WO2002080461A2

WO2002080461A2 - System for configuring electrical and electronic appliances and devices

Info

Publication number: WO2002080461A2
Application number: PCT/IB2002/000990
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rajeev Sethia
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2001-03-30
Filing date: 2002-03-22
Publication date: 2002-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2003-09-30
Also published as: CN1496635A; WO2002080461A3; JP2004519784A; EP1391080A2; KR20030007782A

Abstract

A system for configuring household electrical and electronic apparatus and devices using short range radio communication like Bluetooth includes an apparatus software program, and plugging in units for programming by the software, a unit for each appliance or device. Each appliance or device has a corresponding control unit. The units at the computer communicate with the control units by short distance low bandwidth radio.

Description

System for configuring electrical and electronic appliances and devices

This invention relates to the configuration of electrical and electronic appliances and devices, using short-range radio communication.

Buying a new appliance is an award, and almost everyone wants to purchase the highest quality, and of course people want the new appliance to have as many options as possible. Most appliances and particularly household appliances have to be programmed using multiple key presses. Some examples of such appliances, and devices, are: telephones, sprinkler systems, security systems, thermostats, fax machine, music system, television and video apparatus, and others.

Coming with the possibility of programming any new appliance purchased is the frustration of not being able to program the electrical or electronic appliances. Indeed, for example, even if most of the time the new sound system can be used rapidly after being connected, it will be used just with the standard basic setting from the manufacturer, whereas the system can offer many different options. It is therefore important for the new owner to read carefully the instruction manual for learning how to use all the remote controls and for understanding how to manipulate the remote controls in correspondence with the buttons on the devices to program the system. Thus, it takes a lot of time and most people are discouraged before finishing any new programming, and the device is not properly used.

Furthermore, to increase the discomfort in trying to program an electronic or electric device is the fact that the space devoted to displays and input entry system is extremely limited. As such, it becomes very cumbersome to program these devices.

Moreover, when the device is connected and put in its definitive location in a room and/or in apiece of furniture, most of the time the display of the device is placed in such a location that a user has to sit on the floor or to knee as close as possible to the display to be able to follow instructions for programming the device. To stand in such an uncomfortable position for such a long time renders most of the users reluctant to increase the capabilities of their appliances. As a result, users do not bother programming all the features of an appliance or device, and the appliances are not used at their best. Therefore, it is of a tremendous advantage to have at home a device such as a computer comprising software that offers an easy and friendly programming environment for any possible electronic, electric, or electrically communicating appliances.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide each appliance with a unit stored within a storage medium containing data including all the options programmable by an appliance, the storage medium being movable to a personal computer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of programming electronic or electric appliances.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a communication system between a computer and appliances.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer for configuring an electrical or electronic device other than the computer or its peripherals and including a receiver for receiving data transmitted wirelessly, comprising: a display for displaying device programming data; a transducer for accepting programming data for programming of the device, a processor for execution of a software program associated with the device for providing the device programming data for display on the display and for receiving programming data from the transducer, the processor for when programming data is accepted, providing a control signal for configuring the device; a transceiver for receiving the control signal and for transmitting the control signal wirelessly to the device; and wherein the software program associated with the device is for receiving program option data specific to the device for use in displaying device programming and accepting programming data. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a configurable electrical or electronic device comprising: a storage medium for storing program data associated with the device, the storage medium for transferring the program data to a computer comprising a processor for execution of a software program for configuring the device, the computer having a wireless transceiver for transmitting configuration settings therein; a wireless receiver in the device for receiving wirelessly configuration settings from the wireless transceiver; and a communication program for transferring wirelessly received configuration settings to a programmable unit of the device for programming of the device therewith. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device configurable using a personal computer comprising: a storage medium for providing associated with the device, a software unit including a plurality of instructions providing a user interface for execution on a processor of a personal computer for programming of the device; a receiver for receiving a control signal from the personal computer transmitted via a wireless communication link; and, a controller for storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for configuring an electric and electronic device comprising: a processor for executing a plurality of instructions; a storage medium for providing associated with a device, a software unit including a plurality of instructions providing a user interface for execution on the processor for programming of the device; an input/output device for interacting with the software application in execution to enter device specific program data indicative of user preferences; a controller for providing from the computer for transmission to the device, a control signal based on the entered program data; a transmitter for transmitting the control signal to the device via a short range wireless communication medium; a receiver for receiving the control signal at the device; and, a controller for storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon. In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of configuring electric and electronic devices comprising the steps of: providing associated with a device, a software unit providing a user interface for programming of the device for execution on a computer; executing a software application including the software unit on a personal computer; interacting with the software application in execution on the computer to enter device specific program data indicative of user preferences; providing from the computer for transmission to the device, a control signal based on the entered program data; transmitting the control signal to the device via a short range wireless communication medium; receiving the control signal at the device; and, storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows diagrammatic flow of a method of programming an appliance according to the present invention.

The intent of the present invention is to provide a computer interface for a user to program an electronic or electric appliance. Preferably, all appliances are provided with an interface for interfacing with the computer to support the inventive method. Basically, an appliance is supplied complete with a movable unit, in a form for example of a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. Advantageously, the movable unit of a specific appliance contains all the possible settings achievable by the specific appliance. The compatibility of the data contained on the movable unit and software residing in a personal computer allows a user to program the appliance on his computer interacting with a user interface, which is preferably an easy and friendly programming environment.

Referring to Figure 1, a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A programming station in the form of a computer 10 comprising a hard drive is shown. The computer 10 is part of a computer system equipped with a monitor 1, a keyboard 2 and a mouse 4. Software programs residing in the computer 10, as for example MyHome software program, offer the possibility to read data imported from various types of units as for example floppy disks or CDs. Depending on the electronic characteristics of the computer, i.e. amount of memory capacity and processing speed, the programming interface can be extended to a Graphic User Interface (GUI). Furthermore, the computer houses a transceiver 6 for transmitting data using short-range low bandwidth radio communication in the form of Blue Tooth communication.

Every appliance has an associated unit in a form of, for example, a floppy disk or a CD. Every unit is specific to an appliance. Alternatively, some units are associated with numerous appliances. Moreover, the appliance A houses a receiver 12 for receiving data from the computer using short-range low bandwidth radio communication in the form of Blue Tooth communication. A movable unit A contains MyHome compatible/readable data, these data being necessary for programming the appliance A. Appliance A is typically shipped including a programmable memory 14. In operation, after the appliance A has been installed, the movable unit A is transferred to the computer so that the data contained on the unit A are available to software on the computer system 10. Opening MyHome software gives access to all the programmable options of the appliance A. The programming environment offers by the software, the mouse 4, the keyboard 2 and moreover the large display monitor 1 eases the programming burden for programming of the appliance A. Since the computer has a large amount of memory and a fast processing speed, the programming interface can be very descriptive using a GUI for example. This renders the programming of home appliances very easy and reduces the frustration that users have in programming their appliances. Furthermore, use of the computer overcomes the limitation of display and input entry systems, with the otherwise rather cumbersome programming. Thus all features of an appliance are easily addressable addressed and programmed. Of note, because of the availability of printers for forming printed records of data, computers provide the additional advantage of providing printed programming data for verification, for use in troubleshooting or for provision, for example by post, to others. A user selects preferences and enters them into the computer. When the programming is completed on the computer, it is transmitted to the programmable memory 14 of the appliance A via the transceiver 6 of the computer to the receiver 12 of the appliance A. Advantageously, the principle of the short-range low bandwidth radio communication is a wireless type of communication, for example, Bluetooth. The appliance A can be as far from the computer as the short-range low bandwidth radio communication limit allows; the appliance and the computer are optionally disposed in two different rooms in a house, or the appliance may even be located outside the house but in a close proximity to the computer not exceeding the limit of the short-range communication. Although the invention as described has been considered more particularly in relation to household appliances and devices, it is also applicable to other items such as industrial and commercial appliances and devices. The only requirement is that the various units be within communication range.

It is foreseeable that the invention could be used for programming portable devices removable from a base locality at which the computer is positioned. For example, electronic equipment on a vehicle could include a control unit that is programmed by the computer; while the vehicle is positioned close enough to be within the radio communication range. Such programming would be quite effective, even though the vehicle travels out of radio range.

Optionally, the use of the software allows similar devices to share data. An example of such data sharing is the phone directory being shared between organizers, telephone, cell phone and fax machine. Furthermore, data specific to an appliance contained on a movable unit associated with the specific appliance can be stored in the computer for further update when needed. Thus, entering new coordinate in the computer allows a user to update the programming of the phone and/or cell phone by adding the new telephone number in the phone memory unit; similarly, the facsimile memory unit can be updated by adding the new facsimile number to the facsimile programming.

Another example of devices sharing data is the central heater and a potential air conditioning system if a house is equipped with both systems. Indeed, the heater is programmed for the cold days of the year, and the air conditioning system for the warm days of the year, according to a regular timetable of the persons living in a house, for instance a family comprising a kid going to school and two working parents. Obviously, the data shared in this example for programming both the heater and the air conditioning system include the time schedule of the family members, not the temperature. For example, during the cold days of the year, the temperature in the house is programmed to be 17°C during weekdays while the kid is at school and the parents at work. However, during the weekends and during weekdays after school and work, the temperature is settled at a higher level, preferably at a comfortable living temperature. Identically, during warmer days of the year, during weekdays the air conditioning system is programmed so that the temperature does not exceed 25°C while the house is empty, but it is programmed to decrease the temperature to a preferably more comfortable level when at least one family member is back. To control the heat and/or the air conditioning system according to a routine timetable is an interesting way of saving heating cost especially for people living in cold countries wherein heating a house is a necessity. For the programming of the heater and/or the air conditioning system, it is also possible to take into account of the days off, wherein it is probable that a family member will be in the house during the day. The programming can be achieved in such a way that the temperature during those days is comfortable.

The ability to initially program devices via the computer is easier and quicker and usually more convenient, than using multi key processes. Errors are often made when programming multiple key systems and such errors are often overlooked. With computer programming, the programmed information is more easily verified for accuracy, before communicating it to the appliance memory unit. Also advantageously, a plurality of devices require no user interface having a wireless communication system for communicating with a personal computer wherein software, in execution, provides the user interface requirements for the devices. Thus, cost savings result. Another advantage of the invention relates to program sharing. The Internet provides a simple and effective route for data sharing. A person who goes to the trouble of programming their home heating system in a complex but effective fashion may share their programming with other users. Thus, one could potentially search for a desired programming and merely copy it to their device without the rigors of figuring out available features. Referring now to Figure 2, a diagrammatic flow of a method of programming a device according to the present invention is illustrated. Data specifically related to the device are transferred to a personal computer wherein resides a software for interfacing with the transferred data in order to program the device. Interestingly, the specific data associated with a device are either transferred from a movable unit as for example a floppy disk or a CD ROM. However, if the computer is connected to the Internet, it is conceivable to transfer specific data associated to a device therefrom if the company fabricating the device has a Web site and the specific data associated to the device are available online. A user interacts with the software application for programming the device and enters his preferences for the use of the device. When the user has completed a programming, the programming is transmitted to the device via a wireless type short-range low bandwidth radio communication, for example, Bluetooth. A receiver housed in the device receives the programming and the programming is stored in a memory unit equipping the device for achieving the preferences for using the device the user programmed on a computer.

The fact that the programming of a device is achieved on a computer allows saving the programming on the computer before transmitting a control signal to the device. Therefore, a programmer could easily prepare programming for use by another person. For example, a child might transfer specific data associated with a device on, for example, a laptop, prepare programming data for a technophobic parent, and save the programming on the laptop. When they arrive at the parent's home, a few quick instructions and the programming is transmitted to the memory unit of the device, and the device is programmed. This alleviates a need to waste an entire visit fiddling with devices throughout the home that require tuning or reprogramming.

Another interesting advantage of using a personal computer for programming an electric or electronic device is that if it is easy one time to program a device, it is easy the second time or the third time to program the same device. Therefore, it will not be a burden to update a programming of a device when a user wants to enter new preferences or new settings. For example, if a grandchild is going to spend vacation at his grandparents' house during a few weeks, the grandparents may easily reprogram the setting of the TN to restrict accessibility of some channels, and/or limit the volume of the sound system to a reasonable loudness.

Numerous other embodiments may be envisaged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A computer for configuring an electrical or electronic device other than the computer or its peripherals and including a receiver for receiving data transmitted wirelessly, comprising: a display 1 for displaying device programming data; a transducer for accepting programming data for programming of the device, a processor 10 for execution of a software program associated with the device for providing the device programming data for display on the display 1 and for receiving programming data from the transducer, the processor 10 for when programming data is accepted, providing a control signal for configuring the device; a transceiver 6 for receiving the control signal and for transmitting the control signal wirelessly to the device; and wherein the software program associated with the device is for receiving program option data specific to the device for use in displaying device programming and accepting programming data.

2. A computer for configuring an electrical or electronic device other than the computer or its peripherals and including a receiver for receiving data transmitted wirelessly as defined in claim 1 , wherein the software program is operational with a number of different devices, each programmed in accordance with device specific programming data.

3. A computer for configuring an electrical or electronic device other than the computer or its peripherals and including a receiver for receiving data transmitted wirelessly as defined in claim 1, wherein the transceiver for receiving and for transmitting the control signal wirelessly to the device is a Bluetooth transceiver.

4. A computer for configuring an electrical or electronic device other than the computer or its peripherals and including a receiver for receiving data transmitted wirelessly as defined in claim 1 , wherein, in use, the control signal is a short-range low bandwidth communication signal.

5. A programmable device comprising: a storage medium A for storing program data associated with the programmable device, the storage medium A for transferring the program data to a processor 10 in response to a signal therefrom, the program data for execution of a software program for use in configuring the programmable device, the processor 10 having a wireless transceiver 6 for transmitting configuration settings to the programmable device and for receiving the program data from the programmable device; a wireless transceiver 12 in the device for transmitting the program data to the processor and for receiving a wireless signal including configuration settings from the wireless transceiver 6 of the processor; and a controller 14 for storing the configuration settings in memory of the programmable device for programming of the device.

6. A programmable device according to claim 5 comprising: a portable storage medium including executable instruction stored thereon, the executable instructions when executed on the processor for providing the signal to the programmable device.

7. A programmable device comprising: a storage medium A including stored thereon program data for execution on a processor 10, the program data associated with the programmable device and when executed for receiving configuration setting data and for providing a wireless signal to the programmable device including the configuration setting data; a wireless receiver 12 in the programmable device for receiving a wireless signal including configuration settings from the wireless transmitter 6; and a controller 14 for storing the configuration settings in memory of the programmable device for programming of the device, wherein the programmable device is other than a computer and a computer peripheral device.

8. A programmable device as defined in claim 7, wherein the wireless receiver includes a Bluetooth receiver.

9. A programmable device as defined in claim 8, wherein the wireless receiver includes a Bluetooth transmitter.

10. A programmable device as defined in claim 7, wherein the program data are electronically retrievable via a communications medium.

11. A programmable device as defined in claim 7, wherein the storage medium is a portable non- volatile storage medium.

12. A configurable electrical or electronic device as defined in claim 11 , wherein the storage medium comprises a floppy disk.

13. A programmable device as defined in claim 11 , wherein the storage medium comprises a CD ROM.

14. A device configurable using a personal computer comprising: a storage medium A for providing associated with the device, a software unit including a plurality of instructions providing a user interface for execution on a processor of a personal computer for programming of the device; a receiver 12 for receiving a control signal from the personal computer transmitted via a wireless communication link; and, a controller 14 for storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon.

15. An apparatus for configuring an electric and electronic device comprising: a processor 10 for executing a plurality of instructions; a storage medium A for providing associated with a device, a software unit including a plurality of instructions providing a user interface for execution on the processor 10 for programming of the device; an input/output device for interacting with the software application in execution to enter device specific program data indicative of user preferences; a controller for providing from the computer for transmission to the device, a control signal based on the entered program data; a transmitter 6 for transmitting the control signal to the device via a short range wireless communication medium; a receiver 12 for receiving the control signal at the device; and, a controller 14 for storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon.

16. A method of configuring electric and electronic devices comprising the steps of: providing associated with a device, a software unit providing a user interface for programming of the device for execution on a computer; executing a software application including the software unit on a personal computer; interacting with the software application in execution on the computer to enter device specific program data indicative of user preferences; providing from the computer for transmission to the device, a control signal based on the entered program data; transmitting the control signal to the device via a short range wireless communication medium; receiving the control signal at the device; and, storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon.

17. A method of configuring electric and electronic devices as defined in claim 16 wherein the step of transmitting the control signal to the device is via a Bluetooth transceiver.

18. A method of configuring electric and electronic devices as defined in claim 17 wherein the step of receiving the control signal at the device is via a Bluetooth receiver.