Offloading network connectivity and execution tasks to an assistant device
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- obtaining information reflecting capabilities of a plurality of candidate assistant devices that are configured to communicate with a client device over respective local communication links, the plurality of candidate assistant devices providing supplemental resources for use by the client device;
based at least on the capabilities of the plurality of candidate assistant devices, identifying a selected assistant device to execute a driver program on behalf of the client device, the driver program being configured to control a specific peripheral output device other than the client device; and
sending a driver-invoking event from the client device to the selected assistant device over a selected local communication link, the selected assistant device executing the driver program using selected supplemental resources of the selected assistant device to provide a driver output result,wherein the driver output result is configured to control the specific peripheral output device.
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Abstract
Functionality is described herein for performing at least one network connectivity task on a client device with the aid of one or more assistant devices. In some implementations, a client device (such as a smartphone, desktop personal computing device, etc.) relies on an assistant device to assist it in updating its programs, including its driver programs. In other implementations, a client device relies on an assistant device in establishing a network connection with a network-accessible entity. Functionality is also described herein for performing at least one program execution task on a client device with the aid of one or more assistant devices. For instance, the client device may rely on the assistant device to assist it in executing a driver program. The driver program, in turn, enables the client device to interact with a peripheral device or some other component.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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obtaining information reflecting capabilities of a plurality of candidate assistant devices that are configured to communicate with a client device over respective local communication links, the plurality of candidate assistant devices providing supplemental resources for use by the client device; based at least on the capabilities of the plurality of candidate assistant devices, identifying a selected assistant device to execute a driver program on behalf of the client device, the driver program being configured to control a specific peripheral output device other than the client device; and sending a driver-invoking event from the client device to the selected assistant device over a selected local communication link, the selected assistant device executing the driver program using selected supplemental resources of the selected assistant device to provide a driver output result, wherein the driver output result is configured to control the specific peripheral output device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An assistant device comprising:
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a storage resource configured to store a driver program received from an update service, the driver program being configured to control a specific peripheral output device that is coupled to the assistant device; and a hardware processor that is configured to; send, over a local communication link to a client device, information reflecting capabilities of the assistant device for executing the driver program; send, to the client device over the local communication link, an indication that the driver program is available at the assistant device; receive a driver-invoking event from the client device over the local communication link; in response to the driver-invoking event, execute the driver program using resources of the assistant device to provide a driver output result; and control the specific peripheral output device by communicating the driver output result to the specific peripheral output device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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a client device, an assistant device; and a peripheral output device, the client device including; a client device communication interface that is configured to communicatively couple the client device with the assistant device; a client device storage resource that provides one or more client device programs; and a client device hardware processor that is configured to; select the assistant device from among a plurality of candidate assistant devices to execute a particular driver program, based at least on information reflecting capabilities of the plurality of candidate assistant devices; and execute the one or more client device programs in the client device storage resource; the assistant device including; an assistant device communication interface that is configured to communicatively couple the assistant device with the client device; an assistant device storage resource that provides one or more assistant device programs; and an assistant device hardware processor that is configured to; execute the particular driver program on behalf of the client device to obtain a driver output result; and control the peripheral output device on behalf of the client device by communicating the driver output result to the peripheral output device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification