Remotely activated bridge device for use with a home network and methods for programming and using the same
First Claim
1. A bridge device linking at least one transmitter to a home network, comprising:
- a transmitter signal receiver adapted to receive transmitter signals in a transmitter format from the at least one transmitter;
a network signal transceiver adapted to transmit and receive network signals in a network format to and from the network;
a bridge controller connected to said transmitter signal receiver and said network signal transceiver, said bridge controller converting said signals between said formats;
a power supply system connected to said bridge controller; and
a teach function module connected to said bridge controller, said teach function module disabled when said power supply receives power from an external power source.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A bridge device linking transmitters to a home network includes a transmitter signal receiver adapted to receive transmitter signals in a transmitter format from at least one transmitter and a network signal transceiver adapted to transmit and receive network signals in a network format to and from a home network. A bridge controller is connected to the transmitter signal receiver and the network signal transceiver for the purpose of converting the signals between the formats. The bridge device is able to learn various transmitter type for conversion to a learned home network standard. A master controller may be used to assign specific transmitter button actuations to control specific appliance functions.
111 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A bridge device linking at least one transmitter to a home network, comprising:
-
a transmitter signal receiver adapted to receive transmitter signals in a transmitter format from the at least one transmitter; a network signal transceiver adapted to transmit and receive network signals in a network format to and from the network; a bridge controller connected to said transmitter signal receiver and said network signal transceiver, said bridge controller converting said signals between said formats; a power supply system connected to said bridge controller; and a teach function module connected to said bridge controller, said teach function module disabled when said power supply receives power from an external power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method for enabling a home network bridge device, comprising:
-
providing a controller linked to a transmitter signal receiver, a network signal transceiver, and a power supply system; detecting a type of power source connected to said power supply system; selectively enabling a teach function module connected to said controller depending upon said type of power source detected; and disabling said teach function module if an external power source is detected by said controller. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method for enabling a home network bridge device, comprising:
-
providing a controller linked to a transmitter signal receiver, a network signal transceiver, and a power supply system; detecting a type of power source connected to said power supply system;
selectively enabling a teach function module connected to said controller depending upon said type of power source detected;enabling said teach function module if an internal power source is detected by said controller; activating a learn state for a transmitter to be associated with the bridge device; actuating a learn/teach switch connected to said controller while said transmitter learn state is active; generating a code by said teach function module; and receiving and storing said code in the transmitter.
-
-
24. A method for operating appliances connected to a home network system, comprising:
-
providing a bridge controller linked to a transmitter signal receiver and a network signal transceiver; receiving a transmitter signal in a transmitter format, said transmitter signal sent from a non-network transmitter; converting said transmitter signal into a network signal in a network mode format; emitting said network signal from said network signal transceiver for receipt by the home network system which controls operation of at least one appliance; linking a master controller to said bridge controller; dumping at least one button ID code associated with said non-network transmitter to said master controller; identifying at least two functions maintained by said at least one appliance; and reassigning said at least one button ID code identified at said dumping step with one of said at least two functions identified at said identifying step. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification