Method and architecture to support interaction between a host computer and remote devices

• US 20060282512A1
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jim W. Edwards, Ylian Saint-Hilaire
• Original Assignee: Jim W. Edwards, Ylian Saint-Hilaire
• Inventors: Saint-Hilaire, Ylian, Edwards, Jim W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,716,385 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/50 Address allocation

Abstract

A method and architecture for enabling interaction between a remote device and a host computer. A service provided by the remote device is discovered, and a description pertaining to the service is retrieved by the host computer. A network communication link is the established between the remote device and the host computer based on connection information provided by the description. Host-side and client-side software service modules are run on the host and remote devices to enable interaction between the devices using a service protocol that is specific to the service. Various service protocols are provided, including a display service protocol and an input service protocol. Using commands provided by each protocol, the host computer is enabled to control the service remotely by pushing data and appropriate commands to the remote device, whereupon these commands are processed by the client-side service module to perform service operations that employ the sent data.

Claims

1. A method for displaying content on a remote display device, comprising:

establishing a network communication link between the remote display device and a host computer;

determining display capabilities of the remote device;

sending display data corresponding to the display content from the host computer to the remote display device over the network communication link, said data having a format corresponding to display capabilities of the remote device;

sending display commands corresponding to a display service protocol indicating how the display data are to be displayed on the remote display device; and

displaying the display data on the remote display device in response to the display commands.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote display device comprises a digital picture frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote display device comprises a display adapter that provides signal to a television monitor.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the network communication link comprises:

connecting the remote display device to a network to which the host computer is already connected;

obtaining an IP address for the remote display device;

broadcasting information pertaining to at least one service provided by the remote display device that includes the IP address over the computer network; and

establishing a network communication link between the remote display device and the host of the remote display device that uses the IP address of the remote display device and an IP address previously assigned to the host computer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the display service protocol includes display synchronization commands that are sent to the remote device to enable the display content to refreshed in accordance with a predetermined timing to produce include synchronized animations.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the display service protocol includes feedback primitives to enable the remote display device to provide display feedback information to the host computer.