Patent ID: 8700772
Filing Date: 2014-04-15
Classification: G05B,G06F,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling an environment, comprising: a server comprising a database and an application service adapted to communicate via a first interface and a second interface; a control client adapted to communicate with said server via said first interface, wherein said control client is associated with a sub-environment within the environment; a control switch comprising a third interface and a fourth interface, adapted to communicate via said third interface with said server via said second interface of said server, and said fourth interface of said control switch adapted to selectively interconnect inputs of said fourth interface to outputs from said fourth interface; a source device comprising a source command port and adapted to output a signal via an output port, wherein said output port is in communication with said fourth interface of said control switch and said source command port is in communication with said server via said second interface, wherein said source device is not in direct communication with said control client; an output device comprising an output command port, adapted to modify said sub-environment, and adapted to accept said signal via an input port, wherein said input port is in communication with said fourth interface of said control switch and said output command port is in communication with said server via said second interface; a means for representing in said database a set of static connections and a set of nodes adaptable to allow communication between said output port and said fourth interface, and said fourth interface and said input port; a configuration means for said server to issue commands to and configure said source device, said output device, and said control switch via said second interface such that said signal flows from said source device through said control switch to said output device; a means for locking responsive to said server said source device to a user's said control client to prevent any other second said control client from controlling said source device; wherein said control client further comprises a rendered user interface delivered from said server to said control client, said user interface comprises a control that is associated with a command for said source device locked to said control client; and wherein said control option comprises a virtual device that allows said specific user to operate a device proxy until said source device is available for said means for locking to said specific user.