US6349352B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Home audio/video network with both generic and parameterized device control
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1998-01-06
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Granted: 2002-02-19
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Expires: 2018-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for providing basic command functionality and expanded command functionality between a plurality of devices in a network. When a first device is coupled to a home audio video network which includes a second device, a generic control module for the first device is generated by the second device. The generic control module is a basic abstraction of the capabilities of the first device. The generic control module enables the first device to respond to a basic set of commands from the second device. The second device then uses the generic control module to obtain descriptive information from the first device. The descriptive information describes the capabilities of the first device. The second device then generates a parameterized control module for the first device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information. The second device is then able to access the first device via the parameterized control module. The parameterized control module enables the first device to respond to an expanded set of commands from the second device.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodger J. Lea
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2807; H04L12/281; H04L12/2805; H04L12/40; H04L12/40052; H04L12/40117; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/436; H04N21/43615; H04N7/00; H04N7/24; H04L69/00; H04L69/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for providing a basic command set and an expanded command set between a plurality of devices in a network, the method comprising the steps of: a) coupling a first device to the network, the network having a second device; b) generating a generic control module for the first device by using the second device, wherein the generic control module enables the first device to respond to a basic set of commands from the second device; c) obtaining descriptive information regarding the first device, wherein the descriptive information is stored in the first device; d) generating a parameterized control module for the first device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information, the step d) performed by the second device; and e) accessing the first device by the second device via the parameterized control module wherein the parameterized control module enables the first device to respond to an expanded set of commands from the second device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for providing a basic command set and an expanded command set between a plurality of devices in a network, the method comprising the steps of: a) coupling a first device to the network, the network having a second device; b) generating a generic control module for the first device by using the second device, wherein the generic control module enables the first device to respond to a basic set of commands from the second device; c) obtaining descriptive information regarding the first device, wherein the descriptive information is stored in the first device; d) generating a parameterized control module for the first device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information, the step d) performed by the second device; and e) accessing the first device by the second device via the parameterized control module wherein the parameterized control module enables the first device to respond to an expanded set of commands from the second device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the parameterized control module enables the second device to present specialized information regarding the first device to a user via a user interface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the descriptive information is used by the second device to augment an application programming interface (API) for the first device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the descriptive information is used by the second device to augment a device abstraction of the first device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein steps b) through d) are performed by a device manager instantiated on the second device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the generic control module and the parameterized control module are both instantiated on the second device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first device is accessed by one of the plurality of devices in the network by accessing the generic control module or the parameterized control module, depending upon the capabilities of the first device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the network is an IEEE 1394 based network and the generic control module and the parameterized control module are configured to function in accordance with IEEE 1394 serial communication.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
175 words
A home audio video network including a plurality of devices coupled to a bus, wherein at least one of the devices is a host device having a processor coupled to a computer readable memory, the memory containing computer readable instructions which when executed implement a method for providing a basic command set and an expanded command set between the plurality of devices, the method comprising the steps of: a) coupling a new device to a network which includes a plurality of devices; b) generating a generic control module for the new device, wherein the generic control module enables the new device to respond to a basic set of commands; c) obtaining descriptive information regarding the new device, wherein the information is stored in the new device; d) generating a parameterized control module for the new device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information; and e) accessing the new device via the parameterized control module wherein the parameterized control module enables the new device to respond to an expanded set of commands.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
175 words
A home audio video network including a plurality of devices coupled to a bus, wherein at least one of the devices is a host device having a processor coupled to a computer readable memory, the memory containing computer readable instructions which when executed implement a method for providing a basic command set and an expanded command set between the plurality of devices, the method comprising the steps of: a) coupling a new device to a network which includes a plurality of devices; b) generating a generic control module for the new device, wherein the generic control module enables the new device to respond to a basic set of commands; c) obtaining descriptive information regarding the new device, wherein the information is stored in the new device; d) generating a parameterized control module for the new device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information; and e) accessing the new device via the parameterized control module wherein the parameterized control module enables the new device to respond to an expanded set of commands.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The home audio video network of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises the step of presenting specialized information regarding the new device to a user via a user interface by using the parameterized control module.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The home audio video network of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises the step of augmenting an application programming interface for the new device by using the descriptive information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The home audio video network of claim 9 wherein the method further comprises the step of augmenting a device abstraction of the new device by using the descriptive information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The home audio video network of claim 9 wherein the generic control module and the parameterized control module are both instantiated on the host device of the plurality of devices included in the home audio video network.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The home audio video network of claim 9 wherein the new device is accessed by one of the plurality of devices by accessing the generic control module or the parameterized control module, depending upon the capabilities of the new device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The home audio video network of claim 9 wherein the bus of the home audio video network is of the IEEE 1394 serial communication bus standard and the generic control module and the parameterized control module are configured to function in accordance with IEEE 1394 serial communication.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
The home audio video network of claim 9 wherein the generic control module and the parameterized control module both provide control interfaces which provide a predefined set of control interfaces for the new device which enable integration of the new device with the plurality of devices in the network.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
212 words
A system including a plurality of devices of a home audio video network, the plurality of devices coupled to a bus, wherein one of the devices is a host device including a processor coupled to a computer readable memory, the memory containing computer readable instructions which when executed implement a method of providing a basic command set and an expanded command set between the plurality of devices, the method comprising the steps of: a) coupling a new device to the network; b) generating a generic control module for the new device, wherein the generic control module enables the new device to respond to a basic set of commands; c) obtaining descriptive information regarding the new device, wherein the information is stored in the new device; d) generating a parameterized control module for the new device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information; and e) accessing the new device via the parameterized control module wherein the parameterized control module enables the new device to respond to an expanded set of commands; f) presenting specialized information regarding the new device to a user via a user interface by using the parameterized control module; and g) augmenting an application programming interface (API) for the new device by using the descriptive information.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
212 words
A system including a plurality of devices of a home audio video network, the plurality of devices coupled to a bus, wherein one of the devices is a host device including a processor coupled to a computer readable memory, the memory containing computer readable instructions which when executed implement a method of providing a basic command set and an expanded command set between the plurality of devices, the method comprising the steps of: a) coupling a new device to the network; b) generating a generic control module for the new device, wherein the generic control module enables the new device to respond to a basic set of commands; c) obtaining descriptive information regarding the new device, wherein the information is stored in the new device; d) generating a parameterized control module for the new device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information; and e) accessing the new device via the parameterized control module wherein the parameterized control module enables the new device to respond to an expanded set of commands; f) presenting specialized information regarding the new device to a user via a user interface by using the parameterized control module; and g) augmenting an application programming interface (API) for the new device by using the descriptive information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the new device is accessed by one of the plurality of devices by accessing the generic control module or the parameterized control module, depending upon the capabilities of the new device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the bus of the home audio video network is of the IEEE 1394 standard and the generic control module and the parameterized control module are configured to function in accordance with IEEE 1394.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the generic control module and the parameterized control module both provide control interfaces which enable the integration of the new device with the plurality of devices in the network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 17 wherein the control interfaces provide interoperability and functionality interfaces for the new device.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
165 words
A apparatus for providing a basic command set and an expanded command set between a plurality of devices in a network, comprising: a) means for coupling a first device to the network, the network having a second device; b) means for generating a generic control module for the first device by using the second device, wherein the generic control module enables the first device to respond to a basic set of commands from the second device; c) means for obtaining descriptive information regarding the first device, wherein the descriptive information is stored in the first device; d) means for generating a parameterized control module for the first device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information, the step d) performed by the second device; and e) means for accessing the first device by the second device via the parameterized control module wherein the parameterized control module enables the first device to respond to an expanded set of commands from the second device.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
165 words
A apparatus for providing a basic command set and an expanded command set between a plurality of devices in a network, comprising: a) means for coupling a first device to the network, the network having a second device; b) means for generating a generic control module for the first device by using the second device, wherein the generic control module enables the first device to respond to a basic set of commands from the second device; c) means for obtaining descriptive information regarding the first device, wherein the descriptive information is stored in the first device; d) means for generating a parameterized control module for the first device by modifying the generic control module based upon the descriptive information, the step d) performed by the second device; and e) means for accessing the first device by the second device via the parameterized control module wherein the parameterized control module enables the first device to respond to an expanded set of commands from the second device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-18 | 2005-08-20 | 2006-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-18 | 2009-08-20 | 2010-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-18 | 2013-08-20 | 2014-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |