Patent · US Active

Methods and apparatus for hardware registration in a network device

US9479404B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
135References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 29, 2012
Grant dateOct 25, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 29, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F9/541
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for control of a client device (e.g., consumer premises equipment in a cable network) using applications. In one aspect, an improved hardware registry is provided within the device with which the application(s) can interface to both identify and control available hardware resources. In one exemplary embodiment, the client device comprises a digital set-top box having digital video recording (DVR) capability. An application downloaded to the device discovers the registry and software interfaces associated therewith, and then utilizes the interfaces to automatically control the requisite hardware capability. Improved client device, network and head end configurations, as well as methods of operating these systems, are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.