Abstract:
Software applications and information apparatus supporting output of digital content over a network (e.g., Internet) to an output device (e.g., printer) are herein disclosed and enabled. To output digital content, an application for accessing a service provided over the network is installed, the information apparatus is connected to the local area network of the output device, the output device in the local area network (e.g., IEEE 802.11) is discovered, output device information is received from the discovered output device, and the output device information is transmitted to the service for registering the output device. Subsequent to registration, the information apparatus using an application (e.g., Internet browser, email, document) and having appropriate security or authentication information may transmit digital content to the service to output digital content at the registered output device. The output of digital content does not require a device specific driver that is installed in the information apparatus.
Abstract:
Software applications supporting wireless printing are herein disclosed and enabled. The wireless printing from a mobile device may not require a device specific printer driver installed. For example, to print from an application (e.g., browsing application, email application, document application) on a smart phone, the application obtains digital content, displays the digital content on a touch sensitive screen, establishes a wireless local area network connection (e.g., IEEE 802.11) to a network, discovers one or more printers available in the network, receives device information related to a discovered printer, selects a printer for printing the digital content, and selects a print item to transmit output data to the selected printer. The application may register the discovered printer with a service over a network by transmitting the device information to the service. Subsequently, the service may share the registered printer with another mobile device that has appropriate security or authentication information.
Abstract:
Smart Phones that support wireless printing of e-mails to a printer in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is disclosed and enabled. The new Smart Phone includes a touch sensitive screen, an operating system, an e-mail application, and a wireless communication unit supporting a protocol within IEEE 802.11 for WLAN communication. To print an email in an inbox of the email application, the smart phone provides a print item on the touch sensitive screen and also a list of one or more printers detected to be available in the WLAN on the touch sensitive screen, subsequent to the user having selected the print item and a selected printer from the list, a print job related to the email is transmitted to the selected printer over the WLAN. Additionally, the smart phone further supports voice activated commands, such as printing or replying to emails received at the Smart Phone.
Abstract:
An output system, such as a wireless speaker or an Internet appliance, that supports voice activated commands is herein disclosed and enabled. The output system is wirelessly connectable to a service operated over a network (e.g., Internet) for receiving output data from the service. The setup of the output system includes: (1) wirelessly discovering the output system using a smart phone, (2) establishing a wireless communication link between the smart phone and the output system (e.g., via Bluetooth); (4) provide information, such as security and/or authentication information, from the smart phone to the output system via the wireless communication link. Thereafter, the output system, using the information received from the smart phone, establishes a wireless local area network connection and also connects itself to the service over the network. The output system is operable to receive voice activated commands from the user when connected to the service.
Abstract:
An output device, such as a television or an output controller, that includes a wired interface and a wireless interface for connecting to a local area network is herein disclosed and enabled. The wired interface includes an Ethernet connection, and the wireless interface includes a wireless communication unit that is compatible with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 standards for connecting to a wireless local area network. For added security, the output device may include a user interface to allow the user of the output device to enter a password or security code for accessing the wireless local area network. After connecting to the local area network, whether by wired connection or by wireless communication, the output device is subsequently configured for receiving digital content from a server over the Internet or for connecting to a mobile information apparatus that is within the same network.
Abstract:
A wireless controller for accessing digital content and connectable externally via a wired connection to televisions or display devices is herein disclosed and enabled. The wireless controller may be a box for connecting to a television. The wireless controller includes a wireless communication unit that is compatible with at least one protocol within IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth for accessing a wireless local area network and may establish wireless connections with mobile information apparatus in its vicinity. Subsequent to establishing the wireless connection via a direct wireless connection or by accessing a wireless local area network, the wireless controller may transmit, stream, or mirror output data associated with digital content for rendering at the television. The wireless controller may collect or open authentication, payment, or subscription information for accessing some digital content services.
Abstract:
Smart Phones that support voice activated commands for managing e-mails are disclosed and enabled. This new Smart Phone may include a touch sensitive screen, a graphical user interface, an e-mail application, an Internet browsing application, and applications for playing audio/video content. The Smart Phone includes an operating system and support for installation of new applications. The Smart Phone may further support part of a wireless protocol within IEEE 802.11. In one example, a user of the Smart Phone may reply to an e-mail by using voice commands or by selecting an icon over the touch sensitive screen. The user may scroll down or up an email using the touch sensitive screen interface. In other examples, the user may further issue voice commands to synchronize, stream, transmit, play, print, display, or mirror at least part of digital content from the Smart Phone to one or more output devices over air.
Abstract:
A mobile information apparatus that includes a secure element for making mobile payments associated with a credit card or bank card, via a near distance radio frequency wireless communication unit, is herein disclosed and enabled. At least part of payment information or a device identification number is stored in the secure element or protected memory of the mobile information apparatus. Data stored in the secure element or protected memory is implemented to be not accessible by the user, but is accessible by a memory controller included in the mobile information apparatus implementing a cryptographic algorithm. To authorize payment, the user enters authentication information that may include a password, or a pin code, or user biometrics; and subsequent to the authentication, the mobile information apparatus transmits encrypted data over a short range radio frequency communication link to a wireless output controller or reader for making payment and transaction processing.
Abstract:
A mobile information apparatus for making mobile payments associated with a credit card, via a near distance radio frequency wireless communication unit, is herein disclosed and enabled. At least part of the payment information and part of a device identification number associated with the mobile information apparatus are stored in the mobile information apparatus with an encryption technique. To make a payment, the user moves the mobile information apparatus to within a limited local physical distance from a wireless output controller; the user authorizes the payment by providing a password or pin code authentication; and subsequent to the password or pin code authentication, the mobile information apparatus releases the payment information and the device identification number that includes encrypted data over a short range radio frequency communication link to the wireless output controller for authorizing payment and transaction processing.
Abstract:
Autorun functionality is incorporated into an integrated circuit memory device such as any USB peripheral, which has a memory component interfaced to a USB microcontroller. This provides autorun of one or more executables or application installers from a memory component with a USB interface without an intermediate hardware-based autorun feature. USB peripheral devices internally include a USB microcontroller that performs the functionality associated with identifying the device to a host computing device, such as a personal computer. Autorun firmware is embedded into the USB microcontroller. The autorun firmware enables autorun of an installable or executable application stored on the memory component of the USB device. The firmware acts as bridge component translating all commands and interactions between a host PC and the memory component.