Systems and methods for providing distributed user interfaces to configure client devices

• US 20070150554A1
• Filed: 12/27/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Simister, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,806,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/452 Remote windowing, e.g. X-Window System, desktop virtualisation protocols for virtual reality H04L67/131
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• 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

Abstract

A client device having at least one user configurable setting is detected by a user interface device. The user interface device and the client device are in electronic communication with each other. Setting signals identifying user configurable settings of the client device are received at the user interface device. A user interface, based on the setting signals, is formulated at the user interface device. Configuration of the user interface is controlled by the user interface device rather than the client device. User input may be received at the user interface device in view of the user interface. In response to receipt of this input, a control signal is transmitted to the client device to alter at least one user configurable setting of the client device. The user interface device may thus be utilized to view and alter configuration settings for one or more client devices.

Claims

1. A method for providing a distributed user interface for configuration of a client device comprising:

detecting, from a user interface device, a client device having at least one user configurable setting;

receiving, at the user interface device, setting signals identifying the user configurable setting of the client device and permissible parameters for the setting; and

formulating, at the user interface device, a user interface based on the received setting signals, wherein configuration of the user interface is controlled by the user interface device rather than the client device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting signals are devoid of any data identifying a particular configuration of the user interface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting signals further identify current settings of the client device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a notification from the client device to the user interface device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the formulated user interface on a display device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the client device is an embedded device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving input signals corresponding to user input at the user interface device to alter the user configurable setting;

formulating a control signal at the user interface device based on the received input signals; and

transmitting the control signal from the user interface device to the client device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting from the user interface device a second client device having at least one user configurable setting; and

receiving, at the user interface device, setting signals from the second client device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is an embedded device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting signals further comprise metadata.

11. A system that is configured to implement a method for providing a distributed user interface for configuration of a client device, the system comprising:

a user interface device having a processor and memory, the processor and memory being in electronic communication with each other;

a client device having at least one user configurable setting, the client device being in electronic communication with the user interface device;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to implement a method comprising;

detecting, from the user interface device, the client device;

receiving, at the user interface device, setting signals identifying the user configurable setting of the client device and permissible parameters for the setting; and

formulating, at the user interface device, a user interface based on the received setting signals, wherein configuration of the user interface is controlled by the user interface device rather than the client device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the setting signals are devoid of any data identifying a particular configuration of the user interface.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the setting signals further identify current settings of the client device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises transmitting a notification from the client device to the user interface device.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving input signals corresponding to user input at the user interface device to alter the user configurable setting;

formulating a control signal at the user interface device based on the received input signals; and

transmitting the control signal from the user interface device to the client device.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting from the user interface device a second client device having at least one user configurable setting; and

receiving, at the user interface device, setting signals from the second client device.

17. A computer-readable medium comprising executable instructions for implementing a method for providing a distributed user interface for configuration of a client device, the method comprising:

detecting, from a user interface device, a client device having at least one user configurable setting;

receiving, at the user interface device setting signals, identifying the user configurable setting of the client device and permissible parameters for the setting; and

formulating, at the user interface device, a user interface based on the received setting signals, wherein configuration of the user interface is controlled by the user interface device rather than the client device.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the setting signals are devoid of any data identifying a particular configuration of the user interface.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises transmitting a notification from the client device to the user interface device.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving input signals corresponding to user input at the user interface device to alter the user configurable setting;

formulating a control signal at the user interface device based on the received input signals; and

transmitting the control signal from the user interface device to the client device.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting from the user interface device a second client device having at least one user configurable setting; and

receiving, at the user interface device, setting signals from the second client device.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the setting signals further identify current settings of the client device.