META-CONFIGURATION OF PROFILES

• US 20110093438A1
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aspiration Innovation, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Andrew S. Poulsen
• Inventors: Poulsen, Andrew S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,489,563 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/661
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2365 Ensuring data consistency and integrity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24564 Applying rules; Deductive queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• 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 3/1255 Settings incompatibility, e.g. constraints, user requirements vs. device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/00 Systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not involving significant data processing

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for creating, applying, using and retrieving profile information that includes attributes that may be stored separately from, or with, the content to which the profiles are being applied. In this manner, profiles can be shared in various environments and across various applications. Attributes that have corresponding attributes in other content can be applied to the other content, as long as each of the attributes is valid. In computer aided design applications, the profile can be stored in a profile repository embedded within the CAD model. In addition, profile controllers are disclosed which control the attributes of a profile that can be used with selected content and other content and send a notification that a profile is available for use by other content.

Claims

1. A method of retrieving a profile, said profile having a plurality of attributes for modifying the presentation of content, said attributes comprising settings for specific content presentation characteristics, and applying said profile to selected content, which comprises underlying information, at the direction of a user at run time and not at compilation time and not by a content creator comprising:

defining said selected content by said user at said run time to which said profile is to be applied;

selecting said profile to be retrieved and applied to selected content;

retrieving said profile, at said run time, from a profile repository, said process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprising;

loading said profile from said profile repository at said run time and not at compilation time and not by a content creator;

applying said profile at said run time, not at compilation time and not by a content creator, said process of applying said profile further comprising;

setting a current attribute pointer to a current attribute in said profile;

applying said current attribute to said selected content when said current attribute has a corresponding attribute present in said selected content, and when current attribute is valid for said content;

incrementing said current attribute pointer so that each attribute of said plurality of attributes in said profile is applied to said selected content whenever said attribute has a corresponding attribute present in said selected content, and when said attribute is valid for said content.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the process of defining said selected content further comprises:

defining said selected content from a larger set of associated content.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

selecting a specific subset of attributes from said plurality of attributes comprising said profile to be applied;

loading said subset of attributes from said profile repository to be applied to said selected content.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from a profile repository, said profile repository being a storage location which is embedded within the selected content.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from an external profile repository, said external profile repository being a storage location that is separate from and not embedded within said content.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the process of selecting said profile further comprises:

determining whether said selected content is configured to use profiles;

determining whether said selected content contains profile information when said selected content is configured to use profiles;

determining, when said selected content contains profile information and is configured to use profiles, whether said profile information identifies a default profile;

selecting said default profile as a profile to be retrieved and applied to selected content when said selected content is configured to use profiles, contains profile information, and said profile information identifies said default profile;

loading and applying said default profile automatically.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said process of determining whether said selected content is configured to use profiles comprises:

determining whether said selected content comprises a content environment which is configured to use profiles.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said process of determining whether said selected content is configured to use profiles comprises:

determining whether said selected content comprises a subset of a content environment which is configured to use profiles.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

using a link that is stored in said content to access said profile that is stored in said profile repository that is separate from, and not embedded within, said content.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the process of using a link that is stored in said content to access said profile that is stored in said profile repository that is separate from, and not embedded within, said content further comprises:

processing profile information from said linked profile as though said profile information from said linked profile were from a native profile.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the process of using a link that is stored in said content to access said profile that is stored in said profile repository that is separate from, and not embedded within, said content further comprises:

selecting a specific subset of attributes from the plurality of attributes comprising said linked profile to be applied to said selected content;

loading said specific subset of attributes from said profile repository;

applying said specific subset of attributes to said selected content.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the process of using a link that is stored in said content to access said profile that is stored in said profile repository further comprises:

using an additional link that is stored in said linked profile to access an additional profile in a profile repository that is separate from, and not embedded within, said content;

processing profile information contained in said additional linked profile as though said additional linked profile information from said additional linked profile were natively included in said original profile.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the process of using an additional link that is stored in said linked profile to access said additional profile that is stored in said profile repository that is separate from, and not embedded within, said content further comprises:

selecting a specific subset of attributes from the plurality of attributes comprising said additional linked profile to be applied to said selected content;

loading said specific subset of attributes from said profile repository;

applying said specific subset of attributes to said selected content.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the process of applying said profile to said selected content further comprises:

prompting a user whether to apply said profile to said selected content.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the process of prompting a user whether to apply said profile to said selected content further comprises:

providing a preview of the changes that will result from applying said profile to said selected content to enable said user to view said changes before said profile is applied.

16. A method of retrieving a profile for a vehicle, said profile having a plurality of attributes for modifying the presentation of content, said attributes comprising settings for specific content presentation characteristics, said content presentation characteristics comprising user-definable settings, said process comprising:

selecting said profile to be retrieved and applied to said user-definable settings;

retrieving said profile from a profile repository, said process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprising;

loading said profile from said profile repository;

applying said profile to said user-definable settings, said process of applying said profile further comprising;

setting a current attribute pointer to a current attribute in said profile;

applying said current attribute to said user-definable settings when said current attribute has a corresponding attribute present in said user-definable settings, and when current attribute is valid for said settings;

incrementing said current attribute pointer so that each attribute of said plurality of attributes in said profile is applied to said user-definable settings whenever said attribute has a corresponding attribute present in said user-definable settings, and when said attribute is valid for said settings.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository comprises:

selecting a specific subset of attributes from said plurality of attributes comprising said profile to be applied.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said user-definable settings comprise:

a user-definable content presentation characteristic selected from the group consisting of;

climate control, seat positions and settings, audio system presets and settings, engine performance settings, navigation system settings, sun/moonroof settings, display brightness settings and mirror settings.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the process of selecting said profile further comprises:

providing identifying information by a user to the vehicle profile controller;

determining whether said vehicle is configured to use profiles;

determining whether said vehicle profile controller can obtain profile information related to said identifying information when said vehicle is configured to use profiles;

determining whether said profile information identifies a default profile when said vehicle is configured to use profiles and when said vehicle profile controller is able to obtain profile information related to said identifying information;

selecting said default profile as the profile to be retrieved and applied to said user-definable settings when said vehicle is configured to use profiles, when said vehicle profile controller is able to obtain profile information related to said identifying information, and when said profile information identifies said default profile;

loading and applying said default profile automatically.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the process of the user providing identifying information to the vehicle profile controller further comprises:

providing the identifying information via a removable storage device.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from a profile repository, said profile repository being a storage location which is located within said vehicle.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from a profile repository, said profile repository being a storage location which is located on a removable storage device.

23. The method of claim 16 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from an external profile repository, said external profile repository being a storage location that is separate from, and not located within, said vehicle.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from an external profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from an external profile repository, said external profile repository being a storage location that is separate from, and not located within, said vehicle, where said external profile repository is accessed through a network.

25. A method of retrieving and applying a profile, said profile having a plurality of attributes for modifying the presentation of content, said attributes comprising settings for specific content presentation characteristics for a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) application, at the direction of a user at run time and not at compilation time comprising:

defining content to which said profile is to be applied;

selecting said profile to be retrieved and applied to said content;

retrieving said profile from a profile repository, said process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprising;

loading said profile from said profile repository;

applying said profile to said content, said process of applying said profile further comprising;

setting a current attribute pointer to a current attribute in said profile;

applying said current attribute to said user-definable settings when said current attribute has a corresponding attribute present in said user-definable settings, and when current attribute is valid for said settings;

incrementing said current attribute pointer so that each attribute of said plurality of attributes in said profile is applied to said user-definable settings whenever said attribute has a corresponding attribute present in said user-definable settings, and when said attribute is valid for said user-definable settings.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the process of selecting said profile to be retrieved and applied to said content further comprises:

determining whether said CAD application is configured to use profiles;

determining whether said defined content contains profile information when said CAD application is configured to use profiles;

determining, when said defined content contains profile information and said CAD application is configured to use profiles, whether said profile information identifies a default profile;

selecting said default profile as a profile to be retrieved and applied to said defined content when said CAD application is configured to use profiles, said defined content containing profile information, and said profile information identifying said default profile;

loading and applying said default profile automatically.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository comprises:

selecting a specific subset of attributes from said plurality of attributes comprising said profile to be applied.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein said user-definable settings comprise:

a user-definable content presentation characteristic selected from the group consisting of;

seat settings, lumbar position, back rest tilt, seat height, audio value, audio presets, climate control settings, engine performance parameters, sun/moonroof settings, display brightness settings, font, font size, line spacing, paragraph spacing, centering features, paragraph layout, view, lighting, transparency, part color, wire frame, formatting characteristics, open applications, lists of open documents, window sizes, window positions, window zoom scales, hidden items, application-specific settings, position of each document or file within each window, audio settings, power settings, screen resolution, screen saver settings and security settings.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository comprises:

selecting a specific subset of attributes from said plurality of attributes comprising said profile to be applied.

33. The method of claim 27 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from a profile repository, said profile repository being a storage location which is located within said multi-application environment.

34. The method of claim 27 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from a profile repository, said profile repository being a storage location which is located on a removable storage device.

35. The method of claim 27 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from an external profile repository, said external profile repository being a storage location that is separate from and not located within said multi-application environment.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the process of retrieving said profile from an external profile repository further comprises:

retrieving said profile from said external profile repository, where said external profile repository is accessed through a network.

28. A method of retrieving and applying a profile from a profile repository, said profile having a plurality of attributes for modifying the presentation of content, said attributes comprising settings for specific content presentation characteristics for a multi-application environment on a computing device, at the direction of a user at run time, and not at compilation time, said content presentation characteristics comprising user-definable settings, said method comprising:

selecting said profile to be retrieved;

retrieving said profile, at said run time, from a profile repository, said process of retrieving said profile from a profile repository further comprising;

loading said profile from said profile repository at said run time, and not at compilation time, and not by a content creator;

applying said profile at said run time, not at compilation time, and not by a content creator, said process of applying said profile further comprising;

setting a current attribute pointer to a current attribute in said profile;

applying said current attribute to said multi-application environment when said current attribute has a corresponding attribute present in said multi-application environment, and when current attribute is valid for said content;

incrementing said current attribute pointer so that each attribute of said plurality of attributes in said profile is applied to said multi-application environment whenever said attribute has a corresponding attribute present in said environment, and when said attribute is valid for said environment.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said computing device comprises:

a client processing unit.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein said computing device comprises:

a computer.

37. A method of sharing a profile with multiple sets of content data using a profile controller, said profile having a plurality of attributes for modifying the presentation of content, said attributes comprising settings for specific content presentation characteristics, comprising:

selecting, at the direction of a user, a plurality of attributes to define a profile to modify the presentation of content;

determining, using said profile controller, if said profile has previously been assigned a unique identifier;

assigning a unique identifier to said profile using said profile controller if said profile has not previously been assigned a unique identifier;

storing said profile in a profile repository using said profile controller;

sending a notification using said profile controller that said profile is available for use by additional content data.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the process of selecting, at the direction of a user, a plurality of attributes to define a profile to modify the presentation of content comprises:

accessing a plurality of categories of attributes at the direction of a user at run time and not at compile time;

selecting said attributes from said categories to form said profile.

39. The method of claim 37 wherein the process of storing said profile in a profile repository using said profile controller further comprises:

determining, using said profile controller, whether said profile is an update to existing profile data already stored in said profile repository;

determining whether said profile controller is configured to archive profile data when said profile is an update to said existing profile data already stored in said profile repository;

archiving said existing profile data already stored in said profile repository when said profile controller is configured to archive profile data and when said profile an update to said existing profile data already stored in said profile repository.

40. The method of claim 37 wherein the process of sending a notification that said profile is available for use for by said additional content data further comprises:

sending a notification to at least one profile controller located in at least one source processing unit.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein the process of sending a notification that said profile is available for use for by said additional content data further comprises:

sending a notification to at least one profile controller located in at least one client processing unit.

42. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

specifying profile types for said categories;

using said profile types to select categories during said process of selecting said attributes.

43. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

specifying profile groups for said categories that are collection of both related and unrelated attributes;

using said profile groups to select categories during said process of selecting said attributes.