MODULARIZED CONTROL SYSTEM TO ENABLE NETWORKED CONTROL AND SENSING OF OTHER DEVICES

• US 20120303768A1
• Filed: 05/25/2012
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kore Wireless Group, Inc. (KORE Group Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Electric Imp, Inc. (Twilio, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fiennes, Hugo
• Granted Patent: US 9,288,528 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• 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 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4182 for identification purposes, e.g. storing user identification data, preferences, personal settings or data restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code in combination with an additional device, e.g. dongle or smart card G06F21/123
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• 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 21/4363 Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4437 Implementing a Virtual Machine [VM] virtual machines in general G06F9/45533
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82

Abstract

This invention provides a standard method of interfacing an arbitrary non-network connected device to computer networks such as the Internet. The invention modularizes the communications interface by providing a plug-in communications module, which may be compatible with a standard solid-state memory card interface and form factor, thus removing the burden of wireless approvals testing (the module is tested vs. the whole product). The invention also integrates a programmable arbitrary device controller and associated software into this same communications module, thus removing the burden of the majority of the software development for most arbitrary non-network connected devices. The invention further provides a unified internet-based service that can help configure the module'"'"'s network configuration, and download appropriate control code for whatever arbitrary device the module is currently connected to.

Claims

1. A method of adding a network interface to an arbitrary non-network connected device (arbitrary device), said arbitrary device having electrical circuitry to implement its functionality, said method comprising:

providing a slot in said arbitrary device to accommodate a communications module;

said slot in said arbitrary device additionally having a communications module interface that can interact with said communications module and carry control signals to at least some of said electrical circuitry;

said arbitrary device additionally having a unique ID storage memory device capable of transmitting unique identification data from said arbitrary device to said communications module;

said communications module having a communications interface capable of establishing a communications session with a computer network;

said communications module having internal solid state memory capable of storing code and data;

said communications module having at least one internal processor, said at least one internal processor configured to at least execute said code when said communications processor is connected to said slot in said arbitrary device;

inserting said communications module into said slot;

providing a network connection to said communications module; and

if the code to operate said arbitrary device using said communications module has not been previously loaded into the communications module, then using the network connection to load the code to operate the communications module;

wherein commands or data to said arbitrary device are transmitted through said network, to said communications module, and are interpreted by said at least one processor running said code, and wherein said at least one processor in turn sends control signals to said electrical circuitry;

or wherein commands or data from said electrical circuitry are transmitted to said communications module, are interpreted by said at least one processor running said code, and transmitted using said communications interface to said network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said communications module further comprises a standard solid state memory card physical interface with physically compatible electrical connections;

wherein said communications module also comprises an electronic and logical interface that, in at least one mode of operation, is capable of connecting to a standard memory card reader and storing and retrieving memory data according to standard memory card protocols;

wherein said slot in said arbitrary device additionally comprises a communications module interface that can interact with said physically compatible electrical connections on said communications module and carry control signals between said physically compatible electrical connections to at least some of said electrical circuitry.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein when said communications module is connected to said arbitrary device, said communications module reconfigures the function of at least some of its physically compatible electrical connections to an alternate analog or digital protocol for purposes of interacting with said arbitrary device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said standard solid state memory card physical interface, physically compatible electrical interface, and logical interface is a PC Card, CompactFlash Card, SmartMedia card, Memory Stick card, Miniature Card, Multimedia Card, MMCmicro Card, Secure Digital Card, SxS card, Universal Flash Storage card, miniSD card, microSD card, xD-Picture Card, Intelligent Stick card, Serial Flash Module, μ

card, NT card, or other commercially standard solid state memory card format.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said slot is a standardized slot device designed to be compatible with a plurality of different types of arbitrary devices, and wherein said standardized slot device comprises a socket for said communications module, an identification chip, a communications module power supply, and interface circuitry that provides an electrical interface between said communications module and said arbitrary device electrical circuitry.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said standardized slot device is mounted behind a slot on the surface of said arbitrary device, thereby creating a unitized arbitrary device and standardized slot device such that the socket of said standardized slot device remains open and capable of both receiving and removing said communications module.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said code configures the at least one processor of said communications module to operate as a sandbox or virtual machine in a manner that prevents program crashes or errors in the portion of the code that operates said arbitrary device from interfering with the portion of the code that operates the communications module network interface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said code configures the at least one processor of said communications module to operate as a virtual machine in a manner that further presents a communications module device independent interface to the portion of the code that operates said arbitrary device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said communications module further comprises at least one photodetector;

further configuring said communications module for a particular network configuration by optically transmitting information pertaining to said particular network configuration to said communications module.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the said code is loaded into said communications module by the steps of:

obtaining said network configuration data, and storing said network configuration data in the internal solid state memory of said communications module;

inserting said communications module into an arbitrary device, and using said communications module to read or store said arbitrary devices'"'"' unique identification data.

using said communications module and said network configuration data to establish a network connection to a remote server;

transmitting said unique identification data to said remote server, and using said unique identification data at said remote server to look up code associated with said unique identification data; and

transmitting said code associated with said unique identification data back to said computerized device over said network connection.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein when said communications module is moved from a first arbitrary device to a second arbitrary device, said communications module acquires the unique identification data of said second arbitrary device, establishes a network connection to said remote server, transmits said unique identification data of said second arbitrary device to said remote server, and receives code associated with said second arbitrary device from said remote server, thereby giving said communications module the capability to add a network interface to said second arbitrary device, and allowing said communications module to be interchangeable between said first arbitrary device and said second arbitrary device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said network is the internet, and at least a portion of the network connection between said communications module and the internet is a wired, wireless, or optical connection.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the network connection between said communications module and the internet involves at least one internet connected router or access point, and the network connection between said communications module and said internet connected router or access point is a wireless connection, and said communications module comprises at least one wireless transceiver.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein said arbitrary device is otherwise capable performing at least some of its normal functions in a non-network connected mode when said communications module is absent.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said communications module code is capable of operating said arbitrary device in at least an alternate fallback mode when local network connectivity is absent or network connectivity to the Internet or to an Internet server capable of providing instructions to said communications modules is absent.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein multiple communications modules are capable of wirelessly or optically locally networking and interacting on a peer-to-peer basis at least when network connectivity to the Internet or to an Internet server capable of providing instructions to said communications modules is absent.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said network is the internet, said communications module maintains a bi-directional persistent internet connection allowing asynchronous events to be passed from the internet to said communications module whenever they occur.

18. The method of claim 1, used to control at least two arbitrary devices, each equipped with its own communications module, said method comprising:

configuring at least one internet server with instructions to manage the operation of said arbitrary devices or communications modules;

establishing network connections between said communications modules and said at least one internet server;

using said at least one internet server to relay commands or data from a first arbitrary device and communication module to a second arbitrary device and communications module;

or

using said at least one internet server to relay commands or data from at least one arbitrary device equipped with its own communications module to an outside human or automated recipient;

or

using said at least one internet server to relay commands or data from an outside human or automated source to at least one arbitrary device equipped with its own communications module.

19. The method of claim 18, further configuring said at least one internet server with said instructions by using a web browser with a network connection to said at least one internet server.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said at least one internet server provides a graphical or rule based arbitrary device or communications module configuration environment to said web browser;

and using said graphical or rule based arbitrary device or communications module configuration environment on said web browser to configure said at least one internet server with said instructions.

21. A method of adding a network interface to an arbitrary non-network connected device (arbitrary device), said arbitrary device having electrical circuitry to implement its functionality, said method comprising:

providing a slot in said arbitrary device to accommodate a communications module;

said slot in said arbitrary device additionally having a communications module interface that can interact with said communications module and carry control signals to at least some of said electrical circuitry;

said arbitrary device additionally having a unique ID storage memory device capable of transmitting unique identification data from said arbitrary device to said communications module;

said communications module having a wireless communications interface capable of establishing a communications session with a computer network such as the Internet;

said communications module having internal solid state memory capable of storing code and data;

said communications module having at least one internal processor, said at least one internal processor configured to at least execute said code when said communications processor is connected to said slot in said arbitrary device;

inserting said communications module into said slot;

providing a wireless network connection to said communications module; and

if the code to operate said arbitrary device using said communications module has not been previously loaded into the communications module, then using the network connection to load the code to operate the communications module;

wherein said code is loaded into said communications module by the steps of;

obtaining said network configuration data, and storing said network configuration data in the internal solid state memory of said communications module;

inserting said communications module into an arbitrary device, and using said communications module to read or store said arbitrary devices'"'"' unique identification data.

using said communications module and said network configuration data to establish a network connection to a remote server;

transmitting said unique identification data to said remote server, and using said unique identification data at said remote server to look up code associated with said unique identification data; and

transmitting said code associated with said unique identification data back to said computerized device over said network connection.

wherein commands or data to said arbitrary device are transmitted through said network, to said communications module, and are interpreted by said at least one processor running said code, and wherein said at least one processor in turn sends control signals to said electrical circuitry;

or wherein commands or data from said electrical circuitry are transmitted to said communications module, are interpreted by said at least one processor running said code, and transmitted using said communications interface to said network;

wherein when said communications module is moved from a first arbitrary device to a second arbitrary device, said communications module acquires the unique identification data of said second arbitrary device, establishes a network connection to said remote server, transmits said unique identification data of said second arbitrary device to said remote server, and receives code associated with said second arbitrary device from said remote server, thereby giving said communications module the capability to add a network interface to said second arbitrary device, and allowing said communications module to be interchangeable between said first arbitrary device and said second arbitrary device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said communications module further comprises a standard solid state memory card physical interface with physically compatible electrical connections;

wherein said communications module also comprises an electronic and logical interface that, in at least one mode of operation, is capable of connecting to a standard memory card reader and storing and retrieving memory data according to standard memory card protocols;

wherein said slot in said arbitrary device additionally comprises a communications module interface that can interact with said physically compatible electrical connections on said communications module and carry control signals between said physically compatible electrical connections to at least some of said electrical circuitry; and

wherein when said communications module is connected to said arbitrary device, said communications module reconfigures the function of at least some of its physically compatible electrical connections to an alternate analog or digital protocol for purposes of interacting with said arbitrary device.

23. The method of claim 21, used to control at least two arbitrary devices, each equipped with its own communications module, said method comprising:

configuring at least one internet server with instructions to manage the operation of said arbitrary devices or communications modules by using a web browser with a network connection to said at least one internet server;

wherein said at least one internet server provides a graphical or rule based arbitrary device or communications module configuration environment to said web browser;

and using said graphical or rule based arbitrary device or communications module configuration environment on said web browser to configure said at least one internet server with said instructions;

establishing network connections between said communications modules and said at least one internet server;

using said at least one internet server to relay commands or data from a first arbitrary device and communication module to a second arbitrary device and communications module;

or

using said at least one internet server to relay commands or data from at least one arbitrary device equipped with its own communications module to an outside human or automated recipient;

or

using said at least one internet server to relay commands or data from an outside human or automated source to at least one arbitrary device equipped with its own communications module.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein said arbitrary device is otherwise capable performing at least some of its normal functions in a non-network connected mode when said communications module is absent;

or

wherein said communications module code is capable of operating said arbitrary device in at least an alternate fallback mode when local network connectivity is absent or connectivity to the Internet or to an Internet server capable of providing instructions to said communications modules is absent;

or

wherein multiple communications modules are capable of wirelessly or optically locally networking and interacting on a peer-to-peer basis at least when network connectivity to the Internet or to an Internet server capable of providing instructions to said communications modules is absent.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein said communications module further comprises at least one photodetector;

further configuring said communications module for a particular wireless network configuration by optically transmitting information pertaining to said particular network configuration to said communications module.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein said slot is a standardized slot device designed to be compatible with a plurality of different types of arbitrary devices, and wherein said standardized slot device comprises a socket for said communications module, an identification chip, a communications module power supply, and interface circuitry that provides an electrical interface between said communications module and said arbitrary device electrical circuitry.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein said slot is a non-user accessible slot, or wherein said communications module is permanently embedded in said arbitrary device.