PROGRAMMABLE MULTIMEDIA CONTROL SYSTEM HAVING A TACTILE REMOTE CONTROL

• US 20120081215A1
• Filed: 09/21/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Corsini, Peter H., Noonan, Michael E., Silva, Michael C., Locascio, Timothy R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,019,083 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/12.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805

Abstract

In one embodiment, a remote control device is configured to receive a portable control device into a recess, such that the portable control device is mechanically and electrically coupled to the remote control device. The portable control device communicates with a programmable multimedia controller, by way of a bi-directional wireless communication path, and with a dedicated wireless receiver, providing a redundant communication path. The remote control device includes surface enhanced buttons that allow a user to make selections by the sense of touch for changing settings of components associated with the programmable multimedia controller.

Claims

1. An expandable multimedia control system, comprising:

a) a programmable multimedia controller that includes a general purpose computer executing one or more applications and being configured for controlling, switching data among and interconnecting associated components including one or more of audio, video, telephony, data, security, motor-driven or relay driven parts so as to provide one or more programmable services;

b) a dedicated wireless receiver;

c) a portable control device in communicative relationship with said programmable multimedia controller, by way of a bi-directional wireless communication path, and being further in communicating relationship with said dedicated wireless receiver providing a redundant communication path; and

d) a remote control device configured to slidably receive the portable communication device into a recess such that the portable communication device is mechanically and electrically coupled to the remote control, said remote control includes surface enhanced buttons allowing a user to make selections by the sense of touch for selecting setting of associated components.

2. The expandable multimedia control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said remote control device is of a generally rectangular shape, with a top surface having a first section configured with said surface enhanced buttons providing tactile feedback such that a user may make selections without looking at the remote control.

3. The expandable multimedia control system as defined in claim 2 wherein said remote control device has a second section having an indented portion and a bevel on either side, the indented portion forming a recess to receive and secure the portable control device and further having a 30 pin connector to receive the respective 30 pin connector of the portable control device.

4. The expandable multimedia control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said remote control device is configured for gesturing input by a user.

6. The expandable multimedia control system as defined in claim 4 wherein the buttons on the remote control are configured as telephone dialing buttons.

7. The expandable multimedia control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said dedicated wireless receiver is configured to receive a message from the programmable multimedia controller and in response thereto to implement the user'"'"'s choices carried in said message.

8. The expandable multimedia control system as defined in claim 7 wherein said dedicated wireless receiver is further configured to send an acknowledgement message with state information after implementing the user'"'"'s choices.

5. The expandable multimedia control system further comprising:

said programmable multimedia controller is configured to fully support telephony in such a manner that a voice-over-IP call can be made using the remote control device.

9. A method of providing tactile remote control in a portable multimedia control system, comprising:

detecting a button press by a user on a remote control device;

transmitting associated information to a portable communication device;

determining information type and sending appropriate signals to said programmable multimedia controller;

signaling by said programmable multimedia controller a component to adjust its settings as requested by a user via the signal; and

adjusting the settings on the component as selected by the user.

10. The method as defined in claim 9 further comprising:

determining whether the input to the portable communication device is a telephone call and in response thereto, if it is a telephone call, determining whether the portable communication device is equipped with telephony, if so the call is placed, if not, forwarding the request to the PMC; and

placing the call by the PMC.

11. The method as defined in claim 9 further comprising:

receiving an incoming call at the portable communication device;

determining information about the incoming call including the identification of the caller at the portable communication device;

determining whether there is visual and/or audio notification of the incoming call; and

allowing the user to answer the call using the remote functionality.

12. A computer application for use with a programmable multimedia controller and a portable control device comprising:

computer readable instructions based on a non-transitory media, said program instructions to said portable control device to send requests and messages to a portable communication device and to receive messages in return from the portable communication device to implement user selections.

13. The method as defined in claim 12 further comprising:

a dedicated receiver coupled with the portable control device which allows for messaging between the dedicated receiver and the portable control device allowing a redundant communication path between the dedicated receiver and the portable control device.

14. A method of messaging in an expandable multimedia control system, comprising:

receiving by a remote control device a message containing user selections;

transmitting a message by the remote control device to a portable control device regarding the user selections;

transmitting a wireless message from the portable control device to the programmable multimedia controller containing the user selections;

transmitting by the programmable multimedia control device a message to a dedicated wireless device;

sending a message by said programmable multimedia control device with commands to implement the user'"'"'s choices;

in response thereto a dedicated wireless receiver returns state information to the programmable multimedia controller about the device being affected by the message, the portable multimedia controller issuing an acknowledgement message back to the portable control device; and

is the portable control device updating messages and clearing entries upon completion of the user'"'"'s selections.