Portable device for convergence and automation solution

• US 7,962,130 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exceptional Innovation, Inc. (ST Holdings Topco LLC)
• Original Assignee: Exceptional Innovation, Inc. (ST Holdings Topco LLC)
• Inventors: Virgin, Kyle, Moorer, Seale, Eichensehr, Eric, McMahon, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari; Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US11/937,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20080154398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 455/419, 455/418, 455/550.1, 455/420, 455/3.06, 455/3.04, 709/246, 709/208, 709/217, 709/223, 709/227, 709/220
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services

Abstract

A convergence and automation system (CAS) includes an internet-protocol (IP) based network implemented with a web service for devices (WSD) protocol, devices connected to the network, each configured to perform at least one service, a server implemented with the WSD protocol, connected to the network and configured to control the devices to converge and automate the services thereof, and a portable device implemented with the WSD protocol, connected to the network and configured to control the devices and perform the services. The server is implemented with Windows Sideshow to collect information necessary for controlling the devices and provides the collected information to the portable device.

Claims

1. A convergence and automation system, comprising:

an Internet Protocol (IP) based network;

a plurality of devices connected to the network, each device being configured to perform at least one of a plurality of services;

a server connected to the network and configured to control the devices to converge and automate the plurality of services thereof according to a Web Services for Devices (WSD) protocol; and

a portable device connected to the network and configured to control at least one of the plurality of devices and perform at least one of the plurality of services,

wherein the server is further configured to collect information necessary for controlling the at least one of the plurality of devices and provides the collected information to the portable device,

wherein the WSD protocol comprises;

a first communication layer configured to logically interface the portable device;

a second communication layer configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and

a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component including at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category,

wherein each component comprises;

one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device;

one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and

a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, and

wherein the portable device comprises a dual core-based chipset and the server is implemented with Windows sideshow to provide the collected information to the portable device.

2. The convergence and automation system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of services comprises at least one of a media service, communication service, lighting service, security service and HVAC service.

3. The convergence and automation system of claim 2, wherein the communication service comprises at least one of an intercom service, email service, web browsing service and a VoIP phone service.

4. The convergence and automation system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of devices is selected from the group consisting of an audio device, video device, intercom device, lighting control device, security device and HVAC device.

5. The convergence and automation system of claim 1, further comprises at least one client connected to the network and configured to control at least a portion of the services of the devices,

wherein the first communication layer of the WSD protocol is further configured to logically interface the at least one client.

6. The convergence and automation system of claim 5, wherein the at least one client is selected from the group consisting of a television, personal computer, personal data assistant and remote control.

7. The convergence and automation system of claim 1, wherein the portable device connected to the IP network wirelessly.

8. The convergence and automation system of claim 1, wherein the portable device is connected to the IP network via a universal serial bus (USB) connection.

9. The convergence and automation system of claim 8, further comprises a docking unit configured to charge the portable device and establish the USB connection between the IP network and the portable device.

10. A portable device in communication with a server via an Internet Protocol (IP) based network and configured to perform at least one of a plurality of services and control at least one of a plurality of devices, each device configured to perform at least one of the plurality of services, the server configured to converge and automate the plurality of services according to a Web Services for Devices (WSD) protocol, collect information for controlling the plurality of devices and provide the collected information to the portable device, the portable device comprising:

a processing unit comprising a dual core-based chipset;

a network interface unit configured to connect the portable device to the network;

a video unit configured to display the information from the server;

an audio unit configured to generate a sound when required for performing the at least one of the plurality of the services; and

an input unit configured to receive a user'"'"'s input for performing the at least one of the plurality of services and controlling at least one of the plurality of devices,

wherein the WSD protocol comprises;

a first communication layer configured to logically interface the portable device;

a second communication layer configured to physically interface the plurality of devices; and

a service provider layer comprising one or more components provided corresponding to one or more device categories, respectively, each component including at least one of the plurality of devices of the same device category,

wherein each component comprises;

one or more Web Services provided corresponding to one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, respectively, each Web Service configured to function as a Web Service host for the corresponding device;

one or more device bridges provided corresponding to the one or more Web Services, respectively, each device bridge configured to translate communication between the corresponding Web Service and device; and

a controller configured to communicate with the one or more of the plurality of devices of the corresponding device category, and

wherein the server is implemented with Windows sideshow to provide the collected information to the portable device.

11. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the plurality of services comprises at least one of a media service, a communication service, a lighting service, a security service and a HVAC service.

12. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the communication service comprises at least one of an intercom service, email service, web browsing service and a VoIP phone service.

13. The portable device of claim 10, wherein further comprising a wireless communication unit for connecting the network interface unit to the network wirelessly.

14. The portable device of claim 10, further comprising a universal serial bus (USB) port connected to the network interface unit for connecting the network interface unit to the network.

15. The portable device of claim 14, further comprising a power supply unit configured to receive a power from an external power source via the USB port.

16. The portable device of claim 15, wherein the power supply unit comprises a rechargeable battery.

17. The portable device of claim 15, further comprising a housing configured to engage a docking unit provided for at least one of connecting the portable device to the network and receiving the power from the external power source.

18. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the input unit comprises at least one of a keyboard and a touch screen.

19. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the audio unit comprises at least one of a microphone, a speaker and a headphone Jack.

20. The portable device of claim 10, further comprising a data storage unit.

21. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the data storage unit comprises a removable data storage media.

22. The portable device of claim 10, wherein the portable device is configured to automatically or manually enter a sleep mode.