Modifying mobile device operation using proximity relationships
First Claim
1. A method implemented by a first computing device, the method comprising:
- receiving an indication from a user identifying a second computing device to send content upon future establishment of a short-range non-cellular connection, wherein the first computing device has a defined relationship with the second computing device;
providing the user an override option to send the content to the second computing device via a cellular connection instead of over the short-range non-cellular connection;
when the user has not selected the override option;
deferring sending the content to the second computing device until the first computing device is in proximity of the second computing device such that the short-range non-cellular connection can be established,detecting that the second computing device is in the proximity of the first computing device,establishing the short-range non-cellular connection, andsending the content to the second computing device via the short-range non-cellular connection; and
when the user has selected the override option, sending the content to the second computing device via the cellular connection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Described is a technology by which a mobile computing device such as a mobile telephone operates differently based on detected proximity to another mobile device with which the first mobile device has a defined relationship. For example, the first mobile device may transfer content to the second mobile computing device when proximity corresponds to a non-cellular communications coupling, such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi coupling. In this manner, content transfer is deferred until a non-cellular coupling exists. The mobile device (or both devices) may output a notification to indicate that the other mobile computing device has been detected within a threshold proximity, such as via GPS data or by being within the same cellular tower. The type and/or settings of an output notification may vary based on different thresholds.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method implemented by a first computing device, the method comprising:
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receiving an indication from a user identifying a second computing device to send content upon future establishment of a short-range non-cellular connection, wherein the first computing device has a defined relationship with the second computing device; providing the user an override option to send the content to the second computing device via a cellular connection instead of over the short-range non-cellular connection; when the user has not selected the override option; deferring sending the content to the second computing device until the first computing device is in proximity of the second computing device such that the short-range non-cellular connection can be established, detecting that the second computing device is in the proximity of the first computing device, establishing the short-range non-cellular connection, and sending the content to the second computing device via the short-range non-cellular connection; and when the user has selected the override option, sending the content to the second computing device via the cellular connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A first mobile telephone comprising:
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a proximity detector that is configured to detect proximity with a second mobile telephone with which the first mobile telephone has a defined relationship; proximity logic coupled to the proximity detector, the proximity logic being configured to; provide a user of the first mobile telephone an override option to send content to the second mobile telephone via a cellular connection instead of over a short-range non-cellular connection; in a first instance when the user has not selected the override option; defer sending content to the second mobile telephone until proximity with the second mobile telephone is detected, and when the proximity with the second mobile telephone is detected, send the content to the second mobile telephone over the short-range non- cellular connection; and in a second instance when the user has selected the override option, send the content to the second mobile telephone via the cellular connection; and a processing unit configured to execute the proximity detector and the proximity logic. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A first computing device comprising:
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a processing unit; and one or more computer storage media storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processing unit, configure the processing unit to; receive user input identifying a second computing device to send first content and second content upon establishment of a short-range non-cellular connection; provide a user with an override option to send the first content and the second content to the second computing device via a cellular connection instead of over the short-range non-cellular connection; when the user does not select the override option for the first content; detect proximity to the second computing device, and responsive to the proximity being detected, send the first content from the first computing device to the second computing device via the short-range non-cellular connection; and when the user has selected the override option for the second content, send the second content to the second computing device via the cellular connection. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification