U.S. patent application number 12/651430 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-30 for local device awareness.
This patent application is currently assigned to Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Todd Benjamin, Brett Bilbrey, Nicholas Vincent King, Aleksander Pance.
Application Number | 20110162048 12/651430 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44189141 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110162048 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bilbrey; Brett ; et
al. |
June 30, 2011 |
LOCAL DEVICE AWARENESS
Abstract
Certain embodiments may take the form of a method of operating
an electronic device to find and determine an identity of other
local devices. The method includes transmitting electromagnetic
signals from a first electronic device to find devices within a
prescribed distance of the first device and receiving
electromagnetic response signals from a second electronic device
within the prescribed distance from the first electronic device.
The method also includes identifying the second electronic device
using information received in the electromagnetic response signals.
Additionally, the method includes determining if the second
electronic device is aware of other electronic devices and, if the
second electronic device is aware of other electronic devices,
obtaining identifying information of the other devices from the
second electronic device.
Inventors: |
Bilbrey; Brett; (Sunnyvale,
CA) ; Pance; Aleksander; (Saratoga, CA) ;
King; Nicholas Vincent; (San Jose, CA) ; Benjamin;
Todd; (Saratoga, CA) |
Assignee: |
Apple Inc.
Cupertino
CA
|
Family ID: |
44189141 |
Appl. No.: |
12/651430 |
Filed: |
December 31, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
726/4 ;
455/41.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 48/08 20130101;
H04L 63/107 20130101; H04W 8/005 20130101; H04W 8/26 20130101; H04W
12/084 20210101; H04W 48/16 20130101; H04W 12/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
726/4 ;
455/41.2 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30; H04B 7/00 20060101 H04B007/00 |
Claims
1. A method of operating an electronic device to find and determine
an identity of other local devices comprising: transmitting
electromagnetic signals from a first electronic device to find
devices within a prescribed distance of the first device; receiving
electromagnetic response signals from a second electronic device
located less than the prescribed distance from the first electronic
device; identifying the second electronic device from the
electromagnetic response signals; determining if the second
electronic device is aware of other electronic devices within the
prescribed distance from the second electronic device; and if the
second electronic device is aware of other electronic devices,
obtaining identifying information from the second electronic device
of the other devices.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising: generating an icon
representative of the second electronic device; and displaying the
icon on a display of the first electronic device.
3. The method of claim 2 comprising: using an electromagnetic
imaging device to determine the location of the second device
relative to the first device; and displaying the icon representing
the second electronic device on the display in a location
representative of the location of the second electronic device
relative to the first electronic device.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first and second electronic
devices are network enabled and the first device is configured with
a touch screen, wherein the first device is configured to transmit
data to the second device upon receiving gestural input directing
the data to the icon of the second electronic device.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting electromagnetic
signals comprise one of radio frequency signals or infrared
signals.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second device is identified
via the electromagnetic response signals.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second electronic
devices are network enabled and obtaining identifying information
of the other device is transacted over a network.
8. A method of operating a stationary electronic device to
facilitate communications between devices within the vicinity of
the stationary device, the method comprising: scanning an area
using a first electronic device to determine if other devices are
present in the scanned area; determining that more than one other
device is present in the scanned area; determining an identity of
each of the more than one other device present in the scanned area;
and providing each of the more than one other device with the
identifying information of the more than one other devices.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein scanning an area comprises:
transmitting electromagnetic signals into the area to determine the
presence of objects in the area; and comparing a shape of objects
in the scanned area with template shapes to determine if the object
is an electronic device.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein determining an identity of the
more than one other devices comprises receiving a radio signal from
each of the more than one other devices, the radio signal from each
device including the identity of that device.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising transmitting a radio
signal from the first electronic device to each of the more than
one other devices.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising: determining that one
of the more than one electronic devices is no longer within the
area; identifying the one of the more than one electronic devices;
and indicating to the more than one electronic devices remaining in
the area that the one is no longer in the area.
13. An electronic security device comprising: a processor; a memory
coupled to the processor, the memory storing operating instructions
for the electronic security device; and one or more vicinity
sensors, the vicinity sensor being configured to determine when
other electronic devices are in a vicinity of the electronic
security device; wherein when other electronic devices are
determined to be within the vicinity of the electronic security
device, the electronic security device: determines an identity of
the other devices; and grants access to a document to the other
devices while the other devices are determined to be within the
vicinity of the electronic security device.
14. The electronic security device of claim 13 further configured
to: determine if the other electronic devices are capable of
managing documents; and if the other electronic devices are not
capable of managing documents, denying access to the document.
15. The electronic security device of claim 13 further configured
to: determine if a user of the other electronic devices is
authorized to access the document; and if the user is authorized to
access a document, grant access to the document.
16. The electronic security device of claim 13 wherein the document
is stored remotely from the electronic security device.
17. The electronic security device of claim 13 further comprising a
storage device and wherein the document is stored in the storage
device.
18. The electronic security device of claim 13 wherein the one or
more vicinity sensors includes an electromagnetic transmitter and
receiver.
19. The electronic security device of claim 13 wherein the
electronic security device is configured to determine when one of
the other devices leaves the vicinity and restrict access to the
document to the one of the other devices when the one of the other
devices leaves the vicinity.
20. The electronic security device of claim 13 wherein the
electronic security device comprises a tablet computing device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the operation of
electronic devices and, more particularly, to identifying and
placing electronic devices located within a particular
vicinity.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Network-enabled electronic devices commonly communicate
instantly over great distances. A network connection allows these
devices to be in communicative proximity. That is, the devices
communicate generally without reference to any distance between the
devices. However, communicative proximity is not necessarily equal
to physical proximity. For example, a computer in an office may be
able to interact with a number of printers via a network, even if
these printers are not physically near the computer. Indeed, the
printers may be located on another side of, or on a different floor
of, an office building, making use of the printers inconvenient. In
some cases, a user of the computer may be aware of a local printer
but unable to find the local printer via the network.
SUMMARY
[0003] Certain aspects of embodiments disclosed herein by way of
example are summarized below. It should be understood that these
aspects are presented to provide the reader with a brief summary of
certain embodiments disclosed and/or claimed herein and that these
aspects are not intended to limit the scope of any claims or
disclosure. Indeed, any embodiment disclosed and/or claimed herein
may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth
below.
[0004] Certain embodiments relate to determining spatial proximity
of electronic devices. Specifically, some embodiments include a
method of operating an electronic device to find and determine an
identity of other local devices. The method includes transmitting
electromagnetic signals from a first electronic device to find
devices within a prescribed distance of the first device and
receiving electromagnetic response signals from a second electronic
device within the prescribed distance from the first electronic
device. The method also includes identifying the second electronic
device using information received in the electromagnetic response
signals. Additionally, the method includes determining if the
second electronic device is aware of other electronic devices and,
if the second electronic device is aware of other electronic
devices, obtaining identifying information of the other devices
from the second electronic device.
[0005] Other embodiments include a method of operating a stationary
electronic device to facilitate communications between devices
within the vicinity of the stationary device. The method includes
scanning the vicinity of the stationary device using a first
electronic device to determine if other devices are present and
determining that more than one other device is present in the
vicinity. An identity of each of the more than one other device
present in the vicinity is determined and each of the more than one
other device is provided with the identifying information of the
more than one other devices.
[0006] Still other embodiments include an electronic security
device. The electronic security device includes a processor and a
memory coupled to the processor storing operating instructions for
the electronic security device. Additionally, the electronic
security device includes one or more vicinity sensors configured to
determine when other electronic devices are in a vicinity of the
electronic security device. When other electronic devices are
determined to be within the vicinity of the electronic security
device, the electronic security device determines an identity of
the other devices and grants access to a document to the other
devices while the other devices are determined to be within the
vicinity of the electronic security device.
[0007] These and other advantages, aspects and features of the
present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art upon reading this disclosure in its entirety.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a room with multiple electronic
devices.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an example block diagram of an electronic device
configured to provide local device awareness.
[0010] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a display of the electronic device of
FIG. 2, graphically indicating locations of nearby devices.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining
if enabled devices are in a vicinity of a first device.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating local device awareness
sharing between devices located in a common vicinity.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using
determine device location and identification and providing the
location and identification information to the devices in the
vicinity.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of
using local device awareness for security purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
General Overview
[0015] Certain embodiments may take the form of an electronic
device capable of local device awareness. That is, the electronic
device is configured to determine the identity and/or location of
apparatuses located within its vicinity. One or more technologies
may be used to determine if apparatuses are in the vicinity. For
example, one or more of an indoor GPS, a Bluetooth.RTM. antenna, a
radio frequency identification (RFID) device, an ultrasonic device,
an infrared device, and so forth, may be used to determine if
apparatuses are in the vicinity. In some embodiments, the same
technology used to find devices in the vicinity of the electronic
device may be used to determine the identification of the device.
For example, RFID may be used to determine the presence of a
particular device and the device's identifying information. In
other embodiments, a first technology may be used to determine if
apparatuses are in the vicinity of the electronic device and a
second technology may be used to obtain identifying
information.
[0016] In some embodiments, upon finding apparatuses within its
vicinity, the electronic device may query the apparatuses as to
whether they are aware of still additional devices within the
vicinity. If they are aware of additional devices, these additional
devices' relative location and/or identities may be provided to the
electronic device. Thus, information may be passed in a daisy chain
manner to increase the knowledge of the electronic device.
[0017] When apparatuses are found in the vicinity, the electronic
device may display icons corresponding thereto on a display. In
some embodiments, the icons are arranged on the display to imitate
the relative location of the apparatuses to the electronic device.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the electronic device may be
assumed to be in the center of the display and the icons may be
positioned about the center of the display according to their
direction relative to the electronic device. In other embodiments,
an icon representative of the electronic device may be shown on the
display. Additionally, in some embodiments, the icons may be
overlaid on a floor plan, thus showing the locations of the devices
relative to the floor plan.
[0018] A communication channel may be opened between the electronic
device and any or all of the apparatuses found in its vicinity. In
some embodiments, the communication channel may be a peer-to-peer
communication channel. Additionally, the communication channel may
be implemented by the same or a different technology than that used
to find the other device. In other embodiments, the communication
channel may be via a network connection, such as a wireless network
connection. The communication channel may be used to transfer data,
files, and/or other information.
[0019] The transfer of data may be initiated by selecting icons
displayed on a display of the electronic device. For example, an
icon representing a document stored on the electronic device may be
selected and moved to an icon representing one of the apparatuses.
In some embodiments, the selection and movement of the icon may be
via a mouse, for example. In other embodiments, a touch screen may
be implemented and a user's gestures may be interpreted to initiate
a file transfer. For example, a user may select an icon
representing a file stored on the electronic device by touching the
display and move the selected icon toward an icon representing one
of the other device to initiate the file transfer.
Definitions
[0020] As used herein, the term "vicinity" refers to a local area
relative to an electronic device. In some instances, the local area
may be determined based on a particular technology used to
establish a vicinity. In other instances, the local area may be
based on physical properties, such as walls defining a room or a
building.
[0021] As used herein, "presence" may refer to the physical
presence of an object. In one example, an object may be physically
present within a particular vicinity of another device.
[0022] As used herein, "identification (ID)" may refer to
identifying information of a device such as a media access control
(MAC address), a unique alphanumeric identifier, a physical
address, identifying functions of the device, and so forth.
[0023] As used herein, "vicinity scan" may refer to operating one
or more vicinity sensors to determine if devices are located within
a prescribed area. Additionally, the vicinity scan may determine
the relative location of devices and their distance from the source
of the vicinity scan.
[0024] As used herein, the terms "device" and "apparatus" may be
used interchangeably.
Embodiments
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example room 100 having electronic and
computing devices present within the room 100. In particular, the
room 100 includes a tablet computer 102, a computing device 104, a
scanner 106, a printer 108, a WiFi access point 110, and a
projector 112. Additionally, one or more local references 114 may
be provided. In some embodiments, the local references 114 may be
implemented as part of an indoor global positioning scheme. Each of
the devices may be configured to communicate via one or more wired
and/or wireless communication protocols. For example, the printer
108 may be configured to receive files for printing via a wireless
network protocol, such as IEEE 802.11n, and/or via a wired network
protocol, such as Ethernet. As such, the devices may be network
accessible and may communicate via a network connection.
[0026] Additionally, one or more of the various devices may be
configured to determine a relative position and identification (ID)
of other apparatuses within the room. In some embodiments, the
tablet computer 102 may be configured to determine the presence
and/or ID of other devices within a certain radius of the tablet
computer 102. In one embodiment, the radius may be defined based on
the technology used to find the other devices. In other
embodiments, the radius may be defined based on physical properties
of the environment, such as walls.
[0027] Moreover, in some embodiments, the tablet computer 102 may
be configured to determine the relative position or location of
other devices within its vicinity. For example, the tablet computer
102 may determine the relative position of the scanner 106, the
printer 108, and the projector 112.
[0028] Additionally, the tablet computer 102 may display icons
representative of the other devices in a representative manner on
its display. In some embodiments, the icons may be displayed in a
location indicative of the other devices' relative position to the
tablet computer 102, assuming the tablet computer 102 is located at
the center of the display. For example, referring to FIG. 1, an
icon for the printer 108 may be located in an upper right corner of
a display for the tablet computer 102.
[0029] FIG. 2 is an example block diagram of the tablet computer
102 of FIG. 1. The tablet computer 102 includes a processor 200,
which may be any suitable processor, and in some embodiments
includes more than one processor and/or a multi-core processor. The
processor 200 is coupled either directly or indirectly to various
other component parts of the tablet computer 102. In particular,
the processor 200 may be coupled to a memory 202 which may take the
form of random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM, static, RAM,
Flash, read-only memory (ROM), solid state memory, or the like.
[0030] A bus 204 may be used to couple one or more components to
the processor 200. For example, a data storage device 205 and a
display 206 may be coupled to the processor 200 via the bus 206.
The data storage device 205 may implement one or more storage
technologies, including: hard disk drives; solid state disk drives;
and other similar technologies configured for non-volatile storage
of data.
[0031] The display 206 may be implemented using any suitable
display technology such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic
LCD, light emitting diode (LED), or the like. The tablet computer
102 may provide visual output via the display 206. In some
embodiments, the display 206 may be configured to receive input as
well as provide output. For example, the display 206 may be
configured as a touch-screen.
Determination of Other Devices Within Vicinity
[0032] Additionally, the tablet computer 102 includes one or more
I/O devices that function as vicinity sensors 220 may be provided.
The vicinity sensors 220 may be used to determine the presence of
other electronic devices within the vicinity of the tablet computer
102 and, in some embodiments, the position and ID of other devices.
One or more the following may be included and used for such
purposes: a global positioning system (GPS) device 222; a radio
frequency ID (RFID) device 224; an ultrasonic device 226; an
infrared device 228; a Bluetooth device 230; a high frequency
device 232, such as a 60 GHz band device; and so on.
[0033] In one embodiment the GPS device 222 may facilitate
determining if other devices are in the vicinity of the tablet
computer 102. Generally, because the GPS device 222 relies on
satellite communication, it may not be reliable indoors, such as in
an office environment, a home, and the like. In some embodiments,
the GPS device 222 may operate as an indoor GPS device. In these
embodiments, the indoor GPS device 222 operates in conjunction with
the one or more local references 114 (e.g., laser transmitters) to
determine the location of the other devices in the vicinity of the
tablet computer 102. In some embodiments, the GPS device 222 may
include software and/or hardware for processing the location
information. In some embodiments, the GPS device 222 may
communicate with the one or more local references 114 to obtain
location information. For example, the GPS device 222 may
wirelessly communicate with a receiver hub to receive location
information.
[0034] Additionally, in some embodiments, one or more other
vicinity sensors 220 may be implemented in conjunction with the GPS
device 222 to achieve a desired level of vicinity sensing. In one
embodiment, the one or more other vicinity sensors 220 may be
suited to determining if other devices are within line-of-sight of
the tablet computer 102. For example, the infrared device 228 may
be used in conjunction with the GPS device 222 for such purposes.
Additionally, the infrared device 228 may be used to determine the
distance of objects and may be used for communication of identity
information.
[0035] In another embodiment, the RFID device 224 may be used to
determine if other devices are located within the vicinity of the
tablet computer 102. The RFID device 224 may be implemented as an
active, passive, or semi-passive device. In one embodiment, the
RFID device 224 may be implemented as an active device that
transmits radio frequency (RF) signals that may be detected by RF
antennas. In another embodiment, the RFID device 224 may include a
passive device that includes an antenna configured to generate an
electromagnetic field in response to receiving a particular
frequency signal. The electromagnetic field powers the device to
transmit an RF signal in return. In some embodiments, the return
signal may include identification information. In yet another
embodiment, both active and passive components may be provided. For
example, in one embodiment, a passive RFID device may be used to
actuate an active RFID device or other device. In particular, the
passive RFID device may be coupled with an integrated circuit that
is activated by the passive RFID device and which functions to
actuate other vicinity sensors. As such, the passive RFID device
may be used to initiate vicinity scans.
[0036] The ultrasonic device 226 and the high frequency device 230
may be used for determining if other devices are located within an
area and for imaging the area. Specifically, the high frequency
device 226 may include a steerable field array that may be
configured to scan an area, such as the room 100, and determine
contours of physical objects within the room. For example, a 60 GHz
band device may transmit probe signals that are reflected back and
used to determine the location, distance and shapes of objects
within the room. The shapes may be used to distinguish between
electronic devices and other objects within the room. In
particular, the shapes may be compared with common shapes of
electronic devices to determine if a particular object may be
identified as an electronic device.
[0037] In some embodiments, the high frequency device 230 may be
configured to obtain 3-D images. Specifically, the high frequency
device may be implemented as part of a ladar system. It should be
appreciated that the high frequency device 230 may be external to
the tablet computing device 102 and communicatively coupled
thereto. The tablet computing device 102 may include software for
the processing of images obtained by the high frequency device 230
and the images may be used to determine the location of objects
including electronic device within the vicinity. In some
embodiments, the high frequency device 230 may be implemented as a
3-D flash ladar described in Stettner, Rodger; Howard Bailey, and
Steven Silverman; "Three Dimensional Flash Ladar Focal Planes and
time Dependent Imaging," Advanced Scientific Concepts, Inc., 305 E.
Haley St, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93103, which is incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
[0038] A Bluetooth.RTM. device 230 (or other RF device) may also be
used to find and identify the devices. In some embodiments, the
Bluetooth.RTM. device 230 may operate at low power settings or, in
other embodiments, it may operate at higher power level to increase
its effective range. Additionally, the Bluetooth.RTM. device 230
may be implemented to communicate data in accordance with the
Bluetooth.RTM. protocol. Moreover, it should be appreciated that
other RF devices may be implemented to find and identify the
devices. The RF devices may operate in one or more frequency bands
commonly used for short range communication.
[0039] It should be appreciated that one or more of the vicinity
sensors 220 may operate to determine if there are other devices in
the vicinity of the tablet computer 102. Additionally, it should be
appreciated that one or more vicinity sensors 220 may be used for
determining the ID of the other devices. Moreover, it should be
appreciated that other suitable techniques may also or
alternatively be employed to determine if other devices are in the
vicinity of the tablet computer 102 and the ID of the other
devices.
Locating and Mapping Other Devices
[0040] In some embodiments, the location of other devices relative
to the tablet computer 102 is determined. This may be accomplished
in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment, the indoor
GPS device 222 may be used to determine the location of the tablet
computer 102 and one or more of the other devices, and then
determine their relative positions. In another embodiment, the high
frequency device 226 may be used to obtain an image of the room 100
which may be analyzed to determine the relative location of the
other devices. Other ways of determining the location of other
device may include using signal strength of WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM.,
or other network signals that are transmitted from other devices
and detected by the tablet computer 102. In some embodiments, the
signal strength may be used to triangulate the location of devices.
Specifically, the relative strength of received signals from other
devices may be indicative of the proximity of the other devices to
the tablet computer 102. The other devices may be configured to
determine the relative strength of signals they receive and then
share the signal strength information with the tablet computer 102.
The aggregated signal strength information may be processed to
determine the relative position of other devices. In other
embodiments, ultrasonic and/or infrared triangulation or scanning
may be implemented to determine the relative positions of other
devices.
[0041] In yet another embodiment, multiple antennas within the
tablet computer 102 may be implemented to determine an origin of
wireless communications from the found devices. The multiple
antennas may be distributed throughout the device so that received
signals are time shifted. Additionally, the distribution of
antennas may provide for a difference in signal strength between
the signals received. For example, an antenna located on an
opposite side of the tablet computer 102 from one of the other
devices may receive a weaker signal and/or a delayed signal
relative to the signal received by an antenna located on the same
side of the tablet computer 102 as the other device. In one
example, an IR transmitter and distributed receivers may be
implemented. The distributed receivers may be located at different
sides of the tablet computer 102 and configured so that they
receive signals generally originating from their side of the
computer and not from the other side. As such, the tablet computer
102 may determine a general location of a source of IR
transmissions.
[0042] Once the locations of the devices in the vicinity are
determined, icons representative of the devices may be displayed
indicative of the relative position to the table computer 102. FIG.
3A illustrates the tablet computer 102 with icons 302, 304, 306 and
308 displayed. As illustrated, the location of the icons 302, 304,
306 and 308 on the display 208 correspond to the relative location
of the other devices to the tablet computer 102. Additionally, the
icons 302, 304, 306 and 308 may be stylized representations of the
devices to which they correspond. As such, the printer icon 304
looks like a printer, the projector icon 308 looks like a
projector, and so forth. In some embodiments, if other computers
are identified as owned by specific users, then an image of the
user can be displayed rather than an icon. Additionally, relevant
user information may be displayed. The relevant user information
may be obtained from an address book stored on the tablet computing
device 102. In other embodiments, the user information may be
provided wirelessly from the other device. In yet other
embodiments, the user information may be provided from a network
storage location.
[0043] A user may interact with the found other devices by dragging
and dropping documents on the icons 302, 304, 306 and 308 and/or
through gesturally directing documents or other data toward the
icons. For example, a user may select an item using the touch
screen and move it toward an icon 306 representing the projector
112. In the case of a document, the document may then be sent to
the projector 112 for display by the projector. In other
embodiments, a user may select an the item using a mouse and move
it to the projector 112. In some embodiments, the location of the
other devices relative to the tablet computing device 102 may be
displayed and updated on the desktop continually, i.e., as the
other devices move.
[0044] It should be appreciated that although a document has been
used as an example, other data may be communicated between the
devices and other services/resources may be provided and/or
accessed in a similar manner. For example, printing services on
locally connected printers, network access services, video services
(i.e., sharing a camera), video projection services (i.e.,
projector), audio services (i.e., using a microphone on one device
by another device), and so forth may be indicated by an icon and
accessed by selecting the icon or providing the data to the icon.
Security consideration would apply to each circumstance as
appropriate. For example, the use of audio services may be limited
to those in a particular vicinity, thus limiting the use of the
audio services to those who may be involved in a particular
conversation.
[0045] In some embodiments, a floor plan of a building in which the
tablet computer 102 is located may be provided. For example, the
floor plan may be stored by the tablet computer 102 or made
available to it via the wireless network. Additionally, a compass
within the tablet computer 102 may provide an orientation for the
tablet computer 102. The orientation may be used to map the devices
relative to the floor plan 316, as shown in FIG. 3B. As shown,
other devices 318 and 320 may be displayed also, although they are
not in the same room 100 as the tablet computer 102.
[0046] Additionally, in some embodiments, if more than one of the
same type of device is found within the vicinity of the tablet
computer 102 (e.g., if three printers are found), a printer located
closest to the tablet computer 102 may be set as the default
printer. FIG. 3C illustrates an example where three printers 330,
332 and 334 are all located within the vicinity of the tablet
computer 102. In this example, the closest printer 304 is set as
the default printer. In some embodiments, printers other than the
closest printer are not displayed.
[0047] In some embodiments, the tablet computer 102 may obtain
location information and mapping information for the devices and/or
the floor plan from other devices. Specifically, one or more other
devices may be configured to store such information and provide it
to the tablet computer 102 when the table computer 102 enters the
vicinity of the other devices. Finding and Interfacing Other
Devices
[0048] FIG. 4 is a flowchart 300 illustrating vicinity detection of
electronic devices in accordance with an example embodiment. For
the purposes of this discussion, the tablet computer 102 is
provided as an example device performing the steps indicated in the
flowchart to determine if other devices are in its vicinity. It
should be appreciated, however, that the steps may be performed by
other devices.
[0049] Initially, the tablet computer 102 may be in a standby mode
(Block 402). A vicinity scan is initiated (Block 404) to determine
if other devices are in the vicinity of the tablet computer 102. In
one embodiment, the vicinity scan may occur periodically, such as
every minute, every other minute or every five minutes, for
example. In other embodiments, the vicinity scan may be initiated
upon receiving user input. For example, in one embodiment, the user
may tap a touch screen or tap the mouse. In yet other embodiments,
a passive RFID antenna may be actuated when another device in the
vicinity emits RF signals.
[0050] If no other devices are found, the tablet computer 102 may
return to a standby state (Block 402). Alternatively, if other
devices are found, the tablet computer 102 may determine an
identification (ID) of the found other devices (Block 408). In some
embodiments, the ID may include a media access control (MAC)
address, an Internet protocol (IP) address and/or another
identifier that may be used for communication purposes. In some
embodiments, the ID may be used for peer-to-peer communications. In
other embodiments, the ID may be used for network communications.
Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the ID may
describe functions that the found device is capable of performing
so that a user may know what resources are available.
[0051] In some embodiments, the tablet computer 102 also determines
a relative position of the other devices (Block 410). The tablet
computer 102 then generates icons corresponding to each of the
found other devices and displays the icons on the display (Block
412). If the relative spatial location of the found devices is
known, corresponding icons may be positioned on the display in a
location indicative of the relative spatial location of the found
other devices to the tablet computer 102.
[0052] Moreover, in some embodiments, one or more accelerometers
may be implemented to determine movement of the tablet computer
102. As the movement of the tablet computer 102 may effect the
relative position of the other devices with respect to the tablet
computer 102, the compass and accelerometers may be used to adjust
the displayed icons appropriately to reflect any changes in
relative position.
[0053] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an alternative or
additional method 500 for determining if devices are in the
vicinity of the tablet computer 102. Generally, the method 500
begins by determining at least one other device is in the vicinity
(Block 502) by way of one or more of the aforementioned
techniques.
[0054] Once one or more other devices are found to be in the
vicinity, a communication channel is opened with each of the other
devices (Block 504). In one embodiment, the communication channel
between the devices may be via a local area network. In other
embodiments, the communication channel may be via a peer-to-peer
protocol. Additionally, the communication channel may be
accomplished via the same mode that was used to discover the other
device. For example, in some embodiments, one or more other devices
may be discovered via a wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth.RTM.,
and the same wireless protocol may be used for the communication
channel between the two devices.
[0055] Using the opened communication channel, the tablet computer
102 determines whether the other devices are aware of additional
other devices in the vicinity (Block 506). If the other devices are
not aware of additional other devices in the vicinity, the tablet
computer 102 may perform another scan for other devices.
Additionally, if the tablet computer 102 is aware of other devices
in the vicinity, the tablet computer 102 may provide the
information to the other devices so that they may be aware of
additional other devices also.
[0056] If the found other devices are aware of additional other
devices in the vicinity, the tablet computer 102 may retrieve the
information about the other devices in the vicinity from the found
other devices (Block 508). Accordingly, the tablet computer 102 may
be made aware of other devices and resources in the vicinity
without having to perform multiple scans. Furthermore, in some
cases, obstacles, such as desks, partitions, and/or other devices,
for example, may make it difficult for the tablet computer 102 to
scan for all devices within a prescribed vicinity, depending on the
technology used to discover the over devices.
[0057] Once the information related to other devices in the
vicinity is shared, the tablet computer 102 may generate and
display icons representative of the various devices present in the
vicinity of the tablet computer 102 (Block 510). As before, the
user may interact with the various devices in the vicinity by
selecting the icon associated with a particular device and/or by
dragging and dropping documents, files, and the like on the
icon.
[0058] In some embodiments, a single device may be used for the
determination of other devices present in a particular area. The
single device may be stationary and may be located at a known
position within the area. For example, in FIG. 1, the WiFi access
point 110 or the printer 108 may be used as the single device for
determination of devices present within the area.
[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 of using a single device,
such as the WiFi access point 110, to determine if devices are in
the vicinity of the single device. The WiFi access point 110 may be
configured to continuously, randomly, or periodically monitor the
contents of the room 100. The method 600 begins with the WiFi
access point 110 scanning the room 100 (Block 602). One or more of
the above mentioned vicinity sensors 220 may be implemented for the
purposes of scanning the room 100. In one embodiment, the WiFi
access point 110 may include a high frequency device, such as a 60
GHz band device, with a tunable antenna for scanning the room. The
tunable antenna allows the device to capture an image of the area
surrounding the device. In another embodiment, an IR emitter may be
deployed with reflective sensors to determine the presence of
objects.
[0060] The determination of the contents of the room may occur in a
variety of different ways using the data collected from the 60 GHz
scan. For example, in one embodiment, the WiFi access point 110 may
be configured to determine the shape of various objects and compare
them with template shapes. From the comparison, the WiFi access
point 110 may be able to determine a function and/or identity of
the other devices in the vicinity. In other embodiments, other
vicinity sensors may be used in conjunction with the 60 GHz band
device. For example, an RFID device may be used to determine the
presence of devices in the vicinity. Thus, from the scan, it is
determined whether other devices are in the vicinity (Block
604).
[0061] If no other devices are found in the vicinity, the WiFi
access point 110 may perform another scan (Block 602). Subsequent
scans may be initiated based on a threshold amount of time lapsing
or on receiving user input to perform a scan, for example. In yet
other embodiments, the WiFi access point 110 may be configured to
determine when other devices are attempting to use it for wireless
communications and perform a scan.
[0062] If other devices are in the vicinity, the ID of the other
devices is determined (Block 606). In some embodiments, one or more
other technologies may be used in combination with the 60 GHz
device to identify the devices in the vicinity. The location of the
other devices may also be determined (Block 608). The data
collected using 60 GHz band device may be used to map the location
of the devices relative to the WiFi access point 110.
[0063] The ID information for the other devices within the vicinity
is then provided to all the other devices detected in the vicinity
(Block 610). The ID information may be provided via any suitable
method including via WiFi, Bluetooth.RTM., RFID, infrared, or other
methods. The location information for the found devices is also
provided to the other devices (Block 612). The location information
allows each of the other devices to generate maps of the devices in
the vicinity so that they have local device awareness.
[0064] In some embodiments, the method 600 is repeated periodically
or upon receiving a signal, such as an RFID signal, indicating that
a new device has entered the vicinity. Upon discovering a new
device in the vicinity, the data regarding the other devices is
updated and may be provided to the other devices.
[0065] The local device awareness may be implemented in various
different devices and for various different purposes. For example,
local device awareness may be useful in collaborative environments.
In one embodiment, the local device awareness may be used as a
security measure. Specifically, access to a particular
collaborative project may only be gained by being present.
[0066] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method 700 of
using local device awareness as a security measure. Initially, a
master document stored on a master device may be opened (Block
702). The master document and master device may be controlled by a
supervisor, a manager or a project leader for a collaborative
project. Thus, the master device may be any suitable device. In
some embodiments, the master device may be a notebook or tablet
computing device, such as the tablet 102. In other embodiments, the
master device may be a smartphone capable of viewing and editing
documents. Additionally, it should be appreciated that although the
present example describes a "master document," other collaborative
items may be similarly treated. That is a data set, a drafted web
page, or something that is not explicitly a document. Accordingly,
the term "document" as used in this context may refer to any
collaborative set of information, data, documents, files,
arrangement of data, and so forth.
[0067] The master document may be stored on the master device in
some embodiments. In other embodiments, the master document may be
stored in a network location separate from the master device. For
example, the master device may be a stationary device, such as
printer 108 or access point 112, located in a particular room or
area. The master device functions to determine what devices are
located within it vicinity and communicates the information
regarding the devices to the network storage device to allow
access. In another embodiment, the master device may provide
authentication credentials to the devices found in the vicinity so
that they may use the credentials and access the master
document.
[0068] In some embodiments, the opening of the master document
opens the document to a collaborative environment in which other
devices may view, edit and save copies of the document.
Alternatively, in other embodiments, the document may not be opened
but rather is accessed by other devices from the master device
without the document being opened. Thus, the document may be
available to other devices without being opened.
[0069] The master device determines if other devices are in the
vicinity (Block 704). The master device may implement one or more
of the aforementioned techniques to determine if other devices are
in the vicinity. If no devices are found in the vicinity, then
access to the master document is denied. If devices are found in
the vicinity, the master device obtains the identification of the
devices in the vicinity (Block 708) and determines if the devices
can displaying, editing, and/or store the document (Block 710). For
example, in some embodiments, a coffee maker or a radio may be
found in the vicinity of the master device, but unable to display,
edit or store a copy of the document. Such devices are denied
access to the document (Block 706).
[0070] For devices that are capable of displaying, editing, and/or
storing the document, it is determined whether the user of the
device should have access to the document (Block 712). In some
embodiments, the determination of whether a user should have access
may be determined based on the information obtained during
identification of the device. Specifically, additional information
such as a username for a currently logged in user may be obtained.
In other embodiments, a user of the device may be requested to
provide authentication information. For example, a username,
password and/or project or document name may be required for
access.
[0071] Upon determination that the user of the device is permitted
to access the document, access to the document is granted (Block
714). Further, as the master device may include documents and
information other than the master document, in some embodiments,
access to other documents is denied without additional
authentication. Additionally, the master device may be configured
to perform vicinity scans periodically and when a device is found
to have left the vicinity, continued access to the document is
denied.
[0072] In some embodiments, the master document may be sent out to
more than one device in the vicinity of the master device. For
example, in a school environment, an instructor may have a master
document, such as an examination document, to be distributed to the
students within a classroom. When the instructor has indicated to
send the device to the students (e.g., by moving an icon of the
master document to an icon representing student computers, the
master document is sent to their computers. Similarly, students may
submit their completed exams or other work to the instructor by
selecting and moving an icon representing the master document
(edited by the student) toward and icon representing the
instructor's device. Thus, the distribution and collection of
documents may be facilitated. In other embodiments, the document
may be made available to all devices within the classroom at a
certain time and/or for a certain period of time. Upon expiration
of the time period, all documents are returned to the master
device.
[0073] In some embodiments, a document may be accessible to other
devices within a vicinity of a master device for collaborative
editing of the document in a collaborative environment. For
example, in one embodiment, a document may be accessed and edited
by users of other devices and edits to the document made by the
users may be reflected in the master document. In one embodiment,
the edits may be entered into the master document as color coded
edits based on who made the changes. In some embodiments, the
changes may be approved or declined by a user of the master device
or a user who has master privileges to change the master document.
If a device accessing the master document in the collaborative
environment leaves the vicinity of the master device, further
access to the master document may be denied. Additionally, if a
master device leaves the vicinity of the other devices, access to
the master document by the other devices may be denied and/or
cease. That is, the master document may not be accessible for
further editing and/or may not be displayed on the other
devices.
[0074] In yet another embodiment, the local device awareness may be
used in a gaming environment. For example, as the electronic tablet
computer 102 of FIG. 1 may be used as a centerpiece of a game and
the display of the tablet computer 102 may be used as a game board.
Other devices located in the vicinity of the tablet computer 102
may be used to interact with the tablet computer 102 as a
centerpiece. For example, users may shake other devices having
accelerometers to roll dice in the game. Alternatively, physical
dice with RFID may be rolled and communicate results the tablet
computer 102 when rolled.
[0075] Although the present disclosure has been described with
respect to particular systems and methods, it should be recognized
upon reading this disclosure that certain changes or modifications
to the embodiments and/or their operations, as described herein,
may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Indeed, one or more of the techniques described herein
may be implemented in whole or in part and may be combined with one
or more of the other techniques disclosed herein. For example, one
or more steps of the method shown in FIG. 7 may be implemented
independent from the other steps and/or in conjunction with one or
more steps from the methods shown in FIG. 5 or 6. Accordingly, the
proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims
and the various embodiments, operations, components, methods and
configurations disclosed herein are exemplary rather than limiting
in scope.
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