Patent ID: 8464184

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for gesture-based distribution of files, at least a portion of the method being performed by a computing device comprising at least one processor, the method comprising: receiving, at a first computing device, input that identifies a file for gesture-based distribution to one or more other computing devices; detecting a plurality of additional computing devices in physical proximity of the first computing device; for each computing device in the plurality of additional computing devices, determining a physical location of the additional computing device; detecting, on the first computing device, a gesture of a user of the first computing device; determining, based on one or more of the physical locations of the additional computing devices, that the gesture of the user was directed toward one or more of the additional computing devices; identifying a distribution policy that indicates whether gesture-based distribution of the file is allowed; using the distribution policy to determine whether the file is allowed to be distributed using gestures; determining, based on the distribution policy, that gesture-based distribution of the file is allowed; in response to determining that gesture-based distribution of the file is allowed, distributing the file to the one or more additional computing devices toward which the user gestured, wherein the distribution policy indicates at least one of the following: that the file can only be distributed within predefined physical boundaries that designate a room within which the file can be distributed using gesture-based distribution, that the file can only be distributed within predefined altitude limits, that the file can only be distributed within a predetermined floor of a building.