Method for controlling network devices via a MMI
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for controlling network devices via a home network, the network devices being connected to said home network via different protocol standards, comprising:
- displaying generated icons of the network devices having a plurality of functions regarding a reproducing and/or recording of an audio/video signal, icons of a plurality of services provided by each device grouped according to the type of services provided, and menus including the functions which are operable with the associated network device or service;
at least partially displaying the generated icons with a hierarchical structure so as to show a relationship of network connections of the network devices in the home network;
receiving a selection of a network device or a service by a user selecting one of the displayed icons;
selectively displaying the menu of a selected network device or service, the menu including the functions which are operable with the selected network device or service;
receiving a selection of a function in the selectively displayed menu; and
controlling the network device or service to execute the selected function based on a respective one of the protocol standards,wherein the execution of the selected function results in a data stream of an audio/video signal stored in a providing network device being sent from the providing network device to the selected network device or to a device capable of receiving said data stream via the home network.
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Abstract
A method for controlling network devices via a man-machine interface including determining a connection of one or more devices to a network, determining availability of one or more multimedia services available via a respective one of the connected devices, and displaying a hierarchical view representative of one or more of the connected devices and one or more of the available multimedia services.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for controlling network devices via a home network, the network devices being connected to said home network via different protocol standards, comprising:
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displaying generated icons of the network devices having a plurality of functions regarding a reproducing and/or recording of an audio/video signal, icons of a plurality of services provided by each device grouped according to the type of services provided, and menus including the functions which are operable with the associated network device or service; at least partially displaying the generated icons with a hierarchical structure so as to show a relationship of network connections of the network devices in the home network; receiving a selection of a network device or a service by a user selecting one of the displayed icons; selectively displaying the menu of a selected network device or service, the menu including the functions which are operable with the selected network device or service; receiving a selection of a function in the selectively displayed menu; and controlling the network device or service to execute the selected function based on a respective one of the protocol standards, wherein the execution of the selected function results in a data stream of an audio/video signal stored in a providing network device being sent from the providing network device to the selected network device or to a device capable of receiving said data stream via the home network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A controller including a man-machine interface for controlling network devices vi a home network, the network devices being connected to said home network via different protocol standards, comprising:
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means for displaying generated icons of the network devices having a plurality of functions regarding a reproducing and/or recording of an audio/video signal, icons of a plurality of services provided by each device according to the type of services provided, and menus including the functions which are operable with the associated network device; means for at least partially displaying the generated icons with a hierarchical structure so as to show a relationship of network connections of the network devices in the home network; means for receiving a selection of a network device or service by a user selecting one of the displayed icons; means for selectively displaying the menu of a selected network device or service, the menu including the functions which are operable with the selected network device or service; means for receiving a selection of a function in the selectively displayed menu; and means for controlling the network device or service to execute the selected function based on a respective one of the protocol standards, wherein the execution of the selected function results in a data stream of an audio/video signal stored in a providing network device being sent from the providing network device to the selected network device or to a device capable of receiving said data stream via the home network. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code stored thereon for causing a computer to provide a man-machine interface for controlling network devices via a home network, the network devices being connected to said home network via different protocol standards, the computer readable medium comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:
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displaying generated icons of the network devices having a plurality of functions regarding a reproducing and/or recording of an audio/video signal, icons of a plurality of services provided by each device according to the type of services provided, and menus including the functions which are operable with the associated network device or service; at least partially display the generated icons with a hierarchical structure so as to show a relationship of network connections of the network devices in the home network; receive a selection of a network device or service by a user selecting one of the displayed icons; selectively display the menu of a selected network device or service, the menu including the functions which are operable with the selected network device or service; receive a selection of a function in the selectively displayed menu; and control the network device or service to execute the selected function based on a respective one of the protocol standards, wherein the execution of the selected function results in a data stream of an audio/video signal stored in a providing network device being sent from the providing network device to the selected network device or to a device capable of receiving said data stream via the home network.
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Specification