Method of controlling a device to perform an activity-based or an experience-based operation

• US 7,668,990 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2005
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: OpenPeak Inc.
• Inventors: Harter, Glenn, Krzyzanowski, Paul, Flores, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Niketa I
• Application Number:
  US11/042,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20050128048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,854 Days
• Field of Search: 710/72, 710/8, 710/62, 709220-222
• US Class Current: 710/72
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23027 Database with information on how to control or test different appliances
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• 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 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6332 directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64753 : directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64784 : Data processing by the network data processing in packet switching systems H04L12/56; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10; intermediate storage or scheduling H04L49/90; provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 : Transmission by server directed to the client

Abstract

Activity-based or experienced-based operations are created and defined during an initialization or setup session for one or more system component, with minimum or no user interaction. The system components include legacy and/or non-legacy devices, which are configured and managed within a controlled environment, such as a home or business peer-to-peer or client-server network. During an initialization or setup session, relevant device information and device metadata are collected via a conventional or discovery protocol interface. For a legacy device that is not automatically discoverable, a user adds the legacy device to the controlled environment by inputting the device information. The device information can also be automatically collected from an accessible database. Once the device information has been collected, the system components are configured to support one or more activity-based or experienced-based operations.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a plurality of devices to perform an activity-based or an experience-based operation, comprising the steps of:

collecting device information pertaining to identification of the plurality of devices including at least one of a manufacturer name for each of the devices, a model number of each of the devices, and a device type for each of the devices, wherein such device information is collected via a network discovery protocol;

accessing metadata that specifies unique requirements pertaining to control of the plurality of devices, including at least one of a device activation requirement, tuning requirement, and input state selection requirement;

accessing a sequence of device-specific commands based on said metadata and associated with the plurality of devices;

sending said sequence to the plurality of devices, whereby each device-specific command from said sequence is executable to control a corresponding device upon receipt of said device-specific command at said corresponding device;

defining a plurality of regions within a controlled environment; and

assigning each of the plurality of devices to at least one of said regions within the controlled environment.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said accessing step comprises the step of:

querying a storage medium to access metadata for controlling the plurality of devices.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said storage medium is coupled locally to the plurality of devices.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said storage medium is remotely located from the plurality of devices.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

sending the sequence of device-specific commands to a wired interface coupled to the plurality of devices.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

sending the sequence of device-specific commands to a wireless interface coupled to the plurality of devices.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

performing the activity-based or the experienced-based operation to implement one or more favorite settings defined for a user.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

performing the activity-based or the experienced-based operation to play a playlist of media and/or multimedia.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

performing the activity-based or the experienced-based operation to administer a security protocol established for the plurality of devices.

10. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

performing the activity-based or the experienced-based operation to synchronize an operation of one of the plurality of devices with an operation of one or more additional of the plurality of devices receiving a sequence of commands from said controller.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said defining step comprises the step of:

adding or removing regions from the controlled environment over a user-input interface on a controller.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said assigning step comprises the step of:

adding or removing the one or more system components over a network discovery protocol interface on a controller.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said assigning step comprises the step of:

adding or removing the one or more system components over a user-input interface on a controller.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said network discovery protocol is Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said defining step comprises the step of:

adding or removing regions from the controlled environment over a user-input interface on a controller.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said assigning step comprises the step of:

adding or removing the one or more system components over a network discovery protocol interface on a controller.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said assigning step comprises the step of:

adding or removing the one or more system components over a user-input interface on a controller.

18. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having a program stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to control a plurality of devices to perform an activity-based or an experienced-based operation, comprising:

first computer readable program code means for causing the processor to collect device information pertaining to identification of the plurality of devices including at least one of a manufacturer name for each of the devices, a model number of each of the devices, and a device type for each of the devices, wherein such device information is collected via a network discovery protocol;

second computer readable program code means for causing the processor to access metadata that specifies unique requirements pertaining to control of the plurality of devices, including at least one of a device activation requirement, tuning requirement, and input state selection requirement;

third computer readable program code means for causing the processor to access a sequence of device-specific commands based on said metadata and associated with the plurality of devices;

fourth computer readable program code means for causing the processor to send said sequence to said plurality of devices, wherein each device-specific command from said sequence is executable to control a corresponding device upon receipt of said device-specific command at said corresponding device;

fifth computer readable program code means for causing the processor to define a plurality of regions within a controlled environment; and

sixth computer readable program code means for causing the processor to assign each of the plurality of devices to at least one of said regions within said controlled environment.

19. A method of controlling a plurality of devices to perform an activity-based or an experience-based operation, comprising the steps of:

collecting device information pertaining to identification of the plurality of devices including at least one of a manufacturer name for each of the devices, a model number of each of the devices, and a device type for each of the devices, wherein such device information is collected via user input;

determining the specific metadata relating to unique requirements pertaining to control of the plurality of devices, including at least one of a device activation requirement, tuning requirement, and input state selection requirement, necessary to provide control of the plurality of devices based on the collected device information;

querying the user for the specific metadata;

accessing a sequence of device-specific commands based on said metadata and associated with the plurality of devices; and

sending said sequence to the plurality of devices, whereby each device-specific command from said sequence is executable to control a corresponding device upon receipt of said device-specific command at said corresponding device.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said determining step further comprises the step of:

processing the received information to dynamically tailor a series of questions or informational prompts to collect additional information pertaining to the plurality of devices.

21. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

sending the sequence of device-specific commands to a wired interface coupled to the device.

22. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

sending the sequence of device-specific commands to a wireless interface coupled to the device.

23. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

performing the activity-based or the experienced-based operation to implement one or more favorite settings defined for a user.

24. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

performing the activity-based or the experienced-based operation to play a playlist of media and/or multimedia.

25. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

performing the activity-based or the experienced-based operation to administer a security protocol established for the device.

26. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

performing the activity-based or the experienced-based operation to synchronize an operation of one of the plurality of devices with an operation of one or more additional of the plurality of devices receiving a sequence of commands from said controller.

27. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium having a program stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to control a plurality of devices to perform an activity-based or an experienced-based operation, comprising:

first computer readable program code means for causing the processor to collect device information pertaining to identification of the devices including at least one of a manufacturer name for each of the devices, a model number of each of the devices, and a device type for each of the devices, wherein such device information is collected via user input;

second computer readable program code means for causing the processor to determine the specific metadata relating to unique requirements pertaining to control of the plurality of devices, including at least one of a device activation requirement, tuning requirement, and input state selection requirement, necessary to provide control of the device based on the collected device information;

third computer readable program code means for causing the processor to query the user for the specific metadata;

fourth computer readable program code means for causing the processor to access a sequence of device-specific commands based on said metadata and associated with the plurality of devices; and

fifth computer readable program code means for causing the processor to send said sequence to said plurality of devices, wherein each device-specific command from said sequence is executable to control a corresponding device upon receipt of said device-specific command at said corresponding device.