System, computer program product and method for managing and controlling a local network of electronic devices
First Claim
1. A method of remotely controlling wireless network devices comprising:
- broadcasting a wireless menu request from a hand held control device to a plurality of electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN);
receiving a wireless menu response from at least two of said electronic devices, each wireless menu response including an identifier and a menu location associated with a respective one of said electronic devices;
displaying a representation of said at least two electronic devices on a display of said hand held control device;
selecting one of said at least two electronic devices based on a user input to said hand held device; and
establishing a control connection with said selected electronic device via said wireless LAN.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, control device and computer program product for remotely controlling wireless network devices broadcasting a wireless menu request from a control device to electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN), receiving a wireless menu response from one of the electronic devices, selecting the one of the electronic devices, and establishing a control connection with the selected electronic device via the wireless LAN. Broadcasting may include transmitting a menu request to a wide variety of electronic devices, or only electronic devices capable of communicating using a predetermined protocol compatible with the control device, such as http. The wireless menu request may be transmitted at a predetermined power that is adjustable to change the communication area of the wireless LAN. Where a plurality of the wireless menu responses are received from a plurality of electronic devices connected to the wireless LAN, the electronic device is selected by displaying a list of the plurality of electronic devices, and selecting one of the plurality of electronic devices based on user selection from the list. The list may be continued on multiple screens and in a predetermined order.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of remotely controlling wireless network devices comprising:
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broadcasting a wireless menu request from a hand held control device to a plurality of electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN);
receiving a wireless menu response from at least two of said electronic devices, each wireless menu response including an identifier and a menu location associated with a respective one of said electronic devices;
displaying a representation of said at least two electronic devices on a display of said hand held control device;
selecting one of said at least two electronic devices based on a user input to said hand held device; and
establishing a control connection with said selected electronic device via said wireless LAN. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 33)
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16. A hand held control device for remotely controlling wireless network devices comprising:
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a transmitter configured to broadcast a wireless menu request from the hand held control device to a plurality of electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN);
a receiver configured to receive a wireless menu response from at least two of said electronic devices, each wireless menu response including an identifier and a menu location associated with a respective one of said electronic devices; and
a display configured to display a representation of said at least two electronic devices;
a processor in communication with said transmitter and receiver, said processor configured to select one of said at least two electronic devices in response to a user input to the hand held device, and establish a control connection with said selected electronic device via said wireless LAN. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A hand held control device for remotely controlling wireless network devices comprising:
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means for broadcasting a wireless menu request from a hand held control device to a plurality of electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN);
means for receiving a wireless menu response from at least two of said electronic devices, each wireless menu response including an identifier and a menu location associated with a respective one of said electronic devices;
means for displaying a representation of said at least two of said electronic devices;
means for selecting said one of said at least two electronic devices based on a user input to said hand held control device; and
means for establishing a control connection with said selected electronic device via said wireless LAN. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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Specification