Online resource server for allowing device control and access to digital content through pluggable user interfaces

Abstract

An online resource server for allowing device control and access to digital content through pluggable user interfaces (PUI). Features of various embodiments of the system can also include: a system of access rights for resources; user types and their meaning; determination of mandatory and optional properties of resources; an algorithm for ranking of resources based on weights given in a resource query; registration of a PUI upon upload resulting in a unique resource name (URI); user interface socket descriptions for device classes, and extensibility of the socket descriptions through naming conventions; a universal Control Hub as a Service; an ability to allow content owners to protect their intellectual property by keeping the (protected) media over HDMI separated from the control network; an ability to track usage data and dynamically adjust the PUI without the need for user intervention; and enhanced technical support, including remote diagnostics of the consumer electronics equipment.

1 . A system for allowing device control and access to digital content through pluggable user interfaces, comprising:
 a resource server executing on one or more computers or computer devices, that includes a resource and usage database for storing and managing information about resources such as user interface components and/or universal control hub components, for the purpose of allowing remote control of devices and services associated with those resources;   one or more interfaces provided by the resource server, that
 allows access by a user, universal control hub, and/or other entity to retrieve resources from the resource server; and 
 allows device manufactures, third-party support, and/or other entities to upload resources to the resource server; and 
   wherein the resource server is configured to match an individual user with a pluggable user interface that the individual user can use as their personal interface to control one or more of the devices and services.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide access rights for resources such as read, write, query and retrieval flags for owners, groups, others; and user types and their meaning as query restricted, user restricted, group restricted, not restricted, or admin. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide determination of mandatory and optional properties of resources based on a special type property such as MIME type. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide ranking of resources based on weights given in a resource query or weights intrinsically determined by the resource server. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide registering a pluggable user interface upon upload resulting in a unique resource name. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising user interface socket descriptions for device classes. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide a Universal Control Hub as a Service. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide keeping protected media over HDMI separated from the control network. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide using the Resource Server to track usage data and dynamically adjust the pluggable user interface without the need for user intervention. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is further configured to provide technical support of consumer electronics equipment facilitated by usage parameters known by the universal control hub. 
     
     
         11 . A method for allowing device control and access to digital content through pluggable user interfaces, comprising the steps of:
 providing a resource server executing on one or more computers or computer devices, that includes a resource and usage database for storing and managing information about resources such as user interface components and/or universal control hub components, for the purpose of allowing remote control of devices and services associated with those resources;   providing one or more interfaces provided by the resource server, that
 allows access by a user, universal control hub, and/or other entity to retrieve resources from the resource server; and 
 allows device manufactures, third-party support, and/or other entities to upload resources to the resource server; and 
   matching an individual user with a pluggable user interface that the individual user can use as their personal interface to control one or more of the devices and services.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing access rights for resources such as read, write, query and retrieval flags for owners, groups, others; and user types and their meaning as query restricted, user restricted, group restricted, not restricted, admin. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing determination of mandatory and optional properties of resources based on a special type property such as MIME type. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising ranking of resources based on weights given in a resource query or weights intrinsically determined by the resource server. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising registering a pluggable user interface upon upload resulting in a unique resource name. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using user interface socket descriptions for device classes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing a Universal Control Hub as a Service. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising keeping protected media over HDMI separated from the control network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using the Resource Server to track usage data and dynamically adjust the a pluggable user interface without the need for user intervention. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising providing technical support of consumer electronics equipment facilitated by usage parameters known by the universal control hub.