Methods, apparatus and computer program product for altering device functionality

摘要

A method, apparatus, system and computer program product are provided which permit the functionality of a device to be adapted or otherwise altered without requiring the device to be completely reprogrammed. In this regard, attributes which at least partially define the functionality of the device may be changed or supplemented in order to correspondingly alter the device functionality which, in turn, at least partially depends upon the attributes stored by the device.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
storing, in a first device, one or more initial attributes that at least partially define a functionality of the first device; receiving, at the first device, at least one attribute that modifies the functionality of the first device, the at least one attribute originating from a remote server; evaluating, at the first device, the at least one attribute; determining, at the first device, if data is associated with the at least one evaluated attribute; if data is determined to be associated with the at least one evaluated attribute, storing the determined data in the first device; storing the at least one attribute in the first device; and performing, by the first device, one or more functions related to the modified functionality of the first device according to the at least one attribute, wherein each attribute of the one or more initial attributes and each attribute of the at least one attribute comprises a first field comprising a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) and a distinct second field comprising a value associated with the UUID, and wherein receiving the at least one attribute that modifies the functionality of the first device comprises receiving the at least one attribute via short range communications.