Set top box automation

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for integration of a set top box and an automation system is described. In one configuration, subscriber program content is provided. An aspect of a premises is monitored via one or more sensors. A monitor channel may be provided to display the monitored aspect of the premises. The monitor channel may be displayed in a channel guide among channels of the subscriber program content.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for integration of a set top box and an automation system, the method comprising:
 providing, via a processor in the set top box, subscriber program content;   monitoring, via the processor, an aspect of a premises using one or more sensors; and   providing, via the processor, a monitor channel to display the monitored aspect of the premises, the monitor channel being displayed in a channel guide among channels of the subscriber program content.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 tracking a plurality of entities associated with the premises; and   providing a tracking channel among the channels of the subscriber program content, the tracking channel to display a map of the tracked plurality of entities.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 modifying a native application programming interface (API) of the set top box in order to provide the monitor channel in the channel guide among the channels of the subscriber program content; and   upon receiving a user command, scheduling the set top box to record the monitor channel for a specified duration on a specified date.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting a predetermined change related to the one or more sensors;   displaying a notification on a display connected to the set top box based on the detected predetermined change; and   receiving a user input in response to the displayed notification.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 displaying the notification in relation to a presently viewed channel of the subscriber program content.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 pausing a channel from the subscriber program content; and   displaying the notification on at least a portion of the paused channel.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 upon detecting a first user input, displaying an automation user interface, the automation user interface including information regarding the one or more sensors; and   upon detecting a second user input in relation to the automation user interface, adjusting, via the processor, an aspect of at least one of the one or more sensors.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second user inputs comprise at least one of a voice command input, a video gesture input, tactile gesture input, a mobile computing device input, and a remote control device input. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 monitoring an action of a user; and   upon detecting the monitored action of the user matches a predetermined user action, adjusting an aspect of at least one of the one or more sensors based on a current state of the one or more sensors.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 detecting the action of the user via a camera connected to the set top box.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 identifying a pattern associated with the monitored action of the user;   detecting an initiation of the identified pattern associated with the monitored action of the user; and   upon detecting the initiation of the identified pattern, adjusting an aspect of at least one of the one or more sensors.   
     
     
         12 . A system configured for integration of a set top box and an automation system, comprising:
 a processor;   one or more speakers;   memory in electronic communication with the processor;   instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to:
 provide subscriber program content; 
 monitor an aspect of a premises using one or more sensors; and 
 provide a monitor channel to display the monitored aspect of the premises, the monitor channel being displayed in a channel guide among channels of the subscriber program content. 
   
     
     
         13 . The home automation system of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 track a plurality of entities associated with the premises; and   provide a tracking channel among the channels of the subscriber program content, the tracking channel to display a map of the tracked plurality of entities.   
     
     
         14 . The home automation system of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 modify a native application programming interface (API) of the set top box in order to provide the monitor channel in the channel guide among the channels of the subscriber program content; and   upon receiving a user command, schedule the set top box to record the monitor channel for a specified duration on a specified date.   
     
     
         15 . The home automation system of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 detecting a predetermined change related to the one or more sensors;   display a notification on a display connected to the set top box based on the detected predetermined change; and   receive a user input in response to the displayed notification.   
     
     
         16 . The home automation system of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 display the notification in relation to a presently viewed channel of the subscriber program content.   
     
     
         17 . The home automation system of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 pause a channel from the subscriber program content; and   display the notification on at least a portion of the paused channel.   
     
     
         18 . The home automation system of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 upon detecting a first user input, display an automation user interface, the automation user interface including information regarding the one or more sensors; and   upon detecting a second user input in relation to the automation user interface, adjust an aspect of at least one of the one or more sensors.   
     
     
         19 . A computer-program product for integrating, via a processor, a set top box and automation system, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by the processor to:
 provide subscriber program content;   monitor an aspect of a premises using one or more sensors; and   provide a monitor channel to display the monitored aspect of the premises, the monitor channel being displayed in a channel guide among channels of the subscriber program content.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-program product of  claim 19 , wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:
 track a plurality of entities associated with the premises; and   provide a tracking channel among the channels of the subscriber program content, the tracking channel to display a map of the tracked plurality of entities.