User control points in a network environment
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
InventorMaarten Bodlaender
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method, apparatus, computer program product and computer program element for creating a control point associated with a user in a computing environment having a network connectivity model, a method apparatus, computer program product and computer program element for accessing services provided by a device in such an environment. A control point is created for a user including a control point identity (step 46) based on a public key of the user and control point functionalities (step 48). The control point is stored (step 50) such that the user can operate any device from any physical entity or point of access where the control point is activated.
Claims19
Method of creating a control point (30) associated with a user in a computing environment having a networking connectivity model and comprising the steps of:
- generating a control point identity for the user based on a public key associated with the user, (step 46),
- providing at least basic control point functionalities, (step 48), and
- storing the control point identity and the functionalities as a control point (30), (step 50), such that the user can operate any device (38) he is allowed to in the computing environment from any physical entity (12, 18, 20, 22) where the control point is enabled.
Method of accessing services provided by a device (38) in a computing environment having a networking connectivity model and comprising the steps of:
- identifying a user wanting to access services at a point of access (12) for the user to the computing environment by using a control point identifier, (step 52),
- determining if there is a control point (30) associated with the user existing at the point of access, (step 54),
- copying, if there is no such control point at the point of access, the control point to the point of access, (step 56),
- activating the control point, (step 58), and
- connecting the control point with a device (38), (step 64), such that the user can access services from the device in dependence of the rights granted to him.
Apparatus (12) for creating a control point (30) associated with a user in a computing environment having a networking connectivity model and arranged to:
- generate a control point identity for the user based on a public key associated with the user,
- provide at least basic control point functionalities, and
- store the control point identity and the functionalities as a control point (30) such that the user can operate any device he is allowed to in the computing environment from any physical entity where the control point is enabled.
Apparatus (12) for accessing services provided by a device (38) in a computing environment having a networking connectivity model and arranged to:
- identify a user wanting to access services at a point of access (12) for the user to the computing environment by using a control point identifier,
- determine if there is a control point (30) associated with the user existing at the point of access,
- copy, if there is no such control point at the point of access, the control point to the point of access,
- activate the control point, and
- connect the control point with a device (38), such that the user can access services from the device in dependence of the rights granted to him.
Network of computing devices using a networking connectivity model and comprising:
- an apparatus (12) for creating a control point (30) associated with a user and arranged to:
- generate a control point identity for the user based on a public key associated with the user,
- provide at least basic control point functionalities, and
- store the control point identity and the functionalities as a control point (30) such that the user can operate any device (3 8) he is allowed to in the computing environment from any physical entity (12, 18, 20, 22) where the control point is enabled, and
- an apparatus (12) for accessing services provided by a device and arranged to:
- identify a user wanting to access services at a point of access (12) for the user to the computing environment by using a control point identifier,
- determine if there is a control point associated with the user existing at the point of access,
- copy, if there is no such control point at the point of access, the control point to the point of access,
- activate the control point, and
- connect the control point with a device (38), such that the user can access services from the device in dependence of the rights granted to him.
Computer program product (66) for creating a control point associated with a user in a computing environment having a networking connectivity model, comprising a computer readable medium having thereon:
- computer program code means, to make the computer execute, when said program is loaded in the computer:
- generate a control point identity for the user based on a public key associated with the user,
- provide at least basic control point functionalities, and
- store the control point identity and the functionalities as a control point such that the user can operate any device he is allowed to in the computing environment from any physical entity where the control point is enabled.
Computer program product (66) for accessing services provided by a device in a computing environment having a networking connectivity model, comprising a computer readable medium having thereon:
- computer program code means, to make the computer execute, when said program is loaded in the computer:
- identify a user wanting to access services at a point of access for the user to the computing environment by using a control point identifier,
- determine if there is a control point associated with the user existing at the point of access,
- copy, if there is no such control point at the point of access, the control point to the point of access,
- activate the control point, and
- connect the control point with a device, such that the user can access services from the device in dependence of the rights granted to him.
Computer program element for creating a control point associated with a user in a computing environment having a networking connectivity model, said computer program element comprising:
- computer program code means, to make the computer execute, when said program element is loaded in the computer:
- generate a control point identity for the user based on a public key associated with the user,
- provide at least basic control point functionalities, and
- store the control point identity and the functionalities as a control point such that the user can operate any device he is allowed to in the computing environment from any physical entity where the control point is enabled.
Computer program element for accessing services provided by a device in a computing environment having a networking connectivity model:
- computer program code means, to make the computer execute, when said program element is loaded in the computer:
- identify a user wanting to access services at a point of access for the user to the computing environment by using a control point identifier,
- determine if there is a control point associated with the user existing at the point of access,
- copy, if there is no such control point at the point of access, the control point to the point of access,
- activate the control point, and
- connect the control point with a device, such that the user can access services from the device in dependence of the rights granted to him.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.