Method and apparatus for unified control of multiple devices

• US 7,127,305 B1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eyecon Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eyecon Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Palmon, Eran
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, THOMAS K
• Application Number:
  US10/876,510
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 700/83, 700 17- 19, 700/86, 700/87, 709/218, 709/220, 709/225, 709/229, 709/249
• US Class Current: 700/83
• 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 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• 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 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A method and apparatus to control any one of a plurality of devices. The method comprises, for each device of the plurality, receiving a definition language. The definition language including a command description to be associated with the device. The method further comprises accepting input from a user. The method further comprises generating one or more control signals for at least one of the devices of the plurality. The generating is to control the at least one of the devices according to the accepted input. The generating uses the definition language and the accepted input.

Claims

1. A controlling device comprising:

a control processor accepting definitions in a definition language, the definition language including at least one command element to define how to control one or more devices, at least one state element to define the states of different command elements, at least one context element to relate multiple devices, at least one menu tree to define operations, and at least one command skin element to define a user interface, a definition providing for controlling a set of controlled devices,

the control processor programmed to adapt including one or more of;

creating a new definition in the definition language;

automatically complementing a definition in the definition language; and

modifying an existing definition in the definition language.