Method and apparatus for controlling a media player based on a non-user event

• US 20030147624A1
• Filed: 02/06/2002
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Trajkovic, Miroslav, Gutta, Srinivas, Colmenarez, Antonio J.
• Application Number:
  US10/071,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20030147624A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 386/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44218 Detecting physical presence or behaviour of the user, e.g. using sensors to detect if the user is leaving the room or changes his face expression during a TV program methods or arrangements for recognising human body or animal bodies or body parts G06V40/10; methods or arrangements for acquiring or recognising human faces, facial parts, facial sketches, facial expressions G06V40/16; methods or arrangements for recognising movements or behaviour G06V40/20; arrangements for identifying users in broadcast systems H04H60/45
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A media player controller is disclosed that monitors non-user event and automatically controls a media player in response to predefined events. The media player controller includes an information capture device that obtains input information from the non-user. The input information is processed by the media player controller to identify one or more predefined non-user events. A number of rules can be utilized to define various non-user events, such as when the non-user is in the vicinity of the media player. Each rule contains a condition and a corresponding action-item that should be performed when the condition is satisfied.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a media player, comprising:

determining at least one rule defining a predefined non-user event, said rule including at least one condition and an action item to be performed to automatically adjust said media player when said condition is satisfied;

analyzing input information characterizing a non-user event to identify said condition; and

performing said action item if said condition is satisfied.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said input information is generated by an information capture device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said information capture device comprises at least one of a motion detector, biometrics sensor, visual capture device, or an audio capture device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-user event comprises a non-user appearing in the vicinity of said media player.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said condition comprises detection of motion by said non-user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said condition comprises a voice signal, associated with a non-user, that does not match a stored profile voice signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said condition comprises a voice signal, associated with a non-user, that does match a stored profile voice signal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said condition comprises a visual image, associated with a non-user, that does not match a stored profile image.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said condition comprises a visual image, associated with a non-user, that does match a stored profile image.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said media player comprises a computer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said action item comprises changing a display of said computer.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said media player comprises a television.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said action item comprises changing a program channel of said television.

14. An apparatus for controlling a media player, comprising:

a memory for storing computer readable code; and

a processor operatively coupled to said memory, said processor configured to;

determine at least one rule defining a predefined non-user event, said rule including at least one condition and an action item to be performed to automatically adjust said media player when said condition is satisfied;

analyze input information characterizing a non-user event to identify said condition; and

perform said action item if said condition is satisfied.

15. An article of manufacture for controlling a media player, comprising:

a computer readable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon, said computer readable code means comprising;

a step to determine at least one rule defining a predefined non-user event, said rule including at least one condition and an action item to be performed to automatically adjust said media player when said condition is satisfied;

a step to analyze input information characterizing a non-user event to identify said condition; and

a step to perform said action item if said condition is satisfied.