WIRELESS SYNCHRONIZATION OF DATA AND SOFTWARE COMPONENTS OVER A WIRELESS NETWORK COMPATIBLE TO IEEE802.11 STANDARD(S) FOR MOBILE DEVICES

• US 20120230315A1
• Filed: 05/22/2012
• Published: 09/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Liu, Christina Ying
• Granted Patent: US 8,964,220 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• 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 synchronization of data and software components over IEEE802.11 standard(s) are herein disclosed and enabled. An information apparatus, which includes a wireless communication unit compatible with IEEE802.11, may access a wireless local area network (WLAN). To setup the wireless synchronization, the user connects the information apparatus to a wireless output device over a wired connection (e.g., USB) and selects the wireless output device. Information associated with the wireless output device is saved in the mobile information apparatus for enabling wireless synchronization. Next, the user connects the mobile information apparatus to the WLAN, and, depending on the availability of the wireless output device in the network, the information apparatus may lock a wireless connection to the wireless output device for wireless synchronization. A client application in the mobile information apparatus and output controller software in the wireless output device may be required to facilitate the wireless synchronization over the WLAN.

Claims

1. A method for wireless synchronization of data and software components between a wireless information apparatus and a wireless output device over a wireless communication network, the wireless output device including an output controller software for managing wireless communication at the wireless output device, and the wireless output device being a distinct device from the wireless information apparatus, the wireless information apparatus including:

a graphical user interface,

a processing unit,

a memory or storage unit,

an operating system to facilitate operation of client applications at the wireless information apparatus,

an Internet browsing application,

a client application for managing digital content and wireless communication at the wireless information apparatus, and

a wireless communication unit that includes a radio frequency controller for establishing wireless communication with one or more wireless devices over the wireless network and the wireless communication unit being compatible, at least partly, to an IEEE802.11 wireless standard, the method comprising;

establishing a wired connection between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device;

obtaining, at the wireless information apparatus, at least an indication related to an identity or a name associated with the wireless output device that is wired connected to the wireless information apparatus, the identity or the name associated with the wireless output device being for selection by a user at the wireless information apparatus;

receiving, at the wireless information apparatus, over the graphical user interface of the wireless information apparatus, an indication associated with the wireless output device that is wired connected to the wireless information apparatus as a selected wireless output device for transmitting data;

obtaining, at the wireless information apparatus, at least part of an output device profile from the wireless output device over the wired connection, the output device profile including one or more of communication profile information, communication protocol information, device dependent information, identification information, authentication information, security key information, and service information, individually or in any combination, associated with the wireless output device;

storing at least part of the output device profile at the wireless information apparatus; and

, subsequent to obtaining the output device profile at the wireless information apparatus, the method further comprising;

coupling the wireless information apparatus to a wireless network via the wireless communication unit that is compatible at least partly to an IEEE802.11 standard;

establishing a wireless connection in between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device over the wireless network, the establishing of the wireless connection being in dependence of the wireless output device in the wireless network being available for wireless connection, and the establishing of the wireless connection employing, at least in part, the wireless communication unit of the wireless information apparatus that is compatible at least partly to an IEEE802.11 standard; and

wireless synchronizing data and software components between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device over the wireless connection, the wireless synchronizing of data and software components being enabled, at least in part, by the output device profile received from the wireless output device over the wired connection and stored in the wireless information apparatus, and

wherein, the wireless synchronization between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device being facilitated at least in part by the client application included in the wireless information apparatus, and wireless synchronization being further facilitated, at least in part, by the output controller software included in the wireless output device.

2. The method of claim 1 in which establishing the wired connection between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device includes a USB interface.

3. The method of claim 1 in which the wireless network includes a local area network (LAN).

4. The method of claim 1 in which the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device each includes a wireless communication unit that is compatible at least partly to an IEEE802.11 wireless standard, and the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device each access the wireless network by employing the wireless communication unit.

5. The method of claim 1 in which the coupling of the wireless information apparatus to a wireless network includes the wireless information apparatus contacting a control point or server in the wireless network, the control point or server being a distinct device from the wireless output device and the wireless information apparatus, the control point or server maintaining a record of devices that are within the same network, and the wireless information apparatus contacting the control point or server for connecting to the wireless output device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining authentication or security information at the wireless information apparatus for accessing the wireless output device, the authentication or security information including one or more of a name, an ID number, a password, a security key, or biometric information, individually or in any combination.

7. The method of claim 1 in which the wireless output device includes one or more of a computing device, a sound output device, music playing device, a video output device, or an image display device, individually or in any combination.

8. A wireless information apparatus for wireless synchronization of data and software components with a wireless output device over a wireless local area network, the wireless output device being a distinct device from the wireless information apparatus, the wireless information apparatus including:

a graphical user interface,

a processing unit,

a memory or storage unit,

an operating system to facilitate operation of client applications at the wireless information apparatus,

an Internet browsing application,

a client application for managing digital content and wireless communication at the wireless information apparatus, and

a wireless communication unit that includes a radio frequency controller for establishing wireless communication with one or more wireless devices over the wireless local area network and the wireless communication unit being compatible, at least partly, to an IEEE802.11 wireless standard, the wireless information apparatus comprising;

means for establishing, by the wireless information apparatus, a wired connection between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device, the wired connection includes, at least in part, a USB interface;

means for obtaining, at the wireless information apparatus, at least an indication related to an identity or a name associated with the wireless output device that is wired connected to the wireless information apparatus, the identity or the name associated with the wireless output device being for selection by the user at the wireless information apparatus;

means for receiving, at the wireless information apparatus and over the graphical user interface of the wireless information apparatus, an indication associated with the wireless output device that is wired connected to the wireless information apparatus as a selected wireless output device for transmitting data;

means for obtaining, at the wireless information apparatus, at least part of an output device profile from the wireless output device over the wired connection, the output device profile including one or more of communication profile information, communication protocol information, device dependent information, identification information, authentication information, security key information, and service information, individually or in any combination, associated with the wireless output device;

means for storing at least part of the output device profile at the wireless information apparatus; and

, subsequent to obtaining the output device profile at the wireless information apparatus, the wireless information apparatus further comprising;

means for coupling the wireless information apparatus to a wireless local area network via the wireless communication unit that is compatible, at least partly, to an IEEE802.11 standard, the coupling of the wireless information apparatus to the wireless local area network including the wireless information apparatus contacting a control point or server in the wireless local area network;

means for discovering, by the wireless information apparatus, the wireless output device over the wireless local area network;

means for establishing a wireless connection in between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device over the wireless local area network, the establishing of the wireless connection employing, at least in part, the wireless communication unit of the wireless information apparatus that is compatible at least partly to an IEEE802.11 standard; and

means for wireless synchronizing data and software components between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device over the wireless connection, the wireless synchronization of data and software components being enabled, at least in part, by the output device profile received from the wireless output device over the wired connection and stored in the wireless information apparatus, and wherein the wireless synchronization between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device is facilitated, at least in part, by the client application included in the wireless information apparatus.

9. The wireless information apparatus of claim 8 in which the wireless output device includes an output controller software for managing wireless communication at the wireless output device, and the wireless synchronization between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device being facilitated, at least in part, by the output controller software included in the wireless output device.

10. The wireless information apparatus of claim 8, further comprising means for obtaining authentication or security information, at the wireless information apparatus, for accessing the wireless output device over the wireless local area network, the authentication or security information including one or more of a name, an ID number, a password, a security key, or biometric information, individually or in any combination.

11. The wireless information apparatus of claim 10 in which the means for establishing wireless connection further includes means for employing, at least in part, the authentication or security information obtained at the wireless information apparatus.

12. The wireless information apparatus of claim 8 in which the wireless information apparatus includes at least one of a smart phone, an information-Pad, and a laptop computer, individually or in any combination.

13. The method of claim 8, in which the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device each includes a wireless communication unit that is compatible at least partly to an IEEE802.11 wireless standard, and the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device each access the wireless local area network employing, at least in part, the wireless communication unit.

14. A wireless information apparatus for wireless synchronization of data and software components with a wireless output device over a wireless network, the wireless output device being a distinct device from the wireless information apparatus, the wireless information apparatus including:

a graphical user interface,

a processing unit,

a memory or storage unit,

an operating system to facilitate operation of client applications at the wireless information apparatus,

an Internet browsing application,

a client application for managing digital content and wireless communication at the wireless information apparatus, and

a wireless communication unit that includes a radio frequency controller for establishing wireless communication with one or more wireless devices over the wireless network and the wireless communication unit being compatible at least partly to an IEEE802.11 wireless standard, the wireless information apparatus comprising;

software for establishing, by the wireless information apparatus, a wired connection between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device;

software for obtaining, at the wireless information apparatus, at least an indication related to an identity or a name associated with the wireless output device that is wired connected to the wireless information apparatus, the identity or the name associated with the wireless output device being for selection by a user at the wireless information apparatus;

software for receiving, at the wireless information apparatus, over the graphical user interface of the wireless information apparatus, an indication associated with the wireless output device that is wired connected to the wireless information apparatus as a selected wireless output device for transmitting data;

software for obtaining, at the wireless information apparatus, at least part of an output device profile from the wireless output device over the wired connection, the output device profile including one or more of communication profile information, communication protocol information, device dependent information, identification information, authentication information, security key information, and service information, individually or in any combination, associated with the wireless output device;

software for storing at least part of the output device profile at the wireless information apparatus; and

, subsequent to obtaining the output device profile at the wireless information apparatus, the wireless information apparatus further comprising;

software for coupling the wireless information apparatus to the wireless network via the wireless communication unit that is compatible at least partly to an IEEE802.11 standard;

software for obtaining authentication or security information at the wireless information apparatus for accessing the wireless output device over the wireless network, the authentication or security information including one or more of a name, an ID number, a password, a security key, or biometric information, individually or in any combination.

software for establishing a wireless connection in between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device over the wireless network, the establishing of the wireless connection being in dependence of the wireless output device in the wireless network being available for wireless connection, and the establishing of the wireless connection employing, at least in part, the wireless communication unit of the wireless information apparatus that is compatible, at least partly, to an IEEE802.11 standard, and the establishing of the wireless connection is related, at least in part, to the authentication or security information obtained at the wireless information apparatus; and

software for wireless synchronizing data and software components between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device over the wireless connection, the wireless synchronization of data and software components being enabled at least in part by the output device profile received from the wireless output device over the wired connection and stored in the wireless information apparatus, and wherein the wireless synchronization between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device is facilitated, at least in part, by the client application included in the wireless information apparatus.

15. The wireless information apparatus claim 14 in which establishing a wired connection between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device includes, at least in part, a USB interface.

16. The wireless information apparatus of claim 14 in which the wireless network includes a local area network (LAN).

17. The wireless information apparatus of claim 14, further comprising software for discovering, by the wireless information apparatus, the wireless output device over the wireless network.

18. The wireless information apparatus of claim 14 in which the wireless information apparatus includes at least one of a smart phone, an information-Pad, and a laptop computer, individually or in any combination.

19. The wireless information apparatus of claim 14 in which the wireless output device includes an output controller software for managing wireless communication at the wireless output device, and the wireless synchronization between the wireless information apparatus and the wireless output device being facilitated, at least in part, by the output controller software included in the wireless output device.

20. The method of claim 14, in which the wireless output device includes at least one of a computing device, a sound output device, music playing device, a video output device, and an image display device, individually or in any combination.