Online system that facilitates configuration and administration of residential electronic devices
First Claim
1. A method of configuring an electronic device, wherein the method comprises:
- receiving device configuration information from a user;
storing the device configuration information into an online database; and
providing device configuration information from the database to the electronic device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, the online system comprises one or more servers coupled to the Internet and configured to provide an online configuration service. The service preferably includes maintaining a database of configuration information for registered electronic device, and providing a web page interface that allows owners of electronic devices to access and change the configuration information of their electronic devices. The electronic devices preferably initiate contact with the online system to synchronize their configuration information with the database. This web-based approach may advantageously provide electronic devices with a sophisticated (but inexpensive) graphical user interface, and may provide opportunities to businesses wishing to provide targeted advertising, direct sales of accessories, or subscription service sales to owners of electronic devices. Particular advantages may accrue to owners of digital audio recorders, alarm clocks, answering machines, audio electronics, multimedia electronics, home management systems, security systems, and sprinkler systems.
124 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method of configuring an electronic device, wherein the method comprises:
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receiving device configuration information from a user;
storing the device configuration information into an online database; and
providing device configuration information from the database to the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device configuration system that comprises:
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a network;
one or more servers coupled to the network and configured to provide an online service, wherein the service includes;
providing a web page interface featuring a home page for an electronic device owned by a user;
receiving device configuration information from the user via the interface;
storing the device configuration information into an online database; and
providing device configuration information from the database to the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification