Media manager for controlling autonomous media devices within a network environment and managing the flow and format of data between the devices
First Claim
1. A method of managing operation of and communication between a network of devices for completing a task comprising the steps of:
- a. determining appropriate devices and subdevices required for completion of the task, wherein virtual devices are formed from available subdevices if appropriate devices are not available for completion of the task; and
b. instructing the appropriate devices and subdevices to complete the task.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A media manager provides data flow management and other services for client applications on devices coupled together within a network. Preferably, these devices are coupled together within an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. A device control module is generated for each available device for providing an abstraction for all of the capabilities and requirements of the device including the appropriate control protocol, physical connections and connection capabilities for the device. The media manager also manages the flow and format of data transfers between the devices on the network. Through an interface, a user accesses the media manager and enters functions which are to be completed using the devices coupled together on the network. If the appropriate devices are available, the media manager controls and manages the completion of the requested task. If the appropriate devices are not available, but the required subdevices are available in multiple devices, the media manager forms a virtual device from subdevices in multiple devices in order to complete the requested task. Once the appropriate devices and subdevices are assigned to a task, the media manager determines if the data to be transmitted needs to be converted from one format into another format. If necessary, the media manager will also control the format conversion during the data transfer operation. The media manager also provides network enumeration and registry searching capabilities for client applications to find available services, physical devices and virtual devices.
32 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of managing operation of and communication between a network of devices for completing a task comprising the steps of:
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a. determining appropriate devices and subdevices required for completion of the task, wherein virtual devices are formed from available subdevices if appropriate devices are not available for completion of the task; and
b. instructing the appropriate devices and subdevices to complete the task. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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12. An apparatus for controlling operation of and communication between a network of devices comprising:
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a. an interface circuit for communicating with the devices within the network; and
b. a control circuit coupled to the interface circuit for determining appropriate devices and subdevices required for completion of the task and instructing the appropriate devices and subdevices to complete the task, wherein virtual devices are formed from available subdevices if appropriate devices are not available for completion of the task.
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17. A method of managing operation of and communication between a network of devices comprising the steps of:
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a. maintaining a control module for each device in the network, wherein the control module includes the capabilities of the device and any subdevices within the device and further wherein the control module is responsible for control of the device;
b. providing an interface to a user through which a task to be completed is requested by the user;
c. determining appropriate devices and subdevices required for completion of the task by searching the control modules; and
d. completing the task by instructing appropriate control modules to provide instructions to the appropriate devices and subdevices.
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23. An apparatus for controlling operation of and communication between a network of devices comprising:
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a. a plurality of control modules, each representing a device in the network, wherein each control module includes capabilities of a corresponding device and any subdevices within the corresponding device and further wherein the control module is responsible for control of the device;
b. an interface for communicating with a user, wherein a task to be completed is requested by the user through the interface; and
c. a control circuit coupled to the plurality of control modules, to the network and to the display for determining appropriate devices and subdevices required for completion of the task by searching the control modules and completing the task by instructing appropriate control modules to provide instructions to the appropriate devices and subdevices.
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Specification