Patent US6704401B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6704401B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System of and method for configuring an automatic appliance
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 2002-03-22
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Granted: 2004-03-09
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Expires: 2022-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A configuration server comprises a web server connected to an Internet and hosting a registration webpage accessible to a registrant on the Internet, the registration webpage including an input area receiving configuration information from the registrant, a configuration database connected to the web server for storing the configuration information, and a direct-dial interface connected to a telephone line and to the configuration database, the direct-dial interface operational to answer an incoming telephone call from an automatic appliance and, in response, transmit the configuration information to the automatic appliance. An automatic appliance configuration registration system comprises (a) an automatic appliance including a memory for storing configuration information for automatically configuring the automatic appliance, and (b) a remote configuration server interface operational to answer an incoming call from the automatic appliance and, in response, transmit the configuration information to the automatic appliance, the remote configuration server comprising (i) a web server connected to an Internet and hosting a registration webpage accessible to a registrant on the Internet, the registration webpage including an input area receiving the configuration information from the registrant; and (ii) a configuration database connected to the web server for storing the configuration information.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen James Piepho
- 👤 Jennifer J. Thayer
- 👤 Susie Wee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2854; H04L12/2856; H04L12/2869; H04L12/287; H04L12/2874; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/02; H04L67/2866; H04L67/30; H04L67/303; H04L67/50; H04L67/75; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L67/025; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A configuration server comprising: a web server connected to an Internet and hosting a registration webpage accessible to a registrant on said Internet, said registration webpage including an input area receiving configuration information from said registrant; a configuration database connected to said web server for storing said configuration information; and a direct-dial interface connected to a telephone line and to said configuration database, said direct-dial interface operational to answer an incoming telephone call from an automatic appliance, wherein said automatic appliance initiates said incomina telephone call to said direct-dial interface, and, in response, transmit said configuration information to said automatic appliance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A configuration server comprising: a web server connected to an Internet and hosting a registration webpage accessible to a registrant on said Internet, said registration webpage including an input area receiving configuration information from said registrant; a configuration database connected to said web server for storing said configuration information; and a direct-dial interface connected to a telephone line and to said configuration database, said direct-dial interface operational to answer an incoming telephone call from an automatic appliance, wherein said automatic appliance initiates said incomina telephone call to said direct-dial interface, and, in response, transmit said configuration information to said automatic appliance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The configuration server according to claim 1 wherein said configuration database automatically erases said configuration information in response to a successful transmission of said configuration information to said remote device on said telephone line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The configuration server according to claim 1 wherein said configuration information includes information required by said remote device to access said Internet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The configuration server according to claim 1 wherein said configuration information includes ISP and user account information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The configuration server according to claim 1 wherein said input area comprises an input form including areas designated for allowing a user to input information required for said remote device to gain access and connect to said Internet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The configuration server according to claim 1 further comprising a registration database, said registration page further including an input area for receiving registration information form said registrant, said registration information including a name and an address of said registrant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The configuration server according to claim 1 wherein said direct-dial interface includes a modem compliant with modulation, data transfer, and data compression protocols standards set by an organization selected from a group consisting of Bell, CCITT, ITU-T and CCJTT/ITU-T.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The configuration server according to claim 1 wherein said web server is configured to authenticate portions of said configuration information corresponding to identification information of said remote device, said identification information including a serial number.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
An automatic appliance configuration registration system comprising: (a) an automatic appliance including a memory for storing configuration information for automatically configuring said automatic appliance; and (b) a remote configuration server interface operational to answer an incoming call from said automatic appliance, wherein said automatic appliance initiates said incoming call to said remote configuration server interface, and, in response, transmit said configuration information to said automatic appliance, said remote configuration server comprising (i) a web server connected to an Internet and hosting a registration webpage accessible to a registrant on said Internet, said registration webpage including an input area receiving said configuration information from said registrant; and (ii) a configuration database connected to said web server for storing said configuration information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
An automatic appliance configuration registration system comprising: (a) an automatic appliance including a memory for storing configuration information for automatically configuring said automatic appliance; and (b) a remote configuration server interface operational to answer an incoming call from said automatic appliance, wherein said automatic appliance initiates said incoming call to said remote configuration server interface, and, in response, transmit said configuration information to said automatic appliance, said remote configuration server comprising (i) a web server connected to an Internet and hosting a registration webpage accessible to a registrant on said Internet, said registration webpage including an input area receiving said configuration information from said registrant; and (ii) a configuration database connected to said web server for storing said configuration information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The automatic appliance configuration registration system according to claim 9 , said remote configuration server further comprising (iii) a communication interface connected to a telephone line and to said configuration database for answering said incoming call from said automatic appliance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The automatic appliance configuration registration system according to claim 9 , said automatic appliance further including a modem operable in (1) an initialization mode for establishing communications with said remote configuration server and (2) an operational mode for establishing communications with an internet service provider.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automatic appliance configuration registration system according to claim 9 wherein said communications interface comprises a dial-up modem connected to a telephone line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The automatic appliance configuration registration system according to claim 9 wherein said automatic appliance further comprises a device selected from the group comprising a programmable digital entertainment center, digital camera, video camera, global positioning system receiver, personal digital assistant, Internet appliance and a household appliance.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The automatic appliance configuration registration system according to claim 9 wherein said automatic appliance further comprises an interface to a television monitor and an integral alphanumeric display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The automatic appliance configuration registration system according to claim 9 wherein said automatic appliance further comprises (i) a compact disc (CD) player configured to play audio encoded using a pulse code modulation (PCM) technique and (ii) a digital music decoder configured to play audio encoded using a perceptual coding technique.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The automatic appliance configuration registration system according to claim 9 further comprising a computer comprising a web browser configured to access said registration webpage on said Internet.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of configuring an automatic appliance comprising the steps of: receiving configuration information from a client; storing said configuration information in a memory; accessing said memory with said automatic appliance operating in an initialization mode; downloading said configuration information from said memory to said automatic appliance operating in said initialization mode; automatically configuring a communications interface of said automatic appliance with said configuration information; and connecting to a remote server with said communications interface, said automatic appliance initiating said connection to said remote server.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of configuring an automatic appliance comprising the steps of: receiving configuration information from a client; storing said configuration information in a memory; accessing said memory with said automatic appliance operating in an initialization mode; downloading said configuration information from said memory to said automatic appliance operating in said initialization mode; automatically configuring a communications interface of said automatic appliance with said configuration information; and connecting to a remote server with said communications interface, said automatic appliance initiating said connection to said remote server.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of configuring an automatic appliance according to claim 17 further comprising transmitting a registration webpage to said client.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of configuring an automatic appliance according to claim 17 wherein said step of access said memory includes connecting to a dial-up telephone line and dialing a telephone number of a configuration server.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of configuring an automatic appliance according to claim 17 , further comprising a step of automatically erasing said configuration information from said memory.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of configuring an automatic appliance according to claim 17 further comprising the steps of receiving user registration information from said client and transmitting said user registration information to a user registration database.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of configuring an automatic appliance according to claim 17 wherein said step of receiving configuration information from said client comprises receiving automatic appliance identification information and Internet access information including a user account number.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of configuring an automatic appliance according to claim 17 wherein said step of connecting to said remote server with said communications interface comprises accessing a music recognition service and downloading information about music stored by said automatic appliance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of configuring an automatic appliance according to claim 17 further comprising the step of inputting said configuration information to said client using a personal computer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of configuring an automatic appliance according to claim 17 wherein said step of receiving includes a step of accessing an Internet site using a personal computer.
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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) | 2007-03-09 | 2007-09-08 | 2008-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-09 | 2011-09-08 | 2012-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-09 | 2015-09-08 | 2016-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |