User interface to a device environment
First Claim
1. A method of establishing device interaction rules for an environment having a plurality of devices where each device performs one or more unique functions within the environment, the method comprising:
- providing a choice to initiate learning of a first portion of an interaction rule;
receiving a user selection of the choice to learn a first portion of the interaction rule;
after receiving the user selection of the choice to learn the first portion of the interaction rule, receiving a user selection of a first function choice at a first device;
providing a choice to initiate learning a second portion of the interaction rule;
after receiving the user selection of the choice at the first device, receiving a user selection of the choice to learn the second portion of the interaction rule;
after receiving the user selection of the choice to learn the second portion of the interaction rule, receiving a user selection of a second function choice at a second device; and
associating the first function choice with the second function choice to create the interaction rule.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods are disclosed for a user interface permitting interaction directly between a user and devices of a device environment. A user interface device includes a display screen and memory storing representations of devices, their functions, and interaction rules. A processor displays the representations of devices and functions with connections shown between the representations on the screen to visually present the interaction rules. Choices may be provided through a user interface for user initiated learning in the environment so the user may initiate state changes on the devices themselves to produce the interaction rule. Additionally, the user may create a rule by selecting representations of devices and their functions on the screen to associate a function of one device with a function of another device. Also, a choice of device to query for information may be displayed on the screen, and the queried information is displayed once received.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of establishing device interaction rules for an environment having a plurality of devices where each device performs one or more unique functions within the environment, the method comprising:
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providing a choice to initiate learning of a first portion of an interaction rule;
receiving a user selection of the choice to learn a first portion of the interaction rule;
after receiving the user selection of the choice to learn the first portion of the interaction rule, receiving a user selection of a first function choice at a first device;
providing a choice to initiate learning a second portion of the interaction rule;
after receiving the user selection of the choice at the first device, receiving a user selection of the choice to learn the second portion of the interaction rule;
after receiving the user selection of the choice to learn the second portion of the interaction rule, receiving a user selection of a second function choice at a second device; and
associating the first function choice with the second function choice to create the interaction rule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of establishing device interaction for an environment having a plurality of devices where each device performs one or more unique functions within the environment, the method comprising:
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displaying on a screen a choice of devices of the environment;
receiving a user selection of a first device from the choice of devices;
sending a message to the first device to query the first device for information in response to the user selection;
receiving the message at the first device and sending a response containing the requested information;
receiving the response from the first device; and
displaying information from the response on the screen. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method of establishing device interaction rules for an environment having a plurality of devices where each device performs one or more unique functions within the environment, the method comprising:
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displaying on a screen representations of the devices of the environment;
receiving a user selection of a first device representation;
displaying on the screen representations of functions of the first device;
receiving a user selection of a function representation of the first device;
receiving a user selection of a second device representation;
displaying on the screen representations of functions of the second device;
receiving a user selection of a function representation of the second device; and
associating the selected function of the first device with the selected function of the second device to create an interaction rule. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A display device for establishing device interaction in an environment having a plurality of devices where each device performs one or more unique functions within the environment with the one or more functions of each device being associated with various states, the display device comprising:
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a display screen;
a memory that stores information about devices of the environment, the information including representations of each device, function representations of each device, and the interactions rules for the environment; and
a processor in communication with the display screen and memory, the processor being configured to display on the display screen one or more of the representations of devices, one or more of the function representations, and one or more of the interaction rules that are comprised of connections displayed between the representations of devices and functions involved in the interaction rule. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification