Device control apparatus and method

• US 20050022244A1
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited, LLC
• Original Assignee: Digitaldeck Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Scheelke, Erik
• Granted Patent: US 7,242,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2812 describing content present in a home automation network, e.g. audio video content retrieval from the Internet G06F16/95
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time

Abstract

An apparatus and method of distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely from each other, in a home network, is disclosed. A control unit receives a user input and converts it to a control signal. An encoder device is coupled to the input device and a decoder device is coupled to the output device. The encoder device and the decoder device each receive the control signal. The encoder device digitally encodes an analog signal from the input device and transmits the encoded signal over the network to the decoder device. The decoder device translates the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for the output device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely from each other, in a home network, the apparatus comprising:

a. a control unit receiving a user input and converting it to a control signal;

b. an encoder device coupled to the input device and receiving the control signal; and

c. a decoder device coupled to the output device and receiving the control signal;

wherein the encoder device digitally encodes an analog signal from the input device and transmits the encoded signal over the network to the decoder device, and wherein the decoder device translates the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for the output device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the encoder device includes an infra-red transmitter for sending control signals to the input device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input device is a DVD player.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input device is a CD player.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input device is a VCR.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the input device is a stereo.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decoder device includes an infra-red transmitter for sending control signals to the output device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decoder device includes an infra-red receiver for receiving user generated command signals from a remote control.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decoder device displays on-screen graphics on the output device for user interface elements.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the interface elements comprise menus.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output device is a television.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output device is a display screen.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output device is a speaker.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the home network is one of a local area network, a wide area network, and a cable network.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the home network is a digital network.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the digital network is wireless.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the digital network is wired.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the digital network is a powerline.

19. A method of distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely from each other, in a home network, the method comprising the steps of:

a. converting a user input to a control signal;

b. transmitting the control signal to an encoder device and a decoder device;

c. digitally encoding an analog signal from the input device;

d. transmitting the encoded signal over the network to the decoder device; and

e. translating the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for the output device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the encoder device includes an infra-red transmitter for sending control signals to the input device.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein the input device is a DVD player.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the input device is a CD player.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the input device is a stereo.

24. The method of claim 19 wherein the decoder device includes an infra-red transmitter for sending control signals to the output device.

25. The method of claim 19 wherein the decoder device includes an infra-red receiver for receiving user generated command signals from a remote control.

26. The method of claim 19 wherein the decoder device displays on-screen graphics on the output device for user interface elements.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the interface elements comprise menus.

28. The method of claim 19 wherein the output device is a television.

29. The method of claim 19 wherein the output device is a display screen.

30. The method of claim 19 wherein the output device is a speaker.

31. The method of claim 19 wherein the home network is one of a local area network, a wide area network, and a cable network.

32. The method of claim 19 wherein the home network is a digital network.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the digital network is wireless.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the digital network is wired.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein the digital network is a powerline.