System and methods for controlling embedded devices using device style sheets

• US 20070135940A1
• Filed: 12/13/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nelson, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,078,290 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/32
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25168 Domotique, access through internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32143 Use css style sheets as control parameters

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling ambiance devices, or an embedded device, using a device style sheet are disclosed. Ambiance devices include devices used to control an environment in a room or area, such as a lighting device or a heating/cooling system. A device style sheet declaration is received, in one embodiment, at an ambiance device controller. The declaration comprises a scope selector that identifies a scope of a style to be applied, a property identifier that identifies a style property to be altered, and a property value that identifies a style property value to be applied. At least one ambiance device, within the scope identified by the scope selector, that is in electronic communication with the ambiance device controller is identified. A control signal for the ambiance device is formulated based on the property identifier and property value. The control signal is then transmitted to the ambiance device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling embedded devices using a device style sheet, the method:

comprising;

receiving at an embedded device controller a data signal identifying a device style sheet declaration, the declaration comprising;

a property identifier that identifies a style property to be altered; and

a property value that identifies a style property value to be applied;

identifying at least one embedded device in electronic communication with the embedded device controller;

formulating a control signal for the embedded device based on the property identifier and property value; and

transmitting the control signal to the embedded device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the style sheet declaration further comprises a scope selector that identifies a scope of a style to be applied.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the capabilities of the embedded device, wherein the control signal is additionally formulated based on the capabilities of the embedded device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the property value comprises a prioritized list of property values.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a style sheet declaration from an external computing device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the external computing device is a computer game system, and wherein the style sheet declaration corresponds to events taking place within a game being played on the game system.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the embedded device is an ambiance device configured to control at least one aspect of an environment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the embedded device comprises a set style sheet, and wherein formulating a control signal comprises formulating a control signal that will be recognized by the embedded device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the embedded device comprises a modifiable style sheet.

10. A system that is configured to implement a method for controlling ambiance devices using a device style sheet, the system comprising:

an ambiance device controller having a memory and processor in electronic communication with each other;

an ambiance device for controlling at least one aspect of an environment, the ambiance device and ambiance device controller being in electronic communication with each other;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to implement a method comprising;

receiving at an ambiance device controller a data signal identifying a device style sheet declaration, the declaration comprising;

a property identifier that identifies a style property to be altered; and

a property value that identifies a style property value to be applied;

formulating a control signal for the ambiance device based on the property identifier and property value; and

transmitting the control signal to the ambiance device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the style sheet declaration further comprises a scope selector that identifies a scope of a style to be applied.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises determining the capabilities of the ambiance device, wherein the control signal is additionally formulated based on the capabilities of the ambiance device.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the property value comprises a prioritized list of property values.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises receiving a style sheet declaration from an external computing device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the external computing device is a computer game system, and wherein the style sheet declaration corresponds to events taking place within a game being played on the game system.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the ambiance device comprises a modifiable style sheet.

17. A computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions for implementing a method for controlling ambiance devices using a device style sheet, the method comprising:

receiving at an ambiance device controller a data signal identifying a device style sheet declaration, the declaration comprising;

a property identifier that identifies a style property to be altered; and

a property value that identifies a style property value to be applied;

identifying at least one ambiance device in electronic communication with the ambiance device controller;

formulating a control signal for the ambiance device based on the property identifier and property value; and

transmitting the control signal to the ambiance device.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the style sheet declaration further comprises a scope selector that identifies a scope of a style to be applied.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising determining the capabilities of the ambiance device, wherein the control signal is additionally formulated based on the capabilities of the ambiance device.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the property value comprises a prioritized list of property values.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising receiving a style sheet declaration from an external computing device.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the external computing device is a computer game system, and wherein the style sheet declaration corresponds to events taking place within a game being played on the game system.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the ambiance device comprises a modifiable style sheet.

24. A system that is configured to implement a method for controlling ambiance devices using a device style sheet, the system comprising:

a first ambiance device for controlling at least one aspect of an environment, the first ambiance device having a processor and memory in electronic communication with each other;

a second ambiance device for controlling at least one aspect of an environment, the first and second ambiance devices being in electronic communication with each other;

instructions stored in the memory of the first ambiance device, the instructions being executable to implement a method comprising;

receiving at the first ambiance device a data signal identifying a device style sheet declaration, the declaration comprising;

a property identifier that identifies a style property to be altered; and

a property value that identifies a style property value to be applied;

formulating a control signal for the second ambiance device based on the property identifier and property value; and

transmitting the control signal to the second ambiance device.