Interacting with embedded devices within a user's environment

• US 10,249,115 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2018
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arm IP Limited
• Original Assignee: Arm IP Limited
• Inventors: Vincent, Hugo John Martin, Flautner, Krisztian
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Akki, Munear T
• Application Number:
  US15/916,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20180197359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 340 561, 340 563, 3404255, 340 573, 340 572, 340 525, 340901, 455 412
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0064 in which functions not related to time can be displayed digital output to display devices of digital computers G06F3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/401 for selecting or indicating operating mode

Abstract

An envoy device configured to perform a transaction with a further device. The envoy device comprises: a data store; a processor; communication circuitry for communicating with the further device; and a display. The envoy device is configured to respond to detection of the further device being within a predetermined physical proximity to trigger initiation of a transaction between the devices; and to respond to the transaction completing to display an object related to the transaction that it is determined the user may wish to select to initiate a subsequent action.

Claims

1. An envoy device configured to perform a transaction with a plurality of different types of further devices, said envoy device comprising:

a data store;

a processor;

a communication circuitry for communicating with said plurality of different types of further devices; and

a display;

said processor being configured to detect one of said plurality of different types of further devices being within a predetermined physical proximity to said envoy device and to perform different transactions with said different types of further devices, said detection automatically triggering said processor to initiate a transaction between said envoy device and said one of said plurality of different types of further devices; and

in response to said transaction completing, said processor being configured to display, on said display, at least one object related to said transaction that it is determined a user may wish to select to initiate a subsequent action on said envoy device,

wherein said envoy device is configured to be worn by said user.

2. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to detect one of said plurality of different types of further devices being within the predetermined physical proximity to said envoy device and at least one further condition, said detection of said one of said plurality of different types of further devices being within the predetermined physical proximity to said envoy device and said at least one further condition automatically triggering said processor to initiate said transaction between said envoy device and said one of said plurality of different types of further devices.

3. An envoy device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one further condition comprises a stored permission within said data store relating to said one of said plurality of different types of further devices, or a pending intent to perform a transaction with said one of said plurality of different types of further devices.

4. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to display a plurality of objects related to said transaction in response to a user operation.

5. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said envoy device is a portable device, and said display is configured to display fewer than 10 lines of text or 10 icons.

6. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to display said at least one object related to said transaction for a predetermined time after completion of said transaction and then to revert to one of a default display and a display that was displayed prior to said transaction being initiated.

7. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said envoy device is a watch and displays a time as said default display.

8. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to detect said predetermined physical proximity of said one of said plurality of different types of further devices in response to said user touching said one of said plurality of different types of further devices.

9. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said transaction comprises use of a permission stored within said envoy device, said at least one displayed related object relating to said permission.

10. An envoy device according to claim 9, wherein said envoy device comprises a clock, said processor being configured to process permissions having a valid lifetime and to determine when said permissions with said valid lifetime have expired in dependence upon a value of said clock.

11. An envoy device according to claim 9, wherein said permission comprises at least one of a travel ticket, a key configured to provide access to a location, access to a thermostat, access to control of a power outlet and a representation of money.

12. An envoy device according to claim 9, wherein said permission comprises a key and said one of said plurality of different types of further devices comprises a lock, said at least one displayed related object comprising a set of keys stored within said envoy device, said set of keys comprising said key and further keys related to said key and having different access permissions.

13. An envoy device according to claim 12, wherein at least one of said key and said further keys is a control key, said control key being configured to perform at least one of:

open said lock and to keep said lock open for a predetermined length of time, and

open and access diagnostic features in a car.

14. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to display, on said display, a list of said most recently displayed related objects in response to a user selection.

15. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said communication circuitry comprises a near field communicator and said processor is configured to detect said predetermined physical proximity with said one of said plurality of different types of further devices by establishing near field communication between said envoy device and said one of said plurality of different types of further device.

16. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to detect said predetermined physical proximity with said one of said plurality of different types of further device in response to bringing said envoy device within 5 cms of said one of said plurality of different types of further device.

17. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to detect said predetermined physical proximity with said one of said plurality of different types of further devices in response to detecting said envoy device being moved in a predetermined pattern within a predetermined distance of said one of said plurality of different types of further devices.

18. An envoy device according to claim 17, wherein said predetermined pattern comprises said envoy device moving towards and then away from said one of said plurality of different types of further devices within a predetermined period of time.

19. An envoy device according to claim 17, wherein said predetermined pattern comprises said envoy device being moved to a particular orientation.

20. An envoy device according to claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to detect said predetermined physical proximity with said one of said plurality of different types of further devices by being connected to said one of said plurality of different types of further devices by a physical link.

21. A set of devices comprising said envoy device according to claim 1, and said one of said plurality of different types of further devices, said one of said plurality of different types of further devices comprising at least one device located or embedded in a users environment.

22. A method of performing transactions between an envoy device and a plurality of different types of further devices located physically close to each other, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting said envoy device and one of said plurality of different types of further devices being within a predetermined physical proximity of each other, said envoy device capable of performing different transactions with said different types of further devices;

said detection automatically triggering initiation of a transaction between said envoy device and said one of said plurality of different types of further devices;

in response to detecting said transaction completing

displaying, on said display, at least one object related to said transaction, that it is determined a user may wish to select to initiate a subsequent action on said envoy device,

wherein said envoy device is worn by said user.

23. An envoy means for performing a transaction with a plurality of different types of further means, said envoy means comprising:

means for storing data;

means for processing data;

means for communicating with said plurality of different types of further means; and

means for displaying data;

said means for processing being for detecting one of said plurality of different types of further means being within a predetermined physical proximity to said envoy means and for performing different transactions with said different types of further devices, said detecting automatically triggering said processing means to initiate a transaction between said envoy means and said one of said plurality of different types of further means; and

in response to said transaction completing, said means for processing is configured to display, on said means for displaying, at least one object related to said transaction that it is determined a user may wish to select to initiate a subsequent action on said envoy means,

wherein said envoy means is configured to be worn by the user.