Associating network devices with users
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsShobana M. Balakrishnan, Mudit Goel, Dinan Srilal Gunawardena, Dave Maltz, Michael Schroeder, Fan Yang
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Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods for associating network devices with users are described, which can facilitate establishing a secure user to network device association. In various embodiments, the disclosed subject matter facilitates devices providing indication of location and device identity to a user and recognizing the user is in the proximity of the device. The disclosed subject matter provides efficient and secure device to user association and can facilitate performing customized actions based on the nature of the association.
Claims18
A method facilitating association of a network device with a user, the method comprising:
- initiating device discovery on behalf of the user;
- presenting a set of candidates for selection based in part on at least one of a network topology or physical locations of the set of candidates;
- identifying and locating a device of interest based in part on an indication that is generated by the device of interest;
- interacting with the device of interest to facilitate device recognition that the user is in proximate;
- creating at least one communication channel with the device of interest based in part on the identifying the device of interest and on the device recognition of the user;
- narrowing the set of candidates for selection based in part on one of strength of a signal received from a device of the set of candidates during the device discovery or a response time of the device during the device discovery;
- and
- mediating at least one of the identifying and locating the device of interest or the interacting with the device of interest by a device associated with the user.
A method facilitating associating a network device with a user, the method comprising:
- responding to a device discovery query;
- providing at least one indication to facilitate determining physical locations and device identifications of network devices in response to receiving a device selection notification on behalf of the user;
- recognizing by the network device of the network devices that the user is in proximity based at least in part on a human recognizable signal generated by the network device;
- establishing a communication channel with the user based in part on the recognizing that the user is in proximity;
- performing by the network device a customized action specified for the user based on a physical distance between the user and the network device;
- facilitating the user to narrow a set of candidates of the network devices for selection based in part on one of strength of a signal received from one network device of the network devices during a device discovery or a response time of the network device during the device discovery;
- and
- mediating at least one of the determining the physical locations and device identifications of the network devices or the recognizing that the user is in proximity by a device associated with the user.
A system facilitating associating network devices with a user, the system comprising:
- a device discovery component configured to:
- generate or respond to a device discovery query to facilitate determining a set of candidate devices based on functions that the network device performs and functions that the user specifies, and
- narrowing the set of candidate devices for selection based in part on one of strength of a signal received from a device of the network devices during a device discovery or a response time of the device during the device discovery;
- a device identity component configured to generate or recognize device identify signaling that enables the user to distinguish the device from other devices of the set of candidates;
- a user identity component configured to recognize a user in proximity to a device of interest or to generate a signal to facilitate recognition that the user is in proximity to the device of interest based at least in part on a human recognizable signal generated by the device of interest;
- and
- a communication component configured to:
- establish at least one communication channel between the device of interest and the user, and
- mediating at least one of the determining the set of candidate devices or recognizing the user in proximity by a device associated with the user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.