METHODS, APPARATUSES, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR IMPLEMENTING REMOTE CONTROL PROCESSES

• US 20080318564A1
• Filed: 06/19/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kreiner, Barrett, Reeves, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 8,026,791 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/61 Password, biometric
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1016 Telecontrol
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program product for implementing remote control processes is provided. The method includes receiving a request to execute an operation on a target device via selection of a function key on a remote control device. The function key is associated with the operation and the target device that performs the operation for remotely controlling operation of the target device via a signal transmitted from the remote control device to the target device when the function key is selected. The method also includes approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured, and transmitting the signal from the remote control device to the target device in response to the approval.

Claims

1. A method for implementing remote control processes, comprising:

receiving a request to execute an operation on a target device via selection of a function key on a remote control device, wherein the function key is associated with the operation and the target device that performs the operation for remotely controlling operation of the target device via a signal transmitted from the remote control device to the target device when the function key is selected;

approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured; and

transmitting the signal from the remote control device to the target device in response to the approval.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target device is a safety device, and the operation includes at least one of:

activation of the target device;

de-activation of the target device;

resetting of the target device; and

overriding operation settings programmed into the target device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to execute the operation via selection of the function key is received by a programming module in the remote control device;

wherein the approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured is performed by permissions rules configured into the remote control device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to execute the operation via selection of the function key is received by a computer processor over a network, wherein the approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured is performed by a response signal received from the computer processor based upon an evaluation of conditions present in proximity of the remote control device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the target device is a safety device comprising at least one of:

a sprinkler head;

a sprinkler system;

a detection device;

a pull station alarm;

an emergency light;

a safety light;

an emergency exit;

utility connections;

a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and components; and

a circuit panel.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the detection device comprises at least one of:

a smoke detector;

a carbon dioxide detector;

a carbon monoxide detector;

a temperature sensor;

a motion sensor; and

a hazardous materials detector.

7. An apparatus for implementing remote control processes, comprising:

a remote control device; and

a programming module executing on the remote control device, the programming module performing;

receiving a request to execute an operation on a target device via selection of a function key on a remote control device, wherein the function key is associated with the operation and the target device that performs the operation for remotely controlling operation of the target device via a signal transmitted from the remote control device to the target device when the function key is selected;

approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured; and

transmitting the signal from the remote control device to the target device in response to the approval.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the target device is a safety device and the operation includes at least one of:

activation of the target device;

de-activation of the target device;

resetting of the target device; and

overriding operation settings programmed into the target device.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a security module executing on the remote control device;

wherein the request to execute the operation via selection of the function key is received by the security module in the remote control device; and

wherein further, the approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured is performed by permissions rules configured into the remote control device via the security module.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the request to execute the operation via selection of the function key is transmitted by the remote control device to a computer processor over a network, wherein the approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured is performed via a response signal received from the computer processor at the remote control device based upon an evaluation of conditions present in proximity of the remote control device.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the function key associated with the target device relates to a safety device comprising at least one of:

a sprinkler head;

a sprinkler system;

a detection device;

a pull station alarm;

an emergency light;

a safety light;

an emergency exit;

utility connections;

a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and components; and

a circuit panel.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the detection device comprises at least one of:

a smoke detector;

a carbon dioxide detector;

a carbon monoxide detector;

a temperature sensor;

a motion sensor; and

a hazardous materials detector.

13. A computer program product for implementing remote control processes, the computer program product including instructions for implementing a method, comprising:

receiving a request to execute an operation on a target device via selection of a function key on a remote control device, wherein the function key is associated with the operation and the target device that performs the operation for remotely controlling operation of the target device via a signal transmitted from the remote control device to the target device when the function key is selected;

approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured; and

transmitting the signal from the remote control device to the target device in response to the approval.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the target device is a safety device and the operation includes at least one of:

activation of the target device;

de-activation of the target device;

resetting of the target device; and

overriding operation settings programmed into the target device.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the request to execute the operation via selection of the function key is received by the remote control device;

wherein the approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured is performed by permissions rules configured into the remote control device.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the request to execute the operation via selection of the function key is transmitted to a computer processor over a network, wherein the approving the request to execute the operation when authorization has been secured is performed by a response signal received at the remote control device from the computer processor based upon an evaluation of conditions present in proximity of the remote control device.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the target device is a safety device comprising at least one of:

a sprinkler head;

a sprinkler system;

a detection device;

a pull station alarm;

an emergency light;

a safety light;

an emergency exit;

utility connections;

a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and components; and

a circuit panel.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the detection device comprises at least one of:

a smoke detector;

a carbon dioxide detector;

a carbon monoxide detector;

a temperature sensor;

a motion sensor; and

a hazardous materials detector.