Configuration of user interfaces

Abstract

Configuration of user interfaces is described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving a query from a device. The query is for a user interface (UI) from a client. The UI, when executed by the device, is configured to form a request for execution of a control function by the client. A processing of the request determines whether the execution by the client of the control function is permitted. The processing is performed at a head end by using client state data. The hardware and/or software capabilities of the device to execute the UI are detected. The UI is configured based on the hardware and/or software capabilities of the device.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 causing, by a computing device, display of a user interface that is configured based upon one or more hardware capabilities or software capabilities of the computing device;   receiving a request, via the user interface, to execute a control function of a client device; and   communicating the request to the client device to cause the client device to execute the control function.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is configured based at least in part upon a detected input device of the computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is configured for touch-based navigation when the detected input device comprises a touch-screen, and wherein the user interface is configured for data-intensive input and navigation when the detected input device comprises a keyboard. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hardware capabilities include one or more of a processor speed of the computing device, a data bus bandwidth of the computing device, a data throughput speed of the computing device, an amount of memory space of the computing device, a supported resolution or color palette of a display of the computing device, or supported fonts of the computing device. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more software capabilities include one or more of computer languages supported, availability of applications on the computing device, or drivers implemented on the computing device 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein communicating the request causes the client device to record content broadcast by one or more distribution servers to the client device locally at the client device. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 requesting, from the client device, the user interface that is configured based upon one or more hardware capabilities or software capabilities of the computing device; and   receiving the user interface from the client device.   
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is configured based at least in part on a likely distance at which a user is positioned from the computing device when viewing the user interface. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the client device comprises a set-top box. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the computing device is communicatively coupled to the client device over a local network connection; or   the computing device is communicatively coupled to the client device over a remote network connection.   
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 detecting, by a client device, one or more hardware capabilities or software capabilities of a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the client device;   configuring a user interface for the computing device based on the one or more detected hardware capabilities or software capabilities of the computing device;   communicating the user interface to the computing device to enable the computing device to execute a control function of the client device using the user interface.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the configuring comprises configuring the user interface for the computing device based at least in part upon a detected input device of the computing device. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 12 , wherein the configuring comprises configuring the user interface for touch-based navigation when the detected input device comprises a touch-screen, and configuring the user interface for data-intensive input and navigation when the detected input device comprises a keyboard. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more detected hardware capabilities include one or more of a processor speed of the computing device, a data bus bandwidth of the computing device, a data throughput speed of the computing device, an amount of memory space of the computing device, a supported resolution or color palette of a display of the computing device, or supported fonts of the computing device. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving a request, from the computing device, to execute the control function; and   executing the control function.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the control function is to record content broadcast by one or more distribution servers to the client device locally at the client device. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the client device comprises a set-top box, and wherein the computing device is communicatively coupled to the client device over a local network connection or a remote network connection. 
     
     
         18 . A client device comprising:
 a processor; and   one or more computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, implement a user interface module to:
 configure a user interface for a computing device, that is communicatively coupled to the client device, based on a likely distance at which a user will be positioned from the computing device when viewing the user interface; and 
 communicate the user interface to the computing device to enable the computing device to execute a control function of the client device using the user interface. 
   
     
     
         19 . The client device of  claim 18 , wherein the user interface module is further configured to configure the user interface for the computing device based on a resolution of a display of the computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The client device of  claim 18 , wherein the client device comprises a set-top box, and wherein the computing device is communicatively coupled to the client device over a local network connection or a remote network connection.