Device control system, method, and apparatus for server-based or peer-to-peer network environments

• US 7,957,321 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: OpenPeak Inc.
• Inventors: Krzyzanowski, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper, Kevin C
• Application Number:
  US11/529,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20070019682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/522, 340/286.02, 348/14.05, 700/1, 700/9, 700/20
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] 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

Abstract

In a device control system that provides a means for controlling a variety of device types via a unified interface, such as via a handheld controller, a synchronization protocol ensures synchronization between a plurality of such controllers in a peer-to-peer network environment, provides a means for transferring custom configurations between such controllers, and provides a means for migrating such a controller from a peer-to-peer network environment to a server-based network environment and vice-versa.

Claims

1. A method for synchronizing a first controller with a second controller, each of the first and second controllers being adapted to remotely control the same one or more electronic devices, the method comprising:

discovering the second controller;

generating first controller synchronization data that includes a plurality of first controller events that have occurred since a prior synchronization with the second controller, said plurality of first controller events including a plurality of changes in a configuration, status and/or operation of the one or more electronic devices that have occurred since said prior synchronization; and

transmitting a message that includes said first controller synchronization data to the second controller for use in synchronizing the first and second controllers so that the first and second controllers hold identical information regarding the configuration, status and/or operation of the one or more electronic devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein discovering the second controller comprises:

transmitting a query message; and

waiting a predetermined amount of time to receive a reply to said query message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating said first controller synchronization data comprises generating said first controller synchronization data in response to the execution of a command.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said generating said first controller synchronization data in response to the execution of a command comprises:

generating said first controller synchronization data in response to the execution of a command that changes a configuration, status and/or operation of one of the one or more electronic devices.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said generating said first controller synchronization data in response to the execution of a command comprises:

generating said first controller synchronization data in response to the execution of a command that changes a control configuration of the first controller.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating said first controller synchronization data comprises generating said first controller synchronization data in response to a detected change in configuration, status and/or operation of at least one of the one or more electronic devices.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a message relating to second controller synchronization data from the second controller; and

changing a control configuration of the first controller to match a control configuration of the second controller in response to receiving said message.

8. An apparatus for remotely controlling one or more electronic devices, comprising:

a network interface adapted for communication over a network;

a user interface adapted to receive user input; and

control logic coupled to said network interface and said user interface and adapted to execute commands in response to said user input;

wherein said control logic is further adapted to discover a second apparatus for controlling the one or more electronic devices communicatively coupled to said network, to generate synchronization data that includes a plurality of events that have occurred since a prior synchronization with said second apparatus, said plurality of events including a plurality of changes in a configuration, status and/or operation of the one or more electronic devices that have occurred since said prior synchronization, and to transmit a message that includes said synchronization data to said second apparatus via said network interface for use in synchronizing the apparatus and said second apparatus so that the apparatus and said second apparatus hold identical information regarding the configuration, status and/or operation of the one or more electronic devices.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said network interface comprises a transceiver.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said transceiver is adapted for communication in accordance with an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet protocol.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said transceiver is adapted for wireless communication in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said transceiver is adapted for wireless communication in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 protocol.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said control logic is adapted to discover said second apparatus by transmitting a query message via said network interface and waiting a predetermined amount of time to receive a reply to said query message.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said control logic is adapted to generate said synchronization data in response to the execution of a command.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said control logic is adapted to generate said synchronization data in response to the execution of a command that changes a configuration, status and/or operation of one of the one or more electronic devices.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said control logic is adapted to generate said synchronization data in response to the execution of a command that changes a control configuration of the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said control logic is adapted to generate said synchronization data in response to a detected change in configuration, status and/or operation of at least one of the one or more electronic devices.

18. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said control logic is further adapted to receive a message relating to second apparatus synchronization data from said second apparatus via said network interface and to change a control configuration of the apparatus to match a control configuration of said second apparatus in response to receiving said message.

19. A system, comprising:

an electronic device; and

first and second controllers communicatively coupled to said electronic device and to each other via a network, each of said first and second controllers being adapted to remotely control said electronic device via said network;

wherein said first controller is further adapted to discover said second controller, to generate first controller synchronization data that includes a plurality of first controller events that have occurred since a prior synchronization with said second controller, said plurality of first controller events including a plurality of changes in a configuration, status and/or operation of said electronic device that have occurred since said prior synchronization, and to transmit a message that includes said first controller synchronization data to said second controller over said network for use in synchronizing said first and second controllers so that said first and second controllers hold identical information regarding the configuration, status and/or operation of said electronic device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said network comprises a wireless local area network.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein said first and second controllers are each communicatively coupled to said network via a respective IEEE 802.11 link.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein said first and second controllers each comprise one of a personal digital assistant or a web pad.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein said electronic device comprises one of a computer, a computer peripheral, a television, a video cassette recorder, a digital versatile disc player, a personal video recorder, a compact disc player, a stereo receiver, an electronic thermostat, a UPnP digital media renderer and/or server, a lamp, or a video camera.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein said first controller is adapted to discover said second controller by broadcasting a query message over said network and waiting a predetermined amount of time to receive a reply to said query message.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein said first controller is adapted to generate said first controller synchronization data in response to the execution of a command.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said first controller is adapted to generate said first controller synchronization data in response to the execution of a command that changes a configuration, status and/or operation of said electronic device.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein said first controller is adapted to generate said first controller synchronization data in response to the execution of a command that changes a control configuration of said first controller.

28. The system of claim 19, wherein said first controller is adapted to generate said first controller synchronization data in response to a detected change in configuration, status and/or operation of said electronic device.

29. The system of claim 19, wherein said first controller is further adapted to receive a message relating to second controller synchronization data from said second controller over said network and to change a control configuration of said first controller to match a control configuration of said second controller in response to receiving said message.

30. A method for synchronizing a first controller with a second controller, each of the first and second controllers being adapted to remotely control the same one or more electronic devices, the method comprising:

discovering the second controller;

transmitting first data to the second controller that includes a plurality of first controller events that have occurred since a prior synchronization, said plurality of first controller events including a plurality of changes in a configuration, status and/or operation of the one or more electronic devices that have occurred since said prior synchronization, the first data for use in synchronizing the first and second controllers so that the first and second controllers hold identical information regarding the configuration, status and/or operation of the one or more electronic devices; and

receiving second data from the second controller that includes one or more second controller events that have occurred since said prior synchronization.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein discovering the second controller comprises:

transmitting a query message; and

waiting a predetermined amount of time to receive a reply to said query message.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command that changes a configuration, status and/or operation of one of the one or more electronic devices.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein said at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command that changes a control configuration of the first controller.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to a detected change in configuration, status and/or operation of one of the one or more electronic devices.

36. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

changing a control configuration of the first controller to match a control configuration of the second controller based on said second data.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said changing a control configuration of the first controller comprises:

prompting a user to confirm said changing of said control configuration of the first controller.

38. An apparatus for remotely controlling one or more electronic devices, comprising:

a network interface adapted for communication over a network;

a user interface adapted to receive user input; and

control logic coupled to said network interface and said user interface and adapted to execute commands in response to said user input;

wherein said control logic is further adapted to discover a second apparatus for controlling the one or more electronic devices communicatively coupled to said network, to transmit first data to said second apparatus that includes a plurality of first controller events that have occurred since a prior synchronization, said plurality of first controller events including a plurality of changes in a configuration, status and/or operation of the one or more electronic devices that have occurred since said prior synchronization, said first data for use in synchronizing the apparatus and said second apparatus so that the apparatus and said second apparatus hold identical information regarding the configuration, status and/or operation of the one or more electronic devices, and to receive second data from said second apparatus that includes one or more second controller events that have occurred since said prior synchronization.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said network interface comprises a transceiver.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said transceiver is adapted for communication in accordance with an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet protocol.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said transceiver is adapted for wireless communication in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein said transceiver is adapted for wireless communication in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 protocol.

43. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said control logic is adapted to discover said second apparatus by transmitting a query message via said network interface and waiting a predetermined amount of time to receive a reply to said query message.

44. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command that changes a configuration, status and/or operation of one of the one or more electronic devices.

46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command that changes a control configuration of the apparatus.

47. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to a detected change in configuration, status and/or operation of one of the one or more electronic devices.

48. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said control logic is further adapted to change a control configuration of the apparatus to match a control configuration of said second apparatus based on said second data.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said control logic is adapted to prompt a user to confirm said changing of said control configuration of the apparatus via said user interface.

50. A system, comprising:

an electronic device; and

first and second controllers communicatively coupled to said electronic device and to each other via a network, each of said first and second controllers being adapted to remotely control said electronic device via said network;

wherein said first controller is further adapted to discover said second controller, to transmit first data to said second controller that includes a plurality of first controller events that have occurred since a prior synchronization, said plurality of first controller events including a plurality of changes in a configuration, status and/or operation of said electronic device that have occurred since said prior synchronization, said first data for use in synchronizing said first and second controllers so that said first and second controllers hold identical information regarding the configuration, status and/or operation of said electronic device, and to receive second data from said second controller that includes one or more second controller events that have occurred since said prior synchronization.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein said network comprises a wireless local area network.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein said first and second controllers are each communicatively coupled to said network via a respective IEEE 802.11 link.

53. The system of claim 50, wherein said first and second controllers each comprise one of a personal digital assistant or a web pad.

54. The system of claim 50, wherein said electronic device comprises one of a computer, a computer peripheral, a television, a video cassette recorder, a digital versatile disc player, a personal video recorder, a compact disc player, a stereo receiver, an electronic thermostat, a UPnP digital media renderer and/or server, a lamp, or a video camera.

55. The system of claim 50, wherein said first controller is adapted to discover said second controller by transmitting a query message over said network and waiting a predetermined amount of time to receive a reply to said query message.

56. The system of claim 50, wherein at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein said at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command that changes a configuration, status and/or operation of said electronic device.

58. The system of claim 56, wherein said at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to the execution of a command that changes a control configuration of said first controller.

59. The system of claim 50, wherein at least one of said plurality of first controller events relates to a detected change in configuration, status and/or operation of said electronic device.

60. The system of claim 50, wherein said first controller is further adapted to change a control configuration of the said first controller to match a control configuration of said second controller based on said second data.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein said first controller is adapted to prompt a user to confirm said changing of said control configuration of said first controller.