Instant messenger based interface apparatus in information apparatuses
First Claim
1. An information apparatus controlled via a communication network, the apparatus comprising:
- a driving unit for driving the information apparatus;
an instant messenger (IM) based interface unit for receiving a control command with respect to the information apparatus from the communication network and transmitting state data on a current state of the information apparatus and function data on functions of the information apparatus, to the communication network; and
an information apparatus controller for receiving the control command from the IM based interface unit, driving the driving unit according to the control command, and checking the current state of the driving unit to generate the state data and output it to the IM based interface unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are an information apparatus capable of being controlled using an instant messenger (IM) and its system. In the information apparatus, which is controlled via a predetermined communication network, a driving unit drives the information apparatus. An IM-based interface unit receives a control command for the information apparatus from the communication network, and transfers state data representing the present state of the information apparatus or the function data representing the executable functions of the information apparatus through the communication network. An information apparatus controller receives the control command from the IM-based interface unit, drives the driving unit according to the control command, generates the state data by checking the current state of the driving unit, and transfers the state data to the IM-based interface unit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An information apparatus controlled via a communication network, the apparatus comprising:
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a driving unit for driving the information apparatus;
an instant messenger (IM) based interface unit for receiving a control command with respect to the information apparatus from the communication network and transmitting state data on a current state of the information apparatus and function data on functions of the information apparatus, to the communication network; and
an information apparatus controller for receiving the control command from the IM based interface unit, driving the driving unit according to the control command, and checking the current state of the driving unit to generate the state data and output it to the IM based interface unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An instant messenger (IM) based system for controlling an information apparatus using a user terminal via a communication network, the system comprising:
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the information apparatus for performing an IM function of transmitting or receiving an instant message via the communication network, transmitting state data on its current state or function data on its functions to the user terminal using the IM function, receiving a control command from the user terminal, and executing the control command; and
the user terminal for performing an IM function of transmitting or receiving an instant message via the communication network, receiving the state data or function data and transmitting the data to a user using the IM function, and receiving an information apparatus control command from the user and transmitting the information apparatus control command to the information apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method of controlling an information apparatus using an instant messenger (IM), the method comprising:
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a) at a user terminal having an IM, receiving a command from a user for controlling an information apparatus having an IM from a user, and transmitting the command to the information apparatus through an IM server; and
b) at the information apparatus, receiving the command through the IM server and performing the function corresponding to the command. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 19)
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11. A method of connecting an information apparatus to a user terminal using an instant messenger (IM), the method comprising:
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(a) at the user terminal, receiving and storing a user terminal buddy ID and generating data requesting to register the user terminal buddy ID in an IM server;
(b) at the information apparatus, receiving and storing an information apparatus buddy ID and the user terminal buddy ID, which is to be used to connect to the information apparatus, and generating data requesting to register the information apparatus buddy ID in the IM server and data requesting to connect the information apparatus to the user terminal;
(c) at the IM server, receiving the user terminal buddy ID, the information apparatus buddy ID, the user terminal registration request data, and the information apparatus registration request data, registering the user terminal buddy ID and the information apparatus buddy ID in a buddy list of the IM server, and transmitting the information apparatus buddy ID and the connection request data from the information apparatus, to the user terminal;
(d) at the user terminal, outputting the connection request data received from the IM server, to a user, receiving data determining whether a connection should be made, and transmitting the data determining whether a connection should be made to the IM server; and
(e) at the IM server, receiving the data determining whether a connection should be made and reflecting the data determining whether a connection should be made in the buddy list. - View Dependent Claims (12, 20)
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13. A method of controlling an information apparatus using a user terminal, the method comprising:
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(a) requesting a list of information apparatuses associated with a user terminal buddy ID from an instant messenger (IM) server that stores the user terminal buddy ID and buddy IDs of the information apparatuses associated with the user terminal buddy ID;
(b) outputting the information apparatus list from the IM server to a user and selecting an information apparatus from the information apparatus list;
(c) requesting the IM server to connect the user terminal to the selected information apparatus and connecting the user terminal to the selected information apparatus via the IM server;
(d) receiving menu data on the functions of the information apparatus via the IM server, providing the menu data to the user, and selecting a menu from the menus indicated by the menu data; and
(e) transmitting data on the function of the information apparatus corresponding to the selected menu to the information apparatus via the IM server and performing the function at the information apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of operating an information apparatus according to a control command received from a user terminal via an instant messenger (IM) server, the method comprising:
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(a) transmitting a preset buddy identifier (ID) of the information apparatus and the buddy ID of the user terminal to the IM server and registering the buddy ID of the information apparatus and a buddy ID of the user terminal in the IM server in connection with each other; and
(b) providing data on the functions of the information apparatus to the user terminal via the IM server and receiving and executing a command to perform at least one function of the information apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification