US6584496B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distributed help system for consumer electronic devices
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1999-01-29
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Granted: 2003-06-24
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Expires: 2019-01-29
Abstract
Abstract Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide help and configuration information for a plurality of consumer electronic devices in an audio/video network. More specifically, each network device provides help information, identifying the device and its features to other network devices. A help utility program interfaces with a presentation device to provide help information to a user. Another implementation consistent with the present invention provides help information related to configuring two or more devices to perform an operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold Aaron Ludtke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2807; H04L12/2809; H04L12/2805; H04L2012/284; H04L2012/2841; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/10; H04L67/1095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for providing distributed access to help information for a consumer electronic device in a network containing a plurality of different types of consumer electronic devices, the method comprising: receiving a request for help information from a user of a first one of the consumer electronic devices; accessing stored help information, the stored help information being modifiable by the first one of the consumer electronic devices according to characteristics of at least one other of the plurality of different types of consumer electronic devices; and presenting help instructions in response to the help request.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for providing distributed access to help information for a consumer electronic device in a network containing a plurality of different types of consumer electronic devices, the method comprising: receiving a request for help information from a user of a first one of the consumer electronic devices; accessing stored help information, the stored help information being modifiable by the first one of the consumer electronic devices according to characteristics of at least one other of the plurality of different types of consumer electronic devices; and presenting help instructions in response to the help request.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 where accessing stored help information includes retrieving at least one of data stored within a consumer electronic device and data stored remotely.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein presenting includes accessing a remote location containing an audio or video sequence corresponding to the help instructions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 where the stored information includes user instructions for operating a consumer electronic device contained in the network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said accessing includes linking help information for multiple different types of network devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the stored help information includes information related to characteristics of the first one of the consumer electronic devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the characteristics include at least one of a device type, a device configuration, device features, device functions, and a device compatibility with other consumer electronic devices.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-23 | 2006-12-23 | 2007-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-23 | 2010-12-23 | 2011-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-23 | 2014-12-23 | 2015-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |