ABOUT REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEMS...
An Abridged History (and the Future) of Home Control

Chapter 6– Multi-zone and Theater Convergence

With CineTouch control systems, the headaches of trying to deliver TV and music to multiple rooms are no more. Data-driven control allows Cinetouch to aggregate and deliver content to any location using relational access to local, remote, and pooled equipment and sources. Mix theater and multi-zone sources at will. Each room will behave optimally using its most appropriate resources when users select their entertainment. Because the database records the state of all equipment, collisions and interruptions of other users are prevented and handled predictably, and command cueing prevents overloading or mis-timing commands when entering them quickly or simultaneously from multiple locations.

Building on this same data-driven processing idea, CineTouch manages users and their preferences and access permissions within the database. “Bob” gets what he expects – based on his profile, preferences, and what he did last – wherever he uses the system, even if the room he is in must deliver the content through different devices than another room would. He can resume a prior program when he moves through the home, pausing in one room, sending it to another room and un-pausing when he gets there. Bob’s channel behavior, his user level empowerments, all his preferences and history are maintained and offered consistently wherever he goes, and on whatever device he chooses. At the same time, "Cheryl" gets the same royal treatment in other rooms without conflict, and without cluttering the house with duplicated equipment and messy wiring. "Guests" get access to basic functions with a minimum of extra functions to clutter and confuse them. And parents finally get real control of their children's content and viewing use, both by allowing restriction by device and by location, and by offering remote monitoring of use.

Because individual command control for each device and action is managed independently, a complex series of events can be executed and memorized or altered with ease. Control lights, screens, shades, and content as a complete and repeatable scene. And changes of underlying hardware or program channels can be made transparently without affecting user favorites or behaviors. Every installation is identical in framework, varying only in relevant data entries. Change and support are predictable and straightforward.

With the embedded EMPATH relational database managing all source interfacing, easy-to-use touch panels and the optional amazingly tiny Micromote pocket controller can provide a versatile mix of control of the CineTouch system. Even the most complex mix of devices becomes easy to use because you no longer operate equipment - you select content! When you do interact with the devices, its still easier because of managed consistent control, behavior, and feedback from all devices and intelligent internal routing and switching to optimize your choice of content through your choice of display and room. Each control panel can do everything, since they only talk to the GPS system, which interprets intent, manages the devices, and delivers content.

Best of all, the EMPATH system database eliminates the need for custom programming both for system software and for individual zones. Adding or changing devices or adding features at any time is a trivial data revision, not a programming event, and can even be done remotely via the Internet. This has enabled the creation of the unparalled CineTouch control system.

CineTouch - There is no similar product, at any price. Everything else does less.

Unique Features

• Standardized setup
• Interchangeable predefined source and control devices
• Abstraction of behaviors for seamless control operation
• Pocket Micromote for total control from anywhere
• Device status, collision handling, conditional actions
• Users: status, preferences, permissions, limits, password protections
• Different UI and buttons per user, user defined behaviors
• Operate multiple linked devices at once
• Room status, privacy, oversight, and grouping
• Scene Processing – combines any devices, intelligently manages them
• Change only requires data, not programming
• Service, updates and upgrades can be done via Internet
• Layered features allow meeting a budget today and growth tomorrow

CineTouch is available through authorized integrators for professional installation.

History of Remote Control -Introduction
Chapter 1 – From Communications to Music
Chapter 2 – TV goes Mobile
Chapter 3 – One Remote, Two Remote, Three Remote, Four…
Chapter 4 – Automation Platforms – The Rise of the Machines
Chapter 5 – The Next Generation – User and Content Centric Control
This Chapter – Multi-zone and Theater Convergence