Method and apparatus for including self-describing information within devices

• US 6,421,069 B1
• Filed: 06/04/1998
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shima, Hisato, Smyers, Scott, Ludtke, Harold Aaron, Fairman, Bruce, Proehl, Andrew M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Cao H.
• Application Number:
  US09/092,703
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326, 345/327, 345/333, 345/335, 345/336, 345/700, 345/716, 345/762, 345/744, 345/764, 348/3, 348/6, 348/8, 348/10, 209/321, 209/332, 209/320, 710/63, 710/64, 710/65
• US Class Current: 715/762
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4415 Self describing peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/281 indicating a format for calling an appliance service function in a home automation network for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40123 Interconnection of computers and peripherals printer information exchange with computer G06F3/1293

Abstract

Self-describing information is included within a device and contains information relating to a graphical representation of the device, the controls available on the device and the interface required to access those controls. The self-describing information is preferably embedded within a ROM within the device and is read by other devices coupled to the device for presenting a graphical user interface through which the device can be remotely controlled by a user. The self-describing information can also include an address from which additional information about the device and upgrades are automatically obtained. This address is either an internet address or points to a location within a network of devices. The address can also be modifiable. Alternatively, the self-describing information also includes driving software for enhancing the graphical user interface and controlling the operation of the device through another system. This driving software is written either in the native language of the device on which it is uploaded and executed or in a platform neutral language such as Java™. The graphical user interface is presented on a television, computer or other appropriate system for controlling multiple devices through the system. The controlling system obtains the self-describing information from each device within the configuration. The graphical user interface includes a graphical representation of the devices and specific control features available to the user presented in a graphical orientation. Alternatively, a three-dimensional representation of the device is presented with controls represented on the device. If no controlling system is available, a graphical user interface is controlled by an application within the device and presented on an available display.

Claims

1. A method of interfacing between devices comprising:

a. embedding self-describing information within a first device, wherein the self-describing information includes information related to operation and control of the first device including one or more of a graphical representation of the first device, information regarding controls and functionality of the first device, a first interface required to access the controls and an address from where additional information about the first device is obtained; and

b configuring the first device to allow a second device to access the self-describing information for interfacing with the first device.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising providing a second interface on the second device using the self-describing information, wherein a user has the ability to control operation of the first device through the second interface.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second interface includes the graphical representation of the device and available controls.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the self-describing information includes an operating system driver.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the self-describing information includes a user application.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the user application provides a graphical user interface through which a user is provided access to the user application.

7. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the address is an internet address.

8. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the address points to a location within a network of devices which includes the first device and the second device.

9. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the address is modifiable.

10. A device including self-describing information comprising:

a. means for storing self-describing information about the device, wherein the self-describing information includes information related to operation and control of the device including one or more of a graphical representation of the device, information regarding controls and functionality of the device, a control interface required to access the controls and an address from where additional information about the device is obtained;

b. a physical interface for allowing the device to communicate with other devices including transmitting the self-describing information; and

c. a controller coupled to the means for storing and to the physical interface for controlling communication through the physical interface with other devices.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the address is an internet address.

12. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the self-describing information is used to provide a graphical interface on a controlling device for controlling operation of the device through the controlling device.

13. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the means for storing self-describing information includes a memory device.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the memory device is a read-only memory.

15. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the means for storing self-describing information includes a media device.

16. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the means for storing self-describing information includes a broadcast receiving device.

17. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the physical interface is an IEEE 1394 interface for interfacing the device to an IEEE 1394 serial bus structure.

18. A system configuration comprising:

a. a plurality of devices coupled together, each of the plurality including;

i. means for storing self-describing information about a respective one of the plurality of devices, wherein the self-describing information includes information related to operation and control of the device including one or more of a graphical representation of the device, information regarding controls and functionality of the device, a control interface required to access the controls and an address from where additional information about the device is obtained;

ii. a physical interface for allowing the device to communicate with other devices including transmitting the self-describing information; and

b. a system coupled to the plurality of devices for presenting a graphical interface, utilizing the self-describing information from each of the plurality of devices, through which operation of the plurality of devices is controlled, the system including a microprocessor and a display.

19. The system configuration as claimed in claim 18 wherein the means for storing includes a memory device.

20. The system configuration as claimed in claim 19 wherein the memory device is a read-only memory.

21. The system configuration as claimed in claim 18 wherein the self-describing information includes an operating system driver.

22. The system configuration as claimed in claim 21 wherein the self-describing information includes a user application.

23. The system configuration as claimed in claim 22 wherein the address is an internet address.

24. The system configuration as claimed in claim 22 wherein the address points to a location within one of the plurality of devices.

25. The system configuration as claimed in claim 18 wherein the graphical interface includes graphical representations of the plurality of devices and connections between devices.

26. The system configuration as claimed in claim 25 wherein operation of selected devices is controlled through the interface by communications from the system to the selected devices.

27. The system configuration as claimed in claim 26 wherein the system and the plurality of devices are all coupled together by an IEEE 1394 bus structure.

28. A graphical user interface for controlling operation of devices coupled together into a network configuration, the graphical user interface comprising:

a. a plurality of device images each representing a device within the network configuration;

b. graphical representations of connections between the plurality of device images representing actual connections of the devices within the network configuration; and

c. control means for displaying available controls for selected ones of the devices and controlling operation of the devices based on selected controls;

wherein the plurality of device images and the available controls are obtained from self-describing information about a corresponding device stored within the devices.

29. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 28 wherein the graphical user interface is displayed on a computer system having a display, a memory and an input device.

30. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 29 wherein the input device is a mouse.

31. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 28 wherein the graphical user interface is displayed on a television.

32. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 31 wherein the input device is an infrared remote control device.

33. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 28 wherein the self-describing information includes an address through which the device image and the available controls are obtained.

34. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 33 wherein the address is an internet address.

35. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 33 wherein the address points to a location within the network configuration.

36. The graphical user interface as claimed in claim 28 wherein the self-describing information for a device includes a graphical representation of the device and information regarding controls and functionality of the device.

37. A system for controlling devices coupled to a bus structure comprising:

a. a bus structure configured for providing communications between devices;

b. a plurality of devices coupled to the bus structure for communicating across the bus structure, each of the plurality of devices including self-describing information about a corresponding one of the plurality of devices, wherein the self-describing information includes information related to operation and control of the corresponding device including one or more of a graphical representation of the device, information regarding controls and functionality of the device, a control interface required to access the controls and an address from where additional information about the device is obtained; and

c. a graphical user interface for controlling operation of the plurality of devices including;

i. a plurality of device images each representing a corresponding one of the plurality of devices and each obtained from the self-describing information of the corresponding device; and

ii. a bus structure representation illustratively coupled to each of the plurality of device images representing the bus structure;

wherein operation of the devices is controlled through the graphical user interface.

38. The system as claimed in claim 37 wherein the graphical user interface is displayed on one of the devices including a microprocessor and a display.

39. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the graphical user interface further comprises control means for displaying available controls for selected ones of the devices and controlling operation of the devices based on selected controls, wherein the available controls are obtained from the self-describing information of the corresponding device.

40. The system as claimed in claim 39 wherein the bus structure is an IEEE 1394 serial bus structure.

41. The system as claimed in claim 37 wherein the address includes an internet address through which additional information about the device is obtained.

42. The system as claimed in claim 41 wherein each of the plurality of devices includes a memory for storing the self-describing information.

43. The system as claimed in claim 42 wherein the memory is a read-only memory.

44. The system as claimed in claim 37 wherein the address point to a location within the devices coupled to the bus structure through which additional information about the device is obtained.

45. A method of interfacing between devices comprising:

embedding self-describing informations within a first device, wherein the self-describing information includes information related to operation and control of the first device including one or more of a graphical representation of the first device, information regarding controls and functionality of the first device, a first interface required to access the controls and an address from where additional information about the first device is obtained;

wherein the information related to operation and control of the first device includes one or more of a graphical representation of the first device, information regarding controls and functionality of the first device, and a first interface required to access the controls and configuring the first device to allow a second device to access the self-describing information for interfacing with the first device.

46. The method as claimed in claim 45 wherein the self-describing information includes a graphical representation of the first device.

47. The method as claimed in claim 45 wherein the self-describing information further includes information regarding controls and functionality of the first device.

48. The method as claimed in claim 45 wherein the address is an internet address.

49. The method as claimed in claim 45 wherein the address points to a location within a network of devices which includes the first device and the second device.

50. The method as claimed in claim 49 wherein the network is a wide-area network.

51. The method as claimed in claim 45 wherein the address is modifiable.

52. The method as claimed in claim 45 wherein the self-describing information is modifiable.

53. The method as claimed in claim 45 further comprising providing an interface on the second device using the information, wherein a user has ability to control operation of the first device through the interface.

54. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein the interface includes a graphical representation of the first device and available controls.

55. The method as claimed in claim 54 wherein the graphical representation is interactive allowing the user to control operation of the first device.

56. A device including self-describing information comprising:

a. a memory circuit configured to store self-describing information about the device, wherein the self-describing information includes one or more of a graphical representation of the device, information regarding controls and functionality of the device, a control interface required to access the controls and an address from where information related to operation and control of the device is obtained;

b. a physical interface configured to allow the device to communicate with other devices including transmitting the self-describing information; and

c. a controller coupled to the memory circuit and to the physical interface to control communication through the physical interface with other devices.

57. The device as claimed in claim 56 wherein the address is an internet address.

58. The device as claimed in claim 56 wherein the address points to a location within a network of devices which includes the device and the controller.

59. The device as claimed in claim 58 wherein the network is a wide-area network.

60. The device as claimed in claim 56 wherein the address is modifiable.

61. The device as claimed in claim 56 wherein the self-describing information is modifiable.

62. The device as claimed in claim 56 wherein the information is used to provide a graphical interface on a controlling device to control operation of the device through the controlling device.

63. The device as claimed in claim 62 wherein the interface includes a graphical representation of the device and available controls.

64. The device as claimed in claim 63 wherein the graphical representation is interactive allowing the user to control operation of the first device.