IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,693,946
Granted Patent B2
US 11,693,946 · App. 17/103,883 · Granted Jul 4, 2023

Managing permissions for different wireless devices to control a common host device

Inventors: Bob Bradley (San Jose, CA); William M. Bumgarner (San Jose, CA); Vijay Sundaram (San Ramon, CA); Marc J. Krochmal (Santa Clara, CA)
Assignee: Apple Inc.
G06F21/44G06F21/604H04L9/32H04L9/3247H04L63/0876H04L65/61H04W4/00H04W12/02H04W12/03H04W12/065H04W12/068H04W12/069H04W12/082H04W12/084H04W12/50H04W76/14H04L63/083H04L63/10H04L63/105H04W4/06H04W4/80H04W12/55H04W12/71H04W84/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,693,946
App. No.
17/103,883
Granted
Jul 4, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed herein is a technique for managing permissions associated with the control of a host device that are provided to a group of wireless devices. The host device is configured to pair with a first wireless device. In response to pairing with the first wireless device, the host device grants a first level of permissions for controlling the host device to the first wireless device. Subsequently, the host device can receive a second request from a second wireless device to pair with the host device. In response to pairing with the second wireless device, the host device can grant a second level of permissions for controlling the host device to second wireless device, where the second level of permissions is distinct from the first level of permissions.

Claims (46)

1. A method for managing wireless device permissions, the method comprising, at a host device:

pairing with a wireless device in response to receiving, from the wireless device, a first request to perform a pairing process;

receiving, from the wireless device, a second request to perform an initial operation;

providing, to the wireless device, a set of access rights that is based on limits of the initial operation;

performing the initial operation in conjunction with the wireless device;

receiving a third request to perform a second operation, wherein the second operation is distinct to the initial operation;

determining that the second operation requires access rights that are not included in the set of access rights; and

denying the second operation.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to receiving the first request:

entering into a pairing mode.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a screen-casting from the wireless device to the host device, the set of access rights is limited to performing screen-castings.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a remote-control operation between the wireless device and the host device, the set of access rights includes: (1) remote control operation between the wireless device and the host device, and (2) screen-castings from the wireless device to the host device.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a screen recording at the host device under a direction of the wireless device, the set of access rights includes: (1) performing screen recordings at the host device under the direction of the wireless device, (2) remote control operation between the wireless device and the host device, and (3) screen-castings from the wireless device to the host device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the host device is a set-top box, and the wireless device is a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or a smartwatch.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first request to perform the pairing process with the wireless device is received in conjunction with a tap to set up feature.

8. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a host device, cause the host device to manage wireless device permissions, by carrying out steps that include:

pairing with a wireless device in response to receiving, from the wireless device, a first request to perform a pairing process;

receiving, from the wireless device, a second request to perform an initial operation;

providing, to the wireless device, a set of access rights that is based on limits of the initial operation;

performing the initial operation in conjunction with the wireless device;

receiving a third request to perform a second operation, wherein the second operation is distinct to the initial operation;

determining that the second operation requires access rights that are not included in the set of access rights; and

denying the second operation.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the steps further include, prior to receiving the first request:

entering into a pairing mode.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a screen-casting from the wireless device to the host device, the set of access rights is limited to performing screen-castings.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a remote-control operation between the wireless device and the host device, the set of access rights includes: (1) remote control operation between the wireless device and the host device, and (2) screen-castings from the wireless device to the host device.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a screen recording at the host device under a direction of the wireless device, the set of access rights includes: (1) performing screen recordings at the host device under the direction of the wireless device, (2) remote control operation between the wireless device and the host device, and (3) screen-castings from the wireless device to the host device.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the host device is a set-top box, and the wireless device is a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or a smartwatch.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the first request to perform the pairing process with the wireless device is received in conjunction with a tap to set up feature.

15. A host device configured to manage wireless device permissions, the host device comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the host device to perform steps that include:

pairing with a wireless device in response to receiving, from the wireless device, a first request to perform a pairing process;

receiving, from the wireless device, a second request to perform an initial operation;

providing, to the wireless device, a set of access rights that is based on limits of the initial operation;

performing the initial operation in conjunction with the wireless device;

receiving a third request to perform a second operation, wherein the second operation is distinct to the initial operation;

determining that the second operation requires access rights that are not included in the set of access rights; and

denying the second operation.

16. The host device of claim 15 , wherein the steps further include, prior to receiving the first request:

entering into a pairing mode.

17. The host device of claim 15 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a screen-casting from the wireless device to the host device, the set of access rights is limited to performing screen-castings.

18. The host device of claim 15 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a remote-control operation between the wireless device and the host device, the set of access rights includes: (1) remote control operation between the wireless device and the host device, and (2) screen-castings from the wireless device to the host device.

19. The host device of claim 15 , wherein, when the initial operation comprises performing a screen recording at the host device under a direction of the wireless device, the set of access rights includes: (1) performing screen recordings at the host device under the direction of the wireless device, (2) remote control operation between the wireless device and the host device, and (3) screen-castings from the wireless device to the host device.

20. The host device of claim 15 , wherein the host device is a set-top box, and the wireless device is a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or a smartwatch.

Continuity (5)
Division 15805034 · Nov 6, 2017
Provisional Application 62514871 · Jun 4, 2017
Provisional Application 62449582 · Jan 23, 2017
Provisional Application 62446521 · Jan 15, 2017
Related Publication 20210081522A1 · Mar 18, 2021
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