Learning device interaction rules

摘要

Devices and methods are disclosed for establishing interaction among electronic devices of an environment. The device has a transmitter, receiver, memory for storing interaction rules, and a processor for learning the interaction rules in association with the transmitter, receiver, and other devices of the environment. The device also includes components for performing the device specific functions and a state sensor for determining the logical or physical state of the device. Methods involve observing at one or more devices change of state activity among the plurality of devices through receiving a change of state message that is transmitted to the one or more devices. A set of rules are learned at the one or more devices based upon observing the change of state activity. The learned set of rules are then applied at the one or more devices to automatically control changes of state of devices within the plurality of devices.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a device, an electronic message sent from a different device in a plurality of networked devices, the electronic message identifying a change of state implemented by the different device when playing media content; querying, by the device, an electronic database for the change of state, the electronic database having electronic associations between rules and possible changes of state to identify and retrieve a rule of the rules that is electronically associated with the change of state identified in the electronic message; determining, by the device, a learning mode of operation associated with the plurality of networked devices; determining, by the device based on the rule, a broadcast requirement during the learning mode of operation; and broadcasting, by the device, the change of state to network addresses associated with the plurality of networked devices, the change of state identifying the different device implementing the change of state to play the media content.