U.S. patent application number 16/036812 was filed with the patent office on 2019-02-14 for cloud phone notifications.
The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Jaseem ALIYAR.
Application Number | 20190053303 16/036812 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49385395 |
Filed Date | 2019-02-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190053303 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ALIYAR; Jaseem |
February 14, 2019 |
CLOUD PHONE NOTIFICATIONS
Abstract
This relates to a method of sending data, such as documents,
notifications, alerts, and messages, from a first wireless device
to a second wireless device through a wireless connection, such as
WiFi, when the limitations of Bluetooth capabilities are exceeded.
The method of sending data can include, for example, the first
wireless device storing the data on a remote server in a cloud
computing system, and the second wireless device accessing the
stored data from the remote server. The wireless devices can be
configured to detect when another wireless device is out of
physical range, when there are too many devices sharing the
connection, if the environmental conditions are unsuitable, or if a
device has powered down, for example. Additionally, the user or
application may require a higher data transfer rate or a more
secure connection.
Inventors: |
ALIYAR; Jaseem; (San Jose,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49385395 |
Appl. No.: |
16/036812 |
Filed: |
July 16, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15026954 |
Apr 1, 2016 |
10028309 |
|
|
PCT/US2013/063138 |
Oct 2, 2013 |
|
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|
16036812 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 84/20 20130101;
H04W 4/80 20180201; H04W 84/12 20130101; H04W 76/14 20180201; H04W
76/28 20180201; H04W 48/18 20130101; H04W 8/26 20130101; H04W 4/60
20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 76/14 20180101
H04W076/14; H04W 8/26 20090101 H04W008/26; H04W 76/28 20180101
H04W076/28; H04W 4/80 20180101 H04W004/80; H04W 48/18 20090101
H04W048/18 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. A device comprising: a first transceiver configured to
communicate with a wireless access point; a second transceiver
configured to communicate with a second wireless device via a
peer-to-peer connection; and at least one processor configured to:
connect to the wireless access point via the first transceiver; and
receive, through the first transceiver, a notification of a
communication received at the second wireless device, the
notification being separate from the communication.
27. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is
further configured to: determine a status of a communications link
with the second wireless device through the second transceiver; and
determine to connect to the wireless access point via the first
transceiver based at least in part on the determined status.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one processor is
configured to determine the status of the communications link with
the second wireless device by determining a received signal
strength at the second transceiver, and determining whether the
received signal strength at the second transceiver satisfies a
signal strength factor.
29. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one processor is
configured to determine to connect to the wireless access point via
the first transceiver when at least one of the following conditions
is met: the peer-to-peer connection is unavailable, a number of
other devices connected via peer-to-peer connections with the
device is greater than a first threshold, the second wireless
device is not available, a data transfer rate over the peer-to-peer
connection is less than a second threshold, or a security level of
the peer-to-peer connection is less than a third threshold.
30. The device of claim 27, wherein the second transceiver is
further configured to enter a standby state when the at least one
processor determines to connect to the wireless access point via
the first transceiver.
31. The device of claim 30, wherein the second transceiver is
further configured to exit the standby state and reestablish a
connection with the second wireless device via the peer-to-peer
connection.
32. The device of claim 31, wherein the first transceiver is
further configured to terminate communication with the wireless
access point and enter another standby state in response to the
peer-to-peer connection being reestablished.
33. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one processor is
configured to determine the status of the communications link with
the second wireless device through the second transceiver based at
least in part on a received address resolution request that
comprises an IP address of the device.
34. The device of claim 26, wherein the communication received at
the second wireless device comprises at least one of an incoming
phone call, a voicemail, a text message, or an email.
35. A method comprising: determining, by a first wireless device, a
communications link status between the first wireless device and a
second wireless device over a peer-to-peer connection; and based at
least in part on the determined communications link status:
connecting, by the first wireless device, to a wireless access
point; and receiving, by the first wireless device via the wireless
access point, a notification of a communication received at the
second wireless device, the notification being separate from the
communication.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein determining, by the first
wireless device, the communications link status comprises at least
one of: determining whether the peer-to-peer connection is
available, determining whether a number of other devices connected
to the first wireless device via peer-to-peer connections exceeds a
first threshold, receiving a notification indicative of the second
wireless device being powered down, receiving a notification
indicative of the peer-to-peer connection being unavailable,
determining whether a data transfer rate over the peer-to-peer
connection is less than a second threshold, or determining whether
a security level of the peer-to-peer connection is less than a
third threshold.
37. The method of claim 35, wherein the communication received at
the second wireless device comprises at least one of an incoming
phone call, a voicemail, a text message, or an email.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein the wireless access point is
connected to the first wireless device via a first transceiver and
the peer-to-peer connection is established via a second
transceiver.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising: causing the second
transceiver to enter a standby state in response to connecting to
the wireless access point.
40. The method of claim 39, further comprising: causing the second
transceiver to exit the standby state; and reestablishing the
peer-to-peer connection with the second wireless device via the
second transceiver.
41. The method of claim 40, further comprising: in response to
reestablishing the peer-to-peer connection: causing the first
transceiver to terminate communication with the wireless access
point; and causing the first transceiver to enter another standby
state.
42. A non-transitory machine readable medium comprising
instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause
the at least one processor to: communicate, over a first
transceiver communicatively coupled to the at least one processor,
with a wireless access point; communicate, over a second
transceiver communicatively coupled to the at least one processor,
with a second wireless device via a peer-to-peer connection; and
receive a communication; and transmit, over the first transceiver
and via the wireless access point, a notification of the received
communication to the second wireless device, the notification being
separate from the communication.
43. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 42, wherein
the communication comprises a cellular communication.
44. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 42, wherein
the communication comprises at least one of an incoming phone call,
a voicemail, a text message, or an email.
45. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 42, wherein
the notification is transmitted over the first transceiver when the
peer-to-peer connection is disconnected.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This relates generally to wireless communication between
computing devices, and more particularly to connectivity between
computing devices when low-power, low-bandwidth, short-range
communications are unavailable.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Computing devices such as desktop computers, laptop
computers, mobile phones, smartphones, wearable devices, tablet
devices and portable multimedia players are popular. These
computing devices can be used for performing a wide variety of
tasks, from the simple to the most complex.
[0003] In some instances, computing devices can communicate
wirelessly over wireless networks. For example, computing devices
can communicate over wireless networks based on the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of
standards, also referred to as "WiFi". The standards (including
802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g) define frequency, modulation, data
rates, and message formats for communicating information between
devices. In general, in an 802.11 compliant wireless network (also
referred to as a "WiFi network"), there is a designated "access
point," often with a wired connection to the Internet, that manages
the WiFi network. Among other operations, the access point can
route messages between networked client devices. Computing devices
can communicate wirelessly over other communication standards as
well. For example, computing devices can use the IEEE 802.15
standards, such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), ZigBee,
etc. Bluetooth can allow for computing devices to communicate
wirelessly through the use of low-power, short-range radios. As a
result, Bluetooth can be limited to communications between devices
that are physically located within a short distance from each
other. Furthermore, the number of devices that can be paired with a
Bluetooth connection can be limited, and communications between the
devices can be slow.
[0004] Certain activities performed by a user carrying a wireless
device can exceed the limitations of Bluetooth capabilities when
connected to another wireless device. For example, the user can
relocate to a distance far away from the other wireless device, the
user can step outside, or the wireless device can lose power.
Pairing a wireless device carried by the user, such as a wearable
device, to another wireless device, such as a cellular phone,
through Bluetooth under the circumstances described above can make
the wireless connectivity impractical or unachievable and thus can
limit the usability of the communication between multiple wireless
devices.
SUMMARY
[0005] This relates to a first wireless device that can communicate
and send data to a second wireless device when the wireless
connection between the two exceeds the limitations of Bluetooth
capabilities. The first wireless device can be configured to detect
when the second wireless device is out of physical range, when
there are too many devices sharing the connection, if the
environmental conditions are unsuitable, or if a device has powered
down, for example. Additionally, the user or application may
require a higher data transfer rate or a more secure connection.
The wireless devices can be configured to communicate to each other
through an alternate wireless connection, such as WiFi. A first
wireless device can be connected to a second wireless device
through the WiFi connection, and the first wireless device can send
data, such as documents, notifications, alerts, and messages, to
the second wireless device using the WiFi connection. A cloud
computing system can be utilized by the first wireless device to
store the data, and the second wireless device can download or
receive the data by accessing a remote server on the cloud
computing system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a communications link between a wireless
device and a paired device over a local wireless network.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary wireless device connected to
another wireless device over a WiFi network according to examples
of the disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary wireless device connected
with another wireless device over a WiFi network in a cloud
computing environment according to examples of the disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 3B illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process
flow for sending messages between wireless devices according to
various examples of the disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary cellular device connected
with a wireless device over a WiFi network in a cloud computing
environment according to examples of the disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 4B illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process
flow for sending messages between a cellular device and wireless
device according to examples of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary cellular device connected
with multiple wireless devices over a WiFi network in a cloud
computing environment according to examples of the disclosure. FIG.
5B illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process flow for
sending messages between multiple wireless devices according to
examples of the subject disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a wireless
device according to examples of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] In the following description of examples, reference is made
to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which
it is shown by way of illustration specific examples of the
disclosure that can be practiced. It is to be understood that other
examples can be used and structural changes can be made without
departing from the scope of the examples of this disclosure.
[0015] This relates to a method of sending data, such as documents,
notifications, alerts, and messages, from a first wireless device
to a second wireless device through a wireless connection, such as
WiFi, when the limitations of Bluetooth capabilities are exceeded.
The method of sending data can include, for example, the first
wireless device storing the data on a remote server in a cloud
computing system, and the second wireless device accessing the
stored data from the remote server.
[0016] Although examples disclosed herein may be described and
illustrated herein in terms of the IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.15
standard communications protocols, it should be understood that the
examples are not so limited, but are additionally applicable to
other wireless communications protocols in which communication can
be established between devices. Furthermore, although examples may
be described and illustrated herein in terms of wireless routers
acting as wireless access points, it should be understood that the
examples are also applicable to servers and other computing
devices, which can act as wireless access points. Additionally,
although examples may be described herein in terms of a cloud
computing environment, it should be understood that the examples
are also applicable to other networks or computing environments
that may be accessible via wired or wireless means.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a communications link between a wireless
device and a paired device over a local wireless network. The
wireless device 102 can be linked to paired device 110 via wireless
communications link 106. The wireless device and paired device can
be any portable or non-portable electronic device that has the
ability to connect to a computer network wirelessly. As long as the
wireless device and the paired device are properly paired together,
wireless communications link 106 can be established between the
two. Pairing can refer to the wireless device and the paired device
establishing a direct communications link with one another. Once a
link has been established between the wireless device and the
paired device, thus making the devices paired together, the
wireless device and the paired device can share information with
each other. Wireless communications link 106 is a local wireless
network, often referred to as a piconet, which is a short range
local wireless network. One example of a local wireless network is
a Bluetooth network that can be established using Bluetooth or IEEE
802.15 protocol. In some examples, the wireless device and the
paired device can establish a communications link using Bluetooth
LE. Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE are used only as examples and the
disclosure is not limited in this regard, and can also include
other known communication methods such as near field communication
protocols (NFC).
[0018] Bluetooth allows wireless devices to connect with each other
through low-power, low-bandwidth, short-range communications.
Bluetooth's low power transmissions allow a typical range of about
10 meters or roughly 30-40 feet. This range can vary depending on
the amount of power used by the devices and the environmental
conditions. Additionally, Bluetooth devices can be limited by the
maximum throughput capabilities of Bluetooth. The maximum
throughput can be shared amongst the devices on the connection.
Sharing of the maximum throughput can lead to slow communication
between the devices and also limitations to the number of devices
that can be connected. When the physical separation between
wireless devices are outside the range of Bluetooth, the number of
connected devices has been exceeded, the environmental conditions
are unsuitable, or one of the wireless devices powers down, the
wireless communications link 106 can be lost or dropped, and
information can no longer be shared between wireless device 102 and
paired device 110. Additionally, for certain applications, the user
or device processor may desire higher transfer rates or a more
secure connection than can be achieved with Bluetooth. The wireless
connectivity and communications between one or more wireless
devices and paired devices can become impractical or unachievable
in such situations.
[0019] To facilitate the pairing of wireless device 102 with paired
device 110, wireless device 102 and paired device 110 can be
brought in close proximity to one another, which can include direct
physical contact. The close proximity of the devices can secure the
pairing process from unauthorized intruders and allow for
communication between the devices through the link. The pairing
process may or may not require a pin code. Both wireless device 102
and paired device 110 can include a Bluetooth unit (not shown).
Wireless device 102 and paired device 110 can periodically monitor
the connection through the wireless communications link 106 using
the Bluetooth units. If a connection is not detected or has been
dropped, at least one of the Bluetooth units can attempt to
reestablish a connection. If the initial attempt to pair the
wireless device 102 and paired device 110 fails or the dropped
connection cannot be reestablished, the wireless device 102, paired
device 110, or both can generate an event notifying the other
wireless device or the user. The connection can be established
using a different wireless communication means, such as WiFi. In
some examples, one or more attempts to establish a connection over
Bluetooth can be made. In some examples, the wireless device or
paired device can skip the initial pairing through Bluetooth and
instead connect using WiFi.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary wireless device connected to
another wireless device over a WiFi network according to examples
of the disclosure. When the limitations of a Bluetooth connection
between multiple wireless devices are exceeded or when an alternate
connection is desired, a connection using a different communication
means, such as WiFi, can be established. A first wireless device
202 can be linked to wireless access point 204 via wireless
communications link 206. Wireless access point 204 could be, for
instance, a wireless router that allows wireless devices, such as
the one depicted as 202, to establish connections to it. Wireless
access point 204 can be hard wired to the Internet using a standard
Ethernet cable (not shown), and can provide Internet connectivity
to devices connected to it. Similarly, a second wireless device 210
can be linked to wireless access point 204 via communications link
208 (which may be a wired or wireless connection). Communications
links 206 and 208 can be established using the IEEE 802.11
protocol.
[0021] Communications link 206 can be established as follows.
Wireless access point 204 can broadcast its presence periodically
to alert proximate device that it is available for connection. In
one example, wireless access point 204 can broadcast a service set
identifier (SSID) at periodic intervals to alert devices that are
in proximity to its presence. When the first wireless device 202
receives a notification of a dropped Bluetooth connection or when
an application desires to use a WiFi connection, the first wireless
device 202 can begin to "scan" for SSIDs being broadcast by
wireless access points that are nearby. In some examples, the first
wireless device 202 can detect a dropped Bluetooth connection and
can generate the notification. In some examples, the second
wireless device 210 can predict if the Bluetooth connection is
going to be dropped in the near future, and the notification can be
generated at the second wireless device 210 and transmitted to the
first wireless device 202 before the Bluetooth connection is
dropped. In some examples, detection of a dropped Bluetooth
connection or prediction of a soon to be dropped Bluetooth
connection can include determining the signal strength and
determining whether the signal strength falls below a predetermined
level. Once the scan for SSIDs is complete, the first wireless
device 202 can present a list of found SSIDs, the user can pick a
wireless access point to connect with, and communications link 206
can be established per IEEE 802.11. Similarly, communications link
208 can be established when the second wireless device 210 receives
or generates a notification of a dropped Bluetooth connection and
scans for SSIDs being broadcast by wireless access points. In some
examples, wireless devices 202 and 210 can include a timer to time
how long the wireless devices have been trying to acquire a known
SSID from a known wireless access point. If a known SSID has not
been found within a predetermined time limit, the wireless device
can stop searching and generate a timeout notification. In some
examples, the wireless device can begin searching again for a known
SSID after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the last
search. In some examples, the wireless devices can begin searching
again for a known SSID when requested by the user.
[0022] Once the user selects a particular SSID, the SSID can be
stored on the device such as on a list for future reference. In the
future, the device can periodically scan for SSIDs without being
prompted by the user. If the device encounters an SSID of a
wireless access point that is on the list, it can automatically
connect to the wireless access point. The list can be populated
with one or more SSIDs that have been used for past connections,
such as a home network, a work network, a school network, etc.
[0023] When the first wireless device 202 wants to communicate with
the second wireless device 210 over the WiFi connection, the first
wireless device 202 can do so by sending an address resolution
(ARP) request to wireless access point 204 via communications link
206 that includes the IP address of the second wireless device 210.
The wireless access point 204 can broadcast the ARP request that
contains the IP address of the second wireless device 210 over the
network. The second wireless device 210, when scanning, can receive
the ARP request, recognize that the ARP request corresponds to its
own IP address, and establish a communications link 208 with the
wireless access point 204 to field the ARP request.
[0024] Once the connection between the wireless devices 202 and 210
has been established via communications link 206 and 208 through
the wireless access point 204 using the ARP request, data can be
transferred using "beacons". Beacons can be transmitted by the
wireless access point at periodical intervals to devices that are
on the network. Beacons can provide information to devices on the
network regarding data that is being received by the wireless
access point. When a wireless device is synchronized to a wireless
access point, it can know at what time the wireless access point
will transmit a beacon. When the wireless device knows that the
wireless access point will be transmitting a beacon, the wireless
device can activate its wireless radio to receive the beacon. The
beacon can contain information that the wireless device needs to
receive Internet traffic. For instance, in WiFi networks, each
device associated with the network carries an association ID (AID)
that the wireless access point uses to identify devices on the
network. As part of its transmission of a beacon, a wireless access
point can transmit what is known as a traffic indication map (TIM).
When the wireless access point receives data (for example, from the
Internet or from another device on the local network) that is
intended for a particular associated device on the network, it can
list in the TIM the AIDs of the devices that have pending data on
the network. As part of broadcasting beacons, the wireless access
point can broadcast its TIM. When a wireless device receives a
beacon, it can look to the TIM to see if there is pending traffic
intended for it, and if it finds that there is traffic on the
network for it, it can proceed to download the information from the
wireless access point.
[0025] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary wireless device connected
with another wireless device over a WiFi network in a cloud
computing environment according to examples of the disclosure. A
first wireless device 302 can connect to wireless access point 304
through communications link 306, and a second wireless device can
connect to wireless access point 304 through communications link
308 (which may be a wireless or wired connection). Communications
link 306 and 308 can be established using the process discussed
above. Wireless access point 304 can connect to a remote server 312
via communications link 314. The cloud computing environment can
enable a user to generate a document, a file, a notification, or
information on one computing device, such as the second wireless
device 310, and allow the document, file, notification, or
information to be accessed, edited, and downloaded from one or more
other computing devices, such as the first wireless device 302.
While FIG. 3A illustrates two wireless devices, any number of
wireless devices can be configured, and authorized, to share
content on the remote server. In some examples, more than one
remote server can be included in the cloud computing environment to
support the storage and synchronization of the content to the
multiple computing devices.
[0026] In a cloud computing environment, data such as documents,
files, notifications, or information can be stored on a remote
server and can be accessed, downloaded, or edited at any given time
from different computing devices. To enable the user to access,
download, and edit the data via any one of the computing devices,
the file can be stored both locally on the devices and also on a
remote server. Storing the file both locally and on the remote
server can allow the user to access the same version of the data
from any of the computing devices. The remote server can then
synchronize the local copies of the data on the multiple computing
devices. For example, the user can create a document on a computing
device, such as the second wireless device 310, and store the
document on a remote server 312 via communications link 308,
wireless access point 304, and communications link 314. The user
can access the same document that was stored on the remote server
312 by using a different computing device, such as the first
wireless device 302, via communications link 314, wireless access
point 304, and communications link 306. When the user edits the
document, a local copy that resides in memory on the second
wireless device 310 can be edited. The local copy can be synced
with copy stored on the remote server such that edits made by
second wireless device 310 can be accessed by first wireless device
302.
[0027] FIG. 3B illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process
flow for sending messages between wireless devices according to
various examples of the disclosure. The remote server and wireless
access point can be used to send notifications and messages between
one or more wireless devices. Beginning at 320, second wireless
device 310 can generate a notification or a message that is
directed to the first wireless device 302. At 321, the second
wireless device 310 can connect to wireless access point 304 via
communications link 308. Wireless access point 304 can connect to
remote server 312 via communications link 314. At 322, the second
wireless device 310 can send the notification through
communications link 308, wireless access point 304, and
communications link 314 to the remove server 312. At 323, the
remote server can notify the wireless access point of a
notification to be sent to the first wireless device 302. In some
examples, the remote server can delay pushing the notification
based on a time period or based on the availability of the first
wireless device 302. At 324, the wireless access point can push the
notification to the first wireless device 302 by broadcasting an
ARP request that contains the IP address of the first wireless
device 302. Along with the ARP request, the wireless access point
can transmit beacons and its TIM containing information that the
first wireless device 302 needs to receive Internet traffic. The
first wireless device 302 can periodically scan for ARP requests.
The first wireless device 302, when scanning, can receive the ARP
request and recognize that the ARP request corresponds to its own
IP address. At 325, the first wireless device 302 can establish
communications link 306 with the wireless access point 304 to field
the ARP request. When the first wireless device 302 receives a
beacon, it can look to the TIM to see if there is pending traffic
intended for it. The first wireless device 302 can find that there
is traffic on the network for it, and it can proceed to receive the
pushed notification from the wireless access point 304.
[0028] FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary cellular device connected
with a wireless device over a WiFi network in a cloud computing
environment, and FIG. 4B illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary
process flow for sending messages between the cellular device and
wireless device according to examples of the disclosure. Cellular
device 410 can connect to wireless access point 404 through
communications link 408, and can be connected to a cellular
communication system 416. The user can receive an incoming call on
the cellular device 410 from the cellular communication system 416.
At 420, cellular device can push a notification of the incoming
call to the wireless access point 404 through communications link
408. At 421, wireless device 402 can connect to wireless access
point 404 through communications link 406, and wireless access
point 404 can connect to remote server 412 via communications link
414. At 422, wireless access point 404 can push the notification to
the remote server 412 through communications link 414. At 423,
remote server can store the notification and push the notification
to the wireless access point. In response to receiving the pushed
notification, at 424, the wireless access point can broadcast an
ARP request and establish a communications link 406 in manner
similar to communications link 306 of FIG. 3A, as described above.
The wireless access point can push the notification to a wireless
device 402 through communications link 406. At 425, wireless device
402 can receive the notification of the incoming call. In some
examples, the cellular device can push a notification after the
cellular device has been ringing for a predetermined time limit and
the call has been missed. In some examples, the cellular device can
push a notification to indicate a newly received message such as
voicemail, text message, or email. In some examples, the
notification or message can be generated from the cellular device
410, such as a notification of the cellular device shutting down.
While FIG. 4A illustrates a cellular device receiving a cellular
signal from a cellular communication system, examples can include,
but are not limited to, any wireless device, such as a headset or
laptop, configured to connect to a wireless communication system.
In some examples, one or more of the devices connected to the
wireless access point can connect through wired communications.
[0029] In some examples, the user can generate a notification or
message on wireless device 402 that can be, for example, in
response to the incoming call. In some examples, the notification
or message can be generated from a predefined list of messages,
wherein the predefined list of messages can be stored in the
wireless device 402, the cellular device 410, or both. Wireless
device 402 can push the notification or message to wireless device
410 through the remote server 412 and wireless access point 404.
Additionally, examples of the disclosure can include pushing data
such as documents, files, and information.
[0030] FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary cellular device connected
with multiple wireless devices over a WiFi network in a cloud
computing environment, and FIG. 5B illustrates a flow chart of an
exemplary process flow for sending messages between the multiple
wireless devices according to examples of the disclosure. Wireless
device 502 can be connected to wireless access point 504 through
communications link 506. A wireless device, such as cellular device
510, can be connected to wireless access point 504 through
communications link 508, and can also be connected to cellular
communication system 516. Wireless device 518 can be connected to
wireless access point 504 through communications link 520. Wireless
access point 504 can be connected to remote server 512 through
communications link 514. At 520, the user can receive an incoming
call or message on the cellular device 510 from the cellular
communication system 516. At 521, the cellular device can push a
notification of the incoming call or message to the wireless access
point. At 522, the wireless access point 504 can push the
notification to the remote server 512 to be stored. Wireless access
point 504 can broadcast the ARP request without a corresponding IP
address. At 525, one or more of the wireless devices, such as
wireless devices 502 and 518, can connect to the wireless access
point to access the notification. While FIG. 5 illustrates three
wireless devices, examples of the disclosure can include any number
of wireless devices. In some examples, one or more of the devices
connected to the wireless access point can connect through wired
communications.
[0031] In some examples, one or more of the wireless devices can be
connected through WiFi, while other wireless devices can be
connected through Bluetooth. In some examples, one or more wireless
devices can detect if the conditions are suitable for a Bluetooth
connection and determine if a connection to Bluetooth is available.
The wireless device can generate a notification to notify the user
or another wireless device of the availability of a Bluetooth
connection or can automatically reestablish the Bluetooth
connection. In some examples, based on the determination if a
connection to Bluetooth is available, the wireless device can
terminate the connection with WiFi.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a wireless
device according to examples of the disclosure. Antenna 602 is
designed to emit and receive electromagnetic waves according to a
wireless or air interface standard such as IEEE 802.11 or 802.15.
In some examples, antenna 602 can be adapted to communicate with a
wireless access point, which can provide the wireless device 600
with access to a broader network (e.g., the Internet). In many
examples, the RF module 604 can have a transceiver adapted to
convert the electromagnetic waves to current and ultimately to
digital data, and conversely the digital data to current and then
to electromagnetic waves (as applicable). In some examples, the
transceiver can enter a standby state when not being used or when a
connection becomes unavailable. One or more receive or transmit
amplifiers 606 may optionally be used to amplify signals for
transmission, as is well known in the art. Wireless device 600 can
include a low-power communications module 608 that can be
configured to operate low power, near field communications with
proximal devices. As an example, module 608 can be configured to
communicate with other devices using Bluetooth.
[0033] The exemplary wireless device 600 can have a central
processing unit (such as integrated circuit microprocessor 612
and/or a digital signal processor discussed below), which can be
adapted to perform basic processing operations of the wireless
device 600. Memory 614 can have one or more storage devices capable
of storing signals as bits of data. Memory 614 may therefore have
any combination of volatile memory or non-volatile memory, in
accordance with the scope of the present application (for example,
DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and/or myriad types
of other memory modules).
[0034] The wireless device 600 can optionally contain an audio
controller 618 and one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) 616
for audio, signal, image, and/or video processing. A power source
610, such as a battery, can provide power to the various components
of the wireless device 600.
[0035] In one example, the microprocessor 616 can be adapted to
execute one or more software programs 620 stored in memory 614. The
term "programs" can be understood to mean software modules that
contain computer code to execute via a processor to operate the
wireless device. The programs 620 can, upon detecting a specific
control signal, modify the functionality of the wireless device 600
according to the type of signal detected, or alternatively, by the
contents of the signal provided (e.g. commands embedded within a
WiFi beacon, as described elsewhere herein).
[0036] Therefore according to the above disclosure, some examples
of the disclosure are directed to A wireless device, the wireless
device comprising: a first transceiver configured for communication
with a first wireless access point, wherein the first wireless
access point is configured for communication with a remote server;
a second transceiver configured for communicating with a second
wireless device; and a processor capable of determining whether
communication with the second wireless device is unavailable, and
when the communication with the second wireless device is
unavailable, connecting the first transceiver to the first wireless
access point. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples
disclosed above, in other examples the determination of whether
communication with the second wireless device is unavailable
includes determining a signal strength of the second transceiver,
and determining whether the signal strength of the second
transceiver falls below a predetermined level. Additionally or
alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other
examples the processor is further capable of generating a
notification based on the determination of whether the
communication with the second wireless device is unavailable.
Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed
above, in other examples the wireless device, further comprises a
third transceiver configured for communication with a second
wireless access point. Additionally or alternatively to one or more
examples disclosed above, in other examples the processor is
further capable of receiving data from at least one of the first
wireless access point via the first transceiver or the second
wireless access point via the third transceiver. Additionally or
alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other
examples the processor is further capable of sending the received
data to the remote server through the first wireless access point
via the first transceiver. Additionally or alternatively to one or
more examples disclosed above, in other examples the second
transceiver is further configured to enter a standby state based on
the determination of whether communication with the second wireless
device is unavailable. Additionally or alternatively to one or more
examples disclosed above, in other examples the processor is
further capable of determining of whether communication with the
second wireless device is available when the second transceiver is
in the standby state. Additionally or alternatively to one or more
examples disclosed above, in other examples the second transceiver
is further configured to exit the standby state and reestablish
communication with the second wireless device based on the
determination of whether communication with the second wireless
device is available. Additionally or alternatively to one or more
examples disclosed above, in other examples the first transceiver
is further configured to terminate communication with the first
wireless access point and enter a standby state based on the
determination of whether communication with the second wireless
device is available. Additionally or alternatively to one or more
examples disclosed above, in other examples the processor is
further capable of generating a notification based on the
determination of whether communication with the second wireless
device is available.
[0037] According to the above disclosure, some examples of the
disclosure are directed to a method of configuring a wireless
device to communicate with a first wireless access point and a
second wireless device, the method comprising: determining whether
communication with the second wireless device is unavailable; and
connecting to the first wireless access point when communication
with the second wireless device is unavailable, wherein the first
wireless access point is configured to communicate with a remote
server. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples
disclosed above, in other examples the determination of whether
communication with the second wireless device is unavailable
includes determining a signal strength of the communication with
the second wireless device and determining whether the signal
strength falls bellows a predetermined level. Additionally or
alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other
examples the method further comprises generating a notification
when the communication with the second wireless device becomes
unavailable. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples
disclosed above, in other examples the wireless device is further
configured to communicate with a second wireless access point.
Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed
above, in other examples the method further comprises receiving
data from at least one of the first wireless access point or the
second wireless access point. Additionally or alternatively to one
or more examples disclosed above, in other examples the method
further comprises sending the received data to the remote server
through the first wireless access point. Additionally or
alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other
examples the method further comprises determining whether
communication with the second wireless device becomes available,
terminating connection with the first wireless access point, and
reestablishing the connection with the second wireless device.
Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed
above, in other examples the method further comprises generating a
notification based on the determination of whether communication
with the second wireless device is available.
[0038] According to the above disclosure, some examples of the
disclosure are directed to a non-transitory computer readable
storage medium having stored thereon a set of instructions for
configuring a wireless device to communicate with a first wireless
access point, a second wireless device, and a second wireless
access point, that when executed by a processor causes the
processor to: determine whether communication with the second
wireless device is unavailable; connect the wireless device to the
first wireless access point based on the determination of whether
the communication with the second wireless device is unavailable,
such that the wireless device and the first wireless access point
are configured to communicate with one another; and receive data
from a remote server through the first wireless access point.
Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed
above, in other examples the determination of whether communication
with the second wireless device is unavailable includes determining
a signal strength of the second transceiver and determining whether
the signal strength of the second transceiver falls below a
predetermined level. Additionally or alternatively to one or more
examples disclosed above, in other examples the non-transitory
computer readable storage medium further causes the processor to:
generate a notification based on the determination of whether the
communication with the second wireless device is unavailable.
Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed
above, in other examples the non-transitory computer readable
storage medium further causes the processor to: connect the
wireless device to the second wireless access point. Additionally
or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in other
examples the non-transitory computer readable storage medium
further causes the processor to: receive data from the second
wireless access point. Additionally or alternatively to one or more
examples disclosed above, in other examples the non-transitory
computer readable storage medium of claim 24, that further causes
the processor to: send the received data to the remote server
through the first wireless access point.
[0039] Although the disclosed examples have been fully described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that
various changes and modifications will become apparent to those
skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be
understood as being included within the scope of the disclosed
examples as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *