System and method for automated audio visual system control

• US 8,436,943 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2008
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• 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, Matsuura, Craig, Leishman, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Harold, Jefferey
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAIEM, SEAN N
• Application Number:
  US12/054,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20080231544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,870 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/705
• 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, the binding map including connection information describing connections made between the plurality of video displays, the plurality of video sources, and the switchable network, the connection information including connection formats selected from a group comprising;

wireless connections;

coaxial connetions;

wired connections; and

optical connections;

generating a graphical user interface on a navigator device, 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;

wherein an individual of the at least one of the plurality of video sources is associated with an individual of the at least one of the plurality of video displays and is switchable to another individual of the at least one of the plurality of video displays.

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 device.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the at least one secondary switch device 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 1, 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, the connection formats comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of:

wireless connections;

coaxial connections;

wired connections;

optical connections; and

connections of a specified format including at least one of USB, IEEE 1394, 802.11, Zigbee, HDMI, DVI, and component connections.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

15. A method as in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of video sources comprises at least a first video source and a second video source, and the at least one of the plurality of video displays comprises at least a first video display and a second video display, the first video source being displayed on the first video display and the second video source being displayed on the second video display, the method further comprising swapping the first and second video sources substantially simultaneously in response to swap input from a user such that the first video source is displayed on the second video display and the second video source is displayed on the first video display.

16. A method as in claim 1, further comprising replaying a portion of content of an individual of the plurality of video sources on a separate display from an individual of the plurality of video displays playing the content of the individual of the plurality of video sources while the content continues playing in response to replay input from a user.

17. A method as in claim 16, further comprising swapping displays associated with the replayed content portion and the video source substantially simultaneously in response to the replay input from a user.

9. 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, wherein an individual of the at least two of the plurality of video sources is associated with an individual of the at least two of the plurality of video displays and is switchable to another individual of the at least two of the plurality of video displays, wherein the media controller is figured to store a binding map to represent connection information describing connections made between the plurality of video displays, the plurality of video sources, and the switchable network, the connection information including connection formats selected from a group comprising;

wireless connections;

coaxial connetions;

wired connections;

optical connections; and

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.

10. The system of claim 9, 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.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the media controller is electrically coupled to the at least one electronic audio video device.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the graphical user interface for the navigator is configured based on the binding map.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising a child media controller device 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.

14. 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, the binding map including connection information describing connections made between the plurality of video displays, the plurality of video sources, and the switchable network, the connection information including connection formats selected from a group comprising;

wireless connections;

coaxial connetions;

wired connections;

optical connections;

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, wherein an individual of the at least one of the plurality of video sources is associated with an individual of the at least one of the plurality of video displays and is switchable to another individual of the at least one of the plurality of video displays.