Identifying and accessing a network device via wireless communication
View Patent ↗One embodiment of the invention is a method that includes a mobile device receiving via a wireless communication channel a request for an identifier corresponding to a network device. The mobile device transmits the identifier. The mobile device receives a network identifier corresponding to the network device. The mobile device utilizes the network identifier to establish communication with the network device via the wireless communication channel.
1. A method comprising:
transmitting a first identifier from a first device to a server in a network, wherein said network is communicatively coupled to a plurality of devices, wherein said plurality comprises a second device, said first identifier comprising a user name for said second device;
after said transmitting, receiving from said server at said first device a unique second identifier for said second device, wherein said second identifier is found based on said user name; and
utilizing said second identifier at said first device to establish wireless communication between said first device and said second device, wherein said wireless communication occurs directly between said first device and said second device and bypasses said server.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
performing a synchronization process between said first device and said second device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said wireless communication channel is selected from the group consisting of: Wi-Fi® communication, Bluetooth® wireless communication, cellular communication, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) communication, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication technology, Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) communication technology, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) communication technology, Evolution Data Only or Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) communication technology, third-generation wireless (3G) communication technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) technology, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) communication technology, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) communication technology.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second identifier is static or dynamic.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second identifier is selected from the group consisting of: a Media Access Control (MAC) address, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving at said first device a text message from said server.
7. A method comprising:
establishing communication between a mobile device and a network via a wireless communication channel;
receiving at said mobile device via said wireless communication channel a listing of a plurality of network devices coupled to said network;
utilizing at said mobile device said listing and a first identifier comprising a user name associated with a particular network device of said plurality to determine if said particular network device is coupled to said network; and
provided said particular network device is coupled to said network, utilizing at said mobile device a unique second identifier for said particular network device to establish direct wireless communication between said mobile device and said particular network device, wherein information stored by said particular network device is accessible by said mobile device and vice versa.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
performing a synchronization process between said mobile device and said particular network device.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein said wireless communication channel is selected from the group consisting of: Wi-Fi® communication technology, Bluetooth® wireless communication technology, cellular communication technology, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) communication technology, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication technology, Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) communication technology, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) communication technology, Evolution Data Only or Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) communication technology, third-generation wireless (3G) communication technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) technology, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) communication technology, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) communication technology.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
provided said particular network device is not coupled to said network, said mobile device outputting a notification that said particular network device is not coupled to said network.
11. A method comprising:
transmitting from a server to a mobile device a request via a wireless communication channel for an identifier, wherein said server is coupled to a network comprising a plurality of network devices;
in response to said request, receiving from said mobile device at said server a first identifier comprising a user name and a password associated with said user name, said first identifier uniquely associated with a network device of said network devices; and
after receiving said first identifier at said server, transmitting from said server to said mobile device a unique second identifier uniquely corresponding to said network device, wherein said second identifier enables said mobile device to establish direct wireless communication with said network device, wherein said wireless communication bypasses said server.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein said second identifier is selected from the group consisting of: a Media Access Control (MAC) address, and an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein said wireless communication channel is selected from the group consisting of: Wi-Fi® communication, Bluetooth® wireless communication, cellular communication, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) communication, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication technology, Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) communication technology, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) communication technology, Evolution Data Only or Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) communication technology, third-generation wireless (3G) communication technology, Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) technology, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) communication technology, and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) communication technology.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein said second identifier is static or dynamic.
15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
transmitting a text message from said server to said mobile device.