System and method for optimized appliance control
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a functional operation of an intended target appliance, comprising:
- in response to a detected presence of the intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances using identity information associated with the intended target appliance to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling each one of plural functional operations of the intended target appliance; and
in response to a sensed activation of the icon representative of the intended target appliance as added to the graphical user interface of the controlling device causing the controlling device to be placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while causing the Universal Control Engine to use at least one of a plurality of communication methods in the listing of communication methods that has been associated with at least one of the plural functional operations of the intended target appliance to transmit to the intended target appliance at least one command to control the at least one of the plural functional operations of the intended target appliance wherein performance of the at least one of the plural functional operations by the intended target appliance functions to place the intended target appliance into an operating state that was pre-associated with the icon representative of the intended target appliance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
31 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a functional operation of an intended target appliance, comprising:
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in response to a detected presence of the intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances using identity information associated with the intended target appliance to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling each one of plural functional operations of the intended target appliance; and in response to a sensed activation of the icon representative of the intended target appliance as added to the graphical user interface of the controlling device causing the controlling device to be placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while causing the Universal Control Engine to use at least one of a plurality of communication methods in the listing of communication methods that has been associated with at least one of the plural functional operations of the intended target appliance to transmit to the intended target appliance at least one command to control the at least one of the plural functional operations of the intended target appliance wherein performance of the at least one of the plural functional operations by the intended target appliance functions to place the intended target appliance into an operating state that was pre-associated with the icon representative of the intended target appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification