GB2538705A

GB2538705A - Apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: GB2538705A
Application number: GB1508526.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bosher Robert
Original assignee: Smart Labs Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Smart Labs Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-18
Filing date: 2015-05-18
Publication date: 2016-11-30
Also published as: GB201508526D0

Abstract

Apparatus comprising a user input portion 102 comprising a touch sensitive user input device 108, a receiver 112 arranged to receive a signal and a sensor to detect the presence of a client device which maybe a smart phone or wearable device. The client device 104 stores data related to user settings 118 corresponding to a user which maybe environmental such as temperature and lighting or maybe software settings such as authorisation and configuration settings for messaging applications. In response to the detection of the client device 104 the user input portion 102 is arranged to establish a data connection with the client device for the transmission of a signal comprising data related to the user settings 118 to the receiver 112 and in response to receiving the signal the user input portion is arranged to configure the user input device according to the user settings. The user input portion may transmit a request to a server 106 for content related to the user.

Description

APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus or a system.

BACKGROUND

In the domestic or commercial environment, workstations and meeting areas can often be found where users can gather and either work individually or collaborate with others to generate ideas which may lead to the generation and consumption of content. However, workstations are becoming increasingly dynamic and require a new approach to ensure they meet with the demands of the domestic or commercial environment.

Moving between workstations is very often referred to as "hot desking" and it is an increasing phenomena and one which the workstation will need to evolve to accommodate.

Aspects and embodiments were conceived with the foregoing in mind.

SUMMARY

Aspects are intended for, but not limited to, use in the domestic or commercial office environment were users are constantly on the move and increasingly reliant on access to content. Content may be in the form of documents. video, music, presentation files or any data that has been generated by a user or another user or a third party.

Viewed from a first aspect there is provided apparatus comprising: at least one user input portion comprising a touch-sensitive user input device, a receiver arranged to receive a signal and a sensor arranged to detect the presence of a client device; at least one client device operative to store data related to user settings corresponding to a user; wherein, responsive to the detection of the client device by the sensor, the user input portion is arranged to establish a data connection with the client device for the transmission of a signal comprising data related to user settings to the receiver and, responsive to receiving the signal, the user input portion is arranged to configure the user input device according to the user settings.

Viewed from a second aspect there is provided system comprising: at least one user input portion comprising a touch-sensitive user input device, a receiver arranged to receive a signal and a sensor arranged to detect the presence of a client device; at least one client device operative to store data related to user settings corresponding to a user; wherein, responsive to the detection of the client device by the sensor, the user input portion is arranged to establish a data connection with the client device for the transmission of a signal comprising data related to user settings to the receiver and, responsive to receiving the signal, the user input portion is arranged to configure the user input device according to the user settings.

Apparatus in accordance with the first aspect or a system in accordance with the second aspect enables users to configure a user input portion, which may be in the form of a desk with the touch-sensitive user input device formed thereon or therein and a chair, according to their settings simply by carrying a client device which forms a data connection with the user input portion for the transmission of a file which contains data related to their settings.

That is to say, a user input portion can be configured without a user providing any input as it is simply the detection of the presence of the client device which causes the user input portion to be configured.

This enables hot desking to be provided to a user without requiring the user to spend considerable time on configuring a workstation to their requirements.

The sensor may be a Bluetooth sensor which detects the presence of a Bluetooth signal emitted by the client device. This is particularly advantageous as Bluetooth works only at distances of up to 10 metres which means the client device will only be able to establish the data connection for the transmission of the signal when they are very close to the user input portion.

The sensor may also be a radio-frequency identification (RFID) or near-field communication (NFC) sensor.

The data connection may be established according to the Bluetooth protocol or using RFID or using NEC.

The client device in accordance with the first or second aspects may comprise a mobile computing device or may form part of a mobile computing device. The client device may comprise or form part of a laptop computer, a tablet, a phablet, mobile telephone or a wearable device or a combination of any of the above.

The user input portion in accordance with the first or second aspects may be further arranged, responsive to receiving the signal, to: transmit a request to a server for content related to the user; and the server is configured to, responsive to receiving the request, transmit the requested content to the user input portion.

This provides the effect that when the client device establishes the data connection, content is automatically received from a server without the user providing any further input.

In accordance with the first or second aspects the data related to user settings may comprise environmental settings such as, for example, lighting preferences, air conditioning settings and heating settings; and the user input portion, responsive to receiving the signal, may be operative to transmit a request to a server to adjust the settings of the surrounding environment according to the environmental settings.

This provides the effect that when the client device establishes the data connection, the surrounding environment may also be adjusted to accommodate the preferences the user has stored in the configuration file. Such adjustments may include dimming the lights or opening the curtains.

In accordance with the first or second aspects the data related to user settings may comprise local settings; and the user input portion comprises a processor which, responsive to receiving the signal, provides instructions to a control system which adjusts the local settings accordingly.

The local settings may comprise, for example, the colour of the user input portion, the lighting surrounding the user input device and the height of the user input portion.

The data related to user settings in accordance with the first or second aspects may comprises software settings; and the user input portion, responsive to receiving the signal, may be operative to configure corresponding software according to the software settings.

This provides the effect that software applications that the user will be running will be configured according to the user settings contained in the configuration file. The software settings may relate to messaging applications such as electronic mail and may comprise authentication information for such messaging applications.

This provides the effect that the user may automatically access their email which will mean that a hosting organisation, say, can contact an employee, say, wherever they are located inside an organisation.

The at least one user input portion of apparatus in accordance with the first aspect or a system in accordance with the second aspect may comprises a plurality of user input portions each comprising a touch-sensitive user input device, a receiver arranged to receive a signal and a sensor arranged to detect the presence of a client device; the at least one client device comprises a plurality of client devices each operative to store data related to user settings corresponding to a respective user; wherein, responsive to the detection of a client device by a sensor, the respective user input portion is arranged to establish a data connection with the client device for the transmission of a signal comprising data related to user settings to the receiver and, responsive to receiving the signal, the user input portion is arranged to configure the user input device according to the user settings.

Each of the user input portions in accordance with the first or second aspects may, responsive to receiving the signal, be further arranged to: transmit a request to a server for content related to the respective user; and the server is configured to, responsive to receiving the request, transmit the requested content to the respective user input portion.

A server in accordance with the first or second aspects may be, responsive to receiving a request from more than one user input portion for an item of content, configured to generate a copy of the content for each of the user input portions that are requesting access to the content.

A first of the plurality of user input devices may be configured to receive an input from a user to identify an item of content on the first user input device and a user at a second of the plurality of user input devices, and, responsive to an input to transmit the identified item of content to the second user input device, issue a request to the server to transmit the identified item of content to the second of the plurality of user input devices, and the server is configured, responsive to receiving the request, to transmit the identified content to the second user input device.

The user input portion may comprise a seat which may be configured to receive the signal as the sensor may be formed as part of the seat.

The seat may be configured to receive the signal responsive to a sensor indicating the presence of a user on the seat.

Responsive to a break in the data connection, the user input portion in accordance with the first or second aspects may be configured to: close any open software applications, upload any accessed content to the server.

This provides the effect that when the user moves away from the user input portion, the content is automatically uploaded to the server Viewed from a third aspect, there is provided apparatus comprising: a client device arranged to store data related to user settings corresponding to a user, the client device comprising a touch-sensitive user input device and a receiver arranged to receive a signal; a sensor operative to detect the presence of the client device, wherein responsive to the detection of the client device, a server is operative to issue a request to the client device for the data related to user settings and, responsive to receiving the request, the client device further comprises a transmitter arranged to transmit the data related to user settings to the server and the server is further operative to, responsive to receiving the data, retrieve content corresponding to the user and transmit the retrieved content to the client device.

Viewed from a fourth aspect, there is provided a_system comprising: a client device arranged to store data related to user settings corresponding to a user, the client device comprising a touch-sensitive user input device and a receiver arranged to receive a signal; a sensor operative to detect the presence of the client device, wherein responsive to the detection of the client device, a server is operative to issue a request to the client device for the data related to user settings and, responsive to receiving the request, the client device further comprises a transmitter arranged to transmit the data related to user settings to the server and the server is further operative to, responsive to receiving the data, retrieve content corresponding to the user and transmit the retrieved content to the client device.

An apparatus or system in accordance with the third or fourth aspects provides a client device which can retrieve content corresponding to a user when a sensor detects the presence of the client device. This means that a user can access content as they move around using a client device which may, for example, be a mobile computing device such as a mobile telephone or an item of wearable technology such as a watch.

The client device may be operatively coupled to a wearable item arranged to change colour responsive, for example, to a signal from the client device.

The effect of this is that the wearable item will change colour when responsive to the client device 104 being detected by the sensor. This means that an individual may be highlighted by the system or apparatus if they are important to the organisation, for example, or new to the organisation.

The client device may be operatively coupled to a wearable item arranged to alter the body temperature of the wearer.

DESCRIPTION

A first and second embodiment in accordance with the first and second aspects will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following figures in which: Figure la illustrates a schematic overview of a system in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure lb illustrates a server forming part of a system in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a data flow diagram illustrating the authentication of a user on the system in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 3 illustrates the structure of a database in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 4 schematically illustrates a data flow diagram illustrating how a user accesses their content on the system in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 5 illustrates an office environment where a system in accordance with the first embodiment may be implemented; Figure 6 illustrates a data flow diagram illustrating how a first user may share content with a second user in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 7 illustrates an example of a multi-user environment in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 8 illustrates a data flow diagram illustrating how content is stored responsive to a user moving away from a workstation in accordance with the first embodiment; Figure 9 schematically illustrates a system in accordance with the second embodiment; Figure 10 schematically illustrates the flow of data in accordance with the second embodiment It will be understood that features from the first and second embodiments can be

combined without departing from the disclosure.

We now describe a schematic overview of a system 100 in accordance with the first embodiment with reference to Figure la and Figure lb. System comprises a user input portion 102, a client device 104 and a server cluster 106.

User input portion 102 comprises a touch sensitive user input device 108. Device 108 is configured to interpret single touch, multi-touch, or gesture based input either from a finger or a stylus that is input using display 114. User input portion 102 further comprises a processor 110 arranged to issue and receive instructions to and from a transceiver 112 and to issue and receive instructions to and from a display 114. Processor 110 may provide instructions to display 114 to display content that is transmitted to the user input portion 102. The instructions may be in accordance with application software. Application software comprises a set of machine readable instructions which directs the processor to perform specific operations in accordance with the application and the specific operations of the application.

The application software provides instructions to the processor to interpret input that is registered on the touch-sensitive user input device in accordance with the application. The input may comprise inputs that edit an item of content that is displayed on the display 114, may comprise inputs that instruct the user input portion 102 to save the changes that are made to the content displayed on the display 114, may comprise inputs that change the positioning of the content on the display 114.

Application software may be related to two-dimensional animation, three-dimensional animation, computer graphics, mathematical modelling, numerical analysis, preparation of presentations, document preparation and editing, database preparation and spreadsheet preparation and media manipulation and management such as video-editing software and music editing software.

The touch sensitive user input device 108 may be formed over the display 114 as a single device.

User input portion 102 is arranged to receive requests via input interface 116 from client device 104 and server 106 and to respond to requests via input interface 116. User input portion 102 is further arranged to issue requests to client device 104 and server 106 via input interface 116.

Client device 104 is arranged to wirelessly pair with user input portion 102 using a wireless data transmission protocol such as the Bluetooth wireless technology standard which enables the exchange of data over short distances. The use of a protocol which enables the exchange of data over short distances is particularly advantageous as means that users carrying the client device 104 will only wireless pair with a user input portion when they are almost at the user input portion which provides increased security.

Client device 104 is configured to store a configuration file 118 related to user settings. Configuration file 118 stores settings for software which may, for example, be related to image manipulation and processing, document manipulation and processing, video manipulation and processing, settings for internet browsers, and for messaging applications such as email and instant messaging. Configuration file 118 may also comprise data related to settings for the environment that the user prefers to work within and may comprise ambient light settings, settings for air conditioning and settings for the physical configuration of the environment such as curtain and door preferences. Configuration file 118 may also comprise data related to local settings for the space in which the user is working such as the preferred colour for the desk, address details for content that they wish to see immediately when they start work such as family photographs or even preferred musical playlists.

Client device 104 is also configured to wirelessly communicate with server cluster 106 to register a user on the system 100. This will be described later. Client device 104 is also configured to issue requests to the server cluster 106 for data and content. The wireless communication between client device 104 may be implemented according to any suitable wireless transmission protocol. The wireless communication between client device 104 and server cluster 106 can be performed in accordance with any suitable protocol and over any suitable data transmission medium.

Client device 104 may further comprises a display 132 and a processor 134 which processes signals received by the client device 104 and provides instructions to transceiver 144 to transmit or receive signals.

Client device 104 may further comprise an application 150 which provides instructions to processor 134 to instruct display 132 to display content received by the client device 104 and any data received by the client device 104. It will therefore be understood that when the client device 104 receives content or data, it can be arranged to display that content or data.

Figure lb illustrates a schematic overview of server cluster 106. Server cluster 106 comprises a cluster interface 120 which is operative to receive requests from user input portion 102 and operative to transmit those requests to a client server 122.

The requests from user input portion 102 to cluster interface 120 may be transmitted using any suitable data transmission protocol.

Client server 122 is operative to transmit requests for content to content server 124 and for data to data server 126 and to transmit the requested content and data to the user input portion 102 when it has been retrieved by content server 124 and/or data server 126. Client server 122 is also operative to respond to requests to transmit data from a first user input portion 102 to at least a second user input portion which will be described later.

Client server 122 also contains therein a document library 136 which contains web documents, which may be written in HTML or another suitable mark-up language, that can be called by the client server 122.

The second user input portion may be in a location geographically distinct from the first user input portion 102.

Content server 124 is arranged to issue requests to content storage 128 to retrieve content contained therein, to modify content contained therein and to generate copies of content contained therein and to transmit content to client server 122 or transmit the content to the data server 126. Responsive to receiving content from content storage 128, client server 122 is operative to, via cluster interface 120, transmit the requested content to user interface portion 102 via input interface 116. Content server 124 also contains therein a library 142 of routines that enable operations to be performed on the content.

Data server 126 is arranged to retrieve data from data storage 130 for data responsive to receiving a request from the client server 122. Data server 126 is operative to transmit the requested data to the client server 122 responsive to its retrieval from data storage 130.

Data server 126 is arranged to transmit requests to content server 124 and to receive data from content server 124.

Data server 126 contains therein an API library 138 containing APIs for content providers and other providers of information that may be used within system 100.

Data server 126 is also configured to transmit requests to content providers using requests formed using the APIs contained in API library 138. Examples of suitable content providers are Google Drive, Dropbox and Apple iTunes.

Data server 126 also contains a library of routines 140 that enable the data server 126 to interact with data storage 130 to access, modify and delete the data that is stored in data storage.

Server cluster 106 may be located geographically close to user input portion 102 or it may be geographically further away from the user input portion 102. Server cluster 106 may also be located "in the cloud" to enable users to have immediate access to their content via a web service interface in any location.

Data storage 130 and content storage 128 may comprise any suitable data storage media such as semiconductor storage, magnetic storage or optical storage. Data storage 130 and content storage 128 may be geographically distant from the respective content server 124 and data server 126 or geographically local from the respective content server 124 and data server 126.

We will now describe, with reference to Figures 2a and 2b, the authentication of a user on system 100.

A user, carrying client device 104, provides an input to client device 104 to initiate authentication on system 100 in a step S200. Responsive to receiving that input, client device 104 issues a request to server cluster 106 to generate a client profile on the server cluster in a step 3202. Server cluster 106 receives that request via cluster interface 120 at client server 122. Responsive to receiving the request, client server 122 issues a request to data server 126 to generate a new client profile in a step S204. Responsive to receiving the request, data server 126 issues a request to client server 122 for client details in a step 3206. Responsive to receiving the request in step 3206, client server 122 calls a web document from web document library 136 which comprises fields to enable the user to enter information that they wish to be stored on data server 128 and authentication details for content providers that the user uses to store any content they have generated in a step 3208, and then transmits the web document to client device 104 in a step S210 via cluster interface 122.

Responsive to receiving document transmitted from client server 122 in step S210, processor 134 instructs display 132 to display the document and to prompt the user for input in a step 3212. The user then enters the information and authentication details for the content they wish to be able to access using system 100 in a step 3214.

The fields in the document relate to general personal information such as the user's name and identification numbers but also comprises fields into which the user can upload configuration files for software applications that they wish to be able to use in the system 100. These configuration files store the settings that the user prefers for those software applications.

Such settings may comprise settings for the user interface provided by that application but also any default settings that they have configured to enable them to use that software application more efficiently.

In an example, if a user is uploading a configuration file for a document editing application, the settings may specify the font the user prefers to use and the size of that font but also the format in which the user prefers to save documents.

The fields in the document may also relate to authentication details for content providers. This will enable, as described later, the server cluster 106 to access those providers to obtain the content for the user from the provider when they need it.

In an example, if a user had documents stored on an online document storage system, providing the authentication details for that online document storage system will enable the server cluster 106 to obtain those documents for the user when they need them The fields in the document may also relate to authentication details for messaging applications which enable instant messaging and electronic mail. This will enable access to email applications without the need to re-enter those details repeatedly when moving between user input portions.

The fields in the document may also relate to environmental preferences such as lighting, heating and air-conditioning such that upon arrival at a workstation, the environment can be configured to the user's preferences.

The fields in the document may also relate to local settings such as the colour of the area contained by the user input portion.

Responsive to the user indicating that they wish to submit the information and authentication details they enter in step S214, the client device 104 transmits the information and authentication details to server cluster 106 in a step S216. The server cluster 106 receives the information via cluster interface 120 which transmits the information and authentication details to client server 122. Responsive to receiving the information and authentication details in step S216, the client server 122 issues a request to data server 126 for the information and authentication details to be stored in data storage 130 in a step S218. Responsive to receiving the request in step S218, data server 126 stores the information and authentication details in data storage 130 in step S220.

The data server 126 then accesses the authentication details for content providers that are provided in step S214 and calls an application programming interface (API) for the content provider in a step S222 from API library 138 to request access to the user's content that is stored at the content provider. The use of the API for the content provider enables the data server 126 to access the content stored at the content provider by enabling the data server 126 to access that content.

Responsive to the data server 126 obtaining the content, the data server 130 generates a unique identification code (ID) for the user. The identification code is used as a primary key in a database which lists the users. An example of how such a database may be structured is illustrated in Figure 3. After the ID has been generated, the data server 126 issues a request to the content server 124 for the content to be stored in a step S224. The request contains the content to be stored and the ID code. Responsive to receiving the request in step S224, the content server 124 stores the content with the ID code in a step S226 in content storage 128 and then issues a confirmation to data server 126 that the content has been stored in a step S228.

Upon receiving the confirmation from data server 126 that the content has been stored in step S228, the data server calls a routine from library 140 to generate a configuration file which combines all of the information and authentication details that were submitted in step S216 into a single configuration file in a step S230 which is then stored in data storage 130 with the user ID and is also provided to the client server 122 in a step S232 with a request to transmit the configuration file 118 to the client device 104.

Responsive to receiving the request in step S232, the client server 122 transmits the configuration file to the client device in a step 3234. Responsive to receiving the configuration file in step S234, the processor 134 at the client device 104 stores the configuration file on the device in a step 3236 with the user ID.

The process set out by steps 3200 to 3236 establishes a user profile in the system 100 which provides ubiquity to the user and means the user can access their content in accordance with the process which will now be described with reference to Figure 4.

In order to aid clarity, we will describe an example of the system 100 in the context of the implementation of that system inside an office environment. Such an office environment 500 is illustrated in Figure 5 and comprises a desk 502 and a chair 504.

The desk may optionally comprise two panels A and B which extend in first and second planes that are transverse relative to each other.

As the user approaches chair 504, a sensor 506 attached to the chair 504 detects the presence of client device 104 and initiates a process by which a receiver 508 on the desk wirelessly pairs with client device 104 to enable a secure data connection to be established between the client device 104 and the receiver 508. The secure data connection can be established automatically responsive to the sensor 506 detecting the presence of client device 104 without any input by the user.

Formed upon the desk 504, in this example in panel A, is a touch-sensitive user input device 514 which is configured to interpret single touch, multi-touch and gesture based input. The touch-sensitive user input device 514 receives instructions from a processor 510 in accordance with an operating system such as, for example, Windows, Android or Raspberry Pi. It is indeed to be understood that a touch-sensitive user input device may also be formed in panel B. The secure data connection between the client device 104 and the receiver 508 enables a signal to be transmitted by the client device to the receiver. This forms a secure data connection between the client device and the user input portion 102 which is formed, in this example, by the desk 502 and the chair 504.

The secure data connection may be established according to a wireless transmission protocol which is effective only over short distances. An example of which is the Bluetooth protocol which is typically only effective at distances up to 10 metres.

Upon establishment of the secure data connection between client device 104 and the receiver 508, client device 104 issues a request to the receiver 508 at the user input portion 102 for the user to access content from system 100 in a step 3400. The request contains configuration file 118 which contains the ID. Responsive to receiving the request in step 3400 at receiver 508, the processor 510 instructs the touch-sensitive display 512 on touch-sensitive user input device 514 to switch on in a step 3402. The processor 510 then issues instructions to a transmitter 516 to transmit a request signal to server cluster 106 for content corresponding to the ID in a step 3404. The cluster interface 120 receives the request and transmits the request to client server 122 in a step 3406. Responsive to receiving the request in step 3406 the client server 122 issues a request to content server 124 for the content corresponding to the ID in a step S408.

Responsive to receiving the request in step 3408, the content server 124 retrieves the content from content storage 128 in a step 3410 and returns it to client server 122 in a step 3412. The client server 122 then transmits the content via the cluster interface 120 to the receiver 508 at the user input portion 102 in a step 3414.

Responsive to receiving the content via the receiver 508 the processor 510 at the user input portion 102 loads the content into memory 518 in a step 3416 so that it may be accessed by the user.

The effect of this is that responsive to the establishment of a secure data connection using wireless pairing between the client device 104 and the user input portion 102, the content is accessed by the user input portion 102 and is placed into memory 518 so that the user may access the content using the touch-sensitive user input device 514. This is achieved advantageously without the user providing any input as they approach their desk 504 and only as the user approaches the desk 502.

After the processor 510 has loaded the retrieved content into memory 518 in step 3416, the processor 510 then instructs the operating system on the touch-sensitive user input device 514 to read the configuration file 118 that was transmitted to the user input portion 102 via receiver 508 in step S400. This is step 3418. From reading the configuration file 118, the operating system extracts the information contained therein related to the user settings.

Responsive to extracting this information, the operating system on the user input device 514 at the user input portion 102 configures the corresponding software applications according to the user settings in a step S420. This means that the software on the user input portion 102 is already set up for the user in the way that they like it without the user entering any information into the user input portion 102 and simply by approaching the desk 504.

Optionally or alternatively, the wireless pairing between client device 104 and user input portion 102 may only be formed when the user sits on the chair 504. The seat 504 may comprise a weight sensor which detects that the user has sat on the chair 504 which will cause the sensor 506 to search for a client device 104 before the connection is established. This advantageously means that the steps in S400 to S420 are only carried out when the user sits at the chair 504.

In the absence of a seat, the user input portion 102 may comprise a presence detection device which, responsive to the detection of a user, enables sensor 506 to search for the client device 104 when the user is present.

That is to say, the touch-sensitive user input device 514 is configured according to user settings that are carried with them in a client device 104 only when they are at the desk 502 or whilst they approach the user input portion 102. This is performed without any additional input from the user and also means that the user does not need to waste time on providing authentication details every time they approach a user input portion 102.

As the configuration file 118 may also contain settings related to environmental factors such as lighting, heating and air conditioning, the transmitter 516 at the user input portion 102 may also, in step S422, issue a request to a control server 520 which controls the lighting, heating and air conditioning systems in the local environment for the lighting, heating and air conditioning to be configured for the user's preference. Transmitter 516 may issue the request to control server 520. in accordance with any suitable data transmission protocol and over any suitable data transmission medium.

Processor 510 may also instruct transmitter 516 to transmit the ID of the user to another server (not shown) to enable the location of that user to be recorded in order for a central organisation to collect details of space usage and other personnel related statistics.

If multiple users wish to access the same item of content, content server 124 will generate a copy for each of the users that wish to access that content.

We will now describe with reference to Figure 6 how content may be shared between users using the example of a first user sat at a first user input portion 102A and a second user sat at a second user input portion 102B. An example of such an environment is provided in Figure 7 which, similarly to Figure 5, illustrates an arrangement 700 in which this may be implemented comprising a table 702, a plurality of chairs 704a to 704f. Each of the chairs 704a to 704f corresponds to a touch-sensitive user input device 706 which each comprise a processor 708, a touch-sensitive display 710, a transmitter 712 and a receiver 714. Optionally, the arrangement 700 may also comprise a single touch-sensitive user input device 706 which may be used by each person sat around the table 702. The description of this process is predicated on the first user and the second user being registered in the data server 126 and the first user who is sat at chair 704a wishing to transmit an item of content to the second user who is sat at chair 704b.

Although in this example the users are sat in the same room, that is to say, are geographically close to each other, it will be understood that what is described below may be applied to first and second users who are sat in geographically distant locations.

In a step S600, the first user selects an item of content on the touch-sensitive display 710 on the user input portion 102A and also inputs the ID of the second user to which the item of content is to be transmitted. The user may also be identified by, say, a name or another pseudonym that may be registered in the system 100. The user input device 706, responsive to receiving the selection and the ID of the second user in step S600, transmits a request in a step S602 to the server cluster 106 via cluster interface 120. The request contains the content item and the ID of the second user.

Responsive to receiving the request in step S602, the cluster interface 120 at server cluster 106 transmits the request to client server 122 in a step S604. Responsive to receiving the request in step 3604 the client server 122 transmits a request for the selected item of content to be shared with the user corresponding to the ID input by the user in step 3600, i.e. the ID of the second user, to the data server 126 a step 3606. Responsive to receiving this request, the data server 126 issues a request to the content server 124 for the first user to share the selected item of content with the second user in a step 3608.

The content server 124, responsive to the request in step 3608, then retrieves the selected item of content from content storage 128 and calls a routine from routine library 142 to generate a copy of the selected content item and to place the copy of the selected content item into the section of content storage reserved for the second user in a step 3610. The content server then responds to the request in 3608 by issuing a confirmation to the data server 126 that a copy of the selected content item has been made in a step 3612. The content server 124 also provides the content to the data server 126 in step 3612 and the data server 126 then issues a request to client server 122 for the selected item of content to be transmitted to the second user input portion 102B where the second user may access it in a step 3614.

Responsive to receiving the request in step 3614, the client server 122 transmits the content item to the second user input portion 102B in a step 3616.

Upon receiving the content, the processor 708 at user input portion 102B loads the content into memory where it can be accessed by the second user in a step 3618.

The effect of this is that an item of content may be shared by a first user with a second user.

As the second user has a profile on the system 100 they also have a respective configuration file 118 stored on a respective client device 104. The configuration file 118 will now enable them to access the content that has been shared with them as the content is saved in the content storage 128 so that it may be accessed when the second user approaches a user input portion 102 in accordance with steps 3400 to 3422, provided the user is carrying a client device 104.

We will now describe, with reference to Figure 8, a user leaving the user input portion 102 having accessed content in accordance with S400 to S422.

As the user has logged in then a wireless connection has been established between a client device 104 and the user input portion 102 which has enabled the user to access content on the server cluster 106 in accordance with steps S400 to S422.

As the secure data connection has been established between the client device 104 and the user input portion 102 by the sensor 506 detecting the presence of the client device near to the user input portion 102, the movement of client device 104 away from user input portion 102 in a step S800 will cause the sensor 506 at the user input portion 102 to stop detecting the presence of the client device 104 and therefore break the secure data connection. Responsive to the sensor 506 not being able to detect the client device 104, the sensor 506 will transmit a signal to the processor 508 to request that a signal is transmitted to the user input portion 102 to indicate that the user is no longer present at the user input portion 102. This will cause the processor 508 to close all of the open software applications that are open on the touch-sensitive user input device 514 to be closed and all changes to any content to be saved and also instruct the transmitter 508 to transmit the saved content that is stored in memory on the touch-sensitive user input device to the server cluster 106 in a step S802 with an additional request for that content to be stored in the appropriate portion of content storage 128. The request also comprises the ID identifying the user in the system 100 and identifying the configuration file 118.

The server cluster 106 receives the requests transmitted in step S802 via cluster interface 120. Cluster interface 120 transmits the request to the client server 122 in a step S804. Responsive to receiving the request in step S804, the client server 122 issues a request to the data server 126 for the transmitted content to be stored in a step S806.

The data server 126 will then issue a request to the content server 124 for the content to be stored in content storage 128 in a step S808. Responsive to receiving the request, the content server 124 stores the content in content storage 128 in a step S810 and then transmits a confirmation to the data server 126 that the content has been saved in a step S812.

The effect of the process set out by steps S800 to S812 is that when the user moves from the user input portion, i.e. causing the client device 104 to break its secure data connection with the user input portion 102, any content they have accessed is automatically saved and uploaded to the content server 124.

That is to say, it is the movement of the client device 104 upon which configuration file 118 is stored which dictates the access that the user has to the content that is stored on the content storage 128. In accordance with steps S400 to S422 the movement of the client device 104, i.e. the movement of the configuration file 118, towards a user input portion 102 causes the content to be accessed and the user input portion 102 and the surrounding environment to be configured for the user.

A system 100 in accordance with the embodiment enables a user to access content using a user input portion 102 and configure that user input portion in accordance with their preferred settings by carrying a client device 104 which enables them to access the content on a server and configure that content without requiring them to provide large amounts of user input configuring a user input device.

We will now describe another example of a system 900 in accordance with a second embodiment where the client device 104 may be formed with the user input portion 102 as part of a mobile computing device 902 which is arranged to transmit signals to server cluster 106 and receive signals from the server cluster 106.

User input portion 102 is arranged to communicate with the client device 104 via a processing unit 904.

A sensor 906, which may be any suitable sensor, for example a Bluetooth sensor, an RFID sensor or an NEC sensor, is arranged to detect the presence of client device 104.

We describe now, with reference to Figure 10, the process by which a user carrying mobile computing device 902 accesses content using server cluster 106.

Responsive to the detection by the sensor 906 of the client device 104, sensor 906 issues a request to the server cluster 106 in a step 51000 for the server to initiate communication with client device 104.

The server cluster 106 receives the request via cluster interface 120 and transmits the request to client server 122 in step 51002. In a step 51004, responsive to receiving the request in step 51002, the client server 122 issues a request to the client device 104 for configuration file 118.

The client device 104 receives the request in step S1004 and the processor 134 retrieves the configuration file 118 in a step S1006. The client device 104 then transmits the configuration file 118 to the client server 122 via cluster interface 120 in a step S1008. The client server 122, responsive to receiving the configuration file 118, transmits a request to the data server 126 for the content corresponding to the user to which the configuration file corresponds in a step 51010.

The data server 126 receives the request in step 51010 and, responsive to receiving this request, the data server 126 issues a request to the content server 124 in a step 51012 for the content corresponding to the user to which the configuration file 118 corresponds. Responsive to receiving this request, content server 124 calls a routine from library 142 to prepare a request to content storage 128 to retrieve the content corresponding to the user in a step 51014.

The routine receives the ID, contained in the configuration file 118, as a parameter and uses the ID to enable the content corresponding to the user who generated that ID in steps S200 to S230 to identify their content in content storage 128 through the routine.

The content server 124 then uses the routine to retrieve the content from content storage 128 in a step 51016. In a step 51018, the content server 124 then transmits the retrieved content to data server 126. Data server 126 then responds to the request transmitted in step S1010 by transmitting the retrieved content to the client server 122 with a request for that content to be transmitted via cluster interface 120 to the client device 104 in a step 51020. The content is received by the client device 104 through the receiver in the transceiver 144 and is then transmitted through processing unit 904 to user input portion 102 in a step S1022.

The user input portion 102 receives the content and processor 110 then loads the content into memory where the user can access the content in a step 51024.

Additionally, the user input portion 102 may also load a plurality of software applications into memory. Responsive to the user input portion 102 loading the software applications into memory, the user input portion 102 will then issue a request to the client device 104 for the configuration file 118 which contains the user preferences for the software applications. Client device 104 will then transmit the configuration file 118 to the user input portion 102 through processing unit 904 and the processor at user input portion 102 will then configure each of the software applications to the preferences contained in the configuration file 118.

The preferences for the software applications may include preferences for messaging applications which will enable the user to access messaging applications, such as email, by getting close enough to a sensor 906.

The effect of the process set out by steps 5800 to 5824 is that when a user is carrying a client device 104 and a user input portion 102 together as a single device, such as mobile computing device 902, they may access their content when the client device 104 is detected by a sensor.

This is useful in environments where access to content is required on the move such as when moving around an office Optionally, mobile computing device 902 may be coupled through a control unit 920 to a wearable item 918 such as a shirt or a jumper via processing unit 904. The wearable item may be made from a material that changes colour. Such a material may be electrochromic or may comprise electrochromic fibres.

Responsive to the client device 104 receiving the request from server cluster 106, the client device 104 may transmit a signal to the control unit 920 which, responsive to receiving the signal, causes the control unit 920 to apply a voltage to the electrochromic fibres to generate a change in colour in the wearable item 918.

The effect of this is that when the client device 104 is detected, the wearable item 918 is arranged to change colour. This means that when the client device 104 is detected, then a user wearing the wearable item 918 will be easier to identify.

Alternatively or additionally, the wearable item may be arranged to alter the climate of the wearer whilst they are wearing the wearable item 918. The control unit 920 may, responsive to receiving the signal, switch on an air conditioning unit 922 incorporated into the wearable item 918 which will cause, for example, jets of air to be provided across the body of the user or jets of water vapour to be ejected across the body of the user. This causes the skin temperature of the user to be reduced. The settings of the air conditioning unit 922 may be adjusted by the signal to increase or reduce the temperature of the jets of air or the jets of water vapour.

The effect of this is that a wearable item 918 can be configured responsive to the user carrying a client device 104 which interacts with a server cluster 106 and causes the wearable item 918 to either reduce or increase the body temperature of the user.

This is particularly useful in environments where it may be difficult to control the temperature.

The effects set out above are responsive to the client device 104 being detected by a sensor 906. This generates a request for the configuration file 118 which enables the content stored in content storage 128 to be accessed and the other effects set out above to be implemented.

In each of the aspects and embodiments set out above, content stored on content storage 128 is accessed by a user who carries a client device 104 which stores a configuration file 118. This means that a user does not need to carry the content with them when they move between desks and also means that the content can be accessed simply through the detection of the client device 104 and without any additional input by the user.

Features of the aspects and embodiments hereinbefore described may be combined in any way.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus comprising: at least one user input portion comprising a touch-sensitive user input device, a receiver arranged to receive a signal and a sensor arranged to detect the presence of a client device; at least one client device operative to store data related to user settings corresponding to a user; wherein, responsive to the detection of the client device by the sensor, the user input portion is arranged to establish a data connection with the client device for the transmission of a signal comprising data related to user settings to the receiver and, responsive to receiving the signal, the user input portion is arranged to configure the user input device according to the user settings.
2 Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the user input portion, responsive to receiving the signal, is further arranged to:
3.
4.
5.transmit a request to a server for content related to the user; and the server is configured to, responsive to receiving the request, transmit the requested content to the user input portion.

Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein: the data related to user settings comprises environmental settings; and the user input portion, responsive to receiving the signal, is operative to transmit a request to a server to adjust the settings of the surrounding environment according to the environmental settings.

Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein: the environmental settings comprise lighting preferences.

Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein: the environmental settings comprise air-conditioning settings.
6 Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein: the data related to user settings comprises local settings; and the user input portion comprises a processor which, responsive to receiving the signal, provides instructions to a control system which adjusts the local settings accordingly.
7 Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein: the data related to user settings comprises software settings; and the user input portion, responsive to receiving the signal, is operative to configure corresponding software according to the software settings.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the software settings comprise authentication information for messaging applications.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the messaging application is for electronic mail.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein; the at least one user input portion comprises a plurality of user input portions each comprising a touch-sensitive user input device, a receiver arranged to receive a signal and a sensor arranged to detect the presence of a client device; the at least one client device comprises a plurality of client devices each operative to store data related to user settings corresponding to a respective user; wherein, responsive to the detection of a client device by a sensor, the respective user input portion is arranged to establish a data connection with the client device for the transmission of a signal comprising data related to user settings to the receiver and, responsive to receiving the signal, the user input portion is arranged to configure the user input device according to the user settings.
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein each of the user input portions, responsive to receiving the signal, is further arranged to: transmit a request to a server for content related to the respective user; and the server is configured to, responsive to receiving the request, transmit the requested content to the respective user input portion.
12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein, responsive to receiving a request from more than one user input portion for an item of content, the server is configured to generate a copy of the content for each of the user input portions that are requesting access to the content.
13. Apparatus according to any of Claims 10 to 12 wherein a first of the plurality of user input devices is configured to receive an input from a user to identify an item of content on the first user input device and a user at a second of the plurality of user input devices, and, responsive to an input to transmit the identified item of content to the second user input device, issue a request to the server to transmit the identified item of content to the second of the plurality of user input devices, and the server is configured, responsive to receiving the request, to transmit the identified content to the second user input device.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the user input portion comprises a seat.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein the seat is configured to receive the signal
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein the seat is configured to receive the signal responsive to a sensor indicating the presence of a user on the seat.
17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein, responsive to a break in the data connection, the user input portion is configured to: close any open software applications; upload any accessed content to the server.
18. System comprising: at least one user input portion comprising a touch-sensitive user input device, a receiver arranged to receive a signal and a sensor arranged to detect the presence of a client device; at least one client device operative to store data related to user settings corresponding to a user; wherein, responsive to the detection of the client device by the sensor, the user input portion is arranged to establish a data connection with the client device for the transmission of a signal comprising data related to user settings to the receiver and, responsive to receiving the signal, the user input portion is arranged to configure the user input device according to the user settings.
19. System according to Claim 18, wherein the user input portion, responsive to receiving the signal, is further arranged to: transmit a request to a server for content related to the user; and the server is configured to, responsive to receiving the request, transmit the requested content to the user input portion.
20. System according to Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein: the data related to user settings comprises environmental settings; and the user input portion, responsive to receiving the signal, is operative to transmit a request to a server to adjust the settings of the surrounding environment according to the environmental settings.
21. System according to any of Claims 17 to 20, wherein: the environmental settings comprise lighting preferences.
22. System according to any of Claims 17 to 21, wherein: the environmental settings comprise air-conditioning settings.
23. System according to any of Claims 17 to 22, wherein: the data related to user settings comprises local settings; and the user input portion comprises a processor which, responsive to receiving the signal, provides instructions to a control system which adjusts the local settings accordingly.
24. System according to any of Claims 17 to 23, wherein: the data related to user settings comprises software settings; and the user input portion, responsive to receiving the signal, is operative to configure corresponding software according to the software settings.
25. System according to Claim 24, wherein the software settings comprise authentication information for messaging applications.
26. System according to Claim 24 or Claim 25, wherein the messaging application is for electronic mail.
27. System according to any of Claims 17 to 26, wherein; the at least one user input portion comprises a plurality of user input portions each configured to receive a signal, each user input portion comprising a touch sensitive user input device; the at least one client device comprises a plurality of client devices each operative to store data related to user settings corresponding to a respective user; and wherein each of the plurality of client devices is further operative to transmit a signal comprising the data related to user settings to a respective user input portion and, responsive to receiving the signal, the respective user input portion is arranged to configure the user input device according to the respective user settings
28. System according to Claim 27, wherein each of the user input portions, responsive to receiving the signal, is further arranged to: transmit a request to a server for content related to the respective user; and the server is configured to, responsive to receiving the request, transmit the requested content to the respective user input portion.
29. System according to Claim 27, wherein, responsive to receiving a request from more than one user input portion for an item of content, the server is configured to generate a copy of the content for each of the user input portions that are requesting access to the content.
30. System according to any of Claims 25 to 29 wherein a first of the plurality of user input devices is configured to receive an input from a user to identify an item of content on the first user input device and a user at a second of the plurality of user input devices, and, responsive to an input to transmit the identified item of content to the second user input device, issue a request to the server to transmit the identified item of content to the second of the plurality of user input devices, and the server is configured, responsive to receiving the request, to transmit the identified content to the second user input device.
31. System according to any preceding claim wherein the user input portion comprises a seat.
32. System according to Claim 31 wherein the seat is configured to receive the signal
33. System according to Claim 32 wherein the seat is configured to receive the signal responsive to a sensor indicating the presence of a user on the seat.
34. Furniture comprising the apparatus of any of Claims 1 to 17 or the system of any of Claims 18 to 33.
35. Apparatus comprising: a client device arranged to store data related to user settings corresponding to a user, the client device comprising a touch-sensitive user input device and a receiver arranged to receive a signal a sensor operative to detect the presence of the client device, wherein responsive to the detection of the client device, a server is operative to issue a request to the client device for the data related to user settings and, responsive to receiving the request, the client device further comprises a transmitter arranged to transmit the data related to user settings to the server and the server is further operative to, responsive to receiving the data, retrieve content corresponding to the user and transmit the retrieved content to the client device.
36. Apparatus according to Claim 35 wherein the client device is a mobile computing device.
37. Apparatus according to Claim 35 wherein the client device is operatively coupled to a wearable item arranged to change colour responsive to a signal from the client device.
38. Apparatus according to Claim 35 wherein the client device is operatively coupled to a wearable item arranged to alter the body temperature of the wearer.
39. System comprising: a client device arranged to store data related to user settings corresponding to a user, the client device comprising a touch-sensitive user input device and a receiver arranged to receive a signal; a sensor operative to detect the presence of the client device, wherein responsive to the detection of the client device, a server is operative to issue a request to the client device for the data related to user settings and, responsive to receiving the request, the client device further comprises a transmitter arranged to transmit the data related to user settings to the server and the server is further operative to, responsive to receiving the data, retrieve content corresponding to the user and transmit the retrieved content to the client device.
40. System according to Claim 38 wherein the client device is a mobile computing device.
41. System according to Claim 38 wherein the client device is operatively coupled to a wearable item arranged to change colour responsive to a signal from the client device.
42. System according to Claim 38 wherein the client device is operatively coupled to a wearable item arranged to alter the body temperature of the wearer.
43. Apparatus as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 8
44. System as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10
45. Furniture as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10.