Operation of a set of devices
A method of operating a set of devices comprises receiving a signal, for example at least part of a game world model from a computer program. The signal is analyzed to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language and the set of devices is operated according to the description.
1. A method of operating a set of real-world devices that form a real-world ambient environment for a user, comprising:
receiving a signal,
analysing said signal to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language,
operating said real-world devices to control the real-world ambient environment according to said real-world description, and
providing a user interface that allows the user to set limits on the real-world devices that are controlled by the real-world description including setting a maximum level of light provided from a real-world lighting device and a maximum rate of change in light intensity.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said signal comprises a broadcast signal.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said signal is produced by a computer program.
4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein said signal comprises at least part of a game world model.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said signal comprises a video component.
6. A method according to claim 1 , and further comprising distributing said real-world description amongst said devices.
7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said analysing takes place in real time.
8. A method according to claim 1 , and further comprising storing said real-world description locally and recalling said description on demand.
9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said real-world description is limited according to functionality of the real-world devices present in the set of real-world devices.
10. Apparatus for operating a set of real-world devices that form a real-world ambient environment for a user, comprising:
receiving means for receiving a signal; and
analysing means for analysing said signal to produce a real-world description in the form of an instruction set of a markup language;
controlling means to control the real-world ambient environment by controlling said real-world devices with said real-world description; and
a user interface that allows the user to set limits on the real-world devices that are controlled by the real-world description, including setting a maximum level of light provided from a real-world lighting device and a maximum rate of change in light intensity.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 , and further comprising distributing means for distributing said real-world description amongst said devices.
12. Apparatus according to claim 10 , and further comprising a user interface.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said user interface is portable.
14. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the analysing means further comprises a translator that generates the real-world description that is passed to a browser.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the browser is operatively coupled to the set of real-world devices and communicated to the set of real-world devices via the markup language.
16. Apparatus of claim 10 wherein the set of real-world devices include at least one of the following: a wall or a floor that is used to control the ambient environment.
17. A method according to claim 1 , wherein analysing further comprises a translating the signal and passing the real-world description to a browser which is operatively coupled to the set of real-world devices to communicate with the set of real-world devices via the markup language and allow the user to become immersed in the real-world ambient environment.
18. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the set of real-world devices include at least one of the following: a wall or a floor that is used to control the real-world ambient environment.