US 5,822,012 A · Home automation apparatus using a digital television receiver

Abstract

A home automation apparatus using a digital television receiver for use in a building is provided. In particular, the apparatus contains a signal processor, a memory unit, a microprocessing unit, a display unit, a sensor input unit, an interface unit, and a controller. The signal processor inputs a television signal and processes the television signal to produce a processed signal. The memory unit stores the television signal and the processed signal based on control signals from the microprocessing unit, and the display unit displays the processed signal as an image. In addition, the sensor input unit is connected to a first sensor, detects a first status of the first sensor, and outputs first sensing data which relates to the first status. Furthermore, the first status relates to a first state of the building, and the first sensing data is output to the microprocessing unit. The interface unit receives an external signal from an external device and the processed signal from the signal processor and selectively outputs the external signal and/or the processed signal to the display unit. The controller is connected to a first appliance of the building, inputs a first command from the microprocessing unit, and outputs a first appliance control signal for controlling the first appliance in accordance with the first command.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A home automation apparatus using a digital television receiver for use in a building, comprising:

a signal processor which inputs a television signal and processes said television signal to produce a processed signal;
a memory unit which stores at least one of said television signal and said processed signal;
a microprocessing unit which controls when said memory unit stores said at least one of said television signal and said processed signal;
a display unit which displays said processed signal as an image;
a sensor input unit which is operably connected to a first sensor, detects a first status of said first sensor, and outputs first sensing data which relates to said first status,
wherein said first status relates to a first state of said building and wherein said first sensing data is output to said microprocessing unit;
an interface unit which receives an external signal from an external device and said processed signal from said signal processor, wherein said interface unit selectively outputs at least one of said external signal and said processed signal to said display unit;
and
a controller which is connected to a first appliance of said building, inputs a first command from said microprocessing unit, and outputs a first appliance control signal for controlling said first appliance in accordance with said first command.

6 more elements

A home automation apparatus using a digital television receiver for use in a building, comprising:

a signal processor which inputs a television signal and processes said television signal to produce a processed signal;
a memory unit which stores at least one of said television signal and said processed signal;
a microprocessing unit which controls when said memory unit stores said at least one of said television signal and said processed signal;
a display unit which displays said processed signal as an image;
and
a sensor input unit which is operably connected to a first sensor, detects a first status of said first sensor, and outputs first sensing data which relates to said first status,
wherein said first status relates to a first state of said building and wherein said first sensing data is output to said microprocessing unit.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Home automation apparatus using a digital television receiver

Life of this patent

Home automation apparatus using a digital television receiver

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20