Wireless device grouping via common attribute

Abstract

The connection of devices for wireless service is typically a tedious process that involves the user in the minutia of an underlying protocol used by a wireless adapter. The present invention enables users of wireless devices to configure a service by automatic connection through the use of a local environmental indication of an identification code such as a barcode. A service is a labor carried out among a group of two or more devices for the benefit of one or more devices in the group. Exemplary services are: one-way file transfer, two-way file transfer, broadcast service, registration of peripherals such as printers or scanners, news aggregation, event notification, email service, calendar update, etc. An indication of an identification code is input to at least one device representing a service over a wireless link among at least a first and second device. At least one service relationship such as sender, receiver, transceiver, or relay is identified for each of a first and second device, and the devices are automatically configured into their respective service relationships utilizing the identification code.

1 . One or more computer-readable media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon to perform a method for a service connection comprising:
 inputting into at least one device an indication of an identification code, wherein said identification code represents a service over a wireless link among at least a first device and a second device;   identifying at least a first service relationship associated with said identification code for said first device;   identifying at least a second service relationship associated with said identification code for said second device; and   automatically configuring said first device into said first service relationship and automatically configuring said second device into said second service relationship utilizing said identification code.   
   
   
       2 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , said method further comprising transferring content between said first device and said second device. 
   
   
       3 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , wherein said wireless link is selected from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, and IEEE 802.20. 
   
   
       4 . The computer readable media of  claim 1 , wherein said automatically configuring said first device comprises transmitting by said first device said identification code utilizing a predetermined type of transmission record. 
   
   
       5 . The computer readable media of  claim 4 , wherein said automatically configuring said second device into said second service relationship comprises parsing by said second device said predetermined type of transmission records for a match to said identification code. 
   
   
       6 . The computer readable media of  claim 5 , wherein said automatically configuring said second device into said second service relationship comprises utilizing a device address for a connection derived from a matching record transmitted by said first device containing said identification code. 
   
   
       7 . The computer readable media of  claim 6 , wherein said predetermined type of transmission record is a Bluetooth Service Discovery Protocol record. 
   
   
       8 . A local device for automatic wireless system configuration supporting a content transfer comprising:
 a first input component configured to receive an indication of an identification code, said identification code representing a service that is common among said local device and at least a first remote device participating in a content transfer;   a processor coupled to said first input component;   a wireless adapter coupled to said processor; and   an application running on said processor, configured to identify at least one service relationship for said local device associated with said identification code, said application further configured to automatically connect to said first remote device by communicating said identification code over said wireless adapter.   
   
   
       9 . The local device of  claim 8 , wherein said input component is selected from the set consisting of a motion sensor, a velocity sensor, an accelerometer, a microphone, a barcode scanner, a range laser, a linear imager, an area imager, a keypad, a touch screen, a virtual keyboard, and a keyboard. 
   
   
       10 . The local device of  claim 8 , wherein said wireless adapter performs a Bluetooth interface. 
   
   
       11 . The local device of  claim 10 , wherein said wireless adapter comprises a subcomponent chosen from the set consisting of a computer chip, a USB port, and a PC card. 
   
   
       12 . The local device of  claim 8 , further comprising a display component coupled to said processor for displaying the state of said application. 
   
   
       13 . The local device of  claim 8 , further comprising a second input component configured to receive a content selection from a user for transfer at least to said first remote device. 
   
   
       14 . The local device of  claim 12 , wherein said display component further comprises a graphical user interface subcomponent for controlling said application. 
   
   
       15 . A user interface for registration of at least a first remote wireless device comprising:
 a prompt indicating that an identification code must be input, wherein said identification code represents a service that is common among a local device and at least a first remote device participating in content transfer;   an input component for receiving an indication of said identification code;   a control identifying at least one service relationship for said local device associated with said identification code; and   a status display configured to indicate successful automatic connection among said local device and at least said first remote device, wherein said display indicates success after said local device establishes said at least one service relationship with said first remote wireless device associated with said identification code.   
   
   
       16 . The user interface of  claim 15  wherein said at least one service relationship is selected from the set consisting of receiver, sender, transceiver, relay, gateway, and bridge. 
   
   
       17 . The user interface of  claim 15  wherein said identification code represents a service chosen from the set consisting of one-way file transfer, two-way file transfer, registration of a printer, registration of a wireless scanner, and instant messaging. 
   
   
       18 . The user interface of  claim 15 , further comprising a display field suggesting said identification code. 
   
   
       19 . The user interface of  claim 15 , wherein said control identifying a service relationship for said local device associated with said identification code is an icon that launches an application that performs a dedicated function. 
   
   
       20 . The user interface of  claim 15 , wherein said service operates according to a Bluetooth standard.