Requesting computer user's context data
First Claim
1. A method in a computer for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes, comprising:
- through an application programming interface on the computer, receiving from a first source an indication of one of the state attributes of the modeled current state for which the first source is adapted to supply values, the modeled current state indicating a context of at least one of the computer, a user of the computer, and/or a surrounding physical environment;
through the application programming interface, receiving from a second source an indication of the state attributes of the modeled current state for which the second source is adapted to supply values; and
in response to receiving a request from a first client for a value of the indicated one attribute and to receiving an indication of a condition from the first client for testing the indicated one attribute;
determining that the first source is available to supply the value;
obtaining the value from the first source; and
supplying a value obtained from the first source to the first client.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations, the providing includes receiving from first and second sources indications of an ability to supply values for, respectively, an indicated one of the state attributes and another of the state attributes. In such situations, the providing also includes, in response to receiving a request from a first client for a value of the indicated one attribute, determining that the first source is available to supply the value, obtaining the value from the first source, and supplying a value obtained from the first source to the first client.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method in a computer for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes, comprising:
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through an application programming interface on the computer, receiving from a first source an indication of one of the state attributes of the modeled current state for which the first source is adapted to supply values, the modeled current state indicating a context of at least one of the computer, a user of the computer, and/or a surrounding physical environment; through the application programming interface, receiving from a second source an indication of the state attributes of the modeled current state for which the second source is adapted to supply values; and in response to receiving a request from a first client for a value of the indicated one attribute and to receiving an indication of a condition from the first client for testing the indicated one attribute; determining that the first source is available to supply the value; obtaining the value from the first source; and supplying a value obtained from the first source to the first client. - 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 computer-readable storage device whose contents cause a computing device to provide information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes, by performing a method comprising:
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through an application programming interface, receiving from a first source an indication of one of the state attributes of the modeled current state for which the first source is adapted to supply values, and/or the modeled current state indicating a context of at least one of the computer, a user of the computer, or a surrounding physical environment; in response to receiving a request from a first client for a value of the indicated one attribute and to receiving an indication of a condition from the first client for testing the indicated one attribute; determining that the first source is available to supply the value; obtaining the value from the first source; and supplying a value obtained from the first source to the first client.
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20. A computing device for providing information about a current state that is represented with multiple attributes, comprising:
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an attribute mapping module that is capable of receiving through an application programming interface from a first source an indication of one of the attributes of the current state for which the first source is adapted to supply values and of receiving from a second source an indication of another of the attributes of the current state for which the second source is adapted to supply values, the current state indicating a context of at least one of the computer, a user of the computer and/or a surrounding physical environment; an attribute value request module that is capable of receiving a request for a value of the one of the attributes from a first client; and an attribute value supplier module that is capable of, in response to the receiving of the request and in response to receiving an indication of a condition from the first client for testing the one of the attributes, determining that the first source is available to supply the value, requesting the value from the first source, and supplying to the first client a value received from the first source.
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Specification