U.S. patent application number 13/111565 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-08 for environment configuration by a device bases on auto-discovery of local resources and generating preference information for those resources.
Invention is credited to Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley, John Walley.
Application Number | 20110216671 13/111565 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39873940 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110216671 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walley; John ; et
al. |
September 8, 2011 |
Environment Configuration by a Device Bases on Auto-Discovery of
Local Resources and Generating Preference Information for those
Resources
Abstract
Methods and systems for environment configuration by a device
based on auto-discovery of local devices and generating preference
information for those resources are disclosed and may include
discovering available devices utilizing a wireless mobile
communication device (WMCD). Wireless communication may be
established with one or more of the available devices utilizing the
WMCD, which may then configure the resources according to a user's
preferences or a plurality of user preferences. The user
preferences may be stored internal or external to the WMCD, and may
be modified based on subsequent changes to the configuring of the
resources. The WMCD may communicate with the resources utilizing
one or more of a plurality of wireless protocols, which may include
cellular, WLAN, near-field communication, Bluetooth, and radio
frequency identification. The WMCD may auto-discover as well as
determine and authenticate access privileges for the resources,
which may include devices for adjusting a user's local
environment.
Inventors: |
Walley; John; (Ladera Ranch,
CA) ; Behzad; Arya; (Poway, CA) ; Buer;
Mark; (Gilbert, AZ) ; Karaoguz; Jeyhan;
(Irvine, CA) ; MacInnis; Alexander; (Ann Arbor,
MI) ; Quigley; Thomas; (Franklin, NC) |
Family ID: |
39873940 |
Appl. No.: |
13/111565 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11865799 |
Oct 2, 2007 |
7953038 |
|
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13111565 |
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60950991 |
Jul 20, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/255 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72415 20210101;
H04L 67/306 20130101; H04M 2250/06 20130101; H04L 67/125 20130101;
H04L 12/282 20130101; H04L 67/04 20130101; H04M 2250/02 20130101;
H04L 67/16 20130101; H04L 41/0813 20130101; H04L 2012/2841
20130101; H04M 1/72412 20210101; H04L 12/2829 20130101; H04L
12/2809 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/255 |
International
Class: |
H04L 12/28 20060101
H04L012/28 |
Claims
1-30. (canceled)
31. A method for controlling a device, the method comprising:
discovering available devices utilizing a wireless mobile
communication device; establishing wireless communication with one
or more of said available devices; and configuring said one or more
of said available devices according to preferences associated with
a user of said wireless mobile communication device, wherein said
configuring is based on either said preferences associated with
said user or a plurality of different preferences from a plurality
of different wireless mobile communication devices associated with
said discovered available devices.
32. The method according to claim 1, comprising storing said user
preferences internal to said wireless mobile communication
device.
33. The method according to claim 1, comprising storing said user
preferences external to said wireless mobile communication
device.
34. The method according to claim 1, comprising modifying said user
preferences based on subsequent changes to said configuring of said
one or more of said available devices.
35. The method according to claim 1, wherein said wireless mobile
communication device communicates with said one or more of said
available devices utilizing one or more of a plurality of wireless
protocols.
36. The method according to claim 5, wherein said wireless
protocols comprise cellular, WLAN, near-field communication,
Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification.
37. The method according to claim 1, comprising auto-discovering
said available devices.
38. The method according to claim 1, wherein said available devices
comprise devices that enable adjustment of a local environment of
said user.
39. The method according to claim 1, comprising determining whether
said user possesses access privileges for said one or more
devices.
40. The method according to claim 1, comprising authenticating said
user of said wireless mobile communication device.
41. A system for controlling a device, the system comprising: one
or more processors in a wireless mobile communication device that
enables discovery of available devices; said one or more processors
enables establishment of wireless communication with one or more of
said devices; and said one or more processors enables configuration
of said one or more of said available devices according to
preferences associated with a user of said wireless mobile
communication device, wherein said configuration is based on either
said preferences associated with said user or a plurality of
different preferences from a plurality of different wireless mobile
communication devices associated with said discovered available
devices.
42. The system according to claim 41, wherein said one or more
processors enable storage of said user preferences internal to said
wireless mobile communication device.
43. The system according to claim 41, wherein said one or more
processors enable storage of said user preferences external to said
wireless mobile communication device.
44. The system according to claim 41, wherein said one or more
processors enable dynamic adjustment of said user preferences based
on subsequent changes to said configuring of said one or more of
said available devices.
45. The system according to claim 41, wherein said wireless mobile
communication device communicates with said one or more of said
available devices utilizing one or more of a plurality of wireless
protocols.
46. The system according to claim 45, wherein said wireless
protocols comprise cellular, WLAN, near-field communication,
Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification.
47. The system according to claim 41, wherein said one or more
processors enable auto-discovery of said available devices.
48. The system according to claim 41, wherein said available
devices comprise devices for adjusting a user's local
environment.
49. The system according to claim 41, wherein said one or more
processors enable determining whether said user possesses access
privileges for said one or more available devices.
50. The system according to claim 41, wherein said one or more
processors enable authentication of said user of said wireless
mobile communication device.
51. A machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer
program having at least one code section for device control, the at
least one code section being executable by a machine for causing
the machine to perform steps comprising: discovering available
devices utilizing a wireless mobile communication device;
establishing wireless communication with one or more of said
available devices; and configuring said one or more of said
available devices according to preferences associated with a user
of said wireless mobile communication device, wherein said
configuring is based on either said preferences associated with
said user or a plurality of different preferences from a plurality
of different wireless mobile communication devices associated with
said discovered available devices.
52. The machine readable storage according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one code section comprises code for storing said user
preferences internal to said wireless mobile communication
device.
53. The machine readable storage according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one code section comprises code for storing said user
preferences external to said wireless mobile communication
device.
54. The machine readable storage according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one code section comprises code for modifying said
user preferences based on subsequent changes to said configuring of
said available devices.
55. The machine readable storage according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one code section comprises code for enabling
communicating with said one or more of said available devices via
said wireless mobile communication device utilizing one or more of
a plurality of wireless protocols.
56. The machine readable storage according to claim 55, wherein
said wireless protocols comprise cellular, WLAN, near-field
communication, Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification.
57. The machine readable storage according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one code section comprises code for auto-discovering
said available devices.
58. The machine readable storage according to claim 51, wherein
said available devices comprise devices for adjusting a local
environment of said user.
59. The machine readable storage according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one code section comprises code for determining
whether said use possess access privileges for said one or more
available devices.
60. The machine readable storage according to claim 51, wherein
said at least one code section comprises code for authenticating
said user of said wireless mobile communication device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
[0001] This application makes reference to and claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/950,991, filed on Jul. 20,
2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] [Not Applicable]
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0003] [Not Applicable]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless
communication. More specifically, certain embodiments of the
invention relate to a method and system for environment
configuration by a device based on auto-discovery of local
resources and generating preference information for those
resources.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The field of wireless communication has seen dramatic growth
the last few years. In today's world, most people use their
wireless devices, be it cellular phones, PDA's, laptops, and/or
other devices, for various purposes, business and personal, on a
constant and daily basis. Society is truly becoming a wireless one.
Many wireless solutions have been introduced, and have made
tremendous strides into everyday life.
[0006] For example, the use of Wireless Personal Area Networks
(WPAN) has been gaining popularity in a great number of
applications because of the flexibility and convenience in
connectivity they provide. WPAN systems generally replace
cumbersome cabling and/or wiring used to connect peripheral devices
and/or mobile terminals by providing short distance wireless links
that allow connectivity within very narrow spatial limits
(typically, a 10-meter range). WPAN may be based on standardized
technologies, for example Class 2 Bluetooth (BT) technology. While
WPAN may be very beneficial for certain applications, other
applications may require larger service areas and/or
capabilities.
[0007] To satisfy such needs, other technologies have been
developed to provide greater wireless service. Wireless Local Area
Networks (WLAN) systems may operate within a 100-meter range, for
example. In contrast to the WPAN systems, WLAN provide connectivity
to devices that are located within a slightly larger geographical
area, such as the area covered by a building or a campus, for
example. WLAN systems are generally based on specific standards,
for example IEEE 802.11 standard specifications, and typically
operate within a 100-meter range, and are generally utilized to
supplement the communication capacity provided by traditional wired
Local Area Networks (LANs) installed in the same geographic area as
the WLAN system.
[0008] Other forms of wireless solutions have evolved from
traditional land-based communication technologies. For instance,
cellular phones have become just about an absolute necessity in
today's world. While cellular technology was merely intended to add
an element of mobility to the traditional telephony service, this
technology has grown beyond that initial purpose. Many modern
cellular technologies, including such technologies as GSM/GPRS,
UMTS, and CDMA2000 may incorporate substantial data capabilities.
Most of today's cellular services may include such features as text
messaging, video streaming, web browsing . . . etc.
[0009] Some mobile devices have the capability to utilize one or
more wireless technologies. For instance, WLAN systems may be
operated in conjunction with WPAN systems to provide users with an
enhanced overall functionality. For example, Bluetooth technology
may be utilized to connect a laptop computer or a handheld wireless
terminal to a peripheral device, such as a keyboard, mouse,
headphone, and/or printer, while the laptop computer or the
handheld wireless terminal may also be connected to a campus-wide
WLAN network through an access point (AP) located within the
building. Also, cellular technology may allow use of the mobile
phone as a form of wireless modem that allows connecting a laptop,
for example, to the internet via a cellular network.
[0010] Just as with other electronic devices, wireless
communication devices have seen substantial growth in performance
capability and speed. As such, they are finding applications in
areas not predicted when first introduced to give users mobile
telephony. They may comprise mini computers, multimedia players,
GPS devices and many other applications, for example.
[0011] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and
traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the
art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention
as set forth in the remainder of the present application with
reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A system and/or method for environment configuration by a
device based on auto-discovery of local resources and generating
preference information for those resources, substantially as shown
in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures,
as set forth more completely in the claims.
[0013] Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the
present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment
thereof, will be more fully understood from the following
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary WLAN
infrastructure network comprising basic service sets (BSSs)
integrated using a common distribution system (DS), in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of exemplary resource utilization
via a wireless mobile communication device, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of exemplary resource utilization
via a wireless mobile communication device, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
multi-user environment with configurable resources, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary environment
configuration process, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Certain aspects of the invention may be found in a method
and system for environment configuration by a device based on
auto-discovery of local resources and generating preference
information for those resources either directly or translated. The
preference information may be directly generated, or translated.
Exemplary aspects of the invention may comprise discovering
available networked resources utilizing a wireless mobile
communication device (WMCD). Wireless communication may be
established with one or more of the available networked resources
utilizing the WMCD, which may then configure the resources
according to user preferences. The user preferences may be stored
internal or external to the WMCD, and may be modified based on
subsequent changes to the configuring of the resources. The WMCD
may communicate with the resources utilizing one or more of a
plurality of wireless protocols, which may comprise cellular, WLAN,
near-field communication, Bluetooth, and/or radio frequency
identification. The WMCD may auto-discover as well as determine and
authenticate access privileges for the resources, which may
comprise devices for adjusting a user's local environment.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary WLAN
infrastructure network comprising basic service sets (BSSs)
integrated using a common distribution system (DS), in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the
exemplary WLAN infrastructure network 100 shown may comprise a
wireless mobile communication device (WMCD) 103, a first BSS 102a,
a second BSS 102b, a DS 104, a wired network 106, a portal 108, a
first access point (AP) 112a, a second AP 102b, a home network 121,
the Internet 119 and a plurality of WLAN stations 110a and
110b.
[0021] The WMCD 103 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic and/or
code that may be enabled to provide wireless communication between
a user and networked resources. In an exemplary embodiment of the
invention, the WMCD 103 may comprise a cellular phone that may be
capable of communicating utilizing multiple wireless protocols such
as cellular, WLAN, WiMax, Bluetooth, RFID and NFC, for example.
[0022] The BSSs 102a and 102b may represent a fundamental building
block of the IEEE 802.11 (WLAN) architecture and may be defined as
a group of stations that are under the direct control of a single
coordination function. The geographical area covered by a BSS is
known as the basic service area (BSA). The DS 104 may be utilized
to integrate the BSSs 102a and 102b and may comprise suitable
hardware, logic, circuitry, and/or code that may be adapted to
operate as a backbone network that is responsible for Medium Access
Control (MAC) level transport in the WLAN infrastructure network
100. The DS 104, as specified by the IEEE 802.11 standard, may be
implementation independent. For example, the DS 104 may be
implemented utilizing IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN),
IEEE 802.4 token bus LAN, IEEE 802.5 token ring LAN, Fiber
Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN),
or another IEEE 802.11 wireless medium. The DS 104 may be
implemented utilizing the same physical medium as either the first
BSS 102a or the second BSS 102b. However, the DS 104 may be
logically different from the BSSs and may be utilized only to
transfer packets between the BSSs and/or to transfer packets
between the BSSs and the wired network 106.
[0023] The wired network 106 may comprise suitable hardware, logic,
circuitry, and/or code that may be adapted to provide wired
networking operations. The wired network 106 may be accessed from
the WLAN infrastructure network 100 via the portal 108. The portal
108 may comprise suitable hardware, logic, circuitry, and/or code
and may be adapted to integrate the WLAN infrastructure network 100
with non-IEEE 802.11 networks. Moreover, the portal 108 may also be
adapted to perform the functional operations of a bridge, such as
range extension and/or translation between different frame formats,
in order to integrate the WLAN infrastructure network 100 with IEEE
802.11-based networks.
[0024] The APs 112a and 112b may comprise suitable hardware, logic,
circuitry, and/or code that may be adapted to support range
extension of the WLAN infrastructure network 100 by providing the
integration points necessary for network connectivity between the
BSSs. The WLAN stations 110a and 110b correspond to WLAN-enabled
terminals that comprise suitable hardware, logic, circuitry, and/or
code that may be adapted to provide connectivity to the WLAN
infrastructure network 100 via the APs. The WLAN station 110a shown
is a laptop computer and may correspond to a mobile station or
terminal within the BSS and the WLAN station 110b shown is a
desktop computer and may correspond to a fixed or stationary
terminal within the BSS. Each BSS may comprise a plurality of
mobile or fixed stations and may not be limited to the exemplary
implementation shown in FIG. 1A.
[0025] The home network 121 may comprise a WMCD user's home
network, and may comprise storage devices, such as the storage
device 123. Data such as user preferences and/or multimedia content
that a user may wish to access from remote networks may be stored
on the storage device 123 in the home network 121. User preferences
may comprise access privileges to networked resources,
environmental conditions and entertainment preferences, for
example.
[0026] In operation, a wireless mobile communication device (WMCD)
user may wish to utilize resources within a BSS. Preferences for a
resource may be established for a WMCD user and may be stored
locally on the WMCD 103 or on the home network 121, or other remote
device or service. The WMCD 103 may communicate with a home network
via the AP 112a in the BSS 102a to obtain user preferences for one
or more resources that may be utilized in instances when
preferences may not be stored on the WMCD 103. The WMCD 103 may
verify that a user may have access privileges to a particular
resource and may establish access based on stored access privilege
date, for example. The WMCD 103 may be capable of communicating
with a local network via a plurality of wireless protocols.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary resource
utilization via a wireless mobile communication device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG.
2, there is shown a car 201, a cellular tower 117, the Internet 119
and a home network 121. The car 201 may comprise a global
positioning system/navigation system GPS/NAV 205, an audio system
207, a temperature control system 209, a humidity sensor 211, a
temperature sensor 213 and a seat control 215. The WMCD 103 may be
carried by a user within the car 201. The home network 121 may
comprise a storage device 123, which may be enabled to store data
to be used by other devices that may communicate with the home
network 121.
[0028] The GPS/NAV 205 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic
and/or code that may enable detection of global positioning signals
that may be utilized for determining location and/or directions to
a desired location via a navigation screen within the car 201.
[0029] The audio system 207 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic
and/or code that may enable reception of AM, FM and/or satellite
radio signals, playback of stored audio data, such as CD and/or MP3
data, for example. The audio system 207 may comprise wireless
protocol capability for communicating with wireless devices such as
the WMCD 103, for example.
[0030] The temperature control system 209 may comprise suitable
circuitry, logic and/or code that may enable control of the
temperature within the car 201. The temperature control system 209
may receive input signals from the humidity and temperature sensors
211 and 213, respectively. The temperature control system 209 may
also comprise wireless protocol capability for communicating with
wireless devices such as the WMCD 103, for example.
[0031] The temperature sensor 213 may comprise suitable circuitry,
logic and/or code that may enable sensing of the ambient
temperature of the environment inside and outside the car. In
another embodiment of the invention, the temperature sensor 213 may
be capable of sensing the temperature of the user of the WMCD 103
in conjunction with the temperature inside and/or outside the car
201. The temperature sensor 213 may be coupled to the temperature
control system 209 for control of the temperature within the car
201.
[0032] The humidity sensor 213 may comprise suitable circuitry,
logic and/or code that may enable sensing of the ambient humidity
of the air within the car 201. The humidity sensor 213 may be
coupled to the temperature control system 209 for control of the
humidity of the air within the car 201.
[0033] The seat control 215 may comprise suitable circuitry, logic
and/or code that may enable control of a seat position within the
car 201 as per user preference. The seat control 215 may comprise
wireless protocol capability for communicating with wireless
devices such as the WMCD 103, for example, or may be coupled to a
wireless device, such as a central wireless router in the car
201.
[0034] In another embodiment of the invention, each of the devices,
the GPS/NAV 205, the audio system 207 and the seat control 215, may
be coupled to a centralized communication device that may be
capable of communicating with wireless devices, such as the WMCD
103, as opposed to each device wirelessly communicating with the
WMCD 103.
[0035] The cellular tower 117, the Internet 119 and the Home
Network 121 may comprise network resources available to the WMCD
103 to enable communication with external networked resources. User
preferences may be stored in external resources, such as a storage
device 123 within the home network 121. The cellular tower 117 and
the Internet 119 may provide access for the WMCD 103 to these
resources. In another embodiment of the invention, the WMCD 103 may
communicate with the home network 121 via the Internet 119
utilizing a WLAN or WiMax network.
[0036] In operation, the WMCD 103 may be located within the car 201
carried by a user. The WMCD 103 may auto-discover the available
resources and determine whether it has access privileges to
communicate with and/or control the available resources. The
preferences of the user, such as favorite radio stations,
temperature and humidity level within the car 201 and seat
position, for example, may be stored within the WMCD 103 or may be
stored remotely, such as in the home network 121, for example. The
preferences may be communicated to the respective resource, such as
the audio system 207, the temperature control system 209 and/or the
seat control 215. The activation of the controls, as configured by
the user preferences, may be automatically enabled, or may require
an activation by the user, or by approval from another user that
may control the local resources. The conditions adjusted by the
WMCD 103 may revert to their prior state once the WMCD 103 has
moved a predefined distance away, for example.
[0037] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user may
have selected a desired location, such as a restaurant, for
example, to travel to utilizing the car 201. Upon entry to the car
201, the WMCD 103 may establish communication with and enter the
desired location into the GPS/NAV 205, which may then plot the
appropriate course on a display. The WMCD 103 may also communicate
with and/or control the other resources within the car 201, such as
the audio system 207, temperature control 209 and/or the seat
control 215, according to the preferences of the user. In instances
where there may be multiple WMCDs within the car 201, a compromise
setting may be determined for each resource, such as an average
temperature according to the ranges given by the preferences of
each user, for example.
[0038] The WMCD 103 may be enabled to establish permission rights,
and/or provide authentication or security parameters to a local
resource, depending on the requirements of the resources, to allow
the WMCD 103 to control local resources.
[0039] The WMCD 103 may also enable the communication of multimedia
data to resources within the car 201. For example, the WMCD 103 may
communicate with a storage device within the home network 121 via
the cellular tower 117 and the Internet 119, and download music to
the audio system 207 for playback in the car 201. In another
embodiment of the invention, the WMCD 103 may filter the
preferences according to the location of the local resources. For
example, if the WMCD 103 is in a location where a favorite station
is not available, the WMCD 103 may filter this item from the
preferences in this instance.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another exemplary resource
utilization via a wireless mobile communication device, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG.
3, there is shown a kiosk 301, the WMCD 103, a wireless access
point 305, the cellular tower 117, the Internet 119 and the home
network 121. The cellular tower 117, the Internet 119 and the home
network 121 may be the same as described with respect to FIG. 2,
and may enable communication of the WMCD 103 with resources within
the home network 121.
[0041] The kiosk 301 may comprise a user terminal that may enable a
user to perform registration activities, such as checking in to a
hotel. The kiosk 301 may comprise wireless communication capability
such that the WMCD 103 may establish communication with the kiosk
301 and download user preferences to the kiosk 301. The user
preferences may be stored locally within the WMCD 103 or
externally, such as in the home network 121, for example. In
another embodiment of the invention, the user preferences may be
stored by an external entity, such a travel agency, for example,
depending on the application in which the WMCD 103 may be
utilized.
[0042] The wireless access point 305 may comprise suitable
circuitry, logic and/or code that may enable access to external
networks via the Internet 119. The wireless access point 305 may
comprise multiple wireless protocol capabilities, and may enable
communication between the WMCD 103 and the home network 121 via the
Internet 119.
[0043] In operation, the WMCD 103 may auto-discover the available
resources and determine whether it has access privileges to
communicate with and/or control the available resources. Auto
discovery may comprise the automatic detection of resources, as
opposed to resources establishing contact with the WMCD 103, and
may be accomplished by polling, for example, for available networks
on a periodic or continual basis. In another embodiment of the
invention, resources may "advertise", or broadcast their presence
and/or capabilities to establish contact with the WMCD 103.
[0044] The WMCD 103 may be utilized to establish communication with
an information kiosk, such as a check-in kiosk at a hotel for
example. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a user may
have a reservation at a hotel and may desire to check-in quickly
utilizing a kiosk in the hotel lobby. The WMCD 103 may establish a
wireless link with the kiosk 301 and upload user preferences to the
kiosk 301. The preferences may be stored locally on the WMCD 103 or
may be stored remotely, such as in a storage device within the home
network 121. In this instance, the WMCD 103 may retrieve the user
preferences via the wireless access point 305 and the Internet 119.
In instances where a wireless access point is not available, the
WMCD may retrieve remotely stored user preferences via a cellular
connection to the cellular tower 117. The stored preferences may
comprise language displayed by the kiosk 301, room preferences and
wake-up calls, for example. The user preferences may be dynamically
adjusted based on selections by the user.
[0045] The WMCD 103 may obtain information from the kiosk 301, such
as local restaurants or attractions, for example, which may be
pertinent to the user's preferences for types of restaurants or
entertainment attractions. The WMCD 103 may complete the check-in
procedure and display options for other actions the user may
select. Subsequent selections may result in modification to the
currently stored preferences.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
multi-user environment with configurable resources, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, there is
shown a room 401 comprising WMCDs 103A, 103B, 103C and 103D, a
lighting control system 405, a temperature control system 407, an
audio system 409 and a payment system 411. The room 401 may
comprise a location where multiple WMCD users may be present, such
as in a restaurant, or even a home, for example. The lighting
control system 405, the temperature control system 407 and the
audio system 409 may comprise systems that may be enabled to
control the environment of the room 401, and may be capable of
wireless communication with the WMCDs 103A, 103B, 103C and 103D.
The payment system 411 may store data on ordered goods and services
and may enable automatic payment by a WMCD user.
[0047] In operation, multiple users with WMCDs may be present in
the room 401, each with distinct established preferences and each
WMCD 103A, 103B, 103C and 103D may auto-discover the available
resources and determine whether it has access privileges to
communicate with and/or control the available resources. In
instances where preferences may be numerical, such as with
temperature ranges or lighting levels, the resources may be set to
an average of all the ranges given by the multiple preferences. In
instances where the preferences may not be numerical, such as with
musical preferences, the audio system 409 may playback music of all
preferences over time.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the WMCDs 103A,
103B, 103C and 103D may be utilized to verify the accuracy of an
order placed in a restaurant by establishing wireless communication
with the payment system 411. In addition, the WMCDs 103A, 103B,
103C and 103D may be utilized to indicate that a user may require
assistance from an employee of the restaurant. The WMCDs 103A,
1038, 103C and 103D may then be used to review the bill and a user
may authorize payment based on preferred payment method, which may
be stored locally and/or remotely. Preferences may be uploaded to a
service provider, such as a restaurant in this example, for future
use by the user.
[0049] In another embodiment of the invention, a user may enter a
room, such as the room 401, with a plurality of local resources
that may be configured. For example, a user's favorite TV stations
may be programmed into a multimedia system, the frequency response
of the audio system 409 may be adjusted, and color and brightness
of a TV may be adjusted. The local resources are not limited to
those shown in the figures. The WMCDs 103A-D may communicate with
any local resource capable of communicating wirelessly, or wired to
a wireless access point, for example, that may have user adjustable
parameters.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary environment
configuration process, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 5, in step 503, after start step 501,
a WMCD may auto-discover resources, or be contacted by local
resources. In step 505, if no resources are available, the
exemplary steps may repeat step 503, to continue to auto-discover
resources. If resources are available, the exemplary steps may
proceed to step 507 where wireless communication may be established
between the WMCD and the discovered resource or resources. In step
509, the WMCD may retrieve preferences the user may have
established for the discovered resource or resources. The
preferences may be stored locally to the WMCD, or may be retrieved
from a remote storage location, such as from a home network. In
step 511, the retrieved preferences may be utilized by the WMCD to
configure and/or control the resource or resources, followed by end
step 513.
[0051] In an embodiment of the invention, a method and a system are
disclosed for environment configuration by a device based on auto
discovery of local resources and generating preference information
for those resources and may comprise discovering available
networked resources 205, 207, 209 and/or 215 utilizing a wireless
mobile communication device (WMCD) 103. Wireless communication may
be established with one or more of the available networked
resources 205, 207, 209 and/or 215 utilizing the WMCD 103, which
may then configure the available resources 205, 207, 209 and/or 215
according to user preferences. The user preferences may be stored
internal or external to the WMCD 103, and may be modified based on
subsequent changes to the configuring of the resources 205, 207,
209 and/or 215. The WMCD 103 may communicate with the resources
205, 207, 209 and/or 215 utilizing one or more of a plurality of
wireless protocols, which may comprise cellular, WLAN, near-field
communication, Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification. The
WMCD 103 may auto-discover as well as determine and authenticate
access privileges to the networked resources 205, 207, 209 and/or
215, which may comprise devices for adjusting a user's local
environment.
[0052] Certain embodiments of the invention may comprise a
machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program
having at least one code section for configuration of a device
based on auto-discovery of local resources and extracting
preference information from these resources either directly or
translated, the at least one code section being executable by a
machine for causing the machine to perform one or more of the steps
described herein.
[0053] Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be realized in
hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. The
invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one
computer system or in a distributed fashion where different
elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems.
Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying
out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination
of hardware, software and firmware may be a general-purpose
computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and
executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the
methods described herein.
[0054] One embodiment of the present invention may be implemented
as a board level product, as a single chip, application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), or with varying levels integrated on a
single chip with other portions of the system as separate
components. The degree of integration of the system will primarily
be determined by speed and cost considerations. Because of the
sophisticated nature of modern processors, it is possible to
utilize a commercially available processor, which may be
implemented external to an ASIC implementation of the present
system. Alternatively, if the processor is available as an ASIC
core or logic block, then the commercially available processor may
be implemented as part of an ASIC device with various functions
implemented as firmware.
[0055] The present invention may also be embedded in a computer
program product, which comprises all the features enabling the
implementation of the methods described herein, and which when
loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
Computer program in the present context may mean, for example, any
expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of
instructions intended to cause a system having an information
processing capability to perform a particular function either
directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to
another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different
material form. However, other meanings of computer program within
the understanding of those skilled in the art are also contemplated
by the present invention.
[0056] While the invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is
intended that the present invention not be limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present invention
will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the
appended claims.
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