Device control apparatus and method

An apparatus and method of distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely from each other, in a home network, is disclosed. A control unit receives a user input and converts it to a control signal. An encoder device is coupled to the input device and a decoder device is coupled to the output device. The encoder device and the decoder device each receive the control signal. The encoder device digitally encodes an analog signal from the input device and transmits the encoded signal over the network to the decoder device. The decoder device translates the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for the output device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to content distribution in a home network. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method of distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely, within a home network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modem homes contain multiple consumer electronic devices that can benefit from interconnection to other electronic devices in the home, for example, displaying the output of a DVD player located in a living room on a television located in a bedroom separated by one or more walls. As the number of interoperable electronic devices in the home environment increases, the need arises for a way to distribute media content from an existing source device to an existing destination device located remotely in the home and to allow the devices to interact remotely.

Most prior art schemes that distribute media content within a home network are relegated to simply downloading digital content off the Internet and displaying it on a personal computer. This scheme restricts access to other media content sources located in the home or to devices that connect the home to external access networks, including TVs, VCRs, set-top boxes, video game consoles and other audio/video devices.

A problem encountered when attempting to distribute analog signals from legacy hardware input sources, such as a DVD player, to remotely located legacy hardware output sources, such as a TV located in a different room, is that the hardware input sources need to be directly connected to the hardware output sources. This configuration limits utilization of input sources and requires additional wiring and components. Legacy hardware switch devices, such as receivers and tuners, can provide switching of media signals. However, these devices work only in an analog domain and are generally limited to devices in close geographic proximity to the switch. Thus these switches do not offer a way to distribute the media content to all areas of the home.

What is needed is a system for and method of distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely, within a home network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method of distributing media content from a content source device to a content destination device within a digital home network. The present invention couples hardware input devices such as DVD players, CD players, VCRs and other content sources with hardware output devices such as televisions and display screens, utilizing the home network as a conduit for the content distribution. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of requiring additional wiring and components to connect input devices with output device. The present invention also overcomes the drawbacks of using legacy hardware switch devices, such as receivers and tuners, to provide switching of media signals.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely from each other, in a home network, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a control unit receiving a user input and converting it to a control signal. The apparatus also includes an encoder device coupled to the input device and receiving the control signal. The apparatus also includes a decoder device coupled to the output device and receiving the control signal. The encoder device preferably digitally encodes an analog signal from the input device and transmits the encoded signal over the network to the decoder device. The decoder device preferably translates the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for the output device.

The network can be one of a local area network, a wide area network and a cable network. The network110is preferably a digital network. The digital network can be wireless. Alternatively

The encoder device can include a infra-red transmitter for sending control signals to the input device. The decoder device can include an infra-red transmitter for sending control signals to the output device. The decoder device can also include an infra-red receiver for receiving user generated command signals from a remote control. The decoder device can further display on-screen graphic on the output device for user interface elements. The interface elements can comprise menus.

The input device can comprise at least one of: a DVD player, a CD player, a VCR, and a stereo. The output device can comprise at least one of: a television, a display screen, and speakers.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely from each other, in a home network, is disclosed. The method comprises the step of converting a user input to a control signal. The method further comprises the step of transmitting the control signal to an encoder device and a decoder device. The method also comprises the step of digitally encoding an analog signal from the input device. The method also comprises the steps of transmitting the encoded signal over the network to the decoder device; and translating the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for the output device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1illustrates one embodiment of an apparatus100for distributing media content from at least one hardware input device to at least one hardware output device, located remotely from each other in separate rooms, in a home network, in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus100includes a network110, a control processor or control unit120, encoder devices130and133, and decoder devices131and132. The encoder devices130and133are coupled to hardware input devices170and173, respectively. The decoder devices131and132are coupled to hardware output devices171and172, respectively. The input device170, for example, is a CD jukebox. The input device173is a DVD player. The output device171is a speaker system. The output device172is a television. Alternatively, the input devices170and173can be any legacy hardware input device. Similarly, the output devices171and172can be any legacy hardware output devices. In this embodiment, the devices170-173are separated by one or more walls. The network can be one of a local area network, a wide area network and a cable network. The network110is preferably a digital network. The digital network can be wireless. Alternatively, the digital network can be wired. The digital network can also be a powerline.

The control unit120controls the devices170-174according to commands from a user with a wireless remote. The control unit120couples the input devices170and173with the output devices171and172utilizing the network110as a conduit for content distribution. The control unit120also provides control logic to the encoder devices130and133and the decoder devices131and132. The control unit120receives commands from the user and sends appropriate control signals to at least one of the encoder devices130and133and at least one of the decoder devices131and132to execute the user's requests.

At least one of the encoder devices130and133receives the control signal from the control unit120. The encoder devices130and133preferably include an infra-red transmitter (not shown) to send control signals to the input devices170and173. The encoder devices130and133receive analog signals from the input devices170and173and convert them into digital signals or digital media streams such as MPEG2 or MPEG4. Thus, the encoder devices130and133digitally encode the analog signals from the input devices170and173and transmit the encoded signal over the network110to the decoder devices131and132.

At least one of the decoder devices131and132receives the control signal from the control unit120. The decoder devices131and132also receive the encoded signal from the encoder devices130and133and translate the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for the output devices171and172. The decoded signal can be an analog audio signal or a analog video signal. The decoder devices131and132preferably include an infra-red transmitter (not shown) to send control signals to the output devices171and172and an infra-red receiver (not shown) to receive user generated command signals from a remote control, such as “channel change”, “fast-forward”, “stop”, “pause”, volume up/down, and other command signals. Further, the decoder devices131and132preferably display on-screen graphics on the output devices171and172for user interface elements such as menus.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of an apparatus200for distributing media content remotely in a home network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A control unit210receives user command signals from a wireless remote and distributes the signals to at least one of the encoder devices230and231and at least one of the decoder devices250,251, and252to execute the user's requests. The control unit210provides control logic to the encoder devices230and231and the decoder devices250-252, which are coupled via a network220. The network220can be a digital network such as a wireless network, a wired network, or a powerline. Each encoder device230and231is coupled to at least one hardware input device, as shown. For example, the encoder device230controls and is coupled to a DVD player240. The encoder device231controls and is coupled to a CD Jukebox241. Each encoder device230and231preferably includes an infra-red transmitter (not shown) for sending control signals to each input device240and241. The encoder devices230and231receive analog signals from the input devices240and241and digitally encode and transmit the signals to the decoder devices250-252.

Each decoder device250-252is coupled to at least one hardware output device, as shown. For example, the decoder device250controls and is coupled to a television260. The decoder device251controls and is coupled to a television261. The decoder device252controls and is coupled to a speaker system262. The decoder devices250-252receive the encoded signals from the encoder devices230and231via the network220. The decoder devices250-252then translate the encoded signals into decoded signals suitable for the output devices260-262. Each decoder device250-252preferably includes both an infra-red transmitter (not shown) for sending control signals to the output devices260-262and an infra-red receiver (not shown) for receiving user generated command signals from a remote control, such as “channel change”, “fast-forward”, “stop”, “pause”, “volume up/down”, and other command signals. Further, each decoder device250-252preferably displays on-screen graphics on the output devices260-262for use interface elements such as menus.

As an example of how the present invention can be performed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention andFIG. 2, when a user chooses to play content from an input device on a remotely located output device, the user turns on the television260using an infra-red (IR) remote and presses a “menu” button on the remote. The decoder device250, which is coupled to the television260and the network220, receives the IR signal. The decoder device250transmits a signal to the control unit210that the “menu” button was pressed. The control unit210transmits a control signal to the decoder device250to display a graphic menu. In this example, the graphic menu displays the DVD player240and the CD Jukebox241. The user selects to play the DVD player240, for example, using the remote control. An IR signal is generated from the user and is received by an IR receiver (not shown) of the decoder device250. The decoder device250transmits a signal to the control unit210indicating the DVD player240was selected. The control unit210then sends a signal to the encoder device230coupled to the DVD player240to transmit its digital stream to the decoder device250. The control unit210also sends a signal to the decoder device250to start displaying the digital stream it is receiving from the encoder device230on the television260. The encoder device230then sends control signals to the DVD player via an infra-red transmitter to command the DVD player240to play a DVD. The DVD player240plays the DVD and sends its audio and visual media to the encoder device230. The encoder device230encodes the media and transmits it through the network220to the decoder device250. The decoder device250decodes the media and sends the audio and video signals to the television260which displays content.

FIG. 3is a flow chart illustrating a method of distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely from each other, in a home network, in accordance with the present invention. In the step300a control unit receives user input from a wireless remote and converts the user input to a control signal. Next, in the step310, the control unit transmits the control signal to an encoder device and a decoder device. Next, in the step320, the encoder device encodes an analog signal from an input device. Next, in the step330, the encoder device transmits the encoded signal over the network to the decoder device. Next, in the step340, the decoder device translates the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for an output device.

This invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and the details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.