Patent ID: 7339493
Filing Date: 2008-03-04
Classification: A61B,G01C,G05B,G06F,G06Q,G08B,G08C,G16H,H04L,H04M

Abstract:
1. A multimedia controller, comprising: a transceiver having wireless access to a client computer coupled to a number of multimedia devices; a display coupled to the transceiver; audio circuitry coupled to the transceiver; a processor coupled to the display, audio circuitry, and the transceiver, wherein the processor receives and stores program instructions for: sending instructions to the client computer to perform the functions of retrieving status information regarding the multimedia device, retrieving a program channel guide, controlling a recording function, selecting a program channel for display at the multimedia controller, and selecting content from the client computer or a server coupled thereto receiving status information or content in response to sending instructions; displaying the status information or content; and rendering selected content received from the client computer or server, the content comprising visual content that is rendered on the display or audio content that is rendered through the audio circuitry; a bus communicatively linked to transceiver, display, audio circuitry, and processor; and a plurality of sensors communicatively linked through the bus to the processor, wherein the sensors include a transponder for tracking movements of a user within a smart environment and at least one of a code reader having an optical scanning device for reading bar codes, a combination heart-rate sensor and galvanic skin sensor for detecting an anxiety-related condition of the user, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.