Universal Electronics Enhances Consumer Control Experience by Extending Standards

CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) (NASDAQ: UEIC) today announced the availability of its Universal Remote Application Programming Interface (UAPI), allowing device manufacturers to extend existing remote control standards to deliver an enhanced consumer control experience. UAPI is an end-to-end turnkey solution integrated into a remote and its target device such as set-top box or television. This turnkey solution greatly reduces the development time required to design and develop advanced, custom features that require synchronization between the remote and target device.

“Our standard’s compliant solution, UAPI, can extend the features, capabilities, and performance of almost any navigation and control system”

Common wireless protocols currently used on remote controls such as Bluetooth® and RF4CE do not readily define standards for many of the features that are available on today’s advanced control platforms. With UEI’s UAPI, additional plug-in modules can be applied that enable new control options not available as part of the original standards. Once implemented on the target device, UAPI enables support for a variety of new interface technologies, such as capacitive touch or optical finger navigation, on the remote ensuring a consistent quality of control performance on the system platform.

Key Benefits of UAPI Include:

a variety of remote control solutions can be developed for a single target device;
an increase in the flexibility and usability of remote control features, protocols, and device connections;
an end-to-end solution that reduces integration time and offers a scalable development environment for integrating new control features;
native support for the UEI QuickSet application which delivers a seamless device setup experience; and
support for newer advanced navigation options, such as enabling the target device to manage remote settings utilizing the two-way link between the remote and the target device.

“Our standard’s compliant solution, UAPI, can extend the features, capabilities, and performance of almost any navigation and control system,” said Graham Williams, senior vice president of technology development for UEI. “This is a key element in developing intuitive and user-friendly applications and use cases that are not spelled out in RF-based standards specifications. UAPI focuses on consumer-centric applications around the home theater experience and delivers a risk-free path for OEMs to develop solutions that truly extend the user interface into the hands of the user.”

Manufacturers and system operators interested in learning more about UAPI and other advanced solutions from Universal Electronics are invited to visit UEI’s booth #21243 in South Hall 1 during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6 through January 9, 2011.

About Universal Electronics Inc.

Founded in 1986, Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) is the global leader in wireless control technology for the connected home. UEI designs, develops, and delivers innovative solutions that enable consumers to control entertainment devices, digital media, and home systems. The company’s broad portfolio of patented technologies and database of infrared control software have been adopted by many Fortune 500 companies in the consumer electronics, subscription broadcast, and computing industries. UEI sells and licenses wireless control products through distributors and retailers under the One For All® brand name. UEI also delivers complete home control solutions in the professional custom installation market under the brand name Nevo®. More information is available at www.uei.com.

All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

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