Computime Ltd.

Wai-leung Ha

Kairy Kai Lei

Gordon Qian

Kwok Wa Kenny Kam

Kairy Kei Lei

David B Stevens

Hao-hui Huang

Bernard Auyang

The present invention supports the control of a plurality of controlled devices. With three dimensional accelerometer components, detection of a user action on a remote controller and the orientation of the remote controller are viable through small electronic devices. Aspects of the invention are based on the three dimensional accelerometer components to provide a remote controller that can detect the user action. Based on the user action, the remote controller transmits a signal to the controlled device which conveys the corresponding command. A selected controlled device may be matched to the remote controller. The remote controller and controlled device may also support a learning mode, in which the controlled device sends a list of supported commands to the remote controller. The remote controller then matches an associated action with each command in the command list.

User action remote control

A technique provides apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for sending sleep information from an end device to a central unit of a network, in which the wake-up time of the end device is aligned to the scanning time for the central unit. The technique addresses at least two considerations: the clock accuracy of the end device is accounted for, and the reason that the end device requests sleep mode operation is provided. To address the above considerations, the end device may send its clock tolerance information and/or request for sleep mode (RSM) command to the central unit once the end device is connected via the network. The central unit may then adjust the scanning time based on the clock tolerance information. If the central unit receives a response from the end device during the adjusted scanning time, the central unit deems that the end device is still connected.

Sleep mode operation for networked end devices

The present invention supports the remote control of a controlled device. A hybrid device receives a control signal over an infrared communications channel or a wireless networking channel. The hybrid device can replace an IR receiver module in the controlled device in order to provide backward compatibility as well as provide universal operation with a wireless networking controller. The hybrid device processes a signal received over one of the communications channels. When a signal is received over the infrared communications channel, the processor converts the signal to an output code that is sent to a device controller. When a signal is received over the wireless networking communications channel, the processor converts the signal to a wireless command, converts the wireless command to an output code, and sends the output code to the device controller. All output codes are transparent for the two communications channels.

Receiver module with dual mode capability

The present invention provides apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for updating memory containing representations of computer-executable instructions in a processing system. A primary processor receives original sets of computer-readable instructions and updated sets of computer-readable instructions for the processors in processor system from a host system. The sets of computer-readable instructions are stored in memory (e.g., flash memory), where each processor in the system may utilize different sets. The primary processor then initiates updating its firmware with the corresponding updated set. If the update is unsuccessful, the primary processor reverts to the original set and the update process is terminated. Otherwise, the firmware update proceeds to the secondary processor. If the firmware update succeeds, the next secondary processor is updated. Otherwise, all of the updated processors revert to the corresponding original set of computer-readable instructions and the updating process is terminated.

Updating firmware with multiple processors

A transmitter and a receiver are paired that use the same power line and power module. The transmitter associates an identification number with a command message so that a receiver can ascertain that a command message is intended for the receiver. The transmitter uses the time from the power up to the first zero crossing of the AC signal to generate a matching seed for both transmitter and receiver. The transmitter generates an identification number by incrementing a counter each incremental time interval between power up and the occurrence of the first zero crossing of the AC signal and sends the generated identification number to the paired receiver after power up but before a predetermined time interval. The receiver stores the generated identification number and compares the stored identification number with a received identification number that is received in a subsequent command message.

Matching a transmitter and a receiver supplied by the same power module

The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for configuring an electrical device to a selected orientation. Direction information that is indicative of the orientation of the electrical device is provided by a directional detection switch. A processor selects a selected orientation from a plurality of permitted orientations by processing the direction information and instructs a display unit to operate in the selected orientation. Different adjacent contacts of a directional detection switch are activated corresponding to different orientation of the electrical device. A conductive ball may be positioned by gravity and consequently conducts an electrical current between two corresponding adjacent contacts based on the orientation of the electrical device. A display unit of an electrical device may include an output component or an input component that is configured based on the orientation of the electrical device.

Electrical device with a selected orientation for operation

The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for updating a target device from a clock device through a network. The clock device obtains a time value from a clock source and sends the time value to a target device. A node within the network determines a time delay, adjusts the time value in accordance with the time delay, and sends the adjusted time value to the target device. The node may determine a time delay from an internal timer or from a measurement message when adjusting the time value. The clock device may send a subsequent time update message to the target device if the target device does not acknowledge reception of a time update. The clock device may also send a time update message to a target device when a status change of daylight savings time occurs and obtain a subsequent time value from a clock source.

Clock setup over a network

The present invention provides apparatuses and computer readable media for obtaining status information from a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and sending the status information to a remote networked device using a data container. A thermostat obtains status information from a HVAC system, associates the status information with a corresponding index number, and includes the index number and HVAC information in a data container. The data container can assume different forms, including a customer-defined cluster or a publicly accessible cluster. The HVAC information may be encoded so that the HVAC information can be included as an attribute of the publicly accessible cluster. HVAC information may include relay status of a relay in the HVAC system. The relay is identified by an index number that is included in an attribute. A networked device typically receives the HVAC information from the thermostat in at least one data container.

Thermostat status notification through a network

Aspects of the invention provide apparatuses, methods, and systems that support measuring and conveying energy consumption by an electrical device. An apparatus includes an energy sensor that measures an incremental energy value consumed by an electrical device. Apparatus obtains the incremental energy value, accumulates an energy usage measurement in accordance with the incremental energy value, provides requested information about energy consumption of the electrical device in response to a request from a network controller, and adjusts the energy usage measurement in accordance with the requested information. The total energy consumption may be partitioned into at least one energy component, in which the at least one energy component corresponds to the energy consumption of the electrical device during an associated time interval. A network controller may use the energy consumption information to determine a new set temperature for a thermostat unit that instructs the device control logic.

Recording and conveying energy consumption and power information

Apparatus providing an alarm clock remote control system and a remote control system with an alarm clock system with alarm clock circuitry that includes: a microprocessor, coupled to the alarm clock activation circuitry, remote IR diode driving circuitry, an internal buzzer, an alarm, a display, and input and output ports, for providing central control; the display, coupled to the microprocessor, for displaying current time and alarm time; a speaker, coupled to the microprocessor, the AM/FM radio unit, the internal buzzer, and the alarm, for outputting selected audio; an AM/FM radio tuner, and clock setup circuitry, alarm setup and activation circuitry coupled to the microprocessor for setting the clock, setting the alarm, and activating at least one remote device; and a programmable universal infrared remote device control, coupled to the alarm clock circuitry, for remote programming a remote device, and having activation circuitry for activating the remote device.

Growing community of inventors

Hong Kong, China

Wai-leung Ha