U.S. patent application number 14/024427 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for data sharing between smart devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Sungil CHO, Jiyoung HONG, Kyungjin KIM, Sungeun KIM, Kiwon LEE.
Application Number | 20140013239 14/024427 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46544998 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140013239 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Kyungjin ; et
al. |
January 9, 2014 |
DATA SHARING BETWEEN SMART DEVICES
Abstract
Data sharing between networked smart devices is discussed. One
embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a method for data
sharing with one or more associated smart devices via a network.
The method comprises displaying, on a display unit of the smart
device, an image for each one of the associated smart devices
within coverage of the network and an image of shared data. The
method also comprises effecting a change in a first image for a
first smart device of the associated smart devices when the first
smart device is targeted as a target device for the data sharing.
The method further comprises communicating the shared data with the
first smart device via the network when, on the display unit, the
image of the shared data is moved to or from a domain of the first
image of the first smart device.
Inventors: |
KIM; Kyungjin; (Seoul,
KR) ; LEE; Kiwon; (Seongnam, KR) ; CHO;
Sungil; (Seoul, KR) ; HONG; Jiyoung; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Sungeun; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
46544998 |
Appl. No.: |
14/024427 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13061408 |
Feb 28, 2011 |
8554897 |
|
|
PCT/KR2011/000484 |
Jan 24, 2011 |
|
|
|
14024427 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/748 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/7253 20130101;
H04L 67/36 20130101; H04L 65/403 20130101; H04L 12/2812
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/748 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06 |
Claims
1. A smart device for data sharing with at least one associated
smart device connected via a network, the smart device comprising:
a transceiver; a display; a memory; and a processor coupled to the
transceiver, the display, and the memory and the processor
configured to perform steps of: displaying on the display an image
for each one of the at least one associated smart device within a
coverage of the network; effecting a change in a first image for a
first smart device of the at least one associated smart device
displayed on the display when the first smart device is targeted
for the data sharing by directing a body of the smart device to the
first smart device; displaying an image of shared data provided by
the first smart device for the data sharing on the display while
the first smart device is targeted for the data sharing; and
receiving the shared data from the first smart device via the
network in response to an input applied to the image of the shared
data.
2. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the displaying the image of
the shared data comprises displaying the image of the shared data
within a domain of the first image of the first smart device.
3. The smart device of claim 2, wherein the domain of the first
image of the first smart device comprises a window displayed on the
display, and wherein the image of the shared data is displayed
within the window.
4. The smart device of claim 3, wherein the displaying the image of
the shared data further comprises displaying an other image of an
other shared data provided by the first smart device for the data
sharing within the window.
5. The smart device of claim 4, wherein the input applied to the
image of the shared data comprises a touch input moving the image
of the shared data outside the window.
6. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the image for each one of
the at least one associated smart device is an icon or a
photographed image.
7. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the shared data is stored
in a memory of the first smart device or a remote server accessed
by the first smart device.
8. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the network is a cloud
computing network, and the shared data is stored in a server of the
cloud computing network.
9. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the change in the first
image for the first smart device includes a change in a size of the
first image or a change in a complexion of the first image.
10. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the shared data is still
image data or moving image data.
11. The smart device of claim 10, wherein the shared data further
comprises metadata of the still image data or the moving image
data.
12. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is
configured to receive location data of the at least one associated
smart device.
13. The smart device of claim 12, further comprising a gyro
sensor.
14. The smart device of claim 13, wherein the processor is
configured to identify the target device based on location data of
the target device and tilt data sensed by the gyro sensor when the
first smart device is targeted as the target device.
15. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the
shared data is canceled when the image of the shared data is moved
back to the window while control of the image of the shared data is
maintained.
16. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the shared data is still
image data.
17. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the shared data is moving
image data.
18. The smart device of claim 1, wherein the image of the shared
data displayed on the display is a thumbnail image of the shared
data.
19. The smart device of claim 18, wherein the thumbnail image of
the shared data is received by the smart device prior to the
receiving of the shared data.
20. A method of a smart device for data sharing with at least one
associated smart device connected via a network, the method
comprising: displaying on a display of the smart device an image
for each one of the at least one associated smart device within a
coverage of the network; effecting a change in a first image for a
first smart device of the at least one associated smart device
displayed on the display when the first smart device is targeted
for the data sharing by directing a body of the smart device to the
first smart device; displaying an image of shared data provided by
the first smart device for the data sharing on the display while
the first smart device is targeted for the data sharing; and
receiving the shared data from the first smart device via the
network in response to an input applied to the image of the shared
data.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of co-pending application
No. 13/061,408 filed Feb. 28, 2011, which is the national phase of
PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2011/000484 filed on Jan.
24, 2011. The entire contents of all the above applications are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of
electronics. More particularly, embodiments of the present
disclosure relate to data sharing between smart devices in a
network.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Art
[0005] Smart devices are devices that are digital, active, and
computer networked. The smart devices are also user configurable
and can operate to some extent autonomously. Some of the examples
of the smart devices may include a personal computer (PC), a tablet
PC, a smart TV, a mobile phone, a laptop computer, etc. Recently,
there are ongoing efforts to find more effective ways to share data
(e.g., audio data, video data, etc.) among the smart devices
connected through the network.
SUMMARY
[0006] One embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a smart
device for data sharing with one or more associated smart devices
connected via a network, where the smart device comprises a
transceiver, a display unit, a memory, and a processor coupled to
the transceiver, the display unit, and the memory. The processor is
configured to generate, to display on the display unit, an image
for each one of the associated smart devices within coverage of the
network and an image of shared data. The processor is also
configured to effect a change in a first image for a first smart
device of the associated smart devices when the first smart device
is targeted as a target device for the data sharing, and
communicate the shared data with the first smart device via the
network when, on the display unit, the image of the shared data is
moved to or from a domain of the first image of the first smart
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and
not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in
which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network view of a smart
device interacting with associated smart devices via a network,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the smart device in
FIG. 1 selecting a first smart device as a target device, according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the smart device in
FIG. 1 performing data sharing with the first smart device,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an exemplary view of the smart device
in FIG. 1 cancelling data sharing with the first smart device and
performing data sharing with a second smart device, according to
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary view of the smart device in
FIG. 1 relinquishing control of the shared data, according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIGS. 8-13 illustrate an exemplary view of the smart device
in FIG. 1 interacting with a target device for sharing moving image
data, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an exemplary process of the smart
device in FIG. 1 for sharing data with multiple smart devices,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIGS. 16-18 illustrate an exemplary process of the smart
device in FIG. 1 for accessing data in a target device, according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary component view of the smart
device in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary network view of the smart
device in FIG. 1 interacting with associated smart devices via a
cloud computing network, according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 21 illustrates a process flow chart of an exemplary
method of the smart device in FIG. 1 for sharing data with a target
device via a network, according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 22 illustrates a process flow chart of another
exemplary method of the smart device in FIG. 1 for sharing data
with a target device via a network, according to one embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 23 illustrates a process flow chart of yet another
exemplary method of the smart device in FIG. 1 for sharing data
with a target device via a network, according to one embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0021] Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent
from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description
that follows.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] A smart device and method thereof that seamlessly share data
with associated smart devices via a network are disclosed.
According to embodiments of this disclosure, a number of smart
devices may be connected through a network. A user of a smart
device may want to share data with other available smart devices in
a convenient and user friendly manner. In addition, it is often a
concern to the user that the time taken to perform the data sharing
is too long especially when the size of the data is rather
large.
[0023] As a solution, the present disclosure provides a user
interface, method, and device which provide an allure to the user
that the data sharing is taking place faster than it actually is.
In one embodiment, images of the associated smart devices within
the coverage of the network and an image of shared data (or data to
be transmitted) are displayed on the display unit of the smart
device. Then, as the user directs the body of the smart device to
one of the associated smart devices, the image of the targeted
smart device changes its size or complexion (e.g., texture, color,
etc.) to indicate that it is being targeted. As the user moves the
image of shared data within the domain of the image of the targeted
smart device displayed on the smart device, a transmitted image of
the shared data (e.g., a thumbnail image) appears on the display
unit of the targeted device.
[0024] Further, the transmission of the shared data is performed.
In this embodiment, through forwarding the image of shared data
(e.g., the thumbnail image of shared data) to the targeted device
and displaying the transmitted image of shared data on the display
unit of the targeted device, upon the initiation of the data
transmission, the user operating the targeted smart device may be
informed of the ongoing data sharing. Further, when the shared data
is of large size (e.g., moving image data), the transmission of the
thumbnail image at the initiation of the data transfer, while the
shared data is being processed by a buffer of the targeted device,
may provide an allure to the user of the targeted device that the
data transfer or sharing is taking place much faster than it
actually is.
[0025] In another embodiment, images of the associated smart
devices within the coverage of the network and an image of the
shared data are displayed on the display unit of the smart device.
Then, as the user directs the body of the smart device to one of
the associated smart devices, an image of the targeted smart device
changes its size or complexion to indicate that it is being
targeted. As the user accesses the image of the targeted smart
device displayed on the smart device, a list of shared data (e.g.,
items of shared data) offered by the targeted smart device appears
on the display unit of the smart device. The user may affirm an
order of an item from the list of shared data by dragging the item
to the domain of the smart device from the domain of the image of
the targeted smart device on the display unit of the smart device.
As a result, the transmission of the shared data from the targeted
device to the smart device is performed.
[0026] As described above, the present disclosure provides a smart
device and method thereof for data sharing. More particularly, the
smart device according to the present disclosure provides a
user-friendly user interface which makes it convenient for the user
to select a target device for data sharing and perform the data
sharing. Further, the smart device according to the present
disclosure offers an allure to the user that the data transfer
between the smart device and the targeted device is happening much
faster than it actually is.
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. While the disclosure will be described in
conjunction with the embodiments, it will be understood that they
are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On
the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives,
modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the
spirit and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, in the detailed
description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure.
However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
that the present disclosure 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 disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary network view of a smart
device 104 (e.g., a tablet PC) interacting with associated smart
devices via a network, according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. The smart device 104 and the associated smart devices
may be owned by a single user (e.g., a user 102), or they may be
owned by different users. In FIG. 1, the smart device 104 is
connected with a first smart device 106A (e.g., a tablet PC
operated by a user 108), a second smart device 106B (e.g., a smart
TV), a third smart device 106C (e.g., a laptop), and a fourth smart
device 106D (e.g., a smart phone) via a network. In one embodiment,
the network may be any combination of a short range network, a
local area network (LAN), a home area network, a campus network, a
global area network, an enterprise private network, a virtual
private network, an internetwork, an Internet, an intranet and
extranet, an overlay network, etc.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the smart device 104A is
configured to display on a display unit 112, respective images of
the associated smarts devices within coverage of the network and an
image of shared data 116. In the exemplary view of FIG. 1, the
display unit 112 displays a first image of first smart device 114A,
a second image of second smart device 114B, a third image of third
smart device 114C, and a fourth image of fourth smart device 114D
in addition to the image of shared data 116. The first image of
first smart device 114A, the second image of second smart device
114B, the third image of third smart device 114C, and the fourth
image of fourth smart device 114D may be based on icons taking
after the real images of the smart devices.
[0030] Alternatively, the first image of first smart device 114A,
the second image of second smart device 114B, the third image of
third smart device 114C, and the fourth image of fourth smart
device 114D may be pictures of the real images of the smart
devices. A transceiver of the smart device 104 may be configured to
receive location data (e.g., GPS data) of the associated smart
devices, where the location may be used to arrange the order of the
images of associated smart devices 114A-D. That is, the images of
associated smart devices 114A-D on the display unit 112 may be
generated based on the location data which indicate that the first
smart device (e.g., the tablet PC) is located to the rightmost
direction, whereas the fourth image of fourth smart device 114D is
located to the leftmost direction.
[0031] FIGS. 2-7 illustrate an exemplary view of the smart device
104 in FIG. 1 interacting with a target device for sharing shared
data 302, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
More particularly, FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the
smart device 104 in FIG. 1 selecting the first smart device 106A as
a target device, according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. In one embodiment, the first image of the first smart
device 114A on the display unit 112 is changed when the first smart
device 114A is targeted as a target device for data sharing. For
example, the first smart device 106A is designated as the target
device when a body of the smart device 104 is directed to the first
smart device 106A as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0032] In one example implementation, the smart device 104 is
equipped with a sensor which is configured to sense the orientation
of the smart device 104 being directed to the target device. The
sensor may be a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic
sensor, or other type of sensor. Then, the target device is
identified based on location data of the target device 106A and
tilt data sensed by the gyro sensor when the first smart device is
targeted as the target device. In one embodiment, when the first
smart device 106A is selected as the target device, the size of the
first image of first smart device 114A or the complexion of the
first image of first smart device 114A is changed. For example, the
size of the first image of first smart device 114A on the display
unit 112 is increased to indicate the selection of the first smart
device 106A as the target device. Alternatively, the first image of
first smart device 114A is highlighted to indicate the
selection.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the smart device in
FIG. 1 performing data sharing with the first smart device 106A,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3,
the smart device 104 transmits shared data 302 stored in a memory
of the smart device 104 and represented by the image of shared data
116 via the network when, on the display unit 112, the image of
shared data 116 is moved into the domain of the first image of
first smart device 114A. In one embodiment, the shared data 302
comprises still image data 304.
[0034] In addition, the smart device 104 transmits meta-data of the
shared data 302. In one example embodiment, the meta-data of the
shared data 302 comprises position data 306 of the image of shared
data 116 with respect to coordinates of the first image of first
smart device 114A on the display unit 112. As illustrated in FIG.
3, as the image of shared data 116 moves onto the bottom left
portion of the first image of first device 114A, a transmitted
image of shared data 308 is displayed at the bottom left portion of
a first display unit 310 on the first smart device 106A. That is,
the position data 306 is processed by the first smart device 106A
to display the transmitted image of shared data 308 on a designated
area of the first display unit 310 of the first smart device
106A.
[0035] In one embodiment, the image of shared data 116 displayed on
the display unit 112 of the smart device 104 is a thumbnail image
of the shared data 302. Further, the thumbnail image of the shared
data 302 may be to the first smart device 106A in addition to the
shared data 302 and the position data 306. Since the size of the
thumbnail image is small, the transmission of the thumbnail image
of the shared data 302 may be completed prior to the transmission
of the shared data 302. This may be especially true when the size
of the shared data 302 is too large to delay its transmission. By
quickly transmitting the thumbnail image of the shared data 302 as
the transmission of the shared data 302 is in progress, the user
108 may be informed of the transmission of the shared data 302 in
progress. In case the first smart device 106A is owned and operated
by the user 102 of the smart device 104, the user 102 may be
informed of the transmission of the shared data 302 in progress by
identifying the thumbnail image of the shared data 302 (e.g., the
transmitted image of shared data 308) appearing on the first
display unit 310 of the first smart device 106A.
[0036] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an exemplary view of the smart device
104 in FIG. 1 cancelling data sharing with the first smart device
106A and performing data sharing with a second smart device 106B,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4,
an image of shared data in part 402A is displayed on the first
display unit 310 of the first smart device 106A and an image of
shared data in part 402B is displayed on a display unit 404 of the
second smart device 106B when the image of shared data 116 is
extended over the first image of first smart device 114A and the
second image of second smart device 114B displayed on the display
unit 112 of the smart device 104. In one embodiment, the shared
data 302 and the position data 306 of the image of shared data 116
with respect to coordinates of the image of first smart device 114A
are transmitted to the first smart device 106A. Accordingly, the
image of shared data in part 402A is displayed on the display unit
310 of the first smart device 106A. In addition, the shared data
302 and the position data 306 of the image of shared data 116 with
respect to coordinates of the image of second smart device 114B are
transmitted to the second smart device 106B. Accordingly, the image
of shared data in part 402B is displayed on the display unit 404 of
the second smart device 106B.
[0037] In FIG. 5, the transmission of the shared data 302 to the
first smart device 106A is canceled when the image of shared data
116 is moved out of the domain of the first image of first smart
device 114A on the display unit 112 while the control of the shared
data 302 is maintained. When the transmission to the first smart
device 106A is canceled, the portion of the shared data 302
transmitted to the first smart device 106A is deleted or becomes
inaccessible such that the user 108 may not access the portion of
the shared data 302 using the first smart device 106A.
[0038] Further, in one example implementation, the control of the
shared data 302 is maintained when the user 102 continues to
maintain a contact with the image of shared data 116 while the
image of shared data 116 is moved in and out of the first image of
first smart device 114A displayed on the display unit 112 of the
smart device 104. However, if the user 102 releases the control of
the image of shared data 116 while the image of shared data 116 is
within the domain of the first image of first smart device 114A
displayed on the display unit 112, the transmission of the shared
data 302 is performed until its completion, and the user 102 may
not undo the transmission of the shared data 302 to the first smart
device 106A.
[0039] Further, in FIG. 5, the shared data 302 is transmitted to
the second smart device 106B when the image of shared data 116
enters the domain of the second image of second smart device 114B.
Then, a transmitted image of shared data 502 is displayed on the
second display unit 404 of the second smart device 106B, and the
transmission of the shared data 302 is continued until its
completion.
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view where the transmission
of the shared data 302 is completed. As the transmission is
completed, the image of shared data 116 placed on the second image
of second smart device 114B is no longer seen on the display unit
112. In addition, upon completion of the transmission of the shared
data 302, the transmitted image of shared data 502 is displayed on
the display unit 404 of the second smart device 106B. Further, the
size or complexion of the image of second smart device 114B is
changed to indicate that the second smart device 106B is currently
directed by the smart device 104 as the target device.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary view of the smart device 104
in FIG. 1 relinquishing control of the shared data 304, according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The control of the
smart device 104 for the shared data 302 may be relinquished once a
certain time period (e.g., 3 seconds) lapses since the placement of
the image of shared data 116 within the domain of the image of the
target device (e.g., the image of first smart device 114A).
Alternatively, the control of the shared data 302 may be
relinquished when the user 108 affirms the receipt of the shared
data 302 by pressing the transmitted image of shared data 308
displayed on the first display unit 310 of the first smart device
106A, as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0042] FIGS. 8-13 illustrate an exemplary view of the smart device
in FIG. 1 interacting with a target device for sharing moving image
data, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In
FIG. 8, a user 802 may want to play a movie the user has been
watching with a smart device 804 (e.g., a tablet PC) on a bigger
screen of a first smart device 812 (e.g., a smart TV). As
illustrated in FIG. 8, the first smart device 812 is playing a
movie or executing moving image data 816, which is being displayed
on a display unit 814 of the first smart device 812. In addition,
the smart device 804 displays on its display unit 806 associated
smart devices in their image forms, such as a first image of first
smart device 808A, a second image of second smart device 808B, a
third image of third smart device 808C, and a fourth image of
fourth smart device 808D. Further, the smart device 804 displays an
image of moving image data 810, which may be a thumbnail image of
the movie that the user 802 wants to play on the first smart device
812.
[0043] In FIG. 9, as the first smart device 812 is selected as the
target device, and the user 802 brings an upper part of the image
of moving image data 810 within the domain of the image of first
smart device 808A, a transmitted image of moving image data 906
appears on the display unit 814 of the first smart device 812. That
is, the upper part of the image of moving image data 810 appears on
the display unit 814, where the moving image data 816 which has
been playing on the first smart device 812 is paused by then. In
addition, the shared data 902 (e.g., moving image data 904 which is
represented by the image of moving image data 810) is transmitted
to the first smart device 812. In one embodiment, the transmitted
image of moving image data 906 is a thumbnail image of the moving
image data 904. In such a way, the user 802 may feel that the
transmission of the moving image data 904 is in progress as the
user 802 watches the transmitted image of moving image data 906
appearing on the display unit 814 of the first smart device 812
while the moving image data 904 is being transmitted to and
buffered by the first smart device 812.
[0044] In FIG. 10, as the image of moving image data 810 is brought
within the domain of the first image of first smart device 808A,
the moving image data 904 is played on the first smart device 812.
While the moving image data 904 (e.g., a movie) is being executed,
a control of the moving image data 904 is maintained. That is, the
moving image data 904 played by the first smart device 812 is
controlled by touch buttons displayed on the display unit 806 of
the smart device 804, such as a stop/play button 1002, a fast
forward button 1004, a rewind button 1006, etc.
[0045] In FIG. 11, the moving image data 904 being played on the
first smart device 812 is stopped when the stop button 1002 or a
pause button is pressed by the user 802. The moving image data 816
which was paused and/or was in the background continues to play as
the image of moving image data 810 is brought out of the domain of
the first image of first smart device 808A, as illustrated in FIG.
12. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the moving image data 904
automatically continues to play on the display unit 806 of the
smart device 804 from the point where it was stopped in FIG. 11.
Alternatively, the moving image data 904 displayed on the display
unit 806 is paused when the image of moving image data 810 is
brought out of the domain of the first image of first smart device
808A. And, the moving image data 904 continues to play on the
display unit 806 of the smart device 804 from the point where it
was stopped in FIG. 11 only after the play button 1002 is
pressed.
[0046] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an exemplary process of the smart
device 104 in FIG. 1 for sharing data with multiple smart devices,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 14,
the first smart device 106A is selected as the target device when
the first smart device 106A is directed, and an input for selecting
the first smart device 106A (e.g., a double click) is applied to
the first image of first smart device 114A. Then, the second image
of second smart device 114B changes its appearance when the second
smart device 106B is targeted as an additional target device for
data sharing. Further, the second smart device 106B is selected as
the additional target device when an input for selecting the second
smart device (e.g., a double click) is applied to the second image
of second smart device 114B.
[0047] In FIG. 15, the shared data 302 and/or the position data 306
are transmitted to the first smart device 106A and the second smart
device 106B in a multi-cast manner when the image of shared data
116 (e.g., the still image data 304) is moved within the domain of
the first image of first smart device 114A and/or the domain of the
second image of second smart device 114B. Alternatively, once the
target devices are designated, a flick of the image of shared data
116 toward the domain of the first image of first smart device 114A
and/or the domain of the second image of second smart device 114B
may initiate the transmission of the shared data 302 and/or the
position data 306 to the first smart device 106A and the second
smart device 106B.
[0048] In FIG. 15, when the image of shared data 116 is moved
within or toward the first image of first smart device 114A and the
second image of second smart device 114B, the transmitted image of
shared data 308 and the transmitted image of shared data 502 appear
on the first display unit 310 of the first smart device 106A and
the second display unit 404 of the second smart device 106B,
respectively. Further, the first image of first smart device 114A
and the second image of second smart device 114B maintain the
changed look (e.g., a change in size, a change in complexion, etc.)
until an input for relinquishing control of the first smart device
106A and the second smart device 106B is applied to the smart
device 104.
[0049] FIGS. 16-18 illustrate an exemplary process of the smart
device 104 in FIG. 1 for accessing data in a target device,
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 16,
the user 102 directs the smart device 104 toward the first smart
device 106A to select it as the target device. Then, the user 102
may tap (e.g., or some other input method, such as clicking for a
prolonged time) the first image of first smart device 114A
displayed on the smart device 104 in order to access data stored
and/or provided by the first smart device 106A. In one example
implementation, the data may be stored in a memory of the first
smart device 106A, or the data may be stored in a remote server
that may be accessed via the first smart device 106A.
[0050] Then, upon tapping the first image of first smart device
114A, a window 1702 appears on the display unit 112 of the smart
device 104. In one example embodiment, an image of shared data
1704A, an image of shared data 1704B, an image of shared data
1704C, and an image of shared data 1704D are displayed within the
window 1702. An additional list of the data in the window 1702 may
be accessed using a scroll bar 1706A and a scroll bar 1706B.
[0051] In FIG. 18, shared data represented by the image of shared
data 1704D from the first smart device 106A is transmitted by the
first smart device 106A and/or received by the smart device 104
when the image of shared data 1704D is moved from the window 1702
to the domain of the smart device 104 (e.g., the area of the
display unit 112 which is outside the window 1702).
[0052] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary component view of the smart
device 104 in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present
invention. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the smart device 104
comprises a transceiver 1902, the display unit 112, a memory 1906,
and a processor 1908 coupled to the transceiver 1902, the display
unit 112, and the memory 1906. In one embodiment, the processor
1908 is configured to generate, to display on the display unit 112,
images for associated smart devices within the coverage of the
network and an image of shared data. The processor 1908 is also
configured to effect a change in an image for one of the associated
smart devices when the associated smart device is targeted as the
target device for data sharing. Further, the processor 1908 is
configured to communicate the shared data with the associated smart
device selected as the target device via the network when the image
of the shared data is moved to or from a domain of the image of the
associated smart device displayed on the smart device 104.
[0053] In one embodiment, the smart device 104 also comprises a
sensor 1904. Further, the sensor 1904 may be based on a gyro
sensor, an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or other type
of sensor. Further, in one example implementation, the processor
1908 is configured to identify the target device based on location
data 1912 of the target device and tilt data 1914 sensed by the
gyro sensor when the associated smart device is targeted as the
target device. In addition, the shared data may be stored in the
memory 1906.
[0054] FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary network view of the smart
device 104 in FIG. 1 interacting with associated smart devices
106A-D via a cloud computing network 2002, according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 20, the smart device
104 is connected to the first smart device 106A, the second smart
device 106B, the third smart device 106C, and the fourth smart
device 106D via the cloud computing network 2002. In addition, the
shared data 302 is stored in a storage device 2008 coupled to a
server 2006 serviced by a cloud computing provider 2004.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 20, as the image of shared data 116
is moved within the domain of the first image of first smart device
114A displayed on the smart device 104, the transmitted image of
shared data 308 appears on the first display unit 310 of the first
smart device 106A. Further, the shared data 302 is transmitted to
the first smart device 106A. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIGS.
1-19, the shared data 302 may be transmitted directly from the
smart device 104, which locally stores the shared data 302 in its
memory, to the first smart device 106A. It is appreciated that the
device, process, and system illustrated in FIG. 20 may be applied
to the case where shared data available in a target device is
accessed by a smart device, as illustrated in FIGS. 16-18.
[0056] FIG. 21 illustrates a process flow chart of an exemplary
method of the smart device 104 in FIG. 1 for sharing data with a
target device via a network, according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure. In keeping with the previous examples,
particular components described with respect to FIGS. 1-20 are
referenced as performing the process in FIG. 21. It should be noted
that the components that are referred to as performing the process
are for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, other
components, or a different combination of components within a
system, may instead perform the process in FIG. 21.
[0057] In operation 2102, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the images
114A-D for associated smart devices 106A-D within the coverage of
the network of the smart device 104 is displayed on the display
unit 112 of the smart device 104. In operation 2104, as illustrated
in FIG. 2, a change in the first image of first smart device 114A
is effected when the first smart device 106A is targeted as a
target device for data sharing. In operation 2106, as illustrated
in FIG. 3, the shared data 302 is communicated to the first smart
device 106A via the network when the image of shared data 116
displayed on the display unit 116 of the smart device 104 is moved
to or from the domain of the first image of first smart device
114A.
[0058] It is appreciated that the methods disclosed in FIG. 21 may
be implemented in a form of a machine-readable medium embodying a
set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the
machine to perform any of the operations disclosed herein.
[0059] FIG. 22 illustrates a process flow chart of another
exemplary method of the smart device 104 in FIG. 1 for sharing data
with a target device via a network, according to one embodiment of
the present disclosure. In keeping with the previous examples,
particular components described with respect to FIGS. 1-20 are
referenced as performing the process in FIG. 22. It should be noted
that the components that are referred to as performing the process
are for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, other
components, or a different combination of components within a
system, may instead perform the process in FIG. 22.
[0060] In operation 2202, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the images
114A-D for associated smart devices 106A-D within the coverage of
the network of the smart device 104 is displayed on the display
unit 112 of the smart device 104. In operation 2204, as illustrated
in FIG. 2, a change in the first image of first smart device 114A
is effected when the first smart device 106A is targeted as a
target device for data sharing. In operation 2206, as illustrated
in FIG. 3, the shared data 302 is transmitted to the first smart
device 106A via the network when the image of shared data 116
displayed on the display unit 116 of the smart device 104 is moved
within the domain of the first image of first smart device
114A.
[0061] It is appreciated that the methods disclosed in FIG. 22 may
be implemented in a form of a machine-readable medium embodying a
set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the
machine to perform any of the operations disclosed herein.
[0062] FIG. 23 illustrates a process flow chart of yet another
exemplary method of the smart device 104 in FIG. 1 for sharing data
with a target device via a network, according to one embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0063] In keeping with the previous examples, particular components
described with respect to FIGS. 1-20 are referenced as performing
the process in FIG. 23. It should be noted that the components that
are referred to as performing the process are for illustrative
purposes only. In some implementations, other components, or a
different combination of components within a system, may instead
perform the process in FIG. 23.
[0064] In operation 2302, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the images
114A-D for associated smart devices 106A-D within the coverage of
the network of the smart device 104 is displayed on the display
unit 112 of the smart device 104. In operation 2304, as illustrated
in FIG. 16, a change in the first image of first smart device 114A
is effected when the first smart device 106A is targeted as a
target device for data sharing. In operation 2306, as illustrated
in FIG. 17, shared data available in the first smart device 106A is
displayed when the first image for first smart device 114A is
accessed. Further, in operation 2308, as illustrated in FIG. 18,
the shared data is received from the first smart device 106A
through the network when, on the display unit 112 of the smart
device 104, the image of shared data 116 is moved from the domain
of the first image of first smart device 114A to the domain of the
smart device 104.
[0065] It is appreciated that the methods disclosed in FIG. 23 may
be implemented in a form of a machine-readable medium embodying a
set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the
machine to perform any of the operations disclosed herein.
[0066] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus,
the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
* * * * *