Portable electronic device with proximity-based content synchronization
First Claim
1. A method for using millimeter-wave wireless communications links to synchronize content between a host and an electronic device associated with a user, comprising:
- with the electronic device, automatically establishing a millimeter-wave wireless communications link with the host when the user brings the electronic device into proximity of the host;
subsequent to automatically establishing the millimeter-wave wireless communications link, automatically forming a content request at the electronic device, wherein the content request requests specific content from the host;
with the electronic device, transmitting the content request directly to the host; and
with the electronic device, automatically receiving the requested content over the millimeter-wave wireless communications link that has been transmitted by the host.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems are provided that support millimeter-wave wireless communications between hosts and electronic devices. A host may be formed using a personal computer associated with a user or computing equipment associated with a public establishment. Content can be automatically synchronized between the host and the user'"'"'s electronic device over a millimeter-wave wireless communications link in a communications band such as a 60 GHz wireless communications band. Synchronization operations may be performed based on user content preferences. Content preference information may be gathered explicitly from a user using on-screen options or may be gathered by monitoring user media playback activities and media rating activities. The content preference information may be transmitted automatically from an electronic device to a host when the electronic device is brought within range of the host. Synchronization operations may be performed automatically when a user is in proximity of a point-of-sale terminal or ticketing equipment.
79 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for using millimeter-wave wireless communications links to synchronize content between a host and an electronic device associated with a user, comprising:
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with the electronic device, automatically establishing a millimeter-wave wireless communications link with the host when the user brings the electronic device into proximity of the host; subsequent to automatically establishing the millimeter-wave wireless communications link, automatically forming a content request at the electronic device, wherein the content request requests specific content from the host; with the electronic device, transmitting the content request directly to the host; and with the electronic device, automatically receiving the requested content over the millimeter-wave wireless communications link that has been transmitted by the host. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for transmitting content from a host to an electronic device over a millimeter-wave wireless communications link operating in a 60 GHz wireless communications band, comprising:
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at the host, transmitting a wireless beacon to the electronic device; at the electronic device, receiving the wireless beacon and automatically establishing a millimeter-wave wireless communications link with the host; at the host, providing the electronic device with information on available content from the host; at the electronic device, automatically forming a content request based on the information on the available content and transmitting the content request to the host; at the host, receiving the content request from the electronic device over the millimeter-wave wireless communications link; and in response to the received content request, automatically transmitting associated media files from the host to the electronic device over the millimeter-wave wireless communications link in the 60 GHz wireless communications band. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A point-of-sale terminal that wirelessly communicates with a portable electronic device, the point-of-sale terminal comprising:
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circuitry that stores content, wherein the circuitry is configured to transmit a beacon to the electronic device using millimeter-wave wireless communications that contains information on the stored content available on the point-of-sale terminal and wherein the portable electronic device is configured to automatically determine whether to receive the stored content based on the beacon; and a steerable antenna array configured to transmit the stored content to the portable electronic device from the point-of-sale terminal using millimeter-wave wireless communications. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A handheld electronic device that communicates with a host, the handheld electronic device comprising:
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storage and processing circuitry; and wireless communications circuitry that is coupled to the storage and processing circuitry; wherein the storage and processing circuitry and the wireless communications circuitry are configured to automatically receive a description of available digital content from a host over a millimeter-wave wireless communications link when the handheld electronic device is brought into proximity of the host and to automatically form and transmit a content request to the host based on the description of the available digital content; and wherein the storage and processing circuitry is further configured to transmit user content preference information to the host over the millimeter-wave wireless communications link.
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Specification