Modifying mobile device operation using proximity relationships
First Claim
1. In a mobile communications environment, a method performed by a first mobile computing device, the method comprising:
- receiving an indication from a user of the first mobile computing device identifying a second mobile computing device to communicate with over a Wi-Fi internet connection or via cellular communication;
detecting whether the Wi-Fi internet connection is available to the first mobile computing device;
according to a default communication setting, when the Wi-Fi internet connection is available to the first mobile computing device, using the Wi-Fi internet connection instead of the cellular communication to send messages from the first mobile computing device to a remote server that sends the messages to the second mobile computing device; and
when the Wi-Fi internet connection is not available to the first mobile computing device, overriding the default communication setting and using the cellular communication instead of the Wi-Fi internet connection to send other messages from the first mobile computing device to the second mobile computing device.
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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.
26 Citations
22 Claims
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1. In a mobile communications environment, a method performed by a first mobile computing device, the method comprising:
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receiving an indication from a user of the first mobile computing device identifying a second mobile computing device to communicate with over a Wi-Fi internet connection or via cellular communication; detecting whether the Wi-Fi internet connection is available to the first mobile computing device; according to a default communication setting, when the Wi-Fi internet connection is available to the first mobile computing device, using the Wi-Fi internet connection instead of the cellular communication to send messages from the first mobile computing device to a remote server that sends the messages to the second mobile computing device; and when the Wi-Fi internet connection is not available to the first mobile computing device, overriding the default communication setting and using the cellular communication instead of the Wi-Fi internet connection to send other messages from the first mobile computing device to the second mobile computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A mobile computing device comprising:
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a hardware processing unit; and a hardware computer storage medium storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the hardware processing unit, cause the hardware processing unit to; receive indications from a user of the mobile computing device requesting to communicate with other mobile computing devices; detect whether Wi-Fi internet communication is available between the mobile computing device and the other mobile computing devices; by default, for first other mobile computing devices for which the Wi-Fi internet communication with the mobile computing device is available, send messages from the mobile computing device to the first other mobile computing devices via a remote server using the Wi-Fi internet communication instead of cellular communication; and for second other mobile computing devices for which the Wi-Fi internet communication with the mobile computing device is not available, override the default and send other messages from the mobile computing device to the second other mobile computing devices using the cellular communication instead of the Wi-Fi internet communication. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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a mobile computing device having a mobile computing device hardware processing unit and mobile computing device computer-readable instructions; and a server having a server hardware processing unit and server computer-readable instructions, wherein the mobile computing device computer-readable instructions, when executed by the mobile computing device hardware processing unit, cause the mobile computing device to; receive indications from a user of the mobile computing device requesting to communicate with other mobile computing devices; detect whether the other mobile computing devices are available to communicate with the mobile computing device using Wi-Fi internet communication; by default, for first other mobile computing devices that are available to communicate with the mobile computing device using Wi-Fi internet communication, send messages from the mobile computing device to the first other mobile computing devices using the Wi-Fi internet communication instead of cellular communication; and for second other mobile computing devices that are not available to communicate with the mobile computing device using the Wi-Fi internet communication, send other messages from the mobile computing device to the second other mobile computing devices using the cellular communication instead of the Wi-Fi internet communication; and wherein the server computer-readable instructions, when executed by the server hardware processing unit, cause the server to; receive the messages from the mobile computing device; and send the messages to the first other mobile computing devices. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A mobile computing device comprising:
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a monitor component configured to monitor whether Wi-Fi internet communication is available between the mobile computing device and other mobile computing devices; a process manager component configured to identify messages that a user of the mobile computing device has requested to communicate to the other mobile computing devices; a transmission component configured to; by default, for first other mobile computing devices for which the Wi-Fi internet communication with the mobile computing device is available, send first messages from the mobile computing device to the first other mobile computing devices via a remote server using the Wi-Fi internet communication instead of cellular communication; and for second other mobile computing devices for which the Wi-Fi internet communication with the mobile computing device is not available, override the default and send second messages from the mobile computing device to the second other mobile computing devices using the cellular communication instead of the Wi-Fi internet communication; and a hardware processing unit configured to execute the monitor component, the process manager component, and the transmission component.
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Specification