Patent ID: 7127270

Claim:
A wireless communication and control system for remotely controlling the operation of a plurality of objects in a domestic environment, said wireless communication and control system comprising: a wireless control unit having a display and user input means for inputting user commands to the control unit, a microprocessor disposed in said control unit for executing input signals and providing output signals, said microprocessor being coupled to said display and to an output interface, said wireless control unit having a programmable address, the display being controllable by said microprocessor to display a list of objects to be controlled from said wireless control unit, an object from the list being selectable by a user via said user input means, a plurality of separate remote wireless communication modules each coupled to an object to be controlled or from which status is required, each remote wireless communication module having a microprocessor and an unique identification code and a corresponding hierarchical address corresponding to the identification code and defining the physical location and function of the object in said domestic environment and at least one of a wireless receiver for receiving control or status signals and a wireless transmitter for transmitting control or status signals, the arrangement being such that in response to a user input, at least one object to be controlled is selected from the display and a control signal broadcast from said wireless control unit, said wireless broadcast signal containing at least one hierarchical address of said at least one object, said address having a first code portion identifying the location of said at least one object by at least two hierarchical levels, a second code portion identifying the control unit by said at least two hierachical levels, a data code portion containing control information for operating said at least one object and a check code portion for checking the integrity of said control signal, those of the plurality of remote wireless communication modules with at least one address marching said first code portion responding to said broadcast control signal and operating said at least one object in accordance with information contained in said data code portion.