Programmable distributed appliance control system
First Claim
1. A programmable consumer device interface, comprising:
- media interface means associated with a medium for receiving first signals from said medium according to a format of said medium and providing second signals in response thereto;
an interface control unit in communication with said media interface means, including;
a data transceiver operable to provide third signals in response to selected ones of said second signals from said media interface means,a programmable memory means having a stored program associated therewith and operable to customize said stored program in response to receipt of said third signals, anda controller operable in response to said third signals from said data transceiver and said stored program associated with said programmable memory means to provide fourth signals,wherein said data transceiver is operable to provide said third signals in response to selected ones of said second signals from said media interface means and with reference to said stored program associated with said programmable memory; and
transfer means providing control signals to a consumer device according to said fourth signals from said controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for incorporation into a variety of consumer appliances for use in a home automation environment. The invention comprises an electronic hardware module having software resident on the module, providing an interface between an appliance and other elements on a communications system employing the "Consumer Electronics Bus" protocol. The present invention interprets data messages sent to the appliance and signals the appliance in a preprogrammed manner. Also, the invention can be programmed to generate a specific data message for transmission to another appliance. The invention accommodates the various communication media, levels of electrical noise, and operating speeds allowed by the "Consumer Electronics Bus" protocol.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A programmable consumer device interface, comprising:
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media interface means associated with a medium for receiving first signals from said medium according to a format of said medium and providing second signals in response thereto; an interface control unit in communication with said media interface means, including; a data transceiver operable to provide third signals in response to selected ones of said second signals from said media interface means, a programmable memory means having a stored program associated therewith and operable to customize said stored program in response to receipt of said third signals, and a controller operable in response to said third signals from said data transceiver and said stored program associated with said programmable memory means to provide fourth signals, wherein said data transceiver is operable to provide said third signals in response to selected ones of said second signals from said media interface means and with reference to said stored program associated with said programmable memory; and transfer means providing control signals to a consumer device according to said fourth signals from said controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. For use with a consumer device, a remotely configurable consumer device interface system, comprising:
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a medium for conveying data; a medium interface connected to said consumer device to provide control thereof in response to selected signals provided on said media according to a program stored on said interface; and a means for providing customization signals to said medium interface which determine selected functions of said medium interface according to said stored program, wherein said means for providing customization signals to said medium interface is thereafter removable from said system, and wherein said interface retains said customization signals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A programmable consumer device interface comprising:
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a media interface means associated with a medium for receiving first signals from said medium according to a format of said medium and providing second signals in response thereto; and a transfer means receiving control signals from a consumer device; an interface control unit in communication with said media interface means, including a data transceiver operable to provide third signals in response to selected ones of said second signals from said media interface means, a programmable memory means having a stored program associated therewith and operable to customize said stored program in response to receipt of said third signals from said data transceiver, and a programmable controller operable to provide fourth signals to said transceiver in response to fifth signals from said transfer means with reference to said stored program, wherein said transfer means provides said fifth signals to said programmable controller in response to said control signals received from said consumer device.
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17. A programmable consumer device interface comprising:
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a transfer means connected to a consumer device and operable to provide a first signal in response to a control signal from said consumer device; and an interface control unit comprising a data transceiver for providing second signals, a programmable memory means having a stored program and operable to receive and store third signals; and a controller associated with said programmable memory means for receiving said first signal from said transfer means and operable to provide third signals to said data transceiver in response to said first signal and with reference to said stored program, wherein said data transceiver provides said second signals in response to said third signals. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification