Remote control of apparatus using computer networks

• US 6,680,730 B1
• Filed: 01/25/1999
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Shields, Steven Stout
• Original Assignee: Robert Shields, Steven Stout
• Inventors: Shields, Robert, Stout, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZAMANI, ALI A
• Application Number:
  US09/236,924
• Time in Patent Office: 1,821 Days
• Field of Search: 345/331, 345/335, 345/329, 345/328, 345/966, 345/968, 345/969, 345/520, 345/522, 345/736, 345/740, 345/744, 345/760, 345/564, 709/218, 709/203, 709/217, 709/225, 709/104.1, 709/3, 709/201
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/968 interface for database querying and retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/969 Network layout and operation interface

Abstract

A method and software for remote control of computer apparatus is disclosed. The method and software use computer network communications to effect remote control of apparatus that are connected to a computer at a remote location.

Claims

1. A method for remotely controlling apparatus and reporting alarms from a remote location using a first computer located in a home, wherein the first computer comprises a multithreaded server program allowing the first computer to control and monitor a plurality of remotely located peripheral devices, a second computer located remotely from the first computer, and a means for communicating data between the first computer and the second computer, comprising the following steps:

a) accessing the first computer from the second computer by the means for communicating data;

b) controlling the first computer from the second computer by the means for communicating data;

c) using the multithreaded server program to control the remotely located peripheral devices from the second computer wherein the second computer provides commands to the first computer and the multithreaded server program is capable of translating the commands to native peripheral device protocols to control the peripheral devices;

d) monitoring the status of the remotely located peripheral devices from the second computer; and

thereby using information collected by the first computer from the remotely located peripheral devices to consolidate and report status of the peripheral devices to the second computer and to report any alarms from the remotely controlled peripheral devices to the second computer whether or not the second computer actively solicits a report.

2. The Method of claim 1 wherein the means for communicating data between the first computer and second computer is an internet web browser used in connection with a first modem located in the second computer, a second modem located in the first computer, and a communications link between the first modem and the second modem.

3. The Method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of remotely located peripheral devices can include a home thermostat, lighting fixtures, electrical appliances, window or door alarm sensors, passive infrared sensors, and video security cameras.

4. The Method of claim 3 wherein the remotely located peripheral devices are controlled through the first computer by X10 home automation systems.

5. The Method of claim 3 wherein the first computer and the remotely located peripheral devices are controlled through a local area network.

6. The Method of claim 1 wherein the means for communicating data between the first computer and the second computer is a point to point communication.

7. The Method of claim 2 wherein the communications link is by means of an internet service provider.

8. The Method of claim 2 wherein data communicated between a client running within the internet web browser and a server on the second computer is encrypted for security purposes.

9. The Method of claim 1 whereby the first computer may report alarms to a device other than the second computer.

10. A computer based apparatus for remote control of computer controlled peripheral devices comprising:

a) a first computer comprising a multithreaded server program;

b) a plurality of peripheral devices located in proximity to the first computer that are monitored and controlled by the multithreaded server program;

c) a second computer at a location remote from the first computer;

d) a means for communicating data between the first computer and the second computer;

e) wherein the second computer comprises an internet web browser program that is used to access and control the first computer through the means for communicating data and thereby monitor and control the plurality of peripheral devices by means of the multithreaded server program wherein the multithreaded server program is capable of translating commands from the second computer to native peripheral device protocols to control the peripheral devices.

11. The computer based apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first computer further comprises an X10 home automation system for controlling the plurality of peripheral devices.

12. The computer based apparatus of claim 10 wherein the plurality of remotely located peripheral devices can include a home thermostat, lighting fixtures, electrical appliances, window or door alarm sensors, passive infrared sensors, and video security cameras.

13. The computer based apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for communicating data between the first computer and second computer is a first modem located in the first computer, a second modem located in the second computer, and a communications link between the first modem and the second modem.

14. The computer based apparatus of claim 13 wherein the communications link can be selected from a telephone line, a cable television coaxial cable or a DSL connection.

15. The computer based apparatus of claim 10 wherein the first computer and the plurality of peripheral devices are connected go a local area network.

16. The computer based apparatus of claim 15 wherein the second computer is connected to the local area network.

17. The computer based apparatus of claim 10 wherein the apparatus further comprises means for encrypting the data communicated between the first computer and the second computer for security purposes.

18. The computer based apparatus of claim 10 wherein the device is further comprised of means for reporting alarms from the peripheral devices to the second computer whether or not the second computer solicits such reports.