System, computer program product and method for managing and controlling a local network of electronic devices
First Claim
1. A method of remotely controlling wireless network devices comprising:
- broadcasting a wireless menu request from a hand held control device to electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN);
receiving a wireless menu response from one of said electronic devices, said wireless menu response including an identifier and a menu location associated with said one of said electronic devices;
displaying a representation of said one of said electronic devices on a display of said hand held control device;
selecting said one of said electronic devices based on a user input to said hand held device; and
establishing a control connection with said selected electronic device via said wireless LAN, whereinsaid step of broadcasting a wireless menu request comprises broadcasting said menu request to at least one incompatible electronic device connected to the wireless LAN using a communication protocol incompatible with said control device, andsaid step of establishing a control connection comprises establishing a control connection between said control device and said selected electronic device via a main server of said wireless LAN, the main server including protocol conversion software for translating communication messages between the control device and selected electronic device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, control device and computer program product for remotely controlling wireless network devices broadcasting a wireless menu request from a control device to electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN), receiving a wireless menu response from one of the electronic devices, selecting the one of the electronic devices, and establishing a control connection with the selected electronic device via the wireless LAN. Broadcasting may include transmitting a menu request to a wide variety of electronic devices, or only electronic devices capable of communicating using a predetermined protocol compatible with the control device, such as http. The wireless menu request may be transmitted at a predetermined power that is adjustable to change the communication area of the wireless LAN. Where a plurality of the wireless menu responses are received from a plurality of electronic devices connected to the wireless LAN, the electronic device is selected by displaying a list of the plurality of electronic devices, and selecting one of the plurality of electronic devices based on user selection from the list. The list may be continued on multiple screens and in a predetermined order.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of remotely controlling wireless network devices comprising:
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broadcasting a wireless menu request from a hand held control device to electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN); receiving a wireless menu response from one of said electronic devices, said wireless menu response including an identifier and a menu location associated with said one of said electronic devices; displaying a representation of said one of said electronic devices on a display of said hand held control device; selecting said one of said electronic devices based on a user input to said hand held device; and establishing a control connection with said selected electronic device via said wireless LAN, wherein said step of broadcasting a wireless menu request comprises broadcasting said menu request to at least one incompatible electronic device connected to the wireless LAN using a communication protocol incompatible with said control device, and said step of establishing a control connection comprises establishing a control connection between said control device and said selected electronic device via a main server of said wireless LAN, the main server including protocol conversion software for translating communication messages between the control device and selected electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 31)
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15. A hand held control device for remotely controlling wireless network devices comprising:
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a transmitter configured to broadcast a wireless menu request from the hand held control device to electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN); a receiver configured to receive a wireless menu response from one of said electronic devices, said wireless menu response including an identifier and a menu location associated with said one of said electronic devices; and a display configured to display a representation of said one of said electronic devices; a processor in communication with said transmitter and receiver, said processor configured to select said one of said electronic devices in response to a user input to the hand held device, and establish a control connection with said selected electronic device via said wireless LAN, wherein said transmitter is configured to broadcast a wireless menu request by broadcasting said menu request to at least one incompatible electronic device connected to the wireless LAN and using a communication protocol incompatible with said control device, and said processor is configured to establish a control connection by establishing a control connection between said control device and said electronic device via a main sewer of said wireless LAN, the main server including protocol conversion software for translating communication messages between the control device and electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A hand held control device for remotely controlling wireless network devices comprising:
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means for broadcasting a wireless menu request from a hand held control device to electronic devices connected to a wireless local area network (LAN); means for receiving a wireless menu response from one of said electronic devices, said wireless menu response including an identifier and a menu location associated with the one of said electronic devices; means for displaying a representation of said one of said electronic devices; means for selecting said electronic device based on a user input to said hand held control device; and means for establishing a control connection with said selected electronic device via said wireless LAN, wherein said means for broadcasting a wireless menu request comprises means for broadcasting said menu request to at least one incompatible electronic device connected to the wireless LAN using a communication protocol incompatible with said control device, and said means for establishing a control connection comprises means for establishing a control connection between said control device and said selected electronic device via a main server of said wireless LAN, the main server including protocol conversion software for translating communication messages between the control device and selected electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification