Mobile device synchronization based on proximity to a data source

• US 20060223556A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Dhawan, Anil Kumar, Fortier, Dominique, Xu, Jon
• Granted Patent: US 7,941,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/502
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

A system for data communication is disclosed. The system comprises a detection module that ascertains when a mobile wireless communication device is located within a first range of a data source. The system further comprises a data module that automatically sends information to the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is within the first range. Methods of using the system are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for data communication, comprising:

a detection module that ascertains when a mobile wireless communication device is located within a first range of a data source; and

a data module that automatically sends information to the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is within the first range.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a verification module that determines whether the mobile wireless communication device is a known device.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the information includes data to be synchronized with data of the mobile wireless communication device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is one of a personal information manager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, and a palmtop computer.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a proximity detector that determines whether the mobile wireless communication device is within a second range that is less than or equal to the first range.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the proximity detector includes a near-field communication device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the data module sends additional information to the mobile wireless communication device when the mobile wireless communication device is within the second range.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the mobile wireless communication device is a Bluetooth device.

9. A computer implemented method for data communication, comprising:

detecting when a wireless computing device is in range of a data source; and

automatically initiating a data transfer when the wireless computing device is in range.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining whether the wireless computing device is a known device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising synchronizing information of the data source with information of the wireless computing device.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising calculating a measure of proximity of the wireless communication device to the data source.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein calculating a measure of proximity of the wireless communication device to the data source includes measuring a strength of a signal.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising initiating a second data transfer when the wireless computing device is within a predetermined proximity to the data source.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising using a near field communication device to determine whether the wireless communication device is within a second range of the data source.

16. A system for data communication, comprising:

means for detecting when a wireless computing device is in range of a data source; and

means for automatically initiating a data transfer when the wireless computing device is in range.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for determining whether the wireless computing device is a known device.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for synchronizing information of the data source with information of the wireless computing device.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for calculating a measure of proximity of the wireless communication device to the data source.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising means for initiating a second data transfer when the wireless computing device is within a predetermined proximity to the data source.