Automatic configuration and control of devices using metadata

• US 7,680,745 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 4Homemedia, Inc.
• Inventors: Hunter, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Holmes; Michael B
• Application Number:
  US11/699,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20080183651A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 706/12
• US Class Current: 706/12
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00

Abstract

Particular embodiments generally relate to automatically controlling an item. For example, items may include electronic devices, such as televisions, lights, etc, and/or virtual devices, such as applications, etc. In one embodiment, items may be configured using metatags. When a device is connected for operation, one or more metatags for the device are received. A metatag be used to classify the device. For example, the metatag may indicate uses, locations, connections, etc. The use of device (e.g., pathway, reading, etc.) classifies the item in way it can be used. For example, a user may use a pathway light in different ways, such as the user may turn on all lights with the pathway metatag at night. The location indicates the location of the item, such as in the living room, bedroom, etc. The connections indications a type of item, such as a bedroom light, lamp, TV, etc.

Claims

1. A method for automatically controlling an item with a controller, the method comprising:

receiving a metatag for the item that is connected to be controlled and operated by a controller, wherein the metatag classifies the item;

associating the metatag with the item; and

determining a rule that is configured for the metatag, the rule including a trigger and an action, wherein the controller is configured to automatically perform the action with the item based on the metatag that is associated with the item when the trigger is satisfied.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending, using the controller, a signal to cause the item to perform the action.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rule is associated with a trigger, wherein the controller causes the item to perform the action when the trigger is satisfied.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the metatag for a second item to be controlled and operated; and

automatically configuring the controller to perform the action with the second item based on the type of the item and the metatag received for the second item.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the metatag comprises a use metatag describing how the item is used.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the metatag comprises a location metatag describing a location where the item is connected to a network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the metatag comprises a connection metatag describing how the item operates.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an identifier for the item; and

determining the type of item based on the identifier; and

automatically configuring the controller to perform the action with the item based on the type of the item and the metatag received.

9. A system configured to automatically control an item, the system comprising:

one or more items, each item associated with at least one metatag, wherein each metatag classifies the one or more items; and

a controller configured to automatically cause actions to be performed with the one or more items based on rules that are configure for metatags, wherein a rule for a metatag includes a trigger and an action, wherein the controller is configured to automatically perform the action with the item based on the metatag that is associated with the item when the trigger is satisfied.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising a location controller configured to receive a communication from the controller and to cause the action to be performed with the item.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the item is associated with a plurality of metatags, wherein the plurality of metatags taken together are used to determine an action to perform.

12. A system configured to automatically control an item with a controller, the apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and

logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the one or more processors and when executed operable to;

receive a metatag for the item that is connected to be controlled and operated by a controller, wherein the metatag classifies the item;

associate the metatag with the item; and

determine a rule that is configured for the metatag, the rule including a trigger and an action, wherein the controller is configured to automatically perform the action with the item based on the metatag that is associated with the item when the trigger is satisfied.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the logic when executed is further operable to send, using the controller, a signal to cause the item to perform the action.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rule is associated with a trigger, wherein the controller causes the item to perform the action when the trigger is satisfied.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the logic when executed is further operable to:

receive the metatag for a second item to be controlled and operated; and

automatically configure the controller to perform the action with the second item based on the type of the item and the metatag received for the second item.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the metatag comprises a use metatag describing how the item is used.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the metatag comprises a location metatag describing a location where the item is connected to a network.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the metatag comprises a connection metatag describing how the item operates.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the logic when executed is further operable to:

determine an identifier for the item; and

determine the type of item based on the identifier; and

automatically configure the controller to perform the action with the item based on the type of the item and the metatag received.