Interoperability using a local proxy server
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for managing communications in a local network using a local-networking gateway, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a local-networking gateway located in a local network and from each of multiple devices located in the local network, an indication of at least one function capable of being performed by each respective device;
storing, at the local-networking gateway, the received indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices;
receiving, at the local-networking, a request from a requesting device located in the local network for performance of a particular function;
accessing, at the local networking gateway, the stored indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices;
determining, at the local-networking gateway and based on having accessed the indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices, that the particular function is not capable of being performed by any of the multiple devices;
selecting, at the local-networking gateway, in response to determining that the particular function is not capable of being performed by any of the multiple devices, from among a plurality of external devices, a first external device based on the first external device having characteristics of being;
capable of performing the particular function, and available to perform the particular function, wherein the first external device is distinct from the local-networking gateway, external to the local network, and accessible to the local-networking gateway;
forwarding, from the local-networking gateway, the request for performance of the particular function to the first external device;
receiving, at the local-networking gateway, an indication that the first external device has performed the particular function requested by the requesting device located in the local network; and
sending to the requesting device, from the local-networking gateway to the requesting device, an indication that the particular function requested has been performed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A home-networking gateway may automatically provide a function based on data identified on a device on a home network. The home-networking gateway may perform the function using another device that is capable of performing the function and is accessible to the home-networking gateway.
48 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for managing communications in a local network using a local-networking gateway, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a local-networking gateway located in a local network and from each of multiple devices located in the local network, an indication of at least one function capable of being performed by each respective device; storing, at the local-networking gateway, the received indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices; receiving, at the local-networking, a request from a requesting device located in the local network for performance of a particular function; accessing, at the local networking gateway, the stored indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices; determining, at the local-networking gateway and based on having accessed the indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices, that the particular function is not capable of being performed by any of the multiple devices; selecting, at the local-networking gateway, in response to determining that the particular function is not capable of being performed by any of the multiple devices, from among a plurality of external devices, a first external device based on the first external device having characteristics of being;
capable of performing the particular function, and available to perform the particular function, wherein the first external device is distinct from the local-networking gateway, external to the local network, and accessible to the local-networking gateway;forwarding, from the local-networking gateway, the request for performance of the particular function to the first external device; receiving, at the local-networking gateway, an indication that the first external device has performed the particular function requested by the requesting device located in the local network; and sending to the requesting device, from the local-networking gateway to the requesting device, an indication that the particular function requested has been performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for managing communications in a local network using a local-networking gateway, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a local-networking gateway located in a local network and from each of multiple devices located in the local network, an indication of at least one function capable of being performed by each respective device; storing, at the local-networking gateway, the received indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices; receiving, at the local-networking gateway, a request from a requesting device located in the local network for storage of a file; accessing, at the local networking gateway, the stored indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices; determining, at the local-networking gateway and based on having accessed the indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices, that the storage of the file is not capable of being performed by any of the multiple devices; selecting, at the local-networking gateway, in response to determining that the storage of the file is not capable of being performed by any of the multiple devices and without user intervention, from among a plurality of external devices, a storage device having characteristics of being;
capable of storage of the file, and available to perform the function, wherein the storage device is distinct from the local-networking gateway, external to the local network, and accessible to the local-networking gateway;forwarding, from the local-networking gateway, the request for storage of the file to the storage device; receiving, at the local-networking gateway, an indication that the storage device has stored the file and an identifier of the location where the file has been stored; and sending to the requesting device, from the local-networking gateway to the requesting device, an indication that the local-networking gateway has stored the file. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method for managing communications in a local network using a local-networking gateway, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a local-networking gateway located in a local network and from each of multiple devices located in the local network, an indication of at least one function capable of being performed by each respective device; storing, at the local-networking gateway, the received indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices; receiving, at the local-networking gateway and after forwarding the indications of the functions capable of being performed, a request from a requesting device located in the local network for retrieval of a media file; accessing, at the local networking gateway, the stored indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices; determining, at the local-networking gateway and based on having accessed the indications of the functions capable of being performed by each of the multiple devices, that the retrieval of the media file is not capable of being performed by any of the multiple devices; selecting, at the local-networking gateway, in response to determining that the retrieval of the media file is not capable of being performed by any of the multiple devices and without user intervention, from among a plurality of external devices, a media file storage device having characteristics of being;
capable of performing the retrieval of the media file, and available to perform the retrieval of the media file, wherein the media file storage device is distinct from the local-networking gateway, external to the local network, and accessible to the local-networking gateway;forwarding, from the local-networking gateway, the request for retrieval of the media file to the media file storage device; receiving, at the local-networking gateway, the media file; and sending to the requesting device, from the local-networking gateway to the requesting device, an indication that the local-networking gateway has retrieved the media file even though the media file storage device retrieved the media file. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification