ADAPTIVE USER INTERFACE FOR MULTI-SOURCE SYSTEMS

• US 20080307315A1
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Sherman, Itay, Bychkov, Eyal, Segalov, Yaron, Brison, Uriel R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,316,308 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/744
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0879 Manual configuration through operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method for controlling configuration display screens within a client-host multi-source system, including transferring look & feel parameters from a host device to a client device, setting parameters of a configuration program for the client device, according to the look & feel parameters transferred by the transferring, generating, by the configuration program, a graphic image of a screen, the graphic image conforming to the look & feel parameters, and displaying the graphic image on a display screen of the host device. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed.

Claims

1. A method for controlling configuration display screens within a client-host multi-source system, comprising:

transferring look &

feel parameters from a host device to a client device;

setting parameters of a configuration program for the client device, according to the look &

feel parameters transferred by said transferring;

generating, by the configuration program, a graphic image of a screen, the graphic image conforming to the look &

feel parameters; and

displaying the graphic image on a display screen of the host device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, by the host device, a user command from a user who is viewing the display of the host device;

sending an identifier for the user command to the client device;

further generating, by the configuration program, a graphic image for an altered screen, the graphic image conforming to the look &

feel parameters, in response to the user command;

further displaying the bitmap image of the altered screen on the display of the host device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said receiving, sending, further generating and further displaying are interactively performed multiple times.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said receiving a user command comprises receiving a key press event triggered by a user who pressed a key of the host device, the method further comprising:

sending a list of functions supported by the client device, to the host device;

assigning keys of the host device to functions supported by the client device; and

identifying the function assigned to the key that was pressed by the user.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said receiving a user command comprises receiving a key press event triggered by a user who pressed a key of the host device, wherein said sending an identifier for the user command comprises sending an identifier for a function supported by the client device, and wherein the method further comprises:

sending a list of keys of the host device, to the client device;

assigning keys of the host device to functions supported by the client device; and

identifying the function assigned to the key that was pressed by the user.

6. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing an electronic device:

to transfer look &

feel parameters from a host device to a client device;

to set parameters of a configuration program for the client device, according to the look &

feel parameters that were transferred;

to generate, by the configuration program, a graphic image of a screen, the graphic image conforming to the look &

feel parameters; and

to display the graphic image on a display screen of the host device.

7. A multi-source client-host system that maintains a uniform look &

feel user interface, comprising;

a host device comprising;

a central processing unit;

a storage memory for storing look &

feel parameters for a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface employing a plurality of graphic images for user interaction;

a display for displaying the graphic images employed by the graphical user interface; and

a connector for transmitting the look &

feel parameters to a client device, and for receiving at least one of the graphic images from said client device, when said client device is attached to said host device;

a client device that can be attached to and detached from said host device, comprising;

a central processing unit;

a configuration program for generating at least one of the graphic images employed by the graphical user interface, the at least one of the graphic images conforming to the look &

feel parameters; and

a connector, for transmitting the at least one of the graphical images to said host device, and for receiving the look &

feel parameters from said host device, when said client device is attached to said host device; and

a communication channel between said host transceiver and said client transceiver, for data transmission.

8. The multi-source client-host system of claim 7 wherein said communication channel is a wired channel.

9. The multi-source client-host system of claim 7 wherein said communication channel is a wireless channel.

10. The multi-source client-host system of claim 7 wherein said host device further comprises a control element that an enables a user to switch between a host mode of operation and a client mode of operation, when said client device is attached to said host device.

11. The multi-source client-host system of claim 7 wherein said host connector also transmits user commands to said client connector and said client connector receives the user commands, and wherein said configuration program generates graphic images in response to the user commands.

12. The multi-source client-host system of claim 11 wherein said host device comprises a plurality of keys that may be pressed by a user, wherein keys are assigned user commands supported by the client device when said client device is attached to said host device.

13. A method for controlling configuration display screens within a client-host multi-source system, comprising:

transferring look &

feel parameters from a host device to a client device;

setting parameters of a configuration program for the client device, according to the look &

feel parameters transferred by said transferring;

generating, by the configuration program, a web page located at a designated URL, the web page conforming to the look &

feel parameters; and

browsing the designated URL, by a web browser in the host device.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

receiving, by the host device, a user command from a user who is viewing the display of the host device;

sending an identifier for the user command to the client device;

further generating, by the configuration program, another web page located at another designated URL, the other web page conforming to the look &

feel parameters, in response to the user command;

further browsing the other designated URL, by the web browser in the host device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said receiving, sending, further generating and further browsing are interactively performed multiple times.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said receiving a user command comprises receiving a key press event triggered by a user who pressed a key of the host device, the method further comprising:

sending a list of functions supported by the client device, to the host device;

assigning keys of the host device to functions supported by the client device; and

identifying the function assigned to the key that was pressed by the user.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said receiving a user command comprises receiving a key press event triggered by a user who pressed a key of the host device, wherein said sending an identifier for the user command comprises sending an identifier for a function supported by the client device, and wherein the method further comprises:

sending a list of keys of the host device, to the client device;

assigning keys of the host device to functions supported by the client device; and

identifying the function assigned to the key that was pressed by the user.

18. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing an electronic device:

to transfer look &

feel parameters from a host device to a client device;

to set parameters of a configuration program for the client device, according to the look &

feel parameters that were transferred;

to generate, by the configuration program, a web page located at a designated URL, the web page conforming to the look &

feel parameters; and

to browse the designated URL, by a web browser in the host device.

19. A multi-source client-host system that maintains a uniform look &

feel user interface, comprising;

a host device comprising;

a central processing unit;

a storage memory for storing look &

feel parameters for a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface employing a plurality of web pages for user interaction;

a web browser for browsing and rendering the web pages employed by the graphical user interface; and

a connector for transmitting the look &

feel parameters to a client device, when said client device is attached to said host device;

a client device that can be attached to and detached from said host device, comprising;

a central processing unit;

a configuration program for generating at least one of the web pages employed by the graphical user interface, the at least one of the web pages conforming to the look &

feel parameters; and

a connector for receiving the look &

feel parameters from said host device, when said client device is attached to said host device; and

a communication channel between said host transmitter and said client receiver, for data transmission.

20. The multi-source client-host system of claim 19 further comprising a web server for hosting the web pages generated by said configuration program, wherein said client device further comprises an uploader for uploading the web pages generated by said configuration program to said web server, and wherein said host web browser browses said web server.

21. The multi-source client-host system of claim 19 wherein said communication channel is a wired channel.

22. The multi-source client-host system of claim 19 wherein said communication channel is a wireless channel.

23. The multi-source client-host system of claim 19 wherein said host device further comprises a control element that an enables a user to switch between a host mode of operation and a client mode of operation, when said client device is attached to said host device.

24. The multi-source client-host system of claim 19 wherein said host connector also transmits user commands to said client connector and said client connector receives the user commands, and wherein said configuration program generates web pages in response to the user commands.

25. The multi-source client-host system of claim 24 wherein said host device comprises a plurality of keys that may be pressed by a user, wherein keys are assigned user commands supported by the client device when said client device is attached to said host device.

26. A method for controlling configuration display screens within a client-host multi-source system, comprising:

transferring a client configuration program from a client device to a host device;

setting parameters of the transferred client configuration program according to look &

feel parameters of the host device;

generating, by the host device via the client configuration program, a graphic image of a client configuration screen, the graphic image conforming to the host look &

feel parameters; and

displaying the graphic image on a display screen of the host device.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

receiving, by the host device, a user command from a user who is viewing the display of the host device;

further generating, by the host device via the client configuration program, a graphic image for an altered screen, the graphic image conforming to the host look &

feel parameters, in response to the user command;

further displaying the bitmap image of the altered screen on the display of the host device.

28. A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing an electronic device:

to transfer a client configuration program from a client device to a host device;

to set parameters of the transferred client configuration program according to look &

feel parameters of the host device;

to generate, by the host device via the client configuration program, a graphic image of a client configuration screen, the graphic image conforming to the host look &

feel parameters; and

to display the graphic image on a display screen of the host device.

29. An electronic device with extended application functionality, comprising:

circuitry for device hardware, for accessing and controlling hardware functions;

circuitry for at least one application;

a connector for coupling with another hardware device, the other device having circuitry for device hardware, for accessing and controlling hardware functions; and

a coupled device control module for enabling the at least one application to identify, access and control the hardware functions on the other device, when the other device is connected to said connector.

30. The electronic device of claim 29 wherein the at least one application operates in a virtual machine (VM) environment, and wherein said coupled device control module is an extension to the virtual machine and has an added set of application programming interface (API) functions.

31. The electronic device of claim 30 wherein the virtual machine environment is a Java VM environment.

32. The electronic device of claim 29 further comprising circuitry for an operating system, and wherein said coupled device control module is an extension to the operating system.

33. The electronic device of claim 29 wherein said coupled device control module is a standalone module.

34. A bridge system for auxiliary display devices connected to a computer, comprising:

a computer running a plurality of mini-programs, each mini-program sending information of a specific nature from the computer to a corresponding auxiliary display device, for presentation to a user;

a plurality of auxiliary display devices, each auxiliary display device comprising an auxiliary screen and each auxiliary display device having look &

feel display parameters, for receiving information from the corresponding plurality of mini-programs, and for displaying the received information on said auxiliary screens according to the corresponding look &

feel parameters; and

at least one bridge device coupled to said computer, each bridge device coupled to at least one of said auxiliary display devices, each bridge device comprising a bridge screen, and each bridge device receiving information from a corresponding at least one of the mini-programs, forwarding the received information to the at least one of said auxiliary display devices, and displaying the received information on said bridge screen according to the look &

feel display parameters of the at least one of said auxiliary display devices.

35. The bridge system of claim 34 further comprising a configuration manager running on said computer, for setting up a configuration of which bridges are permitted to display information from which mini-programs.

36. The bridge system of claim 34 further comprising at least one bridge configuration manager running on said at least one bridge device, each bridge configuration manager specifying which auxiliary display devices connected to the bridge device are permitted to display information from which mini-programs.

37. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes an e-mail reader.

38. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a calendar scheduler.

39. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a GPS navigator.

40. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a weather reporter.

41. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a home entertainment system.

42. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a digital picture frame.

43. The bridge system of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a portable music player.

44. The bridge of claim 34 wherein said plurality of auxiliary display devices includes a cellular telephone.

45. A method for managing auxiliary display devices connected to a computer, comprising:

receiving XML information of a specific nature from a mini-program running on a computer, and receiving look &

feel parameters from an auxiliary display device that displays information in a display format conforming to the look &

feel parameters, for presentation to a user;

transforming the XML information to a BMP image conforming to the look &

feel parameters of the auxiliary display device;

transmitting the BMP image to the auxiliary display device for presentation to the user;

receiving an indication of an action performed by the user on the auxiliary display device in response to viewing the BMP image;

generating a second BMP image based on the received indication, conforming to the look &

feel parameters of the auxiliary display device; and

further transmitting the second BMP image to the auxiliary display device for further presentation to the user.

46. A method for managing auxiliary display devices connected to a computer, comprising:

receiving XML information of a specific nature from a mini-program running on a computer, and receiving look &

feel parameters from an auxiliary display device that displays information in a display format conforming to the look &

feel parameters, for presentation to a user;

transforming the XML information to a BMP image conforming to the look &

feel parameters of the auxiliary display device;

transmitting the BMP image to the auxiliary display device for presentation to the user;

receiving additional XML information from the mini-program;

generating a second BMP image based on the additional XML information, conforming to the look &

feel parameters of the auxiliary display device; and

further transmitting the second BMP image to the auxiliary display device for further presentation to the user.

47. The bridge system of claim 46 wherein the XML information of a specific nature is e-mail information.

48. The bridge system of claim 46 wherein the XML information of a specific nature is calendar schedule information.

49. The bridge system of claim 46 wherein the XML information of a specific nature is picture information.

50. The bridge system of claim 46 wherein the XML information of a specific nature is GPS navigational information.

51. The bridge system of claim 46 wherein the XML information of a specific nature is weather information.