Method and apparatus to locate a device in a dwelling or other enclosed space

• US 7,046,162 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Dunstan, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
• Application Number:
  US10/928,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20050024227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.49, 340/825.72, 340/5.53, 340/7.1, 455/456.3, 342/357.09
• US Class Current: 340/12.53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A device is presented including a processor. A user interface is connected to the processor. A receiver is connected to the processor for receiving current location information from an external source. Also, a transmitter is connected to the processor for transmitting the current location information and command data to an external receiver. The current location information is a specific room or a specific area.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a processor coupled to a transmission medium;

a first receiver coupled to the processor;

a first transmitter coupled to the processor;

a second transmitter to transmit a location code;

a remote control (RC) including a RC receiver and a RC transmitter, the RC to receive the location code and transmit command data and the location code to the first receiver,

wherein the first transmitter sends control information for at least one device located in a specific location according to the location code transmitted by the RC, and the location code is assigned to one of a specific room and a specific area.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one user interface.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second transmitter is an infrared (IR) device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the transmission medium is coupled to a plurality of consumer electronic (CE) devices.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein a bus is coupled to a third transmitter.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the transmission medium is one of a physical bus and a wireless medium.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the control information for the specific location can be restricted.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the restriction can be user based, time period based and location based.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the restriction is password controllable.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the control information can control a plurality of devices in a sequence according to a single command.

30. The system of claim 2, wherein the second transmitter is at least one global positioning satellite (GPS).

11. A method comprising:

selecting a control function;

receiving a location code assigned to a specific bounded area by a first receiver;

transmitting the location code and command data to a second receiver;

determining device control data based on the location code and the command data for a device located within the specific bounded area; and

transmitting the control data to the device,

wherein the location code is assigned to one of a specific room and a specific area.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining further includes:

determining whether a user has a restriction for access to the device control data for the device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining further includes:

determining whether the user has a restricted time period for access to the device, and a restriction based on the specific bounded area.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the restriction is password controllable.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the device control data is capable of commanding a sequence of controlled events for a plurality of devices.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the device control data is transmitted through a transmission medium that is one of wireless and physical.

17. An apparatus comprising a machine-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

selecting a control function;

receiving a location code assigned to a specific bounded area by a first receiver;

transmitting the location code and command data to a second receiver;

determining device control data based on the location code and the command data for a device located within the specific bounded area; and

transmitting the control data to the device,

wherein the location code is assigned to one of a specific room and a specific area.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein determining further containing instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations including:

determining whether a user has a restriction for access to the device control data for the device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein determining further containing instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations including:

determining whether the user has a restricted time period for access to the device, and a restriction based on the specific bounded area.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the restriction is password controllable.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the device control data is capable of commanding a sequence of controlled events for a plurality of devices.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the device control data is transmitted through a transmission medium that is one of wireless and physical.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a user interface coupled to the processor;

a receiver coupled to the processor for receiving current a location code from an external source; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting the current location code and command data to an external receiver,

wherein the current location code is assigned to one of a specific room and a specific area.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the user interface comprises one of a touch screen, a plurality of buttons, a personal desk assistant (PDA) and a keyboard.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the receiver is one of an infrared (IR) receiver, and a radio frequency (RF) receiver.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the receiver receives the location code from one of an infrared (IR) device and a limited radio frequency device.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein consumer electronic (CE) devices are commanded and controlled.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a microphone coupled to the processor.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the processor converts voice data into command data.

31. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the receiver is a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver.