Remote device communication platform user interface

• US 8,898,321 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2008
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Edelstein, Noah Benjamin, Carter-Schwendler, Carl, Manion, Todd Ryun, Kim, Ryan Yonghee, Patel, Jeson
• Primary Examiner(s): Mejia, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOODWIN, SCHQUITA D
• Application Number:
  US11/971,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20090177791A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,512 Days
• Field of Search: 715/740, 715/751, 715/753, 715/851, 713/201, 709/205, 709/229, 700/245
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/166 at the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/08 specially adapted for terminal emulation, e.g. Telnet

Abstract

Enabling a user interface (UI) for management of a host device from a client device. A connection is established between the host device and the client device via a web portal. The host device and the client device are without a host management software installed thereon. A content window is displayed on the client device in response to the established connection with the host device. A client status display area is displayed on the client device indicating at least a connection status with the host device. A corresponding host status display area is displayed on the host device indicating a connection status with the client device. The displayed client status display area specifically identifies the client device and defines client parameters for receiving messages during management of the host device. The displayed host status display area specifically identifies the host device and defines host parameters for receiving messages during interaction with the client device.

Claims

1. A client device comprising a computer storage medium, wherein the medium is not a signal, said computer storage medium storing a data structure stored thereon for a user interface to manage a host device by said client device, said data structure comprising:

a first data field storing data for a first display window being displayed via a client application on the client device and displaying content from the host device;

a second data field storing data for a status display area indicating information associated with a connection status of a connection between the host device and the client device in response to the displayed content in the first data field, wherein the connection status comprises one or more of the following;

connecting, connected, and arbitrating; and

a third data field storing data for a notification display window displaying notification information associated with at least one of the following;

the displayed content from the host device, and the connection status indicated by the second data field,

wherein when the client device is connected to the host device in a non-administrator mode, one or more sub-fields of the status display area are disabled, and when the second data field indicates that the connection status is arbitrating, the host device notifies a host device user that the client device is attempting to connect to the host device, said notification allowing the host user the option to allow or deny the connection;

wherein when the client device is connected to the host device in an administrator mode, all sub-fields of the status display area are enabled, said sub-fields comprising data for adjusting a display visibility of the status display area, the data for adjusting enabling a translucent visibility of the status display area, and the connection is formed without a notification to a host device user and the host device is locked, causing the input and output devices of the host device to be disabled;

wherein the connection between the client device and host device is formed via a server, the server maintaining a plurality of devices to which the client device can connect, the host device being one of the plurality of devices;

wherein when the client device requests access to the host device, the server authenticates a client device user and grants the client device access to the host device; and

wherein when the client device is connected to the host device, information from the host device to the client device for display on the client device is transferred via the server.

2. The computer storage medium of claim 1, wherein the first display windows further displays information relating to a connection progress before displaying content from the host device.

3. The computer storage medium of claim 1, further comprising a first sub-data field in the second data field storing data for a screen mode activator activating at least one of the following operations:

expanding a size of the first window in the first data field to fit a display size of a display device and restoring the size of the first window to an initial pre-defined size.

4. The computer storage medium of claim 1, further comprising a second sub-data field in the second data field storing data for a termination control terminating a connection with the host device.

5. A method of enabling a user interface for management of a host device from a client device, said method comprising:

establishing a connection between the host device and the client device via a web portal between an internet browser application on the host device and an Internet browser application on the client device, said internet browser applications being capable of connecting to and browsing the Internet;

displaying a content window on the client device in response to the established connection with the host device, said displayed content window displaying content retrieved from the host device;

enabling darkening of a display area of a display of the host device when the client device connects to the host device in an administrator mode;

disabling darkening of the display area of the display of the host device when the client device connects to the host device in a non-administrator mode;

enabling all sub-fields of a client status display, said sub-fields comprising data for adjusting a display visibility of the status display area, the data for adjusting enabling a translucent visibility of the status display area and displaying the client status display area with translucent visibility on the client device indicating at least a connection status with the host device when the client device connects to the host device in an administrator mode;

disabling one or more sub-fields of the client status display area when the client device connects to the host device in a non-administrator mode;

displaying a corresponding host status display area on the host device indicating a connection status with the client device;

receiving notification of a user logging into a location of the host device;

notifying the client device of said notification; and

disconnecting the client device from the host device responsive to said received notification;

wherein the displayed client status display area identifies the client device and defines client parameters for receiving messages during management of the host device by the client device, and

wherein the displayed host status display area identifies the host device and defines host parameters for receiving messages during interaction with the client device;

wherein the connection between the client device and host device is formed via a server, the server maintaining a plurality of devices to which the client device can connect, the host device being one of the plurality of devices;

wherein when the client device requests access to the host device, the server authenticates a client device user and grants the client device access to the host device; and

wherein when the client device is connected to the host device, information from the host device to the client device for display on the client device is transferred via the server.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising at least one of the following:

selectively transmitting a notification message to the client device based on the client status display area and the client parameters, and selectively transmitting a notification message to the host device based on the host status display area and the host parameters.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the client status display area comprises a greater display area than the host status display area.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising detecting interaction activities on the client device and the host device.

9. A host device comprising a computer storage medium, wherein the medium is not a signal, said computer storage medium storing a data structure stored thereon for displaying a user interface on said host device during management by a client device via a server, said data structure comprising:

a first data field storing data for a first display window being displayed on the host device;

a second data field storing data for a status display area indicating information associated with a connection status of a connection between the host device and the client device, wherein when the client device is connected to the host device in a non-administrator mode, one or more sub-fields of the status display area are disabled, wherein when the client device is connected to the host device in an administrator mode, all sub-fields of the status display area are enabled, said sub-fields comprising data for adjusting a display visibility of the status display area, the data for adjusting enabling a translucent visibility of the status display area wherein the connection status comprises one or more of the following;

connecting, connected, and arbitrating; and

a third data field storing data for a notification display window displaying notification information associated with at least the connection status indicated by the second data field,

wherein when the connection status is set to arbitrating, the client device prompts a user of the host device for access, and the client device is granted access to the host device after a pre-defined time of non-responsiveness from a current user of the host device; and

wherein when the client device is granted access to the host device after the pre-defined time of non-responsiveness from the current user of the host device, said current user is disconnected from the host device to prevent any interaction of said current user with the host device;

wherein when the connection status is set to arbitrating, the client device prompts a user of the host device for access, and the client device is granted access to the host device after a current user of the host device allows access by the client device;

wherein when the client device is granted access to the host device after the current user of the host device allows access by the client device, said current user is disconnected from the host device, causing the input and output devices of the host device to be disabled to prevent any interaction of said current user with the host device;

wherein the connection between the client device and host device is formed via a server, the server maintaining a plurality of devices to which the client device can connect, the host device being one of the plurality of devices;

wherein when the client device requests access to the host device, the server authenticates a client device user and grants the client device access to the host device; and

wherein when the client device is connected to the host device, information from the host device to the client device for display on the client device is transferred via the server.

10. The computer storage medium of claim 9, wherein the notification display window displaying information identifying an attempt by the client device to connect with the host device.

11. The computer storage medium of claim 9, wherein the second data field comprises data for updating the status display area as a function of the connection status.

12. The computer storage medium of claim 9, wherein the first data field comprises data for darkening the first data field in response to the server failing to detect interactions from the host device for a pre-defined period of time.