IP Library Granted Patent US 9,294,797
Granted Patent B2
US 9,294,797 · App. 14/070,491 · Granted Mar 22, 2016

Methods, systems, and products for control of devices

Inventors: John R. Stefanik (Atlanta, GA); George A. Durden (Alpharetta, GA)
Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
H04N21/4104H04N5/44543H04N5/765H04N7/17318H04N21/235H04N21/4131H04N21/435H04N21/436H04N21/43632H04N21/4622H04N21/4782H04N21/6543H04N21/6547H04N21/8126H04N21/84H04N5/775H04N5/85H04N2005/4425
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,294,797
App. No.
14/070,491
Granted
Mar 22, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, systems, and products control external devices during presentation of multimedia content. When a description of the multimedia content is received, the description includes control data for controlling an external device. The control data is stripped therefrom and sent to the external device to alter a presentation of the multimedia content.

Claims (31)

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a device, multimedia content comprising control data added to a description of the multimedia content, the control data for controlling an external device;

stripping, by the device, the control data from the description of the multimedia content; and

executing, by the device, the control data to alter a presentation of the multimedia content.

2. The method of claim 1 , furthering comprising embedding the control data in the multimedia content.

3. The method of claim 1 , furthering comprising inserting the control data into the multimedia content.

4. The method of claim 1 , furthering comprising processing the control data.

5. The method of claim 1 , furthering comprising setting a reminder based on the control data.

6. The method of claim 1 , furthering comprising adjusting home theater equipment in response to the control data.

7. The method of claim 1 , furthering comprising recording the multimedia content in response to the control data.

8. The method of claim 1 , furthering comprising adjusting a volume in response to the control data.

9. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing a software application that when executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving multimedia content having control data added to a description of the multimedia content, the control data for controlling an external device;

stripping the control data from the description of the multimedia content; and

sending the control data to the external device to alter a presentation of the multimedia content.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise processing the control data.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise setting a reminder in response to the control data.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting a volume in response to the control data.

13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise muting a volume associated with the multimedia content.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting home theater equipment in response to the control data.

15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise recording the multimedia content in response to the control data.

16. A memory storing code that when executed causes a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving multimedia content having control data added to a description of the multimedia content, the control data for controlling an external device;

stripping the control data from the description of the multimedia content; and

sending the control data to the external device to alter a presentation of the multimedia content.

17. The memory of claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise processing the control data.

18. The memory of claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting a volume in response to the control data.

19. The memory of claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting home theater equipment in response to the control data.

20. The memory of claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise adjusting a display picture in response to the control data.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2015
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 036456/0752 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 31, 2015
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 036507/0991 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 31, 2015
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 036508/0032 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 31, 2015
From: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 036508/0036 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2013
From: DURDEN, GEORGE A.; STEFANIK, JOHN R.
To: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031533/0291 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation 13015722 · Jan 28, 2011
Continuation 11601957 · Nov 20, 2006
Continuation 09752267 · Dec 29, 2000
Provisional Application 60213058 · Jun 21, 2000
Provisional Application 60214529 · Jun 27, 2000
Related Publication 20140059639A1 · Feb 27, 2014