Content-activated intelligent, autonomous audio/video source controller

Abstract

An intelligent audio/video source switcher and controller that automatically switches the input source based on a change in an incoming audio/video signal (for example, upon detection of a commercial break), devices that connect to the source switcher and controller, and methods for using the same, are presented. The switcher allows playback of media stored in memory of the switcher or streamed to the switcher via a network connection, thereby allowing commercial breaks in a television broadcast to be replaced with alternate content, such as alternate advertising or entertainment. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention includes a control server configured to send commands to the switcher via a network to instruct the switcher to switch audio/video inputs, play back alternate media, or download media and/or software updates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An audio/video source switcher comprising:
 a microprocessor;   a memory;   computer-readable instructions stored in the memory and executing on the microprocessor;   a plurality of audio/video source inputs;   an audio/video output; and   one or more computer network interfaces;   wherein the switcher is configured to receive an active mode control instruction from a control server via a computer network, and in response to the active mode control instruction, to enter an active mode; and   wherein the active mode disconnects a first audio/video source input from the audio/video output and connects a second audio/video source input to the audio/video output.   
     
     
         2 . The audio/video source switcher of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the switcher is further configured to receive an update mode control instruction from the control server via the computer network, and in response to the update mode control instruction, to enter an update mode; and   wherein the update mode obtains audio/video data and updated computer-readable instructions from the control server via the computer network and stores the audio/video data and updated computer-readable instructions in the memory of the switcher   
     
     
         3 . The audio/video source switcher of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the switcher is further configured to receive a passive mode control instruction from the control server via the computer network, and in response to the passive mode control instruction, to enter a passive mode; and   wherein the passive mode listens for an audio streaming request received via the computer network from a mobile device, and in response to the audio streaming request, to stream an audio component of an audio/video signal emitted from the audio/video output to one or more mobile devices via the computer network.   
     
     
         4 . The audio/video source switcher of  claim 1  wherein the second audio/video source input provides an audio/video signal that is generated internally in the switcher according to the computer-readable instructions. 
     
     
         5 . The audio/video source switcher of  claim 3  wherein the switcher is configured to receive audio data from a microphone input, detect one or more key words, phrases, or sounds in the received audio data, and in response to the detection, send one or more notifications to one or more mobile devices via the computer network according to the computer-readable instructions. 
     
     
         6 . The audio/video source switcher of  claim 3  wherein the switcher is configured to send an input switch notification to the mobile device notifying the mobile device that the switcher has disconnected the first audio/video source input from the audio/video output and connected the second audio/video source input to the audio/video output, the input switch notification configured to cause the mobile device to display a pop-up notification on a display of the mobile device. 
     
     
         7 . The audio/video source switcher of  claim 6  wherein the pop-up notification comprises additional content or features in connection with the second audio/video signal of the second audio/video source input. 
     
     
         8 . A method performed by an audio/video source switcher according to computer-readable instructions stored in a memory of the switcher comprising the steps of:
 receiving an active mode control instruction from a control server; and   entering an active mode in accordance with the active mode control instruction;   wherein the active mode comprises the steps of disconnecting a first audio/video source input from an audio/video output of the switcher and connecting a second audio/video source input to the audio/video output.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the steps of:
 receiving an update mode control instruction from a control server; and 
 entering an update mode in accordance with the update mode control instruction; 
 wherein the update mode comprises the steps of obtaining audio/video data and updated computer-readable instructions from the control server and storing the audio/video data and updated computer-readable instructions in the memory of the switcher. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the steps of:
 receiving a passive mode control instruction from a control server; and 
 entering a passive mode in accordance with the passive mode control instruction; 
 wherein the passive mode comprises the steps of listening for an audio streaming request received via a computer network from a mobile device, and in response to the audio streaming request, streaming an audio component of an audio/video signal emitted from the audio/video output to one or more mobile devices via the computer network. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of connecting a second audio/video source input to the audio/video output further comprises the steps of:
 generating an audio/video signal internally in the switcher according to the computer-readable instructions; and 
 providing the generated audio/video signal on the second audio/video source input. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of receiving audio data from a microphone input connected to the switcher, detecting one or more key words, phrases, or sounds in the received audio data, and in response to the detection, sending one or more notifications to one or more mobile devices connected to the switcher via a computer network. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of sending an input switch notification to a mobile device that the switcher has disconnected the first audio/video source input from the audio/video output and connected the second audio/video source input to the audio/video output, the input switch notification causing the mobile device to display a pop-up notification. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the pop-up notification comprises additional content and features in connection with the second audio/video signal of the second audio/video source input. 
     
     
         15 . An audio/video source switcher comprising:
 a microprocessor;   a memory;   computer-readable instructions stored in the memory and executing on the microprocessor;   a plurality of audio/video source inputs;   an audio/video output; and   one or more computer network interfaces;   wherein the switcher is configured to receive a control frame comprising a control instruction from a control server via a computer network, and in response to the control instruction, to enter one of an active mode, update mode, or passive mode in accordance with the control instruction;   wherein the active mode disconnects a first audio/video source input from the audio/video output and connects a second audio/video source input to the audio/video output;   wherein the update mode obtains audio/video data and updated computer-readable instructions from the control server via the computer network and stores the audio/video data and updated computer-readable instructions in the memory of the switcher; and   wherein the passive mode listens for an audio streaming request received via the computer network from a mobile device, and in response to the audio streaming request, to stream an audio component of an audio/video signal emitted from the audio/video output to one or more mobile devices via the computer network.   
     
     
         16 . The audio/video source switcher of  claim 15  wherein the second audio/video source input provides an audio/video signal that is generated internally in the switcher according to the computer-readable instructions. 
     
     
         17 . The audio/video source switcher of  claim 15  further comprising a microphone input wherein the switcher is configured to receive audio data from the microphone input, detect one or more key words, phrases, or sounds in the received audio data, and in response to the detection, send one or more notifications to one or more mobile devices via a computer network according to the computer-readable instructions.