System and method for remotely interfacing with a plurality of electronic devices
First Claim
1. A remote communication device for wirelessly interfacing with a gateway, said remote communication device comprising:
- a visual display;
a plurality of user input buttons, wherein selected of said user input buttons are utilized to actuate multiple distinct functions;
an RF transmitter/receiver for wirelessly communicating with a gateway;
a processor electrically connected to said LCD matrix display, said user input buttons, and to said RF transmitter/receiver; and
memory connected to said processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for interfacing a gateway with a plurality of electronic devices provided in a home networking environment includes establishing a communications link between the gateway and an intermediate device as well as providing input and output features at the intermediate device. A gateway in accordance with the disclosed technology may, for example, correspond to a cable modem, DSL interface, or other wireless home gateway that interfaces multiple data lines in a home networking environment. The remote intermediate device is outfitted with at least one wireless transmitter/receiver for communicating with a gateway and optionally with the networked electronic devices or appliances. Input features include a keypad with multiple user input buttons which may be actuated by a user'"'"'s single hand when the remote device is held in the same single hand. Output features include a visual display such as an LCD matrix display. The visual display may be outfitted with touchscreen capabilities providing such output feature with an ability to dually function as an input feature. Additional functional components of the remote intermediate device include a processor and associated operating system, volatile and nonvolatile memory modules, an infrared transmitter/receiver, audio element, and smart battery with a recharging interface.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A remote communication device for wirelessly interfacing with a gateway, said remote communication device comprising:
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a visual display;
a plurality of user input buttons, wherein selected of said user input buttons are utilized to actuate multiple distinct functions;
an RF transmitter/receiver for wirelessly communicating with a gateway;
a processor electrically connected to said LCD matrix display, said user input buttons, and to said RF transmitter/receiver; and
memory connected to said processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A personal communication device for remotely accessing and controlling a plurality of electronic devices provided at a single or multiple dwelling unit, said personal communication device comprising:
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an LCD matrix display with touch-screen interfacing capabilities;
a keypad with a plurality of user input buttons;
a processor electrically connected to said keypad such that information inputted by a user can be processed and further electrically connected to said LCD matrix display such that output and input can be processed;
a wireless transmitter/receiver electrically connected to said processor for providing a remote signal to selected of the plurality of electronic devices provided at the single or multiple dwelling unit;
an infrared transmitter/receiver electrically connected to said processor for providing a remote signal to selected of the plurality of electronic devices provided at the single or multiple dwelling unit;
memory connected to said processor; and
a power input location for interfacing with an energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A remote system for controlling a plurality of electronic devices connected in a home networking environment, wherein said plurality of electronic devices includes a television and wherein said remote system comprises:
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non-infrared communication means for wirelessly transmitting and receiving signals from selected of the plurality of electronic devices;
actuation means for inputting user-selected information indicative of functions to be performed by selected of the plurality of electronic devices;
display means for providing a user with visible information corresponding to status and functionality of selected of the electronic devices; and
processing means for manipulating information inputted to said remote system via said non-infrared communication means and via said actuation means as well as information outputted by said remote system to said display means. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for interfacing a gateway with a plurality of electronic devices provided in a home networking environment, wherein a wired or wireless link between selected electronic devices and said gateway is provided, said method comprising the steps of:
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establishing an RF link between said gateway and an intermediate device, wherein said RF link is capable of relaying signals without having a direct line of sight between the gateway and the intermediate device;
providing means for a user to provide input to the intermediate device, such user input capable of being processed and transmitted over the established RF link; and
providing means for a user to view output at the intermediate device, wherein selected output is received by the intermediate device from the gateway. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification