Cable clamp-on device including a user interface

• US 8,390,467 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2011
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Crestron Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Crestron Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Feldstein, George, LaBosco, Mark, Dragonanovic, Esteban, Bellingham, Philip
• Primary Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US13/073,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20120176247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 340/635, 340/654
• US Class Current: 340/654
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence
• 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 21/43615 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 21/44227 Monitoring of local network, e.g. connection or bandwidth variations; Detecting new devices in the local network configuring of peripheral devices in general G06F9/4411; monitoring connectivity in data switched networks H04L43/0811

Abstract

In an illustrative embodiment, a system comprises a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to a portable device and the second end is connected to an A/V switcher. The A/V switcher is configured to monitor presence of an A/V signal in the cable and transmit data regarding said A/V signal presence. A cable clamp-on device is coupled to the cable and includes at least one indicator configured to display said A/V signal presence within the associated coupled cable, and a transceiver configured to receive the data, via a wireless link, the data regarding said A/V signal presence.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

(a) a cable (145a-n) having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to a portable device (380) and the second end being connected to an A/V switcher (385);

(b) the A/V switcher being configured to monitor presence of an A/V signal in the cable and transmit data regarding said A/V signal presence; and

(c) a cable clamp-on device (100a-n) being coupled to the cable and including,

(i) at least one indicator (155) configured to display said A/V signal presence within the associated coupled cable, and

(ii) a transceiver (160) configured to receive the data, via a wireless link, the data regarding said A/V signal presence.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an A/V control system (12) configured to transmit and receive data, including the data regarding said A/V signal presence between the A/V switcher and the cable clamp-on device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

(a) the cable clamp-on device further comprises at least one actuator (150) configured to control a conference room device (102), and

(b) the A/V control system is configured to (i) receive the data in response to the at least one actuator being activated and (ii) transmit the data to the conference room device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the conference room device comprises at least one of:

(a) an Audio/Visual (AV) device;

(b) a switch device,

(c) a gateway device,

(d) a HVAC system,

(e) a lighting system device,

(f) a shading system device,

(g) a projector device,

(h) a projector screen,

(i) a DVD,

(j) a user input device,

(k) a CD player,

(l) a security system device, or

(m) an A/V control system.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the cable clamp-on device being assigned a priority level (8) for bidirectional communications with a conference room device (102).

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

(a) at least a second cable (145a-n) having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to another portable device (380) and the second end being connected to the A/V switcher;

(b) the A/V switcher being configured to monitor a presence of an A/V signal in the at least second cable and transmit data regarding said A/V signal presence; and

(c) at least a second cable clamp-on device (100a-n) being coupled to the respective at least second cable and including,

(i) at least one indicator (155) configured to display said A/V signal presence within the associated at least second coupled cable, and

(ii) a transceiver (160) configured receive the data, via the wireless link, the data regarding said A/V signal presence,

(d) wherein the at least second cable clamp-on device being assigned a priority level for bidirectional communications with a conference room device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the A/V control system further comprises a scheduling unit (24), wherein the scheduling unit is configured to enable/disable the cable clamp-on device and the at least second cable clamp-on device for communicating wirelessly with the conference room device based on the assigned priority level when the cable clamp-on device and the at least second cable clamp-on device are activated simultaneously.

8. A system for controlling a plurality of conference room devices, comprising:

(a) a plurality of teleconferencing sites (3a-n) adapted for transmitting and receiving audio/video signal (215) therebetween, each of the plurality of teleconferencing sites, comprising

(i) a plurality of conference room devices (102),

(ii) an audio/visual control system (12),

(iii) a plurality of cables (145a-n), wherein each of the plurality of cables is connected in-between a switcher (385) and a slave computer (380a-n),

(iii) a plurality of cable clamps (100a-n) configured for wireless communication in a bidirectional manner with the plurality of conference room devices, wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps is assigned a priority level (8) for bidirectional communications, and wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps is coupled to each of the plurality of cables, and

(iv) a scheduling unit (24) in communication with the audio/visual control system and the plurality of cable clamps, wherein the scheduling unit is configured to enable/disable the plurality of cable clamps for communicating wirelessly with the plurality of conference room devices based on the assigned priority level when the plurality of cable clamps are activated simultaneously; and

(b) a master computer (103) in communication with the scheduling unit, wherein the master computer is configured to accept, process, and transmit the assigned priority level.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of cable clamps comprise:

(a) first and second cable clamps, and the scheduling unit is further configured to;

(i) enable the first cable clamp for bidirectional communications, and

(ii) disable the second cable clamp for bidirectional communications when the first cable clamp has a higher priority level than the second cable clamp.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the scheduling unit comprises a user interface (26) displaying a priority account (28) in an entry (30) allowing a user (305) to adjust the priority level that is associated with each of the plurality of cable clamps.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the priority account further comprises an availability status indicator (32) in another entry (34) allowing the user to change the availability status indicator that is associated with each of the plurality of cable clamps,

(a) wherein the availability status indicates whether each of the plurality of cable clamps is in an “

enabled”

state or a “

disabled”

state of wireless communication with the plurality of conference room devices.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of cable clamps are configured for wireless communication with the plurality of conference room devices based on the status indicator being in the “

enabled”

state of communication.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps comprises:

(a) a first half cylindrical member (110),

(b) a second half cylindrical member (115),

(i) each of the first and second half cylindrical members having first and second mating surfaces (120, 125), and interior and exterior surfaces (130, 135),

(ii) the first and second half members being connectable at the first mating surfaces thereof such that the first and second half cylindrical members form a passageway (140) for receiving the cable therethrough;

(c) at least one actuator (150) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces;

(d) at least one indicator (155) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces; and

(e) a transceiver (160) configured to transmit/receive data including data regarding the at least one actuator, indicator, and the assigned priority level via a wireless link.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps further comprises:

(a) a processing unit (170) coupled to the at least one actuator, the at least one indicator, and the transceiver, the processing unit being located within one of the first and second half members; and

(b) a memory device (175) configured to store data regarding the at least one actuator, the at least one indicator, and the assigned priority level.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the wireless link comprises at least one of:

(a) a Wi-Fi link,

(b) a Bluetooth link,

(c) a Zigbee/IEEE 802.15.4 link, or

(d) a proprietary UHF data link.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one indicator comprises at least one of:

(a) a LED,

(ii) a LCD,

(iii) an OLED dot matrix display, or

(iv) a transflective e-paper.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein:

(a) the transceiver is an infrared transceiver configured to transmit/receive data including data regarding the at least one actuator, indicator, and the assigned priority level.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the cable clamps comprises:

(a) a locking mechanism (180) disposed on the two half cylindrical members to maintain closure.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:

(a) at least one tab (185) formed on the second mating surface of the first half member; and

(b) at least one slot (190) formed on the second mating surface of the second half member, the at least one tab configured to engage the at least one slot.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein:

(a) the first and second half cylindrical members comprise one of a;

(i) polypropylene,

(ii) polystyrene,

(iii) polyester,

(iv) polyvinyl chloride,

(v) polyethylene,

(vi) polycarbonate, or

(vii) polyurethane.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps is configured to:

(a) receive a first status message (205) from a gateway (165) that indicates the audio/video signal (215) is available in the cable; and

(b) transmit a command message (220) to the gateway to accept the audio/video signal.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the at least one indicator comprises:

(a) a second indicator (230), each of the first and second indicators are configured to display

(i) an “

on”

state, and

(ii) an “

off”

state;

(b) wherein the first and second indicators are in the “

on”

state to indicate reception of the first status message by the transceiver; and

(c) wherein the first and second indicators are in the “

off”

state to indicate non-reception of the first status message by the transceiver.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the at least one indicator further comprises a third indicator (235):

(a) the second and third indicators are configured to display five states differentiated by color,

(i) the first colored state being in the “

off”

state when the cable clamp is powered off,

(ii) the second colored state being activated when the cable clamp is in the powered “

on”

state,

(iii) the third colored state being activated when the audio/video signal is active in the cable and selected by the gateway,

(iv) the fourth colored state being activated in response to the at least one actuator being activated to accept the audio/video signal, and

(v) the fifth colored state being activated in response to a computer (380) configured to transmit informational data (225) in the cable.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein:

(a) the at least one actuator comprises at least one of;

(i) a pushbutton,

(ii) a dial button,

(iii) a toggle button,

(iv) a slide button,

(v) a rocker button,

(vi) a proximity switch, or

(vii) a touch switch.

25. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one actuator is a touch screen element.

26. The system of claim 8, wherein:

(a) the cable comprises at least one of;

(i) a VGA cable,

(ii) a DVI cable,

(iii) a HDMI cable,

(iv) a Display Port cable,

(v) a CAT-5 cable,

(vi) a CAT-6 cable

(vii) an optical fiber, or

(viii) a USB cable.

27. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of conference room devices comprise at least one of:

(a) an Audio/Visual (AV) device;

(b) a switch device,

(c) a gateway device,

(d) a HVAC system,

(e) a lighting system device,

(f) a shading system device,

(g) a projector device,

(h) a projector screen,

(i) a DVD,

(j) a user input device,

(k) a CD player,

(l) a security system device, or

(m) an A/V control system.

28. A system for controlling a plurality of conference room devices, comprising:

(a) a plurality of teleconferencing sites (3a-n) for transmitting and receiving audio/video signal (215) therebetween, each teleconferencing site comprising

(i) a plurality of conference room devices (102),

(ii) an audio/visual control system (12),

(iii) a plurality of cables (145a-n), wherein each of the plurality of cables is connected in-between a switcher and a slave computer (380a-n),

(iii) a plurality of cable clamps (100a-n) configured for wireless communication in a bidirectional manner with the plurality of conference room devices, wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps is assigned a priority level (8) for bidirectional communications, and wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps is coupled to each of the plurality of cables, and

(iv) a scheduling unit (24) in communication with the audio/visual control system and the plurality of cable clamps, wherein the scheduling unit is configured to enable/disable the plurality of cable clamps for communicating wirelessly with the plurality of conference room devices based on the assigned priority level when the plurality of cable clamps are activated simultaneously; and

(b) a master computer (103) in communication with the scheduling unit, wherein the master computer is configured to accept, process, and transmit the assigned priority level; and

(c) wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps comprises;

(i) a first half cylindrical member (110);

(ii) a second half cylindrical member (115),

(A) each of the first and second half cylindrical members having first and second mating surfaces (120, 125), and interior and exterior surfaces (130, 135), and

(B) the first and second half members being connectable at the first mating surfaces thereof such that the first and second half cylindrical members form a passageway (140) for receiving the cable therethrough;

(iii) at least one actuator (150) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces;

(iv) at least one indicator (155) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces; and

(v) a transceiver (160) configured to transmit/receive data including data regarding the at least one actuator, indicator, and the assigned priority level via a wireless link.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the plurality of cable clamps comprise:

(a) first and second cable clamps, and the scheduling unit is further configured to;

(i) enable the first cable clamp for bidirectional communications, and

(ii) disable the second cable clamp for bidirectional communications when the first cable clamp has a higher priority level than the second cable clamp.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the scheduling unit comprises a user interface (26) displaying a priority account (28) in an entry (30) allowing a user (305) to adjust the priority level that is associated with each of the plurality of cable clamps.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the priority account further comprises an availability status indicator (32) in another entry (34) allowing the user to change the availability status indicator that is associated with each of the plurality of cable clamps,

(a) wherein the availability status indicates whether each of the plurality of cable clamps is in an “

enabled”

state or a “

disabled”

state of wireless communication with the plurality of conference room devices.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the plurality of cable clamps are configured for wireless communication with the plurality of conference room devices based on the status indicator being in the “

enabled”

state of communication.

33. A method for controlling a plurality of conference room devices associated with a conference, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving (step 1165) an assigned priority level and availability status associated with each of a plurality of cable clamps, wherein the plurality of cable clamps communicate in a bidirectional manner with the plurality of conference room devices;

(b) enabling (step 1170) the plurality of cable clamps for bidirectional communications if the availability status is in an “

enabled”

state of communication;

(c) disabling (step 1175) the plurality of cable clamps for bidirectional communications if the availability status is in a “

disabled”

state of communication; and

(d) when the plurality of cable clamps are assigned the “

enabled”

state and are activated simultaneously by at least one user, temporarily enabling (step 1180) the cable clamp with the higher priority level for communication while the lower priority level cable clamp is temporary disabled for communication.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein when the plurality of cable clamps are in the “

enabled”

state, the plurality of cable clamps comprise the steps of;

(a) receiving (step 1125) a first status message from a gateway via a wireless link to a transceiver that indicates that an audio/video signal is available in the cable; and

(b) transmitting (step 1126) a command message by the transceiver via the wireless link to the gateway to accept the audio/video signal.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the wireless link comprises at least one of:

(a) a Wi-Fi link,

(b) a Bluetooth link,

(c) a Zigbee/IEEE 802.15.4 link, or

(d) a proprietary UHF data link.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

(a) activating (step 1135) a first indicator between an “

on”

state and an “

off”

state;

(b) wherein the first indicator is in the “

on”

state to indicate reception of the first status message by the transceiver and the first indicator is in the “

off”

state to indicate non-reception of the first status message by the transceiver.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

(a) activating (step 1140) second and third indicators;

(b) wherein the second and third indicators display at least five states differentiated by color,

(i) the first colored state being in the “

off”

state when the cable clamp is powered off,

(ii) the second colored state being activated when the cable clamp is in the powered “

on”

state,

(iii) the third colored state being activated when the audio/video signal is active in the cable and selected by the gateway,

(iv) the fourth colored state being activated in response to the at least one actuator being activated to accept the audio/video signal, and

(v) the fifth colored state being activated in response to a computer transmitting informational data in the cable.

38. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting (step 1145) a desired device command 295 for a desired device signal to be available in the cable via the wireless link to the gateway, the desired device signal is associated with one of the at least one conference room devices; and

(b) receiving (step 1150) a second status message via the wireless link from the gateway that indicates that the desired device signal is available in the cable.

39. An article of manufacture for controlling a plurality of conference room devices associated with a conference, comprising a computer readable medium including one or more programs, which when executed by a computer, perform the steps of:

(a) receiving (step 1165) an assigned priority level and availability status associated with each of a plurality of cable clamps, the plurality of cable clamps communicate in a bidirectional manner with the plurality of conference room devices;

(b) enabling (step 1170) the plurality of cable clamps for bidirectional communications if the availability status is in an “

enabled”

state of communication;

(c) disabling (step 1175) the plurality of cable clamps for bidirectional communications if the availability status is in a “

disabled”

state of communication; and

(d) when the plurality of cable clamps are assigned the “

enabled”

state and are activated simultaneously by at least one user, temporarily enabling (step 1180) the cable clamp with the higher priority level for communication while the lower priority level cable clamp is temporary disabled for communication.

40. A system for controlling a plurality of conference room devices, comprising:

(a) a plurality of teleconferencing sites (3a-n) adapted for transmitting and receiving audio/video signal (215) therebetween, each of the plurality of teleconferencing sites, comprising

(i) a plurality of conference room devices (102),

(ii) a plurality of cable clamps (100a-n) configured for wireless communication in a bidirectional manner with the plurality of conference room devices, wherein each of the plurality of cable clamps is assigned a priority level (8) for bidirectional communications, and wherein the plurality of cable clamps are enabled and disabled for bidirectional communications based on the assigned priority level.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein each of the plurality of teleconferencing sites further comprising:

(a) an audio/visual control system (12);

(b) a plurality of cables (145a-n), wherein each of the plurality of cables is connected in-between a switcher (385) and a slave computer (380a-n); and

(c) a scheduling unit (24) in communication with the audio/visual control system and the plurality of cable clamps, wherein the scheduling unit is configured to enabled/disabled the plurality of cable clamps for communicating wirelessly with the plurality of conference room devices based on the assigned priority level when the plurality of cable clamps are activated simultaneously.

42. The system of claim 41, further comprising a master computer (103) in communication with the scheduling unit, wherein the master computer is configured to accept, process, and transmit the assigned priority level.