US5554979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for setting ambient parameters
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1995-02-02
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Granted: 1996-09-10
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Expires: 2015-02-02
Abstract
Abstract The system comprises a plurality of objects such as lamps (11-15), venetian blinds (16, 17) and air-conditioning appliances (18) and a hand-held infrared remote control unit (40) for transmitting control signals. A separate receiver (21-28) is allocated to each one of the objects (11-18) and the transmitter of the remote control unit (40) transmits the control signals in a relatively narrow transmission beam (42). An object is selected by directing the portable transmitter (40) towards this object. Consequently, the user does not need to give a further indication of the object and the system can be operated in a simple manner. Less frequent communication with the system is possible via a separate interface unit (70). Specific objects can only be operated by certain users by transmitting an identification code along with the control signal. The identification code can also be used for the purpose of localization and for access control.
Inventors
- 👤 Handoko Kohar
- 👤 Philippe Wegner
- 👤 Leon Smit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:35
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08C; G08C23/00; G08C23/04; G08C2201/00; G08C2201/70; G08C2201/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for setting ambient parameters of an area, comprising: (a) a plurality of objects in said area, each object being for influencing a respective different ambient parameter, (b) a portable control unit including: i) a transmitter for directional transmission of a control signal in a beam having limited cross section, which control signal does not contain object addressing and identification information for any of the objects, and ii) at least one control element for specifying an influence on the respective ambient parameters, (c) a plurality of receivers, each having a respective location associated with an associated one of said objects, for receiving and responding to the control signal from said transmitter, said respective location being such as to be unambiguously distinguishable from locations of other receivers in the system by intersection with the beam, each receiver selecting and setting the associated one of the objects in response to said control signal from the transmitter, so that the associated one of the at least one object is selectable without specific object addressing identification information in said control signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A system for setting ambient parameters of an area, comprising: (a) a plurality of objects in said area, each object being for influencing a respective different ambient parameter, (b) a portable control unit including: i) a transmitter for directional transmission of a control signal in a beam having limited cross section, which control signal does not contain object addressing and identification information for any of the objects, and ii) at least one control element for specifying an influence on the respective ambient parameters, (c) a plurality of receivers, each having a respective location associated with an associated one of said objects, for receiving and responding to the control signal from said transmitter, said respective location being such as to be unambiguously distinguishable from locations of other receivers in the system by intersection with the beam, each receiver selecting and setting the associated one of the objects in response to said control signal from the transmitter, so that the associated one of the at least one object is selectable without specific object addressing identification information in said control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit transmits first and second control signals; and the receiver modifies a setting selected from among one of: in a first direction and to a first state in response to the first signal; and selected from among one of: in an opposite direction and to a second state in response to the second control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the control signal includes a request to return to a preferential setting; and the receiver has a memory that stores the preferential setting and sets the associated object to the preferential setting in response to the request.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a further receiver coupled with one or more objects for receiving and responding to the control signal, which further receiver has a memory that stores a preferential setting and sets the coupled objects to the preferential setting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the objects and the receivers are coupled in a network for passing control signals amongst the objects.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the network comprises a D2B bus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the control signal includes an authorization code; and the receiver selects and sets the object in dependence upon the authorization code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the receiver is part of an interface unit for the associated object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the communication between the interface unit and the associated object comprises a wireless communication.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 8 further comprising at least one identification unit for identifying portable control units and for one of allowing and denying access to one of spaces and services after identification.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the objects is a venetian blind and the respective ambient parameter for that object is light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the ambient parameters is temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein first and second ones of the objects influence respective first and second ambient parameters, which first and second ambient parameters are different.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the control unit has a plurality of control elements and a same one of the control elements specifies influence of both the first and second ambient parameters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the control elements are keys.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 14 wherein a same one of the control elements increases the first ambient parameter when the first object is selected and increases the second ambient parameter when the second object is selected.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 14 wherein a same one of the control elements decreases the first ambient parameter when the first object is selected and decreases second ambient parameter when the second object is selected.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the objects is a door lock.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 14 wherein a same one of the control elements sets the first ambient parameter to a first respective preset when the first object is selected and sets the second ambient parameter to a second respective preset when the second object is selected.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the first ambient parameter is light and the second ambient parameter is temperature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the object is an air conditioner.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 13 wherein the object is a heater.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for setting ambient parameters of an area, comprising: a first object controlling a first ambient parameter; a first receiver locationally associated with and coupled to said first object and controlling the first object responsive to a single universal control signal; a second object controlling a different second ambient parameter; a second receiver locationally associated with and coupled to said second object and controlling the second object responsive to the single universal control signal; a transmitter producing the single universal control signal capable of controlling the first and second objects and having a directional beam used to select between the first and second objects.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for setting ambient parameters of an area, comprising: a first object controlling a first ambient parameter; a first receiver locationally associated with and coupled to said first object and controlling the first object responsive to a single universal control signal; a second object controlling a different second ambient parameter; a second receiver locationally associated with and coupled to said second object and controlling the second object responsive to the single universal control signal; a transmitter producing the single universal control signal capable of controlling the first and second objects and having a directional beam used to select between the first and second objects.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as recited in claim 23, wherein the single universal control signal does not include object identification information.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-10 | 2000-03-11 | 2000-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-10 | 2004-03-11 | 2004-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-10 | 2008-03-11 | 2008-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |