DEVICE MOVEMENT USER INTERFACE GESTURES FOR FILE SHARING FUNCTIONALITY

• US 20110081923A1
• Filed: 10/14/2009
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Forutanpour, Babak, Gooding, Ted, Bednar, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,457,651 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/457
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/176 Support for shared access to files; File sharing support
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 file transfer between terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• 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

Abstract

Methods and devices provide a gesture activated file sharing functionality enabling users to share files with other nearby computing devices. The file sharing functionality may include establishing wireless links with nearby devices and determine their relative locations. The computing device may detect a file sharing motion of the computing device from accelerometers and transmit files to or request files from a nearby device in response. Base on motion parameters, e.g., direction, speed and/or shape, the computing device may identify a targeted device to which a file may be transmitted or from which a file may be requested. The computing device may request user verification of the identified device and send a request to transmit files to the targeted device. The computing devices may transmit files using networks and addresses provided over the device-to-device communication links.

Claims

1. A method for sharing files among a mobile device and nearby computing devices, comprising:

activating a file sharing functionality;

discovering nearby computing devices;

establishing a wireless link with the discovered computing devices;

determining locations of the discovered nearby computing devices;

detecting accelerations of the mobile device;

identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations; and

transmitting a file sharing message to the targeted computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the wireless link is accomplished using a wireless technology selected from Bluetooth®

, ZigBee®

, Near Field Communication (NFC), wide-area-wireless IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), infrared (IrDA), and ultrasound.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

determining locations of the discovered nearby computing devices comprises receiving location coordinates provided by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in each of the discovered nearby computing devices via the established wireless link; and

transmitting the file sharing message to the targeted computing device is accomplished using a wireless technology different from the wireless technology used to establish the wireless link.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining locations of the discovered nearby computing device comprises:

determining a difference in arrival times of signals received from the discovered nearby computing devices using a first and second antennae; and

using triangulation calculations based on the determined difference in arrival times of signals to determine a direction to each of the discovered nearby computing devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining locations of the nearby discovered computing device comprises:

receiving location coordinates provided by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in each of the discovered nearby computing devices; and

comparing the received location coordinates to location coordinates from a GPS receiver within the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises:

calculating a velocity of the mobile device based on the detected accelerations;

calculating a ballistic trajectory based upon the calculated velocity;

calculating a landing location where an object would land based on the calculated ballistic trajectory; and

identifying a computing device located closest to the calculated landing location.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path based upon the detected accelerations; and

determining a direction of rotation if the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path,

wherein identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises identifying all nearby computing devices as targeted computing devices if it is determined that the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path, and

wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting a file sharing message comprises;

transmitting a file sharing message comprises transmitting a file to the targeted discovered computing devices if the mobile device is being moved in a clockwise direction; and

transmitting a file sharing message comprises transmitting a request for files to the targeted discovered computing devices if the mobile device is being moved in a counterclockwise direction.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path based upon the detected accelerations;

determining a direction of rotation if the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path,

wherein;

identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises identifying all nearby computing devices as targeted computing devices if it is determined that the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path;

transmitting a file sharing message comprises transmitting a file to all nearby discovered computing devices if the mobile device is being moved in a counterclockwise direction; and

transmitting a file sharing message comprises transmitting a request for files to all nearby discovered computing devices if the mobile device is being moved in a clockwise direction.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a file sharing message comprises transmitting a selected file to the targeted computing device, the method further comprising:

transmitting a request to transmit the file to the targeted computing device; and

receiving a response from the targeting computing device including access data specifying an address to which the file should be transmitted,

wherein transmitting the file to the targeted computing device comprises;

determining a wireless communication link over which the file should be transmitted based upon the address specified in the received access data; and

transmitting the file to the address via the determined wireless communication link.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the request to transmit the file to the target computing device is accomplished using the established wireless link, and the determined wireless communication link used to transmit the file uses a wireless technology that is different than the established wireless link technology.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a file sharing message comprises transmitting a selected file to the targeted computing device, the method further comprising:

displaying a prompt for a user verification of the targeted computing device; and

determining whether a user input indicates user verification of the targeted computing device,

wherein transmitting the file to the targeted computing device is accomplished if the user input indicates user verification of the targeted computing device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein displaying a prompt for a user verification the targeted computing device comprises:

receiving a user identifier from discovered computing devices via the established wireless link;

using the received user identifier to obtain an image from a contact database; and

displaying an obtained image as the prompt for the user verification of the targeted computing device.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a radar map image including graphical indicators for the determined relative locations of the discovered nearby computing devices.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting a file sharing message comprises transmitting a message requesting the targeted computing device to transmit a file.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

transmitting access data to the targeted computing device, the access data including an address to which the requested file should be transmitted.

16. A mobile device, comprising:

a processor;

a display coupled to the processor;

a touch sensitive surface coupled to the processor;

an accelerometer coupled to the processor and configured to sense accelerations of the mobile device;

a memory coupled to the processor; and

a first wireless transceiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform steps operations comprising;

activating a file sharing functionality;

discovering nearby computing devices via the first wireless transceiver;

establishing a wireless link with the discovered computing devices via the first wireless transceiver;

determining locations of the discovered nearby computing devices;

receiving signals from the accelerometer indicating detected accelerations of the mobile device;

identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations; and

transmitting a file sharing message to the targeted computing device via the first transceiver.

17. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the first transceiver is configured to communicate according to a wireless technology selected from Bluetooth®

, ZigBee®

, Near Field Communication (NFC), wide-area-wireless IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), infrared (IrDA), and ultrasound.

18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that:

determining locations of the discovered nearby computing devices is accomplished by receiving location coordinates provided by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in each of the discovered nearby computing devices via the established wireless link; and

transmitting the file sharing message to the targeted computing device is accomplished using a wireless technology different from the wireless technology used to establish the wireless link.

19. The mobile device of claim 16, further comprising a first antenna and a second antenna, at least one of which is coupled to the first transceiver,

wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that determining locations of the discovered nearby computing device is accomplished by performing operations comprising:

determining a difference in arrival times of signals received from the discovered nearby computing devices via the first and second antennae; and

using triangulation calculations based on the determined difference in arrival times of signals to determine a direction to each of the discovered nearby computing devices.

20. The mobile device of claim 16, further comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that determining locations of the discovered nearby computing device is accomplished by performing operations comprising:

receiving location coordinates provided by GPS receivers in the discovered nearby computing devices; and

comparing the received location coordinates to location coordinates received from the GPS receiver.

21. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that transmitting a file sharing message is accomplished by performing operations comprising:

transmitting, via the first transceiver, a request to transmit a selected file to the targeted computing device;

receiving, via the first transceiver, a response from the targeting computing device including access data specifying an address to which the selected file should be transmitted,

determining a wireless communication link over which the selected file should be transmitted based upon the address specified in the received access data; and

transmitting the selected file to the address via the determined wireless communication link.

22. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured by processor-executable instructions to transmit the selected file to the target computing device via the first transceiver.

23. The mobile device of claim 21, further comprising a second transceiver coupled to the processor, wherein the second transceiver is configured to communicate using a wireless communication technology different from that of the first transceiver,

wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction to transmit the selected file via the second transceiver.

24. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein:

the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that transmitting a file sharing message is accomplished by performing operations comprising transmitting a selected file to the targeted computing device;

the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform further operations comprising

displaying on the display a prompt for a user verification of the targeted computing device, and

determining whether a user input indicates user verification of the targeted computing device; and

the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that transmitting the file to the targeted computing device is accomplished if the user input indicates user verification of the targeted computing device.

25. The mobile device of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that displaying a prompt for a user verification the targeted computing device is accomplished by performing operations comprising:

receiving a user identifier from discovered computing devices via the established wireless link via the first transceiver;

using the received user identifier to obtain an image from a contact database stored in the memory; and

displaying on the display the obtained image as the prompt for the user verification of the targeted computing device.

26. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform further operations comprising displaying a radar map image on the display including graphical indicators for the determined relative locations of the discovered nearby computing devices.

27. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that transmitting a file sharing message is accomplished by performing operations comprising transmitting a message requesting the targeted computing device to transmit a file.

28. The mobile device of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform further operations comprising:

transmitting access data to the targeted computing device, the access data including an address to which the requested file should be transmitted.

29. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises:

calculating a velocity of the mobile device based on the determined accelerations;

calculating a ballistic trajectory based upon the calculated velocity;

calculating a landing location where an object would land based on the calculated ballistic trajectory; and

identifying a targeted computing device located closest to the calculated landing location.

30. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured with processor-executable instruction such that identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises:

determining whether the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path based upon the detected accelerations;

determining a direction of rotation if the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path; and

identifying all nearby computing devices as targeted computing devices if it is determined that the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path.

31. The mobile device of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that transmitting a file sharing message comprises:

transmitting a file to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a clockwise direction; and

transmitting a request for files to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a counterclockwise direction.

32. The mobile device of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that transmitting a file sharing message comprises:

transmitting a file to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a counterclockwise direction; and

transmitting a request for files to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a clockwise direction.

33. The mobile device of claim 30, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform further operations comprising:

transmitting access data to the targeted computing devices, the access data including an address to which a requested file should be transmitted.

34. A mobile device, comprising:

means for activating a file sharing functionality;

means for discovering nearby computing devices;

means for establishing a wireless link with the discovered computing devices;

means for determining locations of the discovered nearby computing devices;

means for detecting accelerations of the mobile device;

means for identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations; and

means for transmitting a file sharing message to the targeted computing device.

35. The mobile device of claim 34, wherein means for establishing the wireless link uses a wireless technology selected from Bluetooth®

, ZigBee®

, Near Field Communication (NFC), wide-area-wireless IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), infrared (IrDA), and ultrasound.

36. The mobile device of claim 35, wherein:

means for determining locations of the discovered nearby computing devices comprises means for receiving location coordinates provided by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in each of the discovered nearby computing devices via the established wireless link; and

means for transmitting the file sharing message to the targeted computing device comprises means for transmitting the file sharing message using a wireless technology different from the wireless technology used by the means for establishing the wireless link.

37. The mobile device of claim 34, wherein means for determining locations of the discovered nearby computing device comprises:

means for determining a difference in arrival times of signals received from the discovered nearby computing devices using a first and second antennae; and

means for using triangulation calculations based on the determined difference in arrival times of signals to determine a direction to each of the discovered nearby computing devices.

38. The mobile device of claim 34, wherein means for determining locations of the nearby discovered computing device comprises:

means for receiving location coordinates provided by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in each of the discovered nearby computing devices; and

means for comparing the received location coordinates to location coordinates from a GPS receiver.

39. The mobile device of claim 34, wherein means for identifying the targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises:

means for calculating a velocity of the computing device based on the detected accelerations;

means for calculating a ballistic trajectory based upon the calculated velocity;

means for calculating a landing location where an object would land based on the calculated ballistic trajectory; and

means for identifying a computing device located closest to the calculated landing location.

40. The mobile device of claim 34, further comprising:

means for determining whether the computing device is being moved along an elliptical path based upon the detected accelerations; and

means for determining a direction of rotation if the computing device is being moved along an elliptical path,

wherein means for identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises means for identifying all nearby computing devices as targeted computing devices if it is determined that the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path, and

wherein means for transmitting a file sharing message comprises;

means for transmitting a file to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a clockwise direction; and

means for transmitting a request for files to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a counterclockwise direction.

41. The mobile device of claim 34, further comprising:

means for determining whether the computing device is being moved along an elliptical path based upon the detected accelerations;

means for determining a direction of rotation if the computing device is being moved along an elliptical path,

wherein means for identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises means for identifying all nearby computing devices as targeted computing devices if it is determined that the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path, and

wherein means for transmitting a file sharing message comprises;

means for transmitting a file to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a counterclockwise direction; and

means for transmitting a request for files to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a clockwise direction.

42. The mobile device of claim 34, wherein means for transmitting a file sharing message comprises means for transmitting a selected file to the targeted computing device, the mobile device further comprising:

means for transmitting a request to transmit the file to the targeted computing device; and

means for receiving a response from the targeting computing device including access data specifying an address to which the file should be transmitted,

wherein means for transmitting the file to the targeted computing device comprises;

means for determining a wireless communication link over which the file should be transmitted based upon the address specified in the received access data; and

means for transmitting the file to the address via the determined wireless communication link.

43. The mobile device of claim 42, wherein means for transmitting a request to transmit the file to the target computing device comprises means for transmitting the request using the established wireless link, and means for transmitting the file via the determined wireless communication link uses a wireless technology that is different than the established wireless link technology.

44. The mobile device of claim 34, wherein means for transmitting a file sharing message comprises means for transmitting a selected file to the targeted computing device, the mobile device further comprising:

means for displaying a prompt for a user verification of the targeted computing device; and

means for determining whether a user input indicates user verification of the targeted computing device,

wherein means for transmitting the file to the targeted computing device comprises means for transmitting the file to the targeted computing device if the user input indicates user verification of the targeted computing device.

45. The mobile device of claim 44, wherein means for displaying a prompt for a user verification the targeted computing device comprises:

means for receiving a user identifier from discovered computing devices via the established wireless link;

means for using the received user identifier to obtain an image from a contact database; and

means for displaying an obtained image as the prompt for the user verification of the targeted computing device.

46. The mobile device of claim 34, further comprising:

means for displaying a radar map image including graphical indicators for the determined relative locations of the discovered nearby computing devices.

47. The mobile device of claim 34, wherein means for transmitting a file sharing message comprises means for transmitting a message requesting the targeted computing device to transmit a file.

48. The mobile device of claim 47, further comprising:

means for transmitting access data to the targeted computing device, the access data including an address to which the requested file should be transmitted.

49. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

at least one instruction for activating a file sharing functionality;

at least one instruction for discovering nearby computing devices;

at least one instruction for establishing a wireless link with the discovered computing devices;

at least one instruction for determining locations of the discovered nearby computing devices;

at least one instruction for detecting accelerations of the mobile device;

at least one instruction for identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations; and

at least one instruction for transmitting a file sharing message to the targeted computing device.

50. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the at least one instruction for establishing the wireless link includes at least one instruction for using a wireless technology selected from Bluetooth®

, ZigBee®

, Near Field Communication (NFC), wide-area-wireless IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), infrared (IrDA), and ultrasound.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein:

the at least one instruction for determining locations of the discovered nearby computing devices comprises at least one instruction for receiving location coordinates provided by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in each of the discovered nearby computing devices via the established wireless link;

the at least one instruction for transmitting the file sharing message to the targeted computing device includes at least one instruction for using a wireless technology different from the wireless technology used to establish the wireless link.

52. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the at least one instruction for determining locations of the discovered nearby computing device comprises:

at least one instruction for determining a difference in arrival times of signals received from the discovered nearby computing devices using a first and second antennae; and

at least one instruction for using triangulation calculations based on the determined difference in arrival times of signals to determine a direction to each of the discovered nearby computing devices.

53. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the at least one instruction for determining locations of the nearby discovered computing device comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving location coordinates provided by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers in each of the discovered nearby computing devices; and

at least one instruction for comparing the received location coordinates to location coordinates from a GPS receiver.

54. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the at least one instruction for identifying the targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises:

at least one instruction for calculating a velocity of the computing device based on the detected accelerations;

at least one instruction for calculating a landing location where an object would land based on the calculated ballistic trajectory; and

at least one instruction for identifying a computing device located closest to the calculated landing location.

55. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for determining whether the computing device is being moved along an elliptical path based upon the detected accelerations; and

at least one instruction for determining a direction of rotation if the computing device is being moved along an elliptical path,

wherein the at least one instruction for identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises at least one instruction for identifying all nearby computing devices as targeted computing devices if it is determined that the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path, and

wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting a file sharing message comprises;

at least one instruction for transmitting a file to all nearby discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a clockwise direction; and

at least one instruction for transmitting a request for files to all nearby discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a counterclockwise direction.

56. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for determining whether the computing device is being moved along an elliptical path based upon the detected accelerations;

at least one instruction for determining a direction of rotation if the computing device is being moved along an elliptical path,

wherein the at least one instruction for identifying a targeted computing device based on the detected accelerations comprises at least one instruction for identifying all nearby computing devices as targeted computing devices if it is determined that the mobile device is being moved along an elliptical path, and

wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting a file sharing message comprises;

at least one instruction for transmitting a file to the targeted computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a counterclockwise direction; and

at least one instruction for transmitting a request for files to the targeted discovered computing devices if the computing device is being moved in a clockwise direction.

57. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting a file sharing message comprises at least one instruction for transmitting a selected file to the targeted computing device, the computer-readable medium further comprising:

at least one instruction for transmitting a request to transmit the file to the targeted computing device; and

at least one instruction for receiving a response from the targeting computing device including access data specifying an address to which the file should be transmitted,

wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting the file to the targeted computing device comprises;

at least one instruction for determining a wireless communication link over which the file should be transmitted based upon the address specified in the received access data; and

at least one instruction for transmitting the file to the address via the determined wireless communication link.

58. The computer program product of claim 57, wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting a request to transmit the file to the target computing device includes at least one instruction for using the established wireless link, and at least one instruction for transmitting the file using a wireless technology that is different than the established wireless link technology.

59. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting a file sharing message comprises at least one instruction for transmitting a selected file to the targeted computing device, the computer-readable medium further comprising:

at least one instruction for displaying a prompt for a user verification of the targeted computing device; and

at least one instruction for determining whether a user input indicates user verification of the targeted computing device,

wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting the file to the targeted computing device includes at least one instruction for transmitting the file if the user input indicates user verification of the targeted computing device.

60. The computer program product of claim 59, wherein the at least one instruction for displaying a prompt for a user verification the targeted computing device comprises:

at least one instruction for receiving a user identifier from discovered computing devices via the established wireless link;

at least one instruction for using the received user identifier to obtain an image from a contact database; and

at least one instruction for displaying an obtained image as the prompt for the user verification of the targeted computing device.

61. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for displaying a radar map image including graphical indicators for the determined relative locations of the discovered nearby computing devices.

62. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the at least one instruction for transmitting a file sharing message comprises at least one instruction for transmitting a message requesting the targeted computing device to transmit a file.

63. The computer program product of claim 62, further comprising:

at least one instruction for transmitting access data to the targeted computing device, the access data including an address to which the requested file should be transmitted.