Method and apparatus for controlling and receiving data from connected devices

• US 20030227485A1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pioneer Digital Technologies, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Krakirian, Haig H., Ombao, Geoffrey Z., Ward, Daniel T., Roe, Glen E.
• Application Number:
  US10/065,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20030227485A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/771
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, one or more devices are connected to a set-top box that is coupled to a television screen or other output device. A GUI is provided which allows a user to easily control the connected device by sending them control signals. The control signals cause the connected device to enter a new state. For instance if the connected device is a light and the light is off, the new state is on. In one embodiment the user accesses the GUI and defines events and rules associated with one of the connected devices. The set-top box in conjunction with the connected device then determines if the defined event has occurred. If it has, the rules are applied to the device and the device performs some action. In another embodiment, a portion of the device'"'"'s action sends data to the GUI and provides some form of output to the user.

Claims

1. A method for interfacing with a device connected to a set-top box comprising:

accessing a graphical user interface (GUI) on a partitioned screen coupled to said set-top box;

selecting said connected device by accessing a menu in said GUI; and

sending a signal from said set-top box to said connected device wherein said signal causes said connected device to enter a new state.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said new state is an on state.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said new state is an off state.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said connected device is a light.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said connected device is a heater or an air conditioner.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said connected device is a media player, such as a DVD or a VCR.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said connected device is an audio player, such as a juke box or a radio.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said connected device is a security device, such as a camera.

9. A method for interfacing with a device connected to a set-top box comprising:

accessing a graphical user interface (GUI) on a partitioned screen coupled to said set-top box;

defining an event in said GUI;

defining one or more rules related to said event in said GUI;

determining if said event has occurred;

applying said rules to said device with said set-top box, if said event has occurred.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of determining further comprises using said connected device to determine the occurrence of said event.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of determining further comprises using said set-top box to determine the occurrence of said event.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said event is a time, further comprising:

activating a clock in said set-top box; and

determining when said clock reaches said time.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein said event is a motion at a location and said connected device is a motion detector coupled to a camera, further comprising

activating said motion detector;

determining when said motion at said location occurs;

activating said camera; and

transmitting one or more images from said camera to said GUI via said set-top box.

12. A method for interfacing with a device connected to a set-top box comprising:

accessing a graphical user interface (GUI) on a partitioned screen coupled to said set-top box;

defining a layout for a room in said GUI;

defining a location for a connected device in said layout using said GUI; and

receiving an indication in said GUI at said location in said layout, when said connected device changes a state.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said connected device is a light.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said state is an on state.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said state is an off state.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a graphical user interface (GUI) on a partitioned screen coupled to a set-top box;

a connected device selected by accessing a menu in said GUI; and

a signal sent from said set-top box to said connected device wherein said signal causes said connected device to enter a new state.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said new state is an on state.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said new state is an off state.

21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said connected device is a light.

22. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said connected device is a heater or an air conditioner.

23. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said connected device is a media player, such as a DVD or a VCR.

24. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said connected device is an audio player, such as a juke box or a radio.

25. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said connected device is a security device, such as a camera or a camera coupled to motion detectors.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a graphical user interface (GUI) on a partitioned screen coupled to a set-top box;

an event defined by accessing said GUI;

one or more rules related to said event defined by accessing said GUI;

wherein said set-top box or a device connected to said set-top box determines if said event has occurred and, wherein said rules are applied to said device with said set-top box, if said event has occurred.

31. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said event is a time, further comprising:

a clock activated in said set-top box; and

a mechanism to determine when said clock reaches said time.

32. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said event is a motion at a location, further comprising

a motion detector configured to be activated when said motion at said location occurs;

said camera configured to be activated in response to said motion detector being activated; and

one or more images from said camera configured to be sent to said GUI via said set-top box when said camera is activated.

27. An apparatus comprising:

a graphical user interface (GUI) on a partitioned screen coupled to a set-top box;

a layout for a room defined by accessing said GUI;

a location for a connected device in said layout defined by accessing said GUI; and

an indication in said GUI received at said location in said layout, when a connected device changes a state.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said connected device is a light.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said state is an on state.

30. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said state is an off state.