System and Method For Controlling Devices in a Home-Automation Network

• US 20080271123A1
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ollis, Jeffrey D., Wimberly, Michael R.
• Application Number:
  US11/742,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20080271123A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

A home-automation system (108) and method (300) for controlling at least one device of a plurality of devices in a home-automation network (104) are disclosed. The home-automation system includes a receiver (202) configured to receive a signal indicative of location a user. The user is located beyond the proximity of the home being automated by the home-automation network. The home-automation system also includes a processor (208) adapted to control the at least one device of the plurality of devices in response to the received indicative signal.

Claims

1. A system for controlling at least one device of a plurality of devices in a home-automation network, the system comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a signal indicative of location of a user located beyond the proximity of the home being automated by the home-automation network; and

a processor adapted to control the at least one device of the plurality of devices within the home-automation network in response to the received indicative signal.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicative signal comprises information related to the geographical location of the user.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the indicative signal comprises information related to the heading and speed of the user.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicative signal comprises a Global Positioning System signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to respond to the received indicative signal meeting a predetermined condition.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a particular location.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a particular distance from a home being automated by a home-automation system.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit at least one signal to control the at least one device of the plurality of devices in the home-automation network.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a decryption module for decrypting the received indicative signal.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising an authentication module for authenticating the received indicative signal.

11. A method for controlling at least one device of a plurality of devices in a home-automation network, the method comprising:

receiving a signal indicative of location of a user located beyond the proximity of the home being automated by the home-automation network; and

controlling the at least one device of the plurality of devices within the home-automation network in response to the received indicative signal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicative signal comprises information related to the geographical location of the user.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the indicative signal comprises information related to the heading and speed of the user.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicative signal comprises a Global Positioning System signal.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of controlling is predicated upon the received indicative signal meeting a predetermined condition.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a particular location.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a particular distance from a home being automated.

18. The method of claim 11 further comprising transmitting at least one signal to control the at least one device of the plurality of devices in the home-automation network.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of decrypting the received indicative signal.

20. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of authenticating the received indicative signal.