Method and system for generating a user interface for distributing devices

• US 7,617,453 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William H. Gates
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Pyle, Harry S., Hasha, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Kieu
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roswell; Michael
• Application Number:
  US09/322,964
• Time in Patent Office: 3,819 Days
• Field of Search: 345/700, 345/733, 345/764, 345/734, 345/738, 345/740, 345/748, 345/771, 345/839, 345/854, 345/966, 709/201, 709/203, 709/217
• US Class Current: 715/700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/449 Object-oriented method invocation or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• 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 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission

Abstract

A method and system for generating a user interface for controlling software components through a user control point device. The user interface system provides multiple software components that each can provide a user interface component. Each user interface component provides a user interface for the corresponding software component. A user control point component requests each software component to provide its user interface component. The user control point component then displays an indication of each software component. In response to the selection of a software component, the user control point component requests the user interface component for that software component to display its user interface through the control point device. When a user interacts with that user interface, the user interface component notifies the corresponding software component of the interaction.

Claims

1. A method in a computer system for specifying a user interface, the method comprising:

providing an indication of a user control point device through which the user interface is to be provided; and

providing an indication of a software component through which the user interface is provided;

wherein different user interfaces are provided based on the combination of the provided indications.