IP Library Granted Patent US 8,601,513
Granted Patent B2
US 8,601,513 · App. 13/906,495 · Granted Dec 3, 2013

System and method for commanding a controlled device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,601,513
App. No.
13/906,495
Granted
Dec 3, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for commanding a controlled device. An intelligent navigation server detects a transition from a current state of a remote control device. A context for transition is also determined. The current state, the new current state and the context are evaluated to select a set of commands appropriate to the context and the new current state. The selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device. The set of selected commands are sent to the remote control device. Text and/or graphical data appropriate to the new current state may also be sent to the remote control device. The remote control device may generate display data based on the selected commands to provide one or more soft buttons linked to one or more of the selected commands. The remote control device may also display the text and/or graphical data.

Claims (60)

1. A method for commanding a controlled device comprising:

detecting by a server processor of an intelligent navigation server a transition from a current state of a remote control device to a new current state, wherein the current state of the remote control device represents a first state of the controlled device, and wherein the new current state represents a second state of the controlled device after receipt and execution of a command issued by the remote control device to the controlled device that causes the controlled device to enter the second state;

determining by the server processor a context from the transition from the first state of the controlled device to the second state of the controlled device;

selecting by the server processor a set of commands appropriate to the context and the transition from the first state to the second state, wherein the selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device; and

sending by the server processor the set of selected commands to the remote control device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the controlled device is selected from the group consisting of a set top terminal, a VCR, a DVR, a PVR, a DVD player/recorder, a Blu-Ray player/recorder, a lighting system, an audio system, a video display system, and a security system.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating by the remote control device display data based on the selected commands, wherein the display data comprise at least one of a soft button linked to one or more of the selected commands, text data and graphical data; and

displaying by the remote control device the display data.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the context for the transition comprises:

receiving by the server processor user profile data; and

determining by the server processor the context at least in part from the user profile data.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the context for the transition comprises:

receiving by the server processor historical navigation data of the user of the remote control device; and

predicting by the server processor an ultimate destination state from the historical navigation data,

wherein selecting a set of commands appropriate to the context and the transition from the first state to the second state comprises selecting commands appropriate to the ultimate destination.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the context for the transition comprises:

receiving by the server processor historical navigation data of the user of the remote control device;

predicting by the server processor an ultimate destination state from the historical navigation data;

sending by the server processor a request to the remote control device for confirmation that the predicted ultimate destination state is correct; and

selecting a set of commands appropriate to the predicted ultimate destination state when the predicted ultimate destination state is confirmed.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

receiving by the server processor a response that the predicted ultimate destination is incorrect; and

sending by the server processor one or more navigation objects to the remote control device to facilitate user selection of a path to the ultimate destination state.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising modifying by the server processor one or more prediction algorithms to correctly predict from the context the ultimate destination state.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the set of selected commands to the remote control device comprises sending by the server processor the set of selected commands to the remote control device processor via a wireless link.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending the set of selected commands to the remote control device comprises sending by the server processor the set of selected commands to the remote control device via a network.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intelligent navigation server is remote from the controlled device.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intelligent navigation server resides in the controlled device.

13. A system for commanding a controlled device comprising:

a remote control device;

an intelligent navigation server comprising a processor, wherein a processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

detecting a transition from a current state of a remote control device to a new current state, wherein the current state of the remote control device represents a first state of the controlled device, and wherein the new current state represents a second state of the controlled device after receipt and execution of a command issued by the remote control device to the controlled device that causes the controlled device to enter the second state;

determining a context from the transition from the first state of the controlled device to the second state of the controlled device;

selecting a set of commands appropriate to the context and the transition from the first state to the second state, wherein the selected commands determine behavior options for the controlled device; and

sending the set of selected commands to the remote control device.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the controlled device is selected from the group consisting of a set top terminal, a VCR, a DVR, a PVR, a DVD player/recorder, a Blu-Ray player/recorder, a lighting system, an audio system, a video display system, and a security system.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the remote control device comprises a display and is configured to perform operations comprising:

generating by the remote control device display data based on the selected commands, wherein the display data comprise at least one of a soft button linked to one or more of the selected commands, text data and graphical data; and

displaying by the remote control device the display data.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein determining the context for the transition further comprises operations for:

receiving user profile data; and

determining the context at least in part from the user profile data.

17. The system of claim 13 , wherein determining the context for the transition comprises operations for:

receiving historical navigation data of the user of the remote control device; and

predicting an ultimate destination state from the historical navigation data,

wherein selecting a set of commands appropriate to the context and the transition from the first state to the second state comprises selecting commands appropriate to the ultimate destination.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein determining the context for the transition comprises operations for:

receiving historical navigation data of the user of the remote control device;

predicting an ultimate destination state from the historical navigation data;

sending a request to the remote control device for confirmation that the predicted ultimate destination state is correct; and

selecting a set of commands appropriate to the predicted ultimate destination state when the predicted ultimate destination state is confirmed.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving a response that the predicted ultimate destination is incorrect; and

sending one or more navigation objects to the remote control device to facilitate user selection of a path to the ultimate destination state.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising modifying one or more prediction algorithms to correctly predict from the context the ultimate destination state.

21. The system of claim 13 , wherein the intelligent navigation server and the remote control device communicate via a wireless link.

22. The system of claim 13 , wherein the intelligent navigation server and the remote control device communicate via a network.

23. The system of claim 13 , wherein the intelligent navigation server is remote from the controlled device.

24. The system of claim 13 , wherein the intelligent navigation server resides in the controlled device.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2018
From: BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET LLC
To: WELLS FARGO TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046630/0193 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2018
From: ADCAST NORTH CAROLINA CABLE ADVERTISING, LLC; ALABANZA LLC; AMERICA'S JOB EXCHANGE LLC; COAXIAL COMMUNICATIONS OF CENTRAL OHIO LLC; DUKENET COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC; DUKENET COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; ICI HOLDINGS, LLC; INSIGHT BLOCKER LLC; INSIGHT CAPITAL LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS MIDWEST, LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS OF CENTRAL OHIO, LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS OF KENTUCKY, L.P.; INSIGHT INTERACTIVE, LLC; INSIGHT KENTUCKY CAPITAL, LLC; INSIGHT KENTUCKY PARTNERS I, L.P.; INSIGHT KENTUCKY PARTNERS II, L.P.; INSIGHT MIDWEST HOLDINGS, LLC; INSIGHT MIDWEST, L.P.; INSIGHT PHONE OF INDIANA, LLC; INSIGHT PHONE OF KENTUCKY, LLC; INSIGHT PHONE OF OHIO, LLC; INTERACTIVE CABLE SERVICES, LLC; INTREPID ACQUISITION LLC; NAVISITE LLC; NEW WISCONSIN PROCUREMENT LLC; OCEANIC TIME WARNER CABLE LLC; PARITY ASSETS, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE BUSINESS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ALABAMA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ARIZONA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (COLORADO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (HAWAII), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (IDAHO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ILLINOIS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (INDIANA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (KANSAS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (KENTUCKY), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MAINE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MASSACHUSETTS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MICHIGAN), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MISSOURI), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEBRASKA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW HAMPSHIRE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW JERSEY), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW MEXICO) LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW YORK), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NORTH CAROLINA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (OHIO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (PENNSYLVANIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (SOUTH CAROLINA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (TENNESSEE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (TEXAS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (VIRGINIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WASHINGTON), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WEST VIRGINIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WISCONSIN), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNATIONAL LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET HOLDINGS III LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET HOLDINGS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE MEDIA LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE MIDWEST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE NEW YORK CITY LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE NORTHEAST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE PACIFIC WEST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SERVICES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SOUTHEAST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SPORTS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE TEXAS LLC; TWC ADMINISTRATION LLC; TWC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; TWC DIGITAL PHONE LLC; TWC MEDIA BLOCKER LLC; TWC NEWCO LLC; TWC NEWS AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING HOLDCO LLC; TWC NEWS AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING LLC; TWC REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORK I LLC; TWC SECURITY LLC; TWC SEE HOLDCO LLC; TWC WIRELESS LLC; TWC/CHARTER DALLAS CABLE ADVERTISING, LLC; TWCIS HOLDCO LLC; WISCONSIN PROCUREMENT HOLDCO LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (ALABAMA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (FLORIDA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (INDIANA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (MICHIGAN), LLC; BHN SPECTRUM INVESTMENTS, LLC; BHN HOME SECURITY SERVICES, LLC; AMERICAN CABLE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC; ATHENS CABLEVISION, LLC; AUSABLE CABLE TV, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND HOLDINGS, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF COLORADO, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF MONTANA, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF UTAH, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF WYOMING, LLC; BRESNAN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; BRESNAN DIGITAL SERVICES, LLC; BRESNAN MICROWAVE OF MONTANA, LLC; CABLE EQUITIES COLORADO, LLC; CABLE EQUITIES OF COLORADO MANAGEMENT LLC CC 10, LLC; CC FIBERLINK, LLC; CC MICHIGAN, LLC; CC SYSTEMS, LLC; CC V HOLDINGS, LLC; CC VI FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VI OPERATING COMPANY, LLC; CC VII FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VIII FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VIII HOLDINGS, LLC; CC VIII OPERATING, LLC; CC VIII, LLC; CCO FIBERLINK, LLC; CCO HOLDCO TRANSFERS VII, LLC; CCO LP, LLC; CCO NR HOLDINGS, LLC; CCO PURCHASING, LLC; CCO SOCAL I, LLC; CCO SOCAL II, LLC; CCO SOCAL VEHICLES, LLC; CCO TRANSFERS, LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (AL), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CO), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (GA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (IL), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (IN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (KY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (LA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MD), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MO), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MS), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NC), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NE), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NH), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NV), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (OH), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (OR), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (PA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (SC), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (TN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (TX), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (UT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (VA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (VT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WV), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (MI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (MN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (WI), LLC; CHARTER ADVERTISING OF SAINT LOUIS, LLC; CHARTER CABLE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC; CHARTER CABLE PARTNERS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT I, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT II, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OF CALIFORNIA, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CAPITAL CORP.; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS PROPERTIES LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS V, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VENTURES, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VI, L.L.C.; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VII, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; CHARTER DISTRIBUTION, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - ALABAMA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - GEORGIA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - ILLINOIS, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MARYLAND II, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MICHIGAN, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MISSOURI, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - NEBRASKA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - PENNSYLVANIA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - TENNESSEE, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK AR-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CC VIII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CT-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK LA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK MA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK MS-CCVI, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NC-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NH-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NV-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NY-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK OH-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK OR-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK SC-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK TX-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK VA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK VT-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK WA-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER HELICON, LLC; CHARTER HOME SECURITY, LLC; CHARTER LEASING HOLDING COMPANY, LLC; CHARTER LEASING OF WISCONSIN, LLC; CHARTER RMG, LLC; CHARTER STORES FCN, LLC; CHARTER VIDEO ELECTRONICS, LLC; FALCON CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; FALCON CABLE MEDIA, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON CABLE SYSTEMS COMPANY II, L.P.; FALCON CABLEVISION, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON COMMUNITY CABLE, L.P.; FALCON COMMUNITY VENTURES I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON FIRST CABLE OF THE SOUTHEAST, LLC; FALCON FIRST, LLC; FALCON TELECABLE, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS, L.P.; HELICON PARTNERS I, L.P.; HOMETOWN T.V., LLC; HPI ACQUISITION CO. LLC; INTERLINK COMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS, LLC; LONG BEACH, LLC; MARCUS CABLE ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.; MARCUS CABLE OF ALABAMA, L.L.C.; MARCUS CABLE, LLC; MIDWEST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; PEACHTREE CABLE TV, L.P.; PEACHTREE CABLE TV, LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (AL), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (CA), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (GA), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (NC), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (TN), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (VA), LLC; PLATTSBURGH CABLEVISION, LLC; RENAISSANCE MEDIA LLC; RIFKIN ACQUISITION PARTNERS, LLC; ROBIN MEDIA GROUP, LLC; SCOTTSBORO TV CABLE, LLC TENNESSEE, LLC; THE HELICON GROUP, L.P.; VISTA BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (AL), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (CA) LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (GA), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (NC), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (TN), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (VA), LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046567/0090 →
CHANGE OF APPLICANT'S ADDRESS Recorded Jul 28, 2017
From: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
To: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
Reel/Frame 043360/0992 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2016
From: BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 038747/0507 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2013
From: THOMAS, JAY; JOSEPHS, HUGH; KIMBLE, DAVID; DONOGHUE, PATRICK J.
To: TIME WARNER CABLE, INC.
Reel/Frame 031230/0500 →