Specifying and establishing communication data paths between particular media devices in multiple media device computing systems based on context of a user or users

• US 5,812,865 A
• Filed: 03/04/1996
• Issued: 09/22/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UbiComm, LLC (Patrick J. Curry)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Spreitzer, Michael J., Theimer, Marvin M., Want, Roy, Schilit, William N., Goldstein, Richard J., Swinehart, Daniel C., Weiser, Mark D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowler, Alyssa H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FOLLANSBEE, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US08/607,254
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 395/800, 395/200.01, 395/154, 395/200.04, 395/200.12, 395/806, 455/608, 379/95, 379/88, 379/93
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/547 Remote procedure calls [RPC]; Web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/133 Protocols for remote procedure calls [RPC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/303 Terminal profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target

Abstract

The present invention describes a system of multiple devices and multiple users, wherein the identity and location of each device and user may be known to the system. A method is described for establishing media connections between at least a first user and a second user based on the context of the system and the environment of the particular device, computing devices, or users. The system receives a media connection request from the first user, including information indicating the first user preferences for media, and identifies the intended recipient user or users. The location and media devices in proximity to each of the users is determined, and the preset profiles and policies of the users involved are determined. Each user may specify acceptable media connections and contextual attributes. When the contextual attributes and acceptable media connections for each user are consistent, media device communications paths are established.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for establishing a media connection between at least a first user and a second user in a system of multiple devices and multiple users, the system supporting a multiplicity of media connections, each device supporting at least one type of media connection, some of said multiple devices being personal and others of said multiple devices being public, wherein the location of each device and user may be determined by the system based on the context of the system, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

a) receiving from said first user a media connection request that does not specify the media format and device to be used;

b) determining media devices in close proximity to a location of said first user and the type of media connection supported by each media device in close proximity to the location of said first user;

c) determining first user properties including first user preferences for types of media connections;

d) identifying said second user;

e) determining a location for said second user;

f) determining media devices in dose proximity to the location of said second user and the type of media connection supported by each media device in close proximity to the to the location of said second user;

g) determining second user properties including second user preferences for types of media connections; and

h) determining a media connection type consistent with said first user properties and second user properties.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising

selecting a first media device in close proximity to said first user based upon said first user properties, said first media device being capable of providing said media connection type;

selecting a second media devices in close proximity to said second user based upon said second user properties, said second media device being capable of providing said media connection type; and

establishing connection between said first and second media devices.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising

rejecting said media connection request when said media connection type can not be provided by said media devices in close proximity to said second user.

4. A computer implemented method for performing a media event initiated by a first user in a system of multiple devices and multiple users, the system being capable of performing a multiplicity of media events, each of the multiple devices being capable of performing at least one media event, some of said multiple devices being personal and others of said multiple devices being public, wherein the location of each device and user may be determined by the system, based on the context of the system, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

a) receiving from said first user a media event command that does not specify a media connection type and media device to be used;

b) determining first user properties including information indicating first user preferences for media device and first user preferences for types of media connection;

c) determining a media connection type consistent with said first user preferences and said media event command;

d) determining a particular media device for performing said media event based on said first user properties, said media connection type, and proximity to a location of a second user; and

e) performing said media event.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first user properties further include a location of said first user a preference for proximity to a media device performing said media event.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said first user properties further include a location preference for a media device for performing said media event.