Distributed help system for consumer electronic devices
AssigneesSony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
InventorHarold Aaron Ludtke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide help and configuration information for a plurality of consumer electronic devices in an audio/video network. More specifically, each network device provides help information, identifying the device and its features to other network devices. A help utility program interfaces with a presentation device to provide help information to a user. Another implementation consistent with the present invention provides help information related to configuring two or more devices to perform an operation.
Claims44
An apparatus for providing help information in a distributed electronic network, comprising:
- a help system configured to access said help information corresponding to different types of electronic devices in said distributed electronic network, said help system then providing said help information to a system user in response to a help request;
- and
- a processor coupled to one of said electronic devices, said processor being configured to control said help system to thereby provide said help information to said system user.
A method for providing help information in a distributed electronic network, comprising the steps of:
- utilizing a help system to access said help information corresponding to different types of electronic devices in said distributed electronic network, said help system then providing said help information to a system user in response to a help request;
- and
- controlling said help system with a processor coupled to one of said electronic devices to thereby provide said help information to said system user.
A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for providing help information in a distributed electronic network, by performing the steps of:
- utilizing a help system to access said help information corresponding to different types of electronic devices in said distributed electronic network, said help system then providing said help information to a system user in response to a help request;
- and
- controlling said help system with a processor coupled to one of said electronic devices to thereby provide said help information to said system user.
An apparatus for providing help information in a distributed electronic network, comprising:
- means for accessing said help information corresponding to different types of electronic devices in said distributed electronic network, said means for accessing then providing said help information to a system user in response to a help request;
- and
- means for controlling said means for accessing to thereby provide said help information to said system user.
A system for providing help information for consumer electronic devices in an audio/video network, comprising:
- a processor for processing a help request related to operating at least one of a plurality of different types of network devices in said audio/video network;
- and
- a device for providing help instructions that reflect characteristics of at least one other of said consumer electronic devices.
A method for providing distributed access to help information for different types of consumer electronic devices in a network, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a help request related to one of said consumer electronic devices;
- accessing first help information related to characteristics of a plurality of said consumer electronic devices present in said network;
- and
- providing second help information in response to said help request, said second help information being based upon said first help information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.