Method and System for Vicarious Downloading or Uploading of Information

Abstract

Methods and systems for vicarious downloading or uploading of information are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a system involves a mobile device that includes a memory device capable of storing information or content, and at least one wireless communication component. The mobile device further includes a processing device coupled at least indirectly to the memory device and to the at least one wireless communication component, and a power source. The processing device is configured to determine at least one characteristic/condition pertaining in at least some manner to the mobile device. Also, the mobile device is configured to send a command message to another device when the at least one characteristic/condition is determined, the command message being configured cause the other device to perform vicariously a downloading or uploading of the information or content on behalf of the mobile device.

1 . A method for downloading content, the method performed by a wearable device and comprising:
 receiving, by the wearable device, an operator command that requires downloading content, the content stored on a web server associated with a content provider;   establishing, by the wearable device, a first wireless communication link with a smart phone;   transmitting, by the wearable device and to the smart phone through the first wireless communication link, a message to the smart phone that:
 identifies the content; and 
 causes the smart phone to receive the content, the content downloaded to the smart phone through a second wireless communication link. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein establishing the first wireless communication link with the smart phone is in response to a selection of the smart phone from among a listing of several possible devices, the selection entered by an operator of the wearable device at the wearable device. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first wireless communication link conforms to a Bluetooth protocol and the second wireless communication link conforms to another protocol. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the second wireless communication link is a wireless communication link to a cellular tower that provides access to the web server through the internet. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the wearable device and from the smart phone through the first wireless communication link, a message confirming that the content has been successfully downloaded to the smart phone.   
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 sending, by the wearable device to the smart phone through the first wireless communication link, a request for the smart phone to provide the content to the wearable device; and   receiving, by the wearable device and from the smart phone through the first wireless communication link, the content.   
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the content provider website is a music services website and the content is music. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the content is video. 
     
     
         9 . A method for downloading content, the method performed by a smart phone and comprising:
 establishing, by the smart phone, a first wireless communication link with a wearable device;   receiving, by the smart phone and from the wearable device through the first wireless communication link, a message that identifies content, the content stored on a web server associated with a content provider; and   receiving, by the smart phone, the content, the content downloaded to the smart phone through a second wireless communication link.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the first wireless communication link conforms to a Bluetooth protocol and the second wireless communication link conforms to another protocol. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the second wireless communication link is a wireless communication link to a cellular tower that provides access to the web server through the internet. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 sending, by the smart phone and to the wearable device through the first wireless communication link, a message confirming that the content has been successfully downloaded to the smart phone.   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the smart phone and from the wearable device through the first wireless communication link, a request for the smart phone to provide the content to the wearable device; and   providing, by the smart phone and to the wearable device through the first wireless communication link, the content.   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the content provider website is a music services website and the content is music. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the content is video. 
     
     
         16 . A wearable device comprising:
 a touchscreen display;   a transceiver;   a processor device; and   a memory, the memory comprising an application that, upon execution by the processor, causes the wearable device to:
 receive, via the touchscreen display, a selection of a smart phone from among a listing of several possible devices; 
 establish, via the transceiver, a first wireless connection with the smart phone; 
 receive, via the touchscreen display, a command that requires downloading content, the content stored on a web server associated with a content provider website; and 
 transmit, via the transceiver and via the first wireless connection, a message to the smart phone that:
 identifies the content; and 
 causes the smart phone to receive the content, the content downloaded to the smart phone through a second wireless communication link. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The wearable device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the touchscreen display includes a user interface that comprises one or more visual output devices and one or more mechanical input devices, the one or more mechanical input devices being touch inputs that are sensed by the touchscreen display. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the transceiver uses a wireless-communication technology that is other than a cellular wireless-communication technology. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the first wireless connection with the smartphone is a dedicated and secure wireless connection. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable device as recited in  claim 16 , further comprising an accelerometer and a gyroscope to monitor an activity of a user of the wearable device, the monitored activity used by the processor of the wearable device to determine a condition that triggers the smartphone to upload or download other content.