Information Exchange Among Members of a Group of Communication Device Users

• US 20070271234A1
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chickmangalore N. Ravikiran
• Original Assignee: Chickmangalore N. Ravikiran
• Inventors: Ravikiran, Chickmangalore N.
• Application Number:
  US11/535,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20070271234A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/182 Distributed file systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2471 Distributed queries

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus for controlling transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group to allow searching of stored resources is provided. The invention includes a group management module for creating and maintaining association links for each of the plurality of telecommunication devices representing a logical network of devices. The invention also includes a search engine for transmission and reception of communications between the devices in a group, the search engine configured to route a search query from an originating device along the association links to all devices in the group, search stored resources in all devices in the group, and return results of the search query to the originating device, thereby allowing searching of stored resources on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network for storing resources.

Claims

1. A communication system for controlling transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group to allow searching of resources stored on the plurality of telecommunication devices, comprising

group management module for creating and maintaining association links for each of the plurality of telecommunication devices, wherein the association links of all the telecommunication devices in the group represent a logical network of telecommunication devices;

search engine for transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group, the search engine configured to route a search query from an originating telecommunication device along said association links to all telecommunication devices in the group, search stored resources in all telecommunication devices in the group, and return results of the search query to the originating telecommunication device, thereby allowing searching of stored resources on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network for storing resources.

2. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the telecommunication devices are mobile devices.

3. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the telecommunication devices are mobile devices comprising one or more of cellular telephones, digital mobile phones, smart phones, web enabled phones, pagers, and PDAs.

4. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the communications are messages comprising one or more of text messages and multimedia messages.

5. The communication system of claim 4 wherein the text messages are communicated using asynchronous store-and forward messaging technology comprising Short Message Service (SMS) or Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).

6. The communication system of claim 4 wherein the multimedia messages are communicated using asynchronous store-and forward messaging technology comprising Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).

7. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the group management module is configured to create association links between telecommunication devices by transmitting an invitation from a telecommunication device as invitor to one or more additional telecommunication devices as invitees and maintaining the association link between invitor and each invitee.

8. The communication system of claim 7 wherein the group management module is configured to identify the group with a unique group ID.

9. The communication system of claim 7 wherein the group management module is configured to perform one of the following actions upon receipt of an invitation:

accept addition to group, decline addition to group, hold decision regarding group until a later time.

10. The communication system of claim 9 wherein the default action is accept addition to the group.

11. The communication system of claim 7 wherein maintaining the association link between invitor and each invitee comprises storing invitor identifying information on each invitee device and storing invitee identifying information on invitor device.

12. The communication system of claim 11 wherein the identifying information comprises information necessary to connect for transmission and reception of communications.

13. The communication system of claim 7 wherein the group management module is configured to assign one or more telecommunication devices with management functionalities comprising one or more of originating the group, administering the group, and controlling transmitting of invitations by all telecommunication devices in the group using a permissions-based mechanism.

14. The communication system of claim 13 wherein the association links between telecommunication devices form a tree of invitees such that one telecommunication device is the root and one or more invitees are organized into a pseudo-tree topology such that each invitee within the tree references its invitors as parents and its invitees as children.

15. The communication system of claim 14 wherein one or more paths for transmission and reception of communications are established throughout the tree of invitees.

16. The communication system of claim 15 wherein a secondary path for transmission and reception of communications is established between one or more telecommunication devices with management functionalities and each invitee.

17. The communication system of claim 16 wherein the secondary path is established by storing the identifying information of one or more telecommunication devices with management functionalities on each invitee device and storing invitee identifying information on the device of one or more telecommunication devices with management functionalities.

18. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the resources stored on the plurality of telecommunication devices comprise articles of commerce.

19. The communication system of claim 18 further comprising a transaction module configured to facilitate transmission and reception of communications for commerce transactions, thereby allowing searching of articles of commerce on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network for storing resources, the transaction module further comprising a commerce engine for receiving and processing orders.

20. The communication system of claim 19, wherein the commerce engine comprises search functionality separate form the search engine.

21. The communication system of claim 18 further comprising a transaction module configured to facilitate transmission and reception of communications for commerce transactions, thereby allowing searching of articles of commerce on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network for storing resources, the transaction module further comprising a bidding engine for auction related transactions.

22. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the bidding engine comprises search functionality separate from the search engine.

23. The communication system of claim 18 further comprising a transaction module configured to facilitate transmission and reception of communications for commerce transactions, thereby allowing searching of articles of commerce on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network for storing resources.

24. The communication system of claim 23 wherein the transaction module provides for the purchase and sale of articles of commerce.

25. The communication system of claim 23 wherein the transaction module provides for the auction of articles of commerce.

26. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the resources stored on the plurality of telecommunication devices comprise digital content.

27. The communication system of claim 26 further comprising a social networking module configured to facilitate transmission and reception of communications for social networking, thereby allowing creating and searching of digital content on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network for storing resources.

28. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the search query includes identifying information to allow the results of the search query to be sent directly to the originating telecommunication device.

29. The communication system of claim 1 wherein each telecommunication device comprises a user-defined access policy for authorizing access to all or part of the resources stored on the telecommunication device by other telecommunication devices in the group.

30. The communication system of claim 1 further comprising a group-wide access policy for authorizing access to all or part of the resources stored on all telecommunication devices in the group.

31. The communication system of claim 1 wherein each telecommunication device comprises a user-defined security policy for establishing security parameters needed to access the telecommunication device by other telecommunication devices in the group.

32. The communication system of claim 1 further comprising a group-wide security policy for establishing security parameters needed to access all telecommunication devices in the group.

33. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the resources comprise data representing one or more of merchandise, auction items, opinions, classifieds, photos, photo albums, sound files, multimedia data, videos, user profiles, coupons, advertisements, promotional data, documents, numerical data, image data, textual data, contacts and address book data, personal information management (PIM) data, and scientific data.

34. The communication system of claim 1 wherein transmission and reception of communications comprises asynchronous store-and forward messaging technology.

35. The communication system of claim 34 wherein the asynchronous store-and forward messaging technology stores communications including search queries and results in the event a telecommunication device is temporarily not operational to receive communications for subsequent delivery.

36. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the search engine is configured to allow exclusion of telecommunication devices to be searched.

37. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the search engine is configured to include a time limit for the search to be completed.

38. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the search engine is configured to allow selection of a list of groups to be searched.

39. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the search query includes information identifying the group.

40. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the search query includes information identifying the originating telecommunication device.

41. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the resources include user profile information to identify a user'"'"'s interests for targeted marketing to a target user.

42. The communication system of claim 41 wherein the target marketing includes transmission of target marketing content including one or more of coupons, advertisements, tickets, vouchers, commercial advertisements, classified advertisements to the telecommunication device of the targeted user.

43. The communication system of claim 42 wherein the target marketing content is stored on the telecommunication device of the target user as a resource available for searching by other telecommunication devices in the group.

44. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the search query includes information regarding a specific problem in a defined subject area so that the user of the originating telecommunication device can search for another user of a telecommunication device in the group who is willing to assist in solving the problem in the defined subject area.

45. The communication system of claim 1 further comprising one or more functions of logging, record keeping, and reporting for each telecommunication device.

46. The communication system of claim 1 further comprising a backup utility to a remote server in communication with one or more telecommunication devices.

47. The communication system of claim 1 further comprising a user interface for each telecommunication device to access group management and search engine functionality.

48. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the search engine is configured to route a search query to any group of which the originating telecommunication device is a member.

49. The communication system of claim 1 wherein the stored resources are maintained on storage space allocated on the telecommunication device for publishing purposes.

50. An electronic commerce system for controlling transmission and reception of communications for commerce transactions between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group to provide for the purchase and sale of articles of commerce listed on the plurality of telecommunication devices, comprising

group management module for creating and maintaining association links for each of the plurality of telecommunication devices, wherein the association links of all the telecommunication devices in the group represent a logical network of telecommunication devices;

commerce engine for transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group, the commerce engine configured to route a search query for an article of commerce from an originating telecommunication device along said association links to all telecommunication devices in the group, search articles of commerce listed on the plurality of telecommunication devices, return results of the search query to the originating telecommunication device, transact a sale of the article of commerce, thereby allowing commerce transactions for articles of commerce listed on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network.

51. The electronic commerce system of claim 50 wherein the group management module further comprises security and group access control functions.

52. An electronic auction system for controlling transmission and reception of communications for auction transactions between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group to provide for auctioning of articles of commerce listed on the plurality of telecommunication devices, comprising

group management module for creating and maintaining association links for each of the plurality of telecommunication devices, wherein the association links of all the telecommunication devices in the group represent a logical network of telecommunication devices;

auction engine for transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group, the auction engine configured to route a search query for an article of commerce from an originating telecommunication device along said association links to all telecommunication devices in the group, search articles of commerce listed on the plurality of telecommunication devices, return results of the search query to the originating telecommunication device, transact an auction of the article of commerce, thereby allowing auction transactions for articles of commerce listed on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network.

53. The electronic auction system of claim 52 wherein the auction engine transacts the auction of the article of commerce with functionality to create and view and maintain one or more of bidding merchandise information, bidding history, bidder information, bidder history, winner information, observer information, and merchant information.

54. The electronic auction system of claim 52 wherein the auction engine provides functionality for a bid merchant to create a bid store front with one or more articles of commerce on the bid merchant'"'"'s telecommunication device available for auction such that bidding for said articles of commerce is transacted on the bid merchant'"'"'s telecommunication device, wherein the bidding process on the bid merchant'"'"'s telecommunication device comprises receiving one or more bids from one or more bidders, adjusting the price of the article of commerce to an updated bid price, notifying all other bidders and observers of the updated bid price, ending the bidding process based upon one or more predetermined conditions, and notifying bidders and observers of the winning bidder.

55. The electronic auction system of claim 53 further comprising one or more functionalities of time stamping bid notifications from a bidder, implementing contention resolution procedures, security functions, blocking functions, privacy functions, encryption functions, group bidding, merchant rating, reporting, logging, generating coupons for merchandise items, delivering coupons, obtaining customer registrations for future interested items, generating invoices, integrating with a server to perform synchronization tasks, communicating with an order processing system to fulfill orders, transferring merchandise, transferring inquiries, email interfacing, output peripheral interfacing, receiving store front templates and pre-loaded store fronts, migration of data to another telecommunication device, integration with online auction sites such that placing a bid on the online site will result in notification to the telecommunication device.

56. The electronic auction system of claim 54 wherein the auction engine further provides functionality to allow a bidder to automatically place the bids with the bid merchant in predetermined increments until reaching a predetermined maximum bid.

57. The electronic auction system of claim 52 further comprising a commerce engine for providing one or more functionalities of payment processing, confirmations, shipment processing.

58. A social networking system for controlling transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group to allow searching of resources stored on the plurality of telecommunication devices, comprising

group management module for creating and maintaining association links for each of the plurality of telecommunication devices, wherein the association links of all the telecommunication devices in the group represent a logical network of telecommunication devices;

search engine for transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group, the search engine configured to route a search query for resources from an originating telecommunication device along said association links to all telecommunication devices in the group, search resources on the plurality of telecommunication devices, and return results of the search query to the originating telecommunication device, thereby allowing social networking and searching of resources of all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network.

59. A method for controlling transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group to allow searching of resources stored on the plurality of telecommunication devices, comprising

creating and maintaining association links for each of the plurality of telecommunication devices, wherein the association links of all the telecommunication devices in the group represent a logical network of telecommunication devices;

controlling the transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group, comprising routing a search query from an originating telecommunication device along said association links to all telecommunication devices in the group, searching stored resources in all telecommunication devices in the group, and returning results of the search query to the originating telecommunication device, thereby allowing searching of stored resources on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network for storing resources.

60. A computer program product comprising a computer storage medium having a computer program therein for controlling transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group to allow searching of resources stored on the plurality of telecommunication devices, said computer program performing the steps of:

creating and maintaining association links for each of the plurality of telecommunication devices, wherein the association links of all the telecommunication devices in the group represent a logical network of telecommunication devices;

controlling the transmission and reception of communications between a plurality of telecommunication devices in a group, comprising routing a search query from an originating telecommunication device along said association links to all telecommunication devices in the group, searching stored resources in all telecommunication devices in the group, and returning results of the search query to the originating telecommunication device, thereby allowing searching of stored resources on all the plurality of telecommunication devices without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network for storing resources.

61. A method of directly searching content stored on a plurality of telecommunication devices in a pre-established group, comprising

for all telecommunication devices in the group, establishing at least one communication path sufficient to route communications between all devices in the group, wherein the pre-established group is configured by creating association links between telecommunication devices and the path follows the links;

and

controlling transmission and reception of communications between all devices in the group so that a search query from an originating telecommunication device is routed to all telecommunication devices in the group and replies to said query are returned to the originating telecommunication device, thereby enabling searching of stored content on all telecommunication devices in the group without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network.

62. A method for creating and maintaining a linked group of telecommunication devices to allow searching of resources stored on all of the telecommunication devices in the group, comprising:

establishing one or more telecommunication devices with management functionalities;

assigning a unique group ID to identify the group;

creating association links between telecommunication devices by transmitting an invitation from a telecommunication device as invitor to one or more additional telecommunication devices as invitees, wherein the first invitation is sent by one of the telecommunication devices with management functionalities; and

maintaining the association link between invitor and each invitee by storing invitor identifying information on each invitee device and storing invitee identifying information on invitor device, wherein the association links of all the telecommunication devices in the linked group represent a logical network of telecommunication devices such that one or more paths for transmission and reception of communications are established throughout the association links.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising storing on an online searchable site definitional data that provides summary information about the resources stored on one or more of the telecommunication devices in the group to allow a user of the online searchable site to contact the group for full access to the resources.

64. A method of directly searching content stored on a plurality of telecommunication devices in a pre-established group, comprising

receiving a search query from an originating telecommunication device;

if the search query was not already processed, processing the search query by verifying authorization to search, and if authorized, searching content on the telecommunication device and replying if content on the telecommunications device matches the search query; and

if the search query was not already processed, propagating the search query to a subset of devices in the group through pre-established links between group members until the search query is propagated to all telecommunication devices in the group, thereby enabling searching of stored content on all telecommunication devices in the group without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network.

65. A method of using asynchronous store-and-forward messages for transmitting application specific tasks to be implemented by one or more applications stored on a plurality of telecommunication devices in a pre-established group, comprising:

for all telecommunication devices in the group, establishing at least one communication path sufficient to route communications between all devices in the group, wherein the pre-established group is configured by creating association links between telecommunication devices and the path follows the links; and

controlling transmission and reception of communications between all devices in the group so that an application specific task sent from an originating telecommunication device is routed to all telecommunication devices in the group, the application specific task containing code necessary to implement application specific tasks directed to applications on the telecommunication devices in the group receiving the task, thereby enabling application specific tasks to be implemented on all telecommunication devices in the group without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the application specific task comprises searching digital content within an application on one or more of the telecommunication devices in the group.

67. The method of claim 65 wherein the application specific task comprises one or more command codes to direct an application on the telecommunication devices in the group to perform a task, said task comprising one or more of synchronizing, data backup, alert notification, and searching.

68. A method of locating remote resource data available on one or more telecommunication devices through an online search site, comprising

composing meta data summarizing remote resource data;

associating meta data with one or more telecommunication devices in a group having the remote resource data stored thereon;

storing meta data on an online search site available for searching by visitors to the online search site; and

providing contact information for one or more telecommunication devices in a group having the remote resource data associated with the meta data to visitors of the online site, thereby allowing visitors to locate remote resource data available on one or more telecommunication devices without storing the remote resource data on the online search site.

69. A method of using a plurality of telecommunication devices in a pre-established group as a router to route asynchronous store-and-forward messages between members of the group, comprising:

for all telecommunication devices in the group, establishing at least one communication path sufficient to route communications between all devices in the group, wherein the pre-established group is configured by creating association links between telecommunication devices and the path follows the links; and

controlling transmission and reception of communications between all devices in the group so that messages from an originating telecommunication device are routed to all telecommunication devices in the group without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network.

70. A method of using asynchronous store-and-forward messaging to create a virtual network of telecommunication devices in a group, comprising

for all telecommunication devices in the group, establishing at least one communication path sufficient to route asynchronous store-and-forward message communications between all devices in the group, wherein the pre-established group is configured by creating association links between telecommunication devices and the path follows the links;

and

controlling transmission and reception of asynchronous store-and-forward message communications between all devices in the group so that message communications from an originating telecommunication device are routed to all telecommunication devices in the group without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network, said message communications configured to provide one or more functionalities of searching, sending results, propagating queries, group management, and conducting commerce between all devices in the group.

71. A method for propagating a search query among telecommunication device users in a pre-established group to discover at least one user who may provide assistance in solving a problem, comprising:

for all telecommunication devices in the group, establishing at least one communication path sufficient to route communications between all devices in the group, wherein the pre-established group is configured by creating association links between telecommunication devices and the path follows the links; and

controlling transmission and reception of communications between all devices in the group so that a search query from an originating telecommunication device is routed to all telecommunication devices in the group and replies to said query are returned to the originating telecommunication device, thereby enabling searching of stored content on all telecommunication devices in the group to discover at least one user who may provide assistance in solving a problem without relying on a centralized server or physical network or wireless network.