METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC NETWORK DEVICE START UP

• US 20120005586A1
• Filed: 07/02/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Uola, Juha Tapani, Taivalsaari, Antero
• Granted Patent: US 9,529,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/740
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4416 Network booting; Remote initial program loading [RIPL]

Abstract

Techniques for dynamic device start up include causing the following steps in response to powering a device. A server is determined, which provides at least a portion of a user interface to operate the device. If a communications network is available, a request message is sent to the server. The request message indicates at least a request for at least first data describing at least the portion of the user interface. The user interface is rendered based at least in part on the first data. In some embodiments, a server determines first data that describes at least a portion of a user interface for a remote device. The user interface is an interface for receiving input at the remote device to operate the remote device. In response to receiving a start-up message indicating start up of the remote device, at least the first data is sent to the remote device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

in response to powering on a device causing the device to perform at least;

determining a server, wherein the server provides at least a portion of a user interface for the device;

determining whether a communications network is available; and

if the communications network is available, determining to send a request message to the server, wherein the request message indicates at least a request for at least first data describing at least the portion of the user interface,

wherein the user interface is an interface for receiving input to operate the device.

2. A method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to receiving the first data from the server, rendering the user interface based at least in part on the first data.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein:

the user interface includes one or more elements configured to detect user input and in response perform a corresponding function; and

the function is selected from a group comprising powering off, determining optional settings, accessing one or more tools that each represent a built in application, listing installed applications, display currently executing applications, expanding a current rendering, contracting a current rendering.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein:

the device includes a declarative user interface engine; and

the first data comprises statements for a declarative user interface engine.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein:

the device includes a world wide web browser; and

the user interface includes a window for the browser.

6. A method of claim 5, wherein the window for the browser includes a link for launching an application from the browser.

7. A method of claim 5, wherein the window for the browser includes an area that indicates a particular application, wherein the particular application is currently executing.

8. A method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to powering on the network device:

determining whether user credentials are cached on the device; and

if user credentials are not cached on the device, then rendering a login user interface to enter user credentials.

9. A method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to powering on the network device, if the communications network is not available, then:

determining whether second data that describes at least a portion of the interface is cached on the device; and

if the second data is cached on the device, then rendering the user interface based on the second data.

10. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

rendering a portion of the user interface incrementally as information for the user interface becomes available; and

responding to user input detected for the rendered portion of the interface.

11. A method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is a top level user interface.

12. A method comprising:

determining first data that describes at least a portion of a user interface for a remote device, wherein the user interface is an interface for receiving input at the remote device to operate the remote device; and

in response to receiving a start-up message, determining to send at least the first data to the remote device, wherein the start-up message indicates the remote device is being powered up.

13. A method of claim 12, wherein the first data describes only the portion of the user interface that has changed since a last message received from the remote device.

14. A method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving from the remote device user state data, wherein the user state data indicates one or more of a user-selected application on the remote device or a particular application that was executing on the remote device when the remote device was shutting down; and

determining to store the user state data locally.

15. A method of claim 14, further comprising determining to send the locally stored user state data to the remote device in response to receiving the start-up message.

16. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following in response to powering on the apparatus,

determining a server, wherein the server provides at least a portion of a user interface for the apparatus;

determining whether a communications network is available; and

if the communications network is available, determining to send a request message to the server, wherein the request message indicates at least a request for at least first data describing at least the portion of the user interface,

wherein the user interface is an interface for receiving input to operate the apparatus.

17. An apparatus of claim 16, further comprising, in response to receiving the first data from the server, rendering the user interface based at least in part on the first data.

18. An apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone.

19. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

determining first data that describes at least a portion of a user interface for a remote device, wherein the user interface is an interface for receiving input at the remote device to operate the remote device; and

in response to receiving a start-up message, determining to send at least the first data to the remote device, wherein the start-up message indicates the remote device is being powered up.

20. An apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first data describes only the portion of the user interface that has changed since a last message received from the remote device.

21-109. -109. (canceled)