System and method for remote data acquisition and distribution

• US 7,949,730 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2009
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reality Mobile LLC
• Original Assignee: Reality Mobile LLC
• Inventors: Hirata, Tasuki, Winters, Kevin John, Kramer, David Joshua, Geoghegan, Brian Joseph, Rensin, David Kallet
• Primary Examiner(s): Chea; Philip J
• Application Number:
  US12/489,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20090325570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/219, 700/1, 718/100
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/103 applying security measure for protecting copyright
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/613 for the control of the source by the destination control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components specially adapted for selective content distribution H04N21/637
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/756 adapting media to device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/148 Migration or transfer of sessions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8543 using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17327 with deferred transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

Methods and systems for remote data collection and distribution include components and operations for receiving, at a server, data transmitted by a first client device via a communication network. The method may also include selecting, by one or more client devices associated with the communication network, a second device to receive the data. The method may further include establishing a connection between the server and the selected second device via the communication network. The method may also include automatically transmitting the received data to the second device using the connection via the communication network. The method may further include causing, by the one or more client devices, the second device to execute a predefined operation.

Claims

1. One or more computer-readable nontransitory storage media embodying software that is operable when executed to:

receive a command from a first mobile client device, the command being directed to a second mobile client device and relating to a substantially real-time media session involving substantially real-time streamable data to or from the first mobile client device or the second mobile client device, the first mobile client device comprising a first mobile streamable-data source, the second mobile client device comprising a second mobile streamable-data source, the command being selected from the group consisting of;

one or more instructions causing text to appear on a display of the second mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to retrieve a file from the server, the first mobile client device, or a third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to start generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to stop generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to initiate a telephone call;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to present to the user at the second mobile client device substantially live streamable data from a substantially real-time streamable-data source that is remote from the second mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to report a status or a location of the second mobile client device to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device; and

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to erase all the data on the second mobile client device and restore itself to predetermined default settings;

temporarily store the command in one or more message queues while waiting for the second mobile client device to access a check-in service at a server that is remote from the second mobile client device; and

in response to the second mobile client device accessing the check-in service, transmit or cause to be transmitted to the second mobile client device the command for presentation to a user at the second mobile client device of an option to have the command executed by the second mobile client device.

2. The media of claim 1, wherein the second mobile client device at least attempts to access the check-in service periodically according to a predetermined time interval if the second mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

3. The media of claim 2, wherein the second mobile client device accesses the check-in service to report to the check-in service an identifier (ID) of the second mobile client device.

4. The media of claim 1, wherein the second mobile client device at least attempts to access the check-in service if a predetermined event occurs and the second mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

5. The media of claim 4, wherein the second mobile client device accesses the check-in service to report to the check-in service:

a status of the second mobile client device;

or

a location of the second mobile client device.

6. The media of claim 5, wherein the location of the second mobile client device is specified by Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

7. The media of claim 5, wherein the status of the second mobile client device indicates whether a transmit function, a watch function, or an alert function is engaged on the second mobile client device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises video, audio, or metadata.

9. The media of claim 1, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises live video data.

10. The media of claim 1, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises archived streamable data.

11. The media of claim 1, wherein the first or second mobile client device comprises a mobile phone, a smartphone, a pocket personal computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a tablet computer.

12. A method comprising:

receiving by a server a command from a first mobile client device, the command being directed to a second mobile client device and relating to a substantially real-time media session involving substantially real-time streamable data to or from the first mobile client device or the second mobile client device, the server being remote from the second mobile client device, the first mobile client device comprising a first mobile streamable-data source, the second mobile client device comprising a second mobile streamable-data source, the command being selected from the group consisting of;

one or more instructions causing text to appear on a display of the second mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to retrieve a file from the server, the first mobile client device, or a third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to start generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to stop generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to initiate a telephone call;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to present to the user at the second mobile client device substantially live streamable data from a substantially real-time streamable-data source that is remote from the second mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to report a status of a location of the second mobile client device to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device; and

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to erase all the data on the second mobile client device and restore itself to predetermined default settings;

temporarily storing by the server the command in one or more message queues while waiting for the second mobile client device to access a check-in service at a server that is remote from the second mobile client device; and

in response to the second mobile client device accessing the check-in service, transmitting or causing to be transmitted, by the server, to the second mobile client device the command for presentation to a user at the second mobile client device of an option to have the command executed by the second mobile client device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second mobile client device at least attempts to access the check-in service periodically according to a predetermined time interval if the second mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second mobile client device accesses the check-in service to report to the check-in service an identifier (ID) of the second mobile client device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the second mobile client device at least attempts to access the check-in service if a predetermined event occurs and the second mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second mobile client device accesses the check-in service to report to the check-in service:

a status of the second mobile client device;

or

a location of the second mobile client device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the location of the second mobile client device is specified by Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the status of the second mobile client device indicates whether a transmit function, a watch function, or an alert function is engaged on the second mobile client device.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises video, audio, or metadata.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises live video data.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises archived streamable data.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the first or second mobile client device comprises a mobile phone, a smartphone, a pocket personal computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a tablet computer.

23. One or more computer-readable nontransitory storage media embodying software that is operable when executed to:

access from a first mobile client device a check-in service at a server that is remote from the first mobile client device, the first mobile client device comprising a first mobile streamable-data source; and

in response to accessing the check-in service, receive at the first mobile client device from the server a command for execution by the first mobile client device, the command having been received at the server from a second mobile client device and temporarily stored by the server in one or more message queues while waiting for the first mobile client device to access the check-in service, the command being directed to the first mobile client device and relating to a substantially real-time media session involving substantially real-time streamable data to or from the first mobile client device or the second mobile client device, the second mobile client device comprising a second mobile streamable-data source, the command being selected from the group consisting of;

one or more instructions causing text to appear on a display of the first mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to retrieve a file from the server, the second mobile client device, or a third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to start generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to stop generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to initiate a telephone call;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to present to the user at the first mobile client device substantially live streamable data from a substantially real-time streamable-data source that is remote from the first mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to report a status or a location of the first mobile client device to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device; and

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to erase all the data on the first mobile client device and restore itself to predetermined default settings.

24. The media of claim 23, wherein the software is operable when executed to at least attempt to access the check-in service periodically according to a predetermined time interval if the first mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

25. The media of claim 24, wherein the software is further operable, after accessing the check-in service, to report to the check-in service an identifier (ID) of the first mobile client device.

26. The media of claim 23, wherein the software is operable when executed to at least attempt to access the check-in service if a predetermined event occurs and the first mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

27. The media of claim 26, wherein the software is further operable, after accessing the check-in service, to report to the check-in service:

a status of the second mobile client device;

or

a location of the second mobile client device.

28. The media of claim 27, wherein the location of the first mobile client device is specified by Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

29. The media of claim 27, wherein the status of the first mobile client device indicates whether a transmit function, a watch function, or an alert function is engaged on the first mobile client device.

30. The media of claim 23, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises video, audio, or metadata.

31. The media of claim 23, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises live video data.

32. The media of claim 23, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises archived streamable data.

33. The media of claim 23, wherein the first or second mobile client device comprises a mobile phone, a smartphone, a pocket personal computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a tablet computer.

34. A method comprising:

accessing from a first mobile client device a check-in service at a server that is remote from the first mobile client device, the first mobile client device comprising a first mobile streamable-data source; and

in response to accessing the check-in service, receiving at the first mobile client device from the server automatically and without input from a user at the first mobile client device a command for execution by the first mobile client device, the command having been received at the server from a second mobile client device and temporarily stored by the server in one or more message queues while waiting for the first mobile client device to access the check-in service, the command being directed to the first mobile client device and relating to a substantially real-time media session involving substantially real-time streamable data to or from the first mobile client device or the second mobile client device, the second mobile client device comprising a second mobile streamable-data source, the command being selected from the group consisting of;

one or more instructions causing text to appear on a display of the first mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to retrieve a file from the server, the second mobile client device, or a third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to start generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to stop generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to initiate a telephone call;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to present to the user at the first mobile client device substantially live streamable data from a substantially real-time streamable-data source that is remote from the first mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to report a status or a location of the first mobile client device to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device; and

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to erase all the data on the first mobile client device and restore itself to predetermined default settings.

35. The method of claim 34, comprising accessing from the first mobile client device the check-in service periodically according to a predetermined time interval if the first mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising, after accessing the check-in service, reporting to the check-in service an identifier (ID) of the first mobile client device.

37. The method of claim 34, comprising accessing from the first mobile client device the check-in service if a predetermined event occurs and the first mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising, after accessing the check-in service, reporting to the check-in service:

a status of the second mobile client device;

or

a location of the second mobile client device.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the location of the first mobile client device is specified by Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the status of the first mobile client device indicates whether a transmit function, a watch function, or an alert function is engaged on the first mobile client device.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises video, audio, or metadata.

42. The method of claim 34, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises live video data.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises archived streamable data.

44. The method of claim 34, wherein the first or second mobile client device comprises a mobile phone, a smartphone, a pocket personal computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a tablet computer.

45. A system comprising:

means for receiving a command from a first mobile client device, the command being directed to a second mobile client device and relating to a substantially real-time media session involving substantially real-time streamable data to or from the first mobile client device or the second mobile client device, the server being remote from the second mobile client device, the first mobile client device comprising a first mobile streamable-data source, the second mobile client device comprising a second mobile streamable-data source, the command being selected from the group consisting of;

one or more instructions causing text to appear on a display of the second mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to retrieve a file from the server, the first mobile client device, or a third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to start generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to stop generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to initiate a telephone call;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to present to the user at the second mobile client device substantially live streamable data from a substantially real-time streamable-data source that is remote from the second mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to report a status of a location of the second mobile client device to the server, the first mobile client device, or the third mobile client device; and

one or more instructions causing the second mobile client device to erase all the data on the second mobile client device and restore itself to predetermined default settings;

means for temporarily storing the command in one or more message queues while waiting for the second mobile client device to access a check-in service at a server that is remote from the second mobile client device; and

means for, in response to the second mobile client device accessing the check-in service, transmitting or causing to be transmitted to the second mobile client device the command for presentation to a user at the second mobile client device of an option to have the command executed by the second mobile client device.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the second mobile client device at least attempts to access the check-in service periodically according to a predetermined time interval if the second mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the second mobile client device accesses the check-in service to report to the check-in service an identifier (ID) of the second mobile client device.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the second mobile client device at least attempts to access the check-in service if a predetermined event occurs and the second mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the second mobile client device accesses the check-in service to report to the check-in service:

a status of the second mobile client device;

or

a location of the second mobile client device.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the location of the second mobile client device is specified by Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein the status of the second mobile client device indicates whether a transmit function, a watch function, or an alert function is engaged on the second mobile client device.

52. The method of claim 45, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises video, audio, or metadata.

53. The method of claim 45, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises live video data.

54. The method of claim 45, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises archived streamable data.

55. The method of claim 45, wherein the first or second mobile client device comprises a mobile phone, a smartphone, a pocket personal computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a tablet computer.

56. A system comprising:

means for accessing from a first mobile client device a check-in service at a server that is remote from the first mobile client device, the first mobile client device comprising a first mobile streamable-data source; and

means for, in response to accessing the check-in service, receiving at the first mobile client device from the server automatically and without input from a user at the first mobile client device a command for execution by the first mobile client device, the command having been received at the server from a second mobile client device and temporarily stored by the server in one or more message queues while waiting for the first mobile client device to access the check-in service, the command being directed to the first mobile client device and relating to a substantially real-time media session involving substantially real-time streamable data to or from the first mobile client device or the second mobile client device, the second mobile client device comprising a second mobile streamable-data source, the command being selected from the group consisting of;

one or more instructions causing text to appear on a display of the first mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to retrieve a file from the server, the second mobile client device, or a third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to start generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to stop generating substantially real-time streamable data and transmitting it to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to initiate a telephone call;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to present to the user at the first mobile client device substantially live streamable data from a substantially real-time streamable-data source that is remote from the first mobile client device;

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to report a status or a location of the first mobile client device to the server, the second mobile client device, or the third mobile client device; and

one or more instructions causing the first mobile client device to erase all the data on the first mobile client device and restore itself to predetermined default settings.

57. The system of claim 56, comprising accessing from the first mobile client device the check-in service periodically according to a predetermined time interval if the first mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

58. The system of claim 57, further comprising, after accessing the check-in service, reporting to the check-in service an identifier (ID) of the first mobile client device.

59. The system of claim 58, comprising accessing from the first mobile client device the check-in service if a predetermined event occurs and the first mobile client device is in an on-duty mode.

60. The system of claim 59, further comprising, after accessing the check-in service, reporting to the check-in service:

a status of the second mobile client device;

or

a location of the second mobile client device.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the location of the first mobile client device is specified by Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

62. The system of claim 60, wherein the status of the first mobile client device indicates whether a transmit function, a watch function, or an alert function is engaged on the first mobile client device.

63. The system of claim 56, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises video, audio, or metadata.

64. The system of claim 56, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises live video data.

65. The system of claim 56, wherein the substantially real-time streamable data comprises archived streamable data.

66. The system of claim 56, wherein the first or second mobile client device comprises a mobile phone, a smartphone, a pocket personal computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a tablet computer.