SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A MESSAGE SERVICE FOR A SITE

• US 20080177842A1
• Filed: 01/22/2007
• Published: 07/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap One LLC (Snap One Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Control4 Corporation (Snap One Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Howard, Michael L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,170,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2825 Reporting to a device located outside the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with telemetering systems H04M11/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• 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 21/43615 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 21/443 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 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A method for providing a message service for a site is described. It is determined whether a service is provided at the site. If the service is provided at the site, a request is sent to a node at the site that provides the service. Determining if the service is provided at the site includes automatically determining if the service is provided at the site without user input.

Claims

1. A method for providing a message service for a site, comprising:

determining if a service is provided at the site;

if the service is provided at the site, sending a request to a node at the site that provides the service; and

wherein determining if the service is provided at the site further comprises automatically determining if the service is provided at the site without user input.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a message to a messaging device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining to which messaging device to send the message.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining to which to which messaging device to send the message further comprises determining the capabilities of at least one messaging device at the site.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an acknowledgement that the request was received.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising if an acknowledgement that the request was received is not received within a predetermined period of time, resending the request.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising if an acknowledgement that the request was received is not received within a predetermined period of time, sending an urgent request.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the node acts as a proxy to provide access to services outside of the site.

9. A method for providing a message service for a site, comprising:

sending a first request over a network at the site;

determining whether the first request was processed; and

if the request was not processed, sending a second request over the network at the site.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining whether the first request was processed further comprises receiving an acknowledgement that the first request was processed.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising if the acknowledgement is not received within a predetermined period of time, resending the first request.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising if the acknowledgement is not received within a predetermined period of time, sending an urgent request.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the acknowledgement is sent by a node.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the acknowledgement is sent by a messaging device.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the node acts as a proxy to provide access to services outside of the site.

16. A system that is configured for providing a message service for a site, the system comprising:

an input device comprising;

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

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

send a first request over a network at the site;

determine whether the first request was received; and

if the request was not received, send a second request over the network at the site.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a node comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

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

receive the request for a service; and

provide a service based on the request.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a messaging device and wherein the instructions on the node are further executable to send a message to the messaging device.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the instructions on the node are further executable to send an acknowledgment to the input device that the request was received and wherein the instructions on the input device are further executable to receive the acknowledgment from the node.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the node further comprises a site controller, 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 and wherein the site controller does not require an external exclusive computer monitor for standard operation.