The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 07, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 16, 1998
Stephen G. Perlman, Mountain View, CA (US);
WebTV Networks, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing interactive instructions directing a user how to establish interactivity between multiple consumer electronics devices. A first consumer electronics device is connected to the television set. The user is requested to identify another consumer electronics device to be connected to the first consumer electronics device or to the television set. The first consumer electronics device identifies the cables needed to establish the connection and then determines whether the user has the cables. If the user does not have the cables, they may be purchased online by the first consumer electronics device. Connection instructions describing how to establish the connection are displayed on the television set. After the user attempts to establish the connection, the first consumer electronics device optionally tests the connection to determine whether it is reliable and fully operable. If not, further instructions are displayed. In addition, establishing the connection may include coupling a cable to one of several identical, interchangeable connectors at the first consumer electronics device. Furthermore, establishing connectivity can involve configuring a remote control system to control multiple consumer electronics devices.