HOME AND BUILDING AUTOMATION

• US 20110224810A1
• Filed: 03/12/2010
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Original Assignee: Spansion LLC (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Tom, Joe, Dubois, Sylvain
• Application Number:
  US12/723,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20110224810A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23043 Remote and local control panel, programming unit, switch
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23077 Reconfigurable remote programmer, learn control signals for different devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

Systems (100) and methods (500) for controlling a household electronic device (HED). The HED (102, . . . , 114, 142) comprises a processing unit (302) configured to execute first device-control software operative for controlling the HED so that it performs a primary function using original values for a plurality of operating parameters. The methods involve receiving, at the HED, an active processing module (130, . . . , 140, 144, 146) configured to execute second device-control software. The second device-control software is operative for controlling the HED so that HED performs the primary function using a customized value for one or more of the operating parameters or performs a secondary function different than the primary function.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a household electronic device (HED) having a processing unit configured to execute first device-control software operative for controlling said HED so that it performs a primary function using original values for a plurality of operating parameters, comprising:

receiving, at said HED, an active processing module configured to execute second device-control software; and

executing, at said active processing module, said second-device control software operative for controlling said HED so that said HED performs said primary function using a customized value for at least one of said plurality of operating parameters or performs a secondary function different than said primary function.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising developing said second device-control software using application development software executing on said active processing module.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising setting said customized value for at least one of said plurality of customized operating parameters using parameter setting software executing on said active processing module.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising connecting said HED to a domotics network.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising communicating a command over said domotics network to said active processing module for controlling said HED.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said active processing module controls said operations of said HED in response to said command.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising inhibiting said processing unit of said HED from controlling at least one operation of said household electronic device.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising redirecting communications directed to said processing unit of said HED to said active processing module.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting said HED from the group consisting of a household appliance, a home entertainment system, a home security system and a home surveillance system.

11. The HED according to claim 9, wherein said HED is coupled to a domotics network.

13. The HED according to claim 11, wherein said active processing module is further configured to control said operations of said HED in response to said command.

14. The HED according to claim 9, wherein said active processing module is further configured to inhibit said first processing unit from controlling at least one operation of said HED.

15. The HED according to claim 9, wherein said active processing module is further configured to execute application development software stored in a memory thereof.

16. The HED according to claim 9, wherein said HED is selected from the group consisting of a household appliance, a home entertainment system, a home security system and a home surveillance system.

10. A household electronic device (HED), comprising:

a first processing unit configured to execute first device-control software operative for controlling said HED so that it performs a primary function using original values for a plurality of operating parameters; and

a removable and programmable active processing module configured to execute second device-control software operative for controlling said HED so that said HED performs said primary function using a customized value for at least one of said plurality of operating parameters or performs a secondary function different than said primary function.

12. The HED according to claim 10, further comprising a domotics network interface configured to receive a command communicated over said domotics network to said HED.

17. An home automation system, comprising:

a domotics network including at least one controller for controlling a plurality of household electronic devices (HEDs) communicatively coupled to said controller via said demotics network,

at least one household electronic device (HED) of said plurality of HEDs comprising

a first processing unit configured to execute first device-control software operative for controlling said HED so that it performs a primary function using original values for a plurality of operating parameters, and

a removable and programmable active processing module configured to execute second device-control software operative for controlling said HED so that said HED performs said primary function using a customized value for at least one of said plurality of operating parameters or performs a secondary function different than said primary function.

18. The home automation system according to claim 17, wherein said active processing module is further configured to control said operations of said HED in response to a command received from said controller of said domotics network.

19. The home automation system according to claim 17, wherein said active processing module is further configured to inhibit said first processing unit from controlling at least one operation of said HED.

20. The home automation system according to claim 17, wherein said active processing module is further configured to execute application development software stored in a memory thereof.