WO2006001014A2

WO2006001014A2 - Method and system for controlling a home automated system by means of a phone, television or data network

Info

Publication number: WO2006001014A2
Application number: PCT/IL2005/000677
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moty Ben Old; Ephraim Zadok
Original assignee: Comshir Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-06-24
Filing date: 2005-06-23
Publication date: 2006-01-05
Also published as: WO2006001014A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system operated by a user by means of a wire or cellular phone, by means of a television or by means of a data network, such as the Internet for controlling a home automated system. The system for controlling a plurality of home automated systems comprises one or more terminal units, each of which is connected to a home device or appliance, for controlling it or reporting its status; a subscribers' server for receiving inputs from one or more user Interfaces, for transferring status information to said user Interfaces, for storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within each home and for communicating with each of said terminal units via at least one router by generating and sending command signals to one or more relevant routers, said one or more relevant routers in turn transferring the received said command signals to one or more relevant terminal units.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A HOME AUTOMATED SYSTEM BY MEANS OF A PHONE, TELEVISION OR DATA NETWORK

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of home automated systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a system for guided controlling, monitoring and sensing of devices and appliances located throughout private houses or business places.

Background of the Invention Modern consumers nowadays are increasingly aware of advancements in technologies relating to the maintenance and operation of homes. One increasingly popular trend in home technology concerns home automation wherein various electrical devices like windows, lights, doors and security devices like motion sensors and alarms are integrated into a house.

A conventional home automated system includes sensors and activation means for automating almost the entire house or business place, by triggering events and routines of various devices and appliances, such as light fixtures, security components, heating/cooling system, etc. For instance, when a sensor detects a vehicle in the driveway of a user, the home automated system can turn on the lights in a specific area, or open the garage door, and/or inform the owner in the form of text, voice, email messages or picture/video messages.

Home automated systems provide convenience and safety by enabling remote control over electrical appliances and devices. Currently available home automated systems centrally control switches or actuators that are connected to the various appliances and devices. For example, switches can be activated directly by a conventional infrared manual remote control, by computer interface which is further provided for scheduled or timed activation, or by Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) controller which operates in response to touch tone signals received over a telephone network. Thus, a home automated system may currently be remotely controlled either by establishing an Internet connection and providing commands to a home computer (that is interfaced to the various appliance and device switches) or by establishing a telephone connection with a touch tone controller and sending communications touch-tone commands using the keyboard of the telephone. Also, the home automated system may be remotely controlled by Cellular/RF commands.

However, the Internet connections from a user's location are not always convenient or available and use of touch-tone commands is cumbersome as the user is required to memorize or read all of the relevant command codes relating to the various home devices.

A home automated system controls a collection of subsystems. Common modern subsystems include, for example, the lighting, security devices, entertainment devices, and the heating/cooling appliances, as well as devices like motorized drapes, basic appliances, etc. A home automated system puts two or more subsystems under the control of one central controller, so that a press of one button can issue several commands to a variety of different controlled products. For example, pressing an "Away" button on a keypad might arm the security system and set back the thermostat to an energy-saving level. Pressing a "Home" button does the reverse. Most conventional home automated systems comprise at least two key components: a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a user interface. The CPU serves as the brain of the home automated system. Subsystems, such as the lighting subsystem, communicate with the home automated system via the CPU. Homeowners use interfaces, such as keypads, touch-screens, handheld remote controllers or a PC to interact, when necessary, with the various subsystems linked to the CPU.

Prior-art home automated systems differ in their degree of intelligence, ease of programming, level of flexibility, intuitiveness of operation, communications media employed, price, etc. For example, because of all the different features and functions that home automated systems offer, users need relatively sophisticated interfaces in order to simplify the control. For example, a touch-screen device, which displays several "pages" of "buttons", designed specifically to control each specific appliance or subsystem. However, the technology of touch-screens is relatively expensive, and so is the programmer's time for creating designs according to users' needs.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a home automated system with a relatively high degree of intelligence, with a reduced cost to the user. More particularly, the costs of system elements within the house are reduced.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a home automated system controlled remotely by a wire or cellular phone.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a home automated system that is reliable, convenient and does not require the user while being at home to use a wire or cellular phone and does not require said user to memorize the command details, or to use a dedicated remote control.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a home automated system managed via television channels provider lines.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and system for providing information to the user.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and system for enabling the user to control his home automated system by means of a data network, such as the Internet.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method and system for controlling of a home automated system which does not require the Internet connection.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and system operated by a user by means of a wire or cellular phone, by means of a television or by means of the data network, such as the Internet for controlling a home automated system.

The system for controlling a plurality of home automated systems comprises: (a) one or more terminal units, each of which is connected to a home device or appliance, for controlling it or reporting its status; and (b) a subscribers' server for: (b.l.) receiving inputs from one or more user Interfaces; (b.2.) transferring status information to said user Interfaces; (b.3.) storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within each home; and (b.4.) communicating with each of said terminal units via at least one router by generating and sending command signals to one or more relevant routers, said one or more relevant routers in turn transferring the received said command signals to one or more relevant terminal units.

Preferably, one of the user Interfaces is an IVR Interface, used for enabling a user to access said subscribers' server by introducing to said user an audible menu and for receiving from said user input signals corresponding to one or more tasks introduced by said audible menu.

Preferably, the router is a DTMF Router, Cellular Router or RF Router, or any combination of said DTMF Router, Cellular Router and RF Router.

Preferably, the subscribers' server further comprises Cellular or RF communication means for allowing said subscribers' server to communicate with the router via a Cellular or RF channel.

Preferably, the subscribers' server further comprises input means for allowing the router to transfer to said subscribers' server data related to a status of each terminal unit.

Preferably, the command signals are selected from the group consisting of: (a) voice commands; (b) electronic or electric signals; and (c) triggers. Preferably, the input signals are in the form of dial-tone signals, text messages or voice commands.

Preferably, the system for controlling the plurality of home automated systems further comprises: (a) at least one TV set connected to a television channels provider via a set-top box, for displaying a dedicated channel for the home automated system, in which an interactive menu is displayed to the user; (b) at least one set-top box intermediating between a user and said interactive menu, enabling the user to interactively control the device or appliance; and (c) at least one router communicating with each of said terminal units, and with the set-top box for: (i.) receiving status of the controlled devices and displaying it in said interactive menu; and (ii.) receiving control information, as conveyed to the set-top box from the user in response to said displayed menu, and transferring it to each relevant controlled device via its corresponding terminal unit.

Preferably, the subscribers' server comprises television communication means for enabling said subscribers' server to communicate with the set-top box via television channels provider lines.

Preferably, the subscribers' server further comprises input means for enabling the set-top box to transfer to said subscribers' server data related to the status of each terminal unit.

Preferably, at least one of the following is provided for a plurality of home automated systems of a plurality of houses: (a) the IVR Interface; (b) the subscribers' server; (c) an Internet Interface for enabling the user to communicate with the subscribers' server via a data network; and (d) the TV set. Preferably, electronic devices and appliances, which are located outside the house, are monitored, controlled, activated or deactivated by means of the home automated system.

Preferably, the set-top box is a part of the TV set or it is included within the TV casing.

Preferably, a predefinition is made regarding each specific user menu, including the specific options available to each user.

Preferably, the set-top box further comprises a modem, which is connected to a telephone line, enabling the user of the home automated system to communicate with said set-top box by means of a wired or cellular phone, pocket PC, PDA, laptop.

Preferably, the command signals are selected from the group consisting of visible commands presented in form of buttons on the TV set screen and selected by the user by means of pressing an appropriate button on said TV set screen.

Preferably, the input signals are in the form of television interactive menu commands, text messages or voice commands.

Preferably, the command signals are transferred to the home devices or appliances by means of television channels provider lines via the set-top box.

Preferably, the router communicates with the subscribers' server by means of a wire telephone line. Preferably, the subscribers' server further stores the interactive menu for display to the user.

Preferably, one of the above user Interfaces is an Internet Interface for enabling a user to communicate with the subscribers' server via a data network.

Preferably, one of the above user Interfaces is an interactive menu displayed on a TV set screen for enabling a user to communicate with the subscribers' server by means of a television channel provider.

Preferably, one of the above user Interfaces is SMS Interface, which is used for receiving SMS messages, picture or video messages, icons, logos.

Preferably, the subscribers' server, after receiving the control information from a user transmits status information to said user by means of SMS or wire, cable, satellite, cellular audio or video communication.

Preferably, the set-top box further comprises memory means for storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within said home.

Preferably, the set-top box further stores the interactive menu for display to the user.

The method for controlling a plurality of home automated systems comprises: (a) providing one or more terminal units, each of which is connected to a home device or appliance, for controlling it or reporting its status; and (b) providing a subscribers' server for: (b.l.) receiving inputs from one or more user Interfaces; (b.2.) transferring status information to said user Interfaces; (b.3.) storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within each home; and (b.4.) communicating with each of said terminal units via at least one router by generating and sending command signals to one or more relevant routers, said one or more relevant routers in turn transferring the received said command signals to one or more relevant terminal units.

The method for controlling the plurality of home automated systems further comprises: (a) providing at least one TV set connected to a television channels provider via a set-top box, for displaying a dedicated channel for the home automated system, in which an interactive menu is displayed to the user; (b) providing at least one set-top box intermediating between a user and said interactive menu, enabling the user to interactively control the device or appliance; and (c) providing at least one router communicating with each of said terminal units, and with the set-top box for: (i.) receiving status of the controlled devices and displaying it in said interactive menu; and (ii.) receiving control information, as conveyed to the set-top box from the user in response to said displayed menu, and transferring it to each relevant controlled device via its corresponding terminal unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a home automated system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a home automated system provided with a Subscribers' Server, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a home automated system further provided with Cellular and/or RF communication means, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a system for controlling a home automated system, wherein the user controls elements within his home from inside or outside the home, by means of a television, according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 illustrates an example for an interactive menu presented on the television screen as shown to a user, according to still another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 6 illustrates an example for settings and status data as organized and stored within the Subscribers' Server, according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Hereinafter, when the term "phone" is mentioned, it should be understood that it refers both to "telephone" as well as to the terms "cell phone" and "cellular phone", which are used interchangeably. Also it should be noted, that unless otherwise is stated the term "house" refers to a home, office, warehouse or any other type of building or structure in which home automation capabilities are commonly used.

The Interactive Voice Response QLSTR) is a telecommunications technique that uses a prerecorded set of voice messages for presenting options to a user (i.e., an audible menu), and for receiving instructions typically over the phone. In a typical IVE system, the user inputs are provided by means of DTMF tone-key presses and/or by means of voice recognition.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a home automated system 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. System 10 comprises a Home Automation Provider 192, which provides an IVE, Interface 110 and a Subscribers' Server 90, a router 180 and one or more terminal units (e.g., units 131 and 14).

A terminal unit is attached to a device or appliance for controlling it or monitoring it. A terminal unit is a circuitry which either activates or monitors the status of the device or appliance. The terminal unit is generally associated with a sensor for monitoring the status of the device or an actuator for changing its status. The device or appliance may be, for example, an electrical tap, a gas sensor, a volume sensor, an electric gate activator, etc., as is known in the art. For example, terminal unit 131 is attached to TV 130, and terminal unit 14 is attached to bulb 17.

Eouter 180 is used for communicating with the plurality of terminal units and with Subscribers' Server 90. Eouter 180 receives command signals from Subscribers' Server 90 by means of IVR Interface 110 and transmits them to the terminal units, such as terminal units 14 and 131. Also, Router 180 receives data from the terminal units and transmits them to Subscribers' Server 90, for example, in order to alert the user regarding a change in a state of a device. Router 180 may be placed or mounted at any suitable location within house 16, even inside a specific device (e.g., a telephone device or a set- top box).

According to an embodiment of the invention, IVR Interface 110 and Subscribers' Server 90 is common to a plurality of houses and they are essentially used to replace the "brain" and the user interface for enabling communication with the user over a telephone line, which in the prior art were installed within the home router, thereby reducing the costs of the system elements within the house. Subsystems, such as the lighting sub¬ system, communicate with Subscribers' Server 90 via router 180. Subscribers' server 90 stores each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within said home.

It should be noted that the command signals can be selected from the group consisting of voice commands, electronic or electric signals, triggers, etc.

IVR Interface 110 is provided with a user interface in the form of an audible menu, thus it is not necessary to provide a physical interface to the user, such as a touch-screen device or a keyboard. The audible menu is used to guide or aid subscribed users to select the desired operations among the options available specifically to that user. For example, the menu may ask whether the user wish to turn ON or OFF the light in a specific room within house 16, activate or deactivate a specific appliance, etc. IVR Interface 110 receives input signals (e.g., dial-tone signals transmitted by a user telephone device 15) and generates one or more command signals for controlling a home device or appliance, such as bulb 17 or TV 130, in system 10 based on said input signals. The generated command signals are transmitted from IVR Interface 110 by means of Subscribers' Server 90 to the relevant router 180, which in turn instructs the relevant device selected by the user to perform the desired task. Subscribers' Server 90 by means of IVR Interface 110 can control a plurality of routers 180, either if they are installed within the same house or in different houses or geographical locations.

The audible menu simplifies the control of the home automated system, and it may provide a relatively high degree of intelligence to each home automated system. An audible menu is convenient for operation and does not require the user to memorize or read command details. According to an embodiment of the present invention, each subscribed user may have access to the entire available items or tasks within the audible menu or only to part of them. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a predefinition is made within Subscribers' Server 90 and/or IVR Interface 110 so that each user has its specific menu, including only the specific options available to him, and not unavailable options.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the command signals are transmitted over a communication channel from IVR Interface 110 by means of Subscribers' Server 90 to router 180. The communication channel may be a cellular or Radio Frequency (RF) channel, a wire telephone channel, or any combination of Cellular, RF and wire telephone channels. Also, the Subscribers' Server 90 may communicate with router 180 using suitable digital wireless technologies, such as Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) technology. The router 180 may be a touch tone controller (i.e., DTMF Router) coupled to the wire telephone channel, a Cellular or RF Router linked to the Cellular or RF channel respectively, or any combination of DTMF, Cellular and RF Routers. According to an embodiment of the present invention, one or more command signals are transferred to the home devices or appliance at house 16 via a Subscribers' Server 90 and the DTMF Router by means of a wire telephone channel, via the Cellular or RF Router by means of a Cellular or RF channel, or via any combination of DTMF Router, the Cellular or RF Router by means of wire telephone channel and Cellular or RF channel.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of home automated system 10 (shown on Fig. 1) provided with Subscribers' Server 90, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, Subscribers' Server 90 and router 180, which is a DTMF Router, communicate by using dial- tone signals over a wire telephone channel.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of home automation system 10 (shown on Fig. 1) further provided with Cellular or RF communication means 91 for allowing Subscribers' Server 90 and router 180, said router being both a DTMF Router 12 and Cellular or RF Router 19, to communicate wirelessly via the Cellular or RF channel respectively and/or via the wire telephone channel, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to avoid non- restricted users to control routers 180 of other users, system 10 is provided with suitable security means, as are known in the art. For example, each user subscribed to the services of system 10 is provided with a unique identification code, which corresponds to one or more relevant routers 180. The subscribed user is required to provide the unique identification code (e.g., by dialing) in order to be allowed to control the home devices or appliance via the relevant router(s) which corresponds to said -unique identification code. Alternatively, the user may be authorized to access the relevant router by matching a phone number of the telephone unit to a phone number stored in Subscribers' Server 90. Other identification methods or security means may also be used in order to allow a subscribed user to control home devices or appliances by means of Subscribers' Server 90 and IVE, Interface 110, such as voice recognition, pattern recognition and other means and methods known in the art.

The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a plurality of home automated systems 10. The method comprises the steps of: providing one or more terminal units, such as 14 and 131 (shown on Fig. 1) each of which is connected to a home device or appliance, such as bulb 17 and TV set 130 for controlling it or reporting its status; and providing a subscribers' server 90 for: (a.) receiving inputs from one or more user Interfaces; (b.) transferring status information to said user Interfaces; (c.) storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within each home; and (d.) communicating with each of said terminal units via at least one router by generating and sending command signals to one or more relevant routers, said one or more relevant routers in turn transferring the received said command signals to one or more relevant terminal units.

Subscribed users, such as homeowners and businessmen, can remotely control and monitor their homes and businesses using home automation system 10 of the present invention. System 10 of the present invention is operated in conjunction with cell phones and/or wire phones and can provide a wide variety of alert and control capabilities that until now were usually available in relatively expensive systems requiring extensive infrastructure development.

The router 180 and the terminal units are relatively easily installed, and the system can be easily personalized, thereby giving each subscribed user a capability of determining which device or appliance within his home or business he wishes to control or monitor. Every electronic and/or electrical system within house 16 or business can be integrated into home automation system 10 and fully controlled by the user.

The system of the present invention can be easily adapted to user's needs by allowing said user to decide to which home devices and/or appliances he wishes to attach terminal units. Furthermore, the system of the present invention allows the reception of real-time alerts and instantaneous responses.

A dataflow occurs in two-ways: router 180 can independently pick up warnings from terminal units and it can immediately inform the user by means of IVE, Interface 110; or the user can initiate an action, such as turning OFF the lights or activating the air-conditioning. Messages may be sent to the user from the Subscribers' Server 90 in the form of SMS, email messages, phone calls, pre-recorded voice message, picture/video messages, icons or other suitable methods according to the user's preference. Subscribers' Server 90 identifies the user, generates and transmits command signals, corresponding to the task(s) selected by the user, to router 180 and from said router to the relevant home-device or appliance. According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the action was implemented, a confirmation report is issued to the user by means of Subscribers' Server 90.

Home Automation System 10 of the present invention, can control any suitable subsystem within house 16 (shown on Fig. 1) or business, and may receive alerts from each of the terminal units linked to router 180, such as those of hot water heaters, air conditioners, interior and exterior lighting, watering system, electric gate, sounds, flooding alert, break-in, fire, electrical outage, gas leak, opening of a window or a safe door, etc.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a system for controlling a home automated system, according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The router 180 is used for communicating with the plurality of terminal units 141, 151 etc. and with set-top box 120. Router 180 receives command signals from set-top box 120 and transmits them to the terminal units. The router also receives data from the various terminal units and transmits them to set-top box 120 and from said set-top box to the user's cellular phone in order to update the user regarding a change in the state of a device, for example. Router 180 may be placed or mounted at any suitable location within house, even inside a specific device casing (e.g., a telephone device or the set-top box).

IVR Interface 110 communicates with a plurality of houses via channel TV server 99 by means of cables or by means of the air medium in case of a satellite. The channel TV server 99 is the conventional television channels provider server which transmits various TV channels 111 to the homes, according to the user subscription. The IVR Interface 110 uses one or more data lines 91, 93 for maintaining the home automated system. All the lines outgoing from the channel TV server 99 are transmitted to the user's set-top box 120 in the various users' houses. Subscribers' server 90 stores each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within the house. The settings of each subscribed user may include different types of devices and appliances within the house, such as windows, doors, air-conditioning connected to the home automated system for controlling and monitoring. The status data may include the state of each electronic device or appliance within the house, such as "ON" or "OFF", "Open" or "Close". Optionally, Internet Interface 101 may be connected to Subscribers' server 90. The Internet Interface 101 may be used by user 104 in order to control his home automated system by means of the Internet or any other data network, such as the Intranet, Ethernet, LAN (Local Area Network), WWW (World Wide Web), etc.

The Subscribers' server 90 is updated by means of IVR Interface 110, Internet Interface 101 and channel TV server 99. The Subscribers' server 90 is updated by means of commands received from users using TV remote control 106, using Internet Interface 101 or calling IVR Interface 110, and by means of changes in the states of the terminal units within the houses. The settings and status data, which are stored in the Subscribers' server 90, may be pulled out or displayed on the TV screen any time to an authorized user. It should be noted, that channel TV server 99 and Subscribers' server 90 may communicate one with the other by means of any typical communication protocol, such as TCPIP, UDP, SNMP, etc.

It should be noted, that analogically to the Subscribers' server, the set-top box 120 may store each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within the house. The settings and status data, which are stored in the set-top box 120, may be at any time pulled out or displayed on the TV screen to an authorized user. The set-top box 120 is updated by means of commands received from users using TV remote control 106, using Internet Interface 101 or calling the IVR Interface 110, and by means of changes in the states of the terminal units within the houses.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the router 180 periodically checks the status of each terminal unit and updates the Subscribers' server 90 and/or the set-top box 120 accordingly. Analogically, each terminal unit may periodically send its status to router 180. Also, each terminal unit may send its status only after some change in its state. For example, if the user opened a window, a terminal unit connected to that window may send its new status to router 180 by means of one or more signals. The router, in its turn, updates the status of the terminal unit in the Subscribers' server 90 by means of the set-top box and/or channel TV server 99. Also, the router may update the status of the terminal unit within the set-top box 120. Optionally, the router may be connected to the Subscribers' server 90 by means of wired and/or cellular telephone lines, and said router may update the status of the terminal unit within the Subscribers' server 90.

The dedicated conventional remote control 181 may be used in case when the user wishing to use his home automated system, for example, in order to open a window, is not sitting in front of his TV set 130 at that time. In this case the user by means of the dedicated remote control 181 communicates directly with router 180 sending RF (Radio Frequency) or infrared signals to said router.

According to the present invention, home subsystems, such as the lighting subsystem or windows subsystem may communicate with the IVR Interface 110 via router 180, set-top box 120, channel TV server 99 and Subscribers' server 90. The user outside his house may call the IVR Interface 110 by means of wire or cellular phone 15, and he may, for example, request that some electronic device or appliance be switched ON or switched OFF at his home. Of course, some means for authenticating the user should be used. Optionally, the user 104 being outside or within his home may communicate with Subscribers' server 90 by means of Internet Interface 101, also requesting, for example, that some electronic device or appliance at his home should be switched ON or switched OFF.

rVR Interface 110 receives input signals (e.g., dial-tone signals transmitted by a user telephone device 15) and generates one or more command signals for controlling a home device or appliance, such as kettle 150 or window 140 or TV set 130, in the home automated system 10 based on said input signals. The generated command signals are transmitted from the IVR Interface 110 via Subscribers' server 90 and channel TV server 99 to set-top box 120 by means of the television channels provider lines, which in turn communicates with router 180. The set-top box 120 transmits to the router 180 by means of data channel 112 only the data related to the automated home 16. The router in turn instructs the device selected by the user to perform the desired task. Subscribers' server 90 can control separately a plurality of set- top boxes 120 via television channels provider lines, whether these set-top boxes are located within a house or in different houses. Analogically, Internet Interface 101 is also provided with a user interface.

The present invention is described primarily with reference to the examples of using a wire telephone or cellular phone for user communication with Subscribers' server 90, DTMF Router 12 or Cellular/RF Router 19 (shown on Fig. 3). These examples are provided merely to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. It should be understood that the invention can be applied with the necessary changes to other phone communication devices such as pocket PCs (Personal Computers), PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), laptops, etc., all having communicating capabilities over telephone lines. It should be noted, that a user may provide commands to Subscribers' server 90, DTMF Router 12 or Cellular/RF Router 19 by any communication means, such as a touch tone phone, voice, SMS (Short Message Service) including delivery of text and/or image messages.

The above description shows primarily the manner by which a user, when located remote form his home, can operate his home automated system. The following description shows the manner by which a user, when at home, can control his home automated system by means of the remote control 106 of his TV set 130 connected to the television channels provider 190.

The user, when at home, can switch his TV set to a dedicated channel for the home automated system, predefined earlier by the television channels provider 190. By means of an interactive menu displayed on his TV screen, the user can choose the desired electronic device or appliance which he wishes to control, for example, by pressing an appropriate button on the TV remote control 106. The user, according to this embodiment, does not call the rVR Interface 110 in order to control his home automated system as previously described for a user out of the home. The user has a convenient access to the interactive menu 200, such as the one shown on Fig. 5. The user, for his convenience, may still use a dedicated remote control communicating directly with router 180 when being away from his TV set 130. For example, if the user is distance from his TV set within the house, he may wish to use the dedicated remote control for controlling various terminal units within his house. According to this embodiment of the present invention, the user also can communicate with Subscribers' server 90 by means of Internet Interface 101 when using any Internet means, such as a computer.

It should be noted, that the present invention according to all of its embodiments may comprise more than one router 180, but for simplicity and for better understanding, Fig. 4 comprises only one router 180. Moreover, the home automated system 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention, may comprise more than one TV set and more than one set-top box 120 for communicating with Subscribers' server 90 and with at least one router 180.

Also, it should be noted, that the router 180 may communicate with the terminal units and with set-top box 120 by means of any conventional type of communication, such as wire, Radio Frequency and Infrared communication.

Still it should be noted, that the communication means between the provider and the houses may be of any conventional type, such as digital and/or analog lines, Internet, cable, satellite, mobile or wire telephone lines.

Further, it should be noted that according to the present invention, electronic devices and appliances, which are located outside the house, may also be monitored, controlled, activated or deactivated by means of the described home automated system. The invention is valid for any location of each electronic device or appliance. Still further, it should be noted that according to the present invention, the set-top box 120 may be a part of the TV set 130 or it may be included within the TV casing.

Still further, it should be noted that according to the present invention, the set-top box 120 may comprise a modem 122. The modem 122 may be connected to a telephone line. Therefore, the user wishing to use his home automated system, may communicate with the set-top box 120 by means of his wired or cellular phone, pocket PC (Personal Computer), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), laptop without calling the TVR Interface 110.

Still further, it should be noted that according to the present invention, Home Automation Provider 192 may be the same party or company as Television Channels Provider 190. Alternatively, Home Automation Provider 192 may be a party or company which is undependable and separate from Television Channels Provider 190.

Still further, it should be noted that according to the present invention, the input signals can be in the form of dial-tone signals, text messages, voice commands, television interactive menu commands, etc.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, home automated system 10 further comprises SMS Interface for receiving from the user SMS messages, picture or video messages, icons, logos and etc., which are used for controlling said home automated system 10.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, subscribed users can be informed by at least one of the following user Interfaces: IVR Interface 110, Internet Interface 101, SMS Interface and television interactive menu regarding any change in the status of a specific device controlled by router 180. SMS Interface can notify a subscribed user and send him home device or appliance status information, by sending SMS (Short Message Service) messages, pre-recorded voice message, picture/video messages, icons, logos or the like, for example whenever a door of a safe in house 16 has been opened, or whenever another dedicated sensor detects a change in a state of a device to which it attached.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Subscribers' server 90 after receiving the control information from the user by means of at least one of the following: the television interactive menu displayed on TV set screen, IVR Interface 110, Internet Interface 101 and SMS Interface, may transmit the above control information to said user or any other predetermined user via SMS Interface by means of any type of communication, such as SMS messages, picture or video messages, voice messages, wire, cable, satellite, Cellular/RF audio or video communication. Further, the above control information can be sent to at least one user as an email message by means of Internet Interface 101.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, Internet Interface 101 receives email messages from the user used for controlling said user home automated system 10. According to this embodiment, the user control his home automated system 10 by sending emails to Internet Interface 101, said emails can comprise text, picture, video and the like data.

Fig. 5 provides an example for an interactive menu 200 presented on the television screen for the user, according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The user has an option to select a desirable electrical device or appliance by selecting an appropriate button on the screen, and confirming by the remote control. The user, for example, by pressing "UP" or "DOWN" arrows on his remote control can switch between different appliances or electrical devices located at his home and choose the one which he wishes to control. For example, if the user needs to open a window, he should choose a "window" button 201 and if he wishes to change the state of his dishwasher, he should choose a "dishwasher" button 206. After choosing an appropriate button, the user may receive an additional menu representing available features of this device. For example, after choosing "window" 201, the user has an option to choose a window in the kitchen 307 or in the bedroom 306. If the user wishes to open a window in the kitchen 307, he should choose the term "kitchen", and after that he should choose the term "open" 403. By the same way, the user, which wishes to switch ON the lights in the garage 309, should choose the term "light" 202, after that he should choose the term "garage" 309, and then the term "ON" 401. The operation of the interactive menu is very simple and does not require the user to memorize any codes or commands for controlling his home automated system.

The above interactive menu 200 may be shown on the television screen to the user by means of set-top box 120 only, while stored in the set-top box memory card during the manufacturing process. The interactive menu 200 may be configured later by the television channels provider 190. Furthermore, the interactive menu 200 may be stored in the Subscribers' server 90 and may be also configured, if it is necessary, by means of the channel TV server 99, by means of Internet Interface 101 or by means of the IVR Interface 110. The interactive menu 200, according to this embodiment of the present invention, may be shown on the TV set screen in different forms and configurations, so Fig. 5 shows an example only. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a predefinition is made via the television channels provider 190. Each user who subscribes to the system has its dedicated menu, including the dedicated options available to him only. The user, while subscribing to the system, informs his television channels provider about the electronic devices and appliances within his house. This information is stored on the Subscribers' server 90 and is sent to the set-top box 120 at any time when the user switch ON the dedicated channel. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the dedicated menu which is stored on the Subscribers' server 90, is downloaded only once to the set-top box 120. After the menu is downloaded, it is stored on the set- top box 120 and may be configured later by the user or by the television channels provider.

Unavailable options, according to this embodiment, are not included in the menu presented to the user on the television screen.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the interactive menu shown on Fig. 5 may be configured at any time by television channels provider 190 or by the user himself. The user may have the option to add or remove different terms included in the interactive menu. For example, if the user wishes to incorporate his new washing machine into the interactive menu 200, he can do so by himself by performing the appropriate configuration through this menu or he can call the television channels provider 190 to make this change for him. According to still another embodiment of the present invention, each user can control his home automated system 10 (shown on Fig. 4) by using any TV set 130 (shown on Fig. 4) connected to Television Channels Provider 190 (shown on Fig. 4). The user wishing to control his home automated system 10 or wishing to check the status of devices or appliances within said home automated system 10 has to switch TV set 130 to a dedicated channel for the home automated system, predefined earlier by the television channels provider 190. After that, the above user has to provide his username and password in order to get an access to an interactive menu, displayed on the TV screen, for selecting the desired electronic device or appliance within said user house, which he wishes to control.

It should be noted, that the television channels provider may be a cable television provider, a satellite television provider or any other television provider.

The presented interactive menu makes the control of the home automated system easy, friendly and simple, demonstrating a high degree of intelligence. The user is not required to memorize command details and, therefore, the presented method of communication via the television is very convenient for the user.

Fig. 6 illustrates an example for settings and status data as organized and stored within the Subscribers' server 90, according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The Subscribers' server 90 comprises a list 310 of all subscribed users, while each user has his own settings and status data. For example, the setting of subscribed user 1 includes window 1 (numbered 321), window 2 (numbered 322) and air-conditioning (numbered 323). As is illustrated in Fig. 6, the current status of window 1 is "Open", the status of window 2 is "Closed" and the status of air-conditioning is "ON". Analogically, the setting of the subscribed user 2 includes camera 1 (numbered 331), refrigerator (numbered 332) and garage (numbered 333). The current status of camera 1 and refrigerator is "ON" and the current status of garage is "Open". The status of each electronic device and appliance in Subscribers' server 90 is updated by means of IVR Interface 110, Internet Interface 101 and channel TV server 99, illustrated in Fig. 4.

The embodiments of the present invention described in Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 present a method and system having many advantages. The invention enables a user to use his TV set, which is connected to a television channels provider, for controlling his home automated system by means of the TV remote control and the set-top box. The user is provided with an interactive menu, which is displayed to him on the TV screen, enabling him to change the state of electrical devices or appliances within his house. The state of the device or appliance is controlled or monitored by means of a terminal unit. A router is used for communication with each of the terminal units, and with the set-top box and it is used for receiving the status of the controlled devices and for displaying this status to the users in the interactive menu. Also, the router is used for receiving control information, as conveyed to the set-top box from the user, and for transferring this information to each relevant controlled device via its corresponding terminal unit. Alternatively, the user may control his home by means of IVR Interface, Internet Interface or by means of dedicated remote control, communicating directly with the router.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be put into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. System for controlling a plurality of home automated systems, comprising: a. one or more terminal units, each of which is connected to a home device or appliance, for controlling it or reporting its status; and b. a subscribers' server for: b.l. receiving inputs from one or more user Interfaces; b.2. transferring status information to said user Interfaces; b.3. storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within each home; and b.4. communicating with each of said terminal units via at least one router by generating and sending command signals to one or more relevant routers, said one or more relevant routers in turn transferring the received said command signals to one or more relevant terminal units.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein one of said user Interfaces is an WE Interface, used for enabling a user to access said subscribers' server by introducing to said user an audible menu and for receiving from said user input signals corresponding to one or more tasks introduced by said audible menu.

3. System according to claim 1, in which the router is a DTMF Router, Cellular Router or RF Router, or any combination of said DTMF Router, Cellular Router and RF Router.

4. System according to claim 1, in which the subscribers' server further comprises Cellular or RF communication means for allowing said subscribers' server to communicate with the router via a Cellular or RF channel.

5. System according to claim 1, in which the subscribers' server further comprises input means for allowing the router to transfer to said subscribers' server data related to a status of each terminal unit.

6. System according to claim 1, in which the command signals are selected from the group consisting of: a. voice commands; b. electronic or electric signals; and c. triggers.

7. System according to claim 1, in which the input signals are in the form of dial-tone signals, text messages or voice commands.

8. System according to claim 1, further comprising: a. at least one TV set connected to a television channels provider via a set-top box, for displaying a dedicated channel for the home automated system, in which an interactive menu is displayed to the user; b. at least one set-top box intermediating between a user and said interactive menu, enabling the user to interactively control the device or appliance; and c. at least one router communicating with each of said terminal units, and with the set-top box for: i. receiving status of the controlled devices and displaying it in said interactive menu; and ii. receiving control information, as conveyed to the set-top box from the user in response to said displayed menu, and transferring it to each relevant controlled device via its corresponding terminal unit.

9. System according to claim 8, wherein the subscribers' server comprises television communication means for enabling said subscribers' server to communicate with the set-top box via television channels provider lines.

10. System according to claim 8, wherein the subscribers' server further comprises input means for enabling the set-top box to transfer to said subscribers' server data related to the status of each terminal unit.

11. System according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the following is provided for a plurality of home automated systems of a plurality of houses: a. the IVE. Interface; b. the subscribers' server; c. an Internet Interface for enabling the user to communicate with the subscribers' server via a data network; and d. the TV set.

12. System according to claim 1, wherein electronic devices and appliances, which are located outside the house, are monitored, controlled, activated or deactivated by means of the home automated system.

13. System according to claim 8, wherein the set-top box is a part of the TV set or it is included within the TV casing.

14. System according to claim 8, wherein a predefinition is made regarding each specific user menu, including the specific options available to each user.

15. System according to claim 8, wherein the set-top box further comprises a modem, which is connected to a telephone line, enabling the user of the home automated system to communicate with said set- top box by means of a wired or cellular phone, pocket PC, PDA, laptop.

16. System according to claim 8, wherein the command signals are selected from the group consisting of visible commands presented in form of buttons on the TV set screen and selected by the user by means of pressing an appropriate button on said TV set screen.

17. System according to claim 8, wherein the input signals are in the form of television interactive menu commands, text messages or voice commands.

18. System according to claim 8, wherein the command signals are transferred to the home devices or appliances by means of television channels provider lines via the set-top box.

19. System according to claim 1, wherein the router communicates with the subscribers' server by means of a wire telephone line.

20. System according to claim 8, wherein the subscribers' server further stores the interactive menu for display to the user.

21. System according to claim 1, wherein one of said user Interfaces is an Internet Interface for enabling a user to communicate with the subscribers' server via a data network.

22. System according to claim 1, wherein one of said user Interfaces is an interactive menu displayed on a TV set screen for enabling a user to communicate with the subscribers' server by means of a television channel provider.

23. System according to claim 1, wherein one of said user Interfaces is SMS Interface, which is used for receiving SMS messages, picture or video messages, icons, logos.

24. System according to claim 1, wherein the subscribers' server, after receiving the control information from a user transmits status information to said user by means of SMS or wire, cable, satellite, cellular audio or video communication.

25. System according to claim 8, wherein the set-top box further comprises memory means for storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within said home.

26. System according to claim 8, wherein the set-top box further stores the interactive menu for display to the user.

27. Method for controlling a plurality of home automated systems, comprising: a. providing one or more terminal units, each of which is connected to a home device or appliance, for controlling it or reporting its status; and b. providing a subscribers' server for: b.l. receiving inputs from one or more user Interfaces; b.2. transferring status information to said user Interfaces; b.3. storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within each home; and b.4. communicating with each of said terminal units via at least one router by generating and sending command signals to one or more relevant routers, said one or more relevant routers in turn transferring the received said command signals to one or more relevant terminal units.

28. Method according to claim 27, wherein one of said user Interfaces is an IVR Interface, used for enabling a user to access said subscribers' server by introducing to said user an audible menu and for receiving from said user input signals corresponding to one or more tasks introduced by said audible menu.

29. Method according to claim 27, in which the router is a DTMF Router, Cellular Router or RF Router, or any combination of said DTMF Router, Cellular Router and RF Router.

30. Method according to claim 27, in which the subscribers' server further comprises Cellular or RF communication means for allowing said subscribers' server to communicate with the router via a Cellular or RF channel.

31. Method according to claim 27, in which the subscribers' server further comprises input means for allowing the router to transfer to said subscribers' server data related to a status of each terminal unit.

32. Method according to claim 27, in which the command signals are selected from the group consisting of: a. voice commands; b. electronic or electric signals; and c. triggers.

33. Method according to claim 27, in which the input signals are in the form of dial-tone signals, text messages or voice commands.

34. Method according to claim 27, further comprising: a. providing at least one TV set connected to a television channels provider via a set-top box, for displaying a dedicated channel for the home automated system, in which an interactive menu is displayed to the user; b. providing at least one set-top box intermediating between a user and said interactive menu, enabling the user to interactively control the device or appliance; and c. providing at least one router communicating with each of said terminal units, and with the set-top box for: i. receiving status of the controlled devices and displaying it in said interactive menu; and ii. receiving control information, as conveyed to the set-top box from the user in response to said displayed menu, and transferring it to each relevant controlled device via its corresponding terminal unit.

35. Method according to claim 34, wherein the subscribers' server further comprises television communication means for enabling said subscribers' server to communicate with the set-top box via television channels provider lines.

36. Method according to claim 34, wherein the subscribers' server further comprises input means for enabling the set-top box to transfer to said subscribers' server data related to the status of each terminal unit.

37. Method according to claim 34, wherein at least one of the following is provided for a plurality of home automated systems of a plurality of houses: a. the IVR Interface; b. the subscribers' server; c. an Internet Interface for enabling the user to communicate with the subscribers' server via a data network; and d. the TV set.

38. Method according to claim 27, wherein electronic devices and appliances, which are located outside the house, are monitored, controlled, activated or deactivated by means of the home automated system.

39. Method according to claim 34, wherein the set-top box is a part of the TV set or it is included within the TV casing.

40. Method according to claim 34, wherein a predefinition is made regarding each specific user menu, including the specific options available to each user.

41. Method according to claim 34, wherein the set-top box further comprises a modem, which is connected to a telephone line, enabling the user of the home automated system to communicate with said set- top box by means of a wired or cellular phone, pocket PC, PDA, laptop.

42. Method according to claim 34, wherein the command signals are selected from the group consisting of visible commands presented in form of buttons on the TV set screen and selected by the user by means of pressing an appropriate button on said TV set screen.

43. Method according to claim 34, wherein the input signals are in the form of television interactive menu commands, text messages or voice commands.

44. Method according to claim 34, wherein the command signals are transferred to the home devices or appliances by means of television channels provider lines via the set-top box.

45. Method according to claim 27, wherein the router communicates with the subscribers' server by means of a wire telephone line.

46. Method according to claim 34, wherein the subscribers' server further stores the interactive menu for display to the user.

47. Method according to claim 27, wherein one of said user Interfaces is an Internet Interface for enabling a user to communicate with the subscribers' server via a data network.

48. Method according to claim 27, wherein one of said user Interfaces is an interactive menu displayed on a TV set screen for enabling a user to communicate with the subscribers' server by means of a television channel provider.

49. Method according to claim 27, wherein one of said user Interfaces is SMS Interface, which is used for receiving SMS messages, picture or video messages, icons, logos.

50. Method according to claim 27, wherein the subscribers' server, after receiving the control information from a user transmits status information to said user by means of SMS or wire, cable, satellite, cellular audio or video communication.

51. Method according to claim 34, wherein the set-top box further comprises memory means for storing each home automated system settings and status data of each electronic device or appliance within said home.

52. Method according to claim 34, wherein the set-top box further stores the interactive menu for display to the user.