US7076243B2
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US
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Context aware computing devices having a common interface and related methods
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 2004-08-25
•
Granted: 2006-07-11
•
Expires: 2024-08-25
Abstract
Abstract Context-aware computing systems and methods are described. In some embodiments, hierarchical tree structures are utilized to ascertain a device context. The tree structures can be stored on or accessible to mobile computing devices so that the devices can determine their own particular context. A unique device architecture permits context aware computing and comprises, in at least some embodiments, a context service module, a common interface, and one or more context providers. The context providers provide information, through the common interface, that pertains to the context of a device, and the context service module processes the information to device the device's context.
Inventors
- 👤 Gopal Parupudi
- 👤 Edward F. Reus
- 👤 Stephen S. Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72448; H04M1/72457; H04M1/72454
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A computing device comprising: a computer-readable medium; a context service module on the computer-readable medium and configured to process information from multiple context providers to determine a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth; and a common context provider interface configured to receive information from the multiple context providers, which information can then be provided to the context service module by the interface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computing device comprising: a computer-readable medium; a context service module on the computer-readable medium and configured to process information from multiple context providers to determine a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth; and a common context provider interface configured to receive information from the multiple context providers, which information can then be provided to the context service module by the interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computing device of claim 1 embodied as a mobile computing device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computing device of claim 1 embodied as a desktop computing device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the multiple context providers comprise multiple different location providers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the common context provider interface is configured to constantly receive information from one or more of the context providers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the common context provider interface is configured to periodically receive information from one or more of the context providers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the information can be received periodically at specified times.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the information can be received periodically on the occurrence of specified events.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the information can be received on the request of the context service module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computing device of claim 6 , wherein the information can be received: periodically at specified times; periodically on the occurrence of specified events; or on the request of the context service module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the information from the multiple context providers includes one or more confidence parameters that provide a measure of a provider's confidence in the information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the information from the multiple context providers includes one or more accuracy parameters that provide a measure of the accuracy of a provider's information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the information from the multiple context providers includes: one or more confidence parameters that provide a measure of a provider's confidence in the information; and one or more accuracy parameters that provide a measure of the accuracy of a provider's information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the multiple context providers are configured to receive information from one or more location sources and provide the information to the context service module via the common context provider interface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computing device of claim 14 , wherein at least some of the context providers are different and receive different forms of information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computing device of claim 14 , wherein at least some of the context providers are configured to process the information that is received from their source to provide specific information that is directly used by the context service module to ascertain a device location.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computing device comprising: a computer-readable medium; a context service module embodied on the computer-readable medium; and multiple different context providers configured to receive information from one or more different sources of information and process the information to provide context information to the context service module, the context service module being configured to process the context information to provide a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
97 words
A computing device comprising: a computer-readable medium; a context service module embodied on the computer-readable medium; and multiple different context providers configured to receive information from one or more different sources of information and process the information to provide context information to the context service module, the context service module being configured to process the context information to provide a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computing device of claim 17 embodied as a mobile computing device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The computing device of claim 17 embodied as a desktop computing device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to self-monitor their operation and to inform the context service module of an operation irregularity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to assign confidence parameters to the information that is provided to the context service module, the confidence parameters providing a measure of a provider's confidence in the information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to assign accuracy parameters to the information that is provided to the context service module, the accuracy parameters providing a measure of the accuracy of a provider's information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to: assign confidence parameters to the information that is provided to the context service module, the confidence parameters providing a measure of a provider's confidence in the information; and assign accuracy parameters to the information that is provided to the context service module, the accuracy parameters providing a measure of the accuracy of a provider's information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to continuously update information that is provided to the context service module.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to periodically update information that is provided to the context service module.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computing device of claim 25 , wherein the one or more context providers are configured to update the information at specified times.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computing device of claim 25 , wherein the one or more context providers are configured to update the information on the occurrence of specified events.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to receive a request from the context service module and update the information that is provided to the context service module based on the request.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the computing device comprises a hand-held mobile computing device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the computing device is configured to accommodate dynamically adding or removing one or more context providers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein the computing device is configured to continue operation when one or more of the context providers stops functioning.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computing device of claim 17 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to process the information and provide the unique identification for one of the nodes of the hierarchical tree structure.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of determining the context of a computing device comprising: providing multiple context providers that are configured to provide context information that pertains to a current context of the computing device; receiving context information from the multiple context providers using a common interface; using the information that is received from the multiple context providers to ascertain a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of determining the context of a computing device comprising: providing multiple context providers that are configured to provide context information that pertains to a current context of the computing device; receiving context information from the multiple context providers using a common interface; using the information that is received from the multiple context providers to ascertain a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the common interface accommodates multiple context providers that are different.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the receiving of the context information comprises continuously receiving context information from at least one of the context providers.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the receiving of the context information comprises periodically receiving context information from at least one of the context providers.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the receiving of the information comprises receiving the information at specific times.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the receiving of the information comprises receiving the information on the occurrence of specific events.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the receiving of the information comprises receiving the information responsive to a request to receive the information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
108 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to: provide multiple different context providers that are configured to provide context information that pertains to a current context of the computing device; receive context information from the multiple different context providers using a common interface; and use the information that is received from the multiple context providers to ascertain a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
108 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to: provide multiple different context providers that are configured to provide context information that pertains to a current context of the computing device; receive context information from the multiple different context providers using a common interface; and use the information that is received from the multiple context providers to ascertain a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer-readable media of claim 40 , wherein the instructions cause the computing device to traverse a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that represent physical or logical entities in order to ascertain the current device context.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of determining the context of a mobile computing device comprising: providing multiple different context providers that are configured to provide context information that pertains to a current context of the computing device; monitoring one or more of the context providers; assigning a confidence parameter to context information that is provided by one or more providers, the confidence parameter providing a measure of a provider's confidence in its context information; and sending the context information and the confidence parameter to a context service module on the mobile computing device, the context service module being configured to use the context information and the confidence parameter to ascertain a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of determining the context of a mobile computing device comprising: providing multiple different context providers that are configured to provide context information that pertains to a current context of the computing device; monitoring one or more of the context providers; assigning a confidence parameter to context information that is provided by one or more providers, the confidence parameter providing a measure of a provider's confidence in its context information; and sending the context information and the confidence parameter to a context service module on the mobile computing device, the context service module being configured to use the context information and the confidence parameter to ascertain a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising assigning an accuracy parameter to the context information that is provided by one or more providers, the accuracy parameter providing a measure of the accuracy of a provider's context information.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising responsive to the monitoring, notifying the context service module upon the occurrence of an operation irregularity.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising receiving a context query and responding to the query with a context provider.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to continuously send the context information to the context service module.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 42 , wherein one or more of the context providers are configured to periodically send the context information to the context service module.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the one or more context providers are configured to send the context information at specified times.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 47 , wherein the one or more context providers are configured to send the context information on the occurrence of specified events.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a mobile computing device, implement the method of claim 42 .
Claim 56
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of determining the context of a mobile computing device comprising: providing multiple different context providers that are configured to provide context information that pertains to a current context of the computing device; monitoring one or more of the context providers; assigning an accuracy parameter to context information that is provided by one or more providers, the accuracy parameter providing a measure of the accuracy of a provider's context information; and sending the context information and accuracy parameter to a context service module on the mobile computing device, the context service module being configured to use the context information and the accuracy parameter to ascertain a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of determining the context of a mobile computing device comprising: providing multiple different context providers that are configured to provide context information that pertains to a current context of the computing device; monitoring one or more of the context providers; assigning an accuracy parameter to context information that is provided by one or more providers, the accuracy parameter providing a measure of the accuracy of a provider's context information; and sending the context information and accuracy parameter to a context service module on the mobile computing device, the context service module being configured to use the context information and the accuracy parameter to ascertain a current device context by conducting a tree traversal operation, wherein the tree traversal operation traverses a hierarchical tree structure comprising multiple nodes that are each assigned a unique identification, the nodes representing geographical divisions of the Earth.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 51 further comprising, responsive to the monitoring, notifying the context service module on the occurrence of an operation irregularity of a context provider.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 51 further comprising receiving a context query and responding to the context query with the context provider.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein one or more of the context providers continuously send context information to the context service module.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein one or more of the context providers periodically send context information to the context service module.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein the one or more context providers send the context information at specified times.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein the one or more context providers send the context information on the occurrence of specified events.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by a mobile computing device, implement the method of claim 51 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-07-10 | 2010-01-09 | 2010-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-07-10 | 2014-01-09 | 2014-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-07-10 | 2018-01-09 | 2018-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |