Context-sensitive data handling

• US 8,244,288 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Issued: 08/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Chipchase, Jan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US11/988,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20090209203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,300 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411- 413, 455/500, 455/502, 4555561-5562, 455/557, 455564-566, 455 901- 903, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455418-420
• US Class Current: 455/502
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method for communicating data between devices, comprising the steps of: receiving data at a first user device; the first user device automatically selecting, in dependence on the nature of an activity being made available to a user by the first user device, a way of integrating the data with a functionality of the first user device; and integrating the transmitted data with the functionality in the selected way.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving data at a first user device from a second user device, wherein the first user device and the second user device are independently operable;

automatically selecting, by the first device, a way of integrating the data with a functionality of the first user device based, at least in part, on a nature of an activity being made available to a user by the first user device; and

causing, at least in part, an integration of the data with the functionality in the selected way.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the data is selected at the second user device for transmission to the first user device.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the first and second user devices communicate in accordance with a wireless network architecture.

4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the functionality is offered at least in part by a computer program having instant messaging capabilities and the integrating step involves sending the data to an instant messenger contact.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the way of integrating the data is further based, at least in part, on a nature of the second user device.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the way of integrating the data is further based, at least in part, on the nature of the data.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission of the data from the second user device to the first user device is automatically performed when the first and second devices enter into proximity with one another.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the first and second devices include radio frequency identification transponders.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission of the data from the second user device to the first user device is triggered by user input means at the second user device.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the integration of the data is performed in accordance with a set of predetermined rules.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the rules are stored on the first user device.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the rules are stored remotely from the first user device.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

the first and second user devices authenticating one another prior to the transmission from the second user device.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least the first user device accesses a set of permissions containing information necessary for the authenticating step.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the permissions are stored at the first user device.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the permissions are stored remotely from the first user device.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second user devices communicate in accordance with the Bluetooth architecture.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the first and second user devices are paired at least in an initial instance that the first and second user devices attempt to communicate.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the functionality is offered at least in part by a computer program having messaging capabilities and the integrating step involves attaching the data to a message.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the functionality is offered at least in part by a computer program having image display capabilities, the data represents an image, and the integrating step involves displaying the image.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein the functionality is offered at least in part by a computer program having web browsing capabilities, the data represents a web link, and the integrating step involves accessing data stored at the link.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein the data represents a sum of money or a form of electronic payment.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the integrating step involves transferring money or a form of electronic payment to or from the first user device.

24. A method according to claim 1, wherein the activity being made available to a user is a real-time communications activity.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the activity is a telephone conversation.

26. A method according to claim 24, wherein the activity is instant messaging.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein the data comprises:

primary data for interpretation at an application level; and

secondary data indicating a format in which the primary data is to be interpreted.

28. A user device comprising:

a receiver for receiving data from another user device, wherein the user device and the other user device are independently operable; and

processing means arranged to automatically select a way of integrating the data with a functionality of the user device based, at least in part, on a nature of an activity being made available to a user by the user device, and to integrate the data with the functionality in the selected way.

29. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

receive data from another apparatus, wherein the apparatus and the other apparatus are independently operable;

automatically select a way of integrating the data with a functionality of the apparatus based, at least in part, on a nature of an activity being made available to a user of the apparatus; and

cause, at least in part, an integration of the data with the functionality in the selected way.