U.S. patent application number 11/761385 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for method and apparatus for selective and automatic two-way beaming of related information to and from personal information management systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to PALMSOURCE, INC.. Invention is credited to Rod Alligood, David Creemer, Neal A. Osborn.
Application Number | 20080032673 11/761385 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38120576 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080032673 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Osborn; Neal A. ; et
al. |
February 7, 2008 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE AND AUTOMATIC TWO-WAY BEAMING OF
RELATED INFORMATION TO AND FROM PERSONAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS
Abstract
A method and system of automating two-way beaming of information
from one handheld electronic device to another handheld electronic
device. Specifically, the present invention discloses a method and
system for selectively transmitting business cards, calendar
appointments or executable programs from one device to a requesting
device. The receiver makes the selection of a response. The
receiver accepts the information, accepts and automatically
transmits information of the same category, or rejects the
information based on a user choice. If the user select the receive
and transmit option, the device will automatically receives and
file the information and sends information of the same category to
the initiator of the transmission. The two-way transmission of
information appears as one integral transmission between the users.
In one embodiment, the data to be exchanged is business cards and
the devices are handheld computer system.
Inventors: |
Osborn; Neal A.; (Milpitas,
CA) ; Creemer; David; (Palo Alto, CA) ;
Alligood; Rod; (San Jose, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERRY & ASSOCIATES P.C.
9255 SUNSET BOULEVARD
SUITE 810
LOS ANGELES
CA
90069
US
|
Assignee: |
PALMSOURCE, INC.
1188 East Arques Avenue
Sunnyvale
CA
94085
|
Family ID: |
38120576 |
Appl. No.: |
11/761385 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09773061 |
Jan 30, 2001 |
7231204 |
|
|
11761385 |
Jun 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/412.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2250/64 20130101;
H04M 1/72412 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/412.1 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/20 20060101
H04Q007/20 |
Claims
1. A method of communicating information comprising the steps of:
a) communicating a first information from a first electronic device
to a second electronic device using a wireless communication
mechanism, said first information having an information category
type; b) said second electronic device receiving said first
information; c) in response to step b), said second electronic
device automatically displaying a message indicating at least one
user selection, said user selection selected from the group
consisting of accept and automatic response, accept and no
response, and reject; and d) responsive to a particular user
selection, said second electronic device automatically
communicating second information to said first electronic device
wherein said second information is of said information category
type.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of
application Ser. No. 09/773,061, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
SELECTIVE AND AUTOMATIC TWO-WAY BEAMING OF RELATED INFORMATION TO
AND FROM PERSONAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS", filed Jan. 30,
2001, to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,204, and assigned to the
assignee of the present application. The subject matter in the
above-identified co-pending and commonly owned application is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of computer
systems and database technology. More specifically embodiments of
the present invention relate to the field of portable electronic
devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones,
pagers, etc.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Recent miniaturization of electronic components has led the
way to the reduction in size of almost all electronic components.
Reduction in the size of electronic components resulted in
physically smaller sized electronic devices. Manufacturers of the
electronic components, at the same time, took the opportunity to
add new features to the same or even to the reduced sized
electronic devices.
[0006] Electronic organizers were introduced to the market more
than two decades ago. These devices were commonly used to store and
maintain address books, telephone listings and daily activity
schedules albeit with limited number of records due to limited
storage capacity. Subsequent development of such devices introduced
limited capability calculating functions, weekly and monthly
scheduling "to do lists" and business card files. The most
noticeable developments in this family of devices, in the recent
years, are increased memory size, reduced physical size,
communication capabilities and increased functionality.
[0007] The emergence of Personal Digital Assistant, commonly known
as PDA, introduced a new type of organizers. The PDA's have
capability to store telephone numbers, addresses, daily
appointments and software that keeps track of business or personal
data such as expenses. Furthermore, the present PDA's have the
capability to synchronize to a personal computer, thus enabling the
two devices to exchange updated information together. Additionally,
the PDA can connect to a modem, enabling it to have electronic mail
(e-mail) capabilities. Another recent development in PDA technology
is capability to browse Web pages located on the Internet and
synchronize, e.g., HotSync, with another device or with a
compatible personal computer. Moreover, an advanced PDA can have
Internet capabilities to communicate over a wireless interface.
(e.g. radio interface).
[0008] A typical PDA user often uses the device during a business
meeting. The user can easily access his/her customized telephone
directory, schedule business activities, send and receive e-mails,
and connect to the Internet, etc.
[0009] More advanced PDA devices, such as hand-held computer
systems, each have the capability to wirelessly exchange certain
category of information such as an electronic business card. For
example, in a business meeting, one needs not hand over a
conventional paper business card to another participant in the
meeting. If both parties own handheld computers, exchange of
business cards can be accomplished electronically and wirelessly.
In such situations, one requests a business card from another and
the other party positions his/her handheld computer device facing
that of the requester's and by push of a button simply beams an
electronic version of his/her business card to the requester.
[0010] Presently, the distance between the two devices limits a
successful transmission of information. The distance between a
transmitting device and receiving device cannot be more than a few
feet or maximum of three yards. Limitation of distance for a
successful exchange of electronic business cards is one shortcoming
in the available devices.
[0011] Generally the exchange of electronic business card is
completed once the sender of a business card beams his/her card to
the other person's handheld device which is ready to receive the
information. However, If the sender of the electronically beamed
electronic business card desires to receive the other party's
electronic business card, then the entire process must be
reinitiated. Available devices require two different user initiated
transmissions and therefore two different sets of user initiated
transactions for a bilateral exchange of business cards.
Requirement of two sets of user initiated transactions to exchange
business cards between two associates in and of itself is another
shortcoming to the present systems.
[0012] User convenience is a very important factor for portable
electronic devices. Typically, portable electronic devices are
employed while the user is on the run, e.g., in business meetings,
on business travel, personal travel, in a vehicle, on foot, etc.
Because the user may be occupied or busy while using the portable
electronic device, the number of user steps or user tasks required
in order to access information from an electronic device (or to
store information into the electronic device) is crucial for
producing a commercially successful and useful product. That is,
the more difficult it is to access data from an electronic device,
the less likely the user will perform those tasks to obtain the
information. Likewise, the easier information is to obtain, the
more likely the portable electronic device will be used to obtain
that information and the more likely the portable electronic device
will become a part of the user's everyday activities.
[0013] Therefore, by requiring two user initiated steps to perform
an electronic business card swap, it is possible that many users
will not perform a full exchange because the first receiver of the
business card does not wish to manually go through with the trouble
of initiating the last transfer of information. This may be because
the first recipient is on the run, late for another meeting, or
simply does not want to go through the manual processing of sending
his/her business card to the first sender.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention enables an owner of a handheld
electronic device to receive a business card from another device
and send his/her electronic business card to other party's device
in one transaction. An embodiment of the present invention enables
the users of these devices to exchange business cards automatically
and with user initiation from only one party. For example, in a
business meeting, an owner of one handheld device beams his/her
business card to the owner of another's device and the receiver
device selectively and electronically responds. The receiving
device receives the signal from the requester and if the receiving
device is in "RECEIVE AND AUTOMATIC RESPONSE" mode, it will receive
the electronic business card, file the information and
automatically send a responding business card to the requester who
initiated the process. However, if the recipient device is set to
"ACCEPT NO RESPONSE" mode, the receiving device will receive and
file the business card but does not send a corresponding business
card in return. Furthermore, a device may be set in "REJECT" mode;
in which case the receiving devices neither accepts nor transmits
an electronic business cards.
[0015] The present invention discloses a method and a system for
selective exchange of electronic business cards, calendar
information and general data structure between handheld computer
systems. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a wireless
exchange of the above-mentioned information by means of infrared
communication or a communication mechanism, which is substantially
compatible with a Bluetooth communication protocol.
[0016] A method and system are described of automating two way
transmission of information from one handheld electronic device to
another handheld electronic device. Specifically, the present
invention discloses a method and system for selectively
transmitting information, e.g., business cards, calendar
appointments and general data structure, from one device to a
requesting device. The receiver makes the selection of a response.
The receiver accepts the information, accepts or transmits
information of the same category, or rejects the information based
on a user choice. If the user selects the RECEIVE AND AUTOMATIC
RESPONSE option, the device automatically sends information
requested to the receiver both to the sender so that the two way
transmission appears as one integral transmission between the
users. In one embodiment, the data to be exchanged is business
cards and the devices are portable handheld computer system.
[0017] In one embodiment, a method for communicating certain
category of information is disclosed. The disclosure describes an
electronic device transmitting a category of information to an
another device. The receiving device receives the information and
displays the type of response it will communicate to the first
device. The receiving device responds to the sending device
information of the same category.
[0018] Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention discloses a
handheld device implemented two-way beaming of electronic business
cards, calendar information and executable programs. The embodiment
uses a dialog box in each of sending and receiving devices. The
dialogue box enables the users to set the response in their
respective devices. Based on this setting the system will
selectively and automatically responds to a requester. A device
receiving a request for transmission of a business card, will
decide, based on the set mode, to accept the information without a
response, reject the information received, or accept and store the
information and transmit information of the same type
automatically.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary network
environment including an exemplary personal digital assistant.
[0020] FIG. 2A is a perspective illustration of the top face of one
embodiment of the palmtop computer system
[0021] FIG. 2B illustrates the bottom side of one embodiment of the
palmtop computer system.
[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of an exemplary
palmtop computer system of FIG. 2A.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrate two portable electronic devices beaming
information automatically in a two-way beam.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a flow block diagram of an exemplary process in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates the display screen during a dialogue
session; the mode of transmission is set during this session.
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates screen when address button 88 of FIG. 2A
is depressed; tapping on "Beam Business card" choice causes the
transmission of the information.
[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates screen during the "response mode
setting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, automatic beaming of business
card or same category information between handheld computer
systems, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with
the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not
intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the
contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives,
modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the
present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order
to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art
that the present invention may be practiced without these specific
details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures,
components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not
to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
Notation and Nomenclature
[0029] Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are
presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing,
and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits that
can be performed on computer memory. These descriptions and
representations are the means used by those skilled in the data
processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their
work to others skilled in the art. A procedure, computer executed
step, logic block, process, etc., is here, and generally, conceived
to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading
to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical
manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or
magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,
compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system. It has
proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common
usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,
symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
[0030] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical
quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these
quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from
the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as "accessing"
"processing" or "computing" or "translating" or "calculating" or
"determining" or "scrolling" or "displaying" or "recognizing" or
"transmitting" or "beaming" or the like, refer to the action and
processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing
device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as
physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's
registers and memories into other data similarly represented as
physical quantities within the computer system memories or
registers or other such information storage, transmission or
display devices.
Exemplary Palmtop Computer System Platform
[0031] The present invention is compatible with any electronic
device having a wireless or other communication mechanism and
organized records of information, such as a cell phone or a pager.
One of the common types of electronic systems, which can be used in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, is
referred to as a personal digital assistant, or commonly called a
PDA. The PDA is a pocket sized electronic organizer with the
capability to store telephone numbers, addresses, daily
appointment, and software that keeps track of business or personal
data such as expenses, etc. Furthermore, the PDA also has the
ability to connect to a personal computer, enabling the two devices
to exchange updated information that is synchronizing the
information between the two devices. Additionally, the PDA can also
be connected to a modem, enabling it to have electronic mail
(e-mail) capabilities over the Internet along with other Internet
capabilities. Moreover, an advanced PDA can have Internet
capabilities over a wireless communication interface (e.g., radio
interface).
[0032] In particular, the PDA can be used to browse Web pages
located on the Internet. The PDA can be coupled to a networking
environment. It should be appreciated that embodiments of the
present invention are well suited to operate within a wide variety
of electronic systems (e.g., computer systems) which can be
communicatively coupled to a networking environment, including
cellular phones, pagers, etc.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary network
environment 50 including an exemplary personal digital assistant.
The PDA 100 is also known as a palmtop or palm-sized electronic
system or computer system. The PDA 100 has the ability to transmit
and receive data and information over a wireless communication
interface (e.g., a radio interface). The PDA 100 is one exemplary
implementation on which the present invention can operate. The
present invention can operate on any portable electronic system or
device.
[0034] In one embodiment, base station 32 is both a transmitter and
receiver base station, which can be implemented by coupling it into
an existing public telephone network 34. Implemented in this
manner, base station 32 enables the personal digital assistant 100
to communicate with a proxy server computer system 36, which is
coupled by wire 35 to the existing public telephone network 34.
Furthermore, proxy server computer system 36 is coupled to the
Internet 52, thereby enabling the PDA 100 to communicate with the
Internet 52. It should be further appreciated that other
embodiments of a communications network may be utilized in
accordance with the present invention.
[0035] The data and information which are communicated between base
station 32 and the personal digital assistant 100 are a type of
information and data that can conventionally be transferred and
received over a public telephone wire network system. However, a
wireless communication interface is utilized to communicate data
and information between the PDA 100 and base station 32. It should
be appreciated that one embodiment of a wireless communication
system in accordance with the present invention is the Mobitex
wireless communication system.
[0036] FIG. 2A is a perspective illustration of the top face 100a
of one embodiment of the palmtop computer system. The top face 100a
contains a display screen 105 surrounded by a bezel or cover. A
removable stylus 80 is also shown. The display screen 105 is a
touch screen able to register contact between the screen and the
tip of the stylus 80. The stylus 80 can be of any material to make
contact with the screen 105. The top face 100a also contains one or
more dedicated and/or programmable buttons 75 for selecting
information and causing the computer system to implement functions.
The on/off button 95 is also shown.
[0037] FIG. 2A also illustrates a handwriting recognition pad or
"digitizer" containing two regions 106a and 106b. Region 106a is
for the drawing of alphabetic characters therein (and not for
numeric characters) for automatic recognition, and region 106b is
for the drawing of numeric characters therein (and not for
alphabetic characters) for automatic recognition. The stylus 80 is
used for stroking a character within one of the regions 106a or
106b. The stroke information is then fed to an internal processor
for automatic character recognition. Once characters are
recognized, they are typically displayed on the screen for
verification and/or modification.
[0038] FIG. 2B illustrates the bottom side 100b of one embodiment
of the palmtop computer system. An optional extendible antenna 85
is shown and also a battery storage compartment door 90 is shown. A
communication interface 108 is also shown. In one embodiment of the
present invention, the communication interface 108 is a serial
communication port, but could also alternatively be of any of a
number of well known communication standards and protocols, e.g.,
parallel, USB, SCSI, Firewire (IEEE 1394), Ethernet, etc. It is
appreciated that interface 108 can also be used for charging
current when using rechargeable batteries.
[0039] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the palmtop computer system
100 in accordance with one implementation. System 100 contains a
front cover 210 having an outline of region 106 and holes 75a for
receiving buttons 75b. A flat panel display 105 (both liquid
crystal display and touch screen) fits into front cover 210. Any of
a number of display technologies can be used, e.g., liquid crystal
display (LCD), field emission display (FED), plasma, etc., for the
flat panel display 105. A battery 215 provides electrical power. A
contrast adjustment (potentiometer) 220 is also shown. On/off
button 95 is shown along with an infrared emitter and detector
device 64. A flex circuit 230 is shown along with a PC board 225
containing electronics and logic (e.g., memory, communication bus,
processor, etc.) for implementing computer system functionality. A
digitizer pad can be part of the display assembly or it can also be
included in PC board 225. A midframe 235 is shown along with stylus
80. Position adjustable antenna 85 is shown.
[0040] A radio receiver/transmitter device 240 is also shown
between the midframe and the rear cover 245 of FIG. 3. The
receiver/transmitter device 240 is coupled to the antenna 85 and
also coupled to communicate with the PC board 225. In one
implementation, the Mobitex wireless communication system is used
to provide two way communications between system 100 and other
networked computers and/or the Internet via a proxy server. In
other embodiments, TCP protocol can be used.
[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates two-way beaming between two devices. The
number of devices transmitting information is not limited to two
devices. A requesting device sends and receives information through
a wireless communication interface 108, which ca be bluetooth or IR
in one example.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates the two-way automatic beaming session.
FIG. 4 configuration depicts a first device (i.e. the top device)
sending information of certain category to a second device, (i.e.)
bottom device, which receives the information and automatically
transmits information of the same category to the first device. For
example the owner of the top device initiates the transmission by
sending his/her business card and the bottom device receives the
business card, files it and automatically sends the business card
of its owner in return.
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates the flow diagram implementing a dialog
session to set the mode for selective two-way beaming of the
information. To set the mode the screen is turned on. Once the
screen is turned on for the initial implementation, the IR device,
which is attached to the serial port 108 of the receiving device,
continuously looks for an IR signal. At the step 520, once a IR
signal is detected, a piece of software called the serial manager
gets the entire transmitted communication form the transmitting
device and the receiving device parses the received information. At
step 520, the system stores the data received in cache memory and
displays a message on the screen indicating receipt of data.
[0044] During this user interface, the user is presented with the
screen depicted in FIG. 6. At this stage the user of the receiver
device can select one of the following three modes of option. The
user can select step 530 in which case the receiver device will not
accept any incoming data and will transmit no response. If the user
selects step 540, the receiver device will accept the incoming
information but it does not transmit a corresponding response.
However, if the user wants to receive the incoming request and
automatically respond to the sender with the information of the
same category, step 550 is chosen. Step 550 is the object of this
invention, whereby the receiver system receives the information of
a particular category and automatically sends back the information
of the same type to the one who initiated the process. In one
example, the receiver device accepts an electronic business card
from a sending device and upon the user selecting choice 550.
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates the display screen 105 view of a receiver
device during a dialogue session. Upon receipt of the first
transmission, the screen displays three different mode settings and
the owner of the device can select and set the device for one of
the following modes: ACCEPT & AUTOMATIC RESPONSE 610, ACCEPT NO
RESPONSE 620 or REJECT 630. The receiving and responding devices
each can have a dialogue box and each can be set to the desired
mode for two way automatic beaming before the selective and
automatic exchange can be accomplished.
[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates screen 105 when application icon 88 is
tapped. The system is ready to beam the user's electronic business
card. In one mode of operation, the two way-beaming processes
require both devices, the receiving and transmitting devices to
have BEAM BOX 240 of FIG. 3. Tapping on "BEAM BUSINESS CARD" choice
causes the transmission of the information.
[0047] Alternatively, the user can simply hold down phone icon 710
for 1 2 seconds to initiate two-way beaming.
[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates an operating system screen 105 where the
owner of the device is given the choice of a response upon
reviewing of the electronically received information. The user can
use the screen of FIG. 8 to program preferences for the two-way
beam process.
[0049] The owner of the device can select "AUTOMATICALLY SEND SAME
CATEGORY RESPONSE" 810, in which case the device does not wait for
the owner's decision for response and sends information of the same
category back to sender automatically. In this case, the user is
not presented the choices of FIG. 6 but rather selection 610 is
automatically assumed as default.
[0050] If the owner of the device selects the "CUE THE USERS" mode
820, the device will receive the information and keeps it in cache
memory. Screen 6 will then be and the owner can choose one of the
choices in FIG. 6 menu.
* * * * *