SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SYNCING A USER INTERFACE ON A SERVER DEVICE TO A USER INTERFACE ON A CLIENT DEVICE

• US 20100011299A1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: DAVIS, Daniel, BRODERSEN, Rainer, JAWA, Amandeep, ROBBIN, Jeffrey L., CANNISTRARO, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 9,716,774 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/740
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

A system, method, and computer-readable medium for method for syncing a user interface on a server device to a user interface on a client device are disclosed. The method includes broadcasting a signal from a server device to a client device when the server device presents an active user input interface on a display screen, wherein the active user input interface illustrates input from a user via a remote control that is separate from the client device, wherein the remote control requires multiple steps for inputting a character. The method next includes establishing a connection between the server device and the client device if certain pre-defined criteria are met. Next the method includes transmitting parameters for displaying a client user input interface on the connected client device that is associated with the active user input interface, including loading existing data in an input field of the active user input interface into a client input field on the client device. The method then includes receiving character input sent from the connected client device to the server device via the client user input interface, wherein the character is received via a single step. The method then includes updating the input field of the active user input interface with the received character input from the client user input interface, and removing the client user input interface on the client device upon the occurrence of an event.

Claims

1. A method for syncing a user interface on a server device to a user interface on a client device, the method comprising:

broadcasting a signal from a server device to a client device when the server device presents an active user input interface on a display screen, wherein the active user input interface illustrates input from a user via a remote control that is separate from the client device, wherein the remote control requires multiple steps for inputting a character;

establishing a connection between the server device and the client device if certain pre-defined criteria are met;

transmitting parameters from the server device for displaying a client user input interface on the connected client device that is associated with the active user input interface, including loading existing data in an input field of the active user input interface into a client input field on the client device;

receiving character input sent from the connected client device to the server device via the client user input interface, wherein the character is received via a single step;

updating the input field of the active user input interface with the received character input from the client user input interface; and

removing the client user input interface on the client device upon the occurrence of an event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the event comprises one of:

when the server device removes or deactivates the active user input interface or upon instructions from the user via the client device,

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the client user input interface includes at least one of a QWERTY keyboard, a numerical input and a graphical input.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting information additional to input field data for presentation in the client user input interface.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the additional information is title information associated with the active user input interface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the server input interface is tailored for input from the remote control and the client input interface is configured for input from the client device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the server input interface includes a sequential alphabetic input interface and the client input interface includes a corresponding QWERTY input interface.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the client input interface and server input interface includes a graffiti input that allows the input of Asian language characters.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the client input interface and server input interface allow the input of Cyrillic language characters.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the client device is a personal computer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined criteria includes approval of a passcode to designate an approved device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the pre-defined criteria includes approval of a passcode that is a WPA encrypted password or a determination that the client device has a better user interface than the remote control.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection between the server device and client device is a protocol selected form the group consisting of WiFi, Bluetooth, and infrared communication.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a second client device with the server device and wherein the transmitted parameters are also transmitted to the second client device such that the client user input interface is presented on the client device and the second client device simultaneously and wherein character input is received from both the client device and the second client device and updated on user interfaces of the client device and the second client device simultaneously.

15. A system for syncing a user interface on the system with a user interface on a client device, the system comprising:

a module configured to broadcast a signal from a server device to a client device when the server device presents an active user input interface on a display screen, wherein the active user input interface illustrates input from a user via a remote control that is separate from the client device, wherein the remote control requires multiple steps for inputting a character;

a module configured to establish a connection between the server device and the client device if certain pre-defined criteria are met;

a module configured to transmit parameters from the server device for displaying a client user input interface on the connected client device that is associated with the active user input interface, including loading existing data in an input field of the active user input interface into a client input field on the client device;

a module configured to receive character input sent from the connected client device to the server device via the client user input interface, wherein the character is received via a single step;

a module configured to update the input field of the active user input interface with the received character input from the client user input interface; and

a module configured to remove the client user input interface on the client device upon the occurrence of an event.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the client user input interface includes a graphical input.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the server input interface is tailored for input from the remote control and a client input interface is configured for input from the client device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the server input interface includes a sequential alphabetic input interface and the client input interface includes a corresponding QWERTY input interface.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the client input interface and server input interface includes a graffiti input that allows the input of Asian language characters.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the pre-defined criteria includes approval of a passcode that is a WPA encrypted password or a determination that the client device has a better user interface than the remote control.

21. A computer readable medium storing instructions for controlling a computing device to synchronize a user interface on a server device to a user interface on a client device, wherein the instructions comprise:

broadcasting a signal from a server device to a client device when the server device presents an active user input interface on a display screen, wherein the active user input interface illustrates input from a user via a remote control that is separate from the client device, wherein the remote control requires multiple steps for inputting a character;

establishing a connection between the server device and the client device if certain pre-defined criteria are met;

transmitting parameters for displaying a client user input interface on the connected client device that is associated with the active user input interface, including loading existing data in an input field of the active user input interface into a client input field on the client device;

receiving character input sent from the connected client device to the server device via the client user input interface, wherein the character is received via a single step;

updating the input field of the active user input interface with the received character input from the client user input interface; and

removing the client user input interface on the client device and upon the occurrence of an event.

22. A method for syncing a user interface on a server device to a user interface on a client device, the method comprising, on the client device:

receiving a signal broadcast from a server device to the client device when the server device presents an active user input interface on a display screen, wherein the active user input interface illustrates input from a user via a remote control that is separate from the client device, wherein the remote control requires multiple steps for inputting a character;

establishing a connection between the server device and the client device if certain pre-defined criteria are met;

receiving parameters from the server device for displaying a client user input interface on the connected client device that is associated with the active user input interface, including loading existing data in an input field of the active user input interface into a client input field on the client device;

transmitting character input sent from the connected client device to the server device via the client user input interface, wherein the character is received via a dedicated key or touch point for the character on the client user interface; and

removing the client user input interface on the client device upon the occurrence of an event.

23. A method for syncing a user interface on a server device to a user interface on a client device, the method comprising, on the server device:

broadcasting a signal from the server device to a client device when the server device presents an active user input interface on a display screen, wherein the active user input interface illustrates input from a user via a remote control that is separate from the client device, wherein the remote control requires multiple steps for inputting a character;

establishing a connection between the server device and the client device if certain pre-defined criteria are met;

transmitting parameters for displaying a client user input interface on the connected client device that is associated with the active user input interface, including loading existing data in an input field of the active user input interface into a client input field on the client device;

receiving character input sent from the connected client device to the server device via the client user input interface, wherein the character is received via user interaction with a dedicated key or touch input;

updating the input field of the active user input interface with the received character input from the client user input interface; and

transmitting an instruction to the client device to remove the client user input interface on the client device upon the occurrence of an event.