Methods and apparatus that facilitate controlling multiple devices
Methods and apparatus for controlling a home alarm and supporting various control functions including STB recording functions are described. In some embodiments, e.g., where the STB is a DOCSIS capable device, communications between the control panel and STB is through a gateway and/or server which allow the IP based control panel to interact with the STB via a communications network and other devices located external to the customer premise where the control panel is located. In embodiments where the STB supports IP capability, communication between the control panel and STB is via a home network. In some embodiments upon selecting an alarm activation option a user is provided an opportunity to select at least one of: recordings, which are scheduled for deletion, to be preserved, or suggestions for programs for recording. Upon alarm deactivation, a list of new recordings made in user's absence and a missed call log is presented.
1. A method of controlling multiple devices located at a customer premise, the method comprising:
presenting at a control panel used to control a customer premise alarm system, a first user selectable control option, said first user selectable control option being one of an alarm activation option or an alarm deactivation option;
requesting, in response to detecting user selection of said first user selectable control option, video recording information corresponding to a video recording device; and
presenting, at said control panel, a video recording device control option to a user of said control panel.
2. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein said first user selectable control option is an alarm activation option;
wherein said step of presenting a video recording device control option includes:
presenting said user a list of programs scheduled to be deleted from which the user can select one or more programs for preservation;
monitoring to detect user selection of a program from the list of programs scheduled to be deleted; and
in response to detecting user selection of a program scheduled to be deleted, sending a control message used to indicate that said video recording device should preserve the selected program.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said control message is an IP based message transmitted over a home network located at said customer premise when said video recording device is an IP capable device.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said control message is transmitted to a server which is coupled to said digital video recording device via a communications network that is external to said customer premise when said digital video recording device is not an IP capable device.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said digital recording device is a set top box capable of recording programming content; and
wherein said communications network is one of a cable network or a satellite network.
6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
sending an alarm activation control signal to a control server to activate said alarm.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said control server is located external to said customer premise.
8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
sending a light switch control signal to said control server to turn off lights in said customer premise.
9. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein said first user selectable control option is an alarm activation option;
wherein said step of presenting a video recording device control option includes:
presenting said user a list of suggested programs.
10. The method of claim 9 ,
wherein said list of suggested programs includes television programs and movies.
11. A method of controlling multiple devices located at a customer premise, the method comprising:
presenting at a control panel used to control a customer premise alarm system, a first user selectable control option;
requesting, in response to detecting user selection of said first user selectable control option, video recording information corresponding to a video recording device;
presenting, at said control panel, a video recording device control option to a user of said control panel;
wherein said first user selectable control option is an alarm activation option;
wherein said step of presenting a video recording device control option includes:
presenting said user at least one of: a list of programs scheduled to be deleted from which the user can select one or more programs for preservation, or a list of suggested programs;
monitoring to detect user selection of a program from the list of programs scheduled to be deleted;
in response to detecting user selection of a program scheduled to be deleted, sending a control message used to indicate that said video recording device should preserve the selected program;
sending an alarm activation control signal to a control server to activate said alarm;
sending a light switch control signal to said control server to turn off lights in said customer premise; and
wherein said alarm activation control signal and said light switch control signal are sent, after a predetermined time elapses without receiving user input at said control panel, from said control panel following selection of said alarm activation option.
12. A control panel capable of controlling multiple devices located at a customer premise, the control panel comprising:
a presentation control module configured to present a first user selectable control option, said first user selectable control option being one of an alarm activation option or an alarm deactivation option;
a control signal generation module configured to generate a request, in response to detecting user selection of said first user selectable control option, for video recording information corresponding to a video recording device;
an interface configured to send the request for video recording information; and
wherein said presentation control module is further configured to present, at said control panel, a video recording device control option to a user of said control panel.
13. The control panel of claim 12 ,
wherein said first user selectable control option is an alarm activation option;
wherein said presentation control module is further configured to present to said user at least one of: a list of programs scheduled to be deleted from which the user can select one or more programs for preservation, or a list of suggested programs, as part of being configured to present a video recording device control option;
wherein said control panel further includes an input detection module configured to detect user selection of a program from the list of programs scheduled to be deleted;
wherein said control signal generation module is further configured to generate, in response to said input detection module detecting user selection of said program scheduled to be deleted, a control message instructing that said video recording device should preserve the selected program; and
wherein said interface is further configured to send said control message instructing that said video recording device should preserve the selected program to said video recording device.
14. The control panel of claim 13 ,
wherein said control signal generation module is further configured to generate an alarm activation control signal; and
wherein said interface is further configured to send the alarm activation control signal to a control server to activate an alarm.
15. The control panel of claim 13 , wherein said control message is an IP based message transmitted over a home network located at said customer premise when said video recording device is an IP capable device.
16. The control panel of claim 13 , wherein said control message is transmitted to a server which is coupled to said video recording device via a communications network that is external to said customer premise when said video recording device is not an IP capable device.
17. The control panel of claim 16 , wherein said recording device is a set top box capable of recording programming content; and
wherein said communications network is one of a cable network or a satellite network.