Home audio/video network for generating default control parameters for devices coupled to the network, and replacing updated control parameters therewith
First Claim
1. A method for providing future upgradability and expandability of devices in a home audio video network, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) generating a default control software module for a first device coupled to the network by using a second device coupled to the network, wherein the default control software module is configured to provide a predetermined minimum degree of interoperability between the first device and the second device;
b) accessing the first device via the default control software module by using the second device, wherein the default control software module enables the first device to respond to a default set of commands from the second device;
c) receiving an updated control software module for the first device;
d) replacing the default control software module with the updated control software module by unlinking the default control software module and linking the updated control software module so that the first device can be controlled by commands originating from the devices of the home audio video network that are received by the updated control software module; and
e) accessing the first device via the updated control software module wherein the updated control software module enables the first device to respond to an updated set of commands from the second device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for ensuring future upgradability and expandabiliy of devices in a home audio video network. The system of the present invention generates a default control module for a first device coupled to the network by using a second device coupled to the network. The the default control module is configured to ensure at least a minimum degree of interoperability between the first device and the second device. The second device access the first device via the default control module, wherein the default control module enables the first device to respond to a default set of commands from the second device. When an updated control module for the first device is received, the default control module is replaced with the updated control module by unlinking the default control module and linking the updated control module using a registry. The updated control module can be received from a wide variety of sources (e.g., the internet, satellite broadcast, cable TV provider, disk from the manufacture, etc.). The second device subsequently accesses the first device via the updated control module, wherein the updated control module enables the first device to respond to an updated set of commands from the second device.
338 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for providing future upgradability and expandability of devices in a home audio video network, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a default control software module for a first device coupled to the network by using a second device coupled to the network, wherein the default control software module is configured to provide a predetermined minimum degree of interoperability between the first device and the second device; b) accessing the first device via the default control software module by using the second device, wherein the default control software module enables the first device to respond to a default set of commands from the second device; c) receiving an updated control software module for the first device; d) replacing the default control software module with the updated control software module by unlinking the default control software module and linking the updated control software module so that the first device can be controlled by commands originating from the devices of the home audio video network that are received by the updated control software module; and e) accessing the first device via the updated control software module wherein the updated control software module enables the first device to respond to an updated set of commands from the second device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A home audio video network including a plurality of devices coupled to a bus, wherein one device is a host device having a processor coupled to a computer readable memory, the memory containing computer readable instructions which when executed implement a method for providing future upgradability and expandabiliy of the plurality of devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a default control software module for a device coupled to the network, wherein the default control software module is configured to provide a predetermined minimum degree of interoperability between the device and a plurality of other devices coupled to the network; b) accessing the device via the default control software module, wherein the default control software module enables the device to respond to a default set of commands; c) receiving an updated control software module for the device; d) replacing the default control software module with the updated control software module by unlinking the default control software module and linking the updated control software module so that the device can be controlled by commands originating from the devices of the home audio video network that are received by the updated control software module; and e) accessing the device via the updated control software module wherein the updated control software module enables the device to respond to an updated set of commands. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system including a plurality of devices of a home audio video network, the plurality of devices coupled to a bus, wherein one of the devices is a host device including a processor coupled to a computer readable memory, the memory containing computer readable instructions which when executed implement a method of providing expandability to the devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a default control software module for a device coupled to the network, wherein the default control software module is configured to provide a predetermined minimum degree of interoperability between the device and a plurality of other devices coupled to the network; b) accessing the device via the default control software module, wherein the default control software module enables the device to respond to a default set of commands; c) receiving an updated control software module for the device; d) replacing the default control software module with the updated control software module by unlinking the default control software module and linking the updated control software module using a registry wherein the device can be controlled by commands originating from the devices of the home audio video network that are received by the updated control software module; and e) accessing the device via the updated control software module wherein the updated control software module enables the device to respond to an updated set of commands. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for providing future upgradability and expandability of devices in a home audio video network, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) means for generating a default control module for a first device coupled to the network by using a second device coupled to the network, wherein the default control module is configured to provide a predetermined minimum degree of interoperability between the first device and the second device; b) means for accessing the first device via the default control module by using the second device, wherein the default control module enables the first device to respond to a default set of commands from the second device; c) means for receiving an updated control module for the first device; d) means for replacing the default control module with the updated control module by unlinking the default control module and linking the updated control module; and e) means for accessing the first device via the updated control module wherein the updated control module enables the first device to respond to an updated set of commands from the second device.
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23. A method for providing future upgradability and expandability of devices in a home audio video network, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) generating a default control software module for a first device coupled to the network by using a second device coupled to the network, wherein the default control software module is configured to provide a generic degree of communication between the first device and the second device; b) accessing the first device via the default control software module by using the second device, wherein the default control software module enables the first device to respond to a default set of commands from the second device; c) receiving an updated control software module for the first device; d) replacing the default control software module with the updated control software module by unlinking the default control software module and linking the updated control software module so that the first device can be controlled by commands originating from the devices of the home audio video network that are received by the updated control software module; and e) accessing the first device via the updated control software module wherein the updated control software module enables the first device to respond to an updated set of commands from the second device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification