DUAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A method for operating a device, comprising the operations of:
- receiving a first communications signal having a first characteristic;
in response to the first communications signal, configuring a device into a first operative state;
receiving a second communications signal having a second characteristic, the second characteristic different than the first characteristic, and prior to receiving the first communications signal, the device is inoperative to receive the second signal;
determining at least one command provided in the second communications signal; and
executing the at least one command.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A controller for a device transmitting commands across one or more communication channels. Each such channel may employ a separate medium, such as radio waves and infrared light. The controller may transmit two separate signals to a device, where one signal is sent via radio waves and the other by infrared light. One signal may correspond to a group identifier and the other to an operating command to be carried out by the device. The device may receive both signals and, if the device belongs to a group corresponding to the group identifier, it may execute the operating command. Alternatively, the group identifier may be replaced by a wake command and the device may execute the operating command only if the wake command is received.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for operating a device, comprising the operations of:
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receiving a first communications signal having a first characteristic; in response to the first communications signal, configuring a device into a first operative state; receiving a second communications signal having a second characteristic, the second characteristic different than the first characteristic, and prior to receiving the first communications signal, the device is inoperative to receive the second signal; determining at least one command provided in the second communications signal; and executing the at least one command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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3. (canceled)
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9. An apparatus for remotely controlling a device, comprising:
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a first transmitter operative to transmit a first communications signal with a first characteristic; a second transmitter operative to transmit a second communications signal with a second characteristic; a processor operative to control the first and second transmitters; a group command module operative to transmit a grouping command to the device via one of the first and second transmitters, the group command module controlled by the processor; an operation command module operative to transmit an operation command to the device via one of the first and second transmitters, the operation command module controlled by the processor; and a wake command module operative to transmit a wake command to the device via one of the first and second transmitters, the wake command module controlled by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device operative to respond to a first and second remote signal, comprising:
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a processor; a first receiver operative to receive a first communications signal and convey first information associated with the first communications signal to the processor; a second receiver operative to receive a second communications signal, but not prior to said first receiver receiving said first communication signal, and convey second information associated with the second communications signal to the processor; and application circuitry operative to control at least a portion of the device in response to a command from the processor, the command based at least partially on one of the first information and second information. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification