A sensor device comprises a radio circuit; air-quality detectors; a microcontroller; a building management system (BMS) integration module, the BMS integration module including a transceiver distinct from the radio circuit and a co processor distinct from the microcontroller; and a memory that configures the sensor device to: transmit, during a first time period, a wake-up signal, wherein the wake-up signal includes at least a packet number; send, during a second time period, an acknowledgment (ACK) signal, wherein the ACK signal is sent in reference to a synchronized time slot and a packet number; transmit, during a third time period, at least sensor reading data of least one air quality detector, wherein the sensor reading data is encrypted using at least an encryption key stored in the memory; receive, during a fourth time period, a sleep signal; and enter into a sleep mode upon receipt of the sleep signal.

A tool is provided with a connector that can be configured to removably receive a corresponding connector of an extender having an antenna to electrically connect the extender to the tool. With the connector of the tool electrically connected to the connector of the extender, the controller can be configured to utilize the antenna.

A system and method for remote calibration of an air-quality sensor device. The method includes receiving sensor data from at least one sensor device; analyzing the received sensor data to identify at least statistically-significant values indicating on at least drift from initial calibrated values of each of the at least one sensor device; for each identified drifted sensor device, computing re-calibration updates, wherein the re-calibration updates adjust the initial calibrated values such that readings of the respective drifted sensor device fall within a range of expected values; and transmitting the re-calibration updates to the respective drifted sensor device, wherein the respective drifted sensor device upon receiving the re-calibration updates is configured to update its calibration parameters.

In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.

A bridge device, in communication with a smart device, functions to command one or more controllable appliances in response to communications received from the smart device. The bridge device also includes input elements by which the bridge device can be used to directly command common functional operations of the one or more controllable appliances. In this manner, common functional operations, such as volume control, playback pause/resume control, etc., may be made readily available without necessitating the use of the smart device, while the more sophisticated GUI provided by the smart device remote control app may be advantageously utilized when more complex or less frequently used command functions are to be performed.

Systems, methods, and media for providing a multipurpose remote control are provided. In some implementations, a system for controlling a media device is provided, the system comprising: a hardware processor connected to a touch sensor, a directional input region, and a motion sensor, wherein the hardware processor is configured to: detect that the touch sensor is activated for a predetermined period of time; and upon detecting that the touch sensor has been activated for the predetermined period of time, switching from a first mode to a second mode, wherein: the first mode comprises controlling a highlighted region displayed on the media device in response to an input provided on the directional input region and selecting an item corresponding to the highlighted region in response to depression of the touch sensor; and the second mode comprises controlling a position of a cursor displayed on the media device in response to an output of the motion sensor, selecting an item corresponding to the position of the cursor in response to depression of the touch sensor, and inhibiting the display of the highlighted region.

Disclosed is a display apparatus capable of receiving a remote control signal from a remote controller for a different apparatus and outputting a converted remote control signal and a control method thereof, the display apparatus including: a display configured to display an image; a communicator comprising communication circuitry; a signal receiver configured to receive a remote control signal from among a plurality of remote controllers respectively corresponding to a plurality of external apparatuses; and a controller configured to perform a function corresponding to an image displayed on the display in response to a command included in the received remote control signal, or to control the communicator to transmit the command to an external apparatus selected corresponding to the image displayed on the display from among the plurality of external apparatuses. Thus, the display apparatus receives a remote control signal from a remote controller for controlling an external apparatus, and uses the received remote control signal to directly perform a function or transmit a command to an apparatus desired to be controlled by a user, thereby allowing the user to easily use the remote controller.

A remote control apparatus receives, processes and then transmits wireless signals as control commands specific to a target appliance, device or product. The apparatus, which is a combination of a remote receiving device and a secondary relay transmitting device, communicates with the target device to control its operations. The apparatus can be used to control a plurality of target devices via their existing remote controlling scheme. The apparatus can operate in an area that does not have existing wireless infrastructure, and can be controlled by a user device.

In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.

In the present invention, a household appliance is controlled in accordance with a state of a user. An agent server (1) in accordance with the present invention includes a setting management section (21) which identifies a mode corresponding to a state of the user and a process executing section (22) which executes a process in accordance with the mode identified by the setting management section (21).