Patent ID: 7197364
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: G08C

Abstract:
1. A portable electronic controller adapted for controlling the operation of external electronic devices, the portable electronic controller comprising: a communication component; an integral display operatively connected to said communication component; an operator input component operatively connected to said integral display; a processing component operatively connected to said operator input component, to said communication component and to said integral display; wherein the communication component has a software interface common with the external electronic devices to be controlled; wherein the communication component communicates with said external electronic devices via said common software interface to receive data from and to send data and control signals to said external electronic devices, wherein said control signals control the operation of selected ones of said external electronic devices; and wherein the processing component processes an operator's input to the operator input component and the data received by the communication component to formulate said control signals to be sent by said communication component for controlling said external electronic devices; the external electronic devices are located in a first surrounding environment, wherein the first surrounding environment includes and is at least partly defined by at least a first area and a second area, wherein the first and second areas are different from one another, wherein said external electronic devices include a first set of external electronic devices located in said first area and a second set of external electrical components located in said second area; wherein the data received by said communication component from said external electronic devices includes a listing of said first and second areas; wherein said listing of said areas is displayed on said integral display, wherein an operator's input to said operator input component includes a selection of one of said listed areas; wherein the data sent to said external electronic devices from said communication component includes said selection of one of said listed areas, and wherein said selection establishes operational control of said external electronic devices in said one of said listed areas by said control signals sent from said communication component.