Method and apparatus for a home network auto-tree builder

Abstract

A method and system is provided for detecting, commanding and controlling diverse home devices currently connected to a home network. An interface is provided for accessing the home devices that are currently connected to a home network. According to the method, a device link file is generated, wherein the device link file identifies home devices that are currently connected to the home network. A device link page is created, wherein the device link page contains a device button that is associated with each home device that is identified in the device link file. A hyper-text link is associated with each device button, wherein the hyper-text link provides a link to an HTML page that is contained on the home device that is associated with the device button, and the device link page is displayed on a browser based home device.

1 - 8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . A method for providing an interface for accessing devices that are currently connected to a home network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) detecting devices that are currently connected to the home network, said devices having at least one controllable function;    (b) creating a top menu that lists the detected devices for individually selecting each of said devices to activate said controllable function;    (c) displaying said menu on a display device for a user to individually select each listed device and activate said controllable function; and    (d) displaying a user interface for a selected device for a user to activate said controllable function.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said menu comprises a web page including, for each detected device, a hypertext link to a web page contained within said detected device.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein in step (a) detecting devices that are currently connected to the home network further comprises the steps of autonomously detecting devices that become available as currently powered-on and connected to the home network.  
     
     
         12 . A method for providing an interface for accessing devices that are currently connected to a home network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) detecting an active state of devices that are currently connected to the home network, said devices having at least one controllable function;    (b) creating a top menu that lists the detected devices for individually selecting each of said devices to activate said controllable function;    (c) displaying said menu on a display device for a user to individually select each listed device and activate said controllable function; and    (d) displaying a user interface for each selected device for a user to activate said controllable function.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein in step (b) said menu comprises a web page including, for each detected device, a hypertext link to a web page contained within said detected device.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein in step (a) detecting an active status of devices that are currently connected to the home network further comprises the steps of autonomously detecting an active status of devices that become available as currently powered-on and connected to the home network.  
     
     
         15 . A home network system for providing an interface for accessing devices that are currently connected to a home network, comprising: 
 a detector that detects devices that are currently connected to the home network, said devices having at least one controllable function;    a menu generator for creating a top menu that lists the detected devices for individually selecting each of said devices to activate said controllable function;    a browser for displaying said menu on a browser based device for a user to individually select each listed device and activate said controllable function, and for displaying a user interface for a selected device for a user to activate said controllable function.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said menu comprises a web page including, for each detected device, a hypertext link to a web page contained within said detected device.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the detector autonomously detects devices that become available as currently powered-on and connected to the home network.  
     
     
         18 . A home network system for providing an interface for accessing devices that are currently connected to a home network, comprising: 
 a detector that detects an active state of devices that are currently connected to the home network, said devices having at least one controllable function;    a menu generator that creates a top menu that lists the detected devices for individually selecting said devices to activate said controllable function;    a browser that displays said menu on a browser based device for a user to individually select each listed device and activate said controllable function, and for displaying a user interface for each selected device for a user to activate said controllable function.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said menu comprises a web page including, for each detected device, a hypertext link to a web page contained within said detected device.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the detector autonomously detects an active status of devices that become available as currently powered-on and connected to the home network.