RELATED APPLICATION

Benefit is claimed to India Provisional Application No. 3988/CHE/2011, entitled "Wireless Communication Device Controlled Consumer Electronic Devices" by PADMALAYAM NARAYANA KURUP, Ajith Kumar et Al. filed on 21st November
2011, which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wireless control method and apparatus for a consumer electronic device using a mobile communication device. More specifically, the inveniton relates to control system and method with the help one or more applications configured in the mobile communication device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional consumer electronic devices include a display system to facilitate user of the device to provide commands and monitor various working conditions. Such display systems may require a dedicated circuitry, software, hardware and other components for complete functioning. It may be perceived by the consumers or users as an additional liabilty. In the event of malfunctioning or failure, the display systems add to the overhead or maintenance cost of the electronic device. Moreover, often the display systems are prone to be frequently used.

Further each of the consumer electronic devices includes different sensitivity to receive inputs from the user of the consumer electronic devices. It may vary from easy to complex, depending on the user of the system. Moreover, there appears to be no standard for such display systems in the market. Sensitivity of inputs of the users may be subject to the perception or view of the manufacturer.

Furthermore, each time a user wants to input certain command, the user has to reach to the device or use individual remote control units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling an electronic device with a mobile communication device is provided. The method includes the steps of indicating the presence of the electronic device within a range of a wireless communication mode on detection, establishing communication with the electronic device through the wireless communication mode, receiving a set of instructions from a user, the set of instructions are intended to control functioning of the electronic device, processing the set of instructions, and transmitting the set of instructions to the electronic device in accordance with the established wireless communication mode. The method for includes the steps of establishing an on-line communication link to facilitate downloading a first set of predefined instructions, and converting the first set of predefined instructions to control inputs for the electronic device.

In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for controlling an electronic device is provided. The apparatus includes a processor, a memory connected to the processor, the memory comprising an instructions module to manage controlling of the electronic device through the processor. The instructions module is configured for indicating the presence of the electronic device within a range of a wireless communication mode on detection, establishing communication with the electronic device through the wireless communication mode, processing the set of instructions received from a user, the set of instructions are intended to control the electronic device, and transmitting the set of instructions to the electronic device in accordance with the established wireless communication mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a mobile communication device connected to a consumer electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an instructions module present in a mobile communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a consumer electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of a command management module present in a consumer electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6a is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a consumer electronic device with a mobile communication device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6b is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling a consumer electronic device with a mobile communication device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a consumer electronic device. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

Figure 1 illustrates a mobile communication device 102 connected to a consumer electronic device 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the mobile communication device 102 is connected to the consumer electronic device 104 through a wireless
communication mode. The wireless communication mode includes but not limited to Bluetooth™, Wi-fi, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Zigee, and Near Field Communication (NFC). An instructions module 106 present in the mobile communication device 102 is configured to provide instructions to the consumer electronic device 104. A command management module 108 present in the consumer electronic device 104 is configured to interpret and manage the instructions received from the mobile communication device 102. Thereafter, the consumer electronic device 104 functions in accordance with the instructions received from the mobile communication device 102. For example, the command management module 108 is present in a memory of the consumer electronic device 104 and the instructions module 106 is present in the memory of the mobile communication device 102.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the mobile communication device 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile communication device 102 includes a memory 202 including the instructions module 106, a processor 204, a bus 206, a communication interface 208, a transmitter 210, a receiver 212, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 214, a time 218, an Input/Output (I/O) port 220, and a display 222.

The memory 202 includes prewritten commands or predefined instructions in various modules. One of the modules relevant in accordance with the present invention is the instructions module 106. The instructions module 106 is configured to provide instructions to control the consumer electronic device 104.

The processor 204 and the RAM 214 are connected to the memory 202 through the bus 206. The transmitter 210 is configured to facilitate transmission of data from the mobile communication device 102 and the receiver 212 is configured to receive data from the consumer electronic device 104, in accordance with the present invention. In case of wired connection between the mobile communication device 102 and the consumer electronic device 104, the I/O port 220 facilitates the data input and output. The timer 218 is a clock present in the mobile communication device 102 to facilitate time measurement for various activities.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the instructions module 106 present in the mobile communication device 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the instructions module 106 includes an input receiving module 302, a connectivity management module 304, a download management module 306, and a control command module 308.

The input receiving module 302 is configured to manage inputs received from a user at input interface (not shown in the figure) of the mobile communication device 102. The connectivity management module is configure to manage (turning on, turning off, and tuning) various communication channels of the mobile communication device 102. The download management module is configured for managing download of predefined instructions from online or internet or websites that are configured to control the consumer electronic device 104.

For example, in an embodiment, if the user prefers to control the consumer electronic device 104 such as a microwave oven, the user may provide an input to the mobile communication device 102 to connect with the microwave oven. Thereafter, if a particular dish or recipe has to be prepared, the user may download set of predefined instructions that are used to control the microwave oven from the internet and install it.

The control command module 308 reads the instructions and provides commands to the consumer electronic device 104 based on the predefined instructions. The transmission of the control commands from the control command module 308 is facilitated by the connectivity management module 304. For another example, in another embodiment, the user may prefer to provide instructions to the consumer electronic device 104 by self. In such cases, initially, the connectivity management module 304 facilitates connection of the mobile communication device 102 with the consumer electronic device 104. The input receiving module 302 receives inputs through the input interface present in the mobile communication device 102. The inputs are interpreted and converted to control commands in the control command module 308 and transferred to the consumer electronic device 104 through a wireless communication mode configured by the connectivity management module 304.

Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the consumer electronic device 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The consumer electronic device 104 may include a microcontroller in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. The microcontroller includes a memory 402 including the command management module 108, a processor 404, a bus 406, a transmitter 410, a receiver 412, a RAM 414, a timer 418, and an I/O port 420.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the command management module 108 is configured to receive arid manage instructions from the mobile communication device 102 to control the consumer electronic device 104. For example, instructions or inputs received from the mobile communication device 102 may be interpreted to the consumer electronic device 104.
Other components of the consumer electronics such as the processor 404, the bus 406, the transmitter 410, the receiver 412, the RAM 414, the timer 418, and the I/O port 420 are sufficiently described in description of Figure 3. Further the functionality of components is known the person skilled in the art.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of the command management module 108 present in the consumer electronic device 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the command management module 108 includes a command implementation module 502, a command processing module 504, a monitoring module 506, and a transmission module 508.

The command reception module 502 is configured to receive inputs or instructions from the mobile communication device 102 through the receiver 412. The command processing module 504 processes the inputs or instructions. The monitoring module 506 is configured to monitor whether the consumer electronic device 104 is performing in accordance with the instructions provided. The transmission module 508, in accordance with an embodiment, is configured to transmit operational updates on implementation of the instructions. The command implementation module 502 provides control commands or inputs to the consumer electronic device 104 to implement the instructions or inputs received from the mobile communication device 102.

Figure 6a is a flow chart illustrating a method 600a of controlling the consumer electronic device 104 with the mobile communication device 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The method 600a starts from a step 602. At the step 602, an application residing in the mobile communication device is initiated. At step 604, the mobile communication device 102 detects the consumer electronic device 104, which is indicated to the user of the mobile communication device 102 through an interface. At step 606, after the completion of detection, a communication link is established between the devices 102 and 104. The connectivity management module 304 of the mobile communication device 102 facilitates the establishment of the connectivity. Thereafter, at step 608, instructions are received from the user through an input interface of the mobile communication device 102. The instructions or inputs provided by the user are intended to control the consumer electronic device 104. At step 610, the instructions provided by the user are processed.

For example, the processing of the instructions may be performed by the control command module 308. Thereafter, the instructions are converted to control inputs 612 intended to transmit to the consumer electronic device 104. Thereafter, the mobile communication device 102 configures the consumer electronic device 104 to function in accordance with the control inputs or instructions provided by the user. This step further includes transmission of the control inputs from the mobile communication device 102 to the consumer electronic device 104.

Figure 6b is a flow chart illustrating a method 600b of controlling the consumer electronic device 104 with the mobile communication device 102 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

The steps 602 to 606 are similar to the steps 602 to 606 of figure 6a. At step 616, the mobile communication device 102 establishes an online communication or gets connected to the internet to facilitate downloading of a first set of predefined instructions that are intended to control the consumer electronic device 104. This step 616 is facilitated by the download management module 306 of the instructions module located in the memory 202 of the mobile communication device 102. Thereafter, at step 618, the mobile communication device 102 converts the first set of predefined instructions to control inputs that are receivable by the consumer electronic device 104. At step 620, operational updates on implementing the control inputs or instructions in the consumer electronic device 104 is received by the mobile communication device 102. The monitoring module 506 of the consumer electronic device 104 may facilitate the transfer of such operational updates to the mobile communication device 102 through the transmitter 410. In an exemplary embodiment, further, at step 622, it is verified whether the operational updates are in accordance with the instructions or control inputs provided by the mobile communication device 102. If yes, the communication is continued with the mobile communication device, as denoted in step 624 and if no, an indication is provided to the user of the mobile communication device 102 on deviation, as denoted in step 626.

The present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments; it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. Furthermore, the various devices, modules, selectors, estimators, and the like described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry, for example, complementary metal oxide semiconductor based logic circuitry, firmware, software and/or any combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software embodied in a machine readable medium. For example, the various electrical structure and methods may be embodied using transistors, logic gates, and electrical circuits, such as application specific integrated circuit.

We Claim:

1. A method of controlling an electronic device with a mobile communication
device, the method comprising:

indicating the presence of the electronic device within a range of a wireless communication mode on detection;

establishing communication with the electronic device through the wireless communication mode;

receiving a set of instructions from a user, the set of instructions are intended to control functioning of the electronic device;

processing the set of instructions; and

transmitting the set of instructions to the electronic device in accordance with the established wireless communication mode.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

converting the set of instructions to control inputs for the electronic device.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein in establishing
communication with the electronic device, the step further comprises:

establishing an on-line communication link to facilitate downloading a first set of predefined instructions; and

converting the first set of predefined instructions to control inputs for the electronic device.

4. The method in accordance with claim 3, further comprising:

receiving operational updates on execution of the control inputs from the electronic device; and

verifying the operational updates with the set of instructions that are intended to control functioning of the electronic device.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4, wherein in verifying the operational
updates, the step further comprises:

if the updates are in accordance with the set of instructions, then continuing the communication with the electronic device; and

if the updates are not in accordance with the set of instructions, then indicating the user of the mobile communication device of deviation.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising:

configuring the electronic device with the control inputs through the wireless communication mode.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the wireless communication mode is at least one of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigee, and Near Field Communication (NFC).

8. An apparatus for controlling an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a memory connected to the processor, the memory comprising an instructions module to manage controlling of the electronic device through the processor, the instructions module is configured for:

indicating the presence of the electronic device within a range of a wireless communication mode on detection;

establishing communication with the electronic device through the wireless communication mode;

processing the set of instructions received from a user, the set of instructions are intended to control the electronic device; and

transmitting the set of instructions to the electronic device in accordance with the established wireless communication mode.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein in establishing communication
with the electronic device, the instructions module is further configured for:

establishing an on-line communication link to facilitate downloading a first set of predefined instructions; and

converting the first set of predefined instructions to control inputs for the electronic device.

10. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the instructions module is further
configured for:

converting the set of instructions to control inputs for the electronic device;

receiving operational updates on execution of the control inputs from the electronic device; and

verifying the operational updates with the set of instructions that are intended to control functioning of the electronic device.

11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein in verifying the operational
updates, the instructions module is further configured for:

continuing the communication with the electronic device if the updates are in accordance with the set of instructions; and

indicating the user of the mobile communication device of deviation if the updates are not in accordance with the set of instructions.

12.The apparatus as recited in claim 11, the instructions module is further configured for:
configuring the electronic device with the control inputs through the wireless communication mode.

13.The apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the wireless communication mode is at least one of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigee, and Near Field Communication (NFC).