Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-24
2001-03-06
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S215000, C345S950000, C709S201000, C709S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198479
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of networks, and more particularly, to method and apparatus for performing services on browser based home networks for controlling home devices.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical household contains several home devices. As used in this document, the term “home device” encompasses all electronic devices that are typically found in the home, with the exception of general purpose computers (i.e. personal computers (PCs), laptop computers, etc). For example, the term home device includes but is not limited to such electronic devices as security systems, theatre equipment (e.g., TVs, VCRs, stereo equipment, and direct broadcast satellite services or (DBSS), also known as digital satellite services (DSS)), sprinkler systems, lighting systems, micro waves, dish washers, ovens/stoves, and washers/dryers. Indeed, an automobile may be a home device. On the other hand, the term “device” as used in this document may comprise logical devices or other units having functionality and an ability to exchange data, and may include not only all home devices but also general purpose computers.
In general, home devices are used to perform tasks that enhance a homeowner's life style and standard of living. For example, a dishwasher performs the task of washing dirty dishes and relieves the homeowner of having to wash the dishes by hand. A VCR can record a TV program to allow a homeowner to watch a particular program at a later time. Security systems protect the homeowner's valuables and can reduce the homeowner's fear of unwanted entry.
Home devices (such as home theatre equipment) are often controlled using a single common control unit, namely a remote control device. This single common control unit allows a homeowner to control and command several different home devices using a single interface. Thus, many manufacturers have developed control units for controlling and commanding their home devices from a single interface.
One drawback associated with using the remote control unit to command and control home devices is that it provides static control and command logic for controlling and commanding each home device. Therefore, a particular remote control unit can only control and command those home devices for which it includes the necessary control and command logic. For example, if a remote control unit comprises logic for controlling a television (TV), a video cassette recorder (VCR), and a digital video device (DVD), but not a compact disk (CD) unit, the remote control unit can not be used to command and control the CD unit. In addition, as new home devices are developed, the remote control unit will not be able to control and command the new home devices that require control and command logic that was not known at the time the remote control unit was developed.
Another drawback associated with using remote control units is that known remote control units cannot control a plurality of diverse devices, and more particularly cannot control a plurality of devices having different capabilities to communicate with each other in order to provide a service.
Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for controlling diverse devices to communicate in order to provide a service. There is also a need to provide a method and apparatus for controlling diverse devices over a home network, using a browser based approach, to perform a service in accordance with the respective capabilities thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to overcome the problems of the prior art, and to provide a method and apparatus for control of a plurality of devices on a home network to perform a service.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide method and apparatus for providing a user interface on a client device to permit a user to select and control a plurality of diverse devices to communicate and perform a service.
The present invention accordingly provides a method and system for controlling home devices on a home network to communicate with each other for performing a service over the home network.
According to one aspect of the invention, a method for performing a service on a home network having a plurality of home devices connected thereto includes the steps of: connecting a client device to the home network, wherein the device is capable of displaying a user interface; executing a software agent on the client device, wherein executing the software agent causes a user interface to be displayed on the client device; selecting a first home device from the user interface being displayed on the device, wherein the first home device is connected to the home network; selecting a second home device from the user interface being displayed on the device, wherein the second home device is connected to the home network; and sending control and command data from the client device to the first and second home devices to cause the first and second home devices to communicate with each other to perform the service.
In accordance with one feature of the invention, the step of executing a software agent comprises executing a session manager program for acting on behalf of the user and for assisting the user.
Where a session manager is executed, the client device may include means for generating a human graphical user interface (GUI), and the step of executing the session manager on the client device may thus include the step of generating and displaying on the client device a graphics user interface object page containing device buttons associated with the first home device and the second home device.
The client device may include a browser for generating a human graphical user interface (GUI), which may be coded in HTML, wherein the HTML coded graphics user interface object may include a page containing device buttons associated with the first home device and the second home device.
According to another feature of the invention, the step of selecting the first home device includes the step of reading a first home device capabilities file, wherein the first home device capabilities file identifies the capabilities of the first home device; and the step of selecting the second home device includes the steps of reading a second home device capabilities file, wherein the second home device capabilities file identifies the capabilities of the second home device, and the method further includes the step of matching contents of the first and second home device capabilities files.
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Chandiramani Omi
Deacon Michael S.
Harms G. Kevin
Humpleman Richard James
Aiello Jeffrey P.
Bautista X. L.
Bayerl Raymond J.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd
Sherman & Sherman
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