US 6,020,881 A · Graphical user interface with method and apparatus for interfacing to remote devices

Abstract

An intuitive graphical user interface is based upon a geographic map structure, and includes a system for controlling remote external electronic devices. In the defined graphical user interface, each Space of the geographic map structure is rendered on a touch screen display as a graphic image of a geographic space. Within each Space are colored cartoon-like icons called "objects" which can be Selected and manipulated by the user. Certain objects, referred to as portals, transport the user from one Space to another Space when Selected. Other objects, referred to as buttons, perform associated actions or functions when Selected. The graphical user interface is displayed on a hand-held display device used to control remote devices. Each remote electronic device transmits a user interface program object that defines a graphical user interface to the display device. The hand-held display devices displays the graphical user interface associated with the remote device when a user selects an icon associated with the remote device on the display device's touch screen display.

Claims26

Dependent claims

An apparatus for controlling at least one remote device, said apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU);
a memory coupled to said central processing unit;
a display screen, said display screen coupled to said CPU, said display screen displaying graphic images;
a communications device configured to receive and transmit messages across a communications network, said communications device coupled to said central processing unit;
a device configured to receive via said communications device a user interface program object defining a graphical user interface for a remote device, wherein each remote device broadcasts a corresponding user interface program object;
and
a device configured to invoke a user interface method in said user interface program object, said user interface method displaying a graphical user interface associated with said remote device on said display screen.

4 more elements

A method of obtaining a graphical user interface from a remote device and controlling said remote device with a local display device, said local display device coupled to a communication network, said method comprising:

providing an element for performing the step of connecting said remote device to said communication network;
providing an element for performing the step of signaling from said remote device that said remote device has a graphical user interface to export upon being connected to said communication network;
providing an element for performing the step of requesting said graphical user interface by said local display device;
providing an element for performing the step of transmitting a corresponding graphical user interface program object comprising a user-interface method for displaying said graphical user interface on said local display device from said remote device to said local display device;
and
providing an element for performing the step of invoking said user-interface method in said user interface program object such that said graphical user interface is displayed on said local display device.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Graphical user interface with method and apparatus for interfacing to remote devices

Life of this patent

Graphical user interface with method and apparatus for interfacing to remote devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26