Patent ID: 8819140
Filing Date: 2014-08-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for establishing a personal network, the method being implemented by one or more processors and comprising: A) enabling each of a plurality of devices to act as a member of the personal network, the plurality of devices including a first network device having a first set of capabilities, a second network device having a second set of capabilities, and a third network device having a third set of capabilities; B) interconnecting the plurality of devices in forming the personal network, wherein interconnecting the plurality of devices includes obtaining configuration information for each of the plurality of devices; C) configuring at least one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device to initiate communications with another of the first network device, second network device, or third network device in order to communicate its configuration information upon joining the personal network; D) establishing a network control repository using the configuration information obtained from the plurality of devices; the configuration information including (i) data identifying the first network device, data identifying whether the first network device is actively connected to the personal network, and data that is indicative of said first set of capabilities of the first network device, (ii) data identifying the second network device, data identifying whether the second network device is actively connected to the personal network and data indicative of said second set of capabilities of the second network device, and (iii) data identifying the third network device, data identifying whether the third network device is actively connected to the personal network and a third set of capabilities of the third network device; E) automatically and repeatedly updating the configuration information for the devices that are members of the personal network in the network control repository; F) enabling, using the configuration information stored in the network control repository, a user to select any one of the first network device, second network device or third network device, to operate in selecting (i) a media data source accessible to the second network device, and (ii) an output destination that can be selected by the user to be any one of the first network device, the second network device, or the third network device; and G) transmitting media data of the media data source accessible to the second network device, in response to the user selecting the media data source and the output destination, using the configuration information from the network control repository, from the second network device to the output destination.