Remote control system
First Claim
1. A remote control system for connection to a switched communications network and responsive to communications through the communications network to receive data defining operations to be carried out at a plurality of different controlled locations each connected by way of the switched communications network, said system comprising:
- interface means at each of the controlled locations, said interface means including a connection to the communications network and a transmitter/receiver coupled for communication on an electrical mains circuit;
at least one switch control module at each of the controlled locations, each said switch control module including at least one respective switch and a respective transmitter/receiver coupled for communication with the electrical mains circuit;
the interface means periodically polling each switch control module to cause the module to return data defining the status of each respective switch; and
a control platform arranged periodically to cause a call through the switched communications network to each of the controlled locations and to receive from the respective connected interface means data defining the current status of each of the switches, the platform storing the data so that the current status of each said switch is known.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remote control system for controlling electrical apparatus in customer premises includes a home control interface for connection by way of network termination equipment, e.g., a telephone socket, to a communications line to a telephone exchange. The home control interface is responsive to signals received from a home control platform connected to the telephone network to control electrical apparatus by way of module interfaces. The home control interface is arranged on demand to transmit signals to the communications line indicative of the current status of each piece of electrical apparatus connected to the system. The consumer may use a telephone to pre-record a definition of the electrical apparatus attached to each connection on the module interface which, when remote control requests are forwarded to the home control platform are used to define the respective switch and to announce its status to the caller. The home control platform has capability of storing substantial quantities of data defining changes required in switching at different times.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A remote control system for connection to a switched communications network and responsive to communications through the communications network to receive data defining operations to be carried out at a plurality of different controlled locations each connected by way of the switched communications network, said system comprising:
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interface means at each of the controlled locations, said interface means including a connection to the communications network and a transmitter/receiver coupled for communication on an electrical mains circuit; at least one switch control module at each of the controlled locations, each said switch control module including at least one respective switch and a respective transmitter/receiver coupled for communication with the electrical mains circuit; the interface means periodically polling each switch control module to cause the module to return data defining the status of each respective switch; and a control platform arranged periodically to cause a call through the switched communications network to each of the controlled locations and to receive from the respective connected interface means data defining the current status of each of the switches, the platform storing the data so that the current status of each said switch is known. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A remote control system comprising:
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an interface unit for connection to a communication line to a telephone network and including means to transmit and receive signals by way of an electrical main distribution circuit; at least one switch control module comprising control means and at least one switch, the control means being responsive to signals received from the electrical main distribution circuit to cause each respective switch to operate and to return to the interface unit signals indicating on demand current status of the respective switch; the interface unit being responsive to signals received by way of the communications line indicating instructions to control switches associated with respective connected modules; and the interface unit being responsive to selective alert signals from the communications line to switch from a first mode in which the interface unit supervises the at least one module to a second mode in which the interface unit is responsive to selection signals from the communications line either to return to the communications line signals indicative of the current state of each switch associated with the at least one module or to receive from the communications line data signals indicative of the required state of said switches. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification