Set-top box with interactive features and system and method for use of same

Abstract

A set-top box with interactive features and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box receives various types of set-top box data such as information about display-based interactions with the set-top box, information about a plurality of amenities on a residential property co-located with the set-top box, and information from a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device interacting with the set-top box. The set-top box may render a map view of the property based on obtained map data. The map view may include an interactive graphical representation of the residential property and be annotated with at least a portion of the set-top box data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A set-top box comprising:
 a housing securing a signal input, a signal output, a processor, memory, storage, and a wireless transceiver therein;   a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the signal input, the signal output, the processor, the memory, the storage, and the wireless transceiver therein;   the signal input configured to receive a source signal from an external source;   the signal output configured to forward a fully tuned signal to a display; and   the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
 receive environmental data via the wireless transceiver, the environmental data being, relative to the set-top box, information about an amenity, the amenity being one of a plurality of amenities at a residential property, the set-top box being co-located at the residential property, 
 store set-top box data at the set-top box, the set-top box data including the environmental data, 
 maintain the set-top box data at the set-top box, 
 render a map view of the residential property at the set-top box, the map view of the residential property based on obtained map data, the map view including an interactive graphical representation of the residential property and the plurality of amenities, 
 annotate the interactive graphical representation of the residential property at the set-top box with at least a portion of the set-top box data, and 
 send the annotated interactive graphical representation of a residential property to a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the residential property is selected from the group consisting of single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, and apartments. 
     
     
         3 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to render a 3-D perspective view of the residential property. 
     
     
         4 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to render a multi-floor view of the residential property. 
     
     
         5 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to render a 2-D top plan view of at least a portion of the residential property. 
     
     
         6 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to render a map view of a room of the residential property. 
     
     
         7 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to store physical data, the physical data being, relative to the set-top box, specifications of hardware and cable connection arrangements at the time of installation. 
     
     
         8 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to store physical quality assurance data, the physical quality assurance data being, relative to the set-top box, physical state data of a current condition of hardware and cable connections. 
     
     
         9 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to store program data, the program data being, relative to the set-top box, information about system software and application software. 
     
     
         10 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the processor-executable instructions further comprise processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to store program quality assurance data, the program quality assurance data being, relative to the set-top box, software state data of current operations of system software and application software. 
     
     
         11 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the set-top box data further comprises identification data, the identification data including a location of the set-top box and information derived from physical data and program data. 
     
     
         12 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the set-top box data further comprises self-diagnostic data, the self-diagnostic data being information relative to faults in physical data, physical quality assurance data, program data, program quality assurance data, interactive data, and the environmental data. 
     
     
         13 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the environmental data is selected from the group consisting of amenity interaction, lighting status, thermostat status, window shades status, and door status. 
     
     
         14 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a housing-dongle combination securing the signal input, the signal output, the processor, the memory, the storage, and an active sound control circuit portion therewith. 
     
     
         15 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the processor and the memory are distributed through the housing-dongle combination. 
     
     
         16 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the display is selected from the group consisting of televisions and electronic visual display devices. 
     
     
         17 . A set-top box comprising:
 a housing securing a signal input, a signal output, a processor, memory, storage, and a wireless transceiver therein;   a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the signal input, the signal output, the processor, the memory, the storage, and the wireless transceiver therein;   the signal input configured to receive a source signal from an external source;   the signal output configured to forward a fully tuned signal to a display; and   the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
 receive environmental data via the wireless transceiver, the environmental data being, relative to the set-top box, information about an amenity, the amenity being one of a plurality of amenities at a residential property, the set-top box being co-located at the residential property, 
 store set-top box data at the set-top box, the set-top box data including the environmental data, 
 maintain the set-top box data at the set-top box, 
 render a map view of the residential property at the set-top box, the map view of the residential property based on obtained map data, the map view including an interactive graphical representation of the residential property and the plurality of amenities, 
 annotate the interactive graphical representation of the residential property at the set-top box with at least a portion of the set-top box data, and 
 send at least a portion of the annotated interactive graphical representation of the residential property to a proximate wireless-enabled interactive device. 
   
     
     
         18 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the environmental data is selected from the group consisting of amenity interaction, lighting status, thermostat status, window shades status, and door status. 
     
     
         19 . A set-top box comprising:
 a housing securing a signal input, a signal output, a processor, memory, storage, and a wireless transceiver therein;   a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the signal input, the signal output, the processor, the memory, the storage, and the wireless transceiver therein;   the signal input configured to receive a source signal from an external source;   the signal output configured to forward a fully tuned signal to a display; and   the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
 receive environmental data via the wireless transceiver, the environmental data being, relative to the set-top box, information about an amenity, the amenity being one of a plurality of amenities on a residential property co-located with the set-top box, 
 store set-top box data at the set-top box, the set-top box data including the environmental data, 
 maintain the set-top box data at the set-top box, 
 render a map view of the residential property at the set-top box, the map view of the residential property based on obtained map data, the map view including an interactive graphical representation of the residential property and the plurality of amenities, 
 annotate the interactive graphical representation of the residential property at the set-top box with at least a portion of the set-top box data, 
 send via the wireless transceiver at the set-top box the annotated interactive graphical representation of the residential property to a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, and 
 receive via the wireless transceiver at the set-top box an interactive instruction relative to the annotated interactive graphical representation of the residential property. 
   
     
     
         20 . The set-top box as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the environmental data is selected from the group consisting of amenity interaction, lighting status, thermostat status, window shades status, and door status.