IP Library Granted Patent US 8,607,298
Granted Patent B2
US 8,607,298 · App. 13/015,722 · Granted Dec 10, 2013

Methods, systems, and products for automated control of devices

Inventors: George A. Durden (Alpharetta, GA); John R. Stefanik (Atlanta, GA)
Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,607,298
App. No.
13/015,722
Granted
Dec 10, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for automated control of devices. A tag is received with Electronic Programming Guide data, and the tag includes control data. The tag is stripped from the Electronic Programming Guide data and communicated to a device.

Claims (31)

1. A method, comprising:

receiving electronic programming guide data comprising a tag added to a program description field, the tag identifying a command for an external device;

stripping the command from the program description field; and

sending the command to the external device.

2. The method according to claim 1 , furthering comprising embedding the tag in the electronic programming guide data.

3. The method according to claim 1 , furthering comprising inserting the tag in the electronic programming guide data.

4. The method according to claim 1 , furthering comprising processing the tag.

5. The method according to claim 1 , furthering comprising controlling home theater equipment.

6. The method according to claim 1 , furthering comprising adjusting lighting.

7. The method according to claim 1 , furthering comprising muting a commercial.

8. The method according to claim 1 , furthering comprising adjusting volume.

9. The method according to claim 1 , furthering comprising muting objectional content.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

memory for storing instructions that when executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving electronic programming guide data comprising a tag that has been added to a program description field, the tag identifying a command for an external device;

stripping the command from the program description field; and

sending the command to the external device.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise processing the tag.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise controlling home theater equipment.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting lighting.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise muting a commercial.

15. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting volume.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise muting objectional content.

17. A memory comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving electronic programming guide data comprising a tag that has been added to a program description field, the tag identifying a command for an external device;

stripping the command from the program description field; and

sending the command to the external device.

18. The memory according to claim 17 , wherein the operations further comprise processing the tag.

19. The memory according to claim 17 , wherein the operations further comprise controlling home theater equipment.

20. The memory according to claim 17 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting volume.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2013
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 030505/0300 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 28, 2013
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 030492/0933 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 28, 2013
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 030492/0942 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 28, 2013
From: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 030492/0946 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2011
From: DURDEN, GEORGE A.; STEFANIK, JOHN R.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P. (VIA TRANSFER FROM BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION)
Reel/Frame 025720/0428 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 11601957 · Nov 20, 2006
Continuation 09752267 · Dec 29, 2000
Provisional Application 60213058 · Jun 21, 2000
Provisional Application 60214529 · Jun 27, 2000
Related Publication 20110131606A1 · Jun 2, 2011