Method and system for enabling timed events of a portable computing device to trigger remote control of external devices
US7424291B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/2841
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes using a portable computing device to remotely control devices and/or systems wirelessly. Specifically, a software timer application operating on the portable computing device enables its user to predefine the time, date, and the operation(s) that one or more properly enabled devices and/or systems perform in the future. That is, the timer software operating on the portable computing device is able at some predefined time to wirelessly trigger an action or a sequence of actions from devices and/or systems. For example, a user of the portable computing device is able to utilize the timer software to program a predefined date and time that the portable computing device will turn on a favorite radio, program and turn up the thermostat. The wireless communication of the portable computing device may occur using a radio frequency (RF) technology like Bluetooth, IEEE 802.1 1, or HomeRF.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.