matters is the exact combination of features in your version.
What our index shows
- 7,454 US and WO patent publications since 2000 have a title matching “universal remote” or a close variant (our index of 9.7 million patent families; one publication per family).
- Among the 1104 best keyword matches we examined, 180 were published in 2020 or later, and the earliest was published in 2000.
- Most frequent assignees in those matches: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD (39), UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC (29), SONY CORP (20), KONINKL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV (14).
- Most common patent classes (CPC subclasses): G08C (525), H04N (361), G06F (187), H04B (107).
Counts come from keyword matching on titles and abstracts, so they are indicative, not a legal count. Some matches are different products that share a word.
14 real patent publications related to a universal remote
- Universal translator control system for remote control of robot with joystick using translated control signal US-2024227175-A9 2024 · UNIV NAT CHUNG CHENG
A universal translator control system for remote control of a robot with a joystick. The system includes a calculation unit for storing translation logic, a control access interface unit electrically connected to the calculation u…
View on Google Patents - Universal remote control push-button box WO-2021005256-A1 2021 · ECCOCAR SHARING S L
The invention relates to a universal control push-button box that can be used for all types of controls, the box being provided with an alginate used to create moulds, which, mixed with a catalyst, forms a putty, allowing the user…
View on Google Patents - Configuring universal remote control device for appliances based on correlation of received infrared signals and detected appliance events US-10176710-B1 2019 · GOOGLE LLC
An example technique of configuring a universal remote control device includes receiving a plurality of transmitted infrared signals during a time period; storing the plurality of infrared signals and a time of each of the plurali…
View on Google Patents - Display apparatus for setting universal remote controller, method thereof, universal remote controller and setting method thereof US-2015179061-A1 2015 · SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
A display apparatus and a universal remote controller setting method which is executable by using the display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes a signal receiver configured to receive an infrared (IR) signal w…
View on Google Patents - Universal remote control system US-8976002-B2 2015 · TSUI PHILIP YU WING
A universal remote control system is disclosed. The universal remote control includes a receiver that has a wireless signal receiver unit, an electric motor that drives a mechanical arm and a microprocessor. When the receiver rece…
View on Google Patents - Universal remote controller having home automation function US-8552843-B2 2013 · DIZECHI MANUCHEHR
A universal remote controller having a radio frequency (RF) control mode for generating RF signals for controlling an RF based home automation system and having an infrared (IR) control mode for controlling an infrared based elect…
View on Google Patents - Universal remote control device US-8150261-B2 2012 · TZENG SHING-WU P
A universal remote control device controls both first and second electronic devices that may be remote from each other, via different communication channels. The remote control device is used with an optical fiber network, includi…
View on Google Patents - Universal remote-control signal transmitting device for controlling ir equipment and a setting method thereof US-2010329688-A1 2010 · YOUNG DARNIEL
A universal remote-control signal transmitting device for controlling IR equipment and a setting method thereof. The universal remote-control device uses code identification to perform simple setting. The device includes an IR tra…
View on Google Patents - Universal electronic device remote control power button status light US-2007165109-A1 2007 · JACOBS NEAL K
A system comprising a first remote controllable appliance and a universal remote control having an indicator light positioned under a power key for indicating that a device soft key has been activated, or that a function signal ha…
View on Google Patents - Universal remote control device with touch screen US-2007080845-A1 2007 · KONINKL PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV
A universal remote control device ( 2 ) is provided for replacing original remote control devices for remote controlling different appliances. The universal remote control device ( 2 ) comprises a remote control signal emitter ( 8…
View on Google Patents - Chameleon button universal remote control with tactile feel US-2006092038-A1 2006 · UNGER ROBERT A
A remote control device has A/V component select buttons corresponding to respective A/V components, and one or more depressible multifunction buttons each serving multiple functions. The particular function depends on which compo…
View on Google Patents - Wireless telephone device associated with universal remote control function US-2005197113-A1 2005
A wireless telephone device associated with universal remote control function, being in conjunction with a phone main unit. The wireless telephone device includes a phone case, a control panel disposed on the cover with a pluralit…
View on Google Patents - Universal remote controller US-2004100442-A1 2004 · TRANS ELECTRIC CO LTD
A universal remote controller is provided. The remote controller comprises a signal processor, a power unit, a keypad, and an infrared emitter, wherein the keypad receives input keys and outputs corresponding electrical signals to…
View on Google Patents - Universal remote control with incoming signal identification US-6130625-A 2000 · CHAMBORD TECHNOLOGIES INC
A remote control for consolidating several native remote controls of consumer electronic devices identifies, stores and re-transmits signals of the other remote controls for operating several of the electronic devices with one rem…
View on Google Patents
What this means for your idea
Because patents cover specific combinations of features, the useful question is not “has a universal remote been patented?” but “has my combination of features been described before?” Consumer electronics are among the most heavily patented areas; the specific circuit, mounting, or interaction is what distinguishes a design.
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Guides that help with this
First-look landscape. Not exhaustive. Not legal advice. This page lists keyword-matched publications from a limited database; it does not say whether any product is or isn't covered by a patent, whether a patent is still in force, or whether your idea is patentable. Consult a registered patent attorney or agent.