System and method for controlling home network devices using multicast enabled remote controls

Abstract

A system, method, and article of manufacture for controlling home network devices using a multicast enabled remote control. The system includes a plurality of home network devices capable of receiving and/or transmitting multicast input and/or output signals and a home gateway to receive audio/video signals generated outside of the home and to transform the audio/video signals into multicast output signals. The system also includes a multicast enabled remote control to detect, aggregate, store and display all audio/video multicast output signals on the multicast enabled remote control, to enable a user to redirect an audio/video multicast output signal to one or more of the plurality of home network devices capable of receiving multicast input signals, and to control the plurality of home network devices capable of receiving and/or transmitting multicast input and/or output signals.

1  to  18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A cellular telephone device capable of wirelessly communicating via at least one wireless network, when the cellular telephone device is in operation, with at least one service provider, at least one household appliance, at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one wireless network, the at least one household appliance, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device being capable of being comprised, at least in part, in at least one household, the cellular telephone device comprising:
 a display;   a processor;   storage capable of storing, at least in part, instructions that are capable of being executed, at least in part, by the processor;   the instructions when executed, at least in part, by the processor resulting in the cellular telephone device being capable of performing operations comprising:
 displaying, at least in part, via the display, at least one stream, the at least one stream being from, at least in part, the at least one service provider via the at least one wireless network; 
 receiving, at least in part, at least one user request to redirect, at least in part, the at least one stream via the at least one wireless network for display via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device to be associated, at least in part, with an available household audio/video device list that is capable of being displayed via the display when the cellular telephone device is in the operation; 
 receiving, at least in part, at least one other user request associated, at least in part, with control, at least in part, of at least one operational parameter of the at least one household appliance; 
 receiving, at least in part, at least one additional user request associated, at least in part, with redirection, at least in part, of telephone call-related signals via the at least one wireless network to the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device; 
   wherein:
 the at least one household appliance is capable of comprising:
 at least one household lighting-related device; 
 at least one household security-related device; and/or 
 at least one household heating/cooling-related device; 
 
 the at least one user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one television-related device; 
 the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one computing device having another display; and 
 the cellular telephone device is also capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of receiving at least one further user request associated, at least in part, with remotely controlling, at least in part, at least one other operational parameter of the at least one user selectable household audio/video device. 
   
     
     
         20 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the at least one household appliance comprises at least one of a plurality of household appliances; and   the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, of remotely controlling, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, the plurality of household appliances based at least in part upon household zones that comprise the plurality of household appliances.   
     
     
         21 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of programming the at least one household appliance to operate in accordance, at least in part, with pre-set time intervals.   
     
     
         22 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of being used in association with blocking, at least in part, of playing of at least certain audio/video.   
     
     
         23 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the at least one household appliance is also capable of comprising:
 at least one washer; 
 at least one dryer; 
 at least one printer; 
 at least one cooking-related appliance; and/or 
 at least one refrigerator. 
   
     
     
         24 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable of receiving, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, at least one other stream generated, at least in part, by at least one household security surveillance camera;   the at least one other stream is for display, at least in part, by the cellular telephone device; and   the cellular telephone device is also capable of permitting user control, at least in part, of the at least one household security surveillance camera via the cellular telephone device.   
     
     
         25 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable of receiving, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, at least one yet further user request for display of at least one digital photograph via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device.   
     
     
         26 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the at least one stream and/or the at least one other stream are capable of being multicast streams.   
     
     
         27 . Non-transitory computer-readable storage storing instructions that are capable of being executed, at least in part, by a processor of a cellular telephone device, the cellular telephone device being capable of wirelessly communicating via at least one wireless network, when the cellular telephone device is in operation, with at least one service provider, at least one household appliance, at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one wireless network, the at least one household appliance, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device being capable of being comprised, at least in part, in at least one household, the instructions when executed, at least in part, by the processor resulting in the cellular telephone device being capable of performing operations comprising:
 displaying, at least in part, via a display of the cellular telephone device, at least one stream, the at least one stream being from, at least in part, the at least one service provider via the at least one wireless network;   receiving, at least in part, at least one user request to redirect, at least in part, the at least one stream via the at least one wireless network for display via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device to be associated, at least in part, with an available household audio/video device list that is capable of being displayed via the display when the cellular telephone device is in the operation;   receiving, at least in part, at least one other user request associated, at least in part, with control, at least in part, of at least one operational parameter of the at least one household appliance;   receiving, at least in part, at least one additional user request associated, at least in part, with redirection, at least in part, of telephone call-related signals via the at least one wireless network to the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device;   wherein:
 the at least one household appliance is capable of comprising:
 at least one household lighting-related device; 
 at least one household security-related device; and/or 
 at least one household heating/cooling-related device; 
 
 the at least one user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one television-related device; 
 the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one computing device having another display; and 
 the cellular telephone device is also capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of receiving at least one further user request associated, at least in part, with remotely controlling, at least in part, at least one other operational parameter of the at least one user selectable household audio/video device. 
   
     
     
         28 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the at least one household appliance comprises at least one of a plurality of household appliances; and   the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, of remotely controlling, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, the plurality of household appliances based at least in part upon household zones that comprise the plurality of household appliances.   
     
     
         29 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of programming the at least one household appliance to operate in accordance, at least in part, with pre-set time intervals.   
     
     
         30 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of being used in association with blocking, at least in part, of playing of at least certain audio/video.   
     
     
         31 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the at least one household appliance is also capable of comprising:
 at least one washer; 
 at least one dryer; 
 at least one printer; 
 at least one cooking-related appliance; and/or 
 at least one refrigerator. 
   
     
     
         32 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable of receiving, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, at least one other stream generated, at least in part, by at least one household security surveillance camera;   the at least one other stream is for display, at least in part, by the cellular telephone device; and   the cellular telephone device is also capable of permitting user control, at least in part, of the at least one household security surveillance camera via the cellular telephone device.   
     
     
         33 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage of  claim 27 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable of receiving, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, at least one yet further user request for display of at least one digital photograph via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device.   
     
     
         34 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage of  claim 32 , wherein:
 the at least one stream and/or the at least one other stream are capable of being multicast streams.   
     
     
         35 . A method implemented, at least in part, using a cellular telephone device, the cellular telephone device being capable of wirelessly communicating via at least one wireless network, when the cellular telephone device is in operation, with at least one service provider, at least one household appliance, at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one wireless network, the at least one household appliance, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device being capable of being comprised, at least in part, in at least one household, the method comprising:
 displaying, at least in part, via a display of the cellular telephone device, at least one stream, the at least one stream being from, at least in part, the at least one service provider via the at least one wireless network;   receiving, at least in part, at least one user request to redirect, at least in part, the at least one stream via the at least one wireless network for display via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device to be associated, at least in part, with an available household audio/video device list that is capable of being displayed via the display when the cellular telephone device is in the operation;   receiving, at least in part, at least one other user request associated, at least in part, with control, at least in part, of at least one operational parameter of the at least one household appliance;   receiving, at least in part, at least one additional user request associated, at least in part, with redirection, at least in part, of telephone call-related signals via the at least one wireless network to the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device;   wherein:   the at least one household appliance is capable of comprising:
 at least one household lighting-related device; 
 at least one household security-related device; and/or 
 at least one household heating/cooling-related device; 
   the at least one user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one television-related device;   the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one computing device having another display; and   the cellular telephone device is also capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of receiving at least one further user request associated, at least in part, with remotely controlling, at least in part, at least one other operational parameter of the at least one user selectable household audio/video device.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the at least one household appliance comprises at least one of a plurality of household appliances; and   the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, of remotely controlling, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, the plurality of household appliances based at least in part upon household zones that comprise the plurality of household appliances.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of programming the at least one household appliance to operate in accordance, at least in part, with pre-set time intervals.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of being used in association with blocking, at least in part, of playing of at least certain audio/video.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the at least one household appliance is also capable of comprising:
 at least one washer; 
 at least one dryer; 
 at least one printer; 
 at least one cooking-related appliance; and/or 
 at least one refrigerator. 
   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable of receiving, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, at least one other stream generated, at least in part, by at least one household security surveillance camera;   the at least one other stream is for display, at least in part, by the cellular telephone device; and   the cellular telephone device is also capable of permitting user control, at least in part, of the at least one household security surveillance camera via the cellular telephone device.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable of receiving, at least in part, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, at least one yet further user request for display of at least one digital photograph via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein:
 the at least one stream and/or the at least one other stream are capable of being multicast streams.   
     
     
         43 . A cellular telephone device capable of wirelessly communicating via at least one wireless network, when the cellular telephone device is in operation, with at least one service provider, at least one household appliance, at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one wireless network, the at least one household appliance, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device being capable of being comprised, at least in part, in at least one household, the cellular telephone device comprising:
 a display;   a processor;   storage capable of storing instructions that are capable of being executed, at least in part, by the processor;   the instructions when executed, at least in part, by the processor resulting in the cellular telephone device being capable of performing operations comprising:
 displaying, via the display, at least one stream from the at least one service provider via the at least one wireless network; 
 receiving at least one user request to redirect the at least one stream via the at least one wireless network for display via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device to be associated with an available household audio/video device list that is capable of being displayed via the display; 
 receiving at least one other user request associated with control of at least one operational parameter of the at least one household appliance; 
 receiving at least one additional user request associated with redirection of telephone call-related signals via the at least one wireless network to the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device; 
   wherein:
 the at least one household appliance is capable of comprising:
 at least one household lighting-related device; 
 at least one household security-related device; and/or 
 at least one household heating/cooling-related device; 
 
 the at least one user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one television-related device; 
 the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one computing device having another display; and 
 the cellular telephone device is also capable, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of receiving at least one further user request associated, at least in part, with remotely controlling at least one other operational parameter of the at least one user selectable household audio/video device. 
   
     
     
         44 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 43 , wherein:
 the at least one household appliance comprises at least one of a plurality of household appliances;   the cellular telephone device is capable of remotely controlling, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, the plurality of household appliances based at least in part upon household zones that comprise the plurality of household appliances; and   the cellular telephone device is capable, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of programming the at least one household appliance to operate in accordance with pre-set time intervals.   
     
     
         45 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 43 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, of being used in association with blocking of playing of at least certain audio/video;   the at least one household appliance is also capable of comprising:
 at least one washer; 
 at least one dryer; 
 at least one printer; 
 at least one cooking-related appliance; and/or 
 at least one refrigerator; 
   the cellular telephone device is capable of receiving, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, at least one other stream generated, at least in part, by at least one household security surveillance camera;   the at least one other stream is for display by the cellular telephone device; and   the cellular telephone device is also capable of permitting user control of the at least one household security surveillance camera via the cellular telephone device.   
     
     
         46 . The cellular telephone device of  claim 45 , wherein:
 the cellular telephone device is capable of receiving, when the cellular telephone device is in the operation, at least one yet further user request for display of at least one digital photograph via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device; and   the at least one stream and/or the at least one other stream are capable of being multicast streams.   
     
     
         47 . A stationary computing device capable of wirelessly communicating via at least one wireless network, when the stationary computing device is in operation, with at least one service provider, at least one household appliance, at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one wireless network, the at least one household appliance, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, and at least one other user selectable household audio/video device being capable of being comprised, at least in part, in at least one household, the stationary computing device comprising:
 a display;   a processor;   storage capable of storing, at least in part, instructions that are capable of being executed, at least in part, by the processor;   the instructions when executed, at least in part, by the processor resulting in the stationary computing device being capable of performing operations comprising:
 displaying, at least in part, via the display, at least one stream, the at least one stream being from, at least in part, the at least one service provider via the at least one wireless network; 
 receiving, at least in part, at least one user request to redirect, at least in part, the at least one stream via the at least one wireless network for display via the at least one user selectable household audio/video device, the at least one user selectable household audio/video device to be associated, at least in part, with an available household audio/video device list that is capable of being displayed via the display when the stationary computing device is in the operation; 
 receiving, at least in part, at least one other user request associated, at least in part, with control, at least in part, of at least one operational parameter of the at least one household appliance; 
 receiving, at least in part, at least one additional user request associated, at least in part, with redirection, at least in part, of telephone call-related signals via the at least one wireless network to the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device; 
   wherein:
 the at least one household appliance is capable of comprising:
 at least one household lighting-related device; 
 at least one household security-related device; and/or 
 at least one household heating/cooling-related device; 
 
 the at least one user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one television-related device; 
 the at least one other user selectable household audio/video device is capable of comprising at least one computing device having another display; 
 the stationary computing device is also capable, at least in part, when the stationary computing device is in the operation, of receiving at least one further user request associated, at least in part, with remotely controlling, at least in part, at least one other operational parameter of the at least one user selectable household audio/video device; 
 the at least one stream is capable of being a multicast stream; and 
 the stationary computing device is capable, at least in part, when the stationary computing device is in the operation, of programming the at least one household appliance to operate in accordance, at least in part, with pre-set time intervals. 
   
     
     
         48 . The stationary computing device of  claim 47 , wherein:
 the stationary computing device is capable, when the stationary computing device is in the operation, of being used in association with blocking of playing of at least certain audio/video;   the at least one household appliance is also capable of comprising:
 at least one washer; 
 at least one dryer; 
 at least one printer; 
 at least one cooking-related appliance; and/or 
 at least one refrigerator; 
   the stationary computing device is capable of receiving, when the stationary computing device is in the operation, at least one other stream generated, at least in part, by at least one household security surveillance camera;   the at least one other stream is for display by the stationary computing device; and   the stationary computing device is also capable of permitting user control of the at least one household security surveillance camera via the stationary computing device.