Method and system for an instant messenger home automation system interface using a home router
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a router having a Local Area Network (LAN) interface for coupling to one or more general purpose computers located in a private home network, the router configured to perform address translation on packets exchanged between the general purpose computers located in the private home network and a wide area network;
the router having a home automation interface for coupling to one or more remote home appliances, the home automation interface separate from the LAN interface and configured to communicate with the remote home appliances using a home automation protocol;
the router configured to send one or more communications over the wide area network for logging into an instant messenger application as a client in response to receiving an event signal from one of the home appliances, the router logging into the instant messenger application as the client independently of the general purpose computers and regardless of whether all general purpose computers located in the private home network are deactivated;
the router configured to notify a user of the event signal using the instant messenger application; and
the router configured to control the appliance that sent the event signal according to an instant message received over the wide area network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for interfacing with a home automation system using a router. The router receives control signals from an instant messenger application via a communications network. The communications network can be the Internet. The router then transmits the control signal to at least one appliance to control the appliance in accordance with the control signal. A reply to the control signal can be received from the appliance and the reply can be transmitted to the instant messenger application regarding a status of the appliance. The control signals can be transmitted among the appliances in accordance with a standardized home automation interface. The router can be configured to interface with a plurality of appliances via a home automation system interface unit. The router can also be configured to log onto an instant messenger server and function as an instant messenger client to receive control signals from a user.
82 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a router having a Local Area Network (LAN) interface for coupling to one or more general purpose computers located in a private home network, the router configured to perform address translation on packets exchanged between the general purpose computers located in the private home network and a wide area network; the router having a home automation interface for coupling to one or more remote home appliances, the home automation interface separate from the LAN interface and configured to communicate with the remote home appliances using a home automation protocol; the router configured to send one or more communications over the wide area network for logging into an instant messenger application as a client in response to receiving an event signal from one of the home appliances, the router logging into the instant messenger application as the client independently of the general purpose computers and regardless of whether all general purpose computers located in the private home network are deactivated; the router configured to notify a user of the event signal using the instant messenger application; and the router configured to control the appliance that sent the event signal according to an instant message received over the wide area network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a network interface coupled to one or more computers located in a first network; an appliance automation interface for coupling to at least one appliance, the appliance automation interface separate from the network interface; one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors operable when executing the instructions to; forward communications between the first network and a second different network to provide the computers that are located in the first network with access to the second network; send signaling messages over the second network for logging into an instant messenger application in response to receiving an event signal received over the appliance automation interface, the signaling messages sent independently of whether any computers located in the first network are powered on; send one or more outgoing instant messages over the second network to notify a user of the event signal using the instant messenger application; and control the appliance through the appliance automation interface according to one or more incoming instant messages received over the second network. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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means for transferring communications using a network interface of a router, the communications transferred between a first network and a second network to provide one or more computers located in the first network with access to the second network; means for logging the router into an instant messenger application server by sending login messages over the second network; and means for controlling an appliance using the router by sending control signals over an appliance automation interface of the router, the control signals configured according to incoming messages that are both received over the second network and generated by a user in communication with the instant messenger application server. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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forwarding communications between a first network and a second network to provide one or more computers located in the first network with access to the second network, said communications forwarded using a router; sending login messages over the second network to an instant messenger application server, said login messages sent using the router, said sending of the login messages occurring independently of the operational status of all computers located in the first network; controlling an appliance according to one or more incoming messages received by the router over the second network, the appliance controlled using the router and without using any of the computers located in the first network. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification