SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UPDATING A SITE

• US 20080046878A1
• Filed: 08/18/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap One LLC (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Control4 Corporation (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Casey
• Granted Patent: US 7,991,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/658 Incremental updates; Differential updates

Abstract

A method for updating a site is disclosed. A site controller may be provided. A plurality of devices that are not directly user updatable may be provided. The plurality of devices may be in electronic communication with the site controller. External media may be provided. The external media may include device software updates. The external media may be in electronic communication with the site controller. The method may automatically determine which devices of the plurality of devices need to be updated. The method may automatically update the devices needing an update by communicating at least a portion of the device software update to the devices needing an update.

Claims

1. A method for updating a site, comprising:

providing a site controller;

providing a plurality of devices that are not directly user updatable, wherein the plurality of devices are in electronic communication with the site controller;

putting external media, including device software updates, in electronic communication with the site controller;

automatically determining which devices of the plurality of devices need to be updated; and

automatically updating the devices needing an update by communicating at least a portion of the device software update to the devices needing an update.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically storing a current software version of a first device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically storing the device software updates on the site controller from the external media.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically determining does not require any user interaction at the site controller.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically updating does not require any user interaction at the site controller.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the site controller does not require a keyboard or a mouse for standard operation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the site controller comprises an embedded system that includes built-in audio ports, built-in video ports, and built-in infrared in and out ports.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the site controller does not require an external exclusive computer monitor for standard operation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the external media is in electronic communication with the site controller via a network.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the network is the Internet.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the site controller is not connected to the Internet.

12. A computer system that is configured to update a site with a site controller, the computer system comprising:

a plurality of devices that are not directly user updatable, wherein the plurality of devices are in electronic communication with the site controller;

external media, including device software updates, in electronic communication with the site controller;

the site controller comprising;

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to;

automatically determine which devices of the plurality of devices need to be updated; and

automatically update the devices needing an update by communicating at least a portion of the device software update to the devices needing an update.

13. The instructions of claim 12, further executable to automatically store the current software version of a first device.

14. The instructions of claim 13, further executable to automatically storing the device software updates on the site controller from the external media.

15. The instructions of claim 14, wherein automatically determining does not require any user interaction at the site controller.

16. The instructions of claim 15, wherein automatically updating does not require any user interaction at the site controller.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the site controller does not require a keyboard or a mouse for standard operation.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the site controller comprises an embedded system that includes built-in audio ports, built-in video ports, and built-in infrared in and out ports.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the site controller does not require an external exclusive computer monitor for standard operation.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the external media is in electronic communication with the site controller via a network.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the network is the Internet.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the site controller is not connected to the Internet.

23. A computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions for implementing a method for updating a site that includes a site controller, a plurality of devices that are not directly user updatable, wherein the plurality of devices are in electronic communication with the site controller, external media, including device software updates, in electronic communication with the site controller the method comprising:

automatically determining which devices of the plurality of devices need to be updated; and

automatically updating the devices needing an update by communicating at least a portion of the device software update to the devices needing an update.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising automatically storing the current software version of a first device.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising automatically storing the device software updates on the site controller from the external media.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein automatically determining does not require any user interaction at the site controller.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein automatically updating does not require any user interaction at the site controller.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the site controller does not require a keyboard or a mouse for standard operation.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the site controller comprises an embedded system that includes built-in audio ports, built-in video ports, and built-in infrared in and out ports.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the site controller does not require an external exclusive computer monitor for standard operation.