SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOCIAL TELEVISION MANAGEMENT OF SMART HOMES

• US 20130245796A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DOV Moran Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Comigo Ltd.
• Inventors: LENTZITZKY, MOTTY, GAZIEL, YOAV
• Granted Patent: US 10,416,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/90
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/32 with inputs from more than one sensing element; with outputs to more than one correcting element
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a content-based control system for controlling a smart home. The control system includes a client terminal connectable to a media content provider and a home automation interface operable to connect with a smart home controller. The system may allow settings and ambience to be controlled according to current media content being consumed and the media consumers social environment.

Claims

1. A content-based control system, comprising:

a processor configured to use a software application;

a client terminal connectable to a media content provider and to a media renderer;

a home automation interface operable to connect with a smart home controller; and

a media renderer connectable to said media content provider.

2. The content-based control system of claim 1, wherein said software application comprises:

a. a management module configured to create an overlay superimposed upon the screen of the media renderer;

b. a social configuration module, configured to manage one or more social space;

c. an authorization module, configured to manage the assignment of permissions to members of said one or more social spaces; and

d. an integration module, configured to manage integration with the smart home controller.

3. The content-based control system of claim 1, wherein said at least one media renderer is selected from the group consisting of a television, a tablet, a smartphone, a personal computer and laptop.

4. The content-based control system of claim 1, wherein the smart home controller is operable to control one or more household devices.

5. The content based control system of claim 4, where said household devices are selected from the group consisting of:

a light, an air-conditioner, a window shade, a water boiler, coffee maker, an oven, a stove, a microwave, a popcorn maker, a phone, a washing machine and a dishwasher.

6. The content-based control system of claim 1, wherein the smart home controller is operable to transmit controls to and receive input from one or more sensors.

7. The content-based control system of claim 6, wherein the sensors are selected from the group consisting of light sensors, sound sensors and motion sensors.

8. The content-based control system of claim 1, wherein said processor is incorporated in the client terminal.

9. The content-based control system of claim 1, wherein said client terminal is connectable to said media content provider through a network based communication channel selected from the group consisting of internet based communication, cellular based communication and a combination thereof.

10. The content-based control system of claim 9, wherein said processor is incorporated in a remote central unit.

11. A method for controlling ambience comprising the step of:

engaging a current content;

generating at least one ambience structure operable to generate an ambience based on at least one input structure; and

transmitting said at least one ambience structure to generate a desired ambience,

wherein the ambience structure is transmitted through a home automation interface to a smart home controller or a media renderer.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the media renderer is selected from the group consisting of a television, a tablet, a smartphone, a personal computer and a laptop.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least one ambience structure is generated based on one or a combination of input structures selected from the group consisting of the current content, a personal preference input, a content history input, a social network input, and a physical setting input, wherein:

the personal preference input reflects viewing preference based on preference data;

the content history input reflects viewing preference based on content viewing history;

the social network input reflects collaborating information social spaces; and

the physical setting input reflects the reading of at least one sensor connected to the smart home controller.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the physical setting input reflects the current reading of at least one sensor connected to the smart home controller.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the physical setting input reflects prior sensor readings for determining a preferred ambience.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a light sensor, a sound sensor, and a motion detector.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least one ambience structure generates a desired ambience through controlling the function of at least one home device through the smart home controller.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the home device is selected from a group consisting of a light, an air-conditioner, a window shade, a water boiler, coffee maker, an oven, a stove, a microwave, a popcorn maker, a phone, a washing machine and a dishwasher.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least one ambience structure may generate a desired ambience through controlling a function of the media renderer.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said function of the media renderer is selected from the group consisting of:

screen brightness, and audio volume.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of engaging a current content is selected from the group consisting of:

activating a media renderer; and

selecting the current content for presentation in the media renderer.

22. A home ambience management software comprising:

a. a management module configured to create an overlay superimposed upon the screen of a media renderer;

b. a social configuration module, configured to manage one or more social spaces;

c. an authorization module, configured to manage the assignment of permissions to members of said one or more social spaces; and

d. an integration module, configured to manage integration with a smart home controller.