Determining the context of surroundings

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(12) United States Patent

Fano et al.

(io) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent:

US 7,463,894 B2 *Dec. 9, 2008

(54) DETERMINING THE CONTEXT OF SURROUNDINGS

(75) Inventors: Andrew E. Fano, Lincolnshire, IL (US);

Scott W. Kurth, Wheeling, IL (US)

(73) Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH,

Schaffhausen (CH)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

(21) Appl.No.: 11/381,181

(22) Filed: May 2, 2006

(65) Prior Publication Data

US 2006/0193288 Al Aug. 31,2006

Related U.S. Application Data

(62) Division of application No. 10/027,188, filed on Dec. 20, 2001, now Pat. No. 7,133,663.

(51) Int. CI.

H04Q 7/20 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 455/456.1; 455/456.5; 455/456.6;

455/414.1; 455/414.2

(58) Field of Classification Search 455/41.2,

455/410, 414.1, 414.2, 456.1, 456.6, 456.5;

342/457, 463, 386 See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

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6,493,550 Bl 12/2002 Raith

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6,748,195 Bl 6/2004 Phillips

6,759,960 B2 7/2004 Stewart

6,915,135 Bl* 7/2005 McKee et al 455/456.6

7,133,663 B2 11/2006 Fano et al.

2001/0052858 Al * 12/2001 Vincent etal 340/825.69

2002/0085511 Al * 7/2002 Koponen et al 370/315

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WO WO 0142894 6/2001

WO WO 0144831 6/2001

WO WO 0186515 11/2001

WO WO 0186881 11/2001

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Fano, A., "Shopper's Eye: Using Location-based Filtering for a Shopping Agent..." Intl. Conf. of Auto. Agents: Proc. of 2nd Intl. Conf. 1998, pp. 416-421, Minn. MN.

Schmidt, A., "Advanced Interaction in Context", Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 1999, pp. 89-101, vol. 1707, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg.

Brody, A. "Pocket Bargain Finder: A Handheld Device for Augmented Commerce," Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 1999, pp. 44-51, 1999, vol. 1707, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg. McCarthy, F., "ActiveMap: A Visualization Tool for Location Awareness to Support Informal Interactions", Lecture Notes in Comp. Science, 1999, pp. 158-170, Vo. 1707, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg. Beigl, M., "Point & Click—Interaction in Smart Environments," Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 1999, pp. 311-313, vol. 1707, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg.

Fano, A., "What are a Location's "File" and "Edit" Menus." Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, Feb. 2001, pp. 12-15, vol. 5, No. 1, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg.

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Haartsen, Jaap; Bluetooth—The universal radio interface for ad hoc, wireless connectivity; Ericsson Review; 1998; pp. 110-117; No. 3; Stockholm, SE.

* cited by examiner