System and method for verifying parameters in an audiovisual environment

• US 9,082,297 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2009
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Alexander, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TEITELBAUM, MICHAEL E
• Application Number:
  US12/539,461
• Publication Number:
  US 20110037636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,163 Days
• Field of Search: 348/181, 348/734
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating a code to initiate cycling through a plurality of potential audiovisual inputs. The method includes receiving image data that is rendered on a display, the image data being based on a first one of the audiovisual inputs. The method also includes comparing the image data of the first one of the audiovisual inputs to a stored test pattern image associated with a selected audiovisual application to verify if the image data matches the stored test pattern for the selected audiovisual application. In more specific embodiments, the cycling through of the plurality of potential audiovisual inputs is terminated if the image data matches the stored test pattern for the selected audiovisual application. The code represents one or more infrared audiovisual commands being repeatedly sent to the display. The commands are sent until the stored test pattern image is detected on the display.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

cycling through a plurality of codes to turn on a display, wherein after each cycle a current code is determined and a remote control with a camera uses the camera to help determine if the display is emitting light;

storing the current code used in the cycle after verifying that the display is emitting light;

communicating a code to initiate cycling through a plurality of potential audiovisual inputs;

receiving, at the camera, image data that is rendered on the display, the image data being based on and unique to a first one of the audiovisual inputs; and

comparing the image data of the first one of the audiovisual inputs to a stored test pattern image associated with a selected audiovisual application to verify if the image data matches the stored test pattern image for the selected audiovisual application.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cycling through of the plurality of potential audiovisual inputs is terminated if the image data matches the stored test pattern for the selected audiovisual application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the code represents one or more infrared audiovisual commands being repeatedly sent to the display.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the commands are sent until the stored test pattern image is rendered and detected on the display.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected audiovisual application is part of a group of audiovisual applications, the group consisting of:

a) a videogame application;

b) a videocassette recorder (VCR) application;

c) a digital video disc (DVD) player application;

d) a digital video recorder (DVR) application;

e) an audiovisual switchbox application; and

f) an audiovisual receiver application.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored test pattern image is stored in a memory element that includes a plurality of test pattern images corresponding to particular audiovisual applications.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored test pattern image is located in a database in the remote control and the database can be updated with a new test pattern image.

7. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:

cycling through a plurality of codes to turn on a display, wherein after each cycle a current code is determined and a remote control with a camera uses the camera to help determine if the display is emitting light;

storing the current code used in the cycle after verifying that the display is emitting light;

communicating a code to initiate cycling through a plurality of potential audiovisual inputs;

receiving, at the camera, image data that is rendered on the display, the image data being based on and unique to a first one of the audiovisual inputs; and

comparing the image data of the first one of the audiovisual inputs to a stored test pattern image associated with a selected audiovisual application to verify if the image data matches the stored test pattern image for the selected audiovisual application.

8. The logic of claim 7, wherein the cycling through of the plurality of potential audiovisual inputs is terminated if the image data matches the stored test pattern for the selected audiovisual application.

9. The logic of claim 7, wherein the code represents one or more infrared audiovisual commands being repeatedly sent to the display.

10. The logic of claim 9, wherein the commands are sent until the stored test pattern image is detected on the display.

11. The logic of claim 7, wherein the stored test pattern image is stored in a memory element that includes a plurality of images corresponding to particular audiovisual applications.

20. The logic of claim 7, wherein the stored test pattern image is located in a database in the remote control and the database can be updated with a new test pattern image.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory element configured to store data,

a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data, and

an image classifier module configured to interact with the processor in order to;

cycle through a plurality of codes to turn on a display, wherein after each cycle a current code is determined and a remote control with a camera uses the camera to help determine if the display is emitting light;

store the current code used in the cycle after verifying that the display is emitting light;

communicate a code to initiate cycling through a plurality of potential audiovisual inputs;

receive, at the camera on a remote control, image data that is rendered on the display, the image data being based on and unique to a first one of the audiovisual inputs; and

compare the image data of the first one of the audiovisual inputs to a stored test pattern image associated with a selected audiovisual application to verify if the image data matches the stored test pattern image for the selected audiovisual application.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cycling through of the plurality of potential audiovisual inputs is terminated if the image data matches the stored test pattern for the selected audiovisual application.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the code represents one or more infrared audiovisual commands being repeatedly sent to the display.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the commands are sent until the stored test pattern image is detected on the display.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

an infrared emitter configured to interface with the image classifier module and to communicate the code to the display.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the stored test pattern image is stored in a memory element that includes a plurality of test pattern images corresponding to particular audiovisual applications.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a lens optics element configured to interface with the image classifier module in order to deliver the image data to the image classifier module.