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

• US 20070019683A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: OpenPeak Inc.
• Inventors: Kryzyanowski, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,185 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/503
• 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 migrating a controller adapted to remotely control one or more electronic devices from a stand-alone mode to a client-server mode, wherein the controller remotely controls the one or more electronic devices in accordance with a control configuration maintained by the controller in a stand-alone mode, the method comprising:

discovering a server;

transmitting data to said server relating to the control configuration maintained by the controller; and

subsequently controlling the one or more electronic devices in accordance with a control configuration maintained by said server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting data to said server relating to one or more events that have occurred since a prior synchronization with said server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting comprises transmitting data to said server relating to the control configuration maintained by the controller in response to user input.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein discovering said server comprises:

transmitting a query message; and

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

5. 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 server communicatively coupled to said network, to transmit data to said server relating to a control configuration maintained by the apparatus, and to subsequently control the one or more electronic devices in accordance with a control configuration maintained by said server instead of in accordance with said control configuration maintained by the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said network interface comprises a transceiver.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said transceiver is adapted for communication in accordance with an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet protocol.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said transceiver is adapted for wireless communication in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said transceiver is adapted for wireless communication in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 protocol.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said control logic is adapted to transmit data to said server relating to one or more events that have occurred since a prior synchronization with said server.

11. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said control logic is adapted to transmit data to said server relating to a control configuration maintained by the apparatus in response to user input.

12. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said control logic is adapted to discover said server by transmitting a query message via said network interface and waiting a predetermined amount of time to receive a reply to said query message.

13. A system, comprising:

an electronic device;

a controller communicatively coupled to said electronic device via a network, said controller adapted to remotely control said electronic device via said network; and

a server communicatively coupled to said electronic device and said controller via said network;

wherein said controller is further adapted to discover said server, to transmit data to said server relating to a control configuration maintained by said controller, and to subsequently control said electronic device in accordance with a control configuration maintained by said server instead of in accordance with said control configuration maintained by said controller.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said network comprises a wireless local area network.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said controller is communicatively coupled to said network via an IEEE 802.11 link.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said controller comprises one of a personal digital assistant or a web pad.

17. The system of claim 13, 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.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said controller is adapted to transmit data to said server relating to one or more events that have occurred since a prior synchronization with said server.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein said controller is adapted to transmit data to said server relating to a control configuration maintained by said controller in response to user input

20. The system of claim 13, wherein said controller is adapted to discover said server by transmitting a query message over said network and waiting a predetermined amount of time to receive a reply to said query message.

21. A method for migrating a controller adapted to remotely control one or more electronic devices from a client-server mode, wherein the controller remotely controls the one or more electronic devices in accordance with a control configuration maintained by a server, to a stand-alone mode, the method comprising:

receiving data from said server relating to the control configuration maintained by the server; and

subsequently controlling the one or more electronic devices in accordance with a control configuration maintained by the controller.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

transmitting a copy of said data received from said server to a second controller.

23. 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 receive data from a server communicatively coupled to said network relating to a control configuration maintained by said server, and to subsequently control the one or more electronic devices in accordance with a control configuration maintained by said apparatus instead of in accordance with said control configuration maintained by said server.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said control logic is further adapted to transmit a copy of said data received from said server to a second apparatus communicatively coupled to said network.

25. A system, comprising:

an electronic device;

a controller communicatively coupled to said electronic device via a network, said controller adapted to remotely control said electronic device via said network; and

a server communicatively coupled to said electronic device and said controller via said network;

wherein said controller is further adapted to receive data from said server relating to a control configuration maintained by said server, and to subsequently control said electronic device in accordance with a control configuration maintained by said controller instead of in accordance with said control configuration maintained by said server.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein said controller is further adapted to transmit a copy of said data received from said server to a second controller communicatively coupled to said network.