Device-to-device workflows

• US 20100082821A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, Gloria, Rosenblatt, Michael, Nakajima, Taido Lantz, Mayo, Sean Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,060,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for performing a workflow with two or more electronic devices. Embodiments include an initiator electronic device that may function to control the workflow and send instructions for executing the workflow to a target electronic device. The initiator device may generate instructions for the workflow based on properties received from the target device. The instructions generated by the initiator may allow both devices to accomplish a shared goal, such as exchanging contact information. In some embodiments, the initiator device may include a graphical user interface for creating workflows, downloading workflows from a web service, and entering preferences governing the performance of the workflows.

Claims

1. A method for performing an action on an electronic device, the method comprising:

establishing a communication link between an initiator device and a target device;

receiving properties by the initiator device from the target device through the communication link;

transmitting instructions determined based on the properties from the initiator device to the target device to enable the target device to transmit data to the initiator device, wherein the properties specify one or more operating capabilities of the target device; and

performing the action by the initiator device using the data from the target device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing a communication link comprises establishing a near field communication link between the initiator device and the target device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving properties comprises requesting the properties from the target device, wherein the requested properties are determined based on the action to be executed by the initiator device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting instructions comprises:

selecting the instructions from a library of instructions stored within the initiator device; and

generating code based on the instructions and on the properties.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the code comprises a scripting language.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting instructions comprises:

connecting the initiator device to the target device through a wireless network accessed or selected using the properties; and

transmitting the instructions through the wireless network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the action comprises selecting the action based on the properties.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the action comprises at least one of updating an electronic address book with a new contact, synchronizing a calendar, storing a note, or adding a media playlist to a media library.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating capabilities comprise the operating system of the target device, a software application stored on the target device, a network interface of the target device, or any combination thereof.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

a close range communication interface configured to receive properties from a target device that define operating capabilities of the target device;

a long range communication interface configured to transmit instructions to the target device based at least in part on the received properties and to receive data generated by the target device based on the instructions; and

a processor operably coupled to the close range communication interface and the long range communication interface, and configured to establish a wireless network connection using the long range communication interface with the target device based on the properties, to determine the instructions based on the properties, and to perform an action using the data.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the close range communication interface comprises a personal area network interface or a near field communication device, and wherein the long range communication interface comprises a local area network interface or a wide area network interface.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the properties specify at least one of a type of camera included in the target device, an email application included in the target device, or an operating system used by the target device.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the action comprises at least one of adding contact information to an electronic address book, adding an appointment to an electronic calendar, assigning a ring tone to a phone number, or ordering food from a restaurant.

14. The device of claim 10, comprising a graphical user interface configured to facilitate selection of the action.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein the electronic device comprises a portable media player or a cellular telephone, and wherein the target device comprises a computer or a personal data assistant.

16. A method for determining a sequence of actions to be performed using an initiator device and a target device, the method comprising:

displaying on the initiator device a menu screen that presents a plurality of action sequences stored on the initiator device, wherein each of the plurality of action sequences comprises one or more actions using shared execution between the initiator device and the target device;

receiving a user input selecting an action sequence from the plurality of action sequences;

receiving properties from the target device that describe functionality of the target device for the selected action sequence; and

determining instructions for the selected action sequence based on the properties, wherein the instructions enable the target device to execute the selected action sequence.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving properties comprises establishing a near field communication link between the target device and the initiator device.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining instructions comprises:

displaying on the initiator device a summary screen that facilitates user selection of the one or more actions of the selected action sequence; and

generating the instructions based on the selected one or more actions.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein determining instructions comprises accessing preferences stored in the initiator device to identify data files stored in the initiator device or the target device for retrieval using the instructions.

20. The method of claim 16, comprising initiating the selected action sequence on the initiator device in response to receiving a device identifier from the target device, wherein the device identifier is associated with the selected action sequence.

21. The method of claim 16, comprising storing a data file received from the target device in a storage location of the initiator device, wherein the data file is determined by the target device using the instructions.

22. The method of claim 16, comprising displaying an error message on the initiator device if the target device is unable to execute the selected one or more actions.

23. A method, comprising:

storing an action sequence for an electronic device on a database accessible via a web service, wherein the action sequence comprises a set of instructions for performing one or more actions by shared execution on an initiator electronic device and a target electronic device, and wherein the set of instructions is configured to enable the target electronic device to send data for performing the one or more actions to the initiator electronic device; and

transmitting the action sequence to the initiator electronic device.

24. The method of claim 23, comprising charging a fee for transmitting the action sequence.

25. A method of creating an action sequence for an electronic device, the method comprising:

displaying a graphical user interface presenting a plurality of user selectable actions on an electronic device, each of the selectable actions having corresponding instructions stored in the device;

receiving a user input selecting one or more actions from the plurality of user selectable actions; and

compiling the selected one or more actions into an action sequence based on the user input;

wherein the instructions are configured to enable a target device to send data for performing the action sequence to the electronic device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the receiving a user input comprises displaying a screen of the user interface to facilitate user identification of an order for each of the selected one or more actions, wherein the order determines the arrangement of the selected one or more actions within the action sequence.

27. The method of claim 25, comprising displaying a screen of the user interface for assigning preferences to the action sequence, wherein the preferences determine whether the action sequence is initiated automatically or is initiated in response to receiving a user acknowledgement.

28. The method of claim 25, comprising:

verifying the action sequence to ensure the functionality of the electronic device supports each of the selected one or more actions in the action sequence; and

storing the action sequence within the electronic device.

29. The method of claim 25, comprising:

displaying a screen for associating the target device with the action sequence; and

configuring the action sequence to initiate upon detection of the target device.