Home automation system and method including remote media access

• US 10,382,510 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2016
• Issued: 08/13/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cockrell, Roger A., Wollmershauser, Steven Michael, Webster, Thomas S., Wilson, Brian, Raphael, Alison
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, An T
• Application Number:
  US15/287,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20170026440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1023 Media gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols

Abstract

A device includes a first interface, and a processor. The first interface connects to a wide area network and communicates with a first electronic device via the wide area network. The processor is configured to initiate transmission of a request while the processor is disconnected from a local area network. The processor is configured to initiate transmission of a second request to a second electronic device via the first interface. The second electronic device is located in a facility remote to the residential gateway. The processor is further configured to receive media content sent from the second electronic device responsive to the second request.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a first interface to connect to a wide area network and to communicate with a residential gateway via the wide area network, wherein the first interface is configured to communicate with a first electronic device via the residential gateway; and

a processor coupled to the first interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform operations including;

initiating transmission of a request to the first electronic device via the wide area network responsive to the processor being disconnected from a local area network;

initiating transmission of a second request to a second electronic device via the first interface, wherein the second electronic device is located in a facility remote to the residential gateway; and

receiving media content from the second electronic device responsive to the second request.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a second interface to communicate wireless commands to the first electronic device, wherein the operations further include initiating transmission of a third request to the first electronic device via the second interface while the device is proximate to the first electronic device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second interface includes an infrared transmitter.

4. The device of claim 2, further comprising a third interface to connect to the local area network and to communicate with the first electronic device via the local area network, wherein the operations further include initiating transmission of a fourth request to the first electronic device via the third interface while the device is connected to the local area network.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device includes a security system, and wherein the media content comprises security camera footage.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further include:

transmitting user authentication information to the residential gateway; and

receiving a graphical interface from the residential gateway responsive to authentication of the user authentication information by the residential gateway.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, to the second electronic device, a command to a security system associated with the second electronic device, a lighting system associated with the second electronic device, or a combination thereof.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the media content includes a status bar that indicates recent events identified by the second electronic device.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further include displaying a content list via a display device coupled to the processor.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display device coupled to the processor, wherein the operations further include:

receiving a media content menu from the residential gateway;

displaying the media content menu via the display device;

receiving user input indicating selection of the media content from the media content menu; and

initiating display of the media content via the display device.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising receiving second media content to be displayed via a display device coupled to the processor, wherein the second media content is sent from the first electronic device responsive to the request.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising an audio output device coupled to the processor, the audio output device including a speaker.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further include:

sending a user interface to a display device coupled to the processor, the user interface including a selectable indicator associated with operation of an electronic device;

receiving a selection related to the selectable indicator; and

transmitting a particular command via the first interface to control the electronic device based on the selection.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device includes a video storage device, a digital video disk player, a set-top box, a television, or a combination thereof.

15. A method comprising:

sending, responsive to a remote control device being disconnected from a local area network, first instructions from the remote control device to a first electronic device via a wireless transceiver, via a residential gateway, and via a wide area network;

sending second instructions from the remote control device to a second electronic device via the wide area network, wherein the second electronic device is located in a facility remote to the residential gateway; and

receiving media content from the first electronic device in response to the first instructions.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a media content menu from the residential gateway; and

receiving a selection of the media content based on the media content menu.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second electronic device includes a security system, and wherein the media content comprises security camera footage.

18. A computer-readable storage hardware device storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving first input at a control device, the first input corresponding to a first command for a first electronic device located within a premises;

sending first instructions to the first electronic device via a wireless transceiver and via a wide area network, the first instructions sent responsive to the control device being disconnected from a local network;

sending second instructions to a second electronic device via the wide area network, wherein the second electronic device is located in a facility remote to the premises; and

receiving media content from the first electronic device in response to the first instructions.

19. The computer-readable storage hardware device of claim 18, the second electronic device includes a security system, and wherein the media content comprises security camera footage.

20. The computer-readable storage hardware device of claim 18, wherein the operations further comprise sending a user interface to a display device, the user interface configured to display selections to control the first electronic device, and wherein the first input is received via the user interface.