Patent ID: 8319608

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling an electronic device within a predefined area, the apparatus comprising: a trigger signal providing unit for generating a trigger signal based on predetermined criteria; a function control unit, connected to the trigger signal providing unit, wherein the function control unit receives the trigger signal from the trigger signal providing unit, and generates a function control signal in response to the trigger signal, wherein the function control signal includes a function type specification that specifies a function of a control subject in the electronic device, and a control message that specifies a setting condition for controlling the function of the control subject; and a wireless communication unit, connected to the function control unit, for receiving the function control signal and transmitting the function control signal to an electronic device in the predefined area, wherein the function control signal initiates a control program in the electronic device that causes the electronic device to compare a current setting condition of the control subject with the control setting of the function control signal, and store the current setting condition and then change the setting condition to the setting condition specified by the function control signal until the function control signal is completed, at which time the control program restores the setting condition of the control subject of the electronic device with the previously stored current setting condition, and wherein the control program in the electronic device is not accessible by a user of the electronic device.