Method, system, and computer program product for managing controlled residential or non-residential environments
First Claim
1. A method of managing a plurality of network devices within a controlled environment, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a request to control the plurality of network devices;
retrieving a predefined control macro associated with said request, said control macro including a plurality of device-specific commands;
identifying a room for implementing said request;
sending to each network device a sequence of device-specific commands to control an operation or a function of said network device; and
executing each of said device-specific commands to control the plurality of network devices.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.
340 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of managing a plurality of network devices within a controlled environment, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a request to control the plurality of network devices; retrieving a predefined control macro associated with said request, said control macro including a plurality of device-specific commands; identifying a room for implementing said request; sending to each network device a sequence of device-specific commands to control an operation or a function of said network device; and executing each of said device-specific commands to control the plurality of network devices.
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2. A system for managing a plurality of network components within a controlled environment, comprising:
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a platform adapted to control an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components, wherein said platform is a power device, a set-top box, a router, or a bridge; and positioning means for tracking and/or monitoring a location or a movement of at least one of the network components, wherein at least one of the network components includes controller means for interacting with said platform or said positioning means, and wherein said controller means is operable to send a control request to one or more of the network components located within a vicinity of said controller means. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for managing a plurality of network components within a controlled environment, comprising:
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a platform adapted to host a network control center for controlling an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components, wherein said platform is a power device, a set-top box, a router, or a bridge; and positioning means for tracking and/or monitoring a location or a movement of at least one of the network components, wherein at least one of the network components includes a controller means for interacting with said positioning means, and wherein said controller means is operable to send a control request to one or more of the network components located within a vicinity of said controller means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A system for managing a plurality of network components within a controlled environment, comprising:
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a portable network controller for controlling an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components; a control center for enabling communications among the network components and said network controller, wherein said control center is hosted by at least one of a power device, a set-top box, a router, or a bridge; and positioning means for tracking and/or monitoring a location or a movement of the network components. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A system for distributing information within a controlled environment, comprising:
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a plurality of network components located throughout the controlled environment; and a control center included in a platform adapted to enable communications among said network components, wherein said platform is a power device, a set-top box, a router, or a bridge, wherein at least one of said network components includes a controller means for sending a control request to one or more of said network components. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of distributing information within a controlled environment, comprising the steps of:
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operating a portable device to send a request to a control center located in a platform, wherein said platform is a power device, a set-top box, a router, or a bridge; receiving said request and processing said request by said control center; and controlling an operation or a function of one or more devices or applications in response to said request. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification