SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEM CONTROL

• US 20080231544A1
• Filed: 03/24/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap One LLC (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Control4 Corporation (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cooper, Greg, Leishman, Thomas, Matsuura, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 8,436,943 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/026 Video wall, i.e. juxtaposition of a plurality of screens to create a display screen of bigger dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/005 Adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal
• 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: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/641 Multi-purpose receivers, e.g. for auxiliary information H04N9/642 takes precedence

Abstract

A system and method are provided for automating control of a plurality of video displays coupled to a plurality of video sources through a switchable network. The method includes the operation of mapping a signal path for each signal between the plurality of video sources and the plurality of video displays to form a binding map. The binding map can be stored in a controllable device. In addition, a graphical user interface on a navigator can be generated. The graphical user interface is configured to represent the plurality of video displays. A further operation is connecting the plurality of video displays to the plurality of video sources through the switchable network based on the binding map and a user selection made with the graphical user interface in the controllable device.

Claims

1. A method for automating control of a plurality of video displays coupled to a plurality of video sources through a switchable network, comprising:

mapping a signal path for each signal between the plurality of video sources and the plurality of video displays to form a binding map;

storing the binding map in a controllable device;

generating a graphical user interface on a navigator, wherein the graphical user interface is configured to represent the plurality of video displays; and

connecting at least one of the plurality of video displays to at least one of the plurality of video sources through the switchable network based on the binding map and a user selection made with the graphical user interface in the controllable device.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising connecting a plurality of audio visual equipment to the plurality of video displays through at least one of the switchable network and at least one secondary switch.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the at least one secondary switch is connected to the switchable network and the controllable device.

4. A method as in claim 1, further comprising connecting at least one of the plurality of video sources and the plurality of video displays to the controllable device.

5. A method as in claim 2, further comprising configuring the controllable device to electrically control at least one function on the plurality of video sources, the plurality of video displays, and the plurality of audiovisual equipment.

6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising entering connection information into the controllable device describing connections made between the plurality of video displays, the plurality of video sources, and the switchable network.

7. A method as in claim 6, further comprising entering connection format information into the controllable device comprising the connection formats used between the plurality of video displays, the plurality of video sources, and the switchable network.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising enabling the controllable device to generate the graphical user interface for the navigator using the binding map stored in the controllable device.

9. A method as in claim 1, further comprising enabling a user to generate a view for the graphical user interface for the navigator using the binding map stored in the controllable device.

10. A method as in claim 1, further comprising enabling the navigator to communicate with the controllable device to allow a user to interface with the graphical user interface on the navigator to control at least two of the plurality of video displays.

11. A method as in claim 1, further comprising controlling additional audiovisual equipment through the use of a child media controller in communication with the controllable device.

12. An automated video wall control system, comprising:

a plurality of video displays coupled to a switch network;

a plurality of video sources coupled to the plurality of video displays through the switch network;

a media controller electrically coupled to at least two of the plurality of video displays and at least two of the plurality of video sources, wherein the media controller is configured to control the plurality of video displays and the plurality of video sources to which it is connected using control drivers stored within the media controller;

a navigator configured to display a graphical user interface based on connections of the media controller, wherein the navigator is enabled to send commands to the media controller based on a user'"'"'s interaction with the graphical user interface to automate control of the video wall system.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising at least one electronic audio video device electrically coupled through at least one of the switch network and a secondary switch to at least one of the plurality of video displays and the plurality of video sources.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the media controller is electrically coupled to the at least one electronic audio video device.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising a binding map stored in the media controller, wherein the binding map is configured to represent connections between the plurality of video displays, the plurality of video sources, and the switch network.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the binding map further comprises information related to a format of each connection between the plurality of video displays, the plurality of video sources, and one or more switches.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the graphical interface for the navigator is configured based on the binding map.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising a child media controller in electronic communication with media controller, wherein the child media controller is configured to control at least one of the plurality of video displays, the plurality of video sources, and at least one electronic audio/video device.

19. A means for automating control of a plurality of video displays coupled to a plurality of video sources through a switchable network, comprising:

a means for mapping a signal path of each electrical signal connected between the plurality of video sources and the plurality of video displays to form a binding map;

a means for storing the binding map in a controllable device;

a means for generating a graphical user interface configured to represent the plurality of video displays; and

a means for automatically connecting at least one of the plurality of video displays to at least one of the plurality of video sources through the switchable network based on the binding map and a user selection made with the graphical user interface.