View multiplexer for use with a viewing infrastructure and a method of operation thereof

• US 20020172230A1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia of America Corporation (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Yagati, Lakshman N., Young, R. Clifford
• Granted Patent: US 7,149,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/535
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/59 Providing operational support to end devices by off-loading in the network or by emulation, e.g. when they are unavailable
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A view multiplexer, a viewing infrastructure and a method of multiplexing a view for use with a service application. In one embodiment, the viewing infrastructure includes a service application, a communications network coupled to the service application, a plurality of viewers coupled to the network and a view multiplexer coupled to both the service application and the communications network. A service coordinator of the view multiplexer simulates a single representative viewer from the plurality of viewers to the service application. A state collaborator, which is coupled to the service coordinator of the view multiplexer, provides a network state to the plurality of viewers.

Claims

1. A view multiplexer, for use with a service application, comprising:

a service coordinator configured to simulate a single representative viewer from a plurality of viewers to said service application; and

a state collaborator, coupled to said service coordinator, configured to provide a network state to said plurality of viewers.

2. The view multiplexer as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of viewers includes one selected from the group consisting of:

a personal digital assistant,

a desktop computer,

an embedded computing device,

an alternative computing device,

a laptop computer, and

a telephone.

3. The view multiplexer as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of viewers are configure to operate simultaneously.

4. The view multiplexer as recited in claim 1 wherein said service application includes one selected from the group consisting of:

a text editor,

a drawing program,

a jukebox,

an address book,

a calendar program,

a session manager,

an image viewer, and

a map program.

5. The view multiplexer as recited in claim 1 wherein said view multiplexer is located remotely from said plurality of viewers.

6. The view multiplexer as recited in claim 1 wherein said view multiplexer is coupled to a communications network.

7. The view multiplexer as recited in claim 1 wherein said view multiplexer is coupled to a service proxy.

8. A method of multiplexing a view for use with a service application comprising:

coordinating a plurality of viewers as a single representative viewer to said service application; and

collaborating a network state to said plurality of viewers.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said plurality of viewers includes one selected from the group consisting of:

a personal digital assistant,

a desktop computer,

an embedded computing device,

an alternative computing device,

a laptop computer, and

a telephone.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said plurality of viewers are operated simultaneously.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said service application includes one selected from the group consisting of:

a text editor,

a drawing program,

a jukebox,

an address book,

a calendar program,

a session manager,

an image viewer, and

a map program.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said coordinating is performed remotely from said plurality of viewers.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said collaborating is performed via a communications network.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said collaborating employs a service proxy of at least one of said plurality of viewers.

16. The viewing infrastructure as recited in claim 15 wherein said plurality of viewers includes one selected from the group consisting of:

a personal digital assistant,

a desktop computer,

an embedded computing device,

an alternative computing device,

a laptop computer, and

a telephone.

17. The viewing infrastructure as recited in claim 15 wherein said plurality of viewers are operated simultaneously.

18. The viewing infrastructure as recited in claim 15 wherein said service application includes one selected from the group consisting of:

a text editor,

a drawing program,

a jukebox,

an address book,

a calendar program,

a session manager,

an image viewer, and

a map program.

19. The viewing infrastructure as recited in claim 15 wherein said view multiplexer is located remotely from said plurality of viewers.

20. The viewing infrastructure as recited in claim 15 wherein said communications network is the Internet.

21. The viewing infrastructure as recited in claim 15 further comprising a service proxy.

15. A viewing infrastructure, comprising:

a service application;

a communications network coupled to said service application;

a plurality of viewers coupled to said network;

a view multiplexer coupled to said service application and said communications network, including;

a service coordinator that simulates a single representative viewer from said plurality of viewers to said service application, and

a state collaborator, coupled to said service coordinator, that provides a network state to said plurality of viewers.