Modular interface framework for network devices

• US 10,212,047 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2014
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kim, Ryan Yong, Pathuri, Venkata Subba Rao
• Primary Examiner(s): Blair, Douglas B
• Application Number:
  US14/286,439
• Publication Number:
  US 20150304171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 709220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/082 the condition being updates or upgrades of network functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

Techniques for providing interface modules for controlling network devices are provided. For example, a method may include receiving, at a computing device, a communication including a unique identifier for a network device connected to a network. The method may further include using the unique identifier to determine an interface module for the network device and transmitting the interface module, wherein when the interface module is received, the interface module displays one or more interface elements usable to control the network device connected to the network.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving, at a computing device, a plurality of interface modules, wherein an interface module is associated with a network device, wherein a network device is configured to perform a primary function, wherein an interface module includes code that defines a displayable modular tile, and wherein a displayable modular tile includes a selectable interactive element configured to control the primary function of the network device;

determining whether the primary function of the network device is associated with a secondary function;

generating an interface for the plurality of interface modules, wherein generating the interface includes using a single application to execute the plurality of interface modules, and wherein executing an interface module renders a displayable modular tile;

displaying the interface on a display of the computing device, wherein displaying the interface includes concurrently displaying a plurality of modular tiles on the display;

receiving a single input corresponding to a selection of a displayed modular tile, wherein the selection is received at a selectable interactive element associated with the displayed modular tile, and wherein receiving the single input causes the associated network device to perform the primary function; and

displaying a hidden drawer of the selected modular tile when the selected modular tile is associated with a secondary function, wherein the hidden drawer is hidden within the interface prior to receiving the single input, wherein upon receiving the single input, the hidden drawer is concurrently displayed with the selected modular tile and an additional modular tile of the plurality of modular tiles, wherein the hidden drawer, the selected modular tile, and the additional modular tile are visible within a same interface page, wherein additionally upon receiving the single input, the secondary function is automatically selected from one or more additional secondary functions using the hidden drawer, wherein the hidden drawer is configured to control the secondary function, and wherein the secondary function modifies the performance of the primary function.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

connecting to a network, wherein when an updated interface module is available, the updated interface module is received at the computing device, and wherein when the updated interface module is received, the updated interface module causes an updated interface to be displayed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the single application is executable on the computing device, and wherein the plurality of modular tiles are concurrently displayed in the application on the computing device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the single application is configured to concurrently display the plurality of modular tiles without requiring a reinstallation, upgrade, or update of the application prior to displaying the plurality of modular tiles.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modular tiles are configured to access and control network devices without requiring login credentials for the network devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the interface includes identifying information, and wherein the identifying information includes a name or an icon.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more interactive elements correspond to one or more primary functions of the corresponding network device, and wherein the selection of the primary function causes a contextual menu for the network device to be displayed.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the contextual menu includes a sub-menu corresponding to the secondary function of the network device, and wherein the secondary function is associated with the primary function of the network device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving input corresponding to a selection of an interactive element for a network device, wherein the interface module for the network device defines a full menu configured to present one or more selectable settings for extended, tertiary functionalities of the network device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the full menu is configured to present historical data associated with the network device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interlace modules are executable by the single application, and wherein generating the interface includes executing, by the single application, each of the plurality of interface modules.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein displaying the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile within the single application includes displaying the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile in response to receiving the input corresponding to the selection of the selectable interactive element, and wherein the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile is displayed concurrently with the plurality of modular tiles.

13. A system, comprising:

one or more data processors; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions which when executed on the one or more data processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including;

receiving a plurality of interface modules, wherein an interface module is associated with a network device, wherein a network device is configured to perform a primary function, wherein an interface module includes code that defines a displayable modular tile, and wherein a displayable modular tile includes a selectable interactive element configured to control the primary function of the network device;

determining whether the primary function of the network device is associated with a secondary function;

generating an interface for the plurality interface modules, wherein generating the interface includes using a single application to execute the plurality of interface modules, and wherein executing an interface module renders a displayable modular tile;

displaying the interface on a display, wherein displaying the interface includes concurrently displaying a plurality of modular tiles on the display;

receiving a single input corresponding to a selection of a displayed modular tile, wherein the selection is received at a selectable interactive element associated with the displayed modular tile, and wherein receiving the single input causes the associated network device to perform the primary function; and

displaying a hidden drawer of the selected modular tile when the selected modular tile is associated with a secondary function, wherein the hidden drawer is hidden within the interface prior to receiving the single input, wherein upon receiving the single input, the hidden drawer is concurrently displayed with the selected modular tile and an additional modular tile of the plurality of modular tiles, wherein the hidden drawer, the selected modular tile, and the additional modular tile are visible within a same interface page, wherein additionally upon receiving the single input, the secondary function is automatically selected from one or more additional secondary functions using the hidden drawer, wherein the hidden drawer is configured to control the secondary function, and wherein the secondary function modifies the performance of the primary function.

14. The system of claim 13, the operations further comprising:

connecting to a network, wherein when an updated interface module is available, the updated interface module is received at the system, and wherein when the updated interface module is received, the updated interface module causes an updated interface to be displayed.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the single application is executable on the system, and wherein the plurality of modular tiles are concurrently displayed in the single application on the system.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the single application is configured to concurrently display the plurality of modular tiles without requiring a reinstallation, upgrade, or update of the single application prior to displaying the plurality of modular tiles.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of modular tiles are configured to access and control network devices without requiring login credentials for the network devices.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the interface includes identifying information, and wherein the identifying information includes a name or an icon.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more interactive elements correspond to one or more primary functions of the corresponding network device, and wherein selection of the primary function causes a contextual menu for the network device to be displayed.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the contextual menu includes a sub-menu corresponding to the secondary function of the network device, and wherein the secondary function is associated with the primary function of the network device.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein displaying the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile within the single application includes displaying the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile in response to receiving the input corresponding to the selection of the selectable interactive element, and wherein the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile is displayed concurrently with the plurality of modular tiles.

22. A computer-program product tangibly embodied in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium, including instructions configured to cause a data processing apparatus to:

receive a plurality of interface modules, wherein an interface module is associated with a network device, wherein a network device is configured to perform a primary function, wherein an interface module includes code that defines a displayable modular tile, and wherein a displayable modular tile includes a selectable interactive element configured to control the primary function of the network device;

determine whether the primary function of the network device is associated with a secondary function;

generate an interface for the plurality of interface modules, wherein generating the interface includes using a single application to execute the plurality of interface modules, and wherein executing an interface module renders a displayable modular tile;

display the interface on a display, wherein displaying the interface includes concurrently displaying a plurality of modular tiles on the display;

receive a single input corresponding to a selection of a displayed modular tile, wherein the selection is received at a selectable interactive element associated with the displayed modular tile, and wherein receiving the single input causes the associated network device to perform the primary function; and

display a hidden drawer of the selected modular tile when the selected modular tile is associated with a secondary function, wherein the hidden drawer is hidden within the interface prior to receiving the single input, wherein upon receiving the single input, the hidden drawer is concurrently displayed with the selected modular tile and an additional modular tile tithe plurality of modular tiles, wherein the hidden drawer, the selected modular tile, and the additional modular tile are visible within a same interface page, wherein additionally upon receiving the single input, the secondary function is automatically selected from one or more additional secondary functions using the hidden drawer, wherein the bidden drawer is configured to control the secondary function, and wherein the secondary function modifies the performance of the primary function.

23. The computer-program product of claim 22, wherein displaying the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile within the single application includes displaying the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile in response to receiving the input corresponding to the selection of the selectable interactive element, and wherein the hidden drawer of the selected modular tile is displayed concurrently with the plurality of modular tiles.