Network architecture for internet appliances

• US 6,965,935 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2001
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Devices World Sdn. Bhd.
• Original Assignee: Chong Khai Diong
• Inventors: Diong, Chong Khai
• Primary Examiner(s): Lin, Wen-Tai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chang, Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US09/846,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20020165953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,659 Days
• Field of Search: 709/220, 709/246, 709/224, 709/217, 710/36, 710/220, 379/102.03, 700/20, 713/1
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and network architecture for a plurality of internet-enabled appliances to communicate with each other and with a plurality of users simultaneously in real time. In a preferred embodiment, a system in accordance with the present invention allows any appliance with built-in internet connectivity, or retrofitted with an interface device containing said connectivity, to communicate with a central server over the internet without human intervention. Software means is provided at the central server to enable such communication. Firmware and hardware means are provided for each appliance to connect to and disconnect from the central server on demand either through a dial-up connection or a dedicated communication line. The present invention allows for each device to send data to the central server, receive data from said server, or send data to and receive data from another device via the central server under user-programmable control means residing in the central server.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of appliances, said system comprising:

access means providing said appliances with internet connectivity; and

at least one central server located on the internet, through which all data from said appliances and users of said system passes;

wherein said system is capable of allowing any said user to simultaneously communicate with a plurality of said appliances in real-time;

wherein said appliance contains an embedded internet access means built-in as an integral part of said appliance;

capable of allowing a plurality of said users to simultaneously communicate with any particular said appliance in real-time;

capable of allowing any said appliance to communicate with a plurality of other said appliances simultaneously and in real-time;

wherein said appliances automatically logon to said central server at regular pre-programmed intervals to report their status;

wherein said system has means to send out alerts to said users;

wherein said system has means to communicate with any other internet enabled device using XML; and

wherein said system has means to encrypt and decrypt communication between said central server and said appliances.

2. A system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of appliances, said system comprising:

access means providing said appliances with internet connectivity; and

at least one central server located on the internet, through which all data from said appliances and users of said system passes;

wherein said system is capable of allowing any said user to simultaneously communicate with a plurality of said appliances in real-time;

wherein said appliance contains an embedded internet access means built-in as an integral part of said appliance;

capable of allowing a plurality of said users to simultaneously communicate with any particular said appliance in real-time;

capable of allowing any said appliance to communicate with a plurality of other said appliances simultaneously and in real-time;

wherein said appliances automatically logon to said central server at regular pre-programmed intervals to report their status;

wherein said appliance connects to said central server using said unique identification means and a password in combination;

wherein communication between said appliance and said central server is encrypted;

wherein said system has to send out alerts to said users;

wherein said system has to communicate with any other internet enabled device using XML; and

wherein said system has to encrypt and decrypt communication between said central server and said appliances.

3. A system for monitoring and controlling a plurality of appliances, said system comprising:

access means providing said appliances with internet connectivity; and

at least one central server located on the internet, through which all data from said appliances and users of said system passes wherein said central server contains software application means for a plurality of users of said system to write and modify said program control means and the writing and modification of said program control means is done through a graphical user interface (GUI);

wherein said system is capable of allowing any said user to simultaneously communicate with a plurality of said appliances in real-time;

wherein said appliance contains an embedded internet access means built-in as an integral part of said appliance;

capable of allowing a plurality of said users to simultaneously communicate with any particular said appliance in real-time;

capable of allowing any said appliance to communicate with a plurality of other said appliances simultaneously and in real-time;

wherein said appliances automatically logon to said central server at regular pre-programmed intervals to report their status;

wherein said system has means to send out alerts to said users;

wherein said system has means to communicate with any other internet enabled device using XML; and

wherein said system has means to encrypt and decrypt communication between said central server and said appliances.