Method, system, and computer program product for managing controlled residential or non-residential environments

• US 20080221715A1
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ID8 Group R2 Studios Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: OpenPeak Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Wayzen, Flores, Justin, Krzyzanowski, Paul, Pitts, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/826,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20080221715A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• 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 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• 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 21/4381 Recovering the multiplex stream from a specific network, e.g. recovering MPEG packets from ATM cells transmission of MPEG streams over ATM H04L12/5601
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 : Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 : Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.

Claims

1. A system for managing a plurality of network components within a controlled environment, comprising:

a control center for controlling an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components; and

a platform for enabling communications among the network components and the control center over a wired or wireless medium, wherein the platform is a ceiling fan, a light fixture, a wall switch, a carbon dioxide detector, or a wall outlet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform comprises:

first means for enabling communications with the network components over a wireless medium; and

second means for enabling communications with the control center over a wired medium.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an infrared-serial bridge coupled to the platform, wherein the infrared-serial bridge includes means for enabling communications among the network controller and the network components over a wireless medium.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a remote control device that is configured to send a control request to one or more of the network components.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

positioning means for tracking and/or monitoring a location or a movement of at least one of the network components.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the remote control device is communicatively coupled to the control center and the positioning means, and wherein the remote control device is further configured to send a control request to one or more of the network components located within a vicinity of the remote control means.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a remote control device that is configured to send a control request to one or more of the network components.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a cradle that includes a receptacle for holding the remote control device, wherein the cradle is a platform for a control center that controls an operation and/or a function of the network components.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

a cradle that includes a receptacle for holding the remote control device, wherein the cradle includes a communications interface for exchanging communications with a plurality of network components located throughout a controlled environment.

10. A device for managing a plurality of network components within a controlled environment, comprising:

transmitter means for sending communications to at least one of the network components over a wireless medium,

wherein the device is a ceiling fan, a light fixture, a wall switch, a carbon dioxide detector, or a wall outlet.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

receiver means for accessing communications from at least one of the network components over wireless medium.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the receiver means or the transmitter means include a wired interface to at least one of the network components.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

a control center for controlling an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is communicatively coupled to a control center for controlling an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components, wherein the control center is remotely located from the device.