Augmenting capabilities of a host device

• US 8,984,186 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2012
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Dureau, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Sun, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/598,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20140063344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5044 considering hardware capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5055 considering software capabilities, i.e. software resources associated or available to the machine
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25858 involving client software characteristics, e.g. OS identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/654 Transmission by server directed to the client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/002 Special television systems not provided for by H04N7/007 - H04N7/18 still pictures via a television channel H04N1/00098

Abstract

A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for augmenting capabilities of a host device is presented. A first application on the host device is executed, where the first application is configured to execute on a second device and is configured to use a capability that is available on the second device, and where the capability is not included in the host device. A request is received from the first application to use the capability that is available the second device, where the first application does not have knowledge of the capabilities of the second device. A connection is established to the second device through at least one network. Communications are facilitated between the first application and the second device though the at least one network to provide the capability that is available on the second device to the first application.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for augmenting capabilities of a host device, performed on the host device having at least one processor and memory storing at least one program for execution by the at least one processor to perform the method, comprising:

pairing the host device and a second computing device via a network wherein the second computing device has at least one processor and memory storing at least one second program for execution by the at least one processor;

storing information regarding a first capability of the second computing device in a device database, wherein the first capability includes a multimedia or sensor capability that is not provided by the host device, and the device database includes, for a plurality of devices that are paired with the host device, information regarding at least one respective multimedia or sensor capability of each of the plurality of devices

executing on the host device a first application that is configured to use the first capability not provided by the host device;

determining by reference to the device database that the second computing device of the plurality of devices provides the first capability;

establishing a connection to the second computing device through at least one network; and

facilitating communications between the first application and the second computing device through the at least one network to provide an output of the first capability as executed by the second computing device of the plurality of devices.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein facilitating communications between the first application and the second device through the at least one network includes providing an inter-process communication channel for the host device and the second device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

pairing the second device with the host device; and

identifying capabilities of the second device.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, comprising:

identifying a plurality of devices that are paired with the host device and that are accessible to the host device, the plurality of devices including the second device;

presenting, in a user interface of the host device, the plurality of devices; and

receiving a selection of the second device from the plurality of devices.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the host device includes a first application framework and the second device includes a second application framework, wherein the first application framework and the second application framework are different application frameworks.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the host device and the second device are connected to a local area network, and wherein establishing the connection to the second device through at least one network includes establishing a connection to the second device through the local area network.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the host device is connected to a first network and the second device is connected to a second network, and wherein establishing the connection to the second device through at least one network includes establishing a connection to the second device through the first network and the second network.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first capability of the second device includes a functional capability selected from the group consisting of:

determining a location of the second device;

placing a phone call;

placing a video call;

taking a picture;

recording audio;

recording a video;

receiving input from a user;

receiving sensor measurements from a sensor of the second device; and

sending a text message.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first capability of the second device includes a hardware capability selected from the group consisting of:

a satellite positioning device;

a mobile telecommunications device;

a camera;

a microphone;

a speaker;

a display device; and

an input device.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the host device includes a television set top box.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the host device includes a television set.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first application is not executed on the second device.

13. A system to augment capabilities of a host device, comprising:

at least one processor;

memory; and

at least one program stored in the memory and executable by the at least one processor, the at least one program comprising instructions to;

pair the host device and a second computing device via a network, wherein the second computing device has at least one processor and memory storing at least one second program for execution by the at least one processor;

store information regarding a first capability of the second computing device in a device database, wherein the first capability includes a multimedia or sensor capability that is not provided by the host device, and the device database includes, for a plurality of devices that are paired with the host device, information regarding at least one respective multimedia or sensor capability of each of the plurality of devices

execute on the host device a first application that is configured to use the first capability not provided by the host device;

determine by reference to the device database that the second computing device of the plurality of devices provides the first capability;

establish a connection to the second computing device through at least one network; and

facilitate communications between the first application and the second computing device through the at least one network to provide an output of the first capability as executed by the second computing device of the plurality of devices.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the instructions to facilitate communications between the first application and the second device through the at least one network include instructions to provide an inter-process communication channel for the host device and the second device.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one program includes instructions to:

pair the second device with the host device; and

identify capabilities of the second device.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one program includes instructions to:

identify a plurality of devices that are paired with the host device and that are accessible to the host device, the plurality of devices including the second device;

present, in a user interface of the host device, the plurality of devices; and

receive a selection of the second device from the plurality of devices.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the host device includes a first application framework and the second device includes a second application framework, wherein the first application framework and the second application framework are different application frameworks.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the host device and the second device are connected to a local area network, and wherein establishing the connection to the second device through at least one network includes establishing a connection to the second device through the local area network.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the host device is connected to a first network and the second device is connected to a second network, and wherein establishing the connection to the second device through at least one network includes establishing a connection to the second device through the first network and the second network.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the first capability of the second device includes a functional capability selected from the group consisting of:

determining a location of the second device;

placing a phone call;

placing a video call;

taking a picture;

recording audio;

recording a video;

receiving input from a user;

receiving sensor measurements from a sensor of the second device; and

sending a text message.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the first capability of the second device includes a hardware capability selected from the group consisting of:

a satellite positioning device;

a mobile telecommunications device;

a camera;

a microphone;

a speaker;

a display device; and

an input device.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the host device includes a television set top box.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the host device includes a television set.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the first application is not executed on the second device.

25. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing at least one program configured for execution by at least one processor of a computer system, the at least one program comprising instructions to:

pair the host device and a second computing device via a network, wherein the second computing device has at least one processor and memory storing at least one second program for execution by the at least one processor;

store information regarding a first capability of the second computing device in a device database, wherein the first capability includes a multimedia or sensor capability that is not provided by the host device, and the device database includes, for a plurality of devices that are paired with the host device, information regarding at least one respective multimedia or sensor capability of each of the plurality of devices

execute on the host device a first application that is configured to use the first capability not provided by the host device;

determine by reference to the device database that the second computing device of the plurality of devices provides the first capability;

establish a connection to the second computing device through at least one network; and

facilitate communications between the first application and the second computing device through the at least one network to provide an output of the first capability as executed by the second computing device of the plurality of devices.

26. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the instructions to facilitate communications between the first application and the second device through the at least one network include instructions to provide an inter-process communication channel for the host device and the second device.

27. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the at least one program includes instructions to:

pair the second device with the host device; and

identify capabilities of the second device.

28. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the at least one program includes instructions to:

identify a plurality of devices that are paired with the host device and that are accessible to the host device, the plurality of devices including the second device;

present, in a user interface of the host device, the plurality of devices; and

receive a selection of the second device from the plurality of devices.

29. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the host device includes a first application framework and the second device includes a second application framework, wherein the first application framework and the second application framework are different application frameworks.

30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the host device and the second device are connected to a local area network, and wherein establishing the connection to the second device through at least one network includes establishing a connection to the second device through the local area network.

31. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the host device is connected to a first network and the second device is connected to a second network, and wherein establishing the connection to the second device through at least one network includes establishing a connection to the second device through the first network and the second network.

32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the first capability of the second device includes a functional capability selected from the group consisting of:

determining a location of the second device;

placing a phone call;

placing a video call;

taking a picture;

recording audio;

recording a video;

receiving input from a user;

receiving sensor measurements from a sensor of the second device; and

sending a text message.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the first capability of the second device includes a hardware capability selected from the group consisting of:

a satellite positioning device;

a mobile telecommunications device;

a camera;

a microphone;

a speaker;

a display device; and

an input device.

34. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the host device includes a television set top box.

35. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the host device includes a television set.

36. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the first application is not executed on the second device.