Operation of a set of devices

• US 20020169012A1
• Filed: 05/10/2002
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: amBX UK Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Cole, Richard S., Eves, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,740,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807

Abstract

A method of operating a set of devices comprises receiving a signal, for example at least part of a game world model from a computer program. The signal is analyzed to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and the set of devices is operated according to the description.

Claims

1. A method of operating a set of devices, comprising receiving a signal, analysing said signal to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language, and operating said devices according to said description.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said signal comprises a broadcast signal.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said signal is produced by a computer program.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein said signal comprises at least part of a game world model.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said signal comprises a video component.

6. A method according to claim 1, and further comprising distributing said description amongst said devices.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said analysing takes place in real time.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and further comprising storing said real-world description locally and recalling said description on demand.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said real-world description is limited according to the functionality of the devices present in the set of devices.

10. Apparatus for operating a set of devices, comprising receiving means for receiving a signal and analysing means for analysing said signal to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, and further comprising distributing means for distributing said real-world description amongst said devices.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, and further comprising a user interface.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said user interface is portable.