Method and apparatus for universal device management
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring devices, the method comprising:
- a. connecting one or more device servers to a display client;
b. the display client requesting transmission from each of the device servers of device-specific data;
c. the device servers transmitting the requested information to the display client;
d. the display client receiving the device-specific data;
e. the display client translating the device-specific data into a device-independent user interface; and
f. displaying of the received data on the display client using the device-independent user interface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for universal device management using in its preferred embodiment, a software-based process that enables devices such as PDA'"'"'s and mobile phones to discover, monitor, and control electronic devices in diverse applications such home entertainment, mobile computing, automotive systems, data networking, and household and office automation. The system comprises a user interface residing typically on a handheld device, a lightweight embedded agent that runs on all managed devices, and a wireless communication infrastructure that allows wireless communication between the interface and all devices, regardless of device type or manufacturer. The user interface provides users with a common look-and-feel for managing all devices.
89 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring devices, the method comprising:
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a. connecting one or more device servers to a display client;
b. the display client requesting transmission from each of the device servers of device-specific data;
c. the device servers transmitting the requested information to the display client;
d. the display client receiving the device-specific data;
e. the display client translating the device-specific data into a device-independent user interface; and
f. displaying of the received data on the display client using the device-independent user interface. - View Dependent Claims (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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2. A method for monitoring and controlling devices, the method comprising:
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a. connecting one or more device servers to a display client;
b. the display client requesting transmission from each of the device servers of device-specific data;
c. the device servers transmitting the requested information to the display client;
d. the display client receiving the device-specific data;
e. the display client generating a device-independent user interface using the device-specific data;
f. displaying the device-specific data on the display client using the generated device-independent user interface;
g. accepting user input resulting from the user interacting with the user interface displayed on the display client; and
h. controlling the device by sending the commands from the display client to the device that were selected by the user'"'"'s interaction. - View Dependent Claims (8, 32, 33, 34)
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3. A method for monitoring and controlling devices, the method comprising:
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a. discovering one or more devices automatically by a display client when the client moves into the range of the device;
b. establishing a connection session between the display client and the detected device;
c. conveying information from the device to the display client regarding the state and capabilities of the device;
d. generating by the display client of a device-independent user interface to display the device information;
e. displaying the device-independent user interface on the display client;
f. controlling the device by the user selecting an option from the device-independent user interface on the display client;
g. sending a command to the device based on the user'"'"'s selection from the device-independent user interface on the display client; and
h. terminating the session when the display client moves out of the range of the device.
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4. A system for monitoring and controlling devices, the system comprising:
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a. means for discovering one or more devices automatically by a display client when the client moves into the range of the device;
b. means for establishing a connection session between the display client and the detected device;
c. means for conveying information from the device to the display client regarding the state and capabilities of the device;
d. means for generating by the display client of a device-independent user interface to display the device information;
e. means for displaying the device-independent user interface on the display client;
f. means for controlling the device by the user selecting an option from the device-independent user interface on the display client g. means for sending a command to the device based on the user'"'"'s selection from the device-independent user interface on the display client; and
h. means for terminating the session when the display client moves out of the range of the device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 11, 19, 21)
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5. A method for monitoring devices, the method comprising:
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a. connecting a display client to a communication network;
b. connecting a one or more device servers to the communication network;
c. the display client requesting transmission from each of the device servers of device-specific data;
d. the device servers transmitting the requested information to the display client;
e. the display client receiving the device-specific data;
f. the display client generating a device-independent user interface using the device-specific data; and
g. displaying of the received data on the display client using the device-independent user interface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 15, 17)
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6. A method for monitoring and controlling devices, the method comprising:
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a. connecting a display client to a communication network;
b. connecting one or more device servers to the communication network;
c. the display client requesting transmission from each of the device servers of device-specific data;
d. the device servers transmitting the requested information to the display client;
e. the display client receiving the device-specific data;
f. the display client translating the device-specific data into a device-independent user interface;
g. displaying the received data on the display client using the device-independent user interface;
h. accepting user input resulting from the user interacting with the device-independent user interface displayed on the display client; and
i. controlling the device by sending the selected commands from the display client to the device.
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7. A system for monitoring and controlling devices, the system comprising:
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a. means for connecting a display client to a communication network;
b. means for connecting one or more device servers to the communication network;
c. means for the display client requesting transmission from each of the device servers of device-specific data;
d. means for the device servers transmitting the requested information to the display client;
e. means for the display client receiving the device-specific data;
f. means for the display client translating the device-specific data into a device-independent user interface;
g. means for displaying the received data on the display client using the device-independent user interface layout;
h. means for accepting user input resulting from the user interacting with the device-independent user interface displayed on the display client; and
i. means for controlling the device by sending the selected commands from the display client to the device.
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Specification