Automatic configuration and control of devices using metadata

• US 7,953,678 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• 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:
  US12/694,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20110016066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 490 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 comprising:

determining a connection of an item to a network;

determining a metatag for the item that is connected, the metatag classifying the item;

configuring the item to be controlled based on the metatag classifying the item;

determining an action for the metatag to perform; and

controlling, by a computing device, the item to perform the action based on the metatag for the item.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an identifier for the item upon connection of the item to the network,

wherein determining the metatag comprises determining the metatag based on the identifier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the metatag based on the identifier comprises matching the identifier to the metatag from a plurality of metatags based on the identifier.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the identifier identifies a type of item, wherein the type of item is used to determine the metatag.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the item is pre-configured with the metatag before connection to the network.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising receiving the metatag from the item.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting the connection of the item to the network,

wherein the configuring is automatic based on the metatag determined.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a change to associate a new metatag with the item; and

reconfiguring the item to be controlled based on the new metatag.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the metatag comprises using contextual information based on a location of the connection to determine the metatag.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the metatag comprises:

outputting an interface to a user;

receiving a selection of the metatag; and

associating the metatag with the item based on the selection.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the metatag with an indication the metatag is associated with the item.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending, using the computing device, a signal to cause the item to perform the action.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the metatag is associated with a rule and a trigger, wherein the computing device causes the item to perform the action when the trigger is satisfied.

14. A computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method, the method comprising:

determining a connection of an item to a network;

determining a metatag for the item that is connected, the metatag classifying the item;

configuring the item to be controlled based on the metatag classifying the item;

determining an action for the metatag to perform; and

controlling, by a computing device, the item to perform the action based on the metatag for the item.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, further comprising:

determining an identifier for the item upon connection of the item to the network,

wherein determining the metatag comprises determining the metatag based on the identifier.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein determining the metatag based on the identifier comprises matching the identifier to the metatag from a plurality of metatags based on the identifier.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the item is pre-configured with the metatag before connection to the network.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, further comprising receiving the metatag from the item.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, further comprising:

detecting the connection of the item to the network,

wherein the configuring is automatic based on the metatag determined.

20. An apparatus comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to perform a method for, the method comprising;

determining a connection of an item to a network;

determining a metatag for the item that is connected, the metatag classifying the item;

configuring the item to be controlled based on the metatag classifying the item;

determining an action for the metatag to perform; and

controlling, by a computing device, the item to perform the action based on the metatag for the item.