TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to networked devices. More particularly  the embodiments relate to managing network connected devices using a mobile device.

BACKGROUND

Presently  the number of applications on mobile devices  for example  smart phone  tablets  PDA is increasing with limited space on display screen of the mobile device. It has become a challenge to manage icons of the applications on display screen of the mobile device. Also  things would be more complex to handle if the mobile device is used to control smart home appliance and various network connected devices such as storage device  digital photo frame  smart TV  monitors and computers.

There are several systems available in the market that remotely operate home appliances  such as microwave oven  TV  and garage door etc through remote devices such as mobile phones  desktops and palm-tops. The devices may be connected on wired or wireless LAN  Internet and Intranet. The systems receive commands from remote devices that are operated by user and the systems in turn send commands to respective appliances to perform a specific action. However  a user needs to continuously monitor the display of remote devices for operating controls. Further  presently available systems require the user to navigate through one or more phone menus for remotely controlling operation of network connected devices. Thus  available systems do not provide enhanced user experience for managing network connected devices.

Hence  there is a need of a solution which can simplify controlling of the network connected devices using mobile devices. Further  the solution should enable the user to use simple gestures for remotely controlling network connected devices.

SUMMARY

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of methods and systems of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure solves limitations of existing techniques by providing improved and easy access to users for managing network connected devices without line of sight requirement.

Additional features and advantages are realized through various techniques provided in the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered as part of the claimed disclosure.

In one embodiment  the disclosure provides a method for managing network connected devices  said method includes detecting one or more devices of the network connected devices by an authenticated mobile device based on current context of an authenticated mobile device. Each of the detected one or more devices is represented by a display icon on touch screen display of the authenticated mobile device. The authenticated mobile device is registered in the network. The method also includes activating a magnetic activation button (MAB) on the touch screen display of the authenticated mobile device. The method further includes latching one of the detected one or more devices with the authenticated mobile device. The latching is performed using the magnetic compass property of the activated MAB. The method further includes  dragging the activated MAB in a predetermined direction followed by performing at least one of holding and releasing the activated MAB to initiate one or more predefined actions. Thus  the latched device is managed through the initiated one or more predefined actions.

In another embodiment  the disclosure provides a method for managing network connected devices; said method includes registering one or more devices in a network. The method also includes detecting the registered one or more devices of the network connected devices by an authenticated mobile device based on current context of the authenticated mobile device. Each of the detected registered one or more devices are represented by a display icon on touch screen display of the authenticated mobile device. The authenticated mobile device is registered in the network. The method further includes activating a magnetic activation button (MAB) on the touch screen display of the authenticated mobile device. The method also includes latching one of the detected registered one or more devices with the authenticated mobile device. The latching is performed using the magnetic compass property of the activated MAB. The method further includes  dragging the activated MAB in a predetermined direction followed by performing at least one of holding and releasing the activated MAB to initiate one or more predefined actions. Thus  the latched device is managed through the initiated one or more predefined actions.

In one embodiment  the disclosure provides a mobile device to manage network connected devices that includes a touch screen display. The touch screen display comprising a magnetic menu ribbon to display one or more devices of the network connected devices as display icons. The touch screen display also comprising a magnetic activation button (MAB) to receive a touch as an instruction to perform predefined actions. The mobile device also includes a processor which is responsive to instructions by way of touch  for detecting one or more devices of the network connected devices based on current context of the mobile device. Each of the detected one or more devices is represented by the display icon on the touch screen display interface. The processor is also responsive for activating the MAB on the touch screen display. Further  the processor is responsive for latching one of the detected one or more devices with the mobile device and initiating one or more predefined actions when the activated MAB is dragged in a predetermined direction followed by at least one of holding and releasing the activated MAB to manage the latched device. The latching is performed using the magnetic compass property of the activated MAB.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects  embodiments  and features described above  further aspects  embodiments  and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the disclosure itself  however  as well as a preferred mode of use  further objectives and advantages thereof  will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described  by way of example only  with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Fig. 1a is an exemplary diagram of a mobile device having touch screen and processor for managing network connected devices  in accordance with one embodiment;
Fig. 1b is a block diagram showing the components of the touch screen display  in accordance with one embodiment;
Fig. 2a shows a connection between network connected devices and a mobile device through an external router  in accordance with one embodiment;
Fig. 2b shows a connection between network connected devices and a mobile device having an internal router  in accordance with an alternate embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing network connected devices  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Fig 4a shows a touch screen display of a mobile device with an exemplary magnetic menu ribbon displaying network connected devices based on the context office  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Fig 4b shows a touch screen display of a mobile device with a magnetic menu ribbon displaying network connected devices based on the context driving  in accordance with another embodiment;
Fig 5 shows an exemplary user interface of the touch screen display of the mobile device which includes a magnetic activation button (MAB)  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
Figs. 6a to 6b show an exemplary illustration of dynamic switching of the magnetic menu ribbon of network connected devices  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and
Figs. 7a to 7g show an exemplary illustration of initiating predefined actions on the MAB to manage one of the network connected devices  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure  both as to its organization and method of operation  together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood  however  that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and device for managing network connected devices using a mobile device without the need for continuously monitoring display of the mobile device.

Fig. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a mobile device 101  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Examples of the mobile device 101 may include  but are not limited to  mobile phone  tablet computer  Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)  and a portable electronic gadget having a touch screen panel. The mobile device 101 includes a touch screen display 102 or a touch screen display interface. An example of touch screen display 102 includes  but is not limited to  a touch screen enabled liquid crystal display embodied in the mobile device 101 for receiving input instructions from the user. In one embodiment  the input instructions are provided using at least one of stylus  finger  pen shaped pointing device  and any other device that can be used to provide input through a touch screen display 102. The input instructions received from the user are transmitted to a processor 103 which is in communication with the touch screen display 102.

In an exemplary embodiment  the processor 103 and the touch screen display 102 are configured in a single mobile device 101. The touch screen display 102 of the mobile device 101 receives an input request from a user. Upon receipt of the input request  it is transmitted to the processor 103 for further processing. The action to be performed by the processor 103 depends on the nature of the input request received through the touch screen display 102. The touch screen display 102 includes a magnetic menu ribbon 104 and a magnetic activation button (MAB) 105 for initiating a predefined action  in accordance with one embodiment as shown in Fig. 1b.

In the present disclosure  the processor 103 is responsive to the touch as an instruction. The processor 103 detects one or more devices of the network connected devices based on current context of the mobile device 101. The current context of the mobile device 101 is at least one of location  inclination  time instance and movement of the mobile device 101. In one embodiment  the current context of the mobile device 101 is identified using corners or edges of the house or room where the mobile device 101 is currently positioned. Each of the detected one or more network connected devices 203 (as shown in Fig. 2a) is represented by a display icon on the magnetic menu ribbon 104 being displayed on the touch screen display 102 of the mobile device 101. The user activates the MAB 105 displayed on the touch screen display 102 for carrying out predetermined management operations on the network connected devices 203. In an exemplary embodiment  the MAB 105 can be represented as an icon on home screen of the touch screen display 102. The user can activate the MAB 105 by pressing the icon of MAB 105. In one embodiment  the user can activate MAB 105 by pressing a small arrow or alternatively referred as middle scroll button 402 at the center of the horizontal scrolling ribbon 401 that is below the magnetic menu ribbon 104 (as shown in Fig. 4a). Alternatively  the MAB 105 can also be activated through voice response. Upon activating the MAB 105  the user points the mobile device 101 in a predetermined direction towards one of the network connected devices 203 that has to be managed. Based on the direction and inclination of the mobile device 101  one or more devices of the detected network connected devices 203 are displayed on the magnetic menu ribbon 104. A latching operation is performed by the processor 103 using the magnetic compass property of the activated MAB 105 between one of the detected one or more devices with the mobile device 101. Further  a user initiates one or more predefined actions by dragging the activated MAB 105 in a predetermined direction followed by at least one of holding and releasing the activated MAB 105. Thus  the user manages the latched device using the initiated predefined actions.

In an exemplary embodiment  one way of performing latching operation between one of the detected one or more network connected devices 203 with the mobile device 101 is explained. When the mobile device 101 is idle  the mobile device 101 prepares a list of network connected devices 203 based on current context of the mobile device 101. The current context of the mobile device 101 is identified based on coarse location  time and Wi-Fi router id of connected WLAN. The coarse location is calculated based on surrounding cell tower ids and its signal strength. User activates MAB 105 subsequent to the listing of the network connected devices 203 in the mobile device 101. Upon activation of the MAB 105  compass  gyro sensor and camera embedded in the mobile device 101 are automatically activated. At this stage  the mobile device 101 compares live images captured by the camera with already captured images for current context of the mobile device 101. Images are compared based on best matching edges and texture of wall and roof. Based on result of comparison  the network connected devices 203 listed in the list are further refined. When the user presses the MAB 105  exact position of the mobile device 101 within room/ hall is calculated based on dimension of walls and roof. This is done by comparing restored images of walls and roof  where the network connected devices 203 of the current context were preconfigured. After identifying the exact position of the mobile device 101  compass and gyro sensor data is evaluated to get exact direction of the mobile device 101 in 3D space. Once  the direction of the mobile device 101 is determined audio sound matched with the most matching preconfigured network connected device is presented to the user. However  if the audio sound is different from the user expectation  then the user can adjust the orientation of the mobile device 101 by moving or rotating the mobile device 101 to get intended device’s audio sound. Upon hearing intended audio sound  the user performs at least one of releasing the MAB 105  moving the MAB 105 in one of the directions such as right  left  up and down to complete the latching operation.

In another embodiment  the user of the mobile device 101 creates a user profile and one or more guest profiles. The user of the mobile device 101 has the access to all the network connected devices 203 at his home  but the user cannot give the same authentication to others. To achieve the same  the user creates an administrator profile for which the user has to authenticate himself by way of password or voice authentication. The user of the mobile device 101 creates one or more guest profiles depending on the guests  so that  the guests have limited access to the network connect devices at the user’s home.

Fig. 2a shows a home or office network as one embodiment that includes one or more network connected devices 203. A mobile device 101 is connected to the network through an external router 202a. The mobile device 101 communicates with one of the one or more network connected devices 203 through the external router 202a.

Fig. 2b shows an alternate embodiment of the network that includes  but not limited to  one or more network connected devices 203 where the internal router 202b is configured within the network connected devices 203. The mobile device 101 communicates with one of the one or more network connected devices 203 using the internal router 202b. In one embodiment  the internal router 202b provided in one of the network connected devices 203 is configured in such a way that it facilitates to establish communication between the mobile device 101 and all other network connected devices 203 available in the same network. Thus  it is not necessary to activate simultaneously all the routers present in each of the network connected device 203 to establish communication with the mobile device 101.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing network connected devices 203. The network connected devices 203 are detected and managed based on current context of the mobile device 101 and mechanism of the touch screen display 102 works on drag-hold-release concept. The user authenticates the mobile device 101 for managing the one or more network connected devices 203. The mobile device 101 is registered in the network through an external router 202a or an internal router 202b.

At step 301  the mobile device 101 detects one or more devices of the network connected devices 203 based on the current context of the mobile device 101. The current context of the mobile device 101 is at least one of location  inclination  time instance and movement of the mobile device 101. The detected one or more network connected devices 203 are represented by display icons on the touch screen display 102 of the mobile device 101. The touch screen display 102 includes a magnetic menu ribbon 104 on which the display icons are displayed. The display icons are preconfigured icons. The user of the mobile device 101 can re-configure the display icons as per his/her requirement. The mobile device 101 detects the network connected devices 203 using one of cell tower location  GPS  gyro sensor  compass sensor  Wi-Fi signal strength and camera of the mobile device 101.

At step 302  the user of the mobile device 101 activates the MAB 105 on the touch screen display 102. A horizontal scrolling ribbon 401 (as shown in Fig. 4a) is displayed below the magnetic menu ribbon 104. The horizontal scrolling ribbon 401 includes three buttons i.e. two extreme buttons 403a and 403b are for scrolling the displayed icons on the magnetic menu ribbon 104 and one middle scroll button 402 included at the center of the horizontal scrolling ribbon 401. The middle scroll button 402 is dragged down to invoke the MAB 105. In one embodiment  the MAB 105 is represented as an icon on the home screen of a touch screen display 102. The user can activate the MAB 105 by pressing the icon of MAB 105. In another embodiment  the user can activate MAB 105 by pressing a middle scroll button 402 at the center of the horizontal scrolling ribbon 401 that is below the magnetic menu ribbon 104. Alternatively  the MAB 105 can also be activated through voice response. Upon activating the MAB 105  the user points the mobile device 101 in a predetermined direction towards one of the network connected devices 203 that has to be managed.

At step 303  the mobile device 101 is latched with one of the one or more detected devices of the network connected devices 203. The user points mobile device 101 in the direction of one of the one or more detected devices  which he/she desires to manage. The detected one or more network connected devices 203 in the direction pointed by the mobile device 101 are displayed on the magnetic menu ribbon 104. Thus  the latching operation is performed between one of the detected one or more network connected devices 203 and the mobile device 101 using at least one of Wi-Fi  Bluetooth  Infrared  Zigbee and any other network communication technologies. The latching is performed using the magnetic compass property of the activated MAB 105. The line of sight is not necessary to perform latching operation. Even if the network connected device is out of sight  the user can latch the network connected devices 203 based on the magnetic compass property of the activated MAB 105. The latching of the one of the detected one or more detected devices  produces a preconfigured sound corresponding to the latched device. The preconfigured sound is configured by the user of the mobile device 101. For sake of convenience and easy identification  the user of the mobile device 101 configures different sounds for each device. Configuring the preconfigured sound for each network connected devices 203 should not be considered as a limitation. In various embodiments of the present invention  the latching operation is identified through other mechanisms such as blinking the designated light  providing different colors for different network connected devices 203.

At step 304  the user drags the activated MAB 105 in a predetermined direction using finger or a stylus. In one embodiment  the user does not release his finger or stylus after dragging the MAB 105. The release of the stylus or finger over the dragged MAB 105 would perform a predefined action such as transmitting data from network device to mobile device 101 or vice versa. Holding the dragged MAB 105 would perform displaying the predefined actions to be performed on the mobile device 101. The options are provided to the user of the mobile device 101 for selecting one of the displayed actions to initiate the required action. The latched device is managed through the initiated one or more predefined actions. The direction of the drag would decide which operation is to be performed and is intuitively related to action to be performed.

The method for managing the network connected devices 203 as shown in fig. 3 further includes registering of the network connected devices 203 in the network using an external router 202a. Also  optionally the registration of the devices can be performed with one of the network connected devices 203 that has an internal router 202b. One of the internal routers 202b acts as a central router for all other network connected devices 203. The mobile device 101 communicates with the network connected devices 203 through the router or directly with the network connected devices 203.

The method for managing network connected devices 203 is well explained in conjunction with Figs. 4 to 8. In the following description  the technology of the instant disclosure is explained with the help of examples. However  such examples should not be construed as limitation on the scope of the instant technology.

Referring to Fig 4a  it shows a mobile device 101 with touch screen display 102. An example of touch screen display 102 includes  but is not limited to  a touch screen enabled liquid crystal display embodied in the mobile device 101 for receiving input instructions from the user. The touch screen display 102 includes a magnetic menu ribbon 104 to display the network connected devices 203 as display icons. The display icons are displayed based on the current context of the mobile device 101. The touch screen display 102 further includes a horizontal scroll ribbon 401 with two horizontal scroll buttons 403a and 403b i.e. left scroll button 403a and right scroll button 403b on either ends of the horizontal scroll ribbon 401 for scrolling the display icons on the magnetic menu ribbon 104 and a middle scroll button 402 for invoking and activating the MAB 105 (as shown in Fig. 5). The magnetic menu ribbon 104 displays the network connected devices 203 as display icons based on the current context of the mobile device 101. For example  the display icon is an animated graphic image. For example the current context of the mobile device 101 is current location of the mobile device 101 such as office.

Fig. 4b shows an exemplary user interface embodied in touch screen display 102 of the mobile device 101 which illustrates the context aware magnetic menu  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The magnetic menu 104 displays the display icons corresponding to the network connected devices 203 while the user is driving a vehicle.

Fig. 5 shows a touch screen display 102 of the mobile device 101 upon activating the MAB 105  as one embodiment. The touch screen display 102 includes a magnetic menu ribbon 104 horizontally on the top corner and the MAB 105 at the centre. The MAB 105 has a pointer 501 showing the pointing direction of the mobile device 101. The mobile device 101 uses one or more communication protocols  for example  UPnP  DLNA  PuCC to detect the network connected devices 203. The communication protocols used in the network connected devices 203 and the mobile device 101 have to comply with each other for detection.

Figs. 6a and 6b show an illustration of dynamic switching of the magnetic menu ribbon 104 of network connected devices 203  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The user activates the MAB 105 by dragging down the middle scroll button 402 of the horizontal scroll ribbon 401 provided just below the magnetic menu ribbon 104. Upon activating the MAB 105  the mobile device 101 is pointed in a downward direction at home i.e. in bedroom as shown in Fig. 6a. The magnetic feature of the compass detects one or more network connected devices 203 in the pointed direction. The detected one or more network connected devices 203 are displayed on the menu ribbon 104 as display icons. The processor 103 of the mobile device 101 detects the one or more network connected devices 203. Further  the processor 103 interacts with the magnetic menu ribbon 104 for displaying detected one or more network connected devices 203. In another example  as shown in fig. 6b the magnetic menu ribbon 104 displays the one or more network connected devices 203 in the upward direction at home i.e. in bed room.

Figs. 7a-7e shows various predefined operations performed on the MAB 105 to manage the network connected devices 203  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7a illustrates the activation of the MAB 105 that is performed by pressing the MAB 105. Upon pressing the MAB 105  magnetic feature on the magnetic menu ribbon 104 gets activated. One of the preconfigured display icons displayed on the magnetic menu ribbon 104 in the current mobile direction aligns itself to the center of the magnetic menu ribbon 104 and gets highlighted as indicated by icon 700 in the figure. The mobile device 101 latches with device corresponding to the icon 700. The user can direct the mobile device 101 to any network connected devices 203 for latching and subsequently managing. An example of touch screen display 102 includes  but is not limited to  a touch screen enabled liquid crystal display embodied in the mobile device 101 for receiving input instructions from the user. Upon latching  an audio file or a recorded voice will be played corresponding to the latched device  as configured by the user. The played audio file indicates the user which network connected device is latched with the mobile device 101. The user interface allows user to operate the MAB 105 even without looking at the touch screen display 102 of the mobile device 101.

Fig. 7b illustrates a predefined operation performed on the MAB 105 to manage one of the network connected devices 203 latched with the mobile device 101  as one embodiment. The latched device is highlighted or selected from the one or more display icons displayed on the magnetic menu ribbon 104. Pressing the MAB 105 followed by dragging the MAB 105 in an upward direction on the touch screen display 102 and releasing will trigger a predefined action  for example  moves data from mobile device 101 to the latched device. As an example  a mobile device 101 is directed to a desktop machine or PC and default action is to synchronize the mobile device 101 data with the PC. In order to perform said operation  the MAB 105 is dragged in the upward direction followed by releasing the MAB 105  which will start PC synchronization operation.

Fig. 7c illustrates a predefined operation performed on the MAB 105 to manage one of the network connected devices 203 latched with the mobile device 101  as one embodiment. The latched device is highlighted or selected from the one or more display icons displayed on the magnetic menu ribbon 104. Pressing the MAB 105 followed by dragging in upward direction on the touch screen display 102 and holding for predetermined amount of time to display list of predefined actions. As an example  a mobile device 101 is directed to a desktop machine or PC. The MAB 105 is dragged in upward direction followed by holding the MAB 105 will display the list of predefined actions such as but not limited to start PC sync  start photo slide show  open documents  open media files and start tethering.

Fig. 7d illustrates a predefined operation performed on the MAB 105 to manage a one of the network connected devices 203 latched with the mobile device 101  as one embodiment. Pressing the MAB 105 followed by dragging in downward direction on the touch screen display 102 and releasing will trigger predefined action that moves data from the latched device to the mobile device 101. As an example  if the mobile device 101 was directed to a desktop machine or a PC 701 and set a default action as start remote desktop application  then dragging down the MAB 105 and releasing the MAB 105 will launch the default application i.e. remote desktop application which the user can operate PC 701 from the mobile device 101.

Fig. 7e illustrates a predefined operation performed on the MAB 105 to manage a one of the network connected devices 203 latched with the mobile device 101  as one embodiment. Pressing the MAB 105 followed by dragging in downward direction on the touch screen display 102 and holding will display list of predefined actions. As an example  a mobile device 101 is directed to a desktop machine or PC 701. The MAB 105 is dragged in downward direction followed by holding the MAB 105 will display the list of predefined actions such as but not limited to start mobile remote desktop  open file explorer  shutdown PC  open documents and open media gallery.

Fig. 7f illustrates a predefined operation performed on the MAB 105 to communicate between pluralities of network connected devices 203  as one embodiment. The mobile device 101 is pointed to one of the network connected devices 203 for performing latching operation. Upon latching  the MAB 105 on the mobile device 101 is pressed  dragged in right direction  pointed to another network connected device and released to perform a predefined action. As an example  the mobile device 101 is latched with a PC 701 followed by pressing the MAB 105  dragging in the right direction and pointing to a television (TV) 702 and releasing the MAB 105. The default action is set as to perform such as but not limited to making the TV as an extended desktop. With this action TV becomes an extended desktop for the PC. Also  the line of sight is not necessary for the PC 701 or the TV 702. The user interface allows user to operate the MAB 105 even without looking at the touch screen display 102 of the mobile device 101.

Fig. 7g illustrates a predefined operation performed on the MAB 105 to list the predefined actions that can be performed between pluralities of network connected devices 203  as one embodiment. The mobile device 101 is pointed to one of the network connected devices 203 for performing latching operation. Upon latching  the MAB 105 on the mobile device 101 is pressed  dragged in left direction  pointed to another network connected device and released for listing all the predefined actions to be performed between the plurality of network connected devices 203. As an example  the mobile device 101 is latched with a PC 701 followed by pressing the MAB 105  dragging in the left direction and pointing to a television (TV) 702. This operation displays the list of operations but not limited to such as extended desktop  open video gallery  open music gallery  open photo gallery  and open documents.

Reference Numerals
101 Mobile device
102 Touch Screen Display
103 Processor
104 Magnetic Menu Ribbon
105 Magnetic Activation Button (MAB)

202a External router
202b Internal router
203 Network Connected Devices

401 Horizontal Scroll Ribbon
402 Middle Scroll Button
403a Left Scroll Button
403b Right Scroll Button

501 MAB pointer

700 Highlighted Display Icon on the Magnetic Menu Ribbon
701 Desktop Machine or a PC
702 Television (TV)

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application  which are intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope  as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure  in addition to those enumerated herein  will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims  along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only  and is not intended to be limiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein  those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

In addition  where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups  those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein  other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting  with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A method for managing network connected devices  the method comprising:
detecting one or more devices of the network connected devices 203 by an authenticated mobile device 101 based on current context of the authenticated mobile device 101  wherein the authenticated mobile device 101 is registered in the network  and wherein each of the detected one or more devices is represented by a display icon on touch screen display 102 of the authenticated mobile device 101;
activating a magnetic activation button (MAB) 105 on the touch screen display 102 of the authenticated mobile device 101;
latching one of the detected one or more devices with the authenticated mobile device 101  wherein the latching is performed using magnetic compass property of the activated MAB 105; and
dragging the activated MAB 105 in a predetermined direction followed by performing at least one of holding and releasing the activated MAB 105 to initiate one or more predefined actions  wherein the latched device is managed through the initiated one or more predefined actions.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1  wherein the display icon is displayed on a magnetic menu ribbon 104 configured on the touch screen display 102 of the authenticated mobile device 101.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1  wherein the authenticated mobile device 101 latches with one of the detected one or more devices when the authenticated mobile device 101 is pointed towards the direction of the one of the detected one or more devices.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising highlighting the display icon corresponding to one of the detected one or more devices when the authenticated mobile device 101 is pointed in the direction of the one of the detected one or more devices.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising producing a preconfigured sound corresponding to the latched device when the authenticated mobile device 101 is latched with one of the detected one or more devices.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1  wherein the current context of the authenticated mobile device 101 is at least one of location of the authenticated device 101  inclination of the authenticated mobile device 101 and time instance.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising displaying a set of predefined actions to be performed by the latched device when the dragged MAB 105 is held for a predetermined amount of time.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7  wherein the predefined action is selected from a group comprising establishing a communication link between plurality of devices of the detected one or more devices  synchronizing plurality of devices of the detected one or more devices  transferring data between plurality of devices of the detected one or more devices and controlling the latched device with the authenticated mobile device 101.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising creating an administrator profile and one or more user profiles in the authenticated mobile device 101.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9  wherein the one or more user profiles comprising of limited access of the network connected devices 203.

11. A method for managing network connected devices  the method comprising:
registering one or more devices in a network;
detecting the registered one or more devices of the network connected devices 203 by an authenticated mobile device 101 based on current context of the authenticated mobile device 101  wherein the authenticated mobile device 101 is registered in the network  and wherein each of the detected registered one or more devices is represented by a display icon on touch screen display 102 of the authenticated mobile device 101;
activating a magnetic activation button (MAB) 105 on the touch screen display 102 of the authenticated mobile device 101;
latching one of the detected registered one or more devices with the authenticated mobile device 101  wherein the latching is performed using the magnetic compass property of the activated MAB 105; and
dragging the activated MAB 105 in a predetermined direction followed by performing at least one of holding and releasing the activated MAB 105 to initiate one or more predefined actions  wherein the latched device is managed through the initiated one or more predefined actions.
12. A mobile device 101 to manage network connected devices comprising:
a touch screen display 102 comprising:
a magnetic menu ribbon 104 being displayed on the touch screen display 102 to display one or more devices of the network connected devices 203 as display icons;
a magnetic activation button (MAB) 105 being displayed on the touch screen display 102 to receive a touch as an input means to perform predefined actions; and

a processor 103 responsive to touch as an instruction for:
detecting one or more devices of the network connected devices 203 based on current context of the mobile device 101  wherein each of the detected one or more devices 203 is represented by the display icon on the touch screen display 102;
activating the magnetic activation button (MAB) 105 on the touch screen display 102;
latching one of the detected one or more devices with the mobile device 101  wherein the latching is performed using the magnetic compass property of the activated MAB 105; and
initiating one or more predefined actions when the activated MAB 105 is dragged in a predetermined direction followed by at least one of holding and releasing the activated MAB 105 to manage the latched device.
13. The mobile device as claimed in claim 12  wherein the mobile device 101 is at least one of mobile phone  tablet computer  and a Personal Digital Assistants (PDA).