System and method for controlling device location determination
First Claim
1. A non-transitory, computer readable media having instructions for configuring a portable controlling device to control functional operations of one of a first controllable appliance located in a first environment and a second controllable appliance located in a second environment, the instructions, when executed by the portable controlling device, performing steps comprising:
- causing a first location definition for the first environment to be stored in a memory of the portable controlling device in association with a first identifying characteristic that is indicative of a signal that is transmitted from a first device within the first environment, the first location definition specifying a first command code set and a first user interface, displayable in a display of the portable controlling device, having a first set of user interface elements which are activable to cause the portable controlling device to use the first command code set to transmit commands for controlling functional operations of the first controllable appliance;
causing a second location definition for the second environment to be stored in the memory of the portable controlling device in association with a second identifying characteristic that is indicative of a signal that is transmitted from a second device within the second environment, the second location definition specifying a second command code set and a second user interface, displayable in the display of the portable controlling device, having a second set of user interface elements which are activable to cause the portable controlling device to use the second command code set to transmit commands for controlling functional operations of the second controllable appliance;
determining if a signal received by the portable controlling device while in an operating mode of the portable controlling device has the first identifying characteristic or the second identifying characteristic; and
when it is determined that the received signal has the first identifying characteristic causing the portable controlling device to configure itself using the first location definition and, when it is determined that the received signal has the second identifying characteristic causing the portable controlling device to configure itself with the second location definition whereupon the portable controlling device will be configured with a corresponding one of the first user interface and the second user interface and to transmit signals using a corresponding one of the first command code set and the second command code set to control functional operations of a corresponding one of the first controllable appliance located in the first environment and the second controllable appliance located in a second environment.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controlling device such as a remote control has programming for transmitting a signal response to a plurality of control environments, each environment including a signaling device. Each signaling device in receipt of the signal request sends a signal response having a unique ID which is chosen to be characteristically attenuated by the surroundings of the environment. Because the controlling device can only be in one environment at a given time, and given the attenuation characteristics of the signal response from each signaling device, only one signal response will be received by the controlling device in each environment. Location definitions associated with the received unique ID may be used by programming in the controlling device to recall saved devices states, commands sets, macros, and even to dynamically generate commands based on the location information.
42 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A non-transitory, computer readable media having instructions for configuring a portable controlling device to control functional operations of one of a first controllable appliance located in a first environment and a second controllable appliance located in a second environment, the instructions, when executed by the portable controlling device, performing steps comprising:
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causing a first location definition for the first environment to be stored in a memory of the portable controlling device in association with a first identifying characteristic that is indicative of a signal that is transmitted from a first device within the first environment, the first location definition specifying a first command code set and a first user interface, displayable in a display of the portable controlling device, having a first set of user interface elements which are activable to cause the portable controlling device to use the first command code set to transmit commands for controlling functional operations of the first controllable appliance; causing a second location definition for the second environment to be stored in the memory of the portable controlling device in association with a second identifying characteristic that is indicative of a signal that is transmitted from a second device within the second environment, the second location definition specifying a second command code set and a second user interface, displayable in the display of the portable controlling device, having a second set of user interface elements which are activable to cause the portable controlling device to use the second command code set to transmit commands for controlling functional operations of the second controllable appliance; determining if a signal received by the portable controlling device while in an operating mode of the portable controlling device has the first identifying characteristic or the second identifying characteristic; and when it is determined that the received signal has the first identifying characteristic causing the portable controlling device to configure itself using the first location definition and, when it is determined that the received signal has the second identifying characteristic causing the portable controlling device to configure itself with the second location definition whereupon the portable controlling device will be configured with a corresponding one of the first user interface and the second user interface and to transmit signals using a corresponding one of the first command code set and the second command code set to control functional operations of a corresponding one of the first controllable appliance located in the first environment and the second controllable appliance located in a second environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification