System and method for enabling the establishment and use of a personal network

A personal network system comprising:

• a plurality of devices, including a first network device having a first set of capabilities, a second network device having a second set of capabilities, and a third network device having a third set of capabilities;
• wherein the plurality of devices are interconnected based on configuration information obtained from each of the plurality of devices, wherein at least one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device initiates communications with another of the first network device, second network device, or third network device in order to communicate its configuration information upon joining the personal network;
• a network control repository to maintain the configuration information for each of the plurality of devices, the network repository being established using a memory that is provided with at least one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device;
• wherein the configuration information maintained by the network control repository includes (i) data identifying the first network device, data identifying whether the first network device is actively connected to the personal network, and data that is indicative of said first set of capabilities of the first network device, (ii) data identifying the second network device, data identifying whether the second network device is actively connected to the personal network and data indicative of said second set of capabilities of the second network device, and (iii) data identifying the third network device, data identifying whether the third network device is actively connected to the personal network and a third set of capabilities of the third network device;
• wherein at least one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third device is configured to automatically and repeatedly update the configuration information for the devices that are members of the personal network in the network control repository;
• wherein each of the first network device, the second network device, and the third device is operable to enable a user to select (i) a media data source accessible to the second network device, and (ii) an output destination that can be any one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device;
• and
• in response to the user selecting the media data source and the output destination, using the configuration information from the network control repository, transmit media data of the media data source accessible to the second network device, from the second network device to the output destination.

A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions for establishing a personal network, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to perform steps comprising:

• A) enabling each of a plurality of devices to act as a member of the personal network, the plurality of devices includes a first network device having a first set of capabilities, a second network device having a second set of capabilities, and a third network device having a third set of capabilities;
• B) interconnecting the plurality of devices in forming the personal network, wherein interconnecting the plurality of device includes obtaining configuration information for each of the plurality of devices;
• C) configuring at least one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device to initiate communications with another of the first network device, second network device, or third network device in order to communicate its configuration information upon joining the personal network;
• D) establishing a network control repository using the configuration information obtained for each of the plurality of devices;
• D) the configuration information including (i) data identifying the first network device, data identifying whether the first network device is actively connected to the personal network, and data that is indicative of said first set of capabilities of the first network device, (ii) data identifying the second network device, data identifying whether the second network device is actively connected to the personal network and data indicative of said second set of capabilities of the second network device, and (iii) data identifying the third network device, data identifying whether the third network device is actively connected to the personal network and a third set of capabilities of the third network device;
• E) automatically and repeatedly updating the configuration information for the devices that are members of the personal network in the network control repository;
• F) enabling, using the configuration information stored in the network control repository, a user to select any one of the first network device, second network device or third network device, to operate in selecting (i) a media data source accessible to the second network device, and (ii) an output destination that can be selected by the user to be any one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device;
• and
• G) transmitting media data of the media data source accessible to the second network device, in response to the user selecting the media data source and the output destination, using the configuration information from the network control repository, from the second network device to the output destination.

A method for establishing a personal network, the method being implemented by one or more processors and comprising:

• enabling each of a plurality of devices to act as a member of the personal network;
• interconnecting the plurality of devices in forming the personal network, wherein as one of the members of the personal network, each device is configured to communicate with one or more other members that form the personal network, wherein interconnecting the plurality of devices includes obtaining configuration information from each of the plurality of devices, the configuration information for each device including data that enables that device to be identified and communicated with on the personal network;
• storing the configuration information obtained from each of the plurality of devices in a network control repository;
• enabling the user to select any one of multiple devices in the plurality of devices to operate as a remote control;
• providing the one of the multiple devices that is selected as the remote control with an interface that utilizes configuration information from the network control repository, the configuration information identifying, for the user, which devices in the plurality of devices are able to provide a media source, and which devices in the plurality of devices are able to provide an output destination;
• and
• enabling the user to select, through the remote control, the media source and the output destination.

A computer system comprising:

• means for enabling each of a plurality of devices to act as a member of the personal network, the plurality of devices includes a first network device having a first set of capabilities, a second network device having a second set of capabilities, and a third network device having a third set of capabilities;
• means for interconnecting the plurality of devices in forming the personal network, wherein interconnecting the plurality of device includes obtaining configuration information for each of the plurality of devices;
• means for configuring at least one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device to initiate communications with another of the first network device, second network device, or third network device in order to communicate its configuration information upon joining the personal network;
• means for establishing a network control repository using the configuration information obtained for each of the plurality of devices;
• wherein the configuration information including (i) data identifying the first network device, data identifying whether the first network device is actively connected to the personal network, and data that is indicative of said first set of capabilities of the first network device, (ii) data identifying the second network device, data identifying whether the second network device is actively connected to the personal network and data indicative of said second set of capabilities of the second network device, and (iii) data identifying the third network device, data identifying whether the third network device is actively connected to the personal network and a third set of capabilities of the third network device;
• means for automatically and repeatedly updating the configuration information for the devices that are members of the personal network in the network control repository;
• means for enabling, using the configuration information stored in the network control repository, a user to select any one of the first network device, second network device or third network device, to operate in selecting (i) a media data source accessible to the second network device, and (ii) an output destination that can be selected by the user to be any one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device;
• and
• means for transmitting media data of the media data source accessible to the second network device, in response to the user selecting the media data source and the output destination, using the configuration information from the network control repository, from the second network device to the output destination.