US 8,428,089 B2Granted

Location-based sharing of multimedia control resources

AssigneeSavant Systems, LLC

InventorsMichael E. Noonan, Michael C. Silva, Wilson Callan

Life of this patent

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Abstract

In one embodiment, a multimedia resource is shared among a plurality of devices based upon a physical location of an active wireless endpoint unit within a structure. Devices are associated with corresponding zones within the structure. Each device provides functionality within the device's corresponding zone. Using one of a number of techniques, the physical location of the active wireless endpoint unit is determined to be within a particular zone. In response, one or more devices associated with the particular zone are provided with access to the multimedia control resources. Access is withheld to one or more other devices associated with another zone that is remote from the physical location of the active wireless endpoint unit.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method for sharing a multimedia resource among a plurality of devices based upon a physical location of a wireless endpoint unit within a structure, the method comprising:

associating each of the plurality of devices with a corresponding zone within the structure, each device to provide functionality within the device's corresponding zone;
determining that the physical location of the wireless endpoint unit is within a first zone within the structure;
in response to the determining that the physical location of the wireless endpoint unit is within the first zone, providing, by a controller, one or more devices associated with the first zone with access to the multimedia resource, and withholding access to the multimedia resource from one or more other devices associated within a second zone within the structure that is remote from the physical location of the wireless endpoint unit;
determining that the physical location of the wireless endpoint unit has changed to be within the second zone;
in response to the determining that the physical location has changed to be within the second zone, providing, by the controller, the one or more other devices that are associated with the second zone with access to the multimedia resource, and withholding access to the multimedia resource from the one or more devices that are associated with the first zone,
wherein the multimedia resource is separate from the wireless endpoint unit and is operable to function with the one or more devices associated within the first zone or the one or more other devices associated within the second zone.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/532,370Filed 25 Jun 2012 · continuation
Priority: 4 Sep 2008
Published: US 2012/0266199 A118 Oct 2012
Granted: 23 Apr 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

H04N 21/4627
Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic programme guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or…:…
H04L 12/282
Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities: based on user interaction within the home
H04L 12/2838
Home automation networks: distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from…
H04L 67/52
Network services: specially adapted for the location of the user terminal

Family

Application12/204,032Parent of this continuation · filed 4 Sep 2008
US 2012/0266199 A1Pre-grant publication · published 18 Oct 2012
US 8,213,463 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2010/0054275 A1Published application
US 8,428,089 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.