Method, system, and computer program product for managing controlled residential or non-residential environments

Abstract

A control server, or similar central processor, manages the distribution of data (including audio and video), voice, and control signals among a plurality of devices connected via a wired and/or wireless communications network. The devices include audio/visual devices (such as, televisions, monitors, PDAs, notepads, notebooks, MP3, portable stereo, etc.) as well as household appliances (such as, lighting, ovens, alarm clocks, etc.). The control server supports video/audio serving, telephony, messaging, file sharing, internetworking, and security. A portable controller allows a user to access and control the network devices from any location within a controlled residential and/or non-residential environment, including its surrounding areas. The controllers are enhanced to support location-awareness and user-awareness functionality.

1 . A system for managing a plurality of network components within a controlled environment, comprising:
 a control center for controlling an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components; and   a platform for enabling communications among the network components and the control center over a wired or wireless medium, wherein the platform is a ceiling fan, a light fixture, a wall switch, a carbon dioxide detector, or a wall outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises:
 first means for enabling communications with the network components over a wireless medium; and   second means for enabling communications with the control center over a wired medium.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an infrared-serial bridge coupled to the platform, wherein the infrared-serial bridge includes means for enabling communications among the network controller and the network components over a wireless medium.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a remote control device that is configured to send a control request to one or more of the network components.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 positioning means for tracking and/or monitoring a location or a movement of at least one of the network components.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the remote control device is communicatively coupled to the control center and the positioning means, and wherein the remote control device is further configured to send a control request to one or more of the network components located within a vicinity of the remote control means. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a remote control device that is configured to send a control request to one or more of the network components.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a cradle that includes a receptacle for holding the remote control device, wherein the cradle is a platform for a control center that controls an operation and/or a function of the network components.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a cradle that includes a receptacle for holding the remote control device, wherein the cradle includes a communications interface for exchanging communications with a plurality of network components located throughout a controlled environment.   
     
     
         10 . A device for managing a plurality of network components within a controlled environment, comprising:
 transmitter means for sending communications to at least one of the network components over a wireless medium,   wherein the device is a ceiling fan, a light fixture, a wall switch, a carbon dioxide detector, or a wall outlet.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiver means for accessing communications from at least one of the network components over wireless medium.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the receiver means or the transmitter means include a wired interface to at least one of the network components. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a control center for controlling an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device is communicatively coupled to a control center for controlling an operation and/or a function of the plurality of network components, wherein the control center is remotely located from the device.