U.S. patent application number 14/485188 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-11 for home automation system integration.
The applicant listed for this patent is EchoStar Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to David Lett, Bernard Anthony McCarthy, III, George Horkan Smith.
Application Number | 20150163535 14/485188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53270607 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150163535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCarthy, III; Bernard Anthony ;
et al. |
June 11, 2015 |
HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM INTEGRATION
Abstract
Enabling an end-user to access home automation features or
functionality directly from or via one or more interfaces that
might normally be used to access satellite television-related
programming and services.
Inventors: |
McCarthy, III; Bernard Anthony;
(Atlanta, GA) ; Smith; George Horkan; (Atlanta,
GA) ; Lett; David; (Duluth, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EchoStar Technologies, LLC |
Englewood |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53270607 |
Appl. No.: |
14/485188 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61914856 |
Dec 11, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/49 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/2803 20130101;
G07C 2209/62 20130101; H04N 21/47217 20130101; H04N 21/4126
20130101; H04N 21/4131 20130101; G05B 15/02 20130101; G05B
2219/2642 20130101; H04L 12/2816 20130101; H04L 51/00 20130101;
H04N 21/6143 20130101; H04N 21/43637 20130101; H04L 12/2838
20130101; Y10T 292/096 20150401; H04N 21/435 20130101; E05B
2047/0068 20130101; H04W 4/12 20130101; H04N 21/422 20130101; H04N
21/4263 20130101; H04N 21/43615 20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101;
G10L 17/22 20130101; H04N 21/42202 20130101; H04N 21/478 20130101;
G05B 11/01 20130101; G07C 9/00571 20130101; E05B 2047/0069
20130101; E05B 2047/0094 20130101; H04N 21/235 20130101; H04N
21/454 20130101; H04L 12/2825 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/426 20060101
H04N021/426; H04N 21/61 20060101 H04N021/61; H04N 21/472 20060101
H04N021/472; H04N 21/478 20060101 H04N021/478; H04L 12/28 20060101
H04L012/28; H04N 21/41 20060101 H04N021/41 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: outputting, by a television receiver to a
presentation device for display, an electronic programming guide
that includes a first menu item for access to programming acquired
by the television receiver over a broadcast television
communication link, and at least a second menu item for access to
at least one of video and audio acquired by a closed-circuit camera
system that is communicatively coupled to the television receiver
in a home automation environment; detecting, by the television
receiver, user-selection of the second menu item for access to at
least one of video and audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera
system; and outputting, by the television receiver to the
presentation device for display, at least one of video and audio
acquired by the closed-circuit camera system in response to
detecting user-selection of the second menu item for access to at
least one of video and audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera
system.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a command
to set a timer to acquire at least one of video and audio by the
closed-circuit camera system during a particular time period; and
storing to persistent memory at least one of video and audio
acquired by the closed-circuit camera system during the particular
time period for subsequent user-access via the second menu
item.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: outputting the
electronic programming guide for display by a television.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: outputting the
electronic programming guide for display by a handled mobile
device.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: outputting the
electronic programming guide that which includes another menu item
for access to particular home automation data acquired by a home
automation system incorporated within the home automation
environment and different from the closed-circuit camera
system.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving definition
of a customized menu item for presentation within the electronic
programming guide for access to particular home automation data
acquired by a home automation system that is communicatively
coupled to the television receiver in the home automation
environment and different from the closed-circuit camera
system.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving definition
of the second menu item to enable presentation of the second menu
item within the electronic programming guide for access to at least
one of video and audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera
system.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a command
to set a recording loop to acquire at least one of video and audio
by the closed-circuit camera system over a finite time period; and
periodically storing to persistent memory at least one of video and
audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera system over the finite
time period for subsequent user-access via the second menu
item.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: outputting by the
television receiver to the presentation device for display a live
video feed acquired by the closed-circuit camera system.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: outputting by the
television receiver to the presentation device for display video
acquired by the closed-circuit camera system over a particular
predetermined time period.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting by the
television receiver user-selection of a particular control within
the electronic programming to guide acquisition of least one of
video and audio by the closed-circuit camera system.
12. A television receiver, comprising: at least one processor; and
at least one memory element communicatively coupled with and
readable by at least one processor and having stored therein
processor-readable instructions that, when executed by the at least
one processor, cause the at least one processor to: command the
television receiver to output to a presentation device for display
an electronic programming guide that includes a first menu item for
access to satellite television programming, and at least a second
menu item for access to video acquired by a closed-circuit camera
system; detect user-selection of the second menu item for access to
video acquired by the closed-circuit camera system; and command the
television receiver to output to the presentation device for
display video acquired by the closed-circuit camera system based on
the user-selection.
13. The television receiver of claim 12, wherein the
processor-readable instructions when executed by the at least one
processor cause the at least one processor to: detect a command to
set a timer to acquire video by the closed-circuit camera system
during a particular time period; and store to the at least one
memory element video acquired by the closed-circuit camera system
during the particular time period for subsequent user-access via
the second menu item.
14. The television receiver of claim 12, wherein the
processor-readable instructions when executed by the at least one
processor cause the at least one processor to: command the
television receiver to output the electronic programming guide for
display by one of a television and a handheld mobile device.
15. The television receiver of claim 12, wherein the
processor-readable instructions when executed by the at least one
processor cause the at least one processor to: command the
television receiver to output the electronic programming guide that
which includes another menu item for access to particular home
automation data acquired by a home automation system that is
different from the closed-circuit camera system and is incorporated
within a home automation environment that includes the
closed-circuit camera system.
16. The television receiver of claim 12, wherein the
processor-readable instructions when executed by the at least one
processor cause the at least one processor to: store within the at
least one memory element a definition of the second menu item to
enable presentation of the second menu item within the electronic
programming guide for access to video acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system.
17. The television receiver of claim 12, wherein the
processor-readable instructions when executed by the at least one
processor cause the at least one processor to: detect a command to
set a recording loop to acquire video by the closed-circuit camera
system over a finite time period; and store in periodic intervals
to the at least one memory element video acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system over a corresponding finite time
period for subsequent user-access via the second menu item.
18. The television receiver of claim 12, wherein the
processor-readable instructions when executed by the at least one
processor cause the at least one processor to: command the
television receiver to output to the presentation device for
display a live video feed acquired by the closed-circuit camera
system.
19. The television receiver of claim 12, wherein the
processor-readable instructions when executed by the at least one
processor cause the at least one processor to: command the
television receiver to output to the presentation device for
display video acquired by the closed-circuit camera system over a
particular predetermined time period.
20. A method, comprising: detecting, by a television receiver,
user-selection of a menu item within an electronic programming
guide that identifies a particular channel for access to video
acquired by a closed-circuit camera system that is communicatively
coupled to the television receiver in a home automation
environment; and outputting, by the television receiver to a
presentation device for display, video acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system in response to detecting
user-selection of the menu item within the electronic programming
guide that identifies the particular channel for access to video
acquired by the closed-circuit camera system that is
communicatively coupled to the television receiver in the home
automation environment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/914,856, filed 11 Dec. 2013,
entitled "METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR HOME AUTOMATION," the entirety of
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Home automation systems are becoming increasingly prevalent,
the same of which may incorporate multiple "smart" devices that
allow end-users to control and/or view status information for those
devices. Systems and methods are contemplated herein to provide
such users flexibility and convenience with respect to controlling
and/or viewing status information for those and other devices
incorporated into their home automation system.
SUMMARY
[0003] In an aspect, a method may include or comprise outputting,
by a television receiver to a presentation device for display, an
electronic programming guide that includes a first menu item for
access to programming as acquired by the television receiver over a
broadcast television communication link, and at least a second menu
item for access to at least one of video and audio as acquired by a
closed-circuit camera system that is communicatively coupled to the
television receiver in a home automation environment; detecting, by
the television receiver, user-selection of the second menu item for
access to at least one of video and audio acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system; and/or outputting, by the television
receiver to the presentation device for display, at least one of
video and audio as acquired by the closed-circuit camera system in
response to detecting user-selection of the second menu item for
access to at least one of video and audio as acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system.
[0004] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise receiving a command to set a timer to acquire at least one
of video and audio by the closed-circuit camera system during a
particular time period; and/or storing to persistent memory at
least one of video and audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera
system during the particular time period for subsequent user-access
via the second menu item.
[0005] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise outputting the electronic programming guide for display by
a television.
[0006] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise outputting the electronic programming guide for display by
a handled mobile device.
[0007] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise outputting the electronic programming guide that which
includes another menu item for access to particular home automation
data acquired by a home automation system incorporated within the
home automation environment and different from the closed-circuit
camera system.
[0008] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise receiving definition of a customized menu item for
presentation within the electronic programming guide for access to
particular home automation data acquired by a home automation
system that is communicatively coupled to the television receiver
in the home automation environment and different from the
closed-circuit camera system.
[0009] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise receiving definition of the second menu item to enable
presentation of the second menu item within the electronic
programming guide for access to at least one of video and audio
acquired by the closed-circuit camera system.
[0010] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise receiving a command to set a recording loop to acquire at
least one of video and audio by the closed-circuit camera system
over a finite time period; and/or periodically storing to
persistent memory at least one of video and audio acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system over the finite time period for
subsequent user-access via the second menu item.
[0011] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise outputting by the television receiver to the presentation
device for display a live video feed acquired by the closed-circuit
camera system.
[0012] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise outputting by the television receiver to the presentation
device for display video acquired by the closed-circuit camera
system over a particular predetermined time period.
[0013] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise detecting by the television receiver user-selection of a
particular control within the electronic programming to guide
acquisition of least one of video and audio by the closed-circuit
camera system.
[0014] In an aspect, a television receiver may include or comprise
at least one processor; and at least one memory element
communicatively coupled with and readable by at least one processor
and having stored therein processor-readable instructions. The
processor-readable instructions when executed by the at least one
processor may cause the at least one processor to: command the
television receiver to output to a presentation device for display
an electronic programming guide that includes a first menu item for
access to satellite television programming, and at least a second
menu item for access to video as acquired by a closed-circuit
camera system; detect user-selection of the second menu item for
access to video acquired by the closed-circuit camera system; and
command the television receiver to output to the presentation
device for display video as acquired by the closed-circuit camera
system based on the user-selection.
[0015] Additionally, or alternatively, the processor-readable
instructions when executed by the at least one processor may cause
the at least one processor to: detect a command to set a timer to
acquire video by the closed-circuit camera system during a
particular time period; and/or store to the at least one memory
element video acquired by the closed-circuit camera system during
the particular time period for subsequent user-access via the
second menu item.
[0016] Additionally, or alternatively, the processor-readable
instructions when executed by the at least one processor may cause
the at least one processor to: command the television receiver to
output the electronic programming guide for display by one of a
television and a handheld mobile device.
[0017] Additionally, or alternatively, the processor-readable
instructions when executed by the at least one processor may cause
the at least one processor to: command the television receiver to
output the electronic programming guide that which includes another
menu item for access to particular home automation data acquired by
a home automation system that is different from the closed-circuit
camera system and is incorporated within a home automation
environment that includes the closed-circuit camera system.
[0018] Additionally, or alternatively, the processor-readable
instructions when executed by the at least one processor may cause
the at least one processor to: store within the at least one memory
element a definition of the second menu item to enable presentation
of the second menu item within the electronic programming guide for
access to video acquired by the closed-circuit camera system.
[0019] Additionally, or alternatively, the processor-readable
instructions when executed by the at least one processor may cause
the at least one processor to: detect a command to set a recording
loop to acquire video by the closed-circuit camera system over a
finite time period; and/or store in periodic intervals to the at
least one memory element video acquired by the closed-circuit
camera system over a corresponding finite time period for
subsequent user-access via the second menu item.
[0020] Additionally, or alternatively, the processor-readable
instructions when executed by the at least one processor may cause
the at least one processor to: command the television receiver to
output to the presentation device for display a live video feed
acquired by the closed-circuit camera system. Additionally, or
alternatively, the processor-readable instructions when executed by
the at least one processor may cause the at least one processor to:
command the television receiver to output to the presentation
device for display video acquired by the closed-circuit camera
system over a particular predetermined time period.
[0021] In an aspect, a method may include or comprise detecting, by
a television receiver, user-selection of a menu item within an
electronic programming guide that identifies a particular channel
for access to video acquired by a closed-circuit camera system that
is communicatively coupled to the television receiver in a home
automation environment; and outputting, by the television receiver
to a presentation device for display, video acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system in response to detecting
user-selection of the menu item within an electronic programming
guide that identifies the particular channel for access to video
acquired by the closed-circuit camera system that is
communicatively coupled to the television receiver in a home
automation environment.
[0022] Other aspects and/or implementations are possible.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 shows an example method according to the
disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows an example content distribution system
according to the disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows an example block diagram of a television
receiver of FIG. 2.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows an example home automation system according to
the disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows first example aspects of the system of FIG. 4
in detail.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows second example aspects of the system of FIG. 4
in detail.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows third example aspects of the system of FIG. 4
in detail.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows fourth example aspects of the system of FIG. 4
in detail.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows an example computing system or device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The present disclosure is directed to or towards systems and
methods for enabling an end-user to access home automation features
or functionality directly from or via one or more interfaces that
might normally be used to access satellite television-related
programming and services. Advantageously, such an implementation
may serve to entice new customers to subscribe to home automation
services as offered by a particular satellite television provider,
together or in tandem with typical satellite television programming
related services, as well as provide an incentive for existing
customers to maintain their loyalty and/or relationship with the
satellite television provider. Although not so limited, an
appreciation of the various aspects of the present disclosure may
be gained from the following discussion in connection with the
drawings. For instance, referring now to FIG. 1, an example method
100 is shown in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure. It is contemplated that aspects of the method 100 may
be implemented wholly or at least partially by a satellite
television receiver, consistent with the example of a satellite
television implementation as discussed throughout.
[0033] At step 102, a particular television receiver that is
incorporated into a home automation system as a home automation
gateway device or the like may receive a command to access
particular home automation data or information as acquired and/or
aggregated by the particular television receiver. In some examples,
the command may be instantiated upon user-selection of a particular
control element within an EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) to
access the particular home automation data or information. For
example, the EPG may provide access to a dedicated "channel" of
video and/or audio as initially acquired by at least one security
camera that is communicatively coupled to the particular television
receiver. In one example, the dedicated channel is shown within the
EPG together and in a manner similar to typical or traditional
television programming channels. The dedicated channel is different
though in that the content accessible via the dedicated channel is
not received via a satellite communication channel, but instead via
a closed-circuit security camera system. Other examples are
possible.
[0034] At step 104, the particular television receiver may make a
determination as to whether the command corresponds to a request
for home automation data or information currently or instantly
being acquired in time, or for home automation data or information
as previously acquired in time. A "live" security camera feed is an
example of home automation data or information currently or
instantly being acquired in time. A clip or segment of a security
camera feed recorded or stored to a persistent memory location for
a particular period of time is an example of home automation data
or information as previously acquired in time. Other examples are
possible.
[0035] When, for example, the command corresponds to a request for
home automation data or information currently or instantly being
acquired in time, process flow within the example method 100 may
branch to step 106. At step 106, the particular television receiver
may command a particular resource to serve requested content to a
presentation device for display thereby. For example, in a remote
access scenario, the particular television receiver may command a
particular server or server system to serve a live security camera
feed to a smartphone for display thereby. As another example, in a
non-remote access scenario, the particular television receiver
itself may serve the live security camera feed to a television
within a particular residence in which the particular television
receiver is integrated into an associated home automation system as
a home automation gateway device for display thereby.
[0036] When, however, the command corresponds to a request for home
automation data or information as previously acquired in time,
process flow within the example method 100 may branch to step 108.
At step 108, the particular television receiver may identify a
particular clip or snippet of recorded content for the purpose of
serving the same to a presentation device for display thereby.
Process flow within the example method 100 may then branch back to
step 106 where the particular television receiver may command a
particular resource to serve requested content to a presentation
device for display thereby in a manner as discussed above. Further
scenarios and/or beneficial aspects associated with enabling an
end-user to access home automation features or functionality
directly from or via one or more interfaces that might normally be
used to access satellite television-related programming and
services are described in detail below in connection with FIGS.
2-9.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2, an example satellite television
distribution system 200 is shown in accordance with the present
disclosure. For brevity, the system 200 is depicted in a simplified
form, and may include more or fewer systems, devices, networks,
and/or other components as desired. Further, number and type of
features or elements incorporated within the system 200 may or may
not be implementation-specific, and at least some of the aspects of
the system 200 may be similar to a cable television distribution
system, an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) content distribution
system, and/or any other type of content distribution system.
[0038] The example system 200 may include a service provider 202, a
satellite uplink 204, a plurality of satellites 206a-c, a satellite
dish 208, a PTR (Primary Television Receiver) 210, a plurality of
STRs (Secondary Television Receivers) 212a-b, a plurality of
televisions 214a-c, a plurality of computing devices 216a-b, and at
least one server 218 that may in general be associated with or
operated or implemented by the service provider 202. Additionally,
the PTR 210, computing devices 216a-b, and server 218 may include
or otherwise exhibit a HASI (Home Automation System Integration)
module 220. In general, and as discussed in further detail below,
the HASI module 220 may be configured and/or arranged for enabling
an end-user to access home automation features or functionality
directly from or via one or more interfaces that might normally be
used to access satellite television-related programming and
services, in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0039] The system 200 may further include at least one network 224
that establishes a bi-directional communication path for data
transfer between and among each respective element of the system
200, outside or separate from the unidirectional satellite
signaling path. The network 224 is intended to represent any number
of terrestrial and/or non-terrestrial network features or elements.
For example, the network 224 may incorporate or exhibit any number
of features or elements of various wireless and/or hardwired
packet-based communication networks such as, for example, a WAN
(Wide Area Network) network, a HAN (Home Area Network) network, a
LAN (Local Area Network) network, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area
Network) network, the Internet, a cellular communications network,
or any other type of communication network configured such that
data may be transferred between and among elements of the system
200.
[0040] The PTR 210, and the STRs 212a-b, as described throughout
may generally be any type of television receiver, television
converter, etc., such as a STB for example. In another example, the
PTR 210, and the STRs 212a-b, may exhibit functionality integrated
as part of or into a television, a DVR (Digital Video Recorder), a
computer such as a tablet computing device, or any other computing
system or device, as well as variations thereof. Further, the PTR
210 and the network 224, together with the STRs 212a-b and
televisions 214a-c, and possibly the computing devices 216a-b, may
each be incorporated within or form at least a portion of a
particular home computing network. Further, the PTR 210 may be
configured so as to enable communications in accordance with any
particular communication protocol(s) and/or standard(s) including,
for example, TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol), DLNA/DTCP-IP (Digital Living Network Alliance/Digital
Transmission Copy Protection over Internet Protocol), HDMI/HDCP
(High-Definition Multimedia Interface/High-bandwidth Digital
Content Protection), etc. Other examples are possible. For example,
one or more of the various elements or components of the example
system 200 may be configured to communicate in accordance with the
MoCA.RTM. (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) home entertainment
networking standard. Still other examples are possible.
[0041] In practice, the satellites 206a-c may each be configured to
receive uplink signals 226a-c from the satellite uplink 204. In
this example, each the uplink signals 226a-c may contain one or
more transponder streams of particular data or content, such as one
or more particular television channels, as supplied by the service
provider 202. For example, each of the respective uplink signals
226a-c may contain various media or media content such as encoded
HD (High Definition) television channels, SD (Standard Definition)
television channels, on-demand programming, programming
information, and/or any other content in the form of at least one
transponder stream, and in accordance with an allotted carrier
frequency and bandwidth. In this example, different media content
may be carried using different ones of the satellites 206a-c.
[0042] Further, different media content may be carried using
different transponders of a particular satellite (e.g., satellite
206a); thus, such media content may be transmitted at different
frequencies and/or different frequency ranges. For example, a first
and second television channel may be carried on a first carrier
frequency over a first transponder of satellite 206a, and a third,
fourth, and fifth television channel may be carried on second
carrier frequency over a first transponder of satellite 206b, or,
the third, fourth, and fifth television channel may be carried on a
second carrier frequency over a second transponder of satellite
206a, and etc. Each of these television channels may be scrambled
such that unauthorized persons are prevented from accessing the
television channels.
[0043] The satellites 206a-c may further be configured to relay the
uplink signals 226a-c to the satellite dish 208 as downlink signals
228a-c. Similar to the uplink signals 226a-c, each of the downlink
signals 228a-c may contain one or more transponder streams of
particular data or content, such as various encoded and/or at least
partially electronically scrambled television channels, on-demand
programming, etc., in accordance with an allotted carrier frequency
and bandwidth. The downlink signals 228a-c, however, may not
necessarily contain the same or similar content as a corresponding
one of the uplink signals 226a-c. For example, the uplink signal
226a may include a first transponder stream containing at least a
first group or grouping of television channels, and the downlink
signal 228a may include a second transponder stream containing at
least a second, different group or grouping of television channels.
In other examples, the first and second group of television
channels may have one or more television channels in common. In
sum, there may be varying degrees of correlation between the uplink
signals 226a-c and the downlink signals 228a-c, both in terms of
content and underlying characteristics.
[0044] Further, satellite television signals may be different from
broadcast television or other types of signals. Satellite signals
may include multiplexed, packetized, and modulated digital signals.
Once multiplexed, packetized and modulated, one analog satellite
transmission may carry digital data representing several television
stations or service providers. Some examples of service providers
include HBO.RTM., CBS.RTM., ESPN.RTM., and etc. Further, the term
"channel," may in some contexts carry a different meaning from or
than its normal, plain language meaning For example, the term
"channel" may denote a particular carrier frequency or sub-band
which can be tuned to by a particular tuner of a television
receiver. In other contexts though, the term "channel" may refer to
a single program/content service such as HBO.RTM..
[0045] Additionally, a single satellite may typically have multiple
transponders (e.g., 32 transponders) each one broadcasting a
channel or frequency band of about 24-27 MHz in a broader frequency
or polarity band of about 500 MHz. Thus, a frequency band of about
500 MHz may contain numerous sub-bands or channels of about 24-27
MHz, and each channel in turn may carry a combined stream of
digital data comprising a number of content services. For example,
a particular hypothetical transponder may carry HBO.RTM., CBS.RTM.,
ESPN.RTM., plus several other channels, while another particular
hypothetical transponder may itself carry 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.,
different channels depending on the bandwidth of the particular
transponder and the amount of that bandwidth occupied by any
particular channel or service on that transponder stream. Further,
in many instances a single satellite may broadcast two orthogonal
polarity bands of about 500 MHz. For example, a first polarity band
of about 500 MHz broadcast by a particular satellite may be
left-hand circular polarized, and a second polarity band of about
500 MHz may be right-hand circular polarized. Other examples are
possible.
[0046] Continuing with the example scenario, the satellite dish 208
may be provided for use to receive television channels (e.g., on a
subscription basis) provided by the service provider 202, satellite
uplink 204, and/or satellites 206a-c. For example, the satellite
dish 208 may be configured to receive particular transponder
streams, or downlink signals 228a-c, from one or more of the
satellites 206a-c. Based on the characteristics of the PTR 210
and/or satellite dish 208, however, it may only be possible to
capture transponder streams from a limited number of transponders
concurrently. For example, a particular tuner of the PTR 210 may be
configured to tune to a single transponder stream from a
transponder of a single satellite at a time.
[0047] Additionally, the PTR 210, which is communicatively coupled
to the satellite dish 208, may subsequently select via tuner,
decode, and relay particular transponder streams to the television
214c for display thereon. For example, the satellite dish 208 and
the PTR 210 may, respectively, be configured to receive, decode,
and relay at least one premium HD-formatted television channel to
the television 214c. Programming or content associated with the HD
channel may generally be presented live, or from a recording as
previously stored on, by, or at the PTR 210. Here, the HD channel
may be output to the television 214c in accordance with the
HDMI/HDCP content protection technologies. Other examples are
however possible.
[0048] Further, the PTR 210 may select via tuner, decode, and relay
particular transponder streams to one or both of the STRs 212a-b,
which may in turn relay particular transponder streams to a
corresponding one of the televisions 214a-b for display thereon.
For example, the satellite dish 208 and the PTR 210 may,
respectively, be configured to receive, decode, and relay at least
one television channel to the television 214a by way of the STR
212a. Similar to the above-example, the television channel may
generally be presented live, or from a recording as previously
stored on the PTR 210, and may be output to the television 214a by
way of the STR 212a in accordance with a particular content
protection technology and/or networking standard. Still further,
the satellite dish 208 and the PTR 210 may, respectively, be
configured to receive, decode, and relay at least one premium
television channel to one or each of the computing devices 216a-c.
Similar to the above-examples, the television channel may generally
be presented live, or from a recording as previously stored on the
PTR 210, and may be output to one or both of the computing devices
216a-c in accordance with a particular content protection
technology and/or networking standard.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 3, an example block diagram of the PTR
210 of FIG. 2 is shown in accordance with the disclosure. In some
examples, the STRs 312a-b may be configured in a manner similar to
that of the PTR 210. In some examples, the STRs 312a-b may be
configured and arranged to exhibit a reduced functionality as
compared to the PTR 210, and may depend at least to a certain
degree on the PTR 210 to implement certain features or
functionality. The STRs 312a-b in this example may be each referred
to as a "thin client."
[0050] The PTR 210 may include one or more processors 302, a
plurality of tuners 304a-h, at least one network interface 306, at
least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 308, at
least one EPG database 310, at least one television interface 312,
at least one PSI (Program Specific Information) table 314, at least
one DVR database 316, at least one user interface 318, at least one
demultiplexer 320, at least one smart card 322, at least one
descrambling engine 324, at least one decoder 326, and at least one
communication interface 328. In other examples, fewer or greater
numbers of components may be present. Further, functionality of one
or more components may be combined; for example, functions of the
descrambling engine 324 may be performed by the processors 302.
Still further, functionality of components may be distributed among
additional components, and possibly additional systems such as, for
example, in a cloud-computing implementation.
[0051] The processors 302 may include one or more specialized
and/or general-purpose processors configured to perform processes
such as tuning to a particular channel, accessing and displaying
EPG information, and/or receiving and processing input from a user.
For example, the processors 302 may include one or more processors
dedicated to decoding video signals from a particular format, such
as according to a particular MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group)
standard, for output and display on a television, and for
performing or at least facilitating decryption or descrambling.
[0052] The tuners 304a-h may be used to tune to television
channels, such as television channels transmitted via satellites
206a-c. Each one of the tuners 304a-h may be capable of receiving
and processing a single stream of data from a satellite
transponder, or a cable RF channel, at a given time. As such, a
single tuner may tune to a single transponder or, for a cable
network, a single cable channel. Additionally, one tuner (e.g.,
tuner 304a) may be used to tune to a television channel on a first
transponder stream for display using a television, while another
tuner (e.g., tuner 304b) may be used to tune to a television
channel on a second transponder for recording and viewing at some
other time. If multiple television channels transmitted on the same
transponder stream are desired, a particular tuner (e.g., tuner
304c) may be used to receive the signal containing the multiple
television channels for presentation and/or recording of each of
the respective multiple television channels, such as in a PTAT
(Primetime Anytime) implementation for example. Although eight
tuners are shown, the PTR 210 may include more or fewer tuners
(e.g., three tuners, sixteen tuners, etc.), and the features of the
disclosure may be implemented similarly and scale according to the
number of tuners of the PTR 210.
[0053] The network interface 306 may be used to communicate via
alternate communication channel(s) with a service provider. For
example, the primary communication channel between the service
provider 202 of FIG. 2 and the PTR 210 may be via satellites
206a-c, which may be unidirectional to the PTR 210, and another
communication channel between the service provider 202 and the PTR
210, which may be bidirectional, may be via the network 224. In
general, various types of information may be transmitted and/or
received via the network interface 306.
[0054] The storage medium 308 may represent a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium 308 may
include memory and/or a hard drive. The storage medium 308 may be
used to store information received from one or more satellites
and/or information received via the network interface 306. For
example, the storage medium 308 may store information related to
the EPG database 310, the PSI table 314, and/or the DVR database
316, among other elements or features, such as the HASI module 220
mentioned above. Recorded television programs may be stored using
the storage medium 308 and ultimately accessed therefrom.
[0055] The EPG database 310 may store information related to
television channels and the timing of programs appearing on such
television channels. Information from the EPG database 310 may be
used to inform users of what television channels or programs are
available, popular and/or provide recommendations. Information from
the EPG database 310 may be used to generate a visual interface
displayed by a television that allows a user to browse and select
television channels and/or television programs for viewing and/or
recording. Information used to populate the EPG database 310 may be
received via the network interface 306 and/or via satellites 206a-c
of FIG. 2. For example, updates to the EPG database 310 may be
received periodically or at least intermittently via satellite. The
EPG database 310 may serve as an interface for a user to control
DVR functions of the PTR 210, and/or to enable viewing and/or
recording of multiple television channels simultaneously.
[0056] The decoder 326 may convert encoded video and audio into a
format suitable for output to a display device. For instance, the
decoder 326 may receive MPEG video and audio from the storage
medium 308, or the descrambling engine 324, to be output to a
television. MPEG video and audio from the storage medium 308 may
have been recorded to the DVR database 316 as part of a
previously-recorded television program. The decoder 326 may convert
the MPEG video and audio into a format appropriate to be displayed
by a television or other form of display device and audio into a
format appropriate to be output from speakers, respectively. The
decoder 326 may be a single hardware element capable of decoding a
finite number of television channels at a given time, such as in a
time-division arrangement. In the example embodiment, eight
television channels may be decoded concurrently or
simultaneously.
[0057] The television interface 312 output a signal to a
television, or another form of display device, in a proper format
for display of video and play back of audio. As such, the
television interface 312 may output one or more television
channels, stored television programming from the storage medium
308, such as television programs from the DVR database 316 and/or
information from the EPG database 310 for example, to a television
for presentation.
[0058] The PSI table 314 may store information used by the PTR 210
to access various television channels. Information used to populate
the PSI table 314 may be received via satellite, or cable, through
the tuners 304a-h and/or may be received via the network interface
306 over the network 224 from the service provider 202 shown in
FIG. 2. Information present in the PSI table 314 may be
periodically or at least intermittently updated. Information that
may be present in the PSI table 314 may include: television channel
numbers, satellite identifiers, frequency identifiers, transponder
identifiers, ECM PIDs (Entitlement Control Message, Packet
Identifier), one or more audio PIDs, and video PIDs. A second audio
PID of a channel may correspond to a second audio program, such as
in another language. In some examples, the PSI table 314 may be
divided into a number of tables, such as a NIT (Network Information
Table), a PAT (Program Association Table), and a PMT (Program
Management Table).
[0059] Table 1 below provides a simplified example of the PSI table
314 for several television channels. It should be understood that
in other examples, many more television channels may be represented
in the PSI table 314. The PSI table 314 may be periodically or at
least intermittently. As such, television channels may be
reassigned to different satellites and/or transponders, and the PTR
210 may be able to handle this reassignment as long as the PSI
table 314 is updated.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Channel Satellite Transponder ECM PID Audio
PIDs Video PID 4 1 2 27 2001 1011 5 2 11 29 2002 1012 7 2 3 31 2003
1013 13 2 4 33 2003, 2004 1013
[0060] It should be understood that the values provided in Table 1
are for example purposes only. Actual values, including how
satellites and transponders are identified, may vary. Additional
information may also be stored in the PSI table 314. Video and/or
audio for different television channels on different transponders
may have the same PIDs. Such television channels may be
differentiated based on which satellite and/or transponder to which
a tuner is tuned.
[0061] DVR functionality of the PTR 210 may permit a television
channel to be recorded for a period of time. The DVR database 316
may store timers that are used by the processors 302 to determine
when a television channel should be tuned to and recorded to the
DVR database 316 of storage medium 308. In some examples, a limited
amount of space of the storage medium 308 may be devoted to the DVR
database 316. Timers may be set by the service provider 202 and/or
one or more users of the PTR 210. DVR functionality of the PTR 210
may be configured by a user to record particular television
programs. The PSI table 314 may be used by the PTR 210 to determine
the satellite, transponder, ECM PID, audio PID, and video PID.
[0062] The user interface 318 may include a remote control,
physically separate from PTR 210, and/or one or more buttons on the
PTR 210 that allows a user to interact with the PTR 210. The user
interface 318 may be used to select a television channel for
viewing, view information from the EPG database 310, and/or program
a timer stored to the DVR database 316 wherein the timer may be
used to control the DVR functionality of the PTR 210.
[0063] Referring back to the tuners 304a-h, television channels
received via satellite may contain at least some encrypted or
scrambled data. Packets of audio and video may be scrambled to
prevent unauthorized users, such as nonsubscribers, from receiving
television programming without paying the service provider 202.
When one of the tuners 304a-h is receiving data from a particular
transponder of a satellite, the transponder stream may be a series
of data packets corresponding to multiple television channels. Each
data packet may contain a PID, which in combination with the PSI
table 314, can be determined to be associated with a particular
television channel. Particular data packets, referred to as ECMs
may be periodically transmitted. ECMs may be encrypted; the PTR 210
may use the smart card 322 to decrypt ECMs.
[0064] The smart card 322 may function as the CA (Controlled
Access) which performs decryption of encryption data to obtain
control words that are used to descramble video and/or audio of
television channels. Decryption of an ECM may only be possible when
the user (e.g., an individual who is associated with the PTR 210)
has authorization to access the particular television channel
associated with the ECM. When an ECM is received by the
demultiplexer 320 and the ECM is determined to correspond to a
television channel being stored and/or displayed, the ECM may be
provided to the smart card 322 for decryption.
[0065] When the smart card 322 receives an encrypted ECM from the
demultiplexer 320, the smart card 322 may decrypt the ECM to obtain
some number of control words. In some examples, from each ECM
received by the smart card 322, two control words are obtained. In
some examples, when the smart card 322 receives an ECM, it compares
the ECM to the previously received ECM. If the two ECMs match, the
second ECM is not decrypted because the same control words would be
obtained. In other examples, each ECM received by the smart card
322 is decrypted; however, if a second ECM matches a first ECM, the
outputted control words will match; thus, effectively, the second
ECM does not affect the control words output by the smart card 322.
When an ECM is received by the smart card 322, it may take a period
of time for the ECM to be decrypted to obtain the control words. As
such, a period of time, such as about 0.2-0.5 seconds, may elapse
before the control words indicated by the ECM can be obtained. The
smart card 322 may be permanently part of the PTR 210 or may be
configured to be inserted and removed from the PTR 210.
[0066] The demultiplexer 320 may be configured to filter data
packets based on PIDs. For example, if a transponder data stream
includes multiple television channels, data packets corresponding
to a television channel that are not desired to be stored or
displayed by the user may be ignored by the demultiplexer 320. As
such, only data packets corresponding to the one or more television
channels desired to be stored and/or displayed may be passed to
either the descrambling engine 324 or the smart card 322; other
data packets may be ignored. For each channel, a stream of video
packets, a stream of audio packets and/or a stream of ECM packets
may be present, each stream identified by a PID. In some examples,
a common ECM stream may be used for multiple television channels.
Additional data packets corresponding to other information, such as
updates to the PSI table 314, may be appropriately routed by the
demultiplexer 320.
[0067] The descrambling engine 324 may use the control words output
by the smart card 322 in order to descramble video and/or audio
corresponding to television channels for storage and/or
presentation. Video and/or audio data contained in the transponder
data stream received by the tuners 304a-h may be scrambled. The
video and/or audio may be descrambled by the descrambling engine
324 using a particular control word. Which control word output by
the smart card 322 to be used for successful descrambling may be
indicated by a scramble control identifier present within the data
packet containing the scrambled video or audio. Descrambled video
and/or audio may be output by the descrambling engine 324 to the
storage medium 308 for storage, such as part of the DVR database
316 for example, and/or to the decoder 326 for output to a
television or other presentation equipment via the television
interface 312.
[0068] The communication interface 328 may be used by the PTR 210
to establish a communication link or connection between the PTR 210
and one or more of the computing systems and devices as shown in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, discussed further below. It is contemplated that
the communication interface 328 may take or exhibit any form as
desired, and may be configured in a manner so as to be compatible
with a like component or element incorporated within or to a
particular one of the computing systems and devices as shown in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, and further may be defined such that the
communication link may be wired and/or or wireless. Example
technologies consistent with the principles or aspects of the
present disclosure may include, but are not limited to,
Bluetooth.RTM., WiFi, NFC (Near Field Communication),
HomePlug.RTM., and/or any other communication device or subsystem
similar to that discussed below in connection with FIG. 9.
[0069] For brevity, the PTR 210 is depicted in a simplified form,
and may generally include more or fewer elements or components as
desired, including those configured and/or arranged for
implementing various features for enabling an end-user to access
home automation features or functionality directly from or via one
or more interfaces that might normally be used to access satellite
television-related programming and services, in accordance with the
principles of the present disclosure. For example, the PTR 210 is
shown in FIG. 3 to include the HASI module 220 as mentioned above
in connection with FIG. 2. While shown stored to the storage medium
308 as executable instructions, the HASI module 220 could, wholly
or at least partially, be stored to the processor(s) 302 of the PTR
210. Further, some routing between the various modules of PTR 210
has been illustrated. Such illustrations are for exemplary purposes
only. The state of two modules not being directly or indirectly
connected does not indicate the modules cannot communicate. Rather,
connections between modules of the PTR 210 are intended only to
indicate possible common data routing. It should be understood that
the modules of the PTR 210 may be combined into a fewer number of
modules or divided into a greater number of modules.
[0070] Additionally, although not explicitly shown in FIG. 3, the
PTR 210 may include one or more logical modules configured to
implement a television steaming media functionality that encodes
video into a particular format for transmission over the Internet
such as to allow users to remotely view and control a home cable,
satellite, or personal video recorder system from an
Internet-enabled computer with a broadband Internet connection. The
Slingbox.RTM. by Sling Media, Inc. of Foster City, Calif., is one
example of a product that implements such functionality. Further,
the PTR 210 may be configured to include any number of other
various components or logical modules that are implemented in
hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof, and such
components or logical modules may or may not be
implementation-specific.
[0071] Referring now to FIG. 4, an example home automation system
400 is shown in accordance with the present disclosure. In general,
the home automation system 400 is hosted by the PTR 210 of FIG. 2,
and thus the PTR 210 may be considered a home automation gateway
device or system. For example, the PTR 210 may be configured and/or
arranged to communicate with multiple in-home or on-residence home
automation-related systems and/or devices. Some examples of which
include, but are not limited to: at least one pet door/feeder 402,
at least one smoke/CO.sub.2 detector 404, a home security system
406, at least one security camera 408, at least one window sensor
410, at least one door sensor 412, at least one weather sensor 414,
at least one shade controller 416, at least one utility monitor
418, at least one wireless device 420, at least one health sensor
422, at least one communication device 424, at least one intercom
426, at least one overlay device 428, at least one display device
430, at least one cellular modem 432, at least one light controller
434, at least one thermostat 436, at least one leak detection
sensor 438, at least one appliance controller 440, at least one
garage door controller 442, at least one lock controller 444, at
least one irrigation controller 446, and at least one doorbell
sensor 448. The home automation system 400 of FIG. 4 is just an
example. Other examples are possible, as discussed further
below.
[0072] It is contemplated that the each of the elements of FIG. 4,
that which with the PTR 210 communicates, may use different
communication standards. For instance, one or more elements may use
or otherwise leverage a ZigBee.RTM. communication protocol, while
one or more other devices may communicate with the PTR 210 using a
Z-Wave.RTM. communication protocol. Other forms of wireless
communication may be used by particular elements of FIG. 4 to
enable communications to and from the PTR 210, such as any
particular IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
standard or specification or protocol, such as the IEEE 802.11
technology for example.
[0073] In some examples, a separate device may be connected with
the PTR 210 to enable communication with the smart home automation
systems or devices of FIG. 4. For instance, the communication
device 424 as shown coupled with the PTR 210 may take the form of a
dongle. In some examples, the communication device 424 may be
configured to allow for Zigbee.RTM., Z-Wave.RTM., and/or other
forms of wireless communication. In some example, the communication
device 424 may connect with the PTR 210 via a USB (Universal Serial
Bus) port or via some other type of (e.g., wired) communication
port. Accordingly, the communication device 424 may be powered by
the PTR 210 or may be separately coupled with another different
particular power source. In some examples, the PTR 210 may be
enabled to communicate with a local wireless network and may use
communication device in order to communicate with devices that use
a ZigBee.RTM. communication protocol, Z-Wave.RTM. communication
protocol, and/or some other wireless communication protocols.
[0074] In some examples, the communication device 424 may also
serve to allow or enable additional components to be connected with
the PTR 210. For instance, the communication device 424 may include
additional audio/video inputs (e.g., HDMI), component, and/or
composite inputs to allow for additional devices (e.g., Blu-Ray
players) to be connected with the PTR 210. Such a connection may
allow video comprising home automation information to be "overlaid"
with television programming, both being output for display by a
particular presentation device. Whether home automation information
is overlaid onto video on display may be triggered based on a press
of a remote control button by an end-user.
[0075] Regardless of whether the PTR 210 uses the communication
device 242 to communicate with any particular home automation
device shown in FIG. 4 or other particular home automation device
not explicitly shown in FIG. 4, the PTR 210 may be configured to
output home automation information for presentation via the display
device 430. It is contemplated that the display device 430 could
correspond to any particular one of the mobile devices 216a-b and
televisions 214a-c as shown in FIG. 2. Still other examples are
possible. Such information may be presented simultaneously,
concurrently, in tandem, etc., with any particular television
programming received by the PTR 210 via any particular
communication channel as discussed above in connection with at
least FIG. 2. It is further contemplated that the PTR 210 may also,
at any particular instant or given time, output only television
programming or only home automation information based on
preferences or commands or selections of particular controls within
an interface of or by any particular end-user. Furthermore, an
end-user may be able to provide input to the PTR 210 to control the
home automation system 400, in its entirety as hosted by the PTR
210 or by the overlay device 428, as discussed further below.
[0076] In some examples (indicated by intermittent line in FIG. 4),
the overlay device 428 may be coupled with the PTR 210 to allow or
enable home automation information to be presented via the display
device 430. It is contemplated that the overlay device 428 may be
configured and/or arranged to overlay information, such as home
automation information, onto a signal that will ultimately enable
the home automation information to be visually presented via the
display device 430. In this example, the PTR 210 may receive,
decode, descramble, decrypt, store, and/or output television
programming. The PTR 210 may output a signal, such as in the form
of an HDMI signal. Rather than being directly input to the display
device 430, however, the output of the PTR 210 may be input to the
overlay device 428. Here, the overlay device 428 may receive the
video and/or audio output from the PTR 210.
[0077] The overlay device 428 may add additional information to the
video and/or audio signal received from the PTR 210 so as to modify
or augment or even "piggyback" on the same. That video and/or audio
signal may then be output by the overlay device 428 to the display
device 430 for presentation thereon. In some examples, the overlay
device 428 may include or exhibit an HDMI input/output, with the
HDMI output being connected to the display device 430. While FIG. 4
shows lines illustrating communication between the PTR 210 and
other various devices, it will be appreciated that such
communication may exist, in addition or in alternate via the
communication device 424 and/or the overlay device 428. In other
words, any particular input to the PTR 210 as shown in FIG. 4 may
additionally, or alternatively, be supplied as input to one or both
of the communication device 424 and the overlay device 428.
[0078] As alluded to above, the PTR 210 may be used to provide home
automation functionality, but the overlay device 428 may be used to
modify a particular signal so that particular home automation
information may be presented via the display device 430. Further,
the home automation functionality as detailed throughout in
relation to the PTR 210 may alternatively be provided by or via the
overlay device 428. Using the overlay device 428 to present
automation information via the display device 430 may be beneficial
and/or advantageous in many respects. For instance, it is
contemplated that multiple devices may provide input video to the
overlay device 428. For instance, the PTR 210 may provide
television programming to the overlay device 428, a DVD/Blu-Ray
player may provide video to the overlay device 428, and a separate
IPTV device may stream other programming to the overlay device 428.
Regardless of the source of particular video/audio, the overlay
device 428 may output video and/or audio that has been modified or
augmented, etc., to include home automation information and then
output to the display device 430. As such, regardless of the source
of video/audio, the overlay device 428 may modify the audio/video
to include home automation information and, possibly, solicit for
user input. For instance, in some examples the overlay device 428
may have four video inputs (e.g., four HDMI inputs) and a single
video output (e.g., an HDMI output). In other examples, the PTR 210
may exhibit such features or functionality. As such, a separate
device, such as a Blu-ray player may be connected with a video
input of the PTR 210, thus allowing the PTR 210 to overlay home
automation information when content from the Blu-Ray player is
being output to the display device 430.
[0079] Regardless of whether the PTR 210 is itself configured to
provide home automation functionality and output home automation
input for display via the display device 430 or such home
automation functionality is provided via the overlay device 428,
home automation information may be presented by the display device
430 while television programming is also being presented by display
device 430. For instance, home automation information may be
overlaid or may replace a portion of television programming, such
as broadcast content, stored content, on-demand content, etc.,
presented via the display device 430. As an example, and as
discussed in further detail below, FIG. 7 shows an example display
by the television 214c of FIG. 2, the same of which is supplied to
the television 214c by the PTR 210 which is configured to host the
home automation system 400 in accordance with the principles of the
present disclosure. In FIG. 7, while television programming
consisting of a baseball game is being presented, the display is
augmented with information related to home automation. In general,
the television programming may represent broadcast programming,
recorded content, on-demand content, or some other form of content.
The exemplary illustrated home automation information is related to
motion being detected by a camera at a front door of a residence.
Such augmentation of the television programming may be performed
directly by the PTR 210 (which may or may not be in communication
with the communication device 242), the overlay device 428, or even
a combination thereof. Such augmentation may result in solid or
opaque or partially transparent graphics being overlaid onto
television programming (or other forms of video) output by the PTR
210 and displayed by the television 214c. Furthermore, the overlay
device 428 and/or the PTR 210 may add or modify sound to television
programming also or alternatively. For instance, in response to a
doorbell ring, a sound may be played through the television 214c
(or connected audio system). In addition or in alternate, a graphic
may be displayed. In other examples, other particular camera data
(e.g., nanny camera data) and/or associated sound or motion sensors
may be integrated in the system and overlaid or otherwise made
available to a user. For example, detection of a crying baby from a
nanny camera may trigger an on-screen alert to a user watching
television.
[0080] Still further, and also as discussed in further detail below
in connection with FIG. 7, such presented home automation
information may request or at least enable end-user user input. For
instance, an end-user may via section of one or more controls of a
particular interface output by the PTR 210 (e.g., via a remote
control) and/or the overlay device 428, can specify whether video
from a camera at the front door should be presented, not presented,
or if future notifications related to such motion such be ignored.
If ignored, this may be for a predefined period of time, such as an
hour, or until the PTR 210 or the overlay device 428 is powered
down and powered back on. Ignoring of video may be particularly
useful if motion or some other event is triggering the presentation
of video that is not interesting to a viewer of the display device
430 (or a wireless device), such as children playing on the lawn or
snow falling.
[0081] Returning to FIG. 4 alone, the PTR 210 and/or the overlay
device 428, depending on implementation-specific details, may
communicate with one or more wireless devices, such as the wireless
device 420. The wireless device 420 may represent a tablet
computer, cellular phone, laptop computer, remote computer, or some
other device through which a user may desire to control home
automation settings and view home automation information in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Such a
device also need not necessarily be wireless, such as in a desktop
computer embodiment. It is contemplated that the PTR 210,
communication device 424, and/or the overlay device 428 may
communicate directly with the wireless device 420, or may use a
local wireless network, such as network 224 for instance. The
wireless device 420 may be remotely located and not connected with
a same local wireless network as one or more of the other devices
or elements of FIG. 4. Via the Internet, the PTR 210 and/or the
overlay device 428 may transmit a notification to the wireless
device 420 regarding home automation information. For instance, a
third-party notification server system, such as a notification
server system operated by Apple Inc., of Cupertino, Calif. may be
used to send such notifications to the wireless device 420.
[0082] Various home automation devices may be in communication with
the HASI module 220 of the PTR 210 (collectively, "PTR 210"
throughout) and/or the overlay device 428, depending on
implementation-specific details. Such home automation devices may
use similar or disparate communication protocols. Such home
automation devices may communicate with the PTR 210 directly or via
the communication device 424. Such home automation devices may be
controlled by a user and/or have a status viewed by a user via the
display device 430 and/or wireless device 420. Such home automation
devices may include, but are not limited to:
[0083] One or more cameras, such as the security camera 408. It is
contemplated that the security camera 408 may be installed indoors,
outdoors, and may provide a video and, possibly, an audio stream
that may be presented via the wireless device 420 and/or display
device 430. Video and/or audio from the security camera 408 may be
recorded by the overlay device 428 and/or the PTR 210 continuously,
in a loop as per a predefined time period, upon an event occurring,
such as motion being detected by the security camera 408, and etc.
For example, video and/or audio from security camera 408 may be
continuously recorded such as in the form of a rolling window, thus
allowing a period of time of video/audio to be reviewed by a user
from before a triggering event and after the triggering event.
Video/audio may be recorded on a persistent storage device local to
overlay device 428 and/or the PTR 210, and/or may be recorded and
stored on an external storage devices, such as a network attached
storage device or the server 218 of FIG. 2. In some examples, video
may be transmitted across a local and/or wide area network to other
one or more other storage devices upon occurrence of a trigger
event, for later playback. For initial setup for example, a still
may be captured by the security camera 408 and stored by the PTR
210 for subsequent presentation as part of a user interface via the
display device 430. In this way, an end-user can determine which
camera, if multiple cameras are present or enabled, is being set up
and/or later accessed. For example, a user interface may display a
still image from a front door camera (see e.g., FIG. 7), which may
be easily recognized by the user because it shows a scene near or
adjacent a front door of a residence, to allow a user to select the
front door camera for viewing as desired.
[0084] Furthermore, video and, possibly, audio from the security
camera 408 may be available live for viewing by a user via the
overlay device 428 or the PTR 210. Such video may be presented
simultaneously with television programming being presented. In some
examples, video may only be presented if motion is detected by the
security camera 408, otherwise video from the security camera 408
may not be presented by a particular display device presenting
television programming. Also, such video (and, possibly, audio)
from the security camera 408 may be recorded by the PTR 210 and/or
the overlay device 428. As discussed in further detail below in
connection with at least FIG. 8, such video may be recorded based
upon a user-configurable timer. For instance, features or
functionality associated with the security camera 408 may be
incorporated into an EPG that is output by the PTR 210 for display
by a presentation or display device.
[0085] For instance, data as captured by the security camera 408
may be presented or may otherwise be accessible as a "channel" as
part of the EPG along with other typical or conventional television
programming channels. Accordingly, a user may be permitted to
select that channel associated with the security camera 408 to
access data as captured by the security camera 408 for presentation
via the display device 430 and/or the wireless device 420, and etc.
The user may also be permitted to set a timer to activate the
security camera 408 to record video and/or audio for a user-defined
period of time on a user-defined date. Such recording may not be
constrained by the rolling window mentioned above associated with a
triggering event being detected. Such an implementation may be
beneficial, for example, if a babysitter is going to be watching a
child and the parents want to later review the babysitter's
behavior in their absence. In some examples, video and/audio
acquired by the security camera 408 may be backed up to a remote
storage device, such as cloud-based storage hosted by the server
218 of FIG. 3 for instance. Other data may also be cached to the
cloud, such as configuration settings. Thus, if one or both of the
PTR 210 and overlay device 428 malfunction, then a new device may
be installed and the configuration data loaded onto the device from
the cloud.
[0086] Further, one or more window sensors and door sensors, such
as the window sensor 410 and the door sensor 412 may be integrated
in to or as part of the home automation system 400, and each may
transmit data to the PTR 210, possibly via the communication device
424, or the overlay device 428, that indicates the status of a
window or door, respectively. Such status may indicate open window
or door, an ajar window or door, a closed window or door, and etc.
When a status change occurs, an end-user may be notified as such
via the wireless device 420 and/or the display device 430, within
an EPG or like interface for example. Further, a user may be able
to view a status screen within an EPG or other interface to view
the status one or more window sensors and/or one or more door
sensors throughout the location. In some examples, the window
sensor 410 and/or the door sensor 412 may have integrated "break"
sensors to enable a determination as to whether glass or a hinge,
or other integral component, etc., has been broken or compromised.
Here, as well as in all instances of home automation related data
as acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by
particular elements of FIG. 4, it is contemplated that one or both
of the window sensor 410 and the door sensor 412 may be controlled
via interaction with particular controls as provided within or by
an EPG or like interface, and information or data as acquired by
one or both of the window sensor 410 and door sensor 412 may be
manipulated, consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made
accessible within or by an EPG or like interface, such as a pop-up
window, banner, and/or any other "interface" or "display" or the
like, in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0087] Further, one or more smoke and/or CO.sub.2 detectors, such
as detector 404, may be integrated in to or as part of the home
automation system 400. As such, alerts as to whether a fire (e.g.,
heat, smoke), CO.sub.2, radon, etc., has been detected can be sent
to the PTR 210, wireless device 420, etc., and/or one or more
emergency first responders. Accordingly, when an alert occurs, a
user may be notified as such the via wireless device 420 or the
display device 430, within an EPG or like interface for example.
Further, it is contemplated that such an interface may be utilized
to disable false alarms, and that one or more sensors dispersed
throughout a residence and/or integrated within the home automation
system 400 to detect gas leaks, radon, or various other dangerous
situations. Here, as well as in all instances of home automation
related data as acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay
device 428 by particular elements of FIG. 4, the detector 404 may
be controlled via interaction with particular controls as provided
within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or data as
acquired by the detector 404 may be manipulated, consolidated,
etc., as desired, and also made accessible within or by an EPG or
like interface in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0088] Further, a pet door and/or feeder, such as pet door and/or
feeder 402 may be integrated in to or as part of the home
automation system 400. For instance, a predefined amount of food
may be dispensed at predefined times to a pet. A pet door may be
locked and/or unlocked. The pet's weight or presence may trigger
the locking or unlocking of the pet door. For instance, a camera
located at the pet door may be used to perform image recognition of
the pet or a weight sensor near the door may identify the presence
of the pet and unlock the door. A user may also lock/unlock a pet
door and/or dispense food for example from a "remote" location.
Here, as well as in all instances of home automation related data
as acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by
particular elements of FIG. 4, the pet door and/or feeder 402 may
be controlled via interaction with particular controls as provided
within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or data as
acquired by the pet door and/or feeder 402 may be consolidated,
summarized, etc., and made accessible within or by an EPG or like
interface in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0089] Further, a weather sensor, such as the weather sensor 414
may be integrated in to or as part of the home automation system
400, and may allow or enable the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428
to receive, identify, and/or output various forms of environmental
data, including local or non-local ambient temperature, humidity,
wind speed, barometric pressure, etc. Here, as well as in all
instances of home automation related data as acquired and served to
the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by particular elements of
FIG. 4, the weather sensor 414 may be controlled via interaction
with particular controls as provided within or by an EPG or like
interface, and information or data as acquired by the pet door
and/or feeder 402 may be manipulated, consolidated, etc., as
desired, and also made accessible within or by an EPG or like
interface in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0090] Further, a shade controller, such as shade controller 416,
may be integrated in to or as part of the home automation system
400, and may allow for control of one or more shades, such as
window, door, and/or skylight shades, within a home or residence or
any other location. The shade controller 416 may respond to
commands received from the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 and
may provide status updates, such as "shade up" or "shade 50% up" or
"shade down" and etc. Here, as well as in all instances of home
automation related data as acquired and served to the PTR 210
and/or overlay device 428 by particular elements of FIG. 4, the
shade controller 416 may be controlled via interaction with
particular controls as provided within or by an EPG or like
interface, and information or data as acquired by the shade
controller 416 may be manipulated, consolidated, etc., as desired,
and also made accessible within or by an EPG or like interface in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
[0091] Further, a utility monitor, such as utility monitor 418, may
be integrated in to or as part of the home automation system 400,
and may serve to provide the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 with
utility data or information, such as electricity usage, gas usage,
water usage, wastewater usage, irrigation usage, etc. A user may
via an EPG or like interface view a status page or may receive
notifications upon predefined events occurring, such as electricity
usage exceeding a defined threshold within a month, or current
kilowatt usage exceeding a threshold. Here, as well as in all
instances of home automation related data as acquired and served to
the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by particular elements of
FIG. 4, the utility monitor 418 may be controlled via interaction
with particular controls as provided within or by an EPG or like
interface, and information or data as acquired by the utility
monitor 418 may be manipulated, consolidated, etc., as desired, and
also made accessible within or by an EPG or like interface in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
[0092] Further, a health sensor, such as health sensor 422, may be
integrated in to or as part of the home automation system 400, and
may permit one or more vital characteristics of a particular
individual to be acquired and/or monitored, such as a heart rate
for instance. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, the
health sensor 422 may contain a button or other type of actuator
that a user can press to request assistance. As such, the health
sensor 422 may be mounted to a fixed location, such as bedside, or
may be carried by a user, such as on a lanyard. Such a request may
trigger a notification to be presented to other users via the
display device 430 and/or the wireless device 420. Additionally or
if the notification is not cleared by another user within a
predefined period of time, a notification may be transmitted to
emergency first responders to request help. In some examples, a
home automation service provider may first try contacting the user,
such as via phone, to determine if an emergency is indeed
occurring. Such a health sensor 422 may have additional purposes,
such as for notification of another form of emergency, such as a
break-in, fire, flood, theft, disaster, etc.
[0093] In some examples, the health sensor 422 may be used as a
medical alert pendant that can be worn or otherwise carried by an
individual. It may contain a microphone and/or speaker to allow
communication with other users and/or emergency first responders.
The PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 may be preprogrammed to
contact a particular phone number, such as an emergency service
provider, relative, caregiver, etc., based on an actuator of the
health sensor 422 being activated by a user. The user may be placed
in contact with a person via the phone number and the microphone
and/or speaker of the health sensor 422. Furthermore, camera data
may be combined with such alerts in order to give a contacted
relative more information regarding the medical situation. For
example, the health sensor 422, when activated in the family room,
may generate a command which is linked with security camera footage
from the same room. Furthermore, in some examples, the health
sensor 422 may be able to monitor vitals of a user, such as a blood
pressure, temperature, heart rate, blood sugar, etc. In some
examples, an event, such as a fall or exiting a structure can be
detected.
[0094] Further, in response to an alert from the health sensor 422
or some other emergency or noteworthy event, parallel notifications
may be sent to multiple users at approximately the same time. As
such, multiple people can be made aware of the event at
approximately the same time (as opposed to serial notification).
Therefore, whoever the event is most pertinent to or notices the
notification first can respond. Which users are notified for which
type of event may be customized by a user of the PTR 210. In
addition to such parallel notifications being based on data from
the health sensor 422, data from other devices may trigger such
parallel notifications. For instance, a mailbox open, a garage door
open, an entry/exit door open during wrong time, an unauthorized
control of specific lights during vacation period, a water sensor
detecting a leak or flow, a temperature of room or equipment is
outside of defined range, and/or motion detected at front door are
examples of possible events which may trigger parallel
notifications.
[0095] Additionally, a configuring user may be able to select from
a list of users to notify and method of notification to enable such
parallel notifications. The configuring user may prioritize which
systems and people are notified, and specify that the notification
may continue through the list unless acknowledged either
electronically or by human interaction. For example, the user could
specify that they want to be notified of any light switch operation
in their home during their vacation. Notification priority could
be: 1) SMS Message; 2) push notification; 3) electronic voice
recorder places call to primary number; and 4) electronic voice
recorder places call to spouse's number. Other examples are
possible, however, it is contemplated that the second notification
may never happen if the user replies to the SMS message with an
acknowledgment. Or, the second notification would automatically
happen if the SMS gateway cannot be contacted. Here, as well as in
all instances of home automation related data as acquired and
served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by particular
elements of FIG. 4, the health sensor 422 may be controlled via
interaction with particular controls as provided within or by an
EPG or like interface, and information or data as acquired by the
health sensor 422 may be manipulated, consolidated, etc., as
desired, and also made accessible within or by an EPG or like
interface in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0096] Further, an intercom, such as the intercom 426, may be
integrated in to or as part of the home automation system 400, and
may permit a user in one location to communicate with a user in
another location, who may be using the wireless device 420, the
display device 430, or some other device, such another television
receiver within the structure. The intercom 426 may be integrated
with the security camera 408 or may use a dedicated
microphone/speaker, such as a Bluetooth.RTM. microphone.
Microphones/speakers of the wireless device 420, display device
430, communication device 242, overlay device 428, etc., may also
or alternatively be used. A MOCA network or other appropriate type
of network may be used to provide audio and/or video from the
intercom 426 to the PTR 210 and/or to other television receivers
and/or wireless devices in communication with the PTR 210. Here, as
well as in all instances of home automation related data as
acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by
particular elements of FIG. 4, the intercom 426 may be controlled
via interaction with particular controls as provided within or by
an EPG or like interface, and information or data as acquired by
the intercom 426 may be manipulated, consolidated, etc., as
desired, and also made accessible within or by an EPG or like
interface in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0097] Further, a light controller, such as light controller 434,
may be integrated in to or as part of the home automation system
400, and may permit a light to be turned on, off, and/or dimmed by
the PTR 210 or the overlay device 428, such as based on a user
command received from the wireless device 420 or directly via PTR
210 or overlay device 428, etc. The light controller 434 may
control a single light. As such, multiple different ones of the
light controller 434 may be present within a house or residence. In
some examples, a physical light switch, that opens and closes a
circuit of the light, may be left in the "on" position such that
light controller 434 can be used to control whether the light is on
or off. The light controller 434 may be integrated into a light
bulb or a circuit, such as between the light fixture and the power
source, to control whether the light is on or off. An end-user, via
the PTR 210 or overlay device 428, may be permitted to view a
status of each instance of the light controller 434 within a
location.
[0098] Since the PTR 210 or overlay device 428 may communicate
using different home automation protocols, different instances of
the light controller 434 within a location may use disparate or
different communication protocols, but may all still be controlled
by the PTR 210 or overlay device 428. In some examples, wireless
light switches may be used that communicate with the PTR 210 or
overlay device 428. Such switches may use a different communication
protocol than any particular instance of the light controller 434.
Such a difference may not affect functionality because the PTR 210
or overlay device 428 can serve as a hub for multiple disparate
communication protocols and perform any necessary translation
and/or bridging functions. For example, a tablet computer may
transmit a command over a WiFi connection and the PTR 210 or
overlay device 428 may translate the command into an appropriate
Zigbee.RTM. or Zwave.RTM. command for a wireless light bulb. In
some examples, the translation may occur for a group of disparate
or different devices. For example, a user may decide to turn off
all lights in a room and select a lighting command on a tablet
computer, the overlay device 428 may then identify the lights in
the room and output appropriate commands to all devices over
different protocols, such as a Zigbee.RTM. wireless light bulb and
a Zwave.RTM. table lamp.
[0099] Additionally, it is contemplated that the PTR 210 may permit
timers and/or dimmer settings to be set for lights via the light
controller 434. For instance, lights can be configured to turn
on/off at various times during a day according to a schedule and/or
events being detected by the home automation system 400, etc. Here,
as well as in all instances of home automation related data as
acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by
particular elements of FIG. 4, each particular instance of the
light controller 434 may be controlled via interaction with
particular controls as provided within or by an EPG or like
interface, and information or data as acquired by each particular
instance of the light controller 434 may be manipulated,
consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made accessible within or
by an EPG or like interface in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure.
[0100] Further, a thermostat, such as the thermostat 436, may be
integrated in to or as part of the home automation system 400, and
may provide heating/cooling updates to the PTR 210 and/or overlay
device 428 for display via display device 430 and/or wireless
device 420. Further, control of thermostat 436 may be effectuated
via the PTR 210 or overlay device 428, and zone control within a
structure using multiple thermostats may also be possible. Here, as
well as in all instances of home automation related data as
acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by
particular elements of FIG. 4, the thermostat 436 may be controlled
via interaction with particular controls as provided within or by
an EPG or like interface, and information or data as acquired by
the thermostat 436 may be manipulated, consolidated, etc., as
desired, and also made accessible within or by an EPG or like
interface in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure.
[0101] Further, a leak detection sensor, such as the leak detection
sensor 438, may be integrated in to or as part of the home
automation system 400, and may be used to determine when a water
leak as occurred, such as in pipes supplying water-based fixtures
with water. The leak detection sensor 438 may be configured to
attach to the exterior of a pipe and listen for a sound of water
moving within a pipe. In other examples, sonar, temperature sensors
or ion infused water with appropriate sensors may be used to detect
moving water. As such, cutting or otherwise modifying plumbing may
not be necessary to use or leverage the leak detection sensor 438.
If water movement is detected for greater than a threshold period
of time, it may be determined a leak is occurring. The leak
detection sensor 438 may have a component that couples over an
existing valve such that the flow of water within one or more pipes
can be stopped.
[0102] For instance, if the leak detection sensor 438 determines a
leak may be occurring, a notification may be provided to a user via
the wireless device 420 and/or display device 430 by the PTR 210
and/or overlay device 428. If a user does not clear the
notification, the flow of water may be shut off by the leak
detection sensor 438 after a predefined period of time. A user may
also be able to provide input to allow the flow of water to
continue or to immediately interrupt the flow of water. Here, as
well as in all instances of home automation related data as
acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by
particular elements of FIG. 4, the leak detection sensor 438 may be
controlled via interaction with particular controls as provided
within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or data as
acquired by the leak detection sensor 438 may be manipulated,
consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made accessible within or
by an EPG or like interface in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure.
[0103] Further, an applicant controller, such as the appliance
controller 440, may be integrated in to or as part of the home
automation system 400, and may permit a status of an appliance to
be retrieved and commands to control operation to be sent to an
appliance by the PTR 210 or overlay device 428. For instance, the
appliance controller 440 may control a washing machine, a dryer, a
dishwasher, an oven, a microwave, a refrigerator, a toaster, a
coffee maker, a hot tub, or any other form of appliance. The
appliance controller 440 may be connected with a particular
appliance or may be integrated as part of the appliance.
Additionally, or alternatively, the appliance controller 440 may
enable for acquisition of data or information regarding electricity
usage of one or more devices (e.g., other home automation devices
or circuits within a home that are monitored) to be determined.
Here, as well as in all instances of home automation related data
as acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by
particular elements of FIG. 4, the appliance controller 440 may be
controlled via interaction with particular controls as provided
within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or data as
acquired by the appliance controller 440 may be manipulated,
consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made accessible within or
by an EPG or like interface in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure.
[0104] Further, a garage door controller, such as the garage door
controller 442, may be integrated in to or as part of the home
automation system 400, and may permit a status of a garage door to
be checked and the door to be opened or closed by a user via the
PTR 210 or overlay device 428. In some examples, based on a
physical location of the wireless device 420, the garage door may
be controlled. For instance, if the wireless device 420 is a
cellular phone and it is detected to have moved a threshold
distance away from a house having the garage door controller 442
installed, a notification may be sent to the wireless device 420.
If no response is received within a threshold period of time, the
garage may be automatically shut. If the wireless device 420 moves
within a threshold distance of the garage door controller 442, the
garage may be opened. Here, as well as in all instances of home
automation related data as acquired and served to the PTR 210
and/or overlay device 428 by particular elements of FIG. 4, the
garage door controller 442 may be controlled via interaction with
particular controls as provided within or by an EPG or like
interface, and information or data as acquired by the garage door
controller 442 may be manipulated, consolidated, etc., as desired,
and also made accessible within or by an EPG or like interface in
accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
[0105] Further, a lock controller, such as the lock controller 444,
may be integrated in to or as part of the home automation system
400, and may permit a door to be locked and unlocked and/or
monitored by a user via the PTR 210 or overlay device 428. In some
examples, the lock controller 444 may have an integrated door
sensor 412 to determine if the door is open, shut, or partially
ajar. Being able to only determine if a door is locked or unlocked
may not be overly useful--for instance, a lock may be in a locked
position, but if the door is ajar, the lock may not prevent access
to the house. Therefore, for security, a user may benefit from
knowing both that a door is closed (or open) and locked (or
unlocked). To accomplish such notification and control, the lock
controller 444 may have an integrated door sensor 412 that allows
for the lock controller 444 to lock/unlock a door and provide a
status as to whether the door is open or shut. Therefore, a single
device may control a lock and determine whether the associated door
is shut or open. No mechanical or electrical component may need to
be integrated separately into a door or doorframe to provide such
functionality. Such a single device may have a single power source
that allows for sensing of the lock position, sensing of the door
position, and for engagement/disengagement of the lock.
[0106] For example, the lock controller 444 may have an integrated
door sensor that includes a reed switch or proximity sensor that
detects when the door is in a closed position, with a plate of the
lock in proximity to a plate on the door frame of the door. For
instance, a plate of the lock may have an integrated magnet or
magnetized doorframe plate. When in proximity to the magnet, a reed
switch located in the lock controller 444 may be used to determine
that the door is closed; when not in proximity to the magnet, the
reed switch located in the lock controller 444 may be used to
determine that the door is at least partially ajar. Rather than
using a reed switch, other forms of sensing may also be used, such
as a proximity sensor to detect a doorframe. In some examples, the
sensor to determine the door is shut may be integrated directly
into the deadbolt or other latching mechanism of the lock
controller 444. When the deadbolt is extended, a sensor may be able
to determine if the distal end of the deadbolt is properly latched
within a door frame based on a proximity sensor or other sensing
means. Here, as well as in all instances of home automation related
data as acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device
428 by particular elements of FIG. 4, the lock controller 444 may
be controlled via interaction with particular controls as provided
within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or data as
acquired by the lock controller 444 may be manipulated,
consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made accessible within or
by an EPG or like interface in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure.
[0107] Further, a home security system, such as the home security
system 406, may be integrated in to or as part of the home
automation system 400. In general, the home security system 406 may
detect motion, when a user has armed/disarmed the home security
system 406, when windows/doors are opened or broken, etc. The PTR
210 may adjust settings of the home automation devices of FIG. 4
based on home security system 406 being armed or disarmed. For
example, a virtual control and alarm panel may be presented to a
user via the display device 430. The functions of a wall mounted
panel alarm can be integrated in the graphical user interface of
the TV viewing experience such as a menu system with an underlying
tree hierarchical structure. It is contemplated that the virtual
control and alarm panel can appear in a full screen or PiP
(Picture-in-Picture) with TV content. Alarms and event notification
can be in the form of scrolling text overlays, popups, flashing
icons, etc.
[0108] Additionally, camera video and/or audio, such as from the
security camera 408, can be integrated with DVR content provided by
the PTR 210 with additional search, zoom, time-line capabilities.
The camera's video stream can be displayed full screen, PiP with TV
content, or as a tiled mosaic to display multiple camera's streams
at a same time. In some examples, the display can switch between
camera streams at fixed intervals. The PTR 210 may perform video
scaling, adjust frame rate and transcoding on video received from
the security camera 408. In addition, the PTR 210 may adaptively
transcode the camera content to match an Internet connection. Here,
as well as in all instances of home automation related data as
acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by
particular elements of FIG. 4, the home security system 406 may be
controlled via interaction with particular controls as provided
within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or data as
acquired by the home security system 406 may be manipulated,
consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made accessible within or
by an EPG or like interface in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure.
[0109] Further, an irrigation controller, such as the irrigation
controller 446, may be integrated in to or as part of the home
automation system 400, and may allow for a status and control of an
irrigation system, such as a sprinkler system, to be controlled by
a user via the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428. The irrigation
controller 446 may be used in conjunction with the weather sensor
414 to determine whether and/or for how long (duration) the
irrigation controller 446 should be activated for watering.
Further, a user, via the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428, may
turn on, turn off, or adjust settings of the irrigation controller
446. Here, as well as in all instances of home automation related
data as acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device
428 by particular elements of FIG. 4, the irrigation controller 446
may be controlled via interaction with particular controls as
provided within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or
data as acquired by the irrigation controller 446 may be
manipulated, consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made
accessible within or by an EPG or like interface in accordance with
the principles of the present disclosure.
[0110] Further, a doorbell sensor, such as the doorbell sensor 448,
may be integrated in to or as part of the home automation system
400, and may permit an indication of when a doorbell has been rung
to be sent to multiple devices, such as the PTR 210 and/or the
wireless device 420. In some examples, the doorbell sensor 448
detecting a doorbell ring may trigger video to be recorded by the
security camera 408 of the area near the doorbell and the video to
be stored until deleted by a user, or stored for predefined period
of time. Here, as well as in all instances of home automation
related data as acquired and served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay
device 428 by particular elements of FIG. 4, the doorbell sensor
448 may be controlled via interaction with particular controls as
provided within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or
data as acquired by the doorbell sensor 448 may be manipulated,
consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made accessible within or
by an EPG or like interface in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure.
[0111] For example, "selection" of a doorbell by an individual so
as to "trigger" the doorbell sensor 448 may activate or engage the
PTR 210 to generate and output for display by a presentation
device, such as the television 214c, a user interface, display,
pop-up, etc., that which may include particular information such as
"There is someone at your front door ringing the doorbell" for
example. Additional, or alternative, actions such as activating, by
the PTR 210, a security camera to record video and/or audio of the
individual at the front door are contemplated as well. Further,
similar steps or actions may be taken or implemented by the PTR 210
for example in response to a signal generated in response to
detection of an event, etc., received by the PTR 210 from any of
the elements of FIG. 2.
[0112] Additional forms of sensors not illustrated in FIG. 2 may
also be incorporated as part of the home automation system 400. For
instance, a mailbox sensor may be attached to a mailbox to
determine when mail is present and/or has been picked up. The
ability to control one or more showers, baths, and/or faucets from
the PTR 210 and/or the wireless device 420 may also be possible.
Pool and/or hot tub monitors may be incorporated into the home
automation system 400. Such sensors may detect whether or not a
pump is running, water temperature, pH level, a splash/whether
something has fallen in, etc. Further, various characteristics of
the pool and/or hot tub may be controlled via the home automation
system. In some examples, a vehicle "dashcam" may upload or
otherwise make video/audio available to the PTR 210 when within
range of a particular residence. For instance, when a vehicle has
been parked within range of a local wireless network with which the
PTR 210 is connected, video and/or audio may be transmitted from
the dashcam to the PTR 210 for storage and/or uploading to a remote
server, such as the server 218 as shown in FIG. 2. Here, as well as
in all instances of home automation related data as acquired and
served to the PTR 210 and/or overlay device 428 by particular
elements of FIG. 4, such systems or sensors or devices may be
controlled via interaction with particular controls as provided
within or by an EPG or like interface, and information or data as
acquired by such systems or sensors or devices may be manipulated,
consolidated, etc., as desired, and also made accessible within or
by an EPG or like interface in accordance with the principles of
the present disclosure.
[0113] Referring now to FIG. 5, first example aspects of the home
automation system 400 of FIG. 4 are shown in detail. In particular,
the PTR 210 in an in-home implementation or scenario, and/or
possibly the server 218 in a remote access implementation or
scenario, may be configured to output an EPG (Electronic
Programming Guide) 502 to and for presentation the television 214c,
or the mobile device 216a, for example. The EPG 502 may at least
present various information related to television channels and the
timing of programs or programming appearing on such television
channels. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the EPG 502 may display
information associated with a Channel 2012, where just as an
example the World Series is listed as scheduled to appear on that
channel starting at a particular time on a particular day, and etc.
In this example, and assuming that a current time is sometime
during the time period 8-10 PM, a viewer may manipulate a cursor
504 using a pointing device (not shown) to select, as indicated by
stipple shading in FIG. 5, the World Series for immediate viewing
within a window 506 on the television 214c. Other examples are
possible. For example, it is contemplated that any menu-driven
navigation technique or implementation may be used to enable
user-interaction with the EPG 502, along with any other elements or
interfaces output by the PTR 210 to the television 214c or the
mobile device 216a.
[0114] In addition to Channel 2009 and Channel 2012 as shown within
the EPG 502 in FIG. 5, the PTR 210 may be configured and/or
arranged to output various other interactive elements or interfaces
within the EPG 502. For example, the HASI module 220 as shown in
FIG. 5 may be configured and/or arranged to output a Channel 508
within the EPG 502, together or simultaneously with Channel 2009
and Channel 2012, that may enable an end-user to access audio
and/or video as captured by the security camera 408 (i.e., video
and/or audio as captured by a closed-circuit surveillance camera)
of the home automation system 400 of FIG. 4. It is contemplated
that the way by which an end-user accesses audio and/or video as
captured by the security camera 408 may be similar to that
discussed above in connection with the World Series. For example,
assuming that a current time is sometime during the time period
9-10 PM, a viewer may manipulate the cursor 504 using a pointing
device to select a video and/or audio clip, Clip D, for immediate
viewing within a window 506 on the television 214c. Although not so
limited, it is contemplated that each "clip" listed within the
Channel 508 within the EPG 502 may be or comprise of a 60 minute
loop of video and/or audio as captured by the security camera 408,
during the associated time period. For example, Clip A may be or
comprise of about a 60 minute loop of video and/or audio as
captured by the security camera 408 during the associated time
period of 6-7PM. As discussed in further detail below in connection
with FIG. 8, it is contemplated that the duration of each clip of
video and/or audio listed within the Channel 508 within the EPG 502
is a user-configurable parameter. It is further contemplated that
audio and/or video as captured by the security camera 408 may be
presented within the EPG 502 in many different, possibly
implementation-specific, ways.
[0115] For example, it is contemplated that a control 510 located
within the EPG 502 near or adjacent the channel 508 may be selected
using the cursor 504 and, in response, the HASI module 220 may
generate and output for display within the EPG 502 a fly-out
channel listing 512 that includes or exhibits a scroll control 514
and a live feed control 516. Advantageously, the scroll control 514
may enable an end-user to navigate forwards, when available, and
backwards in time within or in the EPG 502 to access any particular
clip of video and/or audio as desired. For example, it is
contemplated that a backwards control 518 located within the scroll
control 514 may be selected using the cursor 504 to enable an
end-user to access a particular clip of audio and/or video as
captured by the security camera 408 at a time period between 5-6
PM, immediately prior the 6-7 PM time period shown in the EPG 502
in FIG. 5. It is contemplated that the only limiting factor as to
how far "back in time" an end-user may navigate is the amount of
persistent memory is available or accessible to or by the PTR 210
and/or the server 218.
[0116] Continuing the with example implementation, a forwards
control 520 located within the scroll control 514 may then,
optionally, be selected using the cursor 504 to enable the end-user
to scroll forward in time until a "present" or "current" or
"instant" time or time period is reached. For example, assume that
a current time is 9:30 PM, it is contemplated that the forwards
control 520 may be "tapped" or selected to enable the end-user to
scroll forward in time until Clip D is reached or otherwise
displayed within the EPG 502. Additionally, if for example the
current time is 9:30 PM, it is contemplated that the live feed
control 516 may be selected using the cursor 504 to enable the
end-user to access a live feed of video (and/or audio) as captured
by the security camera 408, that which may be instantly or
immediately presented within the window 506. In other words,
real-time video and/or audio, or recorded clips of the same, as
captured by the security camera 408 may be presented to an end-user
in response to a command to do so. Other implementations of the EPG
502 are contemplated, some discussed below.
[0117] In addition to the Channel 508 and the fly-out channel
listing 512, the HASI module 220 shown in FIG. 5 may output within
the EPG 502 a control selection 522 and a configuration selection
524. In general, the control selection 522 may be considered an
access control mechanism to prevent those who may not necessarily
be authorized from accessing the Channel 508 or any other home
automation-related "channel" contemplated throughout as or for
presentation within the EPG 502. Accordingly, in practice, an
end-user may manipulate the cursor 504 to select the control
selection 522, via a "point and double-click" action, for example
and, in response, the HASI module 220 may output an access
interface 526 to and for presentation by the television 214c. In
this example, the access interface 526 may include a prompt "Enter
Your PIN" along with a data field 528 and an enter selection 530.
Here, the particular individual may enter into the data field 528
an alphanumeric sequence, or the like, and then "select" the enter
selection 530 in order to gain access, upon validation by the HASI
module 220, to functionality associated with the Channel 508 and
the configuration selection 524, discussed in further detail below
in connection with FIG. 8.
[0118] Many other EPG-like interfaces that which provide access to
home automation-related channels are contemplated. For example,
referring now to FIG. 6, second example aspects of the home
automation system 400 of FIG. 4 are shown in detail. In particular,
FIG. 6 illustrates an EPG-like interface 602 that which only
provides access to home automation-related channels, each of which
may make available particular user-configurable or preference-based
content associated with home automation-related data or
information. This is different than the EPG 502 of FIG. 5 that
which provides access to home automation-related channels in
addition to conventional television programming channels. As shown
in FIG. 6, it is contemplated that a discreetly-positioned control
element 604 positioned with the window 506 may be selected using
the cursor 504 and, in response, the HASI module 220 may "overlay"
a collapsible window 606 over programming as instantly displayed
within the window 506. In this example, the EPG-like interface 602
may include a plurality of channels 608 each one associated with a
particular "smart" home automation-related system and/or device
consistent with that discussed above in connection with FIG. 4.
[0119] For example, Device A listed within the EPG-like interface
602 (or Device B, etc.) may correspond to or be selected from any
one of the pet door and/or feeder 402, the smoke/CO.sub.2 detector
404, the home security system 406, the security camera 408, the
window sensor 410, the door sensor 412, the weather sensor 414, the
shade controller 416, the utility monitor 418, the health sensor
422, the intercom 426, the light controller 434, the thermostat
436, the leak detection sensor 438, the appliance controller 440,
the garage door controller 442, the lock controller 444, the
irrigation controller 446, and the doorbell sensor 448 discussed
above on connection with FIG. 4. Here, a particular data set
associated with Device A, such as Data Set A1, may be selected in a
manner similar to that discussed above in connection with FIG. 5,
and so on. Next, but not necessarily so, a collapse control 610
positioned within the EPG-like interface 602 may be selected to
"close" the collapsible window 606 so that an end-user may continue
to view the programming as instantly displayed within the window
506, without further obscuring of the same.
[0120] Still many other implementations are contemplated. For
example, the "channel" associated with Device A as shown in FIG. 6
may be defined as a "hybrid" channel. For example, assume that
Device A corresponds to a first security camera and that Device B,
as shown in FIG. 6 associated with a channel separate than that of
Device A, corresponds to a second different security camera. Here,
the channel associated channel associated with Device A as shown in
FIG. 6 may instead be defined by and end-user to be a "security
camera" channel that makes available, in a single channel, video
and/or audio as captured by both the Device A and Device B, the
details of which may vary widely, and may be
implementation-specific. For example, the Data Set A1 and Data Set
A2 as shown in FIG. 6 may correspond to particular clips of video
and/or audio as captured by the Device A, whereas the Data Set A3
and Data Set A4 as shown in FIG. 6 may correspond to particular
clips of video and/or audio as captured by the Device B. Still many
other implementations are possible.
[0121] Referring now to FIG. 7, third example aspects of the home
automation system 400 of FIG. 4 are shown in detail. In this
example, a first individual 702 is approaching a residence 704.
Here, one or more of a plurality of motion-sensitive security
cameras 708a-b each affixed to a proofline 710 of the residence 704
may "sense" or detect that the first individual 702 is approaching
the residence 704. In response, the HASI module 220 of the PTR 210
(not shown), that which is coupled to the television 214c, may
output a message 712 to and for display by the television 214c to a
second individual 714 located within the residence, along with a
still or moving image of the first individual 702 approaching the
residence 704. For example purposes, assume that the message 712
further includes a "live feed" control, similar to the live feed
control 516 shown and discussed above in connection with FIG. 5,
and that the second individual 714 has selected said live feed
control.
[0122] In response, the HASI module 220 of the PTR 210 may output
an overlay 716 so that a split-screen is displayed by the
television 214c, including the overlay 716 and particular broadcast
programming within the window 506. It is contemplated that the
overlay 716 may include or comprise a still or moving image 718 of
the first individual 702 as captured by a particular one of the
security cameras 708a-b, along with a plurality of controls 720-728
to enable the second individual 714 to investigate the situation
and possibly take action. For example, a rewind control 720 when
selected may enable the second individual 714 to playback a video
and/or audio recording as captured by one or both of the security
cameras 708a-b at any particular point in time of the first
individual 702 approaching the residence 704. As another example,
an audio control 724 when selected may enable the second individual
714 to verbally communicate with the first individual 702. This
might be realized, for example, via a microphone and/or speaker
incorporated in to or within one or both of the security cameras
708a-b, the PTR 210, television 214c, etc. As another example, an
alert control 726 when selected may enable the second individual
714 to activate a deterrent such as a "loud" sound or noise such as
a succession of "beeps" in event the second individual 714
considers the first individual 702 to be threatening, etc. Similar
to the audio control 724, this might be realized via a microphone
and/or speaker incorporated into or within one or both of the
security cameras 708a-b, the PTR 210, television 214c, etc.
[0123] As another example, an interface control 728 when selected
(indicated by intermittent line in FIG. 7) may enable the second
individual 714 to access a particular interface 730 to take other
or different actions. For example, the particular interface 730 may
itemize each of a plurality of "smart" home automation devices
installed to a particular location or feature of or within the
residence 704. For example, assume that the home automation system
400 discussed above in connection with FIG. 4 is integrated in to
or within the residence 704. Here, each of the security cameras
708a-b may correspond to an instance of the security camera 408.
Additionally, the particular interface 730 may at least include an
entry associated with each one of the security cameras 708a-b,
along with a corresponding status such as "On-display" to indicate
that video associated with security camera 708a is currently being
shown on or within overlay 716.
[0124] Each entry within the particular interface 730 may further
have a particular control 732 associated therewith, similar to
control 510 discussed above in connection with FIG. 5, whereby upon
selection of the same a particular action or additional interface
may be taken or generated for display by the television 214c. For
example, the particular control 732 associated with the "Front Door
Lock" may be selected to "unlock" the same to allow or permit the
first individual 702 to enter the residence 704. As another
example, the particular control 732 associated with the security
camera 708b may enable the second individual 714 to acquire an
image at a different angle of the first individual 702 for display
within the overlay 716. In this manner, the particular interface
730 may enable the second individual to access and/or control each
of the respective "smart" home automation devices installed to a
particular location or feature of or within the residence 704, and
the particular functionality associated with a corresponding
particular control 732 may be device- or system-specific.
[0125] Referring now to FIG. 8, fourth example aspects of the home
automation system 400 of FIG. 4 are shown in detail. In particular,
and as mentioned above in connection with FIG. 5, the HASI module
220 may output within the EPG 502 a control selection 522 and a
configuration selection 524. In practice, assuming that the
above-mentioned alphanumeric sequence is authenticated by the HASI
module 220 following the described sequence, the configuration
selection 524 may become "active" so that upon selection of the
same a configuration interface 802 may be output to and for
presentation by the television 214c. In FIG. 5, the configuration
selection 524 is shown as "inactive," indicated by a perimeter line
that is weighted less than that of the control selection 522, or by
a perimeter line that is lighter in terms of boldness than that of
the control selection 522. When the configuration selection 524
becomes active the perimeter line of the same would be similar to
that of the control selection 522, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0126] Again, assuming that the alphanumeric sequence is
authenticated by the HASI module 220 following the described
sequence, the particular individual may manipulate the cursor 504
to select the configuration selection 524 and, in response, the
HASI module 220 may output the configuration interface 802 to and
for presentation by the television 214c. Here, it is contemplated
that the particular individual may utilize the configuration
interface 802 to configure the HASI module 220 of any particular
device (e.g., mobile device 216a), as desired, so as to implement
one or more features or aspects of the present disclosure according
to particular end-user preferences. For instance, in one example,
the configuration interface 802 may include a device discover
selection 804 and a preferences selection 806. The configuration
interface 802 as shown in FIG. 8 is just an example. Other examples
may include more or fewer "selections" as desired, and may be
implementation-specific, and further may evolve as technology
evolves.
[0127] In practice, the device discover selection 804 may be
selected to "pair" or otherwise establish a communication link or
connection between the PTR 210 and any of the other devices as
introduced in FIG. 2 that may have installed thereto a
corresponding HASI module 220 and, when successfully paired, a
corresponding device may be listed, possibly persistently, within
the configuration interface 802. For example, as shown in FIG. 8,
the device discover selection 804 may be selected to pair or
otherwise establish a communication link or connection between the
PTR 210 and the mobile device 216a, and then an indicator that
identifies the mobile device 216a is shown within the configuration
interface 802. In this manner, an individual may interact with the
television 214c, and ultimately the PTR 210, to program or
configure at least the mobile device 216a, for example, to
implement various features or aspects of the present
disclosure.
[0128] Next, but not necessarily so, the individual may configure
the HASI module 220 as shown in FIG. 8 to implement various
features or aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the
indicator that identifies the television 214c as shown within the
configuration interface 802 may initially be selected, as indicated
by intermittent line in FIG. 8, and then the preferences selection
806 may be selected to enable and define if desired (e.g., default
parameter values are contemplated) one or more device-specific
parameters and one or more system (e.g., home automation system
400) parameters.
[0129] For example, the individual may manipulate the cursor 504 to
select the preferences selection 806 as shown within the
configuration interface 802 and, in response, the HASI module 220
may output an interface 808 to and for presentation by the
television 214c. In this example, it is contemplated that the
individual may set a preference for surfacing making available home
automation-related data or information in accordance with the
present disclosure selected from: EPG, such as shown and describe
above in connection with FIG. 5; and Overlay, such as shown and
described above in connection with FIG. 6. It is further
contemplated that the individual may set a preference or setting
for how particular home automation-related data or information is
acquired and/or presented to an end-user. For example, it is
contemplated that the individual may set a 30 minute duration of
each "clip" listed within the channel 508 within the EPG 502 as
captured by the security camera 408, during the associated time
period. Many other configuration settings associated with the
security camera 408 may be defined as well. For example, the
individual may utilize the interface 808 to set a timer to activate
the security camera 408 to record video and/or audio for a
user-defined period of on a user-defined date, for instance Friday,
Sep. 12, 2014, 10 PM-12 AM.
[0130] Still many other preference settings and/or parameters may
be defined via the interface 808 as well. For example, as shown in
FIG. 8, a customized "energy use" channel 810 may be defined for
presentation within the EPG 502, where data collected from various
home automation-related sensors or devices, consistent with that
discussed above in connection with FIG. 4, may be acquired,
aggregated, etc., and then made accessible via particular "cells"
of the channel 810, such as a Total usage cell 812, an HVAC usage
cell 814, a Lighting usage cell 816, and a Historical usage cell
818. Upon "selection" of any particular one of those cells the HASI
module 220 as shown in FIG. 8 may query one or more localized
and/or non-localized resources and manipulate, aggregate, etc.,
various home automation-related data and/or information and then
present the same in an interactive user interface in a manner
consistent with the principles of the present disclosure. Still
many other examples are possible, and it is contemplated that type
or form of such customized channels may only be limited by type of
home automation devices as incorporated within a particular home
automation system, such as home automation system 400, for example.
An enable selection 820 may then be selected to program the HASI
module 220 as shown in FIG. 8 in accordance with the
device-specific and system-wide settings and/or parameters and
define within the interface 808.
[0131] As mentioned above, the various features or aspects of the
present disclosure are directed to or towards systems and methods
for enabling an end-user to access home automation features or
functionality directly from or via one or more interfaces that
might normally be used to access satellite television-related
programming and services. Advantageously, such an implementation
may enable integration of home automation monitoring/control into
with at least one device or system that might normally only be
associated with a satellite television implementation, e.g., PTR
210, that which a consumer may already be comfortable with using
and may further elimination the need for additional or multiple
display devices. In addition, smart device can leverage the PTR 210
hardware and interfaces generated by the PTR 210 to consolidate and
share information.
[0132] In one example implementation, a method may include or
comprise outputting, by a television receiver to a presentation
device for display, an electronic programming guide that includes a
first menu item for access to programming acquired by the
television receiver over a broadcast television communication link,
and at least a second menu item for access to at least one of video
and audio acquired by a closed-circuit camera system that is
communicatively coupled to the television receiver in a home
automation environment, detecting, by the television receiver,
user-selection of the second menu item for access to at least one
of video and audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera system,
and outputting, by the television receiver to the presentation
device for display, at least one of video and audio acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system in response to detecting
user-selection of the second menu item for access to at least one
of video and audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera system.
Advantageously, such an implementation may provide or enable access
to both satellite television programming and data as acquired by
elements of a particular home automation environment within a
single electronic programming guide. Other advantages are
possible.
[0133] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise receiving a command to set a timer to acquire at least one
of video and audio by the closed-circuit camera system during a
particular time period, and storing to persistent memory at least
one of video and audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera system
during the particular time period for subsequent user-access via
the second menu item. Advantageously, such an implementation may
provide or enable an end-user to control and/or customize the
closed-circuit camera system as needed or desired. Other advantages
are possible.
[0134] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise outputting the electronic programming guide for display by
a television. Additionally, or alternatively, the method may
include or comprise outputting the electronic programming guide for
display by a handled mobile device. Additionally, or alternatively,
the method may include or comprise outputting the electronic
programming guide that which includes another menu item for access
to particular home automation data acquired by a home automation
system incorporated within the home automation environment and
different from the closed-circuit camera system. Advantageously,
such an implementation may provide or enable an end-user to control
and/or customize and/or access any particular element incorporated
into their home automation system via their television receiver(s),
from the comfort of their own home and/or remotely as desired.
[0135] Many other implementation may provide or enable an end-user
to control and/or customize and/or access any particular element
incorporated into their home automation system via their television
receiver(s), from the comfort of their own home and/or remotely as
desired. For example, additionally, or alternatively, the method
may include or comprise receiving definition of a customized menu
item for presentation within the electronic programming guide for
access to particular home automation data acquired by a home
automation system that is communicatively coupled to the television
receiver in the home automation environment and different from the
closed-circuit camera system. Additionally, or alternatively, the
method may include or comprise receiving definition of the second
menu item to enable presentation of the second menu item within the
electronic programming guide for access to at least one of video
and audio acquired by the closed-circuit camera system.
[0136] Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or
comprise receiving a command to set a recording loop to acquire at
least one of video and audio by the closed-circuit camera system
over a finite time period; and periodically storing to persistent
memory at least one of video and audio acquired by the
closed-circuit camera system over the finite time period for
subsequent user-access via the second menu item. Additionally, or
alternatively, the method may include or comprise outputting by the
television receiver to the presentation device for display a live
video feed acquired by the closed-circuit camera system.
Additionally, or alternatively, the method may include or comprise
outputting by the television receiver to the presentation device
for display video acquired by the closed-circuit camera system over
a particular predetermined time period. Additionally, or
alternatively, the method may include or comprise detecting by the
television receiver user-selection of a particular control within
the electronic programming to guide acquisition of least one of
video and audio by the closed-circuit camera system.
[0137] Many other implementations, along with benefits and/or
advantages associated with enabling an end-user to access home
automation features or functionality directly from or via one or
more interfaces that might normally be used to access satellite
television-related programming and services, are possible as
well.
[0138] FIG. 9 shows an example computer system or device 900 in
accordance with the disclosure. An example of a computer system or
device includes a particular "smart" home automation-related sensor
or device or system or controller or monitor or detector or the
like, an enterprise server, blade server, desktop computer, laptop
computer, tablet computer, personal data assistant, smartphone,
gaming console, STB, television receiver, and/or any other type of
machine configured for performing calculations. Any particular one
of the previously-described computing devices may be wholly or at
least partially configured to exhibit features similar to the
computer system 900, such as any of the respective elements of at
least FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. In this manner, any of one or more of the
respective elements of at least FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 may be configured
and/or arranged, wholly or at least partially, for enabling an
end-user to access home automation features or functionality
directly from or via one or more interfaces that might normally be
used to access satellite television-related programming and
services, in manner consistent with that discussed above in
connection with FIGS. 1-8. For example, any of one or more of the
respective elements of at least FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 4 may be
configured and/or arranged to perform and/or include instructions
that, when executed, implement wholly or at least partially the
method of FIG. 1. Still further, any of one or more of the
respective elements of at least FIG. 2 may be configured to perform
and/or include instructions that, when executed, instantiate and
implement functionality of the HASI module 220.
[0139] The computer device 900 is shown comprising hardware
elements that may be electrically coupled via a bus 902 (or may
otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardware
elements may include a processing unit with one or more processors
904, including without limitation one or more general-purpose
processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such as
digital signal processing chips, graphics acceleration processors,
and/or the like); one or more input devices 906, which may include
without limitation a remote control, a mouse, a keyboard, and/or
the like; and one or more output devices 908, which may include
without limitation a presentation device (e.g., television), a
printer, and/or the like.
[0140] The computer system 900 may further include (and/or be in
communication with) one or more non-transitory storage devices 910,
which may comprise, without limitation, local and/or network
accessible storage, and/or may include, without limitation, a disk
drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state
storage device, such as a random access memory, and/or a read-only
memory, which may be programmable, flash-updateable, and/or the
like. Such storage devices may be configured to implement any
appropriate data stores, including without limitation, various file
systems, database structures, and/or the like.
[0141] The computer device 900 might also include a communications
subsystem 912, which may include without limitation a modem, a
network card (wireless and/or wired), an infrared communication
device, a wireless communication device and/or a chipset such as a
Bluetooth.TM. device, 902.11 device, WiFi device, WiMax device,
cellular communication facilities such as GSM (Global System for
Mobile Communications), W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple
Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc., and/or the like. The
communications subsystem 912 may permit data to be exchanged with a
network (such as the network described below, to name one example),
other computer systems, and/or any other devices described herein.
In many examples, the computer system 900 will further comprise a
working memory 914, which may include a random access memory and/or
a read-only memory device, as described above.
[0142] The computer device 900 also may comprise software elements,
shown as being currently located within the working memory 914,
including an operating system 916, device drivers, executable
libraries, and/or other code, such as one or more application
programs 918, which may comprise computer programs provided by
various examples, and/or may be designed to implement methods,
and/or configure systems, provided by other examples, as described
herein. By way of example, one or more procedures described with
respect to the method(s) discussed above, and/or system components
might be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by a
computer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect,
then, such code and/or instructions may be used to configure and/or
adapt a general purpose computer (or other device) to perform one
or more operations in accordance with the described methods.
[0143] A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on a
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the
storage device(s) 910 described above. In some cases, the storage
medium might be incorporated within a computer system, such as
computer system 900. In other examples, the storage medium might be
separate from a computer system (e.g., a removable medium, such as
flash memory), and/or provided in an installation package, such
that the storage medium may be used to program, configure, and/or
adapt a general purpose computer with the instructions/code stored
thereon. These instructions might take the form of executable code,
which is executable by the computer device 900 and/or might take
the form of source and/or installable code, which, upon compilation
and/or installation on the computer system 900 (e.g., using any of
a variety of generally available compilers, installation programs,
compression/decompression utilities, etc.), then takes the form of
executable code.
[0144] It will be apparent that substantial variations may be made
in accordance with specific requirements. For example, customized
hardware might also be used, and/or particular elements might be
implemented in hardware, software (including portable software,
such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to other
computing devices such as network input/output devices may be
employed.
[0145] As mentioned above, in one aspect, some examples may employ
a computer system (such as the computer device 900) to perform
methods in accordance with various examples of the disclosure.
According to a set of examples, some or all of the procedures of
such methods are performed by the computer system 900 in response
to processor 904 executing one or more sequences of one or more
instructions (which might be incorporated into the operating system
916 and/or other code, such as an application program 918)
contained in the working memory 914. Such instructions may be read
into the working memory 914 from another computer-readable medium,
such as one or more of the storage device(s) 910. Merely by way of
example, execution of the sequences of instructions contained in
the working memory 914 may cause the processor(s) 904 to perform
one or more procedures of the methods described herein.
[0146] The terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable
medium," as used herein, may refer to any non-transitory medium
that participates in providing data that causes a machine to
operate in a specific fashion. In an embodiment implemented using
the computer device 900, various computer-readable media might be
involved in providing instructions/code to processor(s) 904 for
execution and/or might be used to store and/or carry such
instructions/code. In many implementations, a computer-readable
medium is a physical and/or tangible storage medium. Such a medium
may take the form of a non-volatile media or volatile media.
Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical and/or
magnetic disks, such as the storage device(s) 910. Volatile media
may include, without limitation, dynamic memory, such as the
working memory 914.
[0147] Example forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable
media may include a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,
magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a compact disc, any
other optical medium, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access
Memory), and etc., any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other
medium from which a computer may read instructions and/or code.
Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the
processor(s) 904 for execution. By way of example, the instructions
may initially be carried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of
a remote computer. A remote computer might load the instructions
into its dynamic memory and send the instructions as signals over a
transmission medium to be received and/or executed by the computer
system 900.
[0148] The communications subsystem 912 (and/or components thereof)
generally will receive signals, and the bus 902 then might carry
the signals (and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the
signals) to the working memory 914, from which the processor(s) 904
retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received
by the working memory 914 may optionally be stored on a
non-transitory storage device 910 either before or after execution
by the processor(s) 904. It should further be understood that the
components of computer device 900 can be distributed across a
network. For example, some processing may be performed in one
location using a first processor while other processing may be
performed by another processor remote from the first processor.
Other components of computer system 900 may be similarly
distributed. As such, computer device 900 may be interpreted as a
distributed computing system that performs processing in multiple
locations. In some instances, computer system 900 may be
interpreted as a single computing device, such as a distinct
laptop, desktop computer, or the like, depending on the
context.
[0149] The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are
examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add
various method steps or procedures, or system components as
appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations, the
methods may be performed in an order different from that described,
and/or various stages or steps or modules may be added, omitted,
and/or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain
configurations may be combined in various other configurations.
Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be
combined in a similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus,
many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the
disclosure or claims.
[0150] Specific details are given in the description to provide a
thorough understanding of example configurations (including
implementations). However, configurations may be practiced without
these specific details. For example, well-known circuits,
processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown
without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the
configurations. This description provides example configurations
only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or
configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of
the configurations will provide those of skill with an enabling
description for implementing described techniques. Various changes
may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without
departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
[0151] Also, configurations may be described as a process which is
depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may
describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the
operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In
addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process
may have additional steps not included in the figure. Furthermore,
examples of the methods may be implemented by hardware, software,
firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or
any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware,
middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments to
perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a non-transitory
computer-readable medium such as a storage medium. Processors may
perform the described tasks.
[0152] Furthermore, the example examples described herein may be
implemented as logical operations in a computing device in a
networked computing system environment. The logical operations may
be implemented as: (i) a sequence of computer implemented
instructions, steps, or program modules running on a computing
device; and (ii) interconnected logic or hardware modules running
within a computing device.
[0153] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described
above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the
claims.
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