US20220053230A1

US20220053230A1 - System and method for smart remote scene creation

Info

Publication number: US20220053230A1
Application number: US17/274,417
Authority: US
Inventors: Simon TCHEDIKIAN; Mickael Touillaud
Original assignee: 7Hugs Labs SAS
Current assignee: 7Hugs Labs SAS
Priority date: 2018-09-07
Filing date: 2019-09-06
Publication date: 2022-02-17
Also published as: EP3847632B1; WO2020049546A1; EP4254377A3; EP3847633B1; US20220051554A1; EP4254377A2; EP3847632A1; EP3847633A1; US11663904B2; WO2020049545A1

Abstract

Provided is a system, method, and apparatus for creating a configuration for a control device. The method includes determining a plurality of devices controllable with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category, displaying a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, displaying a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, receiving a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options, associating the first device and the second device with a scene object, and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generating a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/728,736 and 62/728,738, both filed on Sep. 7, 2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to a system and method for creating a configuration for a control device and, in some non-limiting examples, to a system and method for smart remote scene creation that provides a technological architecture for controlling multiple different devices of different types and for creating an audio and/or visual configuration that can be activated with a control device.

BACKGROUND

The use of smart devices throughout residential homes has become ubiquitous. Smart devices typically include devices coupled to a WiFi® network and controllable by a user's device connected to the same WiFi® network. Some example smart devices leveraged by home owners include TVs, thermostats, lights, and audio equipment (e.g., AMAZON ALEXA®). Having smart devices connected throughout the home or office requires separate control interfaces to communicate with each connected smart device. A method currently employed is to leverage distinct mobile applications on a mobile device where each particular mobile application may be used to control a specific one of the connected smart devices. Consequently, the user is required to physically open different applications on the user's mobile device to control each smart device. Opening and then toggling between different mobile applications on the user's mobile device is inefficient, cumbersome, time consuming, and prone to errors. Another existing method is to leverage a universal remote with fixed input buttons to control various devices. This is cumbersome and prone to errors because for each device there exists a number of irrelevant input buttons on the universal remote.
As such, it is desirable to establish a system and method that creates a seamless user experience to control multiple smart devices in an efficient and reliable manner.

SUMMARY

According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer-implemented method for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising: determining, with at least one processor, a plurality of devices controllable with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof; displaying, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices associated with the media source device category; displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associating the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generating, with the control device, a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, with the at least one processor, a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device; receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associating, with at least one processor, the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor comprises a processor of a mobile device separate from the control device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor of the mobile device is configured to display the first graphical user interface and receive the selection of the first device and the second device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: automatically transmitting, with the control device, a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device; displaying, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and confirming, with the control device, a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices; receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associating, with the control device, the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, the method further comprising: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, the second input comprises the selected input option. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises generating, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second control signal configured to control the second device.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices associated with the receiver device category; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and associating the third device with the scene object, the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and associating the fourth device with the scene object, the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, with at least one processor, a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance; receiving a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options; associating the home scene option with the scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiating the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.
According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a system for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising at least one processor configured to: determine a plurality of devices controllable with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof; display, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices associated with the media source device category; display, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associate the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generate a set of control signals based on the first device and the second device.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to: display a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device; receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor comprises: a first processor of the control device; and a second processor of a mobile device separate from the control device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second processor determines the plurality of devices in communication with the control device, displays the first graphical user interface, and receives the selection of the first device and the second device, and the first processor displays the scene object and automatically generates the set of control signals.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor of the control device is further configured to: automatically transmit a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device; display, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and confirm a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor of the control device is further configured to: display, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices; receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, and the processor of the control device is further configured to: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, the second input comprises the selected input option.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to generate, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second command signal configured to control the second device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to: display, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices associated with the receiver device category; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and associate the third device with the scene object, the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to: display, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and associate the fourth device with the scene object, the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to: display a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance; receive a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options; associate the home scene option with the scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiate the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.
According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer program product for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determine a plurality of devices in communication with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof; display, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices associated with the media source device category; display, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associate the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generate a set of control signals based on the first device and the second device.
According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a computer-implemented method for creating a configuration for a control device to control a plurality of devices, wherein each device of the plurality of devices comprises at least is associated with at least one of the following: a source device, a receiver device, a display device, an audio device, or any combination thereof, the method comprising: displaying, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices comprising source devices configured to output media content; displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices comprising at least one of a display device and an audio device; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associating the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generating, with the control device, a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device; receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associating the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the first graphical user interface is displayed on a mobile device separate from the control device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor of the mobile device is configured to display the first graphical user interface and receive the selection of the first device and the second device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: automatically transmitting, with the control device, a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device; displaying, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and confirming, with the control device, a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices; receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associating, with the control device, the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, the method further comprises: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, the second input comprises the selected input option.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises generating, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second control signal configured to control the second device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices comprising at least one receiver device; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and associating the third device with the scene object, the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices comprising at least one of the display device and the audio device; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and associating the fourth device with the scene object, the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the method further comprises: displaying, with at least one processor, a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance; receiving a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options; associating the home scene option with the scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiating the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.
According to non-limiting embodiments or aspects, provided is a system for creating a configuration for a control device to control a plurality of devices, wherein each device of the plurality of devices comprises at least is associated with at least one of the following: a source device, a receiver device, a display device, an audio device, or any combination thereof, comprising at least one processor configured to: display, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices comprising source devices configured to output media content; display, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices comprising at least one of a display device and an audio device; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associate the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generate a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to: display a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device; receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor comprises: a first processor of the control device; and a second processor of a mobile device separate from the control device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the second processor determines the plurality of devices in communication with the control device, displays the first graphical user interface, and receives the selection of the first device and the second device, and the first processor displays the scene object and automatically generates the set of control signals.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor of the control device is further configured to: automatically transmit a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device; display, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and confirm a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor of the control device is further configured to: display, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices; receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the processor of the control device is further configured to: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, the second input comprises the selected input option.
In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to generate, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second command signal configured to control the second device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to: display, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices comprising a receiver device; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and associate the third device with the scene object, the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device. In non-limiting embodiments or aspects, the at least one processor is further configured to: display, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices comprising at least one of the display device and the audio device; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and associate the fourth device with the scene object, the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.
Further non-limiting aspects or embodiments are set forth in the following numbered clauses:
Clause 1: A computer-implemented method for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising: determining, with at least one processor , a plurality of devices controllable with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof; displaying, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices associated with the media source device category; displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associating the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generating, with the control device, a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device.
Clause 2: The computer-implemented method of clause 1, further comprising: displaying, with the at least one processor, a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device; receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associating, with at least one processor, the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.
Clause 3: The computer-implemented method of clauses 1 or 2, wherein the at least one processor comprises a processor of a mobile device separate from the control device.
Clause 4: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the processor of the mobile device is configured to display the first graphical user interface and receive the selection of the first device and the second device.
Clause 5: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-4, further comprising: automatically transmitting, with the control device, a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device; displaying, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and confirming, with the control device, a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input.
Clause 6: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-5, further comprising: displaying, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices; receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associating, with the control device, the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.
Clause 7: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, the method further comprising: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, wherein the second input comprises the selected input option.
Clause 8: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-7, further comprising generating, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second control signal configured to control the second device.
Clause 9: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-8, further comprising: displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices associated with the receiver device category; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and associating the third device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device.
Clause 10: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-9, further comprising: displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and associating the fourth device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.
Clause 11: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 1-10, further comprising: displaying, with at least one processor, a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance; receiving a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options; associating the home scene option with the scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiating the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.
Clause 12: A system for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising at least one processor configured to: determine a plurality of devices controllable with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof; display, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices associated with the media source device category; display, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associate the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generate a set of control signals based on the first device and the second device,
Clause 13: The system of clause 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: display a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device; receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.
Clause 14: The system of clauses 12 or 13, wherein the at least one processor comprises: a first processor of the control device; and a second processor of a mobile device separate from the control device.
Clause 15: The system of any of clauses 12-14, wherein the second processor determines the plurality of devices in communication with the control device, displays the first graphical user interface, and receives the selection of the first device and the second device, and wherein the first processor displays the scene object and automatically generates the set of control signals.
Clause 16: The system of any of clauses 12-15, wherein the processor of the control device is further configured to: automatically transmit a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device; display, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and confirm a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input.
Clause 17: The system of any of clauses 12-16, wherein the processor of the control device is further configured to: display, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices; receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.
Clause 18: The system of any of clauses 12-17, wherein the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, and wherein the processor of the control device is further configured to: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, wherein the second input comprises the selected input option.
Clause 19: The system of any of clauses 12-18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to generate, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at leak one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second command signal configured to control the second device.
Clause 20: The system of any of clauses 12-19, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: display, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices associated with the receiver device category; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and associate the third device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device.
Clause 21: The system of any of clauses 12-20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: display, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and associate the fourth device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.
Clause 22: The system of any of clauses 12-21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: display a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance; receive a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options; associate the home scene option with the scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiate the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.
Clause 23: A computer program product for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determine a plurality of devices in communication with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof; display, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices associated with the media source device category; display, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associate the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generate a set of control signals based on the first device and the second device.
Clause 24: A computer-implemented method for creating a configuration for a control device to control a plurality of devices, wherein each device of the plurality of devices comprises at least is associated with at least one of the following: a source device, a receiver device, a display device, an audio device, or any combination thereof, the method comprising: displaying, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices comprising source devices configured to output media content; displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices comprising at least one of a display device and an audio device; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associating the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generating, with the control device, a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device.
Clause 25: The computer-implemented method of clause 24, further comprising: displaying a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device; receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associating the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.
Clause 26: The computer-implemented method of clauses 24 or 25, wherein the first graphical user interface is displayed on a mobile device separate from the control device.
Clause 27: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 24-26, wherein the processor of the mobile device is configured to display the first graphical user interface and receive the selection of the first device and the second device.
Clause 28: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 24-27, further comprising: automatically transmitting, with the control device, a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device; displaying, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and confirming, with the control device, a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input.
Clause 29: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 24-28, further comprising: displaying, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices; receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associating, with the control device, the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.
Clause 30: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 24-29, wherein the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, the method further comprising: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, wherein the second input comprises the selected input option.
Clause 31: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 24-30, further comprising generating, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second control signal configured to control the second device.
Clause 32: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 24-31, further comprising: displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices comprising at least one receiver device; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and associating the third device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device.
Clause 33: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 24-32, further comprising: displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices comprising at least one of the display device and the audio device; receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and associating the fourth device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.
Clause 34: The computer-implemented method of any of clauses 24-33, further comprising: displaying, with at least one processor, a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance; receiving a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options; associating the home scene option with the scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiating the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.
Clause 35: A system for creating a configuration for a control device to control a plurality of devices, wherein each device of the plurality of devices comprises at least is associated with at least one of the following: a source device, a receiver device, a display device, an audio device, or any combination thereof, comprising at least one processor configured to: display, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices comprising source devices configured to output media content; display, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices comprising at least one of a display device and an audio device; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options; associate the first device and the second device with a scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generate a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device.
Clause 36: The system of clause 35, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: display a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device; receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option,
Clause 37: The system of clauses 35 or 36, wherein the at least one processor comprises: a first processor of the control device; and a second processor of a mobile device separate from the control device.
Clause 38: The system of any of clauses 35-37, wherein the second processor determines the plurality of devices in communication with the control device, displays the first graphical user interface, and receives the selection of the first device and the second device, and wherein the first processor displays the scene object and automatically generates the set of control signals.
Clause 39: The system of any of clauses 35-38, wherein the processor of the control device is further configured to: automatically transmit a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device; display, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and confirm a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input.
Clause 40: The system of any of clauses 35-39, wherein the processor of the control device is further configured to: display, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices; receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.
Clause 41: The system of any of clauses 35-40 wherein the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, wherein the processor of the control device is further configured to: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, wherein the second input comprises the selected input option.
Clause 42: The system of any of clauses 35-41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to generate, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second command signal configured to control the second device.
Clause 43: The system of any of clauses 35-42, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: display, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices comprising a receiver device; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and associate the third device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device.
Clause 44: The system of any of clauses 35-43, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: display, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices comprising at least one of the display device and the audio device; receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and associate the fourth device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.
Clause 45: The system of any of clauses 35-44, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: display a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance; receive a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options; associate the home scene option with the scene object; and in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiate the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.
One non-limiting embodiment includes a system for creating a user interface (UI) for a scene object used to control, via the control device, a plurality of devices. The system comprises a scene module having one or more input widgets configured to form a communication link between the control device and at least a first device of the plurality of devices; a mobile device communicatively coupled to the scene module, the mobile device configured to cause the scene module to associate at least one of the first device with each of the one or more input widgets; and a scene interface engine operable via the control device to activate the first device of respective ones of the one or more widgets to create the scene object.
Another embodiment includes a method for creating a user interface (UI) for a scene object used to control a plurality of devices. The method comprises associating, via a mobile device, at least a first device of the plurality of devices with each of one or more input widgets, wherein the one or more input widgets are configured to establish a communication link between the control device and the first device; and activating, via the control device, the first device of respective ones of the one or more widgets to create the scene object.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several examples in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a system for controlling a plurality of devices via the control device, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a location positioning system (LPS) receiver and an inertial measurement unit embedded within the control device, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an example illustration of a spatial selection zone within an operating environment of the system, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an example illustration of a selection probability map for the spatial selection zone associated with a particular location and orientation of the control device, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a plurality of user interfaces stored within a primary interface layer and a secondary interface layer of the carousel module, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of a plurality of user interfaces stored within the carousel module is in “fixed” mode, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a series of example screenshots of the plurality of user interfaces stored within the primary interface layer and the secondary interface layer and displayed on the control devices when the carousel module operates in “point and control” mode, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a series of example screenshots of the plurality of user interfaces displayed on the control device while the carousel module operates in “fixed” mode, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example interface module arranged for determining the spatial selection zone based on a location and orientation of the control device, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a system for creating a scene to seamlessly control a sub-group of devices from the plurality of devices via the control device, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIGS. 8A-8C are illustrations of screenshots of a mobile application module operating on a mobile device, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-9E are illustrations of screenshots of a scene interface engine operating on the control device to create a scene, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of screenshots on the control device depicting the transitional user interface for the scene, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.
Various examples of embodiments of the invention will now be described. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding and enabling description of these examples. One skilled in the relevant art will understand, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without many of these details. Likewise, one skilled in the relevant art will also understand that embodiments incorporate many other obvious features not described in detail herein. Additionally, some well-known structures or functions may not he shown or described in detail below, so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevant description.
The terminology used herein is to be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific examples of the invention. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will, however, be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.
The figures along with the following discussion provide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in which embodiments of the invention can be implemented. As used herein, the term “computing device” may refer to one or more electronic devices configured to process data. A computing device may, in some examples, include the necessary components to receive, process, and output data, such as a display, a processor, a memory, an input device, and a network interface. A computing device may be a mobile device. As an example, a mobile device may include a cellular phone a smartphone or standard cellular phone), a portable computer, a wearable device (e.g., watches, glasses, lenses, clothing, and/or the like), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and/or other like devices. The computing device may also be a desktop computer or other form of non-mobile computer, mainframe computer, media player, and/or the like. An “interface,” “user interface” or “UI” refers to a generated display, such as one or more graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with which a user may interact, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen etc.). The terms “computing device,” “computer,” “server,” and the like are generally used interchangeably herein, and refer to any of the above devices and systems, as well as any data processor. While non-limiting embodiments of the invention, such as certain functions, may be described as being performed on a single device, some non-limiting embodiments of the invention can also be practiced in distributed environments where functions or modules are shared among disparate computing devices, which arc linked through a communications network, such as, for example, a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), the Internet, Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, and/or the like. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
Non-limiting embodiments of the invention may be stored or distributed on non-transitory, tangible computer-readable media, including magnetically or optically readable computer discs, cloud servers, hard-wired or preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROM semiconductor chips), nanotechnology memory, biological memory, or other data storage media. Alternatively or additionally, computer implemented instructions, data structures, screen displays, and other data under aspects of non-limiting embodiments of the invention may be distributed over the Internet and via cloud computing networks or on any analog or digital network (packet switched, circuit switched, or other scheme).
The computer readable medium stores computer data, which data may include computer program code that is executable by a computer, in machine readable form. By way of example, a computer readable medium may comprise computer readable storage media, for tangible or fixed storage of data, or communication media for transient interpretation of code-containing signals. Computer readable storage media, as used herein, refers to physical or tangible storage (as opposed to transitory signals) and includes without limitation volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for the tangible storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer readable storage media includes RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other physical or material medium which can be used to tangibly store the desired information or data or instructions and which can be accessed by a computer or processor.
Non-limiting embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to operational illustration of modules having functional blocks to illustrate methods employed by modules to control a plurality of smart devices via the control device where user interfaces associated with the smart devices are transitionally displayed on the control device. It will be understood that each of the modules, blocks, engines, and combinations thereof may be implemented by analog or digital hardware and computer program instructions. The computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a computing device, such as a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, implements the functions/acts specified in the functional blocks of the flowcharts and/or the operational modules.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the methods illustrated by the functional blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational Illustration of the modules. For example, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially concurrently. Alternatively and/or additionally, the blocks may be executed in reverse order.
A module is a software, hardware, or firmware (or combination thereof) system, process or functionality, or component thereof, that performs or facilitates the processes, features, and/or functions described herein. A module may include sub-modules or engines. Software components of a module may be stored on a computer readable medium. Modules may be integral to one or more servers, or be loaded and executed by one or more servers. One or more modules may be grouped into an application.
FIG. 1A shows a schematic illustration of a system 100 for controlling a plurality of devices 105 a-e (collectively referenced herein as 105) via the control device 110, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment. The control device 110 may be a multi-purpose computing device, such as a smartphone, or may be a device purposed to be used as a control device for a plurality of different devices.
The system 100 comprises a plurality of beacons 115 communicatively coupled to each other and to the control device 110. The system 100 further includes an interface module 120 communicatively coupled to the control device 110, the plurality of beacons 115, and the plurality of devices 105 via a network 125. The network 125 may, for example, comprise a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and/or the like, and may include the Internet, a private network, and/or local Infrared, Bluetooth®, or Zigbee® networks, as examples.
The plurality of devices 105 may be “smart” devices such as electronic or electro-mechanical devices communicatively coupled to the network 125. In one non-limiting embodiment, the plurality of devices 105 may take the form of a smart TV 105 a, set top box 105 b, sound system 105 c, security camera 105 d, and/or lamp 105 e. Each of the plurality of devices 105 having associated plurality of user interfaces (UIs) 402 (to be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4A-5B) operable to control operations of the devices 105. As will be discussed in more detail below, the system 100 operates to display select ones of the plurality of UIs 402 in response to a determination of the device 105 intended for control by the control device 110. The plurality of UIs 402 are configured for display on the control device 110 to allow a user of the control device 110 to operate respective ones of the devices 105. The plurality of UIs 402 may take the form of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) advantageously configured for display on a mobile device. It will be appreciated to those of ordinary skill in the art that any type of “smart” device is contemplated by the disclosure and the examples disclosed herein are merely for illustrative purposes.
The “devices” referenced herein additionally include any remote server, computer, or processor configured to have an application operating thereon. For example, a “device” may refer to a server located remote from the control device 110 and having a ride-sharing application, such as Uber® or Lyft®, running thereon. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the application operating on the “device” may comprise any type of mobile or non-mobile application that may be downloadable from, for example, as Apple® or Android® online store, and the application is not limited to a particular type of application. As such, controlling the “device” includes controlling the application (e.g., ride-sharing application, HULU®, NETFLIX®, Weather Application) running on the device. Furthermore, although reference is made herein to “control” or “controlling” of devices, this also includes monitoring applications running on the devices.
The plurality of beacons 115 may be configured to communicate and operate in conjunction with the control device 110 to determine a spatial position of the control device 110 in real-time. The plurality of beacons 115 may take the form of localization units and may communicate with the control device 110 via any short-wave or long-wave communication protocol. For example, the beacons 115 may utilize environment localization chips based on ultra wideband (UWB) technology to determine relative positions in relation to one another. The localization of the beacons 115 may be implemented based on lateration, tri-lateration, or multi-lateration methods. As another example, electromagnetic field (EMF) technology is another technology capable of determining position and orientation. The same localization methods leveraged by the beacons 115 to determine relative positions may be leveraged by the system 100 to determine the location of the control device 110 relative to the beacons 115. As will be described below, because the plurality of beacons 115 are associated with the control device 110, the control device 110 is capable to determine its relative position with respect to the plurality of beacons 115.
In one example non-limiting embodiment, the beacons 115 may be spatially arranged in an operating environment of the system 100 such that a line-of-site exists between the plurality of beacons 115. The beacons 115 may, for example, be mounted on a top portion of various wall surfaces to allow a substantially unobstructed communication path between the beacons 115 and between the beacons 115 and the control device 110. The plurality of beacons 115 may communicate wirelessly with one another and with the control device 110 to implement location positioning via the IJWB communication protocols.
The control device 110 may be operable to control one or more of the plurality of devices 105 via the plurality of UN 402. In particular, commands may be transmitted between the control device 110 and the plurality of devices 105 via at least one of infrared (IR), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, UWB, or the like. For example, the control device 110 and the plurality of devices 105 may transmit and receive commands via the network 125.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the control device 110 may take the form of a smart remote, smart phone, tablet, or any mobile computing device configured to transmit commands to the plurality of devices 105 either directly or via the network 125. The control device 110 may take the form of a universal remote configured to display respective ones of the plurality of UIs 402 associated with the plurality of devices 105. The UN displayed on the control device 110 may be indicative of the particular one of the plurality of devices 105 the control device 110 is targeting. For example, responsive to the control device 110 pointing toward the device 105 a, the UI associated with the device 105 a may be displayed on the control device 105. In another non-limiting embodiment, responsive to the control device 110 pointing toward a vicinity of a first and second one of the plurality of devices 105, a first UI may be automatically displayed on the control device 110 while a second UI is available for display in response to a user input. The first UI may be the control interface associated with the first device 105 a while the second UI may be the control interface associated with the second device 105 b. As will be described in more detail below, the system 100 is operable to implement a Dynamic Spatial Selection Algorithm (DSSA) to determine a likelihood that the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b are targeted by the control device 110. In another non-limiting embodiment (as will be referred later to a “fixed mode”), the control device 110 may have all the plurality of UN 402 respectively associated with the plurality of devices 105 available for display in response to the user input. For example, the user input may take the form of a manual gesture on the control device 110 by the user such as, a swipe, shake, or the like. The manual gesture may result in a transition between respective ones of the plurality of UIs 402 on the control device 110 regardless of a position and orientation of the control device 110.
The interface module 120 comprises a user interface (UI) controller 130, a selection engine 135, and a carousel module 140. In one non-limiting embodiment, the UI controller 130, the selection engine 135, and the carousel module 140 are remotely located and communicatively coupled to one another via a network such as Wi-Fi® or the like. The carousel module 140 may further include a primary interface layer 145 and a secondary interface layer 150. The primary interface layer 145 is configured to store the first UI of the plurality of UIs 402 while the secondary interface layer 150 is configured to store at least the second UI of the plurality of UN 402. In one non-limiting embodiment, the secondary interface layer 150 stores one or more of the plurality of UIs 402, while the primary interface layer stores the first UI. The one or more of the plurality of UN 402 stored in the secondary interface layer 150 are associated with respective ones of the plurality of devices 105 that are within a threshold proximity relative the first device 105 a. In other words, the UIs of the secondary interface layer 150 are associated with those devices 105 that are in substantially close proximity to the device 105 with the first UI.
As mentioned above, the first UI in the primary interface layer 145 may be automatically displayed on the control device 110. However, the one or more of the plurality UIs 402 in the secondary interface layer 150 may be displayed in response to manual gestures by the user on the control device 110. For example, upon display of the first UI from the primary interface layer 145, the user may input a gesture (e.g., swiping finger on display screen) via the control device 110 to indicate a request for a change in the displayed UI. In one non-limiting embodiment, the first device 105 controlled by the displayed first UI may not be the intended target of the user. In such scenario, the user may manually gesture the control device 110 to toggle between the one or more UIs in the secondary interface layer 150 until a desired UI for a particular one of the devices 105 is displayed on the control device 110.
Furthermore, the primary interface layer 145 comprises a carousel zone and a control zone. For example, a first UI of the plurality of UIs associated with a first device may be stored in the primary interface layer 145. The carousel zone may store a graphical icon associated with the first device and the control zone may store a graphical control interface associated with the first device. In such a non-limiting embodiment, the UI controller 130 actuates the carousel module to display the first UI responsive to identification of the first device (as will be described in more detail below). Display of the first UI includes display of the graphical icon from the carousel zone, where the graphical control interface from the control zone is displayed responsive to the displayed graphical icon. In one example, the graphical control interface may comprise multiple user interfaces within the control zone that may be manually scrolled through by the user. For example, for a smart TV device, the control zone may be a transitional graphical control interface that automatically or manually transitions between various portions of the graphical control interface as displayed on the control device 110.
The UI controller 130 is configured to actuate display on the control device 110 of select ones of the plurality of UIs 402 associated with respective ones of the plurality of devices 105. The plurality of UIs 402 are operable to control operation of the plurality of devices 105 by having one or more input settings pertaining to respective ones of the devices 105. For example, the input settings for a particular one of the UIs may include volume, channel, light intensity, ride sharing request button, or the like. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any type of input settings is contemplated by this disclosure and the examples provided herein are merely for purposes of illustrating functionality of the system 100 and its components.
In particular, the UI controller 130 may actuate the carousel module 140 to display the UI stored within the primary interface layer 145 and actuates display of one or more UIs stored in the secondary interface layer 150 responsive to the user command via the control device 110. The user command may, for example, be a swiping gesture or any other physical interaction of the user with the control device 110.
The UI controller 130 may be communicatively coupled to the control device 110 to cause display of the first UI in response to a determination by the system 100 that the first device 105 a is targeted for control by the control device 110. Furthermore, responsive to the control device 110 being in a “point and control” mode and the control device 110 pointing toward a vicinity of both the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b, the UI controller 130 initially actuates display of the first. UI on the control device 110 while the UI controller 130 makes the second UI available for display on the control device 110. As will be described in more detail below, the first device 105 a may have the greatest likelihood of being the intended targeted device 105 while the second device 105 b has the second highest likelihood of being the intended targeted device.
The selection engine 135 is communicatively coupled to the carousel module 140, the UI controller 130, and the control device 110. The selection engine 135 is configured to define a spatial selection zone Z (FIG. 2) based on a location and orientation of the control device 110. The spatial selection zone Z includes a plurality of spatial coordinates having associated selection probabilities. The selection engine 135 is further configured to identify the first device 105 a of the plurality of devices 105 located at a first one of the plurality of spatial coordinates having a first probability value. Additionally, the selection engine 135 is configured to identify the second device 105 b located at a second one of the plurality of spatial coordinates having a second probability value of the selection probabilities. In one example, the second probability value is less than the first probability value. The selection probabilities refer to a probabilistic likelihood that a respective device 105 located in a particular spatial coordinate of the plurality of spatial coordinates was intended for control by the control device 110. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that more than the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b may be identified by the selection engine 135 within the spatial selection zone Z. The control device 110 may vary in location and orientation during use by the user. For each location and orientation of the control device 110, the selection engine 135 may determine the associated spatial selection zone Z.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the selection engine 135 may identify all respective ones of the plurality of devices 105 that are within the spatial selection zone Z having a probability value within a defined probability threshold. For example, the selection engine 100 may operate to identify the spatial coordinates having probability values greater than a defined probability threshold (e.g., greater than 0.4). Then, each of the plurality of devices 105 having spatial coordinates or regions R (to be describe in more detail herein) that overlap with the identified spatial coordinates are classified as potential intended targeted devices 105 for control by the control device 110. In response to such determination, the carousel module 140 operates to store associated UIs of the potential targeted devices 105. In particular, the UI of the first device 105 a mapped to the spatial coordinate with the highest probability value may be stored in the primary interface layer 145, while the UIs of remaining devices classified as potential target devices 105 are stored in the secondary interface layer 150. The UI controller 130 may automatically actuate display of the first UI from the primary interface layer 145, while actuating display of the UIs stored in the secondary interface layer 150 in response to the user's gesture (e.g., finger swipe on a display of the control device 110). Additional details of the spatial selection zone Z and the UI display based on selection probabilities will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.
FIG. 1B shows a block diagram illustrating a local positioning system (LPS) receiver 160, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 165, a distance sensor 185, an infrared (IR) transmitter 190, and a wireless transceiver 195 embedded within the control device 110, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.
The control device 110 may be a single remote control that operates as a universal controller for the plurality of devices 105. In some non-limiting embodiments, the control device 110 may take the form of a smart phone, tablet computer, wearable computing device, remote control, or any computing device. The control device 110 is configured to display selective ones of the plurality of UI 402 to control the plurality of devices 105. The respective ones of the plurality of UIs 402 selected for display on the control device 110 and/or for storage in the primary interface layer 145 and the secondary interface layer 150 is at least partially based on the selection zone determination by the selection engine 135. As mentioned above, the spatial selection zone Z is dynamically updated based on the real-time position and orientation of the control unit 110. Such real-time position and orientation information is calculated based, at least in part, on one or more of the LPS receiver 160, the IMU 165, the distance sensor 185, the IR transmitter 190, and the wireless transceiver 195 of the control device 110.
The LPS receiver 160 may, for example, be leveraged for indoor localization technologies such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) or electro-magnetic field (EMF). The LPS receiver 160 used in UWB technology makes it possible to geolocate items indoors with an accuracy of the order of a few centimeters to a few tenths of a centimeter. The UWB technology may be capable of determining position in the order of 2.5 to 5 meters. The LPS receiver 160 may be in communication with the plurality of beacons 115, where the plurality of beacons 115 may utilize localization chips based on the UWB technology. As such, the plurality of beacons 115 may communicate wirelessly between each other and with the control device 110 to implement the local positioning system 100 using, for example, UWB technology. The localization of the beacons 115 may also be implemented based on lateration, tri-lateration, or multi-lateration techniques. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the communication technology employed by the beacons 115 and the control unit 110 may include any other technology. As will be described in more detail below, because the control device 110 may be associated with the plurality of beacons 115, the control device 110 may leverage the known positioning of the beacons 115 to identify its own position relative the beacons 115.
The IMU 165 may, for example, comprise one or more of a magnetometer 170, gyroscope 175, and accelerometer 180. The IMU 165 is configured to capture physical variables of the control device 110 in space and thus orientation. Capturing various physical variables of the control device 110 in space may advantageously improve accuracy of the orientation determination of the control device 110. The physical variables may, for example, be captured by one or more of the magnetometer 170, gyroscope 175, and accelerometer 180. The magnetometer 170 may be used in the local positioning system 100 when the EMF technology is leveraged. The magnetometer 170 may detect the direction, strength, or relative change of a magnetic field at the control device 110. The gyroscope 175 may additionally be leveraged for measuring or maintaining orientation and angular velocity of the control device 110. Finally, the accelerometer 180 may measure translational acceleration along three axes as well as rotation about the three axes.
The IR transmitter 190 and the wireless transceiver 195 may be leveraged by the control device 110 to transmit commands to the plurality of devices 105. For example, the control device 110 may transmit commands to the devices 105 via the IR transmitter 190 using IR communication protocols. In another example, the wireless transceiver 195 may be leveraged to transmit commands via Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, Wi-Fi®, UWB, or the like.
Various methods for determining the position of the control device 110 are contemplated by the disclosure. In a first non-limiting embodiment, a travel time of a radio signal between the control device 110 and the plurality of beacons 115 may be determined. For example, a technique of radio signal time of arrival (TOA) or time differences of arrival (e.g., TDOA) may be implemented. Alternatively and/or additionally, another non-limiting embodiment includes calculating received power of a radio signal at the control device 110 or at the beacons 115. Alternatively and/or additionally, a further non-limiting embodiment includes determining angles of reception of the radio signals received at the control device 110 or at least one of the plurality of beacons 115. The angle of reception may advantageously allow for implementation of a triangulation by using at least one of the beacons 115. Alternatively and/or additionally, in yet another non-limiting embodiment, a measurement of electromagnetic fields at the control device 110 or at at least one of the beacons 115 may be determined. Coupling the above positioning methods together with the captured physical variables of the control device 110 via the MU 165, the position and orientation of the control device 110 may be identified.
FIG. 2 is an example illustration of the spatial selection zone Z within an operating environment of the system, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.
The interface module 120 may leverage the above positioning and orientation measurement methodologies to identify a region R for each of the devices 105. The region R may comprise a spatial area or volume associated with a particular one of the devices 105. A position of each of the plurality of devices 105 may also be identified by leveraging the ability to identify the location of the control device 110. In one non-limiting embodiment, the control device 110 may be placed in proximity with respective ones of the devices 105. When placed in proximity, the interface module 120, communicatively coupled to the beacons 115 and the control device 110, may identi1 the region R associated with the particular device 105. For example, the user of the control device 110 may indicate to the system 100 that implementation of defining the region R for one of the devices 105 will begin. As such, the interface module 120 may map the determined location of the control device 110 as the region R for the particular device 105. This methodology may be repeated for each of the plurality of devices 105. As such, the interface module 120 may store a mapping of the plurality of devices 105 with associated regions R.
In another non-limiting embodiment, the regions R associated with the devices 105 may or may not be a mirror of a respective device's 105 physical location. The regions R may encompass a spatial volume or area that is greater or less than the size of the actual device 105. For example, the user may bring the control device 110 to a location adjacent the desired device 105 to be mapped in the system 100. The adjacent location may be a desired distance away from the actual device 105 to be mapped. In one non-limiting embodiment, the control device 110 may be moved to multiple corners of the desired device 105 such that the interface module 120 creates the region R within the actual physical boundaries of the device 105 itself. In another non-limiting embodiment, the interface module 110 may be programmed to create a buffer zone outside the actual physical boundaries of the device 105 being mapped (as illustrated in FIG. 2). It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the above method may be implemented to create the regions Rat any desired location of the user, irrespective of the actual physical location of the device 105 being mapped into the interface module 120 of the system 100.
For example, the user may wish to create the region R for a particular device 105 at an upstairs location (e.g., a space on an upstairs wall, window, doorway, refrigerator, etc.) where the user frequents on a more regular basis, while the device 105 is physically located at a downstairs location. As another example, the user may wish to associate the region R of a particular device 105 with an entire wall area. As an alternative example, where multiple devices 105 are substantially proximate the other, the user may cause the system 100 to define the respective regions R for each of those proximate devices 105 more narrowly. In other words, regions R associated with such devices 105 may be substantially the same size of the physical devices 105 or less than the actual physical size of the devices 105. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the regions R described herein may be of two-dimensional (2D) space or three-dimensional (3D) space.
The interface module 120 may be communicatively coupled to the control device 110 and/or the plurality of beacons 115. The interface module 120 may extrapolate from the real-time positioning and orientation measurements of the control device 110 a selection zone vector V representing a defined distance and direction from the control device 110. The selection zone vector V may, for example, point outwardly in one direction from a point on the control device 110. Based on the selection zone vector V, the interface module 120 may further extrapolate the spatial selection zone Z. The spatial selection zone Z may comprise a spatial area surrounding the selection zone vector V. For example, the zone may be a 2D or 3D spatial field encompassing a defined distance around the selection zone vector V. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the spatial selection zone Z of the control device 110, at, the captured moment in time, is highlighted by parabolic dotted arrows stemming from the control device 110 and extending along a positive X(m) axis of the vector V, as well as extending around the +Y(m) and −Y(m) axes of both sides of the vector V. Although a parabolic shaped selection zone Z is illustrated and referred to herein, the selection zone Z may encompass any function or shape (e.g., elliptical, circle, square, etc.). Additionally, it will be noted that the extrapolation of the spatial selection zone Z based on the position and orientation of the control device 110 may he a defined extrapolation. The extrapolation may he dynamically refined during subsequent operation of the system 100. In one non-limiting embodiment, as the user manipulating the control device 110 becomes more accurate over time, the system 100 may dynamically alter the extrapolation technique to define the spatial selection zone Z. An as example, if the user becomes more accurate at pointing to a target device 105, the system 100 may extrapolate the spatial selection zone Z as having smaller variations around the +X(m) axis to encompass a more narrow spatial volume.
FIG. 3 shows an example illustration of a selection probability map for the spatial selection zone Z associated with a particular location and orientation of the control device 110, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.
The spatial selection zone Z is dynamically updated as the control device 110 being operated moves in space in response to the user movement.. As mentioned above, the selection engine 135 is configured to define the spatial selection zone Z based on the location and orientation of the control device 110. The spatial selection zone includes the plurality of spatial coordinates having associated selection probabilities. The selection probabilities refer to a probabilistic likelihood that the respective device 105 located in a particular spatial coordinate (e.g., X,Y or X,Y,Z) of the plurality of spatial coordinates was intended for control by the control device 110. Said differently, the plurality of spatial coordinates (e.g., 3D or 21) coordinates) comprise points in space having variable likelihoods that a particular point in space is being pointed at by the control device 110. In the example illustration of FIG. 3, portions of the spatial selection zone Z having highest probability appear in a first shading (e.g., a yellow color shading) while portions of the spatial selection zone Z having substantially zero probability appear in a second shading (e.g., a purple color shading). It will be appreciated that the black and white version of FIG. 3 may illustrate the high probability areas approaching a white or light grey color, while the lower probability areas approach a dark color. In one example, a probability value greater than 0.4 may be considered highly likely, while a probability value less than 0.2 may be deemed highly unlikely. Of course, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the exact probabilistic values may be different and the considerations for areas being deemed likely and unlikely targets may vary.
In response to real-time determination of the spatial selection zone Z, the interface module 120 may determine whether any of the regions R, having been mapped to respective devices 105, are encompassed at least in part within the spatial selection zone Z. If a single one of the devices 105 are at least partially encompassed in the selection zone Z, then the UI associated with that device 105 is automatically displayed on the control device 110. In the FIG. 2 illustration, if the control device 110 were pointing directly toward the lamp device 105 e, then the UI 402 d associated with controlling the lamp device 105 e may be displayed on the control device 110.
In an alternative non-limiting embodiment, there may be more than one device 105 located within the spatial selection zone Z. Such embodiment is highlighted in FIG. 2. The regions R associated with the devices 105 may have been mapped in the interface module 120, for example, by the selection engine 135. The selection engine 135 may identify, in real-time, the three regions It associated with the devices 105 c, 105 a, and 105 b as being at least partially included within the spatial selection zone Z. In response to such determination, the selection engine 135 may determine the probability values associated with each of the devices 105 c, 105 a, and 105 b. In particular, the spatial coordinates of the regions R associated with the devices 105 c, 105 a, and 105 b may be identified in the spatial selection zone Z. As such, the probability values associated with the particular spatial coordinates are identified by the selection engine 135 and used to stack rank the devices 105 c, 105 a, and 105 b based on likelihood of intended selection by the user. The selection engine 135 may identify a first device D1 having highest likelihood of intended selection as being the device 105 c, while a second device D2 having a second highest likelihood of intended selection as being the device 105 b. Alternatively and/or additionally, a third device D3 having a third highest likelihood of intended selection may be determined. For example, in the FIG. 2 example, the third device D3 may comprise the device 105 a.
As described above, the first U1 402 a associated with the first device D1 may be stored in the primary Interface layer 145 of the carousel module 140. On the other hand, the second device D2 and the third device D3 may have the respective second and third UIs 402 b, 402 c stored in the secondary interface layer 150.
According to one non-limiting embodiment, the UI controller 130 may actuate the carousel module 140 to display the first UI 402 a (associated with the first device DI) stored within the primary interface layer 145 on the control device 110. The display of the first UI 402 a on the control device 110 may occur in response to identification of the first device D1 having a first value equating to the highest probability value of all selection probabilities. Furthermore, the UI controller 130 may actuate alternate display of the second and third UIs 402 b, 402 c (associated with the second device D2 and the third device D3, respectively) stored in the secondary interface layer 150 on the control device 110. In particular, as will be described in more detail below, the second UI 402 b or the third UI 402 c may he alternately displayed on the control device 110 responsive to the user command via the control device 110. In particular, upon initial display of the first UI 402 a on the control device 110, the user may effectively override the displayed first UI 402 a with the second UI 402 b or the third UI 402 c by way of the user command. The user command may, for example, he a swiping gesture or any other physical interaction of the user with the control device 110. In such example, the user may desire to override the first UI 402 a with either the second or third UIs 402 b, 402 c because the intended target device 105 to be controlled may have been the second device D2 or the third device D3. The second device D2 and/or the third device D3 may be in substantially close proximity to the first device D1. For example, the second device D2 and the third device D3 may have associated second and third selection probability values that are within a defined threshold variance from the first probability value associated with the first device D1. In some non-limiting embodiments, the defined threshold probability variance between devices within proximity of the other may be defined by the user or automatically set by the system 100.
It will he appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the secondary interface layer 150 may include any number of UN 402 associated with further devices 105. The number of UIs stored in the secondary interface layer 150 for display on the control device 110 in response to the user gesture depends on the defined threshold probability variance between the first device D1 and other devices 105. For example, responsive to the defined probability variance being substantially high, there may be a large number of device UIs included within the secondary interface layer 150. On the other hand, a low defined probability variance may amount to only a small number of device UIs being included within the secondary interface layer 150.
FIG. 4A shows a schematic illustration of a plurality of user interfaces 402 a-c (collectively referenced 402) stored within the primary interface layer 145 and the secondary interface layer 150 of the carousel module 140, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment. FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of the plurality of user interfaces 402 a-f (also collectively referenced 402) stored within the carousel module 140 while the carousel module 140 is in “fixed” mode, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.
As mentioned above, the UI controller 130 is configured to actuate display on the control device 110 of select ones of the plurality of UIs 402 associated with respective ones of the plurality of devices 105. The plurality of UIs 402 are operable to control operation of the plurality of devices 105 by having one or more input elements or settings pertaining to respective ones of the devices 105. In one non-limiting embodiment, respective ones of the plurality of interfaces 402 may include data and interface modules implemented as graphical user interfaces configured to invoke control functions of the associated plurality of devices 105. Each of the interfaces 402 may comprise a label module 404 configured to communicate the particular device 105 being controlled by the control device 110 and/or a subset of interface functions included in the respective interface 402. In the FIG.4A illustrated examples, the label modules 404 of the UIs 402 b, 402 c, 402 a respectively indicate an APPLE® TV device, SAMSUNG® Smart TV, and a sound system being controlled by the control device 110.
The plurality of UIs 402 may additionally include one or more data items 406 indicating a status of the device 105 being controlled by the particular UI 402. For example, the status of the device 105 may indicate whether the interface module 120 is operating in a “point and control” mode or a “fixed” mode, as will be described below. Each of the plurality of UIs 402 may further include one or more input elements 408 a-c configured as defined functions performed in response to selection of respective ones of the input elements 408 a-c. The input elements 408 a-c may, for example, take the form of buttons, sliders, data entry fields, or the like. In the FIG. 5A example, the input elements 408 a-c take the form of channel buttons, volume buttons, and arrows to name a few. An executable code for each of the UIs 402 may define functions performed in response to selection of respective ones of the input elements 408 a-c. The executable code for respective UIs 402 may manage exchange of data with a corresponding one of the devices 105 being controlled.
FIG. 5A shows a series of example screenshots of the plurality of user interfaces 402 stored within the primary interface layer 145 and the secondary interface layer 150 and displayed on the control device 110 when the carousel module 140 operates in “point and control” mode, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.
FIG. 5B shows a series of example screenshots of the plurality of user interfaces 402 alternately displayed on the control device 110 while the carousel module 140 operates in “fixed” mode, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.
During operation of the control device 110, the user may activate the system 100 to operate in “point and control” mode or “fixed” mode. “Point and control” mode may refer to the selection engine 135 operating in real-time to determine the devices 105 the control device 110 is targeting for control. As described above, the selection engine 135 is configured to define the spatial selection zone Z based on the location and orientation of the control device 110. The spatial selection zone Z includes the plurality of spatial coordinates having associated selection probabilities. The selection probabilities refer to a probabilistic likelihood that the respective device .105 (or associated region R) located at one or more particular spatial coordinates (e.g., X,Y or X,Y,Z) of the plurality of spatial coordinates was intended for control by the control device 110. In response to real-time determination of the spatial selection zone Z, the interface module 120 may determine whether any of the regions R, having been mapped to respective devices 105, are encompassed at least in part within the spatial selection zone Z.
The selection engine 135 may identify, in real-time, the three regions R associated with the devices 105 c, 105 a, and 105 b as being at least partially included within the spatial selection zone Z. In response to such determination, the selection engine 135 may determine the probability values associated with each of the devices 105 c, 105 a, and 105 b. As described above, these probability values associated with the particular spatial coordinates are identified by the selection engine 135 and used to stack rank the devices 105 c, 105 a, and 105 b based on likelihood of intended selection by the user. The selection engine 135 may identify the first device D1 having highest likelihood of intended selection as being the device 105 c, while the second device D2 having a second highest likelihood of intended selection as being the device 105 b. Alternatively and/or additionally, the third device D3 having a third highest likelihood of intended selection may be determined as device 105 a.
As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the UI controller 130 may actuate the carousel module 140 to display the first UI 402 a (associated with the first device D1) stored within the primary interface layer 145 on the control device 110, responsive to identifying the first device DI as having the first probability value (e.g., highest probability value of all selection probabilities). However, responsive to the user gesture on the control device 110, the U1 controller 130 may actuate display on the control device 110 of the second and third UIs 402 b, 402 c (associated with the second device D2 and the third device D3, respectively) stored in the secondary interface layer 150.
In particular, the UIs 402 a-c may be arranged in a loop configuration. Initially, the first UI 402 a may be automatically displayed on the control device 110. Responsive to the user command (e.g., swiping gesture), the second UI 402 b may override the first UI 402 a and thus appear on the control device 110 display. Responsive to another user gesture or command on the control device 110, the third UI 402 c may be displayed. Furthermore, a subsequent user gesture may cause the first UI 402 a to reappear on the control device display. As such, the UN 402 a-c may be displayed sequentially as the user scrolls through the loop arrangement of the UN 402 a-c.
In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B, the carousel module 140 is configured to operate in the “fixed” mode. The “fixed” mode may refer to the UI controller 130 actuating display of respective ones of the UIs 402 in response to the user command without consideration of the spatial selection zone Z or the selection probabilities associated with spatial coordinates within the spatial selection zone Z. In other words, display of the UIs 402 may be actuated in response to manual selection by the user of the control device 110. For example, all the UIs 402 associated with the plurality of devices 105 may be distributed and stored in the primary interface layer 145 and/or the secondary interface layer 150. In particular, the UI controller 130 may actuate display of respective ones of the plurality of UIs 402 in response to the user gesture on the control device 110. For example, the user may implement a swiping motion on the control device 110 display to actuate scrolling between the UIs 402. The order of the UIs 402 in the loop arrangement may be random. In another non-limiting embodiment, the order of the UIs 402 stored in the loop arrangement may be based on a frequency of use of respective UIs 402. In one non-limiting embodiment, a most recently displayed UI 402 may be initially displayed on the control device 110.
The carousel module 140 may be actuated to operate in the “point and control” mode or the “fixed mode” in response to a swiping gesture or any other physical gesture on the control device 110 by the user. An indication of the mode of operation may be on the control device 110 via the one or more data items 406. It will be appreciated that in some non-limiting embodiments, the “point and control” mode and the “fixed” mode may operate concurrently.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example interface module 120 in the form of a computer device 600 arranged for determining the spatial selection zone Z based on a location and orientation of the control device, and actuating display of the respective UIs 402 on the control device 110 in accordance with the present disclosure. In a very basic configuration 601, the computer device 600 typically includes one or more processors 610 and system memory 620. A memory bus 630 may be used for communicating between the processor 610 and the system memory 620.
Depending on the desired configuration, processor 610 may he of any type including but not limited to a microprocessor (μP), a microcontroller (μC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or any combination thereof. Processor 610 may include one more levels of caching, such as a level one cache 611 and a level two cache 612, a processor core 613, and registers 614. An example processor core 613 may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a floating point unit (FPU), a digital signal processing core (DSP Core), or any combination thereof. An example memory controller 615 may also be used with the processor 610, or in some implementations the memory controller 615 may be an internal part of the processor 610.
Depending on the desired configuration, the system memory 620 may be of any type including but not limited to volatile memory (such as RAM), non-volatile memory (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or any combination thereof. System memory 620 may include an operating system 621, one or more applications 622, and program data 624 Application 622 may include a dynamic spatial selection algorithm (DSSA) 623 that is arranged to define the spatial selection zone Z associated with the location and orientation of the control device 110. Program data 624 includes selection probability data, position and orientation data of the control device 110, regions R associated with respective ones of the devices 105, and other data 625 that is useful to identify the one or more devices 105 intended to be controlled by the user and stack rank the UIs 402 associated with the one or more devices 105 based on selection probabilities, as described above. In some non-limiting embodiments, application 622 may be arranged to operate with program data 624 on an operating system 621 such that the first UI 402 a of the first device D1 having the greatest probability of intended selection by the user is displayed on the control device 110, with an option for the user to manually gesture or swipe the control device 110 to alternatively display other ones of the 402 b, 402 c associated with devices 105 having less probability of intended selection. This described basic configuration is illustrated in FIG. 6 by those components within dashed line 601.
The computer device 600 may have additional features or functionality and additional interfaces to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 601 and any required devices and interfaces. For example, a bus/interface controller 640 may be used to facilitate communications between the basic configuration 601 and one or more data storage devices 650 via a storage interface bus 641. The data storage devices 650 may be removable storage devices 651, non-removable storage devices 652, or a combination thereof. Examples of removable storage and non-removable storage devices include magnetic disk devices such as flexible disk drives and hard-disk drives (HDD), optical disk drives such as compact disk (CD) drives or digital versatile disk (DVD) drives, solid state drives (SSD), and tape drives to name a few. Example computer storage media may include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.
System memory 620, removable storage 651, and non-removable storage 652 are all examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which may he used to store the desired information and which may be accessed by computer device 600. Any such computer storage media may be part of device 600.
Computer device 600 may also include an interface bus 642 for facilitating communication from various interface devices (e.g., output interfaces, peripheral interfaces, and communication interfaces) to the basic configuration 601 via the bus/interface controller 640. Example output devices 660 include a graphics processing unit 661 and an audio processing unit 662, which may be configured to communicate to various external devices such as a display or speakers via one or more A/V ports 663. Example peripheral interfaces 670 include a serial interface controller 671 or a parallel interface controller 672, which may be configured to communicate with external devices such as input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc.) or other peripheral devices (e.g., printer, scanner, etc.)via one or more I/O ports 673. An example communication device 680 includes a network controller 681, which may be arranged to facilitate communications with one or more other computing devices 690 (e.g., control device 110, device 105, beacon 115) over a network communication link via one or more communication ports 682.
The network communication link may be one example of a communication media. Communication media may typically be embodied by computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media. A “modulated data signal” may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media may include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR) and other wireless media. The term computer readable media as used herein may include both storage media and communication media.
Computer device 600 may be implemented as a portion of a small-form factor portable (or mobile) electronic device such as a cell phone, a personal media player device, a wireless web-watch device, a personal headset device, an application specific device, or a hybrid device that includes any of the above functions. Computer device 600 may also be implemented as a personal computer including both laptop computer and non-laptop computer configurations. In another example, the computer device 600 may be a cloud-based server system communicative coupled to the control device 110 and the beacons 115 via the network 125.
FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a system 700 for creating a user interface (UI) for a scene object used to control respective ones of the plurality of devices 105, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment.
The system 700 includes components previously described above with reference to FIG. 1A and thus will not he described again for sake of brevity. For clarity, the previously described components maintain the same reference numbers as any of FIGS. 1A-6.
The system 700 may include a scene module 705 configured to create the UI for the scene. The scene module 705 may be communicatively coupled to the carousel module 120 and to the UI controller 130. The scene module 705 comprises a mobile application module 710 having one or more input widgets 715 and a scene interface engine 720. The one or more input widgets 715 are configured to form a communication link between the scene module 705 and respective ones of the devices 105. Additionally, as will be described below, the one or more input widgets 715 may be leveraged to create a communication path between the control device 110 and respective ones of the devices 105. The system may further include a mobile device 725 communicatively coupled to the scene module 705. In particular, the mobile application module 710 may operate on the mobile device 725 to cause the scene module 705 to associate at least one of the first and the second devices 105 a, 105 b with each of the one or more input widgets 715. For example, a downloadable mobile application may be stored on the mobile device 725 to allow for the user of the mobile device 725 to transmit commands to the mobile application module 710. The commands received from the mobile device 725 may be used to associate at least one of the first and the second devices 105 a, 105 b with each of the one or more input widgets 715 and create the scene object. The “scene object” may refer to the aggregate of the one or more input widgets 715 associated with respective ones of the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b. The “UI for the scene object” refers to a graphical user interface e.g., transitional graphical user interface) automatically created to allow the user to efficiently control the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b via the respective widgets 715 on a single display screen. In non-limiting embodiments, a scene object may be represented by one or more selectable options (e.g., graphical icons, links, voice-activated phrases, and/or the like).
In non-limiting embodiments, the devices 105 may be categorized such that one or more devices are in each of a plurality of device categories. For example, the device categories may include a media source device category (e.g., for one or more source devices from which media content is output), a receiver device category (e.g., for one or more A/V receivers or other forms of devices for interconnecting one or more other devices), a display device category (e.g., for one or more displays, such as one or more monitors, projectors, mobile devices, headsets, and/or the like), and an audio device category (e.g., for one or more audio devices, such as one or more stereo systems, speakers, headphones, and/or the like). Other categories may he included. In non-limiting embodiments, the control device and/or a separate mobile device may determine the devices in communication with the control device (e.g., that are registered with the control device, detected by the control device, and/or the like) and the categories of each device. The categories may be stored in association with a device identifier. In some non-limiting embodiments, the control device and/or mobile device may determine the device category based on one or more characteristics of the device, such as a device profile, device identifier, past usage of the device, data provided from the device, and/or the like.
The one or more input widgets 715 may take the form of at least one of a source widget, a receiver widget, a display widget, a sound widget, and an existing scene widget. In other words, the input widgets 715 may serve as parameter inputs drawn from one or more of the devices 105 according to the following. In one non-limiting embodiment, the source widget may serve as a communication link to at least one device 105 devices categorized in a media source device category) used as a source to extract media content (e.g., audio and/or visual content). Example devices 105 may include a Roku®, Apple® TV, Blueray player, Xbox, etc. Additionally, a source device 105 may be a TV tuner or an application running on a smart TV. The source widget may generate a communication path between the control device 110 and one of an Apple® TV device, Playstation®, Kodi4, and/or streaming digital media application (e.g., Netflix®, HULU®, or the like) executing on a device.
The receiver widget may serve as a communication link to at least one device 105 (e.g., devices categorized in a receiver device category) which the audio and/or visual content from the source device 105 is transmitted through. For example, the Apple® TV device may he coupled to a Denon CDJ-4000 receiver. The display widget may serve as a communication link to one or more devices 105 that may be controlled to adjust display of the audio/visual (A/V) content. In one non-limiting embodiment, the display widget may be a smart TV (e.g., SAMSUNG® TV), tablet, laptop, mobile communication device, and/or projector operable to visually display media content.
The sound widget may serve as a communication link to one or more devices 105 devices categorized in an audio device category) that may he controlled to adjust an audio volume. In one non-limiting embodiment, the audio volume of media content may be controlled on a set-top box, TV, receiver, or on a sound bar. For example, Roku®, Apple® TV, Sonos Play:Bar, or any WiFi® device having an audio input may be selected as the linked one or more devices 105 to the sound widget. Although Roku® and Apple® TV may not have embedded volume control, such devices may instead pass through the volume control through HDMI-CEC to whatever device is coupled to the Apple® TV through an HDMI port.
The existing scene widget may serve as a communication link to another scene that has already been established by the scene module 705. For example, the existing scene may be a “home” scene that has established a defined input setting drawn from one or more non-A/V devices (e.g., lighting, shades, thermostat) that are also coupled to the same network 125. An existing home scene may be associated with a selectable option that, when selected, activates the home scene. For example, the existing home scene may be a defined illumination intensity or hue associated with the device 105 e or a defined temperature associated with a thermostat. In such a non-limiting embodiment, as will be described below, upon activation of the A/V scene (e.g., via selection of a corresponding selectable option), the attached home scene may also be activated.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the scene module 705 may further include a scene database 730 to store one or more of the existing home scenes as well as the newly created scene objects. The mobile application module 710 may be coupled to the scene database 730 to attach (e.g., associate the objects) the selected home scene to the scene being created (e.g., A/V scene). As such, upon activation or selection of the scene by the user, the attached home scene may also be activated.
The scene interface engine 720 may be configured to add the devices 105 associated with the one or more widgets 715 to the scene object. The mobile application module 710 receives selection commands from the mobile device 725 to associate at least one of the first and the second devices 105 a, 105 b with each of the one or more input widgets 715. In another non-limiting embodiment, at least the first device is pre-selected based on a user's past selection habits. In one example, the scene interface module may employ machine learning algorithms to identify the user's behavior patterns. Based on such identified patterns, the scene interface engine 720 may pre-select and/or activate particular devices. The association of input widgets with respective devices 105 creates the scene object. The scene interface engine 720 operates to activate the selected first and second devices 105 a, 105 b. In one non-limiting embodiment, the scene interface engine 720 transmits a power ON (e.g., power activation signal) control signal to the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b to confirm proper connection of the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b to the network 125. Then, in some non-limiting embodiments, the scene interface engine 720 may transmit an infrared code to each of the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b to associate at least one of the first and second devices with each of the input widgets 715, and thus create the scene object..
The scene interface engine 720 may be coupled to at least one of the mobile application module 710, the carousel module 140, and the UI controller 130. The carousel module 140 may store the UIs associated with the devices 105 of the input widgets 715 associated with the scene object in the first and second interface layers 145, 150. In one non-limiting embodiment, the first UI of the first device 105 a associated with the display widget may be stored in the primary interface layer 145, while at least the second UI of the second device 105 b associated with the source widget may be stored in the secondary interface layer 150. In other non-limiting embodiments, there may be additional UIs stored in the secondary interface layer 150. In response to a selection of the scene (e.g., “point and control” mode or “fixed” mode), the scene interface engine 720 may actuate the UI controller 130 to display the first. UI from the primary interface layer on the control device 110 and subsequently actuate display of at least the second UI from the secondary interface layer responsive to a user command via the control device. The user command via the control device 110 may, for example be a swiping gesture to transition display on the control device 110 from the first UI to the second UI. As will be described below, the selection of the scene object may take the form of the user physically gesturing on the control device by, for example, clicking on an interface icon associated with the scene. In another non-limiting embodiment, the selection of the scene object may automatically occur (e.g., be activated) responsive to the first device 105 a being located at a spatial coordinate having the first probability value. In such scenario, the first UI from the primary interface layer 145 may be displayed, while the second UI from the secondary interface layer 150 is displayed responsive to detecting a gesture on the control device by the user.
In non-limiting embodiments, activation of a selectable option associated with the scene object may cause a plurality of control signals to be generated. For example, at least one control signal for each device in the scene may be generated for transmission by the control device 110. The control signals may be transmitted in one or more sequences, for example, to control each separate device associated with the scene.
In non-limiting embodiments, creating a configuration for a scene is performed on both the control device 110 and a separate mobile device. As is shown below in a non-limiting example in FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9E, a mobile device may be used to receive a first set of user inputs to create the scene object and a control device 110 may be used to receive a second set of user inputs to create the scene object.
FIGS. 8A-8C show illustrations of screenshots of a mobile application module operating on the mobile device 725, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment. FIGS. 9A-9E show illustrations of screenshots of the control device 110 operating to create the user interface for the scene object, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an illustration of screenshots on the control device 110 depicting the transitional user interface for the scene object, according to one illustrated and non-limiting embodiment. Reference will now be made to FIGS. 8A-10 to describe and illustrate a method of creating the UI for the scene object on the control device 110.
In non-limiting embodiments, the user of the control device 110 may initiate setup of the scene object creation by accessing the mobile application module 710. As mentioned above, the mobile application module 710 may operate on the control device 110 by way of the mobile application. In one non-limiting embodiment, the user of the control device 110 may log into the mobile application with defined user credentials and/or control device 110 credentials to initiate the scene object creation process for the particular user on the particular control device 110.
Upon accessing the mobile application module 710, the mobile application may display the one or more input widgets 715 leveraged to create the communication path between the control device 110 and respective ones of the first and second devices 105 a, 105 b. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the mobile application module 710 actuates display of a graphical user interface representation of the one or more input widgets 715. For example: “What do you want to use?” may represent the source widget, “Is it connected via an A/V receiver?” may represent the receiver widget, “Where should it be displayed?” may represent the display widget, “How do you control its sound?” may represent the sound widget, and “Attach a smart home scene” may represents a respective one of the existing scene widgets. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the user may affirmatively select ones of the devices 105 to associate with each of the widgets 715. The user selections of respective ones of the devices 105 determines those devices to be associated with respective widgets 715. In particular, based on the specific device 105 selected by the user to be associated with the source widget, a subset of the devices 105 may be available to choose from for the receiver widget. In other words, the user's choice of device 105 in a first widget will determine the subset of devices 105 that are available for association with a subsequent widget. In other non-limiting embodiments, selection of a specific device 105 from one widget may not affect the devices available for selection in another widget such that each widget operates independently.
In the FIG. 8B example, the Apple® TV device 105 b is selected as input to the source widget, the Denon CDJ-4000 is selected as input to bath the receiver widget and the sound widget, and the Samsung® TV is selected as input to the display widget. Additionally, in the FIG. 8B example, there is no selection of the existing home widget. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that selection of the devices 105 for each of the input widgets 715 may take various forms (e.g., clicking an icon, swiping an icon, speaking an audible command, etc.).
Furthermore, the mobile application module 710 may be configured to associate an identifier (e.g., a label or a name) with the scene object being created via the mobile device 725. The identifier may correspond to a selectable option, such as one or more graphical icons, links, voice-activated phrases, and/or the like. For example, the user may input text “Watch Netflix” to indicate the scene object having the specific association of the devices 105 with the one or more widgets 715 is useful for controlling devices 105 for viewing Netflix® streaming media (e.g., movies). To activate this selectable option, the user may select the text and/or speak the phrase, as examples. Additionally and/or alternatively, the user may be prompted by the mobile application to select a graphical icon as a selectable option to be used for activating the scene object. For example, a graphical icon may he attached to the input text of the object scene (See, FIG. 8C) or a separate graphical icon displayed on the control device 110.
Referring to FIGS. 9A-9B, upon completion of the scene object setup, the user may initiate validation of the scene object. The control device 110 may display an indication of the newly created scene object on the control device 110. In some non-limiting embodiments, the newly created scene object may automatically be displayed on the control device 110 upon completion of the scene object setup via the mobile device 725. For example, upon completion of one or more tasks on the mobile device, the control device 110 may be automatically activated by being unlocked, by displaying a UI, by displaying a notification, and/or the like. Reference will now be made to FIG. 9C. It will be appreciated that non-limiting embodiments described herein may encompass multiple types of devices 105. For example, a first device type may be the device 105 having a same ON/OFF switch, while a second device type may be the device 105 having separate ON and OFF switches. Having the same ON/OFF switch allows for a same communication signal to turn the first device type both ON and OFF. On the other hand, having separate ON and OFF switches may entail two distinct communication signals to turn the second device type ON or OFF. As such, responsive to the user initiating validation of the scene object, the first type devices 105 associated with the scene object may be automatically activated. In particular, the scene interface engine 720 may cause the control device 110 to transmit a power ON control signal to respective ones of the first type devices 105 associated with the scene object. The power ON transmission may cause powering up and activation of the first type devices 105 associated with the scene object.
Furthermore, responsive to initiating validation of the scene object, the second type devices 105 are displayed on the control device 110. For example, the second type devices 105 may be displayed on a single screen of the control device for easy viewing by the user. Responsive to having the second type devices 105 displayed on the control device 110, the user may readily decipher whether ones of the second type devices 105 are actually ON or OFF. For the ones of the second type devices 105 that the user determines are OFF, the user may select the respective second type devices 105 on the control device 110 display to turn that device 105 ON. Once all the second type devices 105 are determined to be ON and/or manually selected to ON via the control device 110, the user may select “Everything is ON” on the control device 110. Powering of the scene object devices 105 (both the first and second type devices may be advantageous to confirm connectivity.
In the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9D, the scene interface engine 720 displays the connected devices. In the FIG. 9D example, the powered Samsung® TV device is associated with both the source widget and the display widget, the powered Denon CDJ-4000 is associated with the receiver widget, and the powered Sonos Playbar is associated with the sound widget. The user may toggle between devices 105 associated with a respective one of the input widgets 715 to confirm each device 105 is associated with the proper input widget 715.
Responsive to having all the devices 105 associated with the scene object turned ON, the control device 110 may display those devices 105 associated with the scene object having multiple inputs. As such, the user may select respective ones of the displayed devices 105 on the control device 110 to toggle between inputs. In other words, the user may cycle through inputs for each of the multiple input devices 105 where all of the multiple input devices are displayed on a single display screen of the control device 110. Having all the multiple input devices appear on the single display screen is advantageous to the user. For example, the user may toggle between inputs for a respective one of the multiple input devices 105 and physically decipher on the associated device 105 whether the currently selected input is proper.
Responsive to the scene object devices 105 being associated with the proper input widgets 715 and having the proper inputs selected, the user may actuate the scene interface engine 720 to transmit an infrared (IR) code to each of the scene object devices 105. The IR code may he advantageous to pair the scene object devices 105 with the one or more input widgets 715 wider the associated scene object name or metatag (“Watch Netflix”). Consequently, in response to the user clicking on “Inputs are OK,” the scene interface engine 720 may record the input widget settings (e.g., the devices associated with each of the input widgets). The input widget settings may, fix example, be saved in the scene database 730, which includes one or more defined home scene objects.
Referring to FIG. 10, the UI for the scene object may be created upon selection of the scene object. The scene object may be selected in response to a selection command from the user or automatically created responsive to the first device 105 a of the scene object devices 105 being located at the first one of the plurality of spatial coordinates having the first probability value. The first probability value has the greatest likelihood, throughout the spatial selection zone Z, that the first device 105 a is being targeted for control by the control device 110.
Upon selection of the scene object, the scene interface engine 720 may actuate the UI controller 130 to display the first UI from the primary interface layer 145 on the control device 110 and subsequently actuates display of at least the second UI from the secondary interface layer 150 responsive to the user command via the control device. As previously mentioned, the user command (e.g., swiping gesture) may serve to transition display of the first UI on the control device 100 to display of the second UI. The selection of the scene may take the form of the user physically gesturing on the control device by, for example, clicking on an interface icon associated with the scene. In another non-limiting embodiment., the selection of the scene may automatically occur responsive to the first device 105 a being located at a spatial coordinate having the first probability value. In such scenario, the first UI from the primary interface layer 145 may be displayed, while the second UI from the secondary interface layer 150 is displayed responsive to detecting a gesture on the control device by the user.
In one non-limiting embodiment, the first UI is a graphical user interface (GUI) to control the first device 105 a, while the second UI is a GUI to control the second device 105 b. As described above, each of the plurality of UIs 402 is operable to control operation of the plurality of devices 105 by having one or more input elements or settings pertaining to respective ones of the devices 105. For example, the input settings for a particular one of the UIs 402 may include volume toggle, channel toggle, numerical keypad, scroll wheel, light intensity, ride sharing request button, or the like. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any type of input settings is contemplated by this disclosure and the examples provided herein are merely for purposes of illustrating functionality of the system 100 and its components.
In other non-limiting embodiments, the carousel module 140 is configured to combine the UI controls of several ones of the object scene devices. For example, the first UI may comprise a blended GUI to control both the first and the second devices 105 a, 105 b. In other words, the second UI may include a portion of the one or more input elements from another UI. Alternatively and/or additionally, the second UI may comprise a GUI to control both the second device 105 b and an additional device 105 c from the scene object devices 105. It will be advantageous to combine the UIs of various devices to increase efficiency of use of the control device 110. Additionally, the UI scene for the scene object may comprise the first and the second UIs formed in a closed loop arrangement. In other words, the second UI may be transitionally displayed on the control device 110 responsive to the user gesture. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that several other variations of the UI for the scene object are contemplated by this disclosure.
Time present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular examples described in this application, which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and examples can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above descriptions. Such modifications and examples are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not intended to be limiting.
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term. “having” should he interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.).
It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent, will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to examples containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should he understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will he understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also he understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 items refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 items. Similarly, a group having 1-5 items refers to groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 items, and so forth.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising:

determining, with at least one processor , a plurality of devices controllable with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof;

displaying, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices associated with the media source device category;

displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category;

receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options;

associating the first device and the second device with a scene object; and

in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generating, with the control device, a set of control signals configured to control the first device and the second device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying, with the at least one processor, a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device;

receiving a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and

associating, with at least one processor, the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor comprises a processor of a mobile device separate from the control device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the processor of the mobile device is configured to display the first graphical user interface and receive the selection of the first device and the second device.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically transmitting, with the control device, a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device;

displaying, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and

confirming, with the control device, a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising:

displaying, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices;

associating, with the control device, the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, the method further comprising: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, wherein the second input comprises the selected input option.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising generating, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second control signal configured to control the second device.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices associated with the receiver device category;

receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and

associating the third device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, further comprising:

displaying, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category;

receiving, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and

associating the fourth device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying, with at least one processor, a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance;

receiving a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options;

associating the home scene option with the scene object; and

in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiating the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.

12. A system for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising at least one processor configured to:

determine a plurality of devices controllable with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof;

display, on a first graphical user interface, a first set of device options corresponding to a first set of devices of the plurality of devices, the first set of devices associated with the media source device category;

display, on the first graphical user interface, a second set of device options corresponding to a second set of devices of the plurality of devices, the second set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category;

receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a first device from the first set of device options and a second device from the second set of device options;

associate the first device and the second device with a scene object; and

in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically generate a set of control signals based on the first device and the second device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

display a plurality of input options associated with at least one of the first device and the second device;

receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and

associate the input option with the scene object, wherein at least one control signal of the plurality of control signals is based on the input option.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor comprises: a first processor of the control device; and a second processor of a mobile device separate from the control device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the second processor determines the plurality of devices in communication with the control device, displays the first graphical user interface, and receives the selection of the first device and the second device, and wherein the first processor displays the scene object and automatically generates the set of control signals.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor of the control device is further configured to:

automatically transmit a power activation signal to each of a subset of devices of the plurality of devices, the subset of devices associated with the scene object and including the first device and the second device;

display, on the control device, each device of the subset of devices; and

confirm a power status of each device of the subset of devices based on user input.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor of the control device is further configured to:

display, on the control device, a plurality of input options associated with at least one device of the subset of devices;

receive a selection of an input option from the plurality of input options; and

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of input options comprises a selectable toggle option, the processor of the computing device is further configured to: in response to activation of the selectable toggle option, generating, with the control device, at least one control signal configured to switch an input of the at least one device from a first input to a second input, wherein the second input comprises the selected input option.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to generate, on the control device, a device control interface comprising a plurality of selectable control options, wherein at least one first selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a first control signal configured to control the first device, and wherein at least one second selectable control option of the plurality of selectable control options, when selected, generates a second command signal configured to control the second device.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

display, on the first graphical user interface, a third set of device options corresponding to a third set of devices of the plurality of devices, the third set of devices associated with the receiver device category;

receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a third device from the third set of device options; and

associate the third device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the third device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

display, on the first graphical user interface, a fourth set of device options corresponding to a fourth set of devices of the plurality of devices, the fourth set of devices associated with at least one of the display device category and the audio device category;

receive, through the first graphical user interface, a selection of a fourth device from the fourth set of device options; and

associate the fourth device with the scene object, wherein the plurality of control signals are automatically generated based further on the fourth device.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

display a plurality of home scene options, wherein each home scene option of the plurality of home scene options is associated with at least one configuration of at least one appliance;

receive a selection of a home scene option of the plurality of home scene options;

associate the home scene option with the scene object; and

in response to activation of the scene object via the control device, automatically initiate the home scene option by controlling the at least one appliance based on the at least one configuration.

23. A computer program product for creating a configuration for a control device, comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

determine a plurality of devices in communication with the control device, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is associated with at least one device category of the following device categories: a media source device category, a receiver device category, a display device category, an audio device category, or any combination thereof;

associate the first device and the second device with a scene object; and

24-45. (canceled)