Embedding web access mechanism in an appliance for user interface functions including a web server and web browser

• US 5,956,487 A
• Filed: 10/25/1996
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.), Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Morgan, Jeffrey A., Venkatraman, Chandrasekar
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Zarni
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomson, William D.
• Application Number:
  US08/740,289
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 707/10, 395/200.32, 395/200.59, 395/200.48, 395/200.33, 395/200.38, 395/200.58, 345/335, 345/349, 340/825.08, 340/825.06, 340/825.07, 364/138, 364/221.2
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34038 Web, http, ftp, internet, intranet server
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2845 Telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor

Abstract

Web access functionality is embedded in a device to enable low cost widely accessible and enhanced user interface functions for the device. A web server in the device provides access to the user interface functions for the device through a device web page. A network interface in the device enables access to the web page by a web browser such that a user of the web browser accesses the user interface functions for the device through the web page.

Claims

1. A web access mechanism of a device, comprising:

a web server that generates a device web page, wherein the device web page provides a set of user interface functions for the device, wherein some of the user interface functions enable control functions of the device, wherein the device is a home appliance or automation apparatus or an office appliance or automation apparatus;

a network interface that enables access to the device web page by a web browser such that a user of the web browser accesses the user interface functions for the device through the device web page, wherein the web access mechanism is embedded in the device.

2. The web access mechanism of claim 1, wherein the web server receives an HTTP command via the network interface and then generates an HTML file that defines the device web page in response to the HTTP command.

3. The web access mechanism of claim 2, wherein the HTTP command specifies a URL corresponding to the device.

4. The web access mechanism of claim 3, wherein the HTML file contains a set of information pertaining to the device.

5. The web access mechanism of claim 3, wherein the HTML file contains a set of URLs that control a set of predetermined functions for the device wherein each URL may point to a web page located internal to the device or a web page located external to the device.

6. The web access mechanism of claim 3, wherein the HTML file contains a hyperlink to an external web page that specifies additional information pertaining to the device.

7. A user interface method for a device, comprising the steps of:

generating a device web page within the device, wherein the device web page provides a set of user interface functions for the device, wherein some of the user interface functions enable control functions of the device, wherein the device is a home appliance or automation apparatus, or an office appliance or automation apparatus;

providing access to the device web page from a web browser external to the device such that a user of the web browser accesses the user interface functions for the device through the device web page.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of generating a device web page includes the step of generating an HTML file that defines the device web page in response to an HTTP command received from the web browser.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the HTTP command specifies a URL corresponding to the device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the HTML file contains a set of information pertaining to the device.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the HTML file contains a set of URLs that control a set of predetermined functions for the device wherein each URL may point to a web page located internal to the device or a web page located external to the device.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the HTML file contains a hyperlink to an external web page that specifies additional information pertaining to the device.

13. A user interface apparatus of a device, comprising:

means for generating a device web page within the device, wherein the device web page provides a set of user interface functions for the device, wherein some of the user interface functions enable control functions of the device, wherein the device is a home appliance or automation apparatus, or an office appliance or automation apparatus;

means for providing access to the device web page from a web browser external to the device such that a user of the web browser accesses the user interface functions for the device through the device web page, wherein the user interface apparatus is embedded in the device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for generating a device web page includes means for generating an HTML file that defines the device web page in response to an HTTP command generated by the web browser.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the HTTP command specifies a URL corresponding to the device.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the HTML file contains a set of information pertaining to the device.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the HTML file contains a set of URLs that control a set of predetermined functions for the device wherein each URL may point to a web page located internal to the device or a web page located external to the device.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the HTML file contains a hyperlink to an external web page that specifies additional information pertaining to the device.

19. A system, comprising:

a device having a web server that generates a device web page wherein the device web page provides a set of user interface functions for the device and includes a set of information pertaining to the device, the user interface functions enabling control functions of the device which is a home appliance or automation apparatus, or an office appliance or automation apparatus, the device also having a network interface that enables access to the device web page via a communication network, the web server and the network interface being embedded in the device;

a web browser coupled to the communication network wherein a user of the web browser accesses the user interface functions for the device through the device web page.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the web server in the device receives an HTTP command via the communication network and the network interface and then generates an HTML file that defines the device web page in response to the HTTP command.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the HTTP command specifies a URL corresponding to the device.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the HTML file contains a set of URLs that control a set of predetermined functions for the device such that the user of the web browser selects the URLs to control the predetermined functions of the device wherein each URL may point to a web page located internal to the device or a web page located external to the device.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the HTML file contains a hyperlink to an external web page located elsewhere on the communication network that specifies additional information pertaining to the device.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication network comprises a home-based communication network.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication network comprises a large-organization communication network.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein the communication network comprises the world wide web of the Internet.