Wireless devices that establish a wireless connection with a mobile information apparatus by wirelessly detecting, within physical proximity, the mobile information apparatus

• US 10,140,073 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2017
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Liu, Christina Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Marcus T
• Application Number:
  US15/627,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20170286027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1203 Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1205 resulting in increased flexibility in print job configuration, e.g. job settings, print requirements, job tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1208 resulting in improved quality of the output result, e.g. print layout, colours, workflows, print preview
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/122 with regard to computing resources, e.g. memory, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1226 Discovery of devices having required properties
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1228 Printing driverless or using generic drivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1229 Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1236 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1238 Secure printing, e.g. user identification, user rights for device usage, unallowed content, blanking portions or fields of a page, releasing held jobs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1245 by conversion to intermediate or common format
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1247 by conversion to printer ready format
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1253 Configuration of print job parameters, e.g. using UI at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1258 by updating job settings at the printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/128 Direct printing, e.g. sending document file, using memory stick, printing from a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 Local printer device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1286 via local network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1288 : in client-server-printer device configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1292 : Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 : Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 : Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/02 : using printers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/181 : Receiving print data characterized by its formatting, e.g. particular page description languages
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/1836 : Rasterization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 : specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 : Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/30 : Distributed recognition, e.g. in client-server systems, for mobile phones or network applications
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 : Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 : Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 : Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 : with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00283 : with a television apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 : with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00403 : Voice input means, e.g. voice commands
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 : the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00488 : providing an audible output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00854 : Recognising an unauthorised user or user-associated action
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00938 : Software related arrangements, e.g. loading applications program loading in general G06F9/445
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32534 : details of interfacing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32582 : Output interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 : involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/442 : using a biometric data reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 : Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 : Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0053 : Optical, e.g. using an infrared link
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 : By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 : Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 : Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 : using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 : Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Wireless devices that establish a wireless connection with a mobile device (e.g., smart phone) by wirelessly detecting the mobile device within a physical proximity, are herein disclosed and enabled. To set up a wireless device (e.g., Bluetooth devices, audio output devices, television controllers, Internet appliances, digital cameras, etc.) for connecting with a smart phone, the wireless device and the smart phone are simply placed within physical proximity of each other for short range wireless detection. During the wireless detection, the smart phone and the wireless device may exchange, transmit, or receive device or security information to facilitate future wireless connections. Subsequent to the short range wireless detection, the wireless device and the smart phone are connected or locked for future wireless communications (e.g., Bluetooth or IEEE802.11), and future wireless connections between the wireless device and the smart phone can be established without having to repeat the short range wireless detection.

Claims

1. A wireless connection method for a wireless device to establish a wireless connection with a smart phone, the wireless device being a distinct device from the smart phone, and the wireless device includes wireless communication circuitry, memory, and one or more processors or controllers, wherein the wireless connection method, at the wireless device, comprises:

(1) wirelessly detecting, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, the smart phone, the wireless detection is based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the wireless device and the smart phone, and the wireless detection includes either the wireless device wirelessly detecting the smart phone or the smart phone wirelessly detecting the wireless device, and the wireless detection, using the wireless communication circuitry, is further based on direct short range wireless communication between the wireless device and the smart phone;

(2) wirelessly receiving, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, first information from the smart phone wirelessly detected in (1), the wireless receiving of the first information is via direct short range wireless communication between the wireless device and the smart phone, the first information includes at least one of identification information, identity information, device information, a name, a PIN, security information, biometrics information, or authentication information, individually or in any combination; and

(3) storing, by the wireless device, information related to the smart phone in the memory of the wireless device as part of a control list of approved identities or approved devices for accessing the wireless device; and

wherein, subsequent to having wirelessly detected the smart phone in (1) and having stored at least part of the information related to the smart phone in the memory of the wireless device in (3), the wireless connection method at the wireless device further comprises;

(4) wirelessly receiving, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, second information from the smart phone, the second information includes at least one of identification information, identity information, device information, a name, a PIN, biometrics information, security information, or authentication information, individually or in any combination;

(5) verifying, comparing, or authenticating, at the wireless device, at least part of the second information wirelessly received from the smart phone in (4) with respect to the control list of approved identities or approved devices in (3); and

(6) providing service, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, to the smart phone via a wireless communication link between the wireless device and the smart phone, the providing of the service is based, at least in part, on a successful verification, comparison, or authentication in (5), and

wherein the wireless device is further operable to repeat at least part of step (4) to step (6) for establishing wireless communication between the wireless device and the smart phone without the need for repeating at least part of step (1) and step (2).

2. The wireless connection method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless device includes one or more chips or chipsets, and the wireless communication circuitry either includes the one or more chips or chipsets, or is part of the one or more chips or chipsets;

and wherein the one or more chips or chipsets support, at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications or within IEEE 802.11 standards for establishing the wireless communication link in (6).

3. The wireless connection method according to claim 2, further comprises:

(7) wirelessly receiving, by the wireless device and using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, from the smart phone and over the wireless communication link in (6), output data that is related, at least in part, to digital content for outputting or playing at the wireless device; and

wherein the wireless device is at least a wireless output device that outputs or plays at least part of the digital content, and wherein the wireless output device is embodied as one or more of a wireless speaker, a wireless sound output device, a sound output system, a display device, a television, a controller connectable to a television, a projector, a printer, or a Bluetooth-enabled audio output device, individually or in any combination.

4. The wireless connection method according to claim 2, wherein the wireless connection method further comprises:

(7) wirelessly receiving by the wireless device, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, information or a service request from the smart phone and over the wireless communication link, the information or the data for wirelessly accessing the wireless device;

(8) wirelessly sending, by the wireless device, using the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, response data over the established wireless communication link to the smart phone subsequent to having wirelessly received the information or the service request from the smart phone in (7), the response data includes at least one of availability information, device attribute information, or user interface information, individually or in any combination; and

(9) repeating any combination of steps or operations in (7) and in (8), by the wireless device, for the smart phone to wirelessly access the wireless device.

5. The wireless connection method according to claim 2, wherein the one or more chips or chipsets further support, at least in part, a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for wireless local area network communication, and wherein the wireless connection method further comprises:

(7) wirelessly detecting, by the wireless device and using the one or more chips or chipsets of the wireless device, data or information from the smart phone over the established wireless communication link in (6), the data or the information includes identification information, security information, or authentication information; and

(8) wirelessly establishing, by the wireless device and using the one or more chips or chipsets of the wireless device that are compatible, at least in part, to at least a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards, a wireless local area network connection between the wireless device and the smart phone.

6. The wireless connection method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless device further includes an interface with at least one of a button, a touch sensitive interface, a voice command interface, or other controls operable by a user, and wherein the wireless detection of the smart phone is in response to having received, via the interface of the wireless device, an indication from the user for initiating the wireless detection in (1).

7. The wireless connection method according to claim 1, further comprises:

wirelessly synchronizing software or data between the wireless device and the smart phone over the established wireless communication link.

8. A wireless device for establishing a wireless connection with a mobile information apparatus, the wireless device being a distinct device from the mobile information apparatus, and the wireless device includes wireless communication circuitry and memory storing device information related to the wireless device, wherein the wireless device:

(1) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device to wirelessly detect the mobile information apparatus, the wireless detection is based, at least in part, on physical distance between the wireless device and the mobile information apparatus, and the wireless detection of the mobile information apparatus includes either one of (i) the wireless device wirelessly detecting the mobile information apparatus or (ii) the mobile information apparatus wirelessly detecting the wireless device, and the wireless detection is further based, at least in part, on short range direct wireless communication between the wireless device and the mobile information apparatus;

(2) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device to wirelessly transmit at least part of the device information that is stored in the memory of the wireless device, from the wireless device to the mobile information apparatus, the wireless transmission of the device information is based on the wireless device having wirelessly detected the mobile information apparatus in (1), and the wireless transmission of the device information is based, at least in part, on short range direct wireless communication between the wireless device and the mobile information apparatus;

(3) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device to wirelessly receive a service request or a connection request from the mobile information apparatus;

(4) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device to wirelessly establish a wireless communication link between the wireless device and the mobile information apparatus in response to having wirelessly received the service request or the connection request from the mobile information apparatus in (3), and the establishing of the wireless communication link being subsequent to having wirelessly transmitted at least part of the device information from the wireless device to the mobile information apparatus in (2); and

(5) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device to wirelessly receive, via the established wireless communication link in (4), data or information from the mobile information apparatus; and

wherein, subsequent to the wireless detection in step (1) or subsequent to having wirelessly transmitted the device information, related to the wireless device, from the wireless device to the mobile information apparatus in step (2), the wireless device is operable to repeat one or more other steps that include step (3), step (4), or step (5), without the need to repeat at least part of step (1) and step (2).

9. The wireless device according to claim 8, wherein the device information, wirelessly transmitted to the mobile information apparatus, includes at least one of identification information, identity information, capability information, compatibility information, a name, service information, security information, a PIN, biometric information, or authentication information, individually or in any combination;

and wherein the wireless transmitting of the device information from the wireless device to the mobile information apparatus is to facilitate, at least in part, the mobile information apparatus identifying or selecting the wireless device for making the service request or the connection request to the wireless device.

10. The wireless device according to claim 9, wherein the data or the information, wirelessly received from the mobile information apparatus in (5), is related to the mobile information apparatus wirelessly managing or wirelessly driving the wireless device, and wherein the wireless device further:

(6) uses the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device to wirelessly send response information, over the established wireless communication link, in response to having wirelessly received the data or the information from the mobile information apparatus in (5), the response information includes at least one of status information, reply information, device attribute information, or user interface information, individually or in any combination; and

(7) repeats any combination of steps or operations in (5) and in (6), thereby the wireless device is operable to be wirelessly managed or to be wirelessly driven by the mobile information apparatus.

11. The wireless device according to claim 8, wherein the wireless device includes one or more chips or chipsets, and the wireless communication circuitry either includes the one or more chips or chipsets, or is part of the one or more chips or chipsets;

and wherein the one or more chips or chipsets are compatible, at least in part, to at least a protocol within Bluetooth specifications or within IEEE 802.11 standards, and the wireless device uses the one or more chips or chipsets for establishing the wireless communication link that is compatible with at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications or within IEEE 802.11 standards.

12. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the wireless device is a wireless output device that is at least a Bluetooth enabled audio output device, and wherein the data or the information wirelessly received, from the mobile information apparatus in (5), includes audio data for outputting or for playing at the wireless output device that is a Bluetooth enabled audio output device.

13. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more chips or chipsets are compatible, at least in part, to at least a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards, and wherein the data or the information wirelessly received from the mobile information apparatus, via the established wireless communication link, includes security information or authentication information, and wherein the one or more chips or chipsets of the wireless device are operable to establish a wireless local area network connection that is compatible with at least a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards.

14. The wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the wireless device further includes an interface with at least one of a button, a display, a voice command interface, or other interface controls operable by a user, and wherein the wireless detection of the mobile information apparatus or the wireless detection by the mobile information apparatus is subsequent to having received, via the interface of the wireless device, at least an indication for initiating the wireless detection;

and wherein the mobile information apparatus is at least one of a smart phone, an information pad, an Internet-Phone, a digital camera, an e-book, or an Internet appliance, individually or in any combination.

15. The wireless device according to claim 8, wherein the wireless device includes an output device, and the wireless device is embodied as one or more of a display device, a projection device, a printer, a television, or a television controller device connectable to a television, individually or in any combination, and wherein the data or the information wirelessly received in (5) includes digital content for outputting or for playing at the output device.

16. A wireless connection method for a wireless device to establish wireless connections with one or more client devices, the one or more client devices include a smart phone, the wireless device includes wireless communication circuitry and memory storing device information related to the wireless device, wherein the wireless connection method at the wireless device, comprises:

(1) wirelessly detecting, via the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, the smart phone, the wireless detection includes either the wireless device wirelessly detecting the smart phone or the smart phone wirelessly detecting the wireless device, and the wireless detection is based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the wireless device and the smart phone;

(2) wirelessly transmitting to the smart phone, via the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, the device information that is stored in the memory of the wireless device, the wireless transmission of the device information is subsequent to the wireless device having wirelessly detected the smart phone or having been wirelessly detected by the smart phone in (1), and the wireless transmission of the device information is further based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the wireless device and the smart phone, and the device information is to facilitate the one or more client devices identifying or selecting the wireless device for service;

(3) wirelessly receiving, via the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, a service request or a connection request from a client device that has identified or that has selected the wireless device for service, the service request or the connection request from the client device is based, at least in part, on the device information that was wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device to the smart phone in (2), the client device being a distinct device from the smart phone, and the client device is a device from among the one or more client devices that the smart phone has shared, over a network, information or digital files;

(4) wirelessly establishing, via the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device, a wireless communication link between the wireless device and the client device in response to having received the service request or the connection request in (3) from the client device; and

(5) providing service, via the wireless communication circuitry of the wireless device and over the established wireless communication link in (4), to the client device; and

wherein, subsequent to the wireless detection of the smart phone in step (1) and the wireless transmission of the device information from the wireless device to the smart phone in step (2), the wireless device is operable to provide service to the client device, without the need for the wireless device to setup a connection with the client device by wirelessly detecting the client device based, at least in part, on physical proximity to the client device.

17. The wireless connection method according to claim 16, wherein the wireless device includes one or more chips or chipsets, and the wireless communication circuitry either includes the one or more chips or chipsets, or is part of the one or more chips or chipsets, and wherein the one or more chips or chipsets support at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications or within IEEE 802.11 standards for establishing the wireless communication link in (4).

18. The wireless connection method according to claim 17, wherein the wireless device is a Bluetooth enabled audio output device;

and wherein the service, provided by the Bluetooth enabled audio output device in step (5), includes outputting or playing audio digital content received from the client device; and

wherein the client device includes at least one of a smart phone, an information pad, an Internet-Phone, a digital camera, an e-book, or an Internet appliance, individually or in any combination.

19. The wireless connection method according to claim 18, wherein the wireless transmission of the device information in (2) from the wireless device to the smart phone is to facilitate, at least in part, the smart phone identifying or selecting the wireless device for service, wherein the wireless connection method further comprises:

(a) wirelessly receiving, by the smart phone, the device information that is wirelessly transmitted by the wireless device in (2), based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the wireless device and the smart phone; and

(b) storing, by the smart phone, at least part of the device information to facilitate the smart phone making a service request or a connection request to the wireless device.

20. The wireless connection method according to claim 18, wherein the wireless transmission of the device information in (2) from the wireless device to the smart phone is to facilitate, at least in part, the client device, identifying or selecting the wireless device for service, and wherein the wireless connection method further comprises:

(a) wirelessly receiving, by the smart phone, the device information that is wirelessly transmitted by the wireless device;

(b) transmitting, by the smart phone, at least part of the device information wirelessly received from the wireless device in (a) to a server over a network, the server over the network is accessible by the smart phone and the client device, and the smart phone and the client device having appropriate authentication information or security information for accessing the server;

(c) accessing, by the client device, at least part of the device information transmitted to the server in (b), the accessing of the device information by the client device is based on the client device having the appropriate authentication information or security information for accessing the server; and

(d) wirelessly making a service request or a connection request, by the client device, to the wireless device, the service request or the connection request is subsequent to the client device having accessed at least part of the device information from the server in (c); and

whereby the client device is facilitated to make the service request or the connection request to the wireless device in (3) using at least part of the device information without the need for the wireless device to setup a connection with the client device by wirelessly detecting the client device based, at least in part, on physical proximity to the client device.