System for switching, controlling, programming and operating communication devices

• US 20040162110A1
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH and Co KG (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Neuhaus, Ralf
• Granted Patent: US 7,953,437 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/576 associated with a pictorial or graphical representation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43632 involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/00 Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for switching, controlling, programming and operating communications devices, particularly communications terminals or communications systems. According to the invention, the at least one communications device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) can be connected to at least one entertainment terminal (FER) via at least one interface (IEE), and the communications device TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) and the at least one entertainment terminal (FER) are configured for exchanging signals and/or data via the at least one interface (IEE). The entertainment terminal (FER) advantageously has at least one display (ANZ) and at least one input (BED). The entertainment terminal is, for example, a television set (FER).

Claims

1. A system for switching, controlling, programming and operating communication devices, characterized

in that the at least one communication device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) can be connected to at least one entertainment terminal (FER) via at least one interface (IEE), and

in that the communication device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) and also the at least one entertainment unit (FER) are set up to interchange signals and/or data via the at least one interface (IEE).

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized

in that the entertainment terminal (FER) has at least one display (ANZ).

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized

in that the entertainment terminal (FER) has at least one input facility (BED).

4. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized

in that the entertainment terminal (FER) is a television set in a known manner.

5. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized

in that the interface (IEE) is a wireless interface.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, characterized

in that the interface (IEE) is a radio interface.

7. The system as claimed in claim 5 or 6, characterized

in that the interface (IEE) is a high-speed interface.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, characterized

in that the interface transmission is based on the Firewire standard.

9. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized

in that the communication device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) is set up to search automatically for an active entertainment terminal (FER) connected to the communication device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) at least upon activation of an administration mode.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, characterized

in that a selection menu is displayed on the display (ANZ) of the entertainment terminal (FER) for administration purposes.

11. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized

in that the communication device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) is set up to search automatically for an active entertainment terminal (FER) connected to the unit/system (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) upon an incoming call.

12. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, characterized

in that the communication device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) is set up to transmit state-dependent information to an active entertainment terminal (FER).

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, characterized

in that it has at least one associated database for insert symbols corresponding to the state-dependent information which are able to be inserted on the entertainment terminal (FER) in line with the information transmitted to said entertainment terminal.

14. The system as claimed in claim 13, characterized

in that the at least one database is associated with the communication device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS).

15. The system as claimed in claim 13 or 14, characterized

in that the database is a photograph and/or symbol database and/or a name database.

16. The system as claimed in one of claims 13 to 15, characterized

in that the at least one database is stored on at least one memory device (SPE) which is associated with the system (SSY).

17. The system as claimed in claim 16, characterized

in that the at least one memory device (SPE) is a memory device in a communication device (TE1, TE2, MOF, SYS) which is connected to the entertainment terminal (FER).