Video Decoder Control of Premises Automation via Channel Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of home automation systems complicates user interaction, necessitating a simpler method for controlling home devices through existing electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
Embedding premises automation commands within video and audio datastreams, allowing users to control home systems by changing channels on their video decoder, which detects and executes these commands automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users directly control multiple home automation systems through separate interfaces, then each system can be controlled with precision, but the overall system complexity and difficulty of operation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single device (video decoder) to perform multiple functions: receiving video content and simultaneously receiving and executing home automation commands through channel changes. This consolidates control of multiple home systems (lights, security, thermostat) into one unified interface, eliminating the need for separate controls for each system and significantly improving ease of operation while reducing perceived complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the video decoder and channel change interface) that mediates between the user and multiple home automation systems. Instead of users directly interacting with each system, the video decoder acts as a mediator that translates simple channel changes into appropriate commands for various home systems, simplifying the user interaction model while maintaining precise control capabilities
2Loss of energy
If automation commands are transmitted only on tuned channels, then bandwidth is efficiently used, but commands may be missed when users are watching other channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by transmitting home automation commands at regular intervals across different channels in a rotating manner. Instead of continuously occupying a single channel, commands are periodically introduced on various channels during channel surfing or channel changes, ensuring delivery without requiring dedicated continuous bandwidth allocation. This maintains bandwidth efficiency while improving command delivery reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-planning and pre-positioning commands on specific channels based on predicted user viewing patterns or scheduled times. Commands are prepared in advance and placed on appropriate channels before users are likely to tune to them, ensuring timely delivery without requiring real-time bandwidth allocation. This approach maintains efficient bandwidth usage while improving reliability through proactive command placement
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, computer-readable media, and methods are described for sending and receiving a plurality of content streams including audio, video, or audio-video content and one or more command streams. The command streams may include premises automation commands associated with performing one or more functions at a premises. The commands may, for example, instruct a lighting system to turn on/off lights, a security system to enter an arm or disarm operational state, a thermostat to adjust its temperature, etc. One or more user preferences may be set to control which function is performed when a user makes a selection that causes a particular command stream to be processed. Also, different users may have different user preferences to cause different functions to be performed.