Data communications
The present invention provides methods of, computer programs for and apparatus for control and/or observation of a device with communication capabilities by a controller device with hypertext or hypermedia communication capabilities. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to methods of, computer programs for and apparatus for control and observation of a consumer electronics device with communications capability from a mobile controller device with hypertext or hypermedia communications capability over a proximity bearer.
This application is a continuation application, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of application Ser. No. 10/705,260 filed on Nov. 10, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Application Ser. No. 10/705,260 also claimed the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of application Ser. No. 10/389,705 filed on Mar. 12, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1 . Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods of, computer programs for and apparatus for control and/or observation of a device with communication capabilities by a controller device with hypertext or hypermedia communication capabilities. More particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to methods of, computer programs for and apparatus for control and observation of a consumer electronics device with communications capability from a mobile controller device with hypertext or hypermedia communications capability over a proximity bearer.
2 . Description of the Related Technology
Techniques of remotely controlling consumer electronics devices, such as CD players are known. Conventional remote controllers are device-specific and factory-programmed—i.e. pre-programmed in an unchangeable way—to operate the particular device. Typically, such remote controllers will have keypads with buttons which, when pressed, will instruct the device to perform a particular function. Often, the remote controller will communicate with the device using Infra Red Data Association (IrDA) as the bearer medium and both the controller and the device will have IrDA communications hardware and software entities—i.e. IrDA transmitters and/or receivers, and IrDA protocol stacks. Most remote controllers have a one-way communication relationship with the device they control. Thus, instructions are sent from the remote controller to the device but data is not sent from the device back to the remote controller.
Controllers with two-way communications relationships with devices are known. For example, Sony™ have developed remote controllers which are factory-programmed for Sony™ devices but which have the capability of receiving status information from those devices and displaying it to a user on a display screen on the remote controller.
User-programmable remote controllers are also known. For example, the Philips Pronto™ and the Marantz™ RC500. Typically, user-programmable remote controllers are factory-programmed for particular devices but may be re-programmed by a user to function as remote controllers for new devices by either learning the control messages used by a device-specific factory-programmed remote controller (i.e. by pointing the factory-programmed remote controller IrDA transmitter at an IrDA receiver of the re-programmable controller which learns the control messages parasitically as the user exercises the control options available on the factory-programmed controller), or by connecting the re-programmable controller to a computing device, such as a personal computer (PC) and downloading control programs pre-configured for the new device from the Internet.
Consumer electronics devices connected to the Internet are known. For example, microwave ovens are known which may be connected to the Internet using a modem and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for downloading cooking settings. Also, vending machines, such as Coke™ vending machines, are known which have connection to a data network and which include a server, such as a finger daemon server, for remote interrogation by a client device also connected to the data network. This may be used by a user of the remote client device to find out whether the Coke™ machine has any cans available for vending without the user needing to physically go to the machine.
One problem with the above-described approach to controlling devices is that the controller is typically specific to a particular device or a set of particular devices and must be pre-programmed (either by the manufacturer or the user) with all the capabilities of the controlled device that the user wishes to control. Another problem with the above-described approaches to controlling devices is that the method of control is unreliable. For example, one-way remote controllers have no way of determining whether a user instruction has been properly received by the device. This is particularly the case with IrDA remote controllers which require line of sight to the device. Furthermore, with two-way communication between remote controller and device, reliability can be even more of a problem. For example, where the remote controller maintains state relating to the operational status of the device, the unreliability of communicating commands to the device and the unreliability of receiving status from the device means that the state maintained in the remote controller may not be synchronised with the actual state of the device.
One problem with the above described approach to receiving status information at a controller device from a controlled device is that the controlled device must have knowledge of the capabilities of the controller device—for example, the display capabilities of the controller device.
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS OF THE INVENTIONAccording to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a remote data processing device with control data, the control data enabling a user to control the operation of a consumer electronics device, both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the method comprising the following steps:
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- a) the consumer electronics device generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions capable of being performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- b) the consumer electronics device sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the method comprising the following steps:
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- a) the consumer electronics device generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- b) sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a consumer electronics device using a remote data processing device, both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the method comprising the following steps:
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- a) the consumer electronics device generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions capable of being performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- b) the consumer electronics device sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol;
- c) the remote data processing device presenting the one or more menu options to a user via a man-machine interface;
- d) the user selecting one or more of the menu options using the man-machine interface;
- e) the remote data processing device generating and sending to the consumer electronics device a control message in response to the user selection;
- f) the consumer electronics device performing the corresponding action or actions in response to the received control message.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumer electronics device adapted to provide a remote data processing device with control data, the control data enabling a user to control the operation of the consumer electronics device, the consumer electronics device being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the consumer electronics device comprising the following:
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- a) means for generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions capable of being performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- b) means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumer electronics device adapted to provide a remote data processing device with data representing its operational state, the consumer electronics device being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the consumer electronics device comprising the following:
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- a) means for generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on its operational state; and
- b) means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a consumer electronics device adapted to be controlled using a remote data processing device, the consumer electronics device being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the consumer electronics device comprising the following:
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- a) means for generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions capable of being performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- b) means for sending a hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol;
- c) means for receiving a control message from the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol;
- d) means for performing one or more actions in response to a received control message.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit being adapted to provide a remote data processing device with control data, the control data enabling a user to control the operation of the consumer electronics device, the control unit comprising:
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- a) means for determining the operational state of the consumer electronics device;
- b) means for generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions capable of being performed by the consumer electronics device;
- c) means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit being adapted to provide a remote data processing device with data representing its operational state, the control unit comprising the following:
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- a) means for determining the operational state of the consumer electronics device;
- b) means for generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on its operational state; and
- c) means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit comprising the following:
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- a) means for generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions capable of being performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving one or more control messages corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- b) means for sending the hypermedia data message to a remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol;
- c) means for receiving a control message from a remote data processing device;
- d) means for controlling the consumer electronics device to perform one or more actions in response to a received control message.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrated circuit for a consumer electronics device comprising:
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- a) communications means adapted to communicate using a proximity bearer;
- b) microprocessor control unit means;
- c) interface means for electronic communication with a controller of the consumer electronics device.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing device comprising proximity bearer communications means and hypermedia transport protocol message generation means, wherein the device is adapted to communicate with remote data processing devices using the hypermedia transport protocol over the proximity bearer.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a consumer electronics device, the consumer electronics device being capable of communicating using a hypermedia data communications protocol over a proximity bearer, the method comprising the following steps:
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- a) the consumer electronics device receiving a hypermedia request message;
- b) the consumer electronics device determining one or more actions to be performed by the consumer electronics device, the determining being performed in dependence on the hypermedia request message;
- c) the consumer electronics device performing the one or more actions.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of compiling a computer program into a machine code program, the computer program being written in a programming language, the programming language having native functions or methods for causing the interrogation of electronic input/output interfaces and having native functions or methods for causing the generation of menu option descriptions for inclusion in hypermedia data messages.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a controlled data processing device using a controller data processing device, the controlled device and controller device both being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the method comprising the following steps:
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- a) the controlled device sending a hypermedia data message to the controller device using the hypermedia protocol, the hypermedia data message comprising one or more hyperlinks;
- b) the controller device presenting the hypermedia data message to a user of the controller device using a man-machine interface of the controller device;
- c) the user selecting one or more of the one or more hyperlinks using the man-machine interface;
- d) in response to the user selection, the controller device sending a hypermedia request message to the controlled device using the hypermedia protocol; and
- e) the controlled device performing an action in response to the hypermedia request message received.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a controlled data processing device using a controller data processing device, the controlled device being capable of communication using a data communications protocol, the controller device being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the method comprising the following steps:
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- a) the controlled device sending a data message to a mediating data processing device using the data communications protocol, the mediating device being capable of communication using both the data communications protocol and the hypermedia data communications protocol,
- b) in response to the data message received, the mediating device sending a hypermedia data message to the controller device using the hypermedia data communications protocol, the hypermedia message comprising one or more hyperlinks;
- c) the controller device presenting the hypermedia data message to a user of the controller device using a man-machine interface of the controller device;
- d) the user selecting one or more of the one or more hyperlinks using the man-machine interface;
- e) in response to the user selection, the controller device sending a hypermedia request message to the mediating device using the hypermedia data communications protocol;
- f) in response to the hypermedia request message received, the mediating device sending a control data message to the controlled device using the data communications protocol; and
- g) the controlled device performing an action in response to the control data message received.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of receiving status information from a consumer electronics device at a remote data processing device, the consumer electronics device and remote device both being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol over a proximity bearer, the method comprising the following steps:
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- a) the consumer electronics device sending a hypermedia data message to the remote device using the hypermedia protocol over the proximity bearer, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing the state of the consumer electronics device;
- b) the remote device receiving the hypermedia data message using the hypermedia data communications protocol over the proximity bearer; and
- c) the remote device presenting the hypermedia data message to a user of the remote device using a man-machine interface of the controller device.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of receiving status information from a consumer electronic device at a remote data processing device, the remote data processing device being capable of communication using a hypermedia data communications protocol over a proximity bearer, the consumer electronics device being capable of communication using a data communications protocol, the method comprising the following steps:
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- a) the consumer electronics device sending a data message to a mediating data processing device using the data communications protocol, the mediating data processing device being capable of communication using both the data communications protocol and the hypermedia data communications protocol, data message comprising data representing the state of the consumer electronics device, the data message comprising data representing the state of the consumer electronics device;
- b) in response to the data message received, the mediating device sending a hypermedia data message to the remote device using the hypermedia data communication protocol over the proximity bearer, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing the state of the consumer electronics device;
- c) the remote device receiving the hypermedia data message using the hypermedia data communications protocol over the proximity bearer; and
- d) the remote device presenting the hypermedia data message to a user of the remote device using a man-machine interface of the controller device.
Further aspects of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.
One advantage of the present invention is that it facilitates control and/or observation of controlled devices without the controller device needing to have any prior knowledge or expectations of the capabilities of the controlled device, save that it is capable of hypermedia communication with the controller device. Thus, the controller device need not be pre-programmed with device-specific information either by a user or manufacturer as has been the case according to the prior art described above.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the control and/or observation communication between a controller device and a controlled is reliable and any controlled device operational state maintained by the controller device will be reliably synchronised with the actual operational state of the controlled device.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the controller device need not store data enabling the control and/or observation of the controlled device permanently or for as long as required by prior art systems described above.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the controller device need not store data enabling the control and/or observation of the controlled device in a manner which are currently not valid due to the operational state of the controlled device as required by prior art systems described above. For example, the controller device will not store data enabling the control of a controlled CD player to stop playing a CD when the CD player is not currently playing a CD.
There now follows, by way of example only, a detailed description of the present invention in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
By way of a brief overview, the present invention (sometimes referred to as the Hypertext or Hypermedia Control System or HCS) provides a system for control and/or observation of a controlled device, such as a consumer electronics device, by a controller, such as a WAP-enabled mobile phone, in which the controller need not have any prior knowledge or expectations of the capabilities, or even the presence of the controlled device. The controller is essentially stateless and has not been programmed either by the manufacturer or the user of the controlled device. Similarly, the controlled device has no pre-configured knowledge or expectations of the controller. However, the controller and the controlled device are both able to communicate using a hypermedia protocol, such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or the Wireless Transfer Protocol (WTP). Typically, but not necessarily, the controller and the controlled device will communicate over a proximity bearer (PB) such as Bluetooth™ (BT).
Thus, a hypermedia control device is able to control a remote device, such as a consumer electronics device, using a hypertext data communications protocol over a proximity bearer. In other embodiments of the present invention, the controller device is able to control the control device using the proximity bearer alone. In other embodiments of the present invention, the controller device and the controlled device communicate using a link level communications bearer other than a proximity bearer. For example, they may communicate using physical cabling or another data communications network such as an Internet protocol network or a public switched telephone network or a cellular network.
The combination of HCVM 32 and DHCI 30 are also arranged to be capable of interrogating the device controller 24 to receive data representing the operational status of the controlled device. Using this data, HCVM 32 and DHCI 30 are able to generate hypermedia data messages comprising data representing the operational state of the control device and sending these data messages to the controller device using the stack and bearer arrangement 26. Upon receipt of the hypermedia data messages using stack and bearer arrangement 14, the controller device is able to display the hypermedia data message to a user of the controller device using the MMI 12. For example, the controller device may display a Web page or a WAP card or deck to the user via a browser application. Thus, the control device is able to present data representing the operational state of the device to a user of a remote controller device in the form of a hypermedia data message.
Furthermore, the hypermedia data messages generated by the controlled device may include hyperlinks or other menu options which, when presented to a user of the controller device, may be selected or activated by the user thereby causing the controller device to generate a hypertext request message or other control message for sending to the control device and thereby controlling the controlled device as has been described above. These hyperlinks or menu options may represent the currently available actions that may be performed by the control device. For example, if the control device is a CD player and the CD player is currently playing a CD, then a hyperlink or menu option for stopping the CD player may be included in the hypermedia data message, but not a hyperlink or menu option for starting the CD player to play a CD.
Thus, it can be seen that the control device arrangement as shown in
The compiled code is executed by the HCVM, but the HCVM does not itself have the ability to generate hypermedia data messages. This is left to the DHCI which functions as a wrapper to the HCVM and generates hypermedia data messages in response to instructions received from the HCVM. This is the case in both embodiments described with reference to
Once the PLC of a controlled device has sent a hypermedia data message constituting a “home page” of the controlled device to the controller device, the user of the controller device may navigate through menu options presented on the MMI in a manner similar to navigating through a Internet Web site having first accessed the home page of the Web site. However, unlike navigating through a Web site, the actions of the user of the controller device may result in the control of the controlled device. Furthermore, the current status of the controlled device may be presented to the user of the controller device and menu options corresponding to currently available actions that may be performed by the controlled device are dynamically presented to the user of the controller device as the user navigates/controls the controlled device. Thus the controller device is being dynamically programmed to control the controlled device by the controlled device itself.
In
The present invention is described in further detail in a technical report document appended hereto as Appendix A.
It is to be understood that the controller devices of the present invention are not limited to mobile phones or PDAs but may be any data processing device whether fixed or mobile which is capable of hypermedia communication whether over a radio interface or over a wired data network. It is also to be understood that the controlled devices according to the present invention may be any data processing devices capable of hypermedia communication whether over a radio interface or over a wired data network. Typically, but not necessarily, the controlled device will be a consumer electronics device such as a CD player, refrigerator, etc. Throughout this document, the term hypermedia and hypertext have been used to refer to any data representation capable of comprising data object referencing other data objects, such as text, audio or visual data etc. It is also to be understood that, while proximity bearers such as BT and IrDA have been described for providing remote communications between a controller device and a controlled device, the present invention may be implemented using a data communication bearer. For example, communication may take place over local area networks, IP networks, public switched telephone network, or cellular mobile networks such as GSM.
Appendix A
Claims
1. A method of providing a remote data processing device with control data that enables a user to control the operation of a consumer electronics device, the method comprising:
- generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options; and
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
- presenting the one or more menu options to the user using a man-machine interface; and
- generating and sending to the consumer electronics device a hypermedia request message corresponding to selected menu options in response to a user instruction.
3. A method of providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, the method comprising:
- generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to perform communication using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
4. A method of controlling a consumer electronics device using a remote data processing device, the method comprising:
- generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol;
- presenting the one or more menu options to a user via a man-machine interface;
- allowing the user to select one or more of the menu options using the man-machine interface;
- generating and sending to the consumer electronics device a control message in response to the user selection; and
- performing the corresponding action or actions in response to the received control message,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising communicating the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device using a proximity bearer.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more menu options correspond to one or more actions currently performable by the consumer electronics device.
7. The method according to claim 3, further comprising generating the hypermedia data message in two or more hypermedia mark-up languages.
8. A computer readable medium for storing one or more computer programs for performing a method of providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, the method comprising:
- generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
9. An apparatus for providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, the apparatus comprising:
- means for generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
10. A consumer electronics device adapted to provide a remote data processing device with control data that enables a user to control the operation of the consumer electronics device, the consumer electronics device comprising:
- means for generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options; and
- means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein the consumer electronics device is configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
11. A consumer electronics device adapted to provide a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of the consumer electronics device, the consumer electronics device comprising:
- means for generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
12. A consumer electronics device adapted to be controlled using a remote data processing device, the consumer electronics device comprising:
- means for generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- means for sending a hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol;
- means for receiving a control message from the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol; and
- means for performing one or more actions in response to a received control message,
- wherein the consumer electronics device is configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
13. The consumer electronics device according to claim 11, wherein the consumer electronics device is adapted to send hypermedia data messages and/or receive control messages using a proximity bearer.
14. The consumer electronics device according to claim 10, wherein the one or more menu options correspond to one or more actions currently performable by the consumer electronics device.
15. The consumer electronics device according to claim 11, wherein the consumer electronic device is configured to generate the hypermedia data message in two or more hypermedia mark-up languages.
16. A control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit being adapted to provide a remote data processing device with control data that enables a user to control the operation of the consumer electronics device, the control unit comprising:
- means for determining the operational state of the consumer electronics device;
- means for generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device; and
- means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol.
17. A control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit being adapted to provide a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of the consumer electronics device, the control unit comprising:
- means for determining the operational state of the consumer electronics device;
- means for generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- means for sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol.
18. A control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit comprising:
- means for generating a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving one or more control messages corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- means for sending the hypermedia data message to a remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol;
- means for receiving a control message from a remote data processing device;
- means for controlling the consumer electronics device to perform one or more actions in response to a received control message.
19. The control unit according to claim 17, wherein the control unit is adapted to communicate using a proximity bearer.
20. The control unit according to claims 16, wherein the one or more menu options correspond to one or more actions currently performable by the consumer electronics device.
21. The control unit according to claim 17, wherein the control unit is adapted to generate the hypermedia data message in two or more hypermedia mark-up languages.
22. An integrated circuit for a consumer electronics device, comprising:
- a communication unit adapted to communicate using a proximity bearer; and
- an interface unit configured to provide an interface between the communication unit and a controller of the consumer electronics device.
23. The integrated circuit according to claim 22, further comprising a proximity link controller adapted to control communications links of the proximity bearer to remote communications devices.
24. The integrated circuit according to claim 22, further comprising a virtual machine unit configured to cause the generation of hypermedia data messages and/or consumer electronics device control messages for controlling the consumer electronics device.
25. The integrated circuit according to claim 24, further comprising a hypermedia interpreter for configuring and controlling data input and output of the virtual machine unit.
26. The integrated circuit according to claim 22, further comprising a filter configured to perform filtering control messages received via the communication unit.
27. The integrated circuit according to claim 22, further comprising a hypermedia protocol generation unit configured to generate a hypermedia protocol, wherein the communication unit is further adapted to communicate using the hypermedia protocol.
28. The integrated circuit according to claim 22, wherein the interface unit is adapted to communicate using a home control protocol interface.
29. A data processing device, comprising:
- a proximity bearer communications unit configured to communicate using a proximity bearer; and
- a hypermedia transport protocol generation unit configured to generate a hypermedia transport protocol,
- wherein the device is adapted to communicate with remote data processing devices using the hypermedia transport protocol over the proximity bearer.
30. The device according to claim 29, further comprising a proximity link controller adapted to control communications links of the proximity bearer to remote communications devices.
31. The device according to claim 30, wherein the proximity link controller is adapted to function as a hypermedia proxy for one or more remote data processing devices.
32. A method of controlling a consumer electronics device, the method comprising:
- receiving a hypermedia request message;
- determining one or more actions to be performed by the consumer electronics device, the determining being performed in dependence on the hypermedia request message; and
- performing the one or more actions,
- wherein the consumer electronics device is configured to communicate using a hypermedia data communications protocol over a proximity bearer.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the hypermedia request message is generated by a remote data processing device, the remote data processing device being configured to communicate using a hypermedia data communications protocol over a proximity bearer.
34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the hypermedia request message is generated by the remote data processing device in response to a user selection of a hyperlink in a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message being provided to the remote data processing device by the consumer electronics device.
35. A computer readable medium storing one or more computer programs for performing a method of controlling a consumer electronics device, the method comprising:
- receiving a hypermedia request message;
- determining one or more actions to be performed by the consumer electronics device, the determining being performed in dependence on the hypermedia request message; and
- performing the one or more actions,
- wherein the consumer electronics device is configured to communicate using a hypermedia data communications protocol over a proximity bearer.
36. An apparatus for controlling a consumer electronics device, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving a hypermedia request message;
- means for determining one or more actions to be performed by the consumer electronics device, the determining being performed in dependence on the hypermedia request message; and
- means for performing the one or more actions,
- wherein the consumer electronics device is configured to communicate using a hypermedia data communications protocol over a proximity bearer.
37. A method of generating a control program for performing a method of providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, the providing method comprising:
- generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
38. A method of generating a machine code program, the method comprising:
- compiling a computer program written in a programming language, the programming language having native functions or methods for causing the interrogation of electronic input/output interfaces and having native functions or methods for causing the generation of menu option descriptions for inclusion in hypermedia data messages.
39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the machine code program is for use in a consumer electronics device or a control unit.
40. The method according to claim 3 8, wherein the machine code program is for use in an integrated circuit.
41. A method of configuring a consumer electronics device to perform a method of providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, the configuring method comprising:
- compiling a computer program written in a programming language, the programming language having native functions or methods for causing the interrogation of electronic input/output interfaces and having native functions or methods for causing the generation of menu option descriptions for inclusion in hypermedia data messages, the compiled program being used to configure the consumer electronics device,
- wherein the providing method comprises:
- generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to perform communication using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
42. A method of configuring a control unit for a consumer electronics device to perform a method of providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, the configuring method comprising:
- compiling a computer program written in a programming language, the programming language having native functions or methods for causing the interrogation of electronic input/output interfaces and having native functions or methods for causing the generation of menu option descriptions for inclusion in hypermedia data messages, the compiled program being used to configure the control unit,
- wherein the providing method comprises:
- generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to perform communication using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
43. A computer readable medium storing a compiler program for performing a method of providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, the providing method comprising:
- generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
44. A compiler system adapted to perform a method of providing a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of a consumer electronics device, the providing method comprising:
- generating a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- sending the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein both the remote data processing device and the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
45. A method of compiling a computer program into a machine code program, the computer program being written in a programming language, the programming language having native functions or methods for causing the interrogation of electronic input/output interfaces and having native functions or methods for causing the generation of menu option descriptions for inclusion in hypermedia data messages.
46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the programming language has native functions or methods for causing the issuing of commands to electronic input/output interfaces.
47. The method according to claim 45, wherein the machine code is used to configure a consumer electronics device or a control unit of a consumer electronics device.
48. A computer readable medium storing a compiler program for performing a method of compiling a computer program into a machine code program, the computer program being written in a programming language, the programming language having native functions or methods for causing the interrogation of electronic input/output interfaces and having native functions or methods for causing the generation of menu option descriptions for inclusion in hypermedia data messages.
49. A compiler system adapted to perform a method of compiling a computer program into a machine code program, the computer program being written in a programming language, the programming language having native functions or methods for causing the interrogation of electronic input/output interfaces and having native functions or methods for causing the generation of menu option descriptions for inclusion in hypermedia data messages.
50. A method of controlling a controlled data processing device using a controller data processing device, the method comprising:
- sending a hypermedia data message to the controller device using a hypermedia data communications protocol, the hypermedia data message comprising one or more hyperlinks;
- presenting the hypermedia data message to a user of the controller device using a man-machine interface of the controller device;
- allowing the user to select one or more of the one or more hyperlinks using the man-machine interface;
- in response to the user selection, sending a hypermedia request message to the controlled device using the hypermedia data communications protocol; and
- performing an action in response to the hypermedia request message received,
- wherein both the controlled device and the controller device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
51. A method of controlling a controlled data processing device using a controller data processing device, the method comprising:
- sending a data message to a mediating data processing device using a data communications protocol, the mediating device configured to communicate using both the data communications protocol and a hypermedia data communications protocol;
- in response to the data message received, sending a hypermedia data message to the controller device using the hypermedia data communications protocol, the hypermedia data message comprising one or more hyperlinks;
- presenting the hypermedia data message to a user of the controller device using a man-machine interface of the controller device;
- allowing the user to select one or more of the one or more hyperlinks using the man-machine interface;
- in response to the user selection, sending a hypermedia request message to the mediating device using the hypermedia data communications protocol;
- in response to the hypermedia request message received, sending a control data message to the controlled device using the data communications protocol; and performing an action in response to the control data message received,
- wherein the controlled device is configured to communicate using the data communications protocol, and wherein the controller device is configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
52. A method of receiving status information from a consumer electronics device at a remote data processing device, the method comprising:
- sending a hypermedia data message to the remote device using a hypermedia data communications protocol over a proximity bearer, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing the state of the consumer electronics device;
- receiving the hypermedia data message using the hypermedia data communications protocol over the proximity bearer; and
- presenting the hypermedia data message to a user of the remote device using a man-machine interface of the remote device,
- wherein the consumer electronics device and remote device both are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol over the proximity bearer.
53. A method of receiving status information from a consumer electronic device at a remote data processing device, the method comprising:
- sending a data message to a mediating data processing device using a data communications protocol, the mediating data processing device being configured to communicate using both the data communications protocol and a hypermedia data communications protocol, the data message comprising data representing the state of the consumer electronics device;
- in response to the data message received, sending a hypermedia data message to the remote device using the hypermedia data communication protocol over a proximity bearer, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing the state of the consumer electronics device;
- receiving the hypermedia data message using the hypermedia data communications protocol over the proximity bearer; and
- presenting the hypermedia data message to a user of the remote device using a man-machine interface of the remote device,
- wherein the remote data processing device is configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol over the proximity bearer, and wherein the consumer electronics device is configured to communicate using the data communications protocol.
54. A consumer electronics device adapted to provide a remote data processing device with control data that enables a user to control the operation of the consumer electronics device, the consumer electronics device comprising:
- a first portion configured to generate a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options; and
- a second portion configured to send the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein the consumer electronics device is configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
55. A consumer electronics device adapted to provide a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of the consumer electronics device, the consumer electronics device comprising:
- a first portion configured to generate a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- a second portion configured to send the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol,
- wherein the consumer electronics device are configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
56. A consumer electronics device adapted to be controlled using a remote data processing device, the consumer electronics device comprising:
- a first portion configured to generate a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving a control message corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- a second portion configured to send a hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol;
- a third portion configured to receive a control message from the remote data processing device using the hypermedia data communications protocol; and
- a fourth portion configured to perform one or more actions in response to a received control message,
- wherein the consumer electronics device is configured to communicate using the hypermedia data communications protocol.
57. A control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit being adapted to provide a remote data processing device with control data that enables a user to control the operation of the consumer electronics device, the control unit comprising:
- a first unit configured to determine the operational state of the consumer electronics device;
- a second unit configured to generate a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device; and
- a third unit configured to send the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol.
58. A control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit being adapted to provide a remote data processing device with data representing the operational state of the consumer electronics device, the control unit comprising:
- a first unit configured to determine the operational state of the consumer electronics device;
- a second unit configured to generate a hypermedia data message in dependence on the operational state of the consumer electronics device; and
- a third unit configured to send the hypermedia data message to the remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol.
59. A control unit for a consumer electronics device, the control unit comprising:
- a first unit configured to generate a hypermedia data message, the hypermedia data message comprising data representing one or more menu options, the menu options corresponding to one or more actions configured to be performed by the consumer electronics device in response to receiving one or more control messages corresponding to one or more of the menu options;
- a second unit configured to send the hypermedia data message to a remote data processing device using a hypermedia data communications protocol;
- a third unit configured to receive a control message from a remote data processing device; and
- a fourth unit configured to control the consumer electronics device to perform one or more actions in response to a received control message.
60. The integrated circuit according to claim 22, further comprising a microprocessor control unit configured to control the communication unit and the interface unit.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 11, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2005
Inventors: Janko Mrsic-Flogel (London), Derek Reynolds (Plan-Les-Ouates), Zorislav Sojat (Zagreb), Marco Bianchessi (Agrate Brianza MI), Stefano Sala (Milano)
Application Number: 10/915,956