Method and apparatus to locate a device in a dwelling or other enclosed space

• US 6,876,310 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Dunstan, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US09/966,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.22, 340/5.53, 340/825.49, 340/5.28, 340/7.1, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 342/357.09
• US Class Current: 340/8.1
• 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 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• 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 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A device is presented including a processor. A user interface is connected to the processor. A receiver is connected to the processor for receiving current location information from an external source. Also, a transmitter is connected to the processor for transmitting the current location information and command data to an external receiver. Also presented is a system including a processor connected to a transmission medium. A first receiver is connected to the processor. A first transmitter is also connected to the processor. A second transmitter transmits location data. A remote control (RC) including a RC receiver and a RC transmitter is included. The RC receives location data and sends command data and the location data to the first receiver. The first transmitter sends control information for at least one device located in a specific location according to the location data received by the RC.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a user interface coupled to the processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor for receiving current location information from an external source; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting the current location information and command data to an external receiver, wherein the receiver receives location information from an infrared (IR) device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises one of a touch screen, a plurality of buttons, a personal desk assistant (PDA) and a keyboard.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver is one of an infrared (IR) receiver, a radio frequency (RF) receiver and a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein consumer electronic (CE) devices are commanded and controlled.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone coupled to the processor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor converts voice data into command data.