REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING CELLULAR TELEPHONES WHICH INCLUDE SHORT RANGE RADIO TRANSCEIVERS
First Claim
1. A remote control system for controlling a target device, comprising:
- at least one cellular telephone which also includes a short range radio transceiver, the at least one cellular telephone acting as a user control; and
a control module comprising;
a short range radio transceiver operable to communicate with the short range radio transceiver of the at least one cellular telephone;
a control output assembly operable to change the state of at least one output connected to the target device; and
a microcontroller operable to execute a control program and responsive to data received at the short range radio transceiver of the control module to cause the control output assembly to change the state of the at least one output to change the state of the target device.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A novel remote control system and method is disclosed which includes a user control and a control module. The system employs one or more cellular telephones as the user control which reduces the cost of the system. Further, by employing the inherent functionality of the cellular telephone, novel modes of interacting with the control module and the target devices it is connected to can be achieved. In the case of the cellular telephone being a smartphone, more advanced modes of interacting with the control module and the target devices can be achieved. Examples of target devices controlled by the system and method include, without limitation, electric garage door openers, lighting systems, thermostats, alarm systems, etc.
75 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A remote control system for controlling a target device, comprising:
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at least one cellular telephone which also includes a short range radio transceiver, the at least one cellular telephone acting as a user control; and a control module comprising; a short range radio transceiver operable to communicate with the short range radio transceiver of the at least one cellular telephone; a control output assembly operable to change the state of at least one output connected to the target device; and a microcontroller operable to execute a control program and responsive to data received at the short range radio transceiver of the control module to cause the control output assembly to change the state of the at least one output to change the state of the target device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of using a cellular telephone equipped with a short range radio transceiver to control a target device, comprising the steps of:
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connecting the target device to a control module including a short range radio transceiver interoperable with the short range radio transceiver in the cellular telephone; initiating a connection between the short range radio transceivers in the cellular telephone and the control module to enable the transmission of at least one command from the cellular telephone to the control module through the interoperable short range radio transceivers; and receiving the at least one command at the control module and controlling the target device in accordance with the received command. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A control module for a remote control system to control a target device, the control module comprising:
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a short range radio transceiver operable to communicate with the short range radio transceiver of at least one cellular telephone; a control output assembly comprising at least one output connected to the target device; and a microcontroller operable to execute a control program and responsive to data received at the short range radio transceiver of the control module to cause the control output assembly to change the state of the at least one output to change the state of the target device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification