# US 9,438,543 B2 · Gesture-based content sharing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,438,543 B2 - Document ID: US9438543B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/783,506 - Filed: 2013-03-04 - Published: 2014-09-04 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-04 - Assignees: Google Technology Holdings LLC - Applicants: Google Technology Holdings LLC - Inventors: Alex G. Goncalves; Edward Judalevitch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438543B2 ## CPC - H04L 51/046: Interoperability with other network applications or services - G06F 1/1694: {the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer} - G06F 1/1698: {the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone (details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266)} - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - H04W 4/21: for social networking applications - H04L 67/04: specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A user selects a content item that he wishes to send. He then performs a gesture to specify a direction toward which the content item is to be sent. For example, he pretends to “throw” his portable communications device toward the West. To receive the content item, potential recipients also make gestures that specify receiving directions. For example, a recipient pretends to “catch” a ball thrown from the East. If the sending and receiving directions are compatible, then the content item is sent from the sender's device to the recipient's device. Enhancements to the basic scheme described above can be made to, for example, specify a dispersion angle for the sending or receiving directions or to include other restrictions so that, for example, only intended recipients can receive the content even if other potential recipients are in the specified sending direction and make appropriate receiving gestures. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for accepting a content item on a receiving portable communications device, the method comprising: detecting, by the receiving portable communications device, a receiving gesture, the receiving gesture specifying a sending angular dispersion originating from a sending location, the sending angular dispersion comprising a first direction and a second direction defining a first angle; sending, by the receiving portable communications device to a device distinct from the receiving portable communications device, a request comprising a receiving angular dispersion, the receiving angular dispersion comprising a third direction and a fourth direction defining a second angle; and receiving, by the receiving portable communications device, the content item based on the first and second angle when at least a portion of the sending angular dispersion overlaps at least a portion of the receiving angular dispersion, from opposing directions, when the sending location is within a predetermined distance of the receiving portable communication device, wherein the content is not received by the receiving portable communications device when the receiving and sending angular dispersions do not overlap from the opposing directions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the content item comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a social-networking post, a message, a file, a link to a file, an address, and a directory. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the device distinct from the receiving portable communications device is selected from the group consisting of: a content server and a sending portable communications device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an element selected from the group consisting of: an identifier of a sending portable communications device and an identifier of a user of a sending portable communications device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a restriction element selected from the group consisting of: a time limit, a recipient-identification requirement, an angular dispersion, and a distance. ### Claim 6 A receiving portable communications device configured for accepting a content item, the receiving portable communications device comprising: a communications interface; and a processor operatively connected to the communications interface and configured for: detecting a receiving gesture, the receiving gesture specifying a sending angular dispersion originating at a sending location, the sending angular dispersion comprising a first direction and a second direction defining a first angle; sending, via the communications interface to a device distinct from the receiving portable communications device, a request comprising a receiving angular dispersion, the receiving angular dispersion comprising a third direction and a fourth direction defining a second angle; and receiving, via the communications interface, the content item when at least a portion of the sending angular dispersion overlaps at least a portion of the receiving angular dispersion, from opposing directions, when the sending location is within a predetermined range of the receiving portable communications device, wherein the content is not received by the receiving portable communications device when the receiving and sending angular dispersions do not overlap from the opposing directions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The receiving portable communications device of claim 6 wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of: a personal communications device, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, and a gaming controller. ### Claim 8 A method for accepting a content item on a receiving portable communications device, the method comprising: detecting, by the receiving portable communications device, a receiving gesture, the receiving gesture specifying a first angular dispersion comprising a first direction and a second direction defining a first angle originating from a source location; receiving, by the receiving portable communications device from a device distinct from the receiving portable communications device, the content item and a sending gesture, the sending gesture comprising a second angular dispersion comprising a third direction and a fourth direction defining a second angle; and if the first angular dispersion and the second angular dispersion are compatible, then accepting, by the receiving portable communications device, the content item, wherein the first and second angular dispersions are compatible when at least a portion of the sending angular dispersion overlaps at least a portion of the receiving angular dispersion, from opposing directions, when the source location is within a predetermined distance of the receiving portable communication device, wherein the content is not accepted by the receiving portable communications device when the receiving and sending angular dispersions do not overlap from the opposing directions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the content item comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a social-networking post, a message, a file, a link to a file, an address, and a directory. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the device distinct from the receiving portable communications device is selected from the group consisting of: a content server and a sending portable communications device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising receiving an element selected from the group consisting of: an identifier of a sending portable communications device and an identifier of a user of a sending portable communications device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising: receiving a restriction element selected from the group consisting of: a time limit and a recipient-identification requirement; wherein accepting is only performed if the received restriction element is satisfied. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising: receiving a distance restriction element; and detecting a distance between a sending and the receiving portable communications devices; wherein accepting is only performed if the detected direction satisfies the specified distance restriction element. ### Claim 14 A receiving portable communications device configured for accepting a content item, the receiving portable communications device comprising: a communications interface; and a processor operatively connected to the communications interface and configured for: detecting a receiving gesture, the receiving gesture specifying a first angular dispersion comprising a first direction and a second direction defining a first angle originating from a source location; receiving, via the communications interface from a device distinct from the receiving portable communications device, the content item and a sending gesture, the sending gesture comprising a second angular dispersion comprising a third direction and a fourth direction defining a second angle; and if the first angular dispersion and the second angular dispersion are compatible, then accepting the content item, wherein the first and second angular dispersions are compatible when at least a portion of the sending angular dispersion overlaps at least a portion of the receiving angular dispersion, from opposing directions, when the source location is within a predetermined range of the receiving portable communications device, wherein the content is not accepted when the receiving and sending angular dispersions do not overlap from the opposing directions. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The receiving portable communications device of claim 14 wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of: a personal communications device, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet computer, and a gaming controller.