Method and computer program for device configuration

• US 20070055976A1
• Filed: 09/05/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Open Invention Network LLC
• Original Assignee: Amx LLC (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ward, Robert, Kessler, Joseph, Whapham, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,063,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 719/329
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0869 Validating the configuration within one network element
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0893 Assignment of logical groups to network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

A method and computer program are provided for graphically configuring devices in a control area network that includes providing one or more application programming interfaces, creating one or more graphical objects on a computer display using a graphical user interface, and associating one or more functions of an application programming interface with one or more of the devices using the graphical user interface. Each application programming interface corresponds to a class of devices and includes a set of functions. Each class of devices includes one or more devices. At least one of the graphical objects represents one or more of the devices.

Claims

1. A method for graphically configuring devices in a control area network, comprising:

providing one or more application programming interfaces, wherein at least one of the application programming interfaces corresponds to a class of devices and comprises a set of functions, and each class of devices includes one or more devices;

creating one or more graphical objects using a graphical user interface, wherein at least one of the graphical objects represents one or more of the devices; and

associating one or more of the functions of at least one of the application programming interfaces with one or more of the devices using the graphical user interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the graphical objects represents a control system.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising associating one or more devices with one or more of the control systems.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising automatically generating one or more of the graphical objects for at least one of the devices.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein one or more of the functions are automatically associated.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein creating the graphical objects is customizable.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the graphical objects is used to create other graphical objects.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the graphical objects is used to associate one or more of the functions.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the graphical objects is used to configure event handlers for one or more of the devices.

10. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating a report representing a configuration of one or more of the devices.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein an output format of the report is selected from the group consisting of HTML, XML, ASCII text and PDF.

12. The method of claim 3, further comprising displaying properties of one or more of the devices on the graphical user interface.

13. The method of claim 3, further comprising configuring the one or more of the graphical objects using metadata.

14. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating device control programming for one or more of the devices.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the device control programming is automatically generated.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the device control programming is customizable.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the device control programming is customized using a code builder.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the graphical objects is used to generate the device control programming.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein one or more drag-and-drop operations on the graphical user interface is used to generate the device control programming.

20. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

generating configuration data for at least one of the associated devices based on the associated functions; and

transmitting the configuration data across the control area network.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the configuration data comprises XML data.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the configuration data comprises IR waveforms.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the configuration data comprises touch panel configuration data.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the configuration data comprises keypad configuration data.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the control area network comprises a master controller, and the configuration data is transmitted to the master controller.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein one or more of the devices comprise physical devices.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the control area network comprises one or more of the physical devices, and the configuration data is transmitted to at least one of the physical devices.

28. The method of claim 3, wherein one or more of the devices comprise physical devices.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising capturing an IR waveform of at least one of the physical devices.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the physical devices of each class of devices have at least one of a common operation and a common functionality.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the control area network comprises one or more of the physical devices.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising detecting the addition of a physical device to the control area network.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein one or more of the functions are automatically associated upon the physical device detection.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein one or more of the graphical objects are automatically created upon the physical device detection.

35. The method of claim 32, further comprising automatically generating device control programming for on or more of the devices.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein one or more of the physical devices utilize proprietary protocols.

37. The method of claim 34, further comprising abstracting the proprietary protocols of the physical devices from application programming interfaces using the associated functions.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein the control area network comprises a master controller and one or more of the physical devices.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising connecting one or more of the physical devices to the master controller using the graphical user interface.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the physical devices are automatically connected to the master controller.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the physical devices are automatically associated using a best-fit algorithm.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the best-fit algorithm utilizes respective input and output connection types of the physical devices.

43. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the application programming interfaces comprises an object-oriented application programming interface.

44. The method of claim 28, further comprising communicating between the physical devices and the respective application programming interfaces using one or more event handlers.

45. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the physical devices has different characteristics than one or more of the other physical devices.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the different characteristics is selected from the group consisting of a different operation and a different functionality.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one class of devices comprises a plurality of subclasses, and each subclass includes one or more physical devices.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the physical devices of each subclass have a common attribute selected from the group consisting of a common operation and a common functionality.

49. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the functions are associated using a device database.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database comprises available functions for one or more of the devices.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database is organized by device class for one or more of the devices.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database is organized by model number for one or more of the devices.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the device classes are selected from the group consisting of a central controller, an expansion module, an expansion card, a networking device, a touch panel and a keypad.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the device classes are selected from the group consisting of an audio conference, an audio processor, an audio tape, an audio tape, an audio tuner, a camera, a CD-ROM, a computer control, a digital media player, a digital media server, a document camera, a DSS, a DVD, a DVR, a HVAC, a lighting device, a monitor, a motor, a picture frame, a pool, a pre-an amp, a surround processor, a receiver, security, a set top box, a slide projector, a spa, a switcher, a TV, a VCR, a video conference, a video processor, a video projector, a volume controller and a weather device.

55. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database comprises fields selected from the group consisting of available connectivity options, control modules and events for one or more of the devices.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the connectivity options are selected from the group consisting of a TCP/IP network, an ICSNet network, an AXLink network, a serial interface, an IR interface, an I/O interface, a relay interface, AMX card interface, an audio interface, a video interface and a power interface.

57. The method of claim 49, further comprising generating the device database by scanning one or more file directories on a computer for files selected from the group consisting of Duet modules and IR files.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the file directories comprise predefined standard file directory path locations.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the file directories comprise file directory path locations manually entered by a user.

60. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database is automatically generated.

61. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database is generated by an operation of a user.

62. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database is automatically updated.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising updating the database upon the detection of an additional physical device in the control area network.

64. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database is updated by an operation of a user.

65. The method of claim 49, further comprising verifying one or more of the devices.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the verification comprises determining whether any of the devices do not have a corresponding entry in the device database.

67. The method of claim 49, wherein at least one of the functions is associated without using the device database.

68. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database is implemented using XML.

69. The method of claim 49, wherein the device database is distributed across one or more of the devices.

70. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one class of devices comprises one or more brands of home entertainment devices.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the home entertainment devices are selected from the group consisting of A/V receivers, monitors, video projectors, televisions, digital satellite systems (DSS), set top boxes, disk devices, DVR/PVRs, digital media players, digital media servers, DVD players, VCRs, DVRs, VCR/DVD combination players, video conferencers, audio conferencers, audio tuners, cassette decks, level controllers, pre-amplifiers, audio processors, cameras, lights, cable receivers, and satellite receivers.

72. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one class of devices comprises one or more brands of security equipment.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the security equipment is selected from the group consisting of cameras, sensors, alarms and motion detectors.

74. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one class of devices comprises one or more brands of environmental control equipment.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the environmental control equipment is selected from the group consisting of heating units and air conditioning units.

76. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one class of devices comprises one or more brands of household appliances.

77. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the devices comprise virtual devices, and the virtual devices of each class of devices have a common attribute selected from the group consisting of a common operation and a common functionality.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein at least one virtual device comprises a plurality of physical devices.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein at least one virtual device comprises a home entertainment system.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the home entertainment system is selected from the group consisting of A/V receivers, monitors, video projectors, televisions, digital satellite systems (DSS), set top boxes, disk devices, DVR/PVRs, digital media players, digital media servers, DVD players, VCRs, DVRs, VCR/DVD combination players, video conferencers, audio conferencers, audio tuners, cassette decks, level controllers, pre-amplifiers, audio processors, cameras, lights, cable receivers, and satellite receivers.

81. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the devices comprise logical devices.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein at least one logical device comprises a control system.

83. A computer program embodied in a computer readable medium for graphically configuring devices in a control area network, the computer program comprising:

a first computer code for providing one or more application programming interfaces, wherein at least one of the application programming interfaces corresponds to a class of devices and comprises a set of functions, and each class of devices includes one or more devices;

a second computer code for creating one or more graphical objects using a graphical user interface, wherein at least one of the graphical objects represents one or more of the devices; and

a third computer code for associating one or more of the functions of at least one of the application programming interfaces with one or more of the devices using the graphical user interface.

84. The computer program of claim 83, wherein at least one of the graphical objects represents a control system.

85. The computer program of claim 84, further comprising a fourth computer code for associating one or more devices with one or more of the control systems.

86. The computer program of claim 85, further comprising a fifth computer code for automatically generating one or more of the graphical objects for at least one of the devices.

87. The computer program of claim 86, wherein one or more of the functions are automatically associated.

88. The computer program of claim 85, further comprising a fifth computer code for generating a report representing a configuration of one or more of the devices.

89. The computer program of claim 85, further comprising:

a fifth computer code for generating configuration data for at least one of the associated devices based on the associated functions; and

a sixth computer code for transmitting the configuration data across the control area network.

90. The computer program of claim 89, wherein the control area network comprises a master controller, and the configuration data is transmitted to the master controller.

91. The computer program of claim 88, wherein one or more of the devices comprise physical devices.

92. The computer program of claim 91, wherein the control area network comprises one or more of the physical devices, and the configuration data is transmitted to at least one of the physical devices.

93. The computer program of claim 89, wherein one or more of the devices comprise physical devices, and the physical devices of each class of devices have a common attribute selected from the group consisting of a common operation and a common functionality.

94. The computer program of claim 93, further comprising a seventh computer code for communicating between the physical devices and the respective application programming interfaces using one or more event handlers.

95. The computer program of claim 89, wherein one or more of the functions are associated using a device database.

96. The computer program of claim 95, wherein the device database may be configured and updated independent of a new software release of the computer program.

97. The computer program of claim 83, further comprising a fourth computer code for selecting one or more of the devices.

98. The computer program of claim 97, wherein the control area network comprises a master controller and one or more of the devices.

99. The computer program of claim 98, further comprising a fifth computer code for associating one or more of the devices with the master controller.

100. The computer program of claim 99, further comprising a sixth computer code for capturing an IR waveform of at least one of the physical devices.

101. The computer program of claim 99, further comprising a sixth computer code for generating an automation script.

102. The computer program of claim 99, wherein one or more of the devices are selected from the group consisting of a keypad and touch panel device.

103. The computer program of claim 102, further comprising a sixth computer code for generating a graphical user interface navigation for the keypads and touch panel devices.

104. The computer program of claim 103, further comprising a seventh computer code for generating a report representing a configuration of one or more of the devices.

105. The computer program of claim 104, further comprising:

a eighth computer code for generating configuration data representing the configuration of one or more of the devices; and

a ninth computer code for transmitting the configuration data across the control area network.

106. A method for graphically configuring a device in a control area network, comprising:

providing an application programming interface, wherein the application programming interface corresponds to a class of devices and comprises a set of functions, the class of devices includes one or more devices;

creating one or more graphical objects using a graphical user interface, wherein at least one of the graphical objects represents one or more of the devices; and

associating one or more of the functions of the application programming interfaces with one or more of the devices using the graphical user interface.