NZ569250A - Programmable multimedia controller with service implementation graphical workflow generator - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an integrated multimedia, entertainment, communications and control system with an environment for creating programmable services to be performed by the system. The system comprises a component profile for connected components, a zone configuration for identification of components within zones, connection configuration for interconnection of components, service rules for what functions are needed to implement the services, and a compiler to receive the configurations and profiles and output a service implementation description. The system also has a workflow generator to graphically show the service implementation.

Description

1 PROGRAMMABLE MULTIMEDIA CONTROLLER WITH PROGRAMMABLE SERVICES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Related Application This application is related to copending application entitled "System and Method for a Programmable Multimedia Controller," filed December 20, 2005, assigned to a common assignee and identified by Cesari and McKenna file no. 104215-0003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to the fields of multimedia and communications and, more specifically, to a programmable multimedia controller for home, commercial, professional audio or video, broadcast or film studio, security, automation or other use which is capable of interfacing with, controlling and managing a wide variety of audio, video, telecommunications, data communications and other devices.

Background Information Commercial offerings of consumer electronic devices have expanded dramatically in response to the falling cost of electronic hardware and introduction of new media. For example, within only a few years, compact disk (CD) technology largely displaced vinyl records and magnetic tapes as the music recording medium of choice, but was in turn displaced by MP3 technology. Similarly, digital versatile disk (DVD) technology largely displaced videotape as the video recording medium of choice, while digital cameras have effectively replaced film cameras. The advent of new technologies and media, and the corresponding consumer demand for products based on the latest advances, drives manufacturers to rapidly introduce new products. As a result, an overwhelming number of product types and models permeate the market.

RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 2 One long-standing problem which persists for many consumers is the complexity involved with interconnecting various electronic devices which are typically sold individually and not as parts of an integrated system. For example, a consumer may acquire an audio receiver, cable TV box, television, DVD player and surround sound system made by different 5 manufacturers. The basic problem of interconnecting a group of components by a series of cables is challenging for many users, let alone sufficiently understanding the various modes of operations and features which, if properly used, will allow the components to work best together and produce the most enjoyable entertainment experiences.

Another long-standing problem with most, if not all, previous approaches to integrating 10 disparate components is that some type of central controller is used which operates on software written in a high-level computer language. The use of a high-level computer language presents several difficulties. First, it is all but certain that the manufacturer will not make the source code available to the user, thus effectively preventing a user who wished to customize a system from doing so. Second, even if the source code is made available, the 15 overwhelming majority of users do not have the technical experti se, time or inclination to write or modify source code. Third, the introduction of new devices by manufacturers almost certainly necessitate that the source code be modified in order to make the central controller compatible with such devices.

Yet another long-standing problem is an absence of any widely adopted industry 20 standard regarding control interfaces for consumer electronics devices. Manufacturers have incorporated varying communication protocols, most of which are proprietary in nature, do not conform to any standard, and are implemented with extremely detailed source code. This absence of standards greatly complicates the problem of how to integrate and centrally control a wide variety of consumer electronics devices such that they work together and are 25 manageable by an average user who does not possess substantial technical expertise.

A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

C:\pof\word\SPEC-NZ16088-08.doc RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 3 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief summary, the present invention provides a programmable multimedia controller with programmable services. The multimedia controller is based on a general purpose computer which controls a specialized embedded computer system. The general 5 purpose computer may be matched with a second general purpose computer to provide redundancy. The multimedia controller is capable of interfacing with, controlling or managing a wide variety of audio, video, telecommunications, data communications or other devices.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided an integrated multimedia, entertainment, communications and control system having an environment for 10 creating programmable services to be performed by said system comprising: at least one component profile which includes information regarding a physical characteristic of a predetermined component which may be interfaced with said system, one or more commands that said component recognizes, and one or more functions that said component is capable of performing; at least one zone configuration which includes information regarding an 15 identification of a plurality of components that are present in one or more predetermined zones, how those components are interconnected, and one or more types of controllers available to the user in said predetermined zones; a connection configuration which includes information regarding how components are interconnected; at least one service rule which includes information regarding what component functions are needed to implement a 20 predetermined programmable service and how components providing said functions will interact to provide said predetermined service; a configuration compiler, that is configured to receive as an input said at least one component profile, zone configuration, connection configuration and service rule, and which is configured to generate as an output a service implementation that describes how to utilize a particular group of components to provide said 25 predetermined service; and a workflow generator which is configured to, in response to said service implementation, generate a graphical workflow that graphically represents said service implementation.

The multimedia controller includes a programming environment for creating services or user experiences that may incorporate features or functionalities of several devices that are 30 conventionally operated as separate, standalone devices. Such services may range in complexity from simple control functions to multimedia experiences that combine high performance audio and video with the graphics capability of a general purpose computer, web-based services and telecommunications.

C:\pof\wortJ\SPEONZ16088-08.doc RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 3a Services may be implemented according to various zones within a larger physical space. For example, a user may specify that certain services are available in the family room of a home, while different services are available in the kitchen, depending upon the components that are available in each room or user preferences. Services may also be 5 implemented on a per user basis in conjunction with a user profile which specifies preferences, restrictions (e.g., parental controls) and the like.

The programming environment includes a library of component profiles. Component profiles may be implemented in a number of ways based upon desired attributes of the underlying data structures. In a preferred embodiment, a component profile is implemented as 10 an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file which describes certain attributes of a component such as a DVD player, television, amplifier or any other type of component that is capable of interfacing with the system of the present invention. A component profile typically describes at least some of the physical characteristics of the component (e.g., the input/output connectors located on the back of the component), the configuration of the component (e.g., all possible 15 types of modules that may be present in the slots or bays of a modular receiver), the set of commands that the component recog- C:\pof\word\SPEC-NZ16088-08.doc 4 nizes (e.g., power on, power off, open disk tray), as well as the functions that the component is capable of performing (e.g., play, pause, stop).

Use of XML files for component profiles, as well as other aspects of the present invention discussed below, provides several advantages including particularly the ease with which component profiles may be created for new components introduced into the market in the future. Further, the use of XML makes the process of customization through editing existing component profiles extremely simple as compared to writing or modifying source code. Accordingly, the present invention includes a programming tool to assist installers or users who wish to create custom component profiles or modify profiles that are available in the library.

The library of component profiles may be stored on a hard disk drive or other storage media that is physically part of the system or otherwise available to the system by way of a network or other communication link. One or more component profiles or even the entire library may be acquired, or updated as necessary, by accessing a designated website over the internet and downloading the appropriate files. Updating of the component profile library may be implemented as an automatic process or as one in which a user initiates or controls the process.

Using the library of component profiles, the present invention allows a user to interactively describe how a particular installation is actually wired through an on-screen tutorial. In the case of a new installation, the present invention may make recommendations to the user as to how to wire an installation. Once wiring is established, the present invention may advise the user on what services are available.

The programming environment also includes zone configurations, which are also preferably implemented as XML files. A zone configuration is essentially a description which includes an identification of what components are present in a particular room or other space, which modules are actually present within a modular component, how those components are interconnected and a specification of what type(s) of controller is available to the user in that space.

The programming environment also includes connection configurations, again preferably implemented as XML files. A connection configuration is essentially a file that stores the installation wiring information referred to above and is used in determining what services can be supported by a particular installation.

The programming environment also includes service rules. A service rule, preferably implemented as an XML file, essentially defines what components are needed to implement a particular service and how a particular component or group of components will interact to provide the service.

Within the programming environment, component profiles, zone configurations, connection configuration and service rules are all provided as inputs to a configuration compiler, which produces a service implementation, also preferably implemented as an XML file. The service implementation is, in turn, supplied as an input to a workflow generator which produces both an executable form of the service implementation as well as a graphical representation of the executable form. The graphical representation advantageously provides a convenient and easy to use format that may be displayed and edited using the general purpose computer. By editing the graphical representation, a user is effectively modifying the corresponding executable form directly. In this fashion, a user with little or no programming expertise is able to create and customize programmable services as desired.

Another aspect of the present invention which also enhances the ease of use and programmability of the system is a user interface which, in a preferred embodiment, is based upon the functionality of a DVD player coupled with widely available DVD authoring software. In this aspect, the present invention leverages two important considerations: a DVD player (i.e., the functionality of a DVD player as embodied in a video decoder chip) is very inexpensive; and users are generally very familiar with how to operate a DVD player to select items from displayed menus. Accordingly, a user interface which is very inexpensive, yet is readily understood by a large majority of users, may be implemented using commercially available DVD authoring software. Such software may be used to create videos which, when played, present information, menus or choices with which the user interacts using a simple remote control, portable DVD player, touchscreen or any of a number of other control devices supported by the present invention. As part 6 of system configuration and setup, one such video may be used to gather necessary information to create one or more user profiles.

Another aspect of the present invention is its expandability. Multiple multimedia controllers may be interconnected to form a larger system in which any input audio or video signal one controller may be switched to any output on the same or different controller. In such an expanded system, different controllers may be programmed to provide different services. For example, one controller may be programmed to provide video-related services while a second interconnected controller may be programmed to provide audio-related services.

The services which the present invention may implement are diverse and vast in number. For example, assume that a user has the system of the present invention interfaced with a DVD player, a television and a telephone line. With those components, a simple service may be defined such that when a user is watching a DVD movie and receives a phone call, the system of the present invention will automatically command the DVD player to pause and cause the caller ID to be displayed in the video frame on the television. As a result, the user may decide whether to answer the call without physically going to the phone or manually controlling the DVD player. If the call is answered, the DVD player will remain paused. If the call is not answered or is answered and then finished, the movie will automatically resume playing after a period time that may be programmed by the user.

Another example of a simple service that the present invention may implement involves the combination of a television and access to the internet. The present invention may be used to access information from the internet, such as stock quotes, sports scores or weather information, and display that information anywhere in a video image on the TV screen or, alternatively, as a "ticker" that moves along the bottom of the image as the user watches a desired TV program.

Yet another example of a service that the present invention may implement involves the combination of a television and a wireless (cell phone). The present invention may be used to detect the arrival of a short message service (SMS) text message by the cell phone and display the text message as an overlay on the image displayed by the tele- RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 7 vision. In this fashion, the user is able to view the text message without handling the cell phone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention description below refers to the accompanying drawings, of which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a home multimedia controller 100, interconnected to a number of devices, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the high-level hardware architecture of the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the high-level software architecture of the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is block diagram showing the major software components involved in creating services which may be performed by the system of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a screen shot of the automator workflow; Fig. 6 is a diagram of a message structure for an application programming interface (API) for the controller of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a message flow diagram showing how a device running Mac OS X interacts with the API of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is message flow diagram showing how a remote control which transmits radio frequency (RF) commands interacts with the API of Fig. 6; and Fig. 9 is a message flow diagram showing how a DVD player with S/PDIF output may be used a control device with the API of Fig. 6.

C:\pof\word\SPEC-NZl6088-08.doc 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a programmable multimedia controller 100, interconnected to a number of devices, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The term "programmable multimedia controller" should be interpreted broadly as a device capable of controlling, switching data between, and/or interoperating with a variety of electronic devices, such as audio, video, telephony, data, security, motor-driven, relay-driven, and/or other types of electronic devices... By interacting with these devices the programmable multimedia controller may implement an integrated multimedia control solution.

In the illustrative embodiment, the programmable multimedia controller 100 is connected to a wide range of audio/video components, for example, a compact disk (CD) player 105, a digital versatile disc (DVD) player 110, an audio/video receiver 115, a television 120, a personal media player 125, speakers 122, a microphone 123, and/or a video camera 124. The programmable multimedia controller may also be connected to telephony devices such as a telephone network 130 and telephone handsets 132. The telephone network 130 may be a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN), an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or other communications network.

In addition, the programmable multimedia controller may intercommunicate with variety of light and/or home automation systems 135. These devices may operate via the XI0 protocol developed by Pico Electronics, the INSTEON™ protocol developed by SmartHome, Inc, the CEBus standard managed by the CEBus Industry Council, or another well known home automation or control protocol. Similarly the controller may be connected to motor and/or relay operated devices 137 that may include, for example, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) system, an irrigation system, an automatic shade or blind system, an electronic door lock, or other types of devices.

A computer network, such as the Internet 140, is connected to the multimedia controller. In addition, a personal computer (PC) 145, video game systems 150, home recording equipment 165 or other devices may also be connected. Further, one or more remote control units 170 may be provided to manage the controller's functionality, and/or 9 to control devices connected to the controller. Such remote control units may be interconnected to the controller via a wired network connection, an infra-red link, a radio-frequency link, a Bluetooth™ link, a ZigBee™ link or another appropriate data connection.

In addition to providing interconnection to a wide variety of devices, the programmable multimedia controller is able to combine, synthesize, and otherwise processes various data types to implement an integrated multimedia solution for a user.

To facilitate the above described interconnections and processing, the programmable multimedia controller 100 may be arranged in a modular manner. For example, in one embodiment, the programmable multimedia controller 100 is arranged to have twelve separate input and output modules, each having a number of connection ports. The input and output modules are inserted into slots or module bays of the programmable multimedia controller 100. The modules interface with a mid-plane that provides connection to the rest of the system. By embracing a modular approach, a user is allowed to select the specific modules desired, and the system may be customized to fit a particular application. In addition, entry level pricing may be reduced by allowing a user to purchase a base configuration, with limited capabilities, and then add to the system by purchasing addition modules. Several examples of modules are discussed below, in reference to Figs. 4-10, 12 and 13. It is expressly contemplated that a wide variety of additional modules may be provided, and, accordingly, this disclosure should be interpreted to embrace such other possible configurations. It is also contemplated that several programmable multimedia controllers may be interconnected to create a larger system, in effect implementing a modular-type solution at the controller level. Further details regarding such interconnection and expansion may be found below in reference to Figs. 18 and 19.

Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a high-level hardware architecture of the programmable multimedia controller. The various components shown may be arranged on a "motherboard" of the controller, or on a plurality of cards interconnected by a backplane (not shown). A microcontroller 210 manages the general operation of the system. In the illustrative embodiment, the microcontroller is a 32-bit model MCF5234 microcontroller available from Freescale Semiconductor Inc. The microcontroller 210 is coupled to an audio switch 215 and a video switch 220 via a bus 218. The audio switch 215 and the video switch 220 are preferably crosspoint switches capable of switching a number of connections simultaneously. However many other types of switches capable of switching digital signals could be employed, for example Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) switches. Further discussion of these switches may be found below in reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 11.

A mid plane 235 interconnects the switches and other devices to a variety of input and output modules such as, for example, Digital Video Input Modules with HDMI 600, Video Output Modules with HDMI 1000, Digital Audio Input Modules 400, and Digital Audio Output Modules 900. The mid plane 235 is further coupled to an Ethernet switch 230 that peimits switching of lOBaseT, 100BaseT or Gigabyte Ethernet signals. The Ethernet switch 230 interconnects Ethernet ports 232 and a processing subsystem 240 to the microcontroller 210. In one embodiment, the processing subsystem 240 includes a plurality of small form factor general purpose personal computers that provide redundant operation and/or load balancing. In some embodiments, the processing subsystem 240 may include one or more storage devices, external to the personal computers, to provide expanded storage capacity, for example, to store digital media. Further discussion of the various embodiments of the data processing subsystem 240 may be found below in reference to Figs. 14-16.

Also, a number of Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports 242 are interconnected to a USB hub 243 for interconnection to the processing subsystem 240. A memory card interface 225 may also be connected to the USB hub 243. The interface accepts one or more well known memory card formats, for example CompactFlash™ cards, Memory Stick™ cards, Secure Digital™ (SD) cards, or other formats. A USB switch 244 is employed to switch USB links among the multiple processing components that may be present. In a similar manner, a number of IEEE 1394 (Fire Wire™) ports 246 are interconnected to an IEEE 1394 hub 247 and to an IEEE 1394 switch 248.

The microcontroller 210 is further connected to a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) and Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) distribution circuit 250, which provides a serial communication interface to relatively low data transfer rate devices. The SPI/ I2C controller 250 is connected to the mid-plane connector 235 and thereby provides control commands from the microcontroller 210 to the modules and other devices in the programmable mul 11 timedia controller 100. Further connections from SPI/ I2C controller 250 are provided to devices such as a fan controller 251, a temperature sensor 252 and a power manager circuit 253, which manage the thermal characteristics of the system and prevent overheating.

The microcontroller 210 is also connected to Infra-Red (IR) interface 260, an RS232 interface 265, and an RF interface 267, that permit interconnection with external devices. Such interaction permits programmable multimedia controller 100 to control external devices. In addition the interfaces may receive control signals that control the operation of the programmable multimedia controller itself. It is expressly contemplated that various other interfaces, including WI-FI, Bluetooth™, ZigBee™ and other wired and wireless interfaces, may be used with the multimedia controller 100. Further discussion of such interfaces may be found below in reference to Fig. 17.

In addition, an Auxiliary Audio/Video Port 700 is provided for interconnecting one or more video game systems, camcorders, computers, karaoke machines or other devices. A telephone interface 270 is provided for connecting to the public switch telephone network or to a private network, and to telephone handsets. Further, a device control interface 275 is provided to communicate with lighting, home automation, and motor and/or relay operated devices. As discussed in more detail below, an expansion port 280 is provided for linking several programmable multimedia controllers together to form an expanded system. Finally, a front panel display 1150 permits presentation of status, configuration, and/or other information to a user. In one embodiment the from panel can display video data originating from any input source connected to the system, such that one may preview video content on the display. In another embodiment the front panel display 1150 includes a touch sensitive screen, and a user may enter control selections by selecting icons on the screen.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the high-level software architecture of the controller 100. The software architecture is organized as a series of planes including a system control plane 302, a user interface (UI) plane 304, a control application programming interface (API) access 306, a service plane 308, a media plane 310, a component control plane 312 and a configuration/setup plane 314. 12 System control plane 302 includes the functionalities of a system manager 316, a system launcher 318, a redundancy manager 320, a web server 322, a touchscreen/PDA server 324, a remote system access manager 326 and system logs 328.

UI plane 304 shares a UI server 330 with service plane 308. Service plane 308 includes the functionalities of a service controller 332 which itself includes an automator runtime 334. Service plane 308 also includes the functionalities of a Mac display controller 336, an on-screen display (OSD) application 338, third party applications 340, Mac applications 342 and an audio/video component controller 344. Through automator runtime 334, service controller 332 is capable of controlling Mac applications including iTunes, iChat, iPhoto and iDVD that support Applescript, which enables application-to-application control. Similarly, through automator runtime 334, service controller 332 is capable of controlling other third party applications which support AppleScript.

Media plane 310 includes the functionality of Mac input/output (I/O) in all supported formats (i.e., DYI, Ethernet, Fire Wire™, USB, etc.). Component control plane 312 includes the functionality of controlling audio/video components 348.

Configuration/setup plane 314 includes the functionalities of a user configuration application 350, a configuration compiler 352, a user services control application 354, a workflow generator 356 and a service control workflow browser/search engine/customization application 358. Configuration/setup plane 314 also passes several types of information to UI plane 304 and service plane 308 including system configuration 360, automator workflow 362, services definitions 364, component profiles 366 and Mac settings 368. As described in detail below in connection with Figs. 5-11, in a preferred embodiment, XML files are used to represent system configuration 360, automator workflow 362, services definitions 364 and component profiles 366.

The overall functional responsibilities of the various planes shown in Fig. 3 will now be discussed. In general, system control plane 302 has responsibility for high level system tasks and processes. Redundancy manager 320 has overall responsibility for redundancy arrangements which may be advantageously used in multimedia controller 100. For example, processing subsystem 240 may be implemented using two Mac Mini™ 13 computers as noted above. The use of two computers provides both load-sharing capability as well as one level of redundancy in the even that one of the computers fails.

In order for the two computers to work properly when both are operating properly as well as when one of them fails, data stored on the hard drives normally accessed by only one of the computers must be synchronized. This is preferably done using rsync, a capability which is part of the OS X operating system. In addition, one of the computers will be designated as the "primary" computer based on an arbitration that takes place upon power up of the multimedia controller 100. The "secondary" computer operates in a subordinate role to the primary computer.

One embodiment of an arbitration begins with each computer advertising its presence using the BonjourName Service. When one computer discovers another computer, it will connect to the other computer. If both computers are candidates to become primary, then the one with the higher media access control Ethernet address will become primary. Each computer will keep open a connection and "ping" one another. If the primary computer fails to respond to pings, then the secondary computer will assume the role of primary computer.

The primary computer is responsible for allocating streaming resources between itself and the "secondary" computer. Insertable/removable media (e.g., Fire Wire or USB drives, cameras, iPods) axe connected to the primary computer. Data collected by the primary computer from such devices may be passed to the secondary computer by shared mountpoints or another technique.

Control API access 306 has responsibility for an API through which multimedia controller 100 may be controlled by a user who may choose to use a web-enabled device, an RF remote control type device, a touchscreen, a PDA or cell phone. UI plane 304 has functional responsibility for a user interface to multimedia controller 100. Service plane 308 has functional responsibility for implementing services as described above. Automator runtime 334 is responsible for receiving requests or commands from users and mapping them to a workflow for a particular service.

Media plane 310 has functional responsibility for Mac I/O as well as the other internal and external communications interfaces supported by multimedia controller 100. 14 Component control plane 312 has functional responsibility for controlling the operations of audio or video components which may be interfaced with multimedia controller 100. Configuration/setup plane 314 has functional responsibility for enabling users to configure multimedia controller 100; to select, create or modify services; and to select, create or modify component profiles.

With reference now to Fig. 4, the logical relationships among certain functional units depicted in Fig. 3 are shown in greater detail. A collection of data which is stored internally to the system of multimedia controller 100 or obtained from an external source (e.g., a designated website having a library of component profiles) is denoted by reference number 402. Data collection 402 includes component profiles, media types and service rules, preferably in the form of XML files, as discussed above. A second collection of data is provided by the user and is denoted by reference number 404. Data collection 404 includes connection configuration and system configuration information, again preferably in the form of XML files.

A user interacting with user configuration application 350, which is preferably implemented in the form of an on-screen interactive tutorial, will generate the data contained in data collection 404. The tutorial may be displayed on front panel display 1150 (Fig. 1) or on a television or other display which connected to multimedia controller 100. In addition, by using a microphone and speakers connected to the multimedia controller 100 and utilizing the speech recognition/synthesis capabilities which are part of the Mac OS X operating system, the on-screen tutorial may be enhanced for visually-impaired users. In this fashion, instead of on-screen prompts, speech synthesized questions may be asked of the user who simply speaks the answers.

Alternatively, user configuration application 350 may be implemented in the form of an "offline" program that may be run on Mac computer or other device that is not necessarily connected to multimedia controller 100. This implementation would be advantageous for professional installers who wish to prepare a configuration in advance of physical installation of the controller.

User configuration application 350 may be used to create user profiles discussed above. User profiles enable each user to personalize his or her system settings, styles, colors and the like for the on-screen display that multimedia controller 100 will present to that user. User profiles may also include service restrictions. For example, a user profile for a child may contain information which blocks access to adult videos or cable channels. A user profile may be implemented in the form of an XML file or other data file or structure which is compatible with other aspects of the system which require access to it.

A user interacting with a component profile tool 400 will effectively select component profiles from those available in the library of multimedia controller 100, direct the controller to download a needed profile from a designated website or other source, or possibly modify an existing profile or create an entirely new profile as desired.

Component profile tool 400 may also include functionality for "learning" the IR or RF commands transmitted by a conventional remote control. Thus, a user who is creating a new component profile for a component that has a remote control may rapidly teach the remote control's command set to component profile tool 400.

Component profile tool 400 may also work in conjunction with an optical wand (not shown) by which a user may scan a manufacturer's bar codes located on a component chassis or possibly the component's packaging. Once a bar code is scanned, component profile tool 400 attempts to find a match in the component profile library or seek the appropriate profile of a designated website or other source.

Data collection 402 may also include application profiles, also preferably implemented as XML files, for controlling third party applications (e.g., iTunes, iChat) as part of a service. In a preferred embodiment, an application profile may be implemented as essentially a list of actions that are executed by running an Applescript. However, application profiles, like the other constructs described herein, may be implemented in a variety of other ways.

Data collections 402 and 404 are supplied as inputs to configuration compiler 352 which, in response, generates a service implementation. The service implementation is, in turn, supplied as an input to services definition 364. User services control application 354 enables a user to review implemented services and to modify or remove them. Services definition 364 provides service definitions to service controller 332 and to workflow generator 356. Service definitions include specifications of what zones, services RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 16 and components are in the system configuration. Service controller 332 responds to the service definitions by creating internal states and objects to manage the zones, services and components. Service controller 332 also uses the service definitions to help identify what automator workflows sets will exist.

Using information contained in the services definitions, workflow generator 356 generates an initial "default" workflow set in both an executable form and a graphical representation. Each zone and service in the service definitions has a workflow implemented for each request that the service implements. The executable form of the workflow is executed by service controller 332 (Fig. 3).

Workflow browser/search engine/customization application 358 may be used to display, inspect and modify the graphical representations of workflows. When a user edits a graphical representation, the corresponding executable form is automatically changed in accordance with the user's edits. Consequently, a user is able to easily work with and customize workflows in a graphical programming environment, while avoiding the complex 15 logic and minutia of the underlying executables. In addition, speech recognition/synthesis capabilities which are part of the Mac OS X operating system may be utilized in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, the workflow browser/search engine/customization application 358. Thus, as an aid to the visually impaired.

An example of a component profile maybe implemented as an XML file. It will be 20 understood by those skilled in the art that the component profiles, as well as any of the other constructs described herein, may be implemented in a variety of ways using well known techniques, languages and data structures including databases accessible through standard query languages, closed binary representations, text files, spreadsheets HTML files or other file-based data storage methods. By way of example only there is provided below a component 25 profile for an Integra model DPS-5.5 DVD player. END SECTION 500 - - START SECTION 502 - - END SECTION 502 C:lportwftftSPEC-NZteC88-oe.doc RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 16b START SECTION 504 - - - END SECTION 504 - 0 - START SECTION 506 - ST ANDB Y PLAYBACK PAUSE UNKNOWN 5 END SECTION 506 START SECTION 508 - NO 10 DISC D YD CD D AT A UNKN OWN END SECTION 508 - BRIGHT MEDIUM DIM UNKN OWN - OFF ON UNKNOWN - 10 - START SECTION 510 15 END SECTION 510 - - START SECTION 512 - l l - - PWR C:\poftword\SPEC-N2l6088-08.doc RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 16e - 1 END SECTION 512 START SECTION 514 - -

Claims (18)

RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 28 The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. An integrated multimedia, entertainment, communications and control system having an environment for creating programmable services to be performed by said system 5 comprising: at least one component profile which includes information regarding a physical characteristic of a predetermined component which may be interfaced with said system, one or more commands that said component recognizes, and one or more functions that said component is capable of performing; 10 at least one zone configuration which includes information regarding an identification of a plurality of components that are present in one or more predetermined zones, how those components are interconnected, and one or more types of controllers available to the user in said predetermined zones; a connection configuration which includes information regarding how components are 15 interconnected; at least one service rule which includes information regarding what component functions are needed to implement a predetermined programmable service and how components providing said functions will interact to provide said predetermined service; a configuration compiler, that is configured to receive as an input said at least one 20 component profile, zone configuration, connection configuration and service rule, and which is configured to generate as an output a service implementation that describes how to utilize a particular group of components to provide said predetermined service; and a workflow generator which is configured to, in response to said service implementation, generate a graphical workflow that graphically represents said service 25 implementation.

2. The system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one component profile includes a description of one or more physical inputs or outputs of a component. 30

3. The system as in claim 2 wherein said description of one or more physical inputs or outputs includes information regarding connector type and signal type. C:\poftworcASPEC-NZ16086-08.doc RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 29

4. The system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one component profile includes a description of one or more messages which said component may generate to report an action or status. 5

5. The system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one component profile includes information regarding removable modules which may be contained within said component.

6. The system as in claim I wherein said at least one component profile includes information regarding a plurality of functions which said component is capable of performing. 10

7. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said at least one zone configuration includes a description of user-assigned options for components present in said predetermined zone. 15

8. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said connection configuration includes a description of one or more physical connections between one or more inputs or outputs of at least one component and one or more inputs or outputs of a programmable multimedia controller. 20

9. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said connection configuration includes a description of one or more physical connections between one or more inputs or outputs of at least two components. 25

10. The system as in claim 1 wherein said at least one component profile comprises an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file.

11. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said at least one zone configuration comprises an XML file. 30

12. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said connection configuration comprises an XML file. C:\poAvwrd\SPEC-NZ 16088-08.doc RECEIVED at IPONZon 18 April 2011 30

13. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said at least one service rule comprises an XML file.

14. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said workflow generator is further 5 configured to, in response to said service implementation, also generate an executable program corresponding to said service implementation.

15. The system as in claim 14 further comprising: a graphical programming environment in which said graphical workflow may be 10 viewed and modified by a user, whereupon a user modification of said graphical workflow, said corresponding executable program is automatically changed to conform with said user modification.

16. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said system includes a processing 15 subsystem that comprises at least two general purpose computers having separate data storage capacities, and a first one of said computers has a primary responsibility for performing processing necessary to implement said predetermined service and a second one of said computers has a secondary responsibility for performing processing necessary to implement said predetermined service, and the said second one of said computers is configured to assume 20 primary responsibility in the event said first one of said computers fails.

17. The system as in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said predetermined service is videoconferencing performed in conjunction with a television, a telephone, internet and a public switched telephone network. 25

18. An integrated multimedia, entertainment, communication and control system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the drawings. C:\pof\word\SPEC-NZl6088-08.doc