Proximity-Enabled Remote Control

• US 20120178431A1
• Filed: 01/09/2012
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: N99 LLC
• Original Assignee: Steven K. Gold
• Inventors: Gold, Steven K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,655,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/420
• 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: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• 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

The invention relates to systems and methods that enable a mobile device to be approximated with an object in order to enable control of the object. In one possible embodiment of a method of the invention, a mobile device is brought in physical proximity with an object, the identity of the object is determined wirelessly, based on such determination, a remote control user interface is presented by the mobile device, the mobile device receives input relating to a desired control action for the object, and the mobile device wirelessly communicates with a remote computer to facilitate control of the object. Various embodiments of the invention are possible to address a wide range of practical applications.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

a. determining that a mobile device has been brought into physical proximity of a first object;

b. in response to the detection;

i. identifying the first object;

ii. identifying a remote control user interface associated with the first object;

iii. at the mobile device, providing the remote control interface to a user;

c. at the mobile device, using the user interface to receive input from the user; and

d. controlling the first object based on the input received from the user.