Automatic input selection

Abstract

Disclosed are techniques for minimizing user effort when controlling complex media systems such as home theater systems. When multiple devices are connected within such systems, it is necessary to ensure that content from the intended device is presented. In accordance with the disclosed principles, source selection is automatically performed by analyzing command signals and cross-referencing these signals with those expected for devices known to be within the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A non-transitory computer readable medium including one or more instructions executable by one or more processors for:
 configuring a signal switching device to establish a signal path between a content source device of a plurality of content source devices and a content output device of a plurality of content output devices;   receiving a signal transmitted from a control device configured to operate the content output device;   determining from the signal a user intent to display content from the content output device; and   in response to the user intent, determining the signal path between the content source device and the content output device.   
     
     
         2 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein configuring the signal switching device comprises establishing a list of control signals employed to operate respective content output devices of the plurality of content output devices. 
     
     
         3 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein configuring the signal switching device to establish the signal path comprises associating the signal path between the content source device and the content output device to a command signal received from the content source device. 
     
     
         4 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises a command signal associated with the content output device. 
     
     
         5 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein determining from the signal the user intent further comprises extrapolating from detection of one or more command signals associated with the source content device that a user desires to operate to display the content therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein establishing the signal path further comprises determining from signal information associated with an identity of the source content device. 
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 6 , wherein the signal information comprises instructions configured to operate the source content device. 
     
     
         8 . A processor implemented method, comprising:
 configuring a signal switching device to establish a signal path between a content source device of a plurality of content source devices and a content output device of a plurality of content output devices;   receiving a signal transmitted from a control device configured to operate the content output device;   determining from the signal a user intent to display content from the content output device; and   in response to the user intent, determining the signal path between the content source device and the content output device.   
     
     
         9 . The processor implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring the signal switching device comprises establishing a list of control signals employed to operate respective content output devices of the plurality of content output devices. 
     
     
         10 . The processor implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein configuring the signal switching device to establish the signal path comprises associating the signal path between the content source device and the content output device to a command signal received from the content source device. 
     
     
         11 . The processor implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein the signal comprises a command signal associated with the content output device. 
     
     
         12 . The processor implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein determining from the signal the user intent further comprises extrapolating from detection of one or more command signals associated with the source content device that a user desires to operate to display the content therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . The processor implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein establishing the signal path further comprises determining from signal information associated with an identity of the source content device. 
     
     
         14 . The processor implemented method of  claim 13 , wherein the signal information comprises instructions configured to operate the source content device. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising one or more computing devices that executes software configured to connect signals between signal sources and signal receivers, a computing device of the one or more computing devices configured to perform the steps comprising:
 configuring a signal switching device to establish a signal path between a content source device of a plurality of content source devices and a content output device of a plurality of content output devices;   receiving a signal transmitted from a control device configured to operate the content output device;   determining from the signal a user intent to display content from the content output device; and   in response to the user intent, determining the signal path between the content source device and the content output device.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein configuring the signal switching device comprises establishing a list of control signals employed to operate respective content output devices of the plurality of content output devices. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein configuring the signal switching device to establish the signal path comprises associating the signal path between the content source device and the content output device to a command signal received from the content source device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the signal comprises a command signal associated with the content output device. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein determining from the signal the user intent further comprises extrapolating from detection of one or more command signals associated with the source content device that a user desires to operate to display the content therefrom. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein establishing the signal path further comprises determining from signal information associated with an identity of the source content device.