Remote control of devices utilizing a mobile network

• US 8,909,211 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2008
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Huq, Rana, Thompson, Brian K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLLIDAY, JAIME MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US12/255,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20100099396A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,240 Days
• Field of Search: 455/419, 455/420, 455/435.1, 709/217, 709/219
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

Providing for remote control of electronic devices at least in part utilizing a mobile radio access network (RAN) is disclosed herein. A control server is provided that can initiate an OTA message requesting control of a client device. The OTA message can be transmitted via the RAN to the client device, which can initiate a data network call upon receipt of the message. A data network address can be forwarded to the control server to facilitate data exchange between the server and client. The client can act upon and respond to commands issued by the server. As described herein, remote control of a client that does not maintain a persistent data network link can be conducted. Furthermore, key-mapping applications, DLL-based middle-ware, and other interface modules traditionally required to implement control of a remote device can be limited or avoided.

Claims

1. A method for remote communication, comprising:

initiating a message sent at least in part over-the-air (OTA), the message configured for accessing a remote device to perform remote testing;

receiving a response to the message via a computer network link from the remote device, the response comprising a network address of the remote device, wherein the network address is a dynamic network address associated with the remote device;

employing the network address to control a user interface (UI) of the remote device over the computer network link;

passing command data to the remote device to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the remote device;

obtaining control of a hardware device that is communicatively coupled with the remote device; and

controlling operation of the hardware device by submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating a mobile network data call to establish the computer network link.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a network address of a control server in the message that is sent at least in part OTA to the remote device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising authenticating the remote device based at least in part on data contained in the response.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing a secure connection for the computer network link.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising employing secure socket layer, session security or a virtual private network as the secure connection.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving response data from the remote device to implement feedback from or output from the UI.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising recording the command data sent to the remote device or the response data received from the remote device during control of the UI of the remote device.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising facilitating playback of the recording during or upon expiration of control of the UI.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

issuing a command to the remote device that is native to a hardware media component coupled with the remote device; and

obtaining audio, video, or photographic media from the remote device or the hardware media component in response to the command.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising passing control of the UI of the remote device to a second device by providing the network address of the remote device to the second device.

12. An apparatus for remote communication, comprising:

a communication processor that initiates a message sent at least in part OTA, the message configured for accessing a remote device to perform remote testing;

a computer network interface that receives a response from the remote device to the message comprising a network address of the remote device, wherein the network address is a dynamic network address; and

a server control module that employs the network address to control a UI of the remote device over a computer network link coupled to the interface, that passes command data to the remote device to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the remote device, wherein the server control module obtains control of a hardware device that is communicatively coupled with the remote device; and

the server control module controls operation of the hardware device by submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the computer network interface comprises an OTA interface that establishes the computer network link via an OTA connection to a data-enabled mobile network.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, the communication processor provides a network address of a control server in the message sent to the remote device.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a security module that authenticates the remote device based at least in part on data contained in the response.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a secure interface that couples the computer network interface to a secure connection;

instructions for encrypting or decrypting data; and

secure memory for storing the instructions.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, the secure connection comprises secure socket layer, session security or a virtual private network.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the server control module receives response data from the remote device via the computer network link to implement feedback from or output from the UI.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a tracking module that records the command data sent to the remote device or the response data received from the remote device during control of the UI of the remote device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a playback module that plays or outputs in a media readable format the recording during or upon expiration of control of the UI.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the server control module issues a command to the remote device that is native to a hardware media component coupled with the remote device; and

the server control module obtains via the computer network interface audio, video, or photographic media in response to the command.

22. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a relay module that at least one of:

passes control of the UI of the remote device to a second device by providing the network address of the remote device to the second device;

or

acts as a communication relay for data exchange between the remote device and the second device.

28. The method of claim 16, further comprising obtaining the data network address in connection with establishing the data session link.

23. An apparatus for remote communication, comprising:

means for initiating a message sent at least in part OTA, the message configured for accessing a remote device to perform remote testing;

means for receiving a response to the message via a computer network link from the remote device, the response comprising a network address of the remote device, wherein the network address is a dynamic network address;

means for employing the network address to control a UI of the remote device over the computer network link;

means for passing command data to the remote device to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the remote device;

means for obtaining control of a hardware device that is communicatively coupled with the remote device; and

means for controlling operation of the hardware device by submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.

24. A processor configured for remote communication, comprising:

a first module that initiates a message sent at least in part OTA, the message configured for accessing a remote device to perform remote testing;

a second module that receives a response to the message via a computer network link from the remote device, the response comprising a network address of the remote device, wherein the network address is a dynamic network address;

a third module that employs the network address to control a UI of the remote device over the computer network link;

a fourth module that passes command data to the remote device to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the remote device;

a fifth module that obtains control of a hardware device that is communicatively coupled with the remote device; and

a sixth module that controls operation of the hardware device by submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.

25. A non-transitory device-readable medium comprising:

device-readable instructions configured for remote communication, the instructions are executable by at least one device to;

initiate a message sent at least in part OTA, the message configured for accessing a remote device to perform remote testing;

receive a response to the message via a computer network link from the remote device, the response comprising a network address of the remote device, wherein the network address is a dynamic network address;

employ the network address to control a UI of the remote device over the computer network link;

pass command data to the remote device to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the remote device;

obtain control of a hardware device that is communicatively coupled with the remote device; and

control operation of the hardware device by submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.

26. A method for remote communication, comprising:

establishing a data session link via a mobile access network interface to perform remote testing;

providing, from a client device, a data network address to a remote control server at least in part via the data session link;

obtaining a dynamic network address in conjunction with establishing the data session link;

passing control of a UI to the remote control server;

receiving command data from the remote control server to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the client device;

communicatively coupling to a hardware device;

facilitating control of the hardware device at the remote control server via the data session link; and

facilitating operation of the hardware device by the remote control server submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising employing the dynamic network address as the data network address.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising obtaining an OTA message requesting the passing control of the UI, wherein establishing the data session link or providing the data network address are in response to obtaining the OTA message.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising outputting a remote control request query and conditioning providing the data network address or passing control of the UI on a response to the query.

31. The method of claim 26, providing the data network address further comprises, at least in part, employing a secure link for data exchange with the remote control server.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising authenticating the remote control server and conditioning providing the data network address on the authentication.

33. The method of claim 26, providing the data network address further comprises encrypting the data network address.

34. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

performing actions or providing data in response to receiving the command data.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising at least one of:

tracking the command data, the actions and the data in response to receiving the command data and saving tracked information to memory;

or

obtaining from the remote control server a recording of the command data, the actions and the data in a playable format.

36. An apparatus for remote communication, comprising:

an OTA interface that establishes a data session link via a mobile access network interface to perform remote testing and that receives command data from a remote control server to implement control of or input to a user interface (UI), wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the apparatus;

a client control module that provides, from the apparatus, a data network address to the remote control server at least in part via the data session link, wherein the data network address is a dynamic address associated with the apparatus for the data session link;

a routing module that passes control of the UI of the apparatus to the remote control serve; and

a device interface that facilitates operational data exchange with one or more hardware devices communicatively coupled with the apparatus, and facilitates operational control of the one or more hardware devices by the remote control server submitting a command native to the one or more hardware devices via the computer network link to the apparatus.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a media controller that facilitates exchange of media information between the hardware devices or the apparatus and the remote control server.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the hardware device(s) comprises at least one of:

a web cam;

a video camera;

a mobile phone;

a traffic light;

a surveillance camera;

a night vision camera;

a lighting fixture;

a sprinkler system;

a television set;

a radio;

an electronic hardware device;

an appliance meter comprising an electronic controller;

a water meter;

a gas meter;

an oil meter, or a combination thereof.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the apparatus is at least one of:

a personal computer;

a laptop computer;

a personal digital assistant (PDA);

a mobile phone;

or

a wireless communication device.

40. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a security module that facilitates secure communication between the apparatus and the remote control server.

41. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising:

a secure communication link at least in part coupling the apparatus and the remote control server;

a secure interface that mitigates unauthorized access to data exchanged with the remote control server via the OTA interface;

instructions for encrypting or decrypting data exchanged with the remote control server; and

secure memory for storing the instructions.

42. The apparatus of claim 36, the OTA interface comprises a cellular modem.

43. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a query module that outputs a remote control request query and conditions providing the data network address or passing control of the UI on obtaining a response to the query.

44. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein:

the client control module performs actions or provides data in response to receiving the command data.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising a tracking module that at least one of:

monitors the command data, the actions and the data in response to receiving the command data and saves monitored information to memory;

or

obtains from the remote control server a recording of the command data, the actions and the data in a playable format.

46. An apparatus for remote communication, comprising:

means for establishing a data session link via a mobile access network interface to perform remote testing;

means for providing, from the apparatus, a data network address to a remote control server at least in part via the data session link, wherein the data network address is a dynamic address associated with the apparatus for the data session link;

means for passing control of a UI to the remote control server;

means for receiving command data from the remote control server to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the apparatus;

means for communicatively coupling to a hardware device; and

means for facilitating control of the hardware device at the remote control server via the data session link, and facilitating operation of the hardware device by the remote control server submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.

47. A processor for remote communication, comprising:

a first module that establishes a data session link via a mobile access network interface to perform remote testing;

a second module that provides, from a client device, a data network address to a remote control server at least in part via the data session link, wherein the data network address is a dynamic address associated with the processor for the data session link;

a third module that passes control of a UI to the remote control server; and

a fourth module that receives command data from the remote control server to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the processor;

a fifth module that communicatively couples to a hardware device;

a sixth module that facilitates control of the hardware device at the remote control server via the data session link, and

a seventh module that facilitates operation of the hardware device by the remote control server submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.

48. A non-transitory device-readable medium, comprising:

device-readable instructions configured for remote communication, the instructions are executable by at least one device to;

establish a data session link via a mobile access network interface to perform remote testing;

provide, from a client device, a data network address to a remote control server at least in part via the data session link, wherein the data network address is a dynamic address associated with the device-readable medium for the data session link;

pass control of a UI to the remote control server;

receive command data from the remote control server to implement control of or input to the UI, wherein the command data is in a format that is native to the UI and also native to an operating system of the at least one device;

communicatively couple to a hardware device;

facilitate control of the hardware device at the remote control server via the data session link; and

facilitate operation of the hardware device by the remote control server submitting a command native to the hardware device via the computer network link to the remote device.