BACKGROUND

[0001] A computer (e.g., a desktop computer or a laptop computer) is still the main computing resource of users. The computer may have the processing capability to run various different applications and programs. The computer has sufficient processing capabilities and memory to execute high productivity applications and programs.

[0002] Smart phones and other similar mobile devices have improved in processing capability in recent years. Mobile devices have been programmed to become an extension of the computer. For example, when a user's smart phone rings, the user may be able to answer his or her phone on the computer. In another example, a user may begin working on a document on his or her computer and then use his or her mobile device to continue working on the document on the go. Thus, smart phones and the computer are becoming an integrated environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system for starting an application based on a target distance of the present disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example mobile endpoint device that automatically starts an application based on a target distance of the present disclosure;

[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example method for starting an application based on a target distance; and [0006] FIG. 4 is an example non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executed by a processor for starting an application based on a target distance of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] The present disclosure relates to an approach of starting an application on a mobile device based on a target distance of the mobile device from a computer and an apparatus for performing the same. As discussed above, smart phones and the computer are becoming an integrated

environment. Many times it may be desirable for a user to use his or her smart phone to execute a companion application with an application running on the user's desktop computer.

[0008] Currently, a user may manually select and activate the application on his or her mobile endpoint device to work with an application on the user's main computer. This process can be tedious and cumbersome, especially if the user is switching between many different applications on the main computer.

[0009] The present disclosure provides an approach that automatically launches a companion application when the mobile device is within a target distance to a main computer. The target distance may be set, or defined, by the user based on a signal strength rather than a set physical distance. The mobile device may be able to detect which application is running when the target distance is reached and automatically launch the companion application.

[0010] In addition, the mobile device may automatically detect when the user switches between applications on the main computer. In response, the mobile device may automatically launch the corresponding companion application. In other words, the mobile device may automatically launch the appropriate companion application based on the current application selected in a foreground window of the main computer.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for starting an application based on a target distance of the present disclosure. In one implementation, the system 100 may include a mobile endpoint device 102 and a main computer 1 10. The mobile endpoint device 102 may be a tablet device, a laptop computer, a smart phone, or the like that is modified to perform the functions described herein. The main computer 1 10 may be a desktop computer, another laptop computer, or the like.

[0012] In one example, the main computer 1 10 may have a display 1 12 and execute an application 1 14 that may be stored in memory. Although a single application 1 14 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , it should be noted that the main computer 1 10 may have a plurality of applications 1 14 that can be stored in memory and executed by the main computer 1 10. The main computer 1 10 may have wireless communication capability. In one example, the wireless

communication capability may include a short wave radio transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth® radio).

[0013] In one example, the mobile endpoint device 102 may include a companion application 104 and a target distance 106 stored in memory. The mobile endpoint device 102 may also include a display 108. The display 108 may provide a user interface (e.g., via a touch screen display). In another example, the user interface may be a physical keyboard or touch pad (not shown) on the mobile endpoint device 102.

[0014] In one example, the companion application 104 may be an application that is stored on the mobile endpoint device 102. The application may be selected by a user to be the companion application 104 via the user interface that is displayed on the display 108. Although a single companion application 104 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , it should be noted that a plurality of different companion applications may be selected by a user and stored in memory of the mobile endpoint device 102.

[0015] In one example, the companion application 104 may be a mobile application that is not related to the application 1 14. For example, the application 1 14 may be photo editing application that is shown on the display 1 12 and the companion application 104 may be selected to be a photo album of the mobile endpoint device 102. In another example, the application 1 14 may be an Internet browser shown on the display 1 12 and the companion application 104 may be a third party map application on the mobile endpoint device 102.

[0016] In another example, the companion application 104 may be associated with the application 1 14. For example, the application 1 14 may be a video game shown on the display 1 12 and the companion application 104 may be a heads up display or mini map on the mobile endpoint device 102. In another example, the application 1 14 may be a video editing software shown on the display 1 12 and the companion application 104 may be additional user interface buttons and menus on the mobile endpoint device 102.

[0017] In one example, the mobile endpoint device 102 may also have wireless communication capability. For example, the wireless communication capability may include a short wave radio transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth® radio). In one example, the mobile endpoint device 102 may communicate with the main computer 1 10 via wireless communication signals 1 16 using the wireless communication capability.

[0018] In one example, the mobile endpoint device 102 may be configured to automatically launch the companion application 104 when the mobile endpoint device 102 is within the target distance 106 of the main computer 1 10. In one example, the target distance 106 may be defined by a signal strength of the wireless signals 1 16. Said another way, the signal strength measured in dB- microvolts per meter decibel-milliwatts (dBm), or RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator - manufacturer dependent) may set the target distance 106.

[0019] In one implementation, the target distance 106 may be defined by a user. For example, the display 108 may provide a user interface to allow a user to perform an initialization process to set the target distance 106 based on the signal strength of the wireless signal 1 16. In one example, the user may place the mobile endpoint device 102 at a distance 1 18 from the main computer 1 10. The signal strength of the wireless signals 1 16 at the distance 1 18 may be measured and used to set the target distance 106. In one example, a signal strength threshold may be set based on the signal strength of the wireless signals 1 16 at the target distance 106 that is set. Thus, target distance 106 may be met when the signal strength of the wireless signals 1 16 is greater than or equal to the signal strength threshold of the wireless signals 1 16 set during the initialization process, even though the distance 1 18 may change. [0020] In one example, when the mobile endpoint device 102 is within the target distance 106 of the main computer 1 10, the mobile endpoint device 102 may receive information regarding the application 1 14 that is being executed on the main computer 1 10. For example, the information may be exchanged automatically via the wireless signals 1 16. The mobile endpoint device 102 may determine any companion applications are stored on the mobile endpoint device 102 that are associated with the application 1 14. If the companion application 104 associated with the application 1 14 is identified, the mobile endpoint device 102 may automatically launch or execute the companion application 104.

[0021] In one implementation, the user may change the application 1 14 that is being executed by the main computer 1 10 and displayed on the display 1 12. In response, the mobile endpoint device 102 may automatically detect the changed application 1 14 and launch or execute the companion application 104 associated with the changed application 1 14.

[0022] For example, when the application 1 14 is changed, a signal may be transmitted to the mobile endpoint device 102 via the wireless signals 1 16. The mobile endpoint device 102 may check the stored companion applications 104 to determine if another companion application 104 is associated with the currently selected application 1 14 being executed on the main computer 1 10. If a companion application 104 is identified, the companion application 104 may be automatically launched.

[0023] To illustrate, the first application 1 14 may be a photo editing software. The mobile endpoint device 102 may be moved within the target distance 106 of the main computer 1 10. As a result, the mobile endpoint device 102 may automatically launch a photo album that is selected as the companion application 104 of the first application 1 14. The user may select photos in the photo album of the mobile endpoint device 102 that are then automatically transmitted to the main computer 1 10 and displayed in the display 1 12 for the photo editing software.

[0024] At a later time, the user may decide to play a video game. As a result, the user may change to a second application 1 14 that is a video game. The mobile endpoint device 102 may receive a signal from the main computer 1 10 indicating that the application 1 14 has been changed from the photo editing software to the video game. In response, the mobile endpoint device 102 may automatically launch or execute a mini map application that is selected to be the companion application 104 of the second application 1 14. Thus, the display 1 12 may show the video game while the display 108 may show a mini map associated with the video game.

[0025] In one example, the user may be provided options to turn on or off the companion application 104. For example, there may be instances where the user does not wish to have the mobile endpoint device 102 automatically launch the companion application 104.

[0026] In another example, if the signal strength of the wireless signals 1 16 changes to be below the signal strength set during the initialization process, the display 108 may provide a notification to the user to move the mobile endpoint device 102. For example, interference may occur and the user may be instructed to move the mobile endpoint device 102 closer to the main computer 1 10 to be within the target distance 106. In another example, the notification may simply state that the main computer 1 10 is not detected within the target distance 106 and that the companion application 104 is being automatically closed.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates another block diagram of the mobile endpoint device 102. In one example, the mobile endpoint device 102 may include a processor 202, a communication device 204 and a computer readable storage medium 206. In one example, the processor 202 may be communicatively coupled to the communication device 204 and the computer readable storage medium 206.

[0028] In one implementation, the communication device 204 may be a wireless communication device that can establish a wireless two-way

communication path with a wireless communication device of the main computer 1 10. In one example, the communication device 204 may be a Bluetooth® radio.

[0029] In one implementation, the computer readable storage medium 206 may store the companion application 104 and the target distance 106. The computer readable storage medium 206 may also store instructions associated with the user interface for providing the initialization process to set the target distance, the signal strength threshold based on a signal strength at the target distance, the user interface to select the mobile applications that will be companion applications 104, and the like.

[0030] In one example, the processor 202 may perform instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium 206. For example, the processor 202 may calculate the signal strength of the wireless signals 1 16 when set at the distance 1 18 during the initialization process. The processor 202 may receive and transmit signals via the communication device 204 to and from the main computer 1 10 to execute the companion application 104, detect when the application 1 14 is changed on the main computer 1 10, and the like.

[0031] In one example, the processor 202 may also be communicatively coupled to the display 108. For example, the processor 202 may control what images of the companion application 104 are shown on the display 108.

[0032] Thus, the mobile endpoint device 102 may be modified to

automatically start the companion application 104 when the mobile endpoint device 102 is within the target distance 106 of the main computer 1 10. The companion application 104 that is launched may be based on an association with the application 1 14 that is being executed on the main computer 1 10. As a result, the user can seamlessly use the mobile endpoint device 102 as an extension of the main computer 1 10 to increase efficiency, productivity or the overall user experience for certain applications.

[0033] It should be noted that FIGs. 1 and 2 are simplified for ease of explanation. For example, the system 100, the main computer 1 10 and the mobile endpoint device 102 may include additional components that are not shown. For example, the main computer 1 10 may also include a processor, a computer readable medium, a communication device, a video card, and the like. The mobile endpoint device 102 may include audio outputs, other input/output interfaces, hardware buses, communication ports, and the like.

[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 300 for starting an application based on a target distance. In one example, the method 300 may be performed by the mobile endpoint device 102 or an apparatus 400 described below and illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0035] At block 302, the method 300 begins. At block 304, the method 300 detects that a distance between a mobile endpoint device and a main computer is less than a target distance, wherein the distance is based on a signal strength of a wireless communication signal between the mobile endpoint device and the main computer. The target distance may be set by a user during an initialization process. For example, the user may place the mobile endpoint device at a particular distance from the main computer during the initialization process and press an input via a user interface of the mobile endpoint device to confirm the distance. The mobile endpoint device may determine the signal strength of the wireless communication signal at the set distance. The signal strength at the set distance may be stored as the target distance.

[0036] At block 306, the method 300 detects an application that is being executed on the main computer. For example, information may be exchanged via the wireless communication signals. The information may include a current application that is being executed on the main computer.

[0037] In one implementation, the information may allow the mobile endpoint device to identify the application being executed in a foreground window of the main computer. For example, the main computer may execute multiple different applications simultaneously. Thus, the mobile endpoint device may use the information associated with the application in a selected foreground window of the main computer.

[0038] At block 308, the method 300 starts a companion application on the mobile endpoint device that is associated with the application. In one example, the companion application may be a mobile application on the mobile endpoint device that is selected to be the companion application for the application that is being executed on the main computer. For example, the user may select different mobile applications on the mobile endpoint device to be the companion application for different applications that are on the main computer.

[0039] In one implementation, the mobile application that is selected to be the companion application may be unrelated to the application on the main computer. For example, the mobile application may be a camera roll of photos related to an operating system of the mobile endpoint device and the application on the main computer may be a third party photo editing software.

[0040] In one implementation, the mobile application that is selected to be the companion application may be related to, or associated with, the application on the main computer. For example, the application on the main computer may be a video game and the mobile application may be a mini-map or a heads-up display associated with the video game.

[0041] The mobile endpoint device may use the information associated with the application in the foreground window of the main computer to determine the companion application that is associated with the application. For example, the mobile endpoint device may check the user selected companion applications stored in memory to determine if any of the companion applications are associated with the application on the main computer. If a match is found, the mobile endpoint device may automatically launch or execute the companion application.

[0042] In one implementation, the user may decide to change the application that is being executed on the main computer. For example, the different application in a different window of the main computer may be selected, a new application may be executed, and the like. When the different application is selected, the blocks 306 and 308 may be repeated in response to detecting the different application being selected on the main computer.

[0043] For example, the mobile endpoint device may detect a change in the selected foreground window in the main computer. In some implementations, when a new application in a different window is selected as the foreground window, the main computer may send information automatically to the mobile endpoint device via the wireless signals in response to the change. The mobile endpoint device may identify the second application, or different application, that is being executed by the main computer based on the information that is received. The mobile endpoint device may then start the second, or different, companion application that is associated with the second application

automatically in response to the change in the selected foreground window on the main computer. At block 310, the method 300 ends. [0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an apparatus 400. In one example, the apparatus 400 may be the mobile endpoint device 102. In one example, the apparatus 400 may include a processor 402 and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium 404. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium 404 may include instructions 406, 408, 410 and 412 that when executed by the processor 402, cause the processor 402 to perform various functions.

[0045] In one example, the instructions 406 may include instructions to monitor a distance between the mobile endpoint device and a main computer, wherein the distance is based on a wireless communication signal between the mobile endpoint device and the main computer. The instructions 408 may include instructions to detect that the distance between the mobile endpoint device and the main computer is less than a target distance. The instructions 410 may include instructions to receive a communication from the main computer indicating an application that is being executed on the main computer. The instructions 412 may include instructions to start a companion application on the mobile endpoint device that is associated with the application.

[0046] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.