Multiple Device Configuration Template

Abstract

A user interface (UI) of a device configuration application includes a collection view window of device representations with each representation including a screen image that is representative of the configuration state of the corresponding device. The device configuration application UI allows for searching the devices based on their configuration states, and for configuring the devices based on a set of configuration templates displayed in a collection view window. The UI allows for customizing the configuration templates in a device-independent manner, while allowing the user to add a set of configuration rules to each template. The device configuration application provides a method for updating the actual lock screen image of devices by displaying a device identifier on the lock screen. The format of such device identifier includes a device-identifying text string and/or machine-readable code. Displaying a device identifier allows for a more efficient way of cataloging, tracking, and/or configuring devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 at an electronic device with a display:
 displaying a collection view window in a user interface of a device configuration application, the collection view comprising a plurality of devices, wherein the plurality of devices includes a first device and a second device, the first device is associated with a first device type and the second device is associated with a second device type; 
 displaying a plurality of device configuration templates in the collection view window, wherein the plurality of device configuration templates comprises a first device configuration template associated with the first device type and a second device configuration template associated with the second device type; 
 receiving a selection of a first subset of devices from the plurality of devices, wherein the first subset includes devices associated with the first device type; 
 receiving a selection of the first device configuration template; and 
 in response to receiving a change request associated with the first subset of devices, changing the configuration state of each device included in the first subset of devices based on the first device configuration template. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving of the change request comprises a single-action by a user to apply one of the plurality of configuration templates to the selected one or more devices. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the single-action by a user comprises a gesture by the user on the display of the electronic device with a displayed device configuration template. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each device configuration template comprises one or more configuration states for applications, profiles, documents, data or any combinations thereof, and the device configuration template is independent from target types of the plurality of devices. 
     
     
         5 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions to cause an electronic device with a display to perform steps of:
 displaying a collection view window in a user interface of a device configuration application, the collection view comprising a plurality of devices, wherein the plurality of devices includes a first device and a second device, the first device is associated with a first device type and the second device is associated with a second device type;   displaying a plurality of device configuration templates in the collection view window, wherein the plurality of device configuration templates comprises a first device configuration template associated with the first device type and a second device configuration template associated with the second device type;   receiving a selection of a first subset of devices from the plurality of devices, wherein the first subset includes devices associated with the first device type;   receiving a selection of the first device configuration template; and   in response to receiving a change request associated with the first subset of devices, changing the configuration state of each device included in the first subset of devices based on the first device configuration template.   
     
     
         6 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 5 , wherein the receiving of the change request comprises a single-action by a user to apply one of the plurality of configuration templates to the selected one or more devices. 
     
     
         7 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 5 , wherein the single-action by a user comprises a gesture by the user on the display of the electronic device with a displayed device configuration template. 
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 5 , wherein each device configuration template comprises one or more configuration states for applications, profiles, documents, data or any combinations thereof, and the device configuration template is independent from target types of the plurality of devices. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic device with a display including instructions for performing steps of:
 displaying a collection view window in a user interface of a device configuration application, the collection view comprising a plurality of devices, wherein the plurality of devices includes a first device and a second device, the first device is associated with a first device type and the second device is associated with a second device type;   displaying a plurality of device configuration templates in the collection view window, wherein the plurality of device configuration templates comprises a first device configuration template associated with the first device type and a second device configuration template associated with the second device type;   receiving a selection of a first subset of devices from the plurality of devices, wherein the first subset includes devices associated with the first device type;   receiving a selection of the first device configuration template; and   in response to receiving a change request associated with the first subset of devices, changing the configuration state of each device included in the first subset of devices based on the first device configuration template.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the receiving of the change request comprises a single-action by a user to apply one of the plurality of configuration templates to the selected one or more devices. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the single-action by a user comprises a gesture by the user on the display of the electronic device with a displayed device configuration template. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein each device configuration template comprises one or more configuration states for applications, profiles, documents, data or any combinations thereof, and the device configuration template is independent from target types of the plurality of devices.