Method and System for Vicarious Downloading or Uploading of Information

• US 20150012610A9
• Filed: 10/28/2013
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Mannan, Azimul
• Granted Patent: US 9,674,640 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/16 File or folder operations, e.g. details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 file transfer between terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]

Abstract

Methods and systems for vicarious downloading or uploading of information are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a system involves a mobile device that includes a memory device capable of storing information or content, and at least one wireless communication component. The mobile device further includes a processing device coupled at least indirectly to the memory device and to the at least one wireless communication component, and a power source. The processing device is configured to determine at least one characteristic/condition pertaining in at least some manner to the mobile device. Also, the mobile device is configured to send a command message to another device when the at least one characteristic/condition is determined, the command message being configured cause the other device to perform vicariously a downloading or uploading of the information or content on behalf of the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method of communicating information or content to or from a mobile device in relation to an external device by way of the internet, the method comprising:

determining at the mobile device that the information or content should be downloaded from or uploaded to the external device, the information or content being stored upon the mobile device if it is determined that the information or content should be uploaded;

additionally determining at the mobile device that a downloading operation or an uploading operation should be offloaded to an associated device;

sending, from the mobile device for receipt by the associated device, a command message configured to cause the associated device to perform the downloading operation or the uploading operation; and

receiving a confirmation message back from the associated device that the downloading operation or the uploading operation has or have been performed, wherein if the confirmation message indicates that the associated device has performed the downloading operation, the information or content is subsequently received at the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the command message is configured to cause the associated device to perform the downloading operation, and the command message identifies the information or content to be downloaded.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the command message further identifies the external device or a location associated with the external device at which the information or content to be downloaded can be accessed.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising, after the receiving of the confirmation message, sending of a request by the mobile device for receipt by the associated device that the information or content received at the associated device as a result of the downloading information be provided to the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising, after the receiving of the confirmation message, further determining at the mobile device that at least one condition based upon which the mobile device additionally determined that the downloading operation should be offloaded has now passed or is no longer present or applicable, such that it is appropriate for the information or content received at the associated device to be provided to the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the command message is configured to cause the associated device to perform the uploading operation, and the command message identifies the information or content to be uploaded.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device collects additional information regarding one or more conditions or characteristics and wherein the additional determining is based at least in part upon the additional information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the additional information includes one or more of a first indication of a usage characteristic of the mobile device, a second indication of a frequency of usage of the mobile device, a third indication of a geographic location of use of the mobile device, or a fourth indication of a time of use of the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the additional information includes one or more of a first indication of whether the mobile device is within a first range of a home location or not, a second indication of whether the mobile device is connected to a standard network, a home network, or another network, a third indication of a battery condition of the mobile device, and a fourth indication of a remaining memory storage capacity of the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising taking at least one action at the mobile device as a result of which a relationship is established between the mobile device and the associated device such that the associated device is designated as an entity responsible for the downloading operation or uploading operation offloaded by the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining that the information or content should be downloaded or uploaded occurs at least in part based upon a user command received at the mobile device.

12. A method of downloading information or content to a mobile device from an external device by way of the internet, the method comprising:

taking at least one action at the mobile device as a result of which a relationship is established between the mobile device and another device;

first determining at the mobile device that a downloading operation by which the information or content is downloaded from the external device should be vicariously performed by the other device;

sending, from the mobile device for receipt by the other device, a command message configured to cause the other device to perform the downloading operation;

receiving a confirmation message back from the other device that the downloading operation has been performed such that the information or content has been downloaded from the external device to the other device;

second determining that it is appropriate for the information or content to be provided from the other device to the mobile device;

sending a request for receipt by the other device that the information or content be provided to the mobile device; and

receiving the information or content at the mobile device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first determining is based at least in part upon detecting one or more of:

(a) a first characteristic or condition of a power supply of the mobile device;

(b) a second characteristic or condition pertaining to a connectivity of the mobile device in relation to one or more external entities other than the other device;

(c) a third characteristic or condition regarding a memory portion or processor portion of the mobile device;

(d) a fourth characteristic relating to a data plan limit associated with the mobile device; and

(e) a fifth characteristic reflective of an activity of a user with whom the mobile device is associated, the activity involving one or more of cycling, driving, running, or jogging.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second determining is based at least in part upon a determination that one or more of the first characteristic or condition, the second characteristic or condition, or third characteristic or condition has or have changed sufficiently since the first determining occurred.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising, prior to the first determining, additionally determining that a triggering event has occurred indicating that the information or content should be downloaded from the external device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the triggering event includes receiving of at least one user input command by the mobile device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the mobile device collects additional information regarding one or more of a usage characteristic of the mobile device, a location of the mobile device, a connection of the mobile device with a separate device, a battery condition of the mobile device, a data limit pertaining to the mobile device, and an activity of a user with whom the mobile device is associated, the activity being selected from the group consisting of driving, cycling, jogging, and running,

wherein the mobile device analyzes at least some of the collected additional information, and

wherein the mobile device performs at least one of the first determining and the second determining based at least in part upon at least a portion of the analyzed, collected additional information.

18. A mobile device comprising:

a memory device that is capable of storing information or content;

at least one wireless communication component by which the mobile device is able to transmit and receive wireless communication signals;

a processing device coupled at least indirectly to the memory device and to the at least one wireless communication component; and

a power source,

wherein the processing device is configured to determine at least one characteristic or condition pertaining to a manner of usage of the mobile device, to a wireless connectivity status of the mobile device, or to one or more of the memory device, the at least one wireless communication component, the processing device, or the power source, and

wherein the mobile device is configured to send a command message to another device when the at least one characteristic or condition is determined, the command message being configured cause the other device to perform vicariously a downloading or uploading of the information or content on behalf of the mobile device.

19. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the at least one wireless communication component is configured to conduct first and second communications with both a wireless internet network and the other device, respectively,

wherein the command message is configured to cause the other device to perform vicariously the downloading of the information or content, and

wherein at a time subsequent to a providing of the command message, the mobile device by way of either the at least one wireless communication component or another communication component receives the information or content downloaded by the other device via the second communication.

20. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the mobile device is one of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, and a smart phone, the other device being one of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet device, and an e-book.