REMOTE CONTROL AND REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEMS

• US 20130176106A1
• Filed: 09/26/2011
• Published: 07/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: XPED Holdings PY Limited
• Original Assignee: XPED Holdings PY Limited
• Inventors: Schultz, John, Wood, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 10,209,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.52
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 1/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/61 Password, biometric

Abstract

A controller device for controlling multiple devices, where a controller and device are brought into near field communication distance of one another, the proximity of which is such that the controller and device communicate and initiate processes that establish control mechanisms between at least the controller and the respective device, wherein the controller and device each include: a processor for processing digital data; a digital data memory a portion of the memory including digital data usable by the processor to restrict access of the controller to none, one or more devices.

Claims

1-26. -26. (canceled)

27. A controller device for controlling multiple devices, where a controller and device are brought into near field communication distance of one another, the proximity of which is such that the controller and device communicate and initiate processes that establish control mechanisms between at least the controller and the respective device, wherein the controller and device each include:

a processor for processing digital data;

a digital data memory a portion of the memory including digital data usable by the processor to restrict access of the controller to none, one or more devices.

28. A controller device according to claim 27, further including:

a user interface operable by a user of the controller device to input data,

a portion of the digital data memory including data usable by the processor of the controller device to determine from user input data whether there is a match of the user input data with predetermined data within the memory, and where there is a match to allow the user to use the controller in a predetermined manner.

29. A controller device according to claim 28, further including:

a portion of the memory including data usable by the processor of the controller device wherein if the controller device does not have a match for the user input data the controller allows a user of the device to use the controller device as a default user in a predetermined manner.

30. A controller device according to claim 27, wherein predetermined restrictions stored in the digital data memory restrict access of the controller to the function of none, one or more functions of accessible devices.

31. A controller device according to claim 27, wherein predetermined restrictions stored in the digital data memory are applied during predetermined periods.

32. A controller device according to claim 27, further including:

a biometric device usable by a user to derive data unique to a user of the biometric device and make that data available within the controller device;

a portion of the memory including data usable by the processor of the controller device to determine from data made available from the biometric device whether there is a match of the data made available from the biometric device with predetermined data within the memory, and where there is a match to allow the user to use the controller in a predetermined manner of operation.

33. A controller according to claim 32, further including:

portions of the memory including data usable by the processor of the controller device to determine whether more than one user is able to use the controller device according to predetermined manners of operation;

optionally the controller further including;

portions of the memory including data usable by the processor of the controller device to determine whether the user provides input to match a challenge presented to the user before allowing a change to the predetermined manner of operation.

34. A controller according to claim 27, wherein the controller and device each include:

pre-shared digital keys or each have a digital certificate to verify their identity one to the other during communication or to permit coded communication between the controller and device;

optionally wherein all the controller and accessible devices that have communication networks created by the pairing of controller/s with device/s have the same key or digital certificate or alternatively each may have an individual key or digital certificate;

optionally wherein each device has a key or certificate lifecycle.

35. A controller according to claim 27, wherein one or more devices is one of the group of;

light switches, power sockets, power outlets, power sources, signs, billboards and information boards.

47. A device according to claim 27, wherein when the controller sends a command request to the device, the device requests authorization from a security access point to determine whether it should execute the command received from that controller and/or user or not;

optionally wherein the access point uses the RADIUS protocol.

36. A network arrangement between one or more controller devices and one or more devices, the network arrangement including:

each controller device and device including at least two communication mechanisms one being a near field communication mechanism and the other being other than near field communication mechanism, and wherein controller and devices are associated with each other by a bringing together or one to the other in close near field communication proximity, such that sufficient information is exchanged to create at least one network having at least one controller device and one device between which a communication network using other than the near field communication mechanism is created, wherein an encryption key is exchanged between the two types of devices during the near field communication proximity exchange of data.

37. A network arrangement according to claim 36, wherein one or more controller devices and one or more devices can be grouped such that a respective controller device controls the predetermined one or more controllable devices in one group.

38. A network according to claim 36, wherein the respective control device controls another predetermined one or more devices in one or more further groups.

39. A network according to claim 36, wherein one or more appliance devices are one or more of the group of light switches, power sockets, power outlets, power sources, signs, billboards and information boards.

40. A network according to claim 36, wherein one or more controller devices are adapted to indicate on the controller device three or more states of operation of one or more devices including an initial state, and final state, and a transition between the prior two states and a non-controllable state.

41. A network according to claim 36, further including:

at least one device in a set of multiple devices within in the network having a digital data memory a portion of the memory including digital data representative of a copy of one or more keys and/or certificates to act as a backup storage device;

optionally the network further including;

each device having a network address in at least one network, wherein the digital data memory of the backup storage device includes digital data representative of a pairing table including at least a device identification and the device network address of each device in the network.

42. A network arrangement according to claim 41, wherein the network arrangement includes:

a controller and device brought into near field communication distance of one another such that the controller and device communicate to exchange the key and pairing table and permissions.

43. A network arrangement according to claim 41, wherein the device having the back-up key storage function is pre-programmed to release keys, pairing tables and other data stored in the device, only under predetermined conditions.

45. A network arrangement according to claim 36, wherein a controller commands the device and the device acknowledges to the commanding controller that the command has been received and subsequently sends a state update to all controllers to indicate the new state has been achieved.

46. A network arrangement according to claim 36, wherein one or more devices is one of the group of;

light switches, power sockets, power outlets, power sources, signs, billboards and information boards.

44. A network arrangement between one or more devices, the network arrangement including:

each device including at least one communication mechanisms being a near field communication mechanism, and wherein devices are associated with each other by a mutual bringing together of one to the other in close near field communication proximity, such that sufficient information is exchanged to create at least one network wherein an encryption key is exchanged between the two types of devices during the near field communication proximity exchange of data.