Portable computing device as control mechanism
First Claim
1. A method of controlling an electronic device using a portable computing device, comprising:
- detecting an electronic device over a wireless channel of a portable computing device;
establishing communications with the electronic device over the wireless channel;
submitting, to a remote server, a request to receive information for controlling at least one aspect of the electronic device;
receiving, from the remote server, the information for controlling the at least one aspect of the electronic device, the information including information indicating one or more capabilities of the electronic device;
detecting a lateral motion of the portable computing device in a plane parallel to a reference surface;
determining, using a processor of the portable computing device, a command for the electronic device based at least in part upon the determined capabilities of the electronic device and the detected lateral motion of the portable computing device; and
sending the command from the portable computing device to the electronic device over the wireless channel,wherein the portable computing device is configured to at least be used as a wireless control mechanism for at least one aspect of the detected electronic device such that the detected lateral motion of the portable computing device corresponds to movement of a pointer on a display of the electronic device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable or mobile computing device, such as a smart phone or portable media player, can be used to control one or more electronic devices over an appropriate wireless channel. In one example, a user can utilize a smart phone as a mouse for a notebook computer or Internet-capable television. The user can move the portable device on a surface and press appropriate selectable elements on the portable device, as if the user is using a wireless mouse. The portable device can send the commands over the wireless channel to the electronic device, which can provide inputs and/or control signals to the electronic device. In some embodiments, the user can take advantage of the processing capability of the portable device to work directly with elements such as a wireless keyboard and wireless monitor, without the need for a notebook or other such computing element therebetween.
87 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of controlling an electronic device using a portable computing device, comprising:
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detecting an electronic device over a wireless channel of a portable computing device; establishing communications with the electronic device over the wireless channel; submitting, to a remote server, a request to receive information for controlling at least one aspect of the electronic device; receiving, from the remote server, the information for controlling the at least one aspect of the electronic device, the information including information indicating one or more capabilities of the electronic device; detecting a lateral motion of the portable computing device in a plane parallel to a reference surface; determining, using a processor of the portable computing device, a command for the electronic device based at least in part upon the determined capabilities of the electronic device and the detected lateral motion of the portable computing device; and sending the command from the portable computing device to the electronic device over the wireless channel, wherein the portable computing device is configured to at least be used as a wireless control mechanism for at least one aspect of the detected electronic device such that the detected lateral motion of the portable computing device corresponds to movement of a pointer on a display of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of interfacing with electronic devices, comprising:
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detecting one or more electronic devices over a wireless channel of a portable computing device; establishing communications with at least one of the electronic devices over the wireless channel; submitting, to a remote server, a request to receive information for controlling at least one aspect of the at least one of the electronic devices; receiving, from the remote server, the information for controlling the at least one aspect of the at least one of the electronic devices; detecting a lateral motion of the portable computing device; and sending information of the lateral motion from the portable computing device to the at least one electronic device over the wireless channel, wherein the portable computing device is configured to at least be used as a wireless control mechanism for at least one aspect of the one or more detected electronic devices over a wireless channel such that the detected lateral motion of the portable computing device corresponds to movement of a pointer on a display of at least one of the one or more detected electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A portable computing device, comprising:
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a processor; at least one input detection element; and a memory device including instructions operable to be executed by the processor to perform a set of actions, enabling the computing device to; establish communications with an electronic device over a wireless channel; submit, to a remote server, a request to receive information for controlling at least one aspect of the electronic device; receive, from the remote server, the information for controlling the at least one aspect of the electronic device; detect a lateral motion of the portable computing device; and send information of the lateral motion to the electronic device over the wireless channel, wherein the portable computing device is configured to at least be used as a wireless control mechanism for at least one aspect of the detected electronic device such that the detected lateral motion of the portable computing device corresponds to movement of a pointer on a display of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions for controlling an electronic device, comprising:
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program code for detecting an electronic device over a wireless channel of a portable computing device; program code for establishing communications with the electronic device over the wireless channel; program code for submitting, to a remote server, a request to receive information for controlling at least one aspect of the electronic device; program code for receiving, from the remote server, the information for controlling the at least one aspect of the electronic device; program code for detecting a lateral motion of the portable computing device; and program code for sending information for the lateral motion from the portable computing device to the electronic device over the wireless channel, wherein the portable computing device is configured to at least be used as a wireless control mechanism for at least one aspect of the detected electronic device such that the detected lateral motion of the portable computing device corresponds to movement of a pointer on a display of the electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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Specification