SOFTWARE APPLICATION FOR A MOBILE DEVICE TO WIRELESSLY MANAGE OR WIRELESSLY SETUP AN OUTPUT SYSTEM OR OUTPUT DEVICE FOR SERVICE

• US 20170249116A1
• Filed: 05/12/2017
• Published: 08/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Flexiworld Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, William Ho, Liu, Christina Ying
• Granted Patent: US 10,846,031 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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

Software and software applications for mobile devices to wirelessly manage or wirelessly setup an output system or output device are herein disclosed and enabled. Examples of mobile devices include smart phones and information pads having a touch sensitive screen. To set up an output system, the software running at the mobile information apparatus: wirelessly discovers the output system that is within physical proximity to the mobile information apparatus; receives selection of an item related to the wirelessly discovered output system via the touch sensitive screen; establishes a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system; and wirelessly transmits, via the established wireless communication link, security information or authentication information to the output system for setting up the output system for service over a network. The software may further facilitate management of settings of the output system and may further wirelessly drive or control the output system.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having recorded therein software that is executable at a mobile information apparatus to set up an output system device for accessing a service, operated, at least partly, over a network, at least part of the software is either pre-installed at the mobile information apparatus or downloadable, at least partly, to the mobile information apparatus from one or more servers accessible by the mobile information apparatus over a network, the output system device includes wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication and at least an output device for output of digital content, and the output system device is a distinct device from the mobile information apparatus, the mobile information apparatus includes:

a touch sensitive screen interface for interacting with a user,

memory for storing at least part of the software,

one or more processors,

one or more wireless communication units for wireless communication; and

wherein, when the one or more processors included in the mobile information apparatus executes at least part of the software at the mobile information apparatus, the mobile information apparatus;

(1) wirelessly discovers, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus, the output system device, the wireless device discovery of the output system device is based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the mobile information apparatus and the output system;

(2) displays, on the touch sensitive screen interface of the mobile information apparatus, an user interface item or icon related to the output system device wirelessly discovered in (1) for user selection;

(3) receives, via the touch sensitive screen interface, at least an indication of a selection of the user interface item or icon displayed on the touch sensitive screen interface in (2);

(4) establishes, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus, a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system device that is wirelessly discovered in (1), the wireless communication link being a direct short range wireless communication or a wireless local area network communication, and the establishing of the wireless communication link is based on having received the indication of a selection of the user interface item or icon in (3); and

(5) wirelessly transmits, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus and via the established wireless communication link in (4), security information or authentication information to the output system device, the security information or the authentication information is to facilitate, at least in part, the output system device to access the service operated, at least partly, over the network.

2. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus supports at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications, and the wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system device established in (4), using the one or more wireless communication units, is compatible with at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications.

3. The medium according to claim 2, wherein the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus further support at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for direct wireless communication or for wireless local area network communication.

4. The medium according to claim 3, wherein the security information or authentication information wirelessly transmitted to the output system device in (5) is to facilitate, at least in part, the output system device to establish a wireless local area network connection between the mobile information apparatus and the output system device.

5. The medium according to claim 3, wherein the mobile information apparatus is embodied as a smart phone or an information pad, and the output system device includes at least one speaker for outputting audio digital content, and wherein the service operated, at least partly, over a network, provides audio digital content to the output system device.

6. The medium according to claim 1, wherein the output system device is at least one of a sound output system, a television system, an output controller connectable to a television, a projection system device, a printing system device, a speaker system device, or an information apparatus that is an Internet appliance, individually or in any combination.

7. The medium according to claim 2, wherein the mobile information apparatus is a smart phone, and wherein, subsequent to establishing the wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output system device in (4), the mobile information apparatus further wirelessly manages or wirelessly drives the output system device using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus and via the established wireless communication link in (4).

8. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having recorded therein software that is executable at a mobile device for wireless managing an output system to establish an output service using the output system, at least part of the software is either pre-installed at the mobile device or downloadable, at least partly, to the mobile device from one or more servers accessible by the mobile device over a network, the output system includes wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication and at least an output device for outputting digital content, the mobile device is a distinct device from the output system, the mobile device includes:

a touch sensitive screen interface for interacting with a user,

memory for storing at least part of the software,

one or more processors,

one or more wireless communication units for wireless communication; and

wherein, when the one or more processors included in the mobile device executes at least part of the software at the mobile device, the mobile device executes a method, comprising;

(1) wirelessly discovering, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile device, one or more wireless devices that include the output system, the wireless discovering of the output system based, at least in part, on short range wireless communication or local wireless communication;

(2) wirelessly receiving, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile device, device information from the output system that has been wireless device discovered by the mobile device in (1), the device information is related, at least in part, to the output system discovered in (1);

(3) displaying, on the touch sensitive screen interface of the mobile device, a user interface item for user selection, the user interface item is related, at least in part, to the device information wirelessly received from the output system in (2);

(4) receiving, via the touch sensitive screen interface of the mobile device, at least an indication of a selection of the user interface item displayed on the touch sensitive screen interface in (3), the user interface item is related, at least in part, to the output system discovered in (1);

(5) establishing, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile device, a wireless communication link between the mobile device and the output system that is wireless device discovered in (1), the wireless communication link is a short range wireless communication or a wireless local area network communication, and the establishing of the wireless communication link is subsequent to having received the indication of a selection of the user interface item in (4); and

(6) wirelessly transmitting to the output system, using the one or more wireless communication units and via the wireless communication link established in (5), security information or authentication information, the wireless transmitting of the security information or authentication information is to facilitate, at least in part, the output system to establish an output service.

9. The medium according to claim 8, wherein the wireless device discovering of the output system in (1) is based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the mobile device and the output system.

10. The medium according to claim 9, wherein the one or more wireless communication unit of the mobile device support at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards or within Bluetooth specifications, and the wireless communication link in (5) is compatible, with at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards or within Bluetooth specifications.

11. The medium according to claim 10, wherein, subsequent to wirelessly transmitting the security information or authentication information to the output system in (6), the method further comprises establishing, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile device, a wireless local area network connection between the mobile device and output system.

12. The medium according to claim 11, wherein the establishing of the output service includes accessing a server operated, at least partly, over the Internet, the accessing of the server being subsequent to having established the wireless local area network connection, and wherein the security information or authentication information includes one or more of a name, a password, identification information, an ID number, a PIN, an IP address, a security key, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination.

13. The medium according to claim 10, wherein the mobile device is at least a smart phone, and wherein the output system is at least one of a sound output system, a television system, a controller system connectable to a television, a projector system, a speaker system, a printing system, or an Internet appliance, individually or in any combination.

14. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having recorded therein software that is executable at a mobile information apparatus to wirelessly manage or wirelessly drive an output device, the software is either pre-installed, at least partly, at the mobile information apparatus or downloadable, at least partly, to the mobile information apparatus from one or more servers accessible by the mobile information apparatus over a network, the output device includes wireless communication circuitry for wireless communication with the mobile information apparatus, and the output device is a distinct device from the mobile information apparatus, the mobile information apparatus includes:

a touch sensitive screen interface for interacting with a user,

memory for storing at least part of the software,

one or more processors,

one or more wireless communication units for wireless communication; and

wherein, when the one or more processors executes at least part of the software, the mobile information apparatus;

(1) wirelessly discovers, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus, the output device, the wireless device discovery of the output device based, at least in part, on physical proximity between the mobile information apparatus and the output device;

(2) displays, on the touch sensitive screen interface of the mobile information apparatus, a user interface item related, at least in part, to the output device wirelessly discovered in (1);

(3) establishes, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus, a wireless communication link between the mobile information apparatus and the output device wirelessly discovered in (1), the wireless communication link is a short range direct wireless communication or a wireless local area network communication; and

(4) wirelessly manages or wirelessly drives, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus and via the established wireless communication link in (3), the output device,

wherein the wireless managing or the wireless driving of the output device in (4) further comprises;

(5) wirelessly sending, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus and via the established wireless communication link in (3), first information or a query to the output device; and

(6) wirelessly receiving, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus and via the established wireless communication link in (3), second information or a response from the output device, the second information or the response wirelessly received from the output device is in response to having wirelessly sent the first information or the query to the output device in (5).

15. The medium according to claim 14, wherein the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus support at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards, and the wireless communication link in (3) is compatible, with at least part of a protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for direct wireless communication or for wireless local area network communication.

16. The medium according to claim 14, wherein the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus support at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications, and the wireless communication link in (3) is compatible, with at least part of a protocol within Bluetooth specifications.

17. The medium according to claim 16, wherein subsequent to the wireless discovery of the output device in (1), the mobile information apparatus further wirelessly receives, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus, device information from the output device, the device information includes an attribute related, at least in part, to the output device, and wherein the user interface item displayed on the touch sensitive screen in (2) is related to the device information received from the output device.

18. The medium according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises receiving, via the touch sensitive screen interface, at least an indication of a selection of the user interface item displayed on the touch sensitive screen interface in (2);

and subsequent to receiving the indication of a selection via the touch sensitive screen, the mobile information apparatus establishes the wireless communication link in (3).

19. The medium according to claim 15, wherein the mobile information apparatus is at least a smart phone, and wherein the output device is at least one of a sound output device, a speaker device, a television device, a controller device connectable to a television, a projector device, or an Internet appliance, individually or in any combination.

20. The medium according to claim 14, wherein the method further comprises wirelessly transmitting, using the one or more wireless communication units of the mobile information apparatus and via the established wireless communication link in (3), security information or authentication information to the output device, the security information or the authentication information includes one or more of a name, a password, identification information, an ID number, a PIN, an IP address, or a security key, a biometric, a fingerprint, or a voice, individually or in any combination.