Systens and Methods For Electronic Communication

THELETTEREDIUT UNHOMWEERMANIUS 20170269797A1
(19)United States
(12)Patent Application Publication (10)Pub.No.: US 2017/0269797A1Lavian et al. (43) Pub. Date: Sep.21, 2017
(54) SYSTENSAND METHODS FOR
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
(71) Applicants:TalLavian, Sunnyvale, CA (US);Zvi
Or-Bach, San Jose, CA (US)
(72) Inventors: Tal Lavian, Sunnyvale,CA (US);Zvi
Or-Bach, San Jose, CA (US)
(21) Appl.No.:15/073,676
(52) U.S. CI.CPC ............ GOOF 3/0482 (2013.01); H04L 67/10
(2013.01); G06F 3/04842 (2013.01)
(57) ABSTRACT
Embodiments of the invention provide a system for enhanc
ing user interaction with the Internetof Things in a network.
The system includes a processor, and a memory . The
memory includes a database including one ormore options
corresponding to each ofthe Internetof Things.Further,the
memory includes instructions executable by the processor
for providing the options to a user for enabling the user to
selectat least one option therefrom . Further, the instructions
create a visualmenu based on information corresponding to
selection ofthe atleastone option. The visualmenu includes
one ormore objects corresponding to the Internetof Things.
Furthermore, the instructions receive a rating for the visual
menu from one ormore second users of the Internet of
Things.Additionally, instructions customize the visualmenu
based on thereceived rating.
(22) Filed: Mar. 18, 2016
Publication Classification
(51) Int. Cl.
GO6F 3/0482
GOOF 3/0484
H04L 29/08
(2006 .01)
(2006 .01)
(2006 .01)
104 I 106aRemote Device
102 Device
VMThings
108
Network ts 1066Remote Device
Remote Device 106c
Remote Device Ir 106n

1062
104
RemoteDevice
PatentApplication Publication
Device
102
106b
Network
RemoteDevice
VMThings108
RemoteDevice
1060
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 1 of 57
-106n
RemoteDevice
100
FIG.1A
US 2017/0269797 A1

Ir114
Server
102
104
110
Device
1062
RemoteDevice
WebPage
112a
Network
Is1066
RemoteDevice
UserID
1126
Password
L
RemoteDevice
106c
VMThings108
7106n
RemoteDevice
200
FIG.1B
US 2017/0269797 A1

br1062
RemoteDevice
118y
DisplayDevice
104
I
RemoteDevice
1066
116
AccessDevice
HE
Network
VMThings108
106c
RemoteDevice
Is106
RemoteDevice
300
FIG.10
US 2017/0269797 A1

Is106a
RemoteDevice
118
DisplayDevice
120
1106b
RemoteDevice
116
AccessDevice
ZigBeeNetwork
VMThings108
1106c
RemoteDevice
106n
RemoteDevice
FIG.1D
US 2017/0269797 A1

1106a
RemoteDevice
118
2
DisplayDevice
122
106b
RemoteDevice
AccessDevice
WiMAXNetwork
1
116
v
VMThings108
Is106c
RemoteDevice
|106n
RemoteDevice
FIG.1E
US 2017/0269797 A1

106a
RemoteDevice
118
118v
DisplayDevice
124
106b
RemoteDevice
AccessDevice
GSM
Network|
116
7
VMThings108
1-106c
RemoteDevice
Sep.21,2017 Sheet6 of 57
Is106n
RemoteDevice
FIG.1F
US 2017/0269797 A1

t
106a
120
RemoteDevice
Device
102
106b
ZigBee-Network
RemoteDevice
VMThings108
RemoteDevice
r106c
L
106n
RemoteDevice
FIG.1G
US 2017/0269797 A1

Is106a
122
RemoteDevice
wo
Device
102
1066
WiMAXNetwork
RemoteDevice
VMThings108
RemoteDevice
s106c
on
U106n
RemoteDevice
FIG.1H
US 2017/0269797 A1

106a
130
RemoteDevice
102
106b
Device
Internet
Local-Network
RemoteDevice
VMThings108
106c
RemoteDevice
128
106n
BridgeDevice
RemoteDevice
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.11

I202a
104
Service
Device
102
v
2026
"
Network
Service
VMThings108
Service
-2020
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 10 of 57
202n
Service
400
FIG.2A
US 2017/0269797 A1

Ir114
Server
102
Service
202a
104
Device110
WebPage
112a
UserID
K
Networks
12026
112b
Service
Password
Service
-2020
VMThings108
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 11 of 57
202n
Service
500
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.2B

12022
Service
118
1
DisplayDevice
104
I2026
Service
AccessDevice
ka
Network
116
V
VMThings108
12020
ServiceService
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 12 of 57
12021
Service
600
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.2C

-202a
Service
1187
DisplayDevice
120
202b
Service
AccessDevice
ZigBeeNetwork
116
u
VMThings108
2020
Service
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 13 of 57
202n
Service
FIG.2D
US 2017/0269797 A1

12022
Service
118
4
DisplayDevice
-202b
Service
AccessDevice
WiMAXNetwork
116
V
VMThings108
202c
Service
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 14 of 57
202n
Service
FIG.2E
US 2017/0269797 A1

7202a
Service
118
DisplayDevice
124
-202b
Service
AccessDevice
GSMNetwork
116
v
VMThings108
2020
Service
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 15 of 57
202n
Service
FIG.2F
US 2017/0269797 A1

12022
120
Service
102
DeviceVMThings108
ZigBeeNetwork
1202b
ServiceService Service
|2020
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 16 of 57
-202n
Service
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.2G

202a
122
Service
Device
102
202b
WiMAXNetwork
Service
VMThings108VMThings
Service
202c
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 17 of 57
Ir202n
Service
FIG.2H
US 2017/0269797 A1

202a
130
Patent Application Publication
Service
102
/202b
Device VMThings108
???
Internet
LocalNetwork
Service
/202c
Service
712859
Sep. 21,2017 Sheet 18 of 57
BridgeDevice
/202n
Service
US2017/0269797 A1
FIG.21

102
2
102
Device
Device
310-306a
Vehicle
308 s302
RemoteDevices
306b
S302
AC 4
Control
RemoteDevices
S3060
Camera
304
Services
306n
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 19 of 57
2
Microwaven
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.3A

102
2
102
S312
Device
Device
$314a
Entertainment
308
* *
302
* *
RemoteDevices
3146
Travel
* * *
304
*
4
*
Services
*
Control
*
53140Banking
*
-304
Services2
•314n
Hotelsn
*
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 20 of 57
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
FIG.3B
US 2017/0269797 A1

110b
102
110a
102
1102
(2)
1100
102102
Device
Device
WebPage
WebPage
302 RemoteDevices
s306a
Vehicle3
5306b
AC
302
RemoteDevices
-304
4
Services2
Serpent
306c
Camera5
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 21 of 57
:306
Microwaven
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.30

110a
110c
102
110a
102
oea
Device
Device
WebPage
302
RemoteDevices
WebPage
314a
Entertainment3
314b
Travel
304
304
Services
4.
Services2
3140
Banking
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 22 of 57
314n
•
Hotelsn
FIG.3D
US 2017/0269797 A1

Device
RemoteDevices
404a
4045
404e4042
Microwave
Vehicle
404d
Camera4
AC
404C404ckaOn
He
402
Car
Truck
Regulate
Off
6
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 23 of 57
404f
4049
404h
404
4041
Open10
Close11
404k
4041
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.4

-102
DeviceServices
-504a
5045
504d
Banking
Entertainment
Travel
5040
5040
502
XYZBank
|xvZbank
ABCBank
504f
he?bank1,504nunsonocontentscon
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 24 of 57
BankAccount
-504h
lg1CreditCards
8
CheckBill
504k
Account
Transfer
Details
9
10
5041
5041
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.5

Device
,602
1614
Display
RadioInterface
Is102
604
104104
,616
Processor
NetworkInterface
Network
606
6221
Memory
1618
Memory1620a
Card
GraphicalUserInterface608
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 25 of 57
Input/OutputInterface
-6206
Keyboard
Database
I6200
610
Mouse
VMThings612
USB
6200
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.6

AccessDevice
-712
702
RadioInterface
1
116
Processor
104
r714
7201
NetworkInterface
Network
704
Memory
716
718a
GraphicalUserInterface706
Input/OutputInterface
MemoryCard
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 26 of 57
787186
Keyboard
Database708
77180
Mouse
Ports
VMThings710
USB
1718d
722
US 2017/0269797 A1
FIG.7

PatentApplication Publication Sep.21,2017 Sheet 27 of 57 US 2017/0269797 A1
C StartStart
802 Access a database ofvisualaccessmenus
through a GUIat a device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
804 -
Display a visualaccess menu at the device
806 Display an enhanced visualaccess menu
based on a selection of an option by a user. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
808 Receive a selection ofa device option from a
user
810 Connectto a remote device based on
selection of the device option
812 Controlone ormore operations ofthe remote
device based on selection of the device
option
StopStop
FIG . 8

StartStart )
902 Access a database of visualaccessmenus
through a GUIat a device
904 Display a visualaccess menu atthe device
906 - Display an enhanced visualaccessmenu
based on a selection of an option by a user
908 v Receive a selection of a service option from
a user
910 | Connect to a service based on a selection of
the service option
912 Controland display information aboutthe
service based on selection of the service
option
Stop
FIG . 9

C StartStart
1002 Display a GUIfor accessing visualaccess
menus at thedevice
1004
10ofyRecivenaninputfromawineralthedeviceReceive an inputfrom a userof the device
1010 1006
YesWaitfor an
inputatthe
device
Is input is for
accessing
services?
-
No
1008
NO Is input is for
accessing
remote
devices?
Yes
V
1012
NoNo Yes
C
Is a visual
accessmenu
for remote
devices
available ?
FIG . 10A

1016
1014
NoIs a visual
access menu
for services
available ?
Retrieve
visual access
menu from a
server
1018 Yes
Display the visualaccess menu including
service options at the device
1020
Receive a selection of a service option from
the user
1024
1022
No
is information
for the
selected
service option
available ?
Receive
information
from the
server
1026 Yes
Display the informationbased on the received
selection
(ory StopStop
FIG . 10B

1028
Retrieve the visualaccess menu for the
remote devices from the server
1030
Display the visualaccessmenu including
device options at the device
1032
Receive a selection ofa device option from
the user
1034 Connect to a remote device based on the
received selection
1036 Controlthe remote device based on the one
ormore user inputs
FIG . 10C

StartStart )
1102 Open awebsite through a web browser at the
device
1104 Authenticate a user's identity atthe website
1106
4 Display a visualaccess menu at the device
1108
Receive an input from the user ofthe device
1110 Display an enhanced visualaccessmenu
when the input is for accessing remote
devices
1112 Receive a selection of a device option from
the user
1114 Connectto a remote device based on a
1116 Control one ormore operations ofthe remote
device based on the selection of the device
option
Stop
FIG .11

StartStart
1202 Open awebsite through aweb browser at the
device
180L1204 Authenticate user's identity at the website
1206 -
Display a visualaccessmenu at the device
1208
Receive an input from the user of the device
1210
DosarencontenentiDisplay an enhanced visualaccess menu
when the input is for accessing services
the user
1214 Connectto a service based on a selection of
the service option
1216 Controland display information about the
service based on selection ofthe service
option
StopStop )
FIG .12

Start
1302 Open a website through a web browser atthe
devicethroughawebbrowseratthe
1304 V
. Authenticate user's identity atthewebsite
1306 y Display a visual access menu atthe device
1308
Receive an inputfrom the userofthe device
1314
11310Wait for an
inputat the
device
YesYesIs input is for
accessing
services?
NO
1312
NO Yes
Yes -{
Is inputis for
accessing
remote
devices ?
B
FIG . 13A

1318 213
Is a visual
accessmenu
forservices
available ?
Retrieve visual
accessmenu
from a server
1320 Yes
Display the visual accessmenu including
service options atthe device
13222
Receive a selection ofa service option from
the user
1324 - 1326
NoIs information
forthe
selected
service option
available?
Receive
information
from the
server
1328 Yes
Display the information at the device based
on the received selection
Stop
FIG13B

1330 2
NO
Is a visual
access menu
forremote
devices
available atthe
device ?
1332
Retrieve the visual
accessmenu from
the server
Yes
1334 v Display the visualaccess menu including
device options atthe device
1336
Receive a selection ofa device option from
the user
received selection
ormore userinputs
FIG . 130

StartStart )
1402 Open awebsite through awebbrowseratthe
device
14041404 v Display a visualaccess menu atthe device
1406
Receive an input from the user ofthe device
1408 Display an enhanced visual accessmenu
when the input is for accessing remote
devices
1410 Receive a selection ofa device option from
the user
1412 Connect to a remote device based on a
**1414 Control one ormore operations of the remote
device based on the selection of the device
option
Stop
FIG .14

C StartStart )
1502 Access a database ofvisualaccessmenus
through a GUIat an access device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1504 Display a visualaccess menu at a display
device
?1506 Display, at the display device, an enhanced
visualaccessmenu based on a selection of
an option by a user
1508 Receive a selection of a device option from a
user
1510 Connectto a remote device based on
selection ofthe device option
1512 Controlone ormore operations of the remote
device based on selection of the device
option
Stop
FIG . 15

StartStart
1602 Access a database of visualaccess menus
through a GUIatan access device
1604 Display a visualaccessmenu at a display
device
1606 Display, at the display device, an enhanced
visualaccessmenu based on a selection of
an option by a user
1608
83Receive a selection of a service option from
a user
1610 Connect to a service based on a selection of
the service option
1612 Display information , at the display device,
about the service based on the selection of
the service option
Stop
FIG . 16

StartStart
1702 Display a GUI for accessing visualaccess
menus at a display device connected to an
access device
1704 y
Receive an inputfrom a userofthe device
1710 2 1706
Yes
mit A
Wait for an
input from the
user
Is input is for
accessing
services ?
NONo
1708
No Is input is for
accessing
remote
devices ?
Yes
1712
No YesYes
C
Is a visual
accessmenu
for remote
devices
available ?
FIG . 17A

1716
1714
NoIs a visual
accessmenu
for services
available? - Retrieve
visual access
menu from a
server
1718 Yes
Display the visualaccessmenu including
service options atthedevice
1720
the user
1724
1722
NoIs information
for the
selected
service option
available ?
Receive
information
from the
server
1726 Yes
Display the information based on the received
selection
D x StopStop )
FIG . 17B

1728 -
Retrieve the visual accessmenu for the
remote devices from the server
1730 7
Display the visualaccess menu including
device options at the display device
1732 Receive a selection ofa device option from
the user
received selection
ormore user inputs
FIG . 170

-1802
Device
LEO FIG.18A
Cop

1802
102b Device(Smartphone)
LEIALELE FIG.18B
1802
-102a Device(Smartphone)
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

102
w
Cockpit
1904a
1904b
·1904C
IVR
RemoteDeviceControl
ServicesControl
1904d
1904e
1904f
1902
Outlook
Calendar
OtherE-mails
19049
1904h
1904n
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 45 of 57
Messengers
Games
OtherObjects
FIG.19
US 2017/0269797 A1

106a
104
RemoteDevice
FirstDevice
2002
106b
Network
RemoteDevice
VMThings2004
I
RemoteDevice
1060
- -
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 46 of 57
SecondDevice
2010
2006
106n
RemoteDevice
VMThings2008
ProxyServer FIG.20A
US 2017/0269797 A1

1
2022
104
Service
FirstDevice
2002
202
Network
Service
VMThings108a
202c2020
-
Service
- -
SecondDevice
Sep.21,2017 Sheet 47 of 57
2006
202n
2010
*
Service
ProxyServer
**
VMThings108b
FIG.20B
US 2017/0269797 A1

StartStart
2102 Access a GUI for configuring a cockpit by a
firstuser at a firstdevice
2104 Configure the cockpit based on preferences
ofthe firstuser
2106 Share the cockpitwith oneormore second
users of the second devices
2108 | Translate the cockpit based on preference of
the one ormore second users
21101 Display the translated cockpitat the one or
more second devices
Stop
FIG . 21

StartStart
220 Access a GUI for configuring a cockpit at a
firstdevice by a firstuser
22041 Configure the cockpitbased on preferences
of the firstuser
2206 Share the cockpitwith one ormore second
users
2208
UUUUUTranslate the cockpitbased on preferenceof
the one ormore second users
2210 - Display the translated cockpit atone ormore
second devices of the one ormore second
users
2212 V Interactwith the cockpit at the second device
A
FIG . 22A

242214 v
oreStore interactionsofthe second userswith
the cockpitat a proxy serverin a networkpentru
2216 Ask for a permission from the first user in
case of a change in the cockpitby the one or
more seconduser
2218 Update the cockpitbased on the permission
from the firstuser
Stop
FIG . 22B

Start
through a GUIfor customizing a cockpit at a
device
2304 Search the database for a cockpitbased on
an inputfrom a user
2306 Customize the cockpit according to the user
preferences
2308 po
Display a customized cockpit atthe device
Stop
FIG . 23

C StartStart )
through a GUI for creating a cockpit at a
device
2404 Display one ormore configuration settings
options for creating the visualaccess menu
2406 Receive selection of one ormore settings
options from a user
2408 V Create the cockpitbased on the selection
received from the user
24102410 U Display the cockpit to the user
C StopStop
FIG . 24

Start
through a GUIfor creating a cockpit at a
device
2504 Display one ormore configuration options forcustomizing or creating the cockpit
2506 Create /configure the cockpitbased on the
selection received from the user
2508
UUUUUReceive a rating for the cockpit from other
users in a network
2510 Customize the cockpit based on the ratings of
the other users
2512
Display the customized cockpit at the device
StopStop )
FIG . 25

Start
2602 Create a firstcockpitby accessing a GUIfor
creating a cockpit at a firstdevice
2604 Download the first cockpitatone ormore
second devices
2606 Customize a second cockpit at the one or
more second devicesbased on the
downloaded first cockpit
2608 v Receive a ratingon the customized second
cockpit from other users in a network
2610 Download configuration settings ofthe
second cockpit at the first device based on
the users ratings
2612 Customize the first cockpit based on the
downloaded configuration settings
2614 1 Displaythe customized first cockpit atthe first
device
Stop
FIG . 26

C StartStart )
2702
Select a second cockpit ofone ormore
second user from a database, wherein a
profile of the second users is similar to profile
of a firstuser
2704 Analyze the second cockpit ofthe one or
more second users
2706 Create a first cockpit specific to the firstuser
based on the analysis of the second cockpit
ofthe second users
2708 Display the firstcockpit specific to the first
userat the device
Stop
FIG . 27

StartStart )
2802 21 Access a GUI for creating a cockpit at a first
device
2804 - Provide information about a second user
2806 1 Download configuration settings of a second
cockpit of the second user at the first device
2808 Create or customize a firstcockpit based on
the second cockpit ofthe second user
2810
Store the first cockpit at the first device
2812 y Displaythe first cockpitto the user
StopStop
FIG . 28

StartStart )
2902 Access a GUI for creating a cockpit at a
device
2904 Download a cockpit having good ratings at a
device from the internet
2906 Translate/customize the downloaded cockpit
according to a language preference ofa user
2908
Store the customized cockpitatthe device
2910
Display the customized cockpit at the device
Stop
FIG . 29

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
SYSTENS AND METHODS FOR
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
[0007] In lightofthe above discussion,systemsand meth
ods are desired for providing real-time controlof the elec
tronic devices and services from a remote location.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In -Part (CIP) of
U .S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/245,804
entitled ‘Systems andMethods for Electronic Communica
tions' filed on Sep. 26, 2011, Ser. No. 13/272,212 entitled
“Systemsand Methods for Electronic Communications' filed
on Oct. 12, 2011, and Ser. No. 13/273,187 entitled 'Systems
and Methods for Electronic Communications' filed on Oct.
13, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The presentinvention is related to electronic com
munications in a network and more specifically to systems
and method for accessing and controlling one or more
objects (physical or virtual) such as remote devices and
services from a remote location by a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electronic devicesare frequently used in day to day
life. The electronic devices may include television, refrig
erator, air conditioners, fans, tube lights, cameras or other
electronic equipments such as transmitters,antennasetc. All
the electronic devices consume power regularly or at fre
quentintervalsoftime. For efficientpower consumption,the
electronic devicesmust be controlled or switched ON /OFF.
[0004] Appliances such as fans, tube lights or microwave
may be controlled by regulating the electrical parameters
associated with the appliances. For example, a user may
controlspeed offan, regulate operating power of themicro
wave as per requirement. However, it requires physical
presence of the user to regulate or switch ON /OFF the
appliances. A technique for controlling the appliances by a
remote control device is well known. The remote control
device may transmit signals for controlling the appliances.
For example, the remote control devicemay simultaneously
control air conditioners, fans or cameras as per the require
ment. However, the technique is limited by location of the
user.Moreover, the technique is incapable of updating the
real-time status of the appliances to the user.
[0005] Another available technique discloses a smart
device for controlling the appliances. The smart device is
configured with internet and connected with the appliances.
A user connected with thesmart device via the internetmay
controlthe appliances from a remote location.Moreover, the
user may control the appliances by connecting with pro
cessing device via communication channel. The processing
device may be located nearby to the smart device and may
further receive signals from the user to control the appli
ances. However, the technique requires installation of a
smart device and/or processing device for controlling the
appliances from a remote location.
[0006] Another available technique discloses real-time
position monitoring of vehicles. The user maymonitor real
time coordinates of the vehicles based on the information
received from a transmitter located in the vehicle. The user
receives the position coordinates from the transmitter via a
GPS server 114. However, theuser is unable to controlor
update the positional coordinates of the vehicle as per
choice.
SUMMARY
[0008] Embodiments oftheinvention providea system for
enhancing user interaction with the Internet of Things in a
network . The system includes a processor, and a memory.
The memory includes a database including one or more
options corresponding to each of the Internet of Things.
Further, thememory includes instructions executable by the
processor forproviding theoptionsto a user for enabling the
user to select at least one option therefrom . Further, the
instructions create a visual menu based on information
corresponding to selection of the at least one option. The
visualmenu includes one ormore objects corresponding to
the Internet of Things. Furthermore, the instructionsreceive
a rating for the visualmenu from one ormore second users
ofthe InternetofThings.Additionally, instructionscustom
ize the visualmenubasedon thereceived rating,thereby the
system enhances interaction with the Internetofthings.
100091 Embodiments of the invention further provide a
system for enhancing interaction with the InternetofThings
in a network . The system includes a processor and amemory
coupled to the processor. The memory includes a database
and one or more instructions executable by the processor.
The database includes a first visualmenu corresponding to
a first user of the Internet of Things. The first visual menu
includes one ormore objectsto select the Internetof Things.
Further, the instructions create a second visualmenu corre
sponding to a second user. The second visualmenu is created
by analyzing the firstvisualmenu.Herein , profile of the first
user is similar to profile of the second user.
[0010) Further, embodiments of the invention provide a
system for enhancing interaction with the Internetof Things.
The system includes a processor and a memory coupled to
the processor. Thememory includes a database and one or
more instructions executable by the processor. The database
includes one or more options corresponding to each of the
things. The instructions provide the one ormore options to
a user for enabling the user to select at least one option
therefrom . Further, the instructionsreceive information cor
responding to the selection of the at least one option by the
user. Furthermore, the instructions create a visual menu
based on the received information.
[0011] Furthermore, embodiments ofthe invention further
providea system for enhancing interaction with the Internet
of Things. The system includes a processor and a memory
coupled to the processor. The memory includes a database
and one ormore instructions executable by the processor.
The database includesone ormore options corresponding to
each of the things. Further, the instructions are for providing
a second user information to a user, the second user infor
mation corresponds to a second user of the things. Further
more, theinstructions customize a firstmenu,corresponding
to the user, based on one ormore configuration settings of
a second menu corresponding to the second user.
[0012] Embodiments ofthe invention provide a system for
enhancing interaction ofa userwith objects connected to a
network. The system includes a processor, a display screen,
and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory
comprises a database including a listoftwo ormore objects
and instructions executable by the processor to display a
menu. Themenu is associated with atleast two independent

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
objects. Further, the two independentobjects are produced
by atleast two independent vendors.
[0013] Embodiments of the invention further provide a
system for enhancing interaction of a user with objects
connected to a network. The system includes a processor, a
display screen and a memory coupled to the processor. The
memory includes a database comprising a listof oneormore
objects and instructions executable by the processor to
display it to the user. The menu includes icon which may
indicate one objectmade by a vendor. Further, the icon is
substantially differentthan the one provided by said vendor.
[0014] Embodiments of the invention provide a method
for accessing and controlling remote devices in a network .
The method includes accessing a database of visual access
menus through a graphical user interface (GUI) at a device.
Further, the method includes displaying a visual access
menu at thedevice. The visual accessmenumay include one
or more options. The device may include an Internet of
Things application such as a VMThings for displaying the
visual access menu at the device. The VMThings also
enables a user of the device to control the remote devices.
The VMThingsmay be configured to create an Internet of
Things menu including representations of recognizable
objects. The objects may be physical objects or virtual
objects. The Internet of Things menu may be a menu of
identifiable objects (physical or virtual objects) connected in
an Internet like structure. The usermay control the remote
devices irrespective of the location of the remote devices
through the visual access menu. The user may select an
option from the visual access menu. The method further
includes displaying an enhanced visual access menu based
on a selection of an option received from the user. The
enhanced visual access menu may include one or more
device optionsdepending on the selection oftheoption. The
device options are representation corresponding to the
remote devices. The method further includes receiving a
selection of a device option from the user. The method
further includes connecting to a remote device based on the
selection of the device option. Further,the method includes
controlling the one or more operations of the connected
remote device based on the selection of the device option.
[0015] Embodiments of the invention provide a method
for accessing and controlling services from a remote loca
tion. The method includes accessing,by a user of a device,
a database of visual access menus through a graphical user
interface (GUI) at the device.Further, themethod includes
displaying a visual access menu at the device. The visual
accessmenumay include one ormore options. The device
may include an Internet of Things application i.e. a
VMThings for displaying the visual access menu at the
device. Further, the VMThings may create an Internet of
Things menu including one or more identifiable objects
connected to each other in an Internet like structure. The
VMThingsmay display visual accessmenu at the device to
enable the user to control the remote services. The method
further includes displaying an enhanced visualaccess menu
based on a selection of an option received from theuser. The
service optionsdepending on the selection ofthe option. The
service options are representation corresponding to the ser
vices. The method further includes receiving a selection of
a service option from the user. Themethod further includes
connecting to a servicebased on the selection ofthe service
option. Further,themethod includes connecting the device
to the service. Furthermore, themethod includes controlling
and displaying information about the service at the device
based on the selection ofthe service option.
[0016] Embodiments of the invention also provide a
device for accessing and controlling remote devices in a
network. The device may include an Internet of Things
application i.e.a VMThings configured to enable a user of
the device to access a database including visual access
menus through a GUI. Further, theVMThings is configured
to create an Internet of Thingsmenu including one ormore
identifiable objects connected in an Internet like structure.
The VMThingsmay display a visual accessmenu including
one or more options at the device. Further, the VMThings
may display an enhanced visual access menu atthe device
based on a selection ofan option received from theuser. The
device options depending on the selection ofthe option. The
remote devices. The VMThingsmay further receive a selec
tion of a device option from the user. The VMThingsmay
also connect the device to a remote device based on the
selection of the device option. The VMThingsmay control
one or more operations of the connected remote device
based on the selection of the device option.
[0017] Embodiments of the invention also provide a
device for accessing and controlling services in a network
from a remote location. The device may include an Internet
of Things application such as a VMThings configured to
enable a user of the device to access a database including
visualaccess menus through a GUI. The VMThings is also
configured to display a visual accessmenu including one or
more options at the device. Further, the VMThings may
display an enhanced visualaccessmenu atthe device based
on a selection of an option received from the user. The
service optionsdepending on the selection of theoption. The
service options are representation corresponding to the ser
vices located remotely. The VMThings may further receive
a selection ofa serviceoption from theuser. The VMThings
may also connect the device to a service based on the
selection of the service option. The VMThingsmay control
and display information ofthe service t the devicebased on
the selection ofthe service option.
[0018] Embodiments ofthe invention also provide a sys
tem for accessing and controlling remote devices. The
system includes a display device configured to display one
ormore visualaccessmenus. Further, the system includes an
access device connected to the display device. The access
device may include an Internet of Things application i.e. a
VMThings configured to display the one or more visual
access menus including one ormore options to control the
remote devices, at the display device. The user may create
or configure an Internet of Thingsmenu through a Graphical
User Interface at the device. In an embodiment of the
invention, the VMThings may be configured to create the
Internet of Thingsmenu. The VMThings is further config
ured to enable a user of the access device to access a
database including the visual access menus through a GUI.
The VMThings may display an enhanced visual access
menu atthe devicebased on a selection ofan option received
from the user. Theenhanced visual accessmenumay include
one ormore device optionsdepending on the selection ofthe
option. Thedevice options are representation corresponding
to the remote devices. The VMThingsmay further receive a

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
selection of a device option from the user. The VMThings
may also connectthe device to a remote devicebased on the
selection of the device option. The VMThings may control
one or more operations of the connected remote device
based on the selection of the device option.
[0019] Embodiments of the invention also provide a sys
tem for accessing and controlling services in a network from
a remote location. The system may include a display device
configured to display one or more visual access menus.
Further, the system may include an access device connected
to the display device. The access device may include an
Internetof Things application i.e. a VMThings configured to
display the one ormore visual access menus including one
ormore options to controlthe remote devices at the display
device. The VMThings is further configured to enable a user
ofthe access device to access a database including the visual
accessmenus through aGraphicalUser Interface (GUI).The
GUImay be used for creating an Internet of Things Menu
including a plurality ofidentifiable objects in a network like
structure. The identifiable objectsmay be physicalobjectsor
virtual objects. Further, the VMThings may display an
enhanced visual access menu at the device based on a
selection ofthe option received from the user. The enhanced
visualaccess menumay includeone ormore service options
depending on the selection ofthe option. The serviceoptions
are representation corresponding to the services. The
VMThings may further receive a selection of a service
option from the user. The VMThings may also connect the
device to a remote device based on the selection of the
service option. The VMThings may control and display
information about the service based on the selection of the
service option.
10020) Embodiments of the invention further provide a
method for accessingand controlling the remote devices in
a network through a web browser. The method includes
opening a webpage in theweb browser ata device including
a VMThings. Themethodmay further include displaying a
visualaccessmenu at the device. The VMThingsmay create
or display the visual access menu or an Internet of Things
menu at the device. The Internet of Things menu may
include a plurality ofrepresentations corresponding to iden
tifiable objects. The identifiable objects may be physical
objects or virtual objects. The visual access menu may
include one or more options. Further, the method includes
displaying an enhanced visual access menu at the device
based on a selection of an option received from the user. The
device options depending on the selection ofthe option. The
remote devices. The method further includes receiving a
selection of a device option from the user. The method
further includes connecting to a remote device based on the
selection of the device option. Further,the method includes
connecting the device to the remote device based on the
selection of the device option . Further, the method includes
controlling the one or more operations of the connected
remote device based on the selection of the device option.
[0021] Embodiments of the invention further provide a
method for accessing and controlling the services in a
network through a web browser. Themethod includes open
ing a webpage in the web browser at a device including an
Internet of Things application i.e. a VMThings. The
VMThings is configured to enable a user of the device to
access a database including the visualaccessmenus through
a GUI. The method further includes displaying a visual
accessmenu atthe device. The VMThingsmay display the
visual access menu at the device. The visual access menu
may include one or more options. Further, the method
includes displaying an enhanced visual accessmenu at the
device based on a selection of an option received from the
user. The enhanced visual accessmenumay include one or
more service options depending on the selection of the
option . The service options are representation corresponding
to the service. The method further includes receiving a
selection of a service option from the user. The method
further includes connecting to a service based on the selec
tion of the service option. Further, the method includes
connecting the device to the remote device based on the
selection ofthe service option .Further,the method includes
controlling and displaying the information of the service
based on the selection of the service option.
10022] An aspect of the invention is to enable a user to
control one or more operations of the remote devices or
services through voice commands or gestures or handmove
ments. For example, the user may switch on an air condi
tioner (AC ) by showing a thumb up gesture in front of the
device. The device may include a camera to detect the
gesture. The VMThingsatthe device (oraccess device)may
analyzethegestureandcontrolaremote device based on the
analysis.
[0023] An aspect of the invention is to transfer display of
a device to another device. The another device may be
connected to the device through wireless means.
10024] Another aspect of the invention is to create a data
base of visual access menus or enhanced visual access
menus. The visual access menus or the enhanced visual
access menus are the visual menus for controlling one or
more objects such as,butarenot limited to, remote devices,
services, and so forth .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Having thus described the invention in general
terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying
drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:
f0026 FIG . 1A illustrates an exemplary environment, in
accordance with an first embodimentof the invention ;
[0027] FIG . 1B illustrates another exemplary environ
ment, in accordancewith the first embodimentof the inven
tion ;
0028] FIG . 1C illustrates yet another exemplary environ
ment, in accordance with the first embodimentof the inven
tion;
[0029] FIG . 1D illustrates an environment based on a
ZigBee network, in accordance with the first embodimentof
the invention;
[0030] FIG . 1E illustrates an environment based on a
WiMAX network, in accordance with the first embodiment
of the invention ;
[0031] FIG . 1F illustrates an environment based on a
GlobalSystem forMobile Communication (GSM ) network ,
in accordance with the first embodimentof the invention;
[0032] FIG . 1G illustrates an environmentbased on a
ZigBee network , in accordancewith the first embodimentof
the invention;
[0033] FIG . 1H illustrates an environment based on a
WMAX network , in accordance with the first embodiment
of the invention ;

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
[0034] FIG . 11 illustrates an environment based on a
combination of a localnetwork and the Internet, in accor-
dance with the first embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG . 2A illustrates an exemplary environment, in
accordance with a second embodiment of the invention ;
[0036 ] FIG . 2B illustrates another exemplary environ
ment, in accordance with the second embodiment of the
invention;
[0037] FIG . 2C illustrates yet another exemplary environ
ment, in accordance with the second embodiment of the
invention;
10038] FIG . 2D illustrates an environment based on a
ZigBeenetwork , in accordance with thesecond embodiment
of the invention;
10039] FIG . 2E illustrates an environment based on a
WiMAX network, in accordance with the second embodi
ment of the invention;
[0040] FIG . 2F illustratesan environmentbased on a GSM
network, in accordance with the second embodimentof the
invention;
[0041] FIG . 2G illustrates an environment based on a
ZigBee network , in accordance with thesecond embodiment
of the invention;
0042] FIG . 2H illustrates an environment based on a
WMAX network, in accordance with the second embodi
ment of the invention;
10043] FIG . 21 illustrates an environment based on a
combination of a localnetwork and the Internet, in accor
dance with the second embodiment ofthe invention;
(0044) FIG . 3A illustrates an exemplary visual access
menu and enhanced visual access menu at a device, in
accordance with the first embodiment of the invention;
[0045] FIG . 3B illustrates an exemplary visual access
menu and enhanced visual access menu at the device, in
accordance with second embodiment of the invention;
[0046] FIG .3C illustrates anotherexemplary visualaccess
accordance with first embodimentof the invention;
10047 ] FIG . 3D illustrates another exemplary visualaccess
accordance with second embodiment of the invention;
[0048] FIG . 4 illustrates an exemplary enhanced visual
access menu including one or more device options, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention .
[0049] FIG . 5 illustrates an exemplary enhanced visual
access menu including one or more service options, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0050] FIG . 6 illustrates exemplary components of a
device, in accordance with an embodimentofthe invention;
[0051] FIG . 7 illustrates exemplary components of an
access device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention ;
[0052] FIG . 8 illustrates a flow diagram for controlling
remote devices, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
remote services, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0054] FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 100 illustrate a flow diagram
for controlling objects by using a device in a network , in
accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;
remote devices by using a web browser at a device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
remote services by using a web browser at a device, in
accordance with an embodimentof the invention;
[0057] FIGS. 13A,13B,and 13C illustrate a flow diagram
for controlling objects in a network through a web browser
at a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention; and
remote devices through a website, in accordance with
another embodiment ofthe invention;
10059] FIG . 15 illustrates a flow diagram for controlling
remote devices by using an access device in a network, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention ;
remote services by using an access device in a network , in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0061] FIGS. 17A,17B ,and 17C illustrate a flow diagram
for controlling objects in a network devices through an
access device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0062] FIG . 18A illustrates an exemplary display of
images of remote devices, in an embodiment of the inven
tion ;
[0063] FIG . 18B illustrates transfer of an exemplary dis
play of images from a device to another device, in an
embodiment of the invention;
[0064] FIG . 19 illustratesan exemplary display ofa cock
pit at the device, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe
invention;
[0065] FIGS. 20A -20B illustrates exemplary environ
ments for providingaccess ofthe cockpitofa userto other
users, in accordance with an embodimentof the invention;
[0066] FIG . 21 illustrates a flow diagram for providing
access controlofthe cockpit to one ormore second users, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention ;
[0067] FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate a flow diagram for
providing access control of the cockpit to one or more
secondusers, in accordancewith anotherembodimentofthe
invention;
[0068] FIG .23 illustrates a flow diagram for customizing
a cockpitbased on user's preference,in accordance with an
embodimentof the invention;
[0069] FIG . 24 illustrates a flow diagram for configuring
a cockpit, in accordance with an embodiment of the inven
tion ;
[0070] FIG . 25 illustrates a flow diagram for customizing
a cockpitbased on other users' reviews, in accordancewith
an embodiment of the invention;
[0071] FIG . 26 illustrates a flow diagram for downloading
and customizing a cockpit at a second device, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
[0072] FIG . 27 illustrates a flow diagram for configuring
a cockpit based on another cockpit of other user, in accor
dance with an embodiment of the invention ;
[0073] FIG .28 illustrates a flow diagram for configuring
a cockpit based on another cockpit of other user, in accor
dance with another embodiment ofthe invention; and
[0074] FIG . 29 illustrates a flowchart for downloading a
cockpit from a network, in accordancewith an embodiment
of the invention .

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION
[0075] Illustrative embodiments ofthe invention now will
be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the
accompanyingdrawings, in which some,butnot allembodi
ments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may
be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;
rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclo
sure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like num
bers refer to like elements throughout.
[0076] FIG .1A illustrates an exemplary environment 100,
in accordancewith a first embodimentofthe invention. The
first embodiment describes functionality of an Internet of
Things application i.e. a VMThings 108 for controlling a
plurality of remote devices 106a-n . A user may create or
configure an Internet of Thingsmenu or cockpit foraccess
ing or controlling the plurality of remote devices 106a-n at
a device 102 . In an embodiment of the invention , the
VMThings 108 may configure or create the Internet of
Things menu or the cockpit. The Internet of Thingsmenu
may include representations ofone ormore recognizable or
identifiable objects such as, but are not limited to, remote
devices 106a-n or services in an Internet or network like
structure. The one or more identifiable objects may be
physical or virtual objects. In an embodimentofthe inven
tion, a graphical user interface (GUI) may be used by the
user for creating the Internet of Things Menu. The objects
maybethe remote devices 106a-n or services. Theusermay
use the device 102 for connecting to a plurality of remote
devices 106a-n through a network 104 through the Internet
of Thingsmenu . The device 102 maybe used by the user to
control a plurality of objects in the network 104. The
VMThings 108 may control one or more operations of the
plurality ofobjects. In an embodimentofthe invention, the
objects may include remote devices 106a-n . In another
embodimentofthe invention, theobjectsmay be services as
described in FIG . 2A -I. In yet another embodimentof the
invention, the objects may be combination of the remote
devices 106a-n and services. In an embodiment of the
invention, the device 102 can be a portable device capable
ofcommunicating and connectingto other devices such as
the remote devices 106a-n. The device 102 may have a
display screen. In an embodiment of the invention, the
device 102 may have a limited display ormay not have a
display at all. Example of the device 102 may include a
mobile phone, a smart phone, a computer, a personaldigital
assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop, and so forth.
[00771 The network 104 can be a wired network or a
wireless network or a combination of these . The wireless
network may use wireless technologies to provide connec
tivity among various devices. Examples of the wireless
technologies include, but are not limited to, WMAX, fixed
wireless data, ZigBee, Radio Frequency 4 for Consumer
Electronicsnetwork (RF4CE), HomeRF, IEEE 802.11, 4G
orLong Term Evolution (LTE), Bluetooth, Infrared,spread
spectrum , Near Field Communication (NFC ), Global Sys
tems for Mobile communication (GSM ), Digital-Advanced
Mobile Phone Service (D -AMPS). The device 102 is con
nected to theplurality ofremote devices 106a-n through the
network 104.Examples of the wired network include, but
are notlimited to,LocalAreaNetwork (LAN ),Metropolitan
Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and so
forth. In an embodiment of the invention, the network 104
is the Internet.
[0078] The plurality of remote devices 106a-n can be
electronic equipments such as,butare not limited to,house
hold devices including electric lights,water pump, genera
tor, fans, television (TV ), cameras,microwave, doors , win
dows, computer, or garage locks, security systems, air
conditioners (AC ), and so forth . In an embodiment of the
invention, the plurality ofthe remote devices 106a -n can be
vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans, and so forth . In an
embodiment of the invention, the VMThings 108 may
present a standard menu (or a standard visual access menu)
for controlling all remote devices 106a-n to the user. The
user may be provided with different visual access menus
based on the location of the remote devices 106a-n. For
example, the user may be displayed with different visual
access menus for remote devices present in office, home,
factory, and so forth. In another embodiment of the inven
tion , the VMThings 108may display a customized menu at
the device 102 based on user preferences and/or access
pattern. In an embodiment of the invention, the user may
configure the VMThings 108 to control remote devices
106a-n present in more than one building. The buildings
maybepresentatdifferentlocations.Similarly,theusermay
control the one or more remote devices 106a -n located in
his/her office from the home. For example, the user may
controldoorofhis/heroffice cabin,may switch on or switch
off his/her office computer/laptop,AC , and so forth. In an
embodiment of the invention, the usermay control opera
tions of one or more remote devices 106a-n present in a
factory from the home. Further, the user may access the
plurality of remote devices 106a-n from a remote location
by using thedevice 102. Further, the usermay use the same
device 102 for controlling the remote devices located at
different locations such as office, factory, home, etc. The
user doesn 't have to carry differentormultiple devices for
controlling different remote devices 106a-n. The device 102
may include a database including a list of one or more
objects. In an embodimentof the invention, the device 102
may include audio or visual menus of the one or more
objects i.e. ofthe remote devices 106a-n. The device 102
may include visual access menus and/or enhanced visual
accessmenus corresponding to various objects. The visual
accessmenu may provide an interface to the user to control
theoneormore objects such as remote devices 106a-n. The
visual access menu may include one ormore options such
as, but are not limited to a remote devices option, services
option, and so forth . In an embodiment of the invention, the
visual access menus at the device 102 may be updated
regularly atpredefined time intervalsuch as after every two
days, or once a week. The enhanced visual access menus
may include one or more device options. In an embodiment
of the invention, the device 102 may include a touch
sensitive display. In such a scenario, theusermay access the
one or more options or the device optionsby touching the
options directly. In an embodimentofthe invention, the user
may connect to the one or more objects such as the remote
devices 106a-n through applications such as, but are not
limited to, Skype, Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger,Magic
Jack, and so forth.
[0079] Further,thedevice 102may includethe VMThings
108 which is configured to enable the user to access the
visual access menus through a Graphical User Interface

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
(GUI)atthedevice 102. The VMThings 108 may enable the
user to control the remote devices 106a-n irrespective of
their location through the network 104. The VMThings 108
may display the one or more visual access menus at the
device 102. Further, the device 102 may include visual
access menus associated with at least two independent
objects. In an embodimentofthe invention, the two at least
two independent objects may be produced by two indepen
dent vendors,In an embodimentofthe invention, the device
may include vendor specific visual access menus or
enhanced visual access menus for the remote devices 106a
n . Further,the device 102may also includestandard menu (s)
for accessing the objects. The VMThings 108 may display
the visualaccess menu depending on the independent ven
dor(s ) of the one or more objects. In another embodimentof
the invention, the VMThings 108 may display a visual
access menu which is not provided by either of the at least
two independent vendors of the at least two independent
objects. In an embodiment of the invention, the user may
access and controlone ormore of theremote devices 106a- n
from the remote location by using the device 102. For
example, the user may use his smart phone to access and
operate a microwave at his/her home from his/her office.
Further, the user can use the device 102 at one location to
monitor and regulate one ormore operations of the remote
devices 106a-n present at another location. The one ormore
operationsmay be, such as,but are not limited to,switch on,
switch off,regulate, and so forth .
[0080]. Further, the visual access menus may include at
least one icon indicating one or more objects such as the
remote devices 106a-n . Further, the icon is substantially
different than the icons provided in the visual access menu
provided by the vendor. Further, the remote devices 106a-n
may be grouped into various categories such as,but are not
limited to , electronics appliances, home devices, buildings,
doors,room appliances, switches,floor wise, and so forth .
Further, the remote devices 106a-n may be grouped accord
ing to location of the remote devices, such as homedevices,
office devices, garages devices, factory devices, home2
devices, farm house devices, and so forth . The VMThings
108 ofthe device 102 may store visual access menus and
enhanced visual access menus corresponding to the remote
devices 106a-n based on the various categories of the remote
devices 106a-n . Each of the remote devices 106a-n may
have a unique remote device identity (ID ). In an embodi
ment ofthe invention, the user may require to register the
remote devices 106a-n with the device 102 so that the
remote devices 106a -n may be controlled by using the
VMThings 108. In an embodimentofthe invention, theuser
may be required to authenticate or prove his/her identity at
device 102 or for theremote devices 106a-n before control
ling one ormore operationsofthe remote devices 106a-n.
[0081] Further, the VMThings 108 may display an
enhanced visual access menu corresponding to the remote
devices 106a-n . The enhanced visual access menu may
include one ormore device options. The device optionsmay
be displayed as graphics or icons and/or textrepresentations
of the remote devices 106a-n . For example, a car may be
displayed for representing the car option. The user may
control the remote devices 106a-n by selecting a device
option from thedevice options atthe device 102.Further,the
enhanced visual access menu may display the grouping or
categoriesofthe remote devices 106a-n . TheVMThings 108
may also translate the visual accessmenu or the enhanced
visual access menu from a first language to a second
language. Examples of the first language and the second
language may include, but are not limited to , Spanish ,
French,English, Sanskrit, Hindi,Urdu, Arabic, and so forth .
For example, the VMThingsmay translate an English visual
accessmenu into a French visualaccessmenu and thereafter,
itmay be displayed at the device 102. The VMThings 108
may display the visual access menu or the enhanced visual
accessmenu atthe device 102 based on the user's preferred
language.
[0082] The user may select an option from the visual
accessmenu oran enhanced visual accessmenu. Further, the
user may select an option (or device options) by using a
combination ofkeys on a keypad of the device 102. In an
embodimentof the invention, the user may select an option
by clickingthe option or the device option by usingamouse
device. In an embodiment of the invention, the user may
select an option by touching the screen of the device 102.
For example, if theuserwants to switch on an air conditioner
(AC) on way towards home, the user can select or enter an
appropriatekey combination onthedevice 102 ormaytouch
(in case of touch sensitive display at the device 102) an
option of the visual access menu correspondingto the AC.
[0083] In one embodiment, the user can give a voice
command to the device 102. Based on the input received by
the device 102, the air conditioner may be switched on
automatically. Further,the user can also regulate the cooling
of the room by changing temperature settings of the air
conditioner. After connecting the device 102 to one ormore
of the remote devices 106a-n , the user can control the one
ormoreoperations such as,butare notlimited to,switch on,
switch off, reduce temperature, and so forth from a distant
location withoutbeing physically present at the location . In
one embodiment, the remote devices 106a-n can be security
camerasor alarm station installed at the home location ofthe
user.
[0084] In an embodiment of the invention, the usermay
selectan option by making gestures or hand movements at
thedevice.For example,theusermay do a thumbup gesture
to switch on an appliance at homeormay do a thumb down
gesture to switch off the same. Similarly, the user may do
other gestures such as,but arenot limited to,waving a hand,
nodding head, smiling, blinking an eye, and so forth . In an
embodiment of the invention , the device may include a
camera for detecting the gestures or hand movements. In an
embodiment of the invention , the VMThings 108 may be
configured to analyze and interpret the gestures and hand
movements. Further, the VMThings 108 may include stored
gesturesdefinedbythe user atdevice 102andmay compare
ormatch the real time gestures with the stored gestures. The
device may include a software or hardware such asmicro
phone for detecting the voice commands or audio inputs.
[0085] In another embodiment of the invention, the
VMThings 108 may be configured to analyze the voice
commands and audio inputs received from the user through
voice recognition. Further, the user may select the option
from an Internet of Thingsmenu through voice command(s )
for controlling the remote devices 106a-n. The device 102
may include a list of voice commands and action to be taken
corresponding to each command. The VMThings 108 may
compare and match the received voice command with the
stored list and thereafter may take an action based on the
comparison. In an exemplary scenario , the user at officemay
switch on the AC present athomeby accessing the visual

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
access menu and saying “ switch off the AC' on the device
102 (or a smart phone). In an embodimentofthe invention,
speech /voice recognition may be used to analyze the voice
instructions or commands received from the user to control
the remote devices 106a- n . In an embodimentofthe inven
tion , thedevice 102 may receive a call from the oneormore
objects such as a remote device. In such a case, the
VMThings 108 may display a visual access menu of the
calling object.
[0086 In an embodimentof the invention, the VMThings
108 may determine location of the device or the plurality of
objects such as the remote devices 106a-n . In an embodi
ment of the invention , the selection of the option may be
automatic based on one ormore predefined instructions of
the user of the device 102. For example, the predefined
instruction may be like switch on theAC at6 PM ,switch off
the TV at 2 PM , and close the door ofthe garage. The remote
devices 106a-n may be controlled according to these pre -
defined instructions irrespectiveofthe location ofthe user or
the device 102.
[0087] In an embodiment ofthe invention, one ormore
signalsmay be generated and transmitted by the device 102
based on the selection of the option or an input received
from the user. The signals may be transmitted to the remote
devices 106a -n through the network 104. The remote
devices 106a-n may be controlled based on the signals
received from the device 102. In an embodiment of the
invention , the device 102 may receive an alert message(s )
regarding the operational condition of the remote devices
106a-n . For example, an alert message like Car door left
opened'maybe received by the user at his/hermobile phone
for a car standing in a parking area. In an embodimentof the
invention, the alertmessagemaybe received through at least
oneofan SMS, an MMS, an instantmessage, an e-mail, a
phone call, turn on of display of device when it's off, and so
forth . In another embodimentof the invention, the user may
further receive alertmessage as pop messages at the device
102, at a GPA system , ata multi function display of a car of
the user,ata TV, at a picture frame, and so forth. Thereafter,
the usermay control oroperate thecar doorthrough his/her
smart phone and from theoffice itself. There is no need for
him to rush to the parking area for closing the door. In an
embodiment of the invention, the user may receive alert
messages ata predefined timeperiod.For example, theuser
may receive the alert messages regarding the connected
remote devices 106a-n after every 1 hour, 2 hour, 30
minutes, and so forth.
[0088]. Further, the displayed Internet of Things menu or
the visual access menu may extend or change based on the
user selection of the option from the visualaccess menu. In
another embodiment of the invention, the device 102 may
receive images, videos, audios, related to the remote devices
106a-n at thepredefined time period.Further,thedevice 102
may receive real-time information, such as,butis notlimited
to, images, video etc. of the plurality of the remote devices
106a -n . In an exemplary scenario , theuser can monitorand
control real-time operation of the remote devices 106a-n
such as one or more vehicles based on the information
received through thenetwork 104. For example,the user can
receive images or videos ofthe one ormore vehicles on the
device 102. Further, the VMThings 108 may display these
images of remote devices 106a-n to the user. The user can
send instructions or voice response to the one or more
vehicles through the network 104. For example,the user can
track position ofthe one ormore vehicles in real-time from
the device 102 at another location.
100891. In an embodiment of the invention, the enhanced
visual access menus corresponding to the remote devices
106a-n may be stored at a server 114 in thenetwork 104. As
discussed with reference to FIG . 1B , the user of the device
102 may access the visualaccess menus corresponding to
the remote devices 106a-n through a web browser in an
exemplary environment 200. The environment 200 may
include the device 102 such as a smart phone capable of
connecting to thenetwork 104 (or the Internet) via theweb
browser. In an embodiment of the invention, the remote
devices 106a-n may be controlled via a local wireless
communication or localnetwork. In an embodiment of the
invention,the remote devices 106a-n may be connected to
a bridge device thatmay furtherbe connected to theInternet.
Theweb browser may beused to connect to the Internet and
in turn to the local network. Examples of the web browser
include, but are not limited to , Internet Explorer, Google
Chrome,Mozilla Firefox, NetscapeNavigator,and so forth .
The user can enter a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) such
as,'www.ABC .com ’in the web browser to access a website
including a database. The database at thewebsitemay store
a plurality ofvisualaccessmenus orInternetofThingsmenu
or cockpit or enhanced visual access menus associated with
the remote devices 106a-n . The enhanced visual access
menusare visual access menus corresponding to the remote
devices 106a-n. Each ofthe enhanced visual access menus
may include one ormore device options. In an embodiment
ofthe invention, the databasemay be present in the network
104 .
[0090] A webpage 110 maybe displayed atthe device 102
corresponding to theURL entered by the user. The user may
be required or asked to authenticate his/her identity before
accessing the visual access menus. The displayed webpage
110 may include one ormore data request fields 112a-b
where the usermay enter his/her details. In an embodiment
of the invention , the user may access various visual access
menus by authenticating at the website by entering his/her
login details such as, but are not limited to , password, used
ID ,e-mail ID ,date ofbirth,and so forth, in theone ormore
data request fields 112a-b. Though not shown,but a person
skilled in the art will appreciate, that the webpage 110 may
includemore than two data request fields 112a -b . The one or
more of options of the visual accessmenus or the enhanced
visual access menusmay be displayed to the user athis/her
device 102.
[0091] In an embodiment of the invention, the user may
create personalized visual access menus for controlling
his/her personal devices of the remote devices 106a-n . In an
embodiment of the invention , the user may configure or
create an Internet of things menu for controlling remote
devices.TheInternetof Thingsmenumay includeaplurality
of representations corresponding to identifiable objects such
as the remote devices 106a-n. Further, the user may cus
tomize the Internet of Things menu based on his/her pref
erences such as, but not limited to, language preference,
theme preference, color preference, font size preference,
device preference, service preference, and so forth. The
VMThings 108 may display customized or personalized
visual accessmenu at the device 102. In an embodimentof
the invention, the VMThings 108 may display visual access
menu at a second display connected to the device 102. The
usermay selectan option from themultiple options of the

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
visual accessmenu. The enhanced visual access menu (or
the Internet of Thingsmenu)may be displayed at the device
based on the selection ofan option by the user at the device
102. In an embodiment of the invention , a connection may
be established between the user device 102 and the remote
devices 106a-n based on the selection of the option by the
user. Thereafter, the user can access and control theremote
devices 106a-n irrespective of a location of the user. The
user may not have to be in front of or close to the remote
device 106a-n for controlling the operations of the remote
devices 106a-n .
[0092] FIG . 10 illustrates another exemplary environment
300, in accordance with the first embodiment of the inven
tion . An access device 116 may be connected to a display
device 118. The access device 116 may access and control
the plurality of remote devices 106a-n connected through
the network 104. The access device 116 may be any device
capable of data and/or voice communications through the
network 104 ortheremotedevices 106a-n. Examples of the
access device 116 include,but are notlimited to , a router, a
telephone, a set top box, a hub , a gateway, a printer, a music
system , a mobile phone, a PDA, a smart phone, a picture
frame, and so forth. In an embodiment of the invention, the
access device 116 may not have a display or may have
limited display capability. The access device 116 may
include a plurality of ports for connecting to the network
104,and/or the display device 118. The plurality ofports can
be such as, butare notlimited to, parallel ports, serialports,
DB- 2 connector, IEEE 1284, IEEE 1394 ports, 8P8C ports,
PS/2 ports, RS-232 ports,Registered Jack (RJ) 45 ports,RJ
48 ports, VGA port, Small Computer System Interface
(SCSI) ports,USB ports,DB-25 ports, and so forth.
[0093] Examples of the display device 118 may include,
but are not limited to, a television, a Liquid CrystalDiode
(LCD ) display, a Light Emitting Diode (LED ) display, a
projector screen , a computer, a laptop, a tablet computer, a
picture frame, a tablet computer, and so forth . The access
device 116 may provide a network interface to the display
device 118. The user may use the access device 116 for
connecting to the network 104 . Moreover, the user can
access the remote devices 106a-n connected to thenetwork
104 by using the access device 116. In this embodiment of
the invention, once connected with the remote devices
106a-n the visual access menus or the Internet of Things
menus may be displayed to the user at the display device
118.In an embodimentofthe invention, the usermay have
to authenticate and/or one or more login details before
viewing the visual accessmenus. The usermay authenticate
or enter his/her personaldetails at the access device 116. In
an embodiment ofthe invention, the usermay authenticate
or enterthepersonal details at the display screen.
[0094] In an embodiment of the invention, the access
device 116 maybe a homecontroller device. Theusermay
access the VMThings 108 by logging into thishome con
troller and may view the visual access menus at his device
102 or a display device 116. After logging into the home
controller the user may control the objects i.e. remote
devices or services associated with the home controller.
Therefore, the usermay controlthe one or more objects by
using a combination ofdevices such as thehomecontroller,
smart phone, another display device, and so forth .
[0095] The access device 116 may include an Internet of
Things application i.e. VMThings 108 application for
accessing the visual access menus and the enhanced visual
access menus. The VMThings 108 may display the visual
access menus at the display device 120. The user may
connect to the remote devices 106a-n by selecting one or
more options ofthe visualaccessmenus.Further,the remote
devices106a-n maybe grouped into variouscategories such
as, but are not limited to , electronics appliances, home
devices, buildings, doors, room appliances, electric
switches, cars, windows, and so forth. Further, the remote
devices 106a-n may be grouped according to location, such
as home devices, office devices, garages devices, and so
forth. The ofthe access device 116 may store visual access
menus and enhanced visual access menus according to the
various categories of the remote devices 106a-n atthe access
device 116. Further, the usermay control any remote device
from the remote devices 106a-n by selecting one or more
options from the visual access menu or the Internet of
Thingsmenu. In an exemplary scenario, the user can con
nect to the network 104 by using a telephone andmay view
thevisual accessmenu on a screen ofthe television. There
after, the user may access and control the remote devices
106a-n from the telephone by pressing appropriate keys/
buttons ofthe telephone.
[0096] In an embodiment of the invention, the user may
registerthe remote devices 106a-n ordo some settings atthe
access device 116 or the remote devices 106a-n, so that the
user may control the remote devices 106a-n from the
VMThings 108. In an embodimentofthe invention, the user
may be required to authenticate orprove his/her identity at
the access device 116 or for the remote devices 106a-n
before controlling one or more operations of the remote
devices 106a-n .
[0097] FIG . 1D illustrates an environment based on a
ZigBee network 120 , in accordance with the first embodi
mentof the invention.Asshown, the access device 116 may
include the VMThings 108 for displaying a visual access
menu or an enhanced visual accessmenu or an Internet of
Things menu at the display device 118. The access device
116 may connect to the remote device 106a-n through the
ZigBeenetwork 120.In an embodimentoftheinvention, the
remote devices 106a-n may be connected to the ZigBee
network 120 through a localnetwork such as a LAN , a NFC
network, a Bluetooth network, and so forth . The local
network may be connected to the ZigBee network 120
through some gateway device such as bridge, router, hub,
gateway device, switch, and so forth .
[0098] FIG . 1E illustrates an environment based on a
WiMAX network 122, in accordance with the first embodi
mentof the invention.Asshown, the access device 116 may
include the VMThings 108 for displaying the Internet of
Things menu or the visual access menu or the enhanced
visual access menus at the display device 118. The access
device 116 may connect to the remote devices 106a -n
through the WMAX network 122. In an embodiment of the
invention, the remote devices 106a-n may be connected to
the WiMAX network 122 through a localnetwork such as a
LAN , NFC network and so forth . In an embodiment of the
invention, the user may require to register the remote
devices 106a-n or do somesettings at the access device 116
or the remote devices 106a-n, so that theusermay control
the remote devices 106a-n from the VMThings 108. In an
embodiment of the invention, the usermay be required to
authenticate or prove his/her identity at the access device
116 or for the remote devices 106a-n before controlling one
ormore operationsof the remote devices 106a-n. The user

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
may access the visual access menus and enhanced visual
access menus at the access device 116 through a GUI. The
VMThings 108 may enable the user to control the remote
devices 106a-n irrespective of the location of the remote
devices 106a-n . For example, the user may control opera
tions of the air conditioner located in his /her factory by
being athomeitself. The usermay nothave to bephysically
present at the factory or near the air conditioner for con
trolling the operations of the air conditioner. The usermay
do thesamethrough the VMThings 108 oftheaccessdevice
116 (or the device 102).
10099] FIG . 1F illustrates an environment based on a
Global System forMobile Communication (GSM ) network
124, in accordance with the first embodiment of the inven
tion.As shown, the access device 116may be connected to
the remote devices 106a-n through the GSM network 124.
Though not shown, but a person skilled in the art will
appreciate that the access device 116 may be connected to
the remote devices 106a -n through other networks, such as,
but are not limited to , an RF4CE network , an NFC network,
an HSPA network,a LAN ,a WAN ,a 3rd generationnetwork ,
a 4th generation network, a CDMA network, an EV-DO
network, and so forth.
[0100] FIG . 16 illustrates an environment based on the
ZigBee network 120, in accordance with the first embodi
mentof the invention .As shown,the device 102may include
the VMThings 108. A user may configure an Internet of
Thingsmenu by using the VMThings atthe device 102. The
user of the device 102 may connect to the remote devices
106a -n by using the VMThings 108 through the GUIat the
device 102.Further, the device 102may be connected to the
remote devices 106a-n through the ZigBee network 120. In
an embodiment of the invention , the device 102 may be
connected to other wireless network such as the WMAX
network 122, as shown in FIG . 1H .
10101] FIG . 11 illustrates an environment based on a
combination of a localnetwork 126 and the Internet 130, in
accordance with the first embodimentof the invention . The
remote devices 106 a-n may be connected to a localnetwork
126 . The local network 126 can be a private network , a
wireless network , and so forth . The localnetwork 126 in turn
maybe connected to an externalor public network such as,
but are not limited to, the Internet 130 through a bridge
device 128. The device 102 may connect to the remote
devices 106a -n through the Internet 130 . The local network
126 and the Internet 130 may be connected to each other
through other devices such as,butare notlimited to, a router,
a hub, a switch, a gateway, and so forth .
[0102] In an embodimentof the invention,the VMThings
108 may display an advertisement or multiple advertise
ments along with the visualaccessmenu at the device 102.
In an embodiment of the invention, the VMThings may
display the advertisementormultiple advertisements along
with an Internet of Things menu at the device 102. In an
embodiment of the invention, the advertisement(s) are
selected and displayed based on the contentofthe displayed
visual access menu or the Internet of Things menu. For
example, if the visual accessmenu is for controlling the
home appliances, then the advertisements may be about
homeappliances such asAC, fans,etc. In an embodimentof
the invention, the visual accessmenu and/oradvertisements
may be displayed at a second display or a display device
such as a picture frame, LCD, television, and so forth
connected to the device 102. Further, the visual access
menus and the advertisements may be displayed at the
display device or thesecond display through wirelessmeans
such as W -Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee,and so forth.
[0103] FIG . 2A illustrates an exemplary environment 400,
in accordance with a second embodimentof the invention.
Theuser 102may use the device 102 to connectto a plurality
of services 202a-n through the network 104. The user can
access the information about the services 202a-n at the
device 102 . As discussed with reference to FIG . 1A , the
device 102 can be a portable or hand -held device capable of
communicating and connecting to thenetwork 104 or other
devices such as the remote devices 106a-n . Example of the
device 102 may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a
computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA ), a tablet com
puter, a laptop etc. The network 104 can be a wired network
such as a Local Area Network (LAN ) or a Wide Area
Network (WAN) or a wireless network such as a WMAX
network or a combination ofthese. Examples ofthe services
202a-n include, but are not limited to, banking services,
travel services, entertainment services, railways services,
movies services, restaurants, and so forth . Further, the
banking services may be categorized as insurance services,
retail banking services, internet banking services, loans
service, NRI banking, and so forth . The entertainment
servicesmay be accessed by the user to get information
aboutmusic, movies, theatre, news, cartoons,or sports . For
examples, the usermay accessmovies services to know the
new releases in movies. The information aboutservicesmay
be displayed in form ofan enhanced visualaccessmenu . The
user may interact with the enhanced visual access menu
accordingly.
0104] In an embodimentofthe invention, the VMThings
108 may display an Internet of Things menu at the device
102. The Internet of thingsmenu may include representa
tions of one or more recognizable or identifiable objects
such as, but are not limited to, remote devices 106a-n or
services in an Internet ornetwork like structure. The oneor
more identifiable objects may be physical orvirtual objects.
A graphicaluserinterface (GUI)maybe usedby theuser for
creating the Internet of Things Menu. In an embodiment of
the invention, the objects may be the services 202a-n.
[0105] Further, the VMThings 108 may highlight a fre
quently accessed service option or preferred service option
in the enhanced visual accessmenu for the services 202a-n
or the Internetof Thingsmenu based on the user's previous
access patterns. In an embodiment of the invention, the
VMThings 108 may highlight one or more frequently
accessed device options or preferred device options in the
enhanced visual accessmenu for theremote devices 106a-n .
Further,the VMThings 108 may store the user access pattern
at the device 102. In an embodimentofthe invention, the
VMThings 108may present a standardmenu (or a standard
visualaccessmenu) forcontrollingall services 202a-n to the
user. In another embodimentofthe invention,the VMThings
108 may display a customized menu of services 202a-n at
the device 102 based on user preferences and/or access
pattern.
[0106] The device 102 may include a Graphical User
Interface (GUI) to enable the user to access the services
202a-n. In an embodimentofthe invention, the device 102
may include audio or visualmenus of the services 202a-n .
The device 102 may include visual access menus and/or
enhanced visual accessmenus corresponding to the services
202a-n. The enhanced visualaccessmenu may include one

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
or more service options. The service options may be dis
played as graphics or icons ortextrepresenting theservices
202a-n . The user may control and get more information
about the services 202a -n by selecting a service option from
the service options atthe device 102. In an embodimentof
the invention, the user may select a service option by
touching the screen ofthe device 102. For example, if the
userwantsmore information about the travelling service, the
user may select the travel service option. In one embodi-
ment, the user can give a voice command to the device 102
for selecting a service option from the enhanced visual
accessmenu.Further, theusermay select an option by using
a combination of keys on a keypad of the device 102.
Further, the user may select a service option by using a
mouse device. In an embodiment of the invention, the
selection of the service option may be automatic based on
the one or more predefined instructions of the user of the
device 102. In an embodimentof the invention , theusermay
have to register him /her or the device 102 to access the
services 202a -n . In an embodiment the user may have to
authenticate his identity prior to accessing the services
202a -n . In an embodiment of the invention, the user may
receive alert messages related to the services 202a-n . For
example , the user may receive reminders aboutmaking a
payment forhis/her credit card bill. In another embodiment
of the invention, the user may receive the alert messages
regarding the connectedservices 202a-n at a predefined time
period such as, but are not limited to , after every 1 hour, 2
hour, 30 minutes, and so forth . In an embodiment of the
invention , the VMThings 108 may alert the user through at
leastone ofby turning on the display ofthe device 102 from
an off state and present a menu (visual access menu or
Internet of Thingsmenu or cockpit), presenting amenu in a
pop up window, sending Short Messaging Service (SMS)
message, sending a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
message, initiating a telephone call, and so forth .Further,the
user may receive alert message as a pop up message at
his/her Global Positioning System (GPS) device or a multi
function display ofhis/her car orat screen of a television or
at a mobile phone ofthe user, and so forth .
[0107] In another embodimentofthe invention,the device
102 may receive images, videos, audios, related to the
services202a-n at the predefined timeperiod. In an embodi
ment of the invention, the usermay access or control the
services 202a -n by giving voice commands or voice inputs .
In an embodiment ofthe invention, the usermay connect to
the services 202a-n through applications such as,butare not
limited to , Skype, Google Talk , Yahoo Messenger, Magic
Jack,and so forth.
[0108] Further,the device 102 may includevisual access
menus associated with at least two independent objects or
services. In an embodiment of the invention, at least two
independent objects/servicesmay be produced by at least
two independent vendors. In an embodiment of the inven
tion, the device 102may include vendor specific Internet of
Things menus or visual access menus or enhanced visual
access menus for the services 202a -n . Further, the device
102 may also include standard menu (s) for accessing the
objects. The VMThings 108 may display the visual access
menu depending on the independentvendor(s)ofthe oneor
more objects. In another embodiment of the invention, the
VMThings 108may display a visual access menu which is
not provided by either of the at least two independent
vendors ofthe at least two independentobjects. Further, the
visualaccessmenusmay include at least one icon indicating
the one or more services 202a-n. Further, the icon is
substantially different than the icons provided in the visual
access menu or the Internet of Thingsmenu provided by the
vendor. The VMThings 108 may display customized or
personalized visual access menu or the Internet of Things
menu at the device 102. In an embodimentof the invention,
the VMThings 108 may display visualaccessmenu or the
Internet of Thingsmenu at a second display connected to the
device 102.
[0109] In an embodiment of the invention, speech/voice
recognitionmaybeused to analyzethe voice instructionsor
commands received from the user to access the services
202a-n. In an embodiment of the invention, the device 102
may receive a call from the services 202a-n. In such a case,
the VMThings 108 may display a visualaccessmenu and/or
an Internet of Thingsmenu ofthe calling service. Further,
the Internet of Things menu may include one or more
options for interacting with the service from which call is
received.
[0110] FIG . 2B illustrates another exemplary environment
500 , in accordance with the second embodiment of the
invention. In an embodiment of the invention, the visual
accessmenus or the Internet of Thingsmenu corresponding
to the services202a-nmay be stored atthe server 114 in the
network 104. The user at the device 102 may access an
enhanced visual access menu corresponding to the services
202a-n by using a web browser. The device 102 may be
configured to connect to thenetwork 104 (or the Internet)by
entering a URL or a website address in the web browser.
Examples oftheweb browser include,butare notlimited to,
Apple Safari, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla
Firefox,Netscape Navigator,and so forth . Theuser can enter
a URL or a website address in the web browser to access a
database including a plurality of enhanced visual access
menus corresponding to the services 202a-n . In an embodi
ment of the invention , the database may be present in the
network 104.
[0111] A web page 110 including the one ormore data
request fields 112a-b may be displayed at the device 102
based ontheenteredURL.Theusermay enterhis/herdetails
in the data request fields 112a -b for getting access to the
database . Thereafter, at least one enhanced visual access
menusto access theservices 202a-nmay be displayed to the
user at the device 102. The user may access information
about the one ormore services 202a-n by interacting with
the displayed enhanced visual access menus. In an embodi
ment of the invention, the web page 110 may include at least
one of images, audio/video files, text, hyperlinks, and so
forth
[0112] In an embodiment of the invention, a new visual
access menu or a new Internet of things menu may be
displayed when the user is directed to a new web site based
on the user's input or selection. The new visualaccessmenu
may be an IVR menu or an Internet of Things menu
associated with the new web site. Further, the new visual
access menu may include options associated with the new
web site.
[0113] FIG . 2C illustrates yetanother exemplary environ
ment 600, in accordance with the second embodimentof the
invention. Asdiscussed with reference to FIG . 10, the user
may use the access device 116 to access or control services
202a-n . The access device 116 maybe anydevice capable of
data and/or voice communicationsthrough thenetwork 104.

US 2017/0269797 A1 Sep.21, 2017
In an embodimentof the invention, the access device 116
may nothave a display ormay have limited display capa
bilities. The access device 116 can be such as, but are not
limited to, a router, a telephone, a set top box, a hub, a
gateway, a printer, amobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA,
a tablet computer, a walkie-talkie, and so forth . Further, the
access device 116 may include a plurality of ports for
connecting to the network 104 or the display device 118 such
as a television oran LCD display. Examples of the plurality
ofports include,butare not limited to, parallel ports,serial
ports,DB-2 connector, IEEE 1284, IEEE 1394 ports, 8P8C
ports, PS/2 ports, RS-232 ports, Registered Jack (RJ) 45
ports, RJ 48 ports, VGA port, Small Computer System
Interface (SCSI) ports, USB ports, DB-25 ports, and so
forth .
[0114] The access device 116 may provide a network
interface to the display device 118. The usermay use the
access device 116 for accessing the one or more of the
services 202a-n through the network 104. An enhanced
visual access menu or an Internet of Things menu corre
sponding to the services 202a-n may be displayed to the
user. Thereafter, the user may access the information about
the services 202a -n accordingly . In an embodiment of the
invention, the user may have to enter one or more login
details for authenticating himself/herself to gain access to
the one or more visual access menus. In an exemplary
scenario , the user can connect to the network 104 by using
a telephone and may view the visual access menu on a
television screen. Thereafter,the user may access and con
trol the services 202a-n from the telephone by selecting or
dialing or pressing one ormore combination ofkeys at the
telephone.
[0115] In an embodiment oftheinvention, the VMThings
108 may display an advertisement or multiple advertise
ments along with the visual access menu at the display
device 118. In an embodiment of the invention, the adver
tisement(s) are selected and displayed based on the content
of the displayed visual access menu. For example, if the
visual access menu is for controlling the banking services,
then the advertisementsmay be about insurance and opening
accounts. In an embodiment of the invention, the visual
access menu and/or advertisementsmay be displayed at a
second display or the display device 118 such as a picture
frame, LCD, television, and so forth connected to the access
device 116. Further, the visual accessmenus and the adver
tisements may be displayed atthe display device 118 or the
second display through wireless means such as W -Fi, Blu
etooth, ZigBee, and so forth.
[0116] FIG . 2D illustrates an environment based on the
ZigBeenetwork 120, in accordance with the second embodi
mentofthe invention. As shown, the access device 116 may
include the VMThings 108 for displaying a visual access
menu or an enhanced visualaccessmenu including one or
more service options at the display device 118. The access
device 116may access and/or connect to theservices202a -n
through the ZigBee network 120. Examples of the services
202a-n include, but are not limited to, banking services,
movies services, restaurants, hotels, and so forth . In an
embodiment of the invention, the services 202a-n may be
accessed through the ZigBee network 120 and the local
network 126 such as a LAN , an NFC network , a Bluetooth
network, virtual private network (VPN ), and so forth . The
localnetwork maybe privatelymonitored network with no
or limited access to outside users. The localnetwork 126
may be connected to the ZigBee network 120 through some
gateway device such as the bridge device 128, a router, a
hub, a gateway,a switch, and so forth.
[0117] FIG . 2E illustrates an environment based on the
WiMAX network 122, in accordance with the second
embodiment of the invention. Asshown, the access device
116may include the VMThings 108 for displaying a visual
access menu or an enhanced visualaccess menu including
one or more service options at the display device 118. The
access device 116 may connect to the services 202a-n
through the WMAX network 122 Examples of the services
202a-n include, but are not limited to , banking services,
movies services, restaurants, and so forth . In an embodiment
of the invention, the services 202a -n may be connected to
the WiMAX network 122 through a local network such as a
LAN,an NFC network, and so forth . The localnetwork 126
may be connected to the WiMAX network 122. In an
embodiment of the invention, the user may require to
register to the services 202a-n or do some settings at the
access device 116 orthe remote devices 106a-n, so that the
user may control the services 202a -n (or remote devices
106a-n ) from the access device 116. In an embodiment of
the invention, the usermay be required to authenticate or
prove his/her identity at the access device 116 or the services
202a-n before accessing the services 202a-n . The usermay
access visual access menus and enhanced visual access
menus at the access device 116 through a GUI. The
VMThings 108 may enable the user to access and control the
services 202a-n irrespective of the location of the user.
[0118] FIG . 2F illustrates an environment based on the
Global System forMobile Communication (GSM ) network
124, in accordance with the second embodiment of the
invention. As shown the access device 116 may be con
nected to the services 202a-n through theGSM network 124.
Though not shown, but a person skilled in the art will
appreciate that the access device 116 may be connected to
the services 202a-n through other networks, such as,but are
not limited to, an RF4CE network, an NFC network , an
HSPA network, aLAN ,a WAN, a 3rd generation network ,a
4th generation network, a Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA ) network, an EV-DO network , and so forth.
[0119] FIG . 2G illustrates an environmentbased on the
ZigBee network 120, in accordance with the first embodi
mentofthe invention.Asshown, the device 102may include
the VMThings 108 for configuring or customizing or dis
playing an Internet of Thingsmenu at the device 102 by a
user. The Internet of Thingsmenu may include representa
tions of one or more recognizable or identifiable objects
such as, but are not limited to, remote devices 106a-n or
services in an Internet or network like structure. The one or
more identifiable objects may be physicalor virtual objects.
A graphicaluserinterface (GUI)maybe usedby theuser for
creating the InternetofThingsMenu. Thedevice 102 can be
a portable device capable ofcommunicating and connecting
to the network 104 or other devices such as the remote
devices 106a-n .Example ofthe device 102 may include,but
are not limited to, a mobile phone, a telephone, a smart
phone, a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA ), a
tablet computer, a laptop, and so forth . A user of the device
102 may access to the services 106a-n by using the
VMThings 108 through theGUIat the device 102. Further,
the device 102 may be connected to the services 202a-n

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