Configuration apparatus and method of configuring one or more devices having hidden configuration settings

• US 9,106,796 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2012
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guest-tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Guest-tek Interactive Entertainment Ltd.
• Inventors: King, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Jonathan V
• Application Number:
  US13/546,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20120274864A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/12 Hotels or restaurants
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/441 Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

A configuration apparatus includes a user interface allowing a user to initiate configuration of at least a target configurable device selected from a plurality of configurable devices. A command module is coupled to the user interface for dynamically generating a sequence of commands required to configure the target configurable device. The sequence of commands includes commands for entering a hidden service-configuration menu of the target configurable device. A communication module is coupled to the command module for transmitting the sequence of commands to the target configurable device.

Claims

1. A configuration apparatus comprising:

a screen on which a user interface is displayed allowing a user to initiate configuration of a target configurable device selected from a plurality of configurable devices of a media system;

one or more processors executing software instructions that cause the one or more processors to dynamically generate a sequence of commands to enter a hidden service-configuration menu of the target configurable device and to change settings within the hidden service-configuration menu in order to configure the target configurable device to operate in a manner compatible with the media system; and

a transmitter for transmitting the sequence of commands to the target configurable device;

wherein a user interface of the target configurable device does not indicate a way to enter the hidden service-configuration menu;

the software instructions further cause the one or more processors to automatically determine another device of the media system that is attached to the target configurable device according to a location where the target configurable device is installed; and

the software instructions further cause the one or more processors to include one or more commands in the sequence of commands to configure the target configurable device to operate in a manner compatible with the other device.

2. The configuration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sequence of commands includes one or more commands to configure the target configurable device to utilize at least one of a control protocol and a communication protocol that is compatible with the other device of the media system.

3. The configuration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface further allows the user to specify the location where the target configurable device is installed.

4. The configuration apparatus of claim 3, wherein the media system is installed at a hospitality establishment and the location where the target configurable device is installed is a particular guest room within the hospitality establishment.

5. The configuration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the software instruction further cause the one or more processors to dynamically generate the sequence of commands in response to the user initiating configuration of the target configurable device.

6. The configuration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the software instructions further cause the one or more processors to dynamically generate the sequence of commands before the user has initiated configuration of the target configurable device.

7. The configuration apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the software instructions further cause the one or more processors to automatically determine a next target configurable device; and

after the transmitter has transmitted the sequence of commands, the user interface of the configuration apparatus indicates to the user the next target configurable device and allows the user to initiate configuration of the next target configurable device.

8. The configuration apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface allows the user to initiate configuration of a plurality of target configurable devices of the media system at a same time.

9. A method comprising:

displaying a user interface on a screen of a portable configuration device;

allowing a user interacting with the user interface to initiate configuration of a target configurable device selected from a plurality of configurable devices of a media system;

dynamically generating by one or more processors a sequence of commands for entering a hidden service-configuration menu of the target configurable device and changing settings within the hidden service-configuration menu in order to configure the target configurable device to operate in a manner compatible with the media system;

automatically determining another device of the media system that is attached to the target configurable device according to a location where the target configurable device is installed;

including one or more commands in the sequence of commands to configure the target configurable device to operate in a manner compatible with the other device; and

transmitting the sequence of commands by a transmitter to the target configurable device;

wherein a user interface of the target configurable device does not indicate a way to enter the hidden service-configuration menu.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising including one or more commands in the sequence of commands to configure the target configurable device to utilize at least one of a control protocol and a communication protocol that is compatible with the other device of the media system.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising allowing the user to specify the location where the target configurable device is installed.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the media system is installed at a hospitality establishment and the location where the target configurable device is installed is a particular guest room within the hospitality establishment.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising dynamically generating the sequence of commands in response to the user initiating configuration of the target configurable device.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising dynamically generating the sequence of commands before the user has initiated configuration of the target configurable device.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

automatically determining a next target configurable device; and

after transmitting the sequence of commands, indicating to the user the next target configurable device and allowing the user to initiate configuration of the next target configurable device.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising allowing the user to initiate configuration of a plurality of target configurable devices of the media system at a same time.

17. The method of claim 9, further comprising communicating with a media system controller coupled to the target configurable device to confirm that the target configurable device was successfully configured after transmitting the sequence of commands.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are included within the portable configuration device.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are included within a controller separate from the portable configuration device.

20. A non-transitory processor-readable medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:

display a user interface on a screen of a portable configuration device;

allow a user interacting with the user interface to initiate configuration of a target configurable device selected from a plurality of configurable devices of a media system;

dynamically generate a sequence of commands for entering a hidden service-configuration menu of the target configurable device and changing settings within the hidden service-configuration menu in order to configure the target configurable device to operate in a manner compatible with the media system;

automatically determine another device of the media system that is attached to the target configurable device according to a location where the target configurable device is installed;

include one or more commands in the sequence of commands to configure the target configurable device to operate in a manner compatible with the other device; and

transmit the sequence of commands via a transmitter to the target configurable device;

wherein a user interface of the target configurable device does not indicate a way to enter the hidden service-configuration menu.