Method and apparatus for providing universal web access functionality

Abstract

A flexible electronic asset management system using Ethernet connectivity for electronic devices is presented. The invention enables multiple electronic devices to be controlled, monitored, and accessed from any browser connected to a computer network. A flattened stack approach is used to process network packet data. The flattened stack approach treats the network packet as a single string of data and uses the first few bytes of information to decide whether to drop or process the incoming data thus providing for faster network traffic processing. Since the lowest layer of the OSI stack has knowledge of what applications are active in the upper layers, the flattened stack allows the packet to be discarded at the earliest possible point so no processing power is wasted. The flattened stack also organizes its check/processing based on the raw data stream thus minimizing buffer requirements and providing for easier implementation into hardware.

1 . An apparatus for providing universal web access functionality comprising:
 a plurality of configurable Input/Output ports for connecting to and obtaining status information about one or more electronic devices;   a web server serving at least one first web page for configuring said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports and at least one second web page providing said status information about said one or more electronic devices.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise an analog Input/Output port. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise a digital Input/Output port. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise an infrared (IR) port. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise a general purpose Input/Output port. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said at least one electronic device is not web enabled. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said web server comprises:
 a flattened stack handler for processing an ethernet packet;   an electronic mail notification handler.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise at least one port configured to send a control signal to said at least one electronic device. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise at least one port configured to measure an analog signal associated with said at least one electronic device. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise at least one port configured to measure a digital signal associated with said at least one electronic device. 
   
   
       11 . A method for providing universal web access functionality comprising:
 providing a plurality of configurable Input/Output ports on a web access apparatus;   connecting said web access apparatus to a network;   causing said web access apparatus to serve first web pages for configuring at least one of said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports; and   causing said web access apparatus to serve second web pages providing status information about at least one electronic device connected to said web access apparatus via at least one of said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise an analog Input/Output port. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise a digital Input/Output port. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise an infrared (IR) port. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise a general purpose Input/Output ports. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said at least one electronic device is not web enabled. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said web access apparatus comprises:
 a flattened stack handler for processing an ethernet packet;   an electronic mail notification handler.   The method of claim wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise at least one port configured to send a control signal to said at least one electronic device.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise at least one port configured to send a control signal to said at least one electronic device. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise at least one port configured to measure an analog signal associated with said at least one electronic device. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said plurality of configurable Input/Output ports comprise at least one port configured to measure a digital signal associated with said at least one electronic device.