Timekeeping apparatus providing premises-automation-related function through a network

• US 20020191636A1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter D. Hallenbeck
• Original Assignee: Peter D. Hallenbeck
• Inventors: Hallenbeck, Peter D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,162,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/465
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/021 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 20/00 Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21021 Intelligent I-O, executes tasks independently from main cpu
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

Timekeeping apparatus providing premises-automation-related function through a network. A household appliance or device such as a bedside alarm clock provides time-based control functions as well as premises automation related functions. The device is connected to the premises automation system through a local area network (LAN), or some other type of network interface. The device contains a display unit to display the time and other information. The device also includes an internal processing system that controls the device to provide the time-based control function and to send and receive messages over the network. Sent messages can include time-keeping status information, reports of user input, or packets designed to set outputs in the premises automation system. Received messages can control local actions such as time settings and display of premises automation status information.

Claims

1. Apparatus operable for providing both time-based control function and premises automation input function, the apparatus comprising:

a display unit operable to at least display a time;

a network interface operable to provide two-way messaging capability;

an input panel operable to accept user input; and

a processing system operatively connected to the display unit, the network interface, and the input panel, the processing system operable to control the apparatus to provide the time-based control function and to send and receive messages over the network interface, wherein sent messages are formatted to enable premises automation function.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sent messages comprise reports of user input.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sent messages comprise timekeeping status information.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sent messages comprise timekeeping status information.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sent messages comprise a packet including an output identifier specifying an output in a premises automation system, wherein the output identifier is of a format that can specify any of a plurality of distributed outputs in the premises automation system.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the sent messages comprise a packet including an output identifier specifying an output in a premises automation system, wherein the output identifier is of a format that can specify any of a plurality of distributed outputs in the premises automation system.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sent messages comprise a packet including an output identifier specifying an output in a premises automation system, wherein the output identifier is of a format that can specify any of a plurality of distributed outputs in the premises automation system.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sent messages comprise a packet including an output identifier specifying an output in a premises automation system, wherein the output identifier is of a format that can specify any of a plurality of distributed outputs in the premises automation system.

9. Apparatus operable for providing both time display function and premises automation display function, the apparatus comprising:

a display unit operable to at least display a time;

a network interface operable to provide two-way messaging capability;

an input panel operable to accept user input; and

a processing system operatively connected to the display unit, the network interface, and the input panel, the processing system operable to control the apparatus to provide time-based control functions and to send and receive messages over the network interface, wherein received messages are formatted to effect at least one local action.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one local action comprises setting the time.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the at least one local action further comprises the setting of an alarm.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one local action further comprises activating emergency illumination.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one local action further comprises playing a sound.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein sent messages are formatted to enable premises automation function.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein sent messages are formatted to enable premises automation function.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein electrical power is received through a premises automation system connection.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein electrical power is received through a premises automation system connection.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus is further operable as an alarm clock.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises application specific hardware enabling the apparatus to operate as a kitchen appliance.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises application specific hardware enabling the apparatus to operate as a telephone.

21. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises application specific hardware for control of a lawn sprinkler system.

22. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises application specific hardware for lighting control.

23. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises application specific hardware enabling the apparatus to operate as a laundry appliance.

24. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises application specific hardware to enable the apparatus to operate as an HVAC device.

25. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further comprises application specific hardware to enable the apparatus to operate as an audio/video entertainment device.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the appliance is an alarm clock.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the appliance is a kitchen appliance.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the appliance is a telephone appliance.

30. The method of claim 26 wherein the appliance is for control of a lawn sprinkler system.

31. The method of claim 26 wherein the appliance is for lighting control.

32. The method of claim 26 wherein the appliance is a laundry appliance.

33. The method of claim 26 wherein the appliance is an HVAC device.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein the appliance is an audio/video entertainment device.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the at least one local setting comprises an alarm status.

40. The appliance of claim 39 wherein the appliance is further operable as an alarm clock.

41. The appliance of claim 39 wherein the appliance further comprises application specific hardware enabling the appliance to operate as a kitchen appliance.

42. The appliance of claim 39 wherein the appliance further comprises application specific hardware enabling the appliance to operate as a telephone.

43. The appliance of claim 39 wherein the appliance further comprises application specific hardware for control of a lawn sprinkler system.

44. The appliance of claim 39 wherein the appliance further comprises application specific hardware for lighting control.

45. The appliance of claim 39 wherein the appliance further comprises application specific hardware enabling the appliance to operate as a laundry appliance.

46. The appliance of claim 39 wherein the appliance further comprises application specific hardware to enable the appliance to operate as an HVAC device.

47. The appliance of claim 39 wherein the appliance further comprises application specific hardware to enable the appliance to operate as an audio/video entertainment device.

26. In an appliance including a time-based control function, a method of communicating with a premises automation system, the method comprising:

detecting user input, wherein the user input is primarily directed to controlling normative function of the appliance;

assembling a message comprising information regarding the user input, wherein the message is formatted to enable a premises automation function; and

sending the message to the premises automation system over a network interface disposed within the appliance.

35. In an appliance including a time-based control function, a method of communicating with a premises automation system, the method comprising:

receiving an incoming message including a query as to at least one local setting of the appliance;

determining the at least one local setting;

assembling a reply message comprising a value representing the at least one local setting; and

sending the reply message to the premises automation system over a network interface disposed within the appliance.

37. An appliance including a time-based control function and apparatus for communicating with a premises automation system, the appliance comprising:

means for detecting user input, wherein the user input is primarily directed to controlling normative function of the appliance;

means for assembling a message comprising information regarding the user input, wherein the message is formatted to enable a premises automation function; and

means for sending the message to the premises automation system over a network interface disposed within the appliance.

38. Apparatus for communicating with a premises automation system, the apparatus comprising:

means for providing time-based control functions;

means for receiving an incoming message including a query as to at least one local setting of the apparatus;

means for assembling a reply message comprising a value representing the at least one local setting; and

means for sending the reply message to the premises automation system over a network interface.

39. An appliance operable for providing both time-based control function and premises automation input function, the appliance comprising:

a display unit operable to at least display a time;

a network interface operable to provide two-way messaging capability;

an input panel operable to accept user input; and

a processing system operatively connected to the display unit, the network interface, and the input panel, the processing system operable to control the apparatus to detect user input primarily directed to controlling normative function of the appliance and send a message over the network interface, the message comprising information regarding the user input, the message further being formatted to enable premises automation function.