Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-24
2001-01-30
Alam, Hosain T. (Department: 2771)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C345S215000, C709S218000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182094
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of networks, and more particularly, to home networks having multi-media devices connected thereto.
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 a remote control unit for controlling home devices on a home network is that, unlike the use of a remote control for a multi-media device receiving data from an external network, it has thus far not been possible to generate a program guide for the data received from a multi-media device connected to a home network.
Therefore, there is a need for a method for generating a program guide for a home network environment wherein at least one multi-media device is connected to a home network, and wherein the data provided thereby is provided to a user either at that device or at another device connected to the home network.
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 connected to a home network.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a method generating a program guide for a home network to identify multi-media material associated with a home device connected to the home network.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a method for controlling a plurality of devices connected to a home network, at least one of the devices being a multi-media device, and for generating a program guide for the information provided by the multi-media device on a second home device connected to the home network.
The present invention accordingly provides a method for generating a program guide for a home network.
According to one aspect of the invention, a method for generating a program guide for a home network, wherein the program guide identifies multi-media material associated with a first home device connected to the home network, includes the steps of: identifying multi-media material associated with the first home device; generating an HTML page based on the identified multi-media material associated with the first home device; and storing the HTML page in an accessible area on the first home device.
The method according to the invention may further include the steps of: connecting a second, browser based, home device to the home network; receiving the HTML page at the second home device over the home network from the first home device; and rendering the HTML page on the second home device, wherein the second home device includes a display unit for displaying the HTML page rendered thereby.
Alternatively, a custom HTML page may be generated in accordance with the received HTML page for display on the second home device.
As a feature of the invention, the material used to generate the HTML page may be derived from information contained on a medium associated with the first home device. The information may be contained on a CD, a memory associated with a PC, a DVD or a DVCR for example.
In accordance with another feature, the method according to the invention further includes the steps of: retrieving multiple HTML pages from multiple home devices, wherein the multiple home devices are connected to the home network; generating a custom HTML page based on the multiple HTML pages; and displaying the custom HTML page on a browser based home device, wherein the browser based home device is connected to the home network.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5940387 (1999-08-01), Humpleman
patent: 5956487 (1999-09-01), Venkatraman et al.
patent: 6005861 (1999-12-01), Humpleman
patent: 6097441 (2000-08-01), Allport
“Dawn of the Internet Appliance,” Greg Lawtom, Computer, vol. 30, No. 10, pp. 16, 18, Coden: CPTRB4, Oct. 1997.
“Browser-style Interfaces to a home Automation Network,” Corcoran et al., Proceedings of the 1997 IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, Voluem 43, No. 4, pp. 1063-1069, Nov. 1997.
Chandiramani Omi
Deacon Michael S.
Harms G. Kevin
Humpleman Richard James
Aiello Jeffrey P.
Alam Hosain T.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Sherman Kenneth L.
Sherman & Sherman
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