SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR POWER EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF SOCIAL NETWORK UPDATES TO A RECEIVER DEVICE IN A BROADCAST NETWORK

• US 20130097236A1
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Published: 04/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: KHORASHADI, Behrooz, DAS, Saumitra M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,874,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/951 Indexing; Web crawling techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2216/05 Energy-efficient information retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/25 Arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1845 broadcast or multicast in a specific location, e.g. geocast protocols for adapting network applications to user terminal location H04L67/52; services specially adapted for wireless communication networks making use of the location of users or terminals H04W4/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1895 for short real-time information, e.g. alarms, notifications, alerts, updates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5641 Unicast/point-to-point
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5642 Multicast/broadcast/point-multipoint, e.g. VOD
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/00 Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for delivering social network updates from popular entities to receiver devices via broadcast or multicast networks obtain updates from highly popular entities. Updates may be assembled by a server crawling social network sites. To enable selective reception, the obtained updates may be broadcast/multicast according to a schedule that is communicated to receiver devices in advance, such as a catalog file. Receiver devices receive the catalog file and use the included information to selectively receive updates that are relevant to a user of the receiver device. Updates received from broadcasts or multicasts are cached in memory of the receiver device. When a user requests access a particular social network entity on the receiver device, that request may be satisfied by accessing a social network updates cached on the receiver device. Broadcasting and/or multicasting highly popular social network updates may relieve burdens on unicast networks.

Claims

1. A method for delivering social network updates to a plurality of receiver devices, comprising:

identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks;

obtaining from the one or more social network updates from the identified highly popular entities; and

transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network comprises broadcasting the obtained social network updates, comprising:

generating an overhead message communicating broadcast scheduling information identifying each of the obtained social network updates and when each of the obtained social network updates will be broadcast;

broadcasting the overhead message; and

broadcasting the obtained social network updates at times identified in the overhead message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises identifying entities having a number of followers exceeding a predetermined threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises:

accessing a first social network;

accessing records of the first social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

accessing a second social network;

accessing records of the second social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

identifying from the determined number of followers for each of the accessed records a subset which has more followers than average.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving in a receiver device the transmitted social network updates via the one of a broadcast and a multicast network;

storing the received social network updates in memory of the receiver device; and

responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory of the receiver device.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving the overhead message in a receiver device;

obtaining information identifying each of the obtained social network updates from the received overhead message;

comparing the information identifying each of the obtained social network updates scheduled for broadcast with social network entities relevant to a user of the receiver device to identify social network updates for reception;

receiving a broadcast of the identified social network updates based upon scheduling information obtained from the received overhead message;

storing the received social network updates in memory of the receiver device; and

responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory of the receiver device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stored in memory of the receiver device; and

forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stored in memory of the receiver device.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stale; and

forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stale.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining social network entities relevant to a user of the receiver device by monitoring the user'"'"'s usage of social networks on the receiver device.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising registering social network applications implemented on the receiver device with an agent implemented on the receiver device, wherein registration of the social network applications identifies to the agent social network entities relevant to a user of the receiver device.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining social network entities relevant to a user of the receiver device by receiving messages from one or more social networks identifying social network entities relevant to the user.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities in a proxy server positioned near an edge of a wireless communication network; and

responding to requests for social network updates for highly popular entities from the proxy server without routing the requests to the respective social networks.

13. A server, comprising:

memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks;

obtaining from the one or more social network updates from the identified highly popular entities; and

transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network.

14. The server of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of the broadcast and the multicast network comprises:

broadcasting the obtained social network updates;

generating an overhead message communicating broadcast scheduling information identifying each of the obtained social network updates and when each of the obtained social network updates will be broadcast;

broadcasting the overhead message; and

broadcasting the obtained social network updates at times identified in the overhead message.

15. The server of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises identifying entities having a number of followers exceeding a predetermined threshold.

16. The server of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises:

accessing a first social network;

accessing records of the first social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

accessing a second social network;

accessing records of the second social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

identifying from the determined number of followers for each of the accessed records a subset which has more followers than average.

17. The server of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

storing the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities in a proxy server positioned near an edge of a wireless communication network, wherein the proxy server is configure to respond to requests for social network updates for highly popular entities from the proxy server without routing the requests to the respective social networks.

18. A system for delivering social network updates to a plurality of computing devices, comprising:

means for identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks;

means for obtaining from the one or more social network updates from the identified highly popular entities; and

means for transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network comprises broadcasting the obtained social network updates, comprising:

means for generating an overhead message communicating broadcast scheduling information identifying each of the obtained social network updates and when each of the obtained social network updates will be broadcast;

means for broadcasting the overhead message; and

means for broadcasting the obtained social network updates at times identified in the overhead message.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises:

means for identifying entities having a number of followers exceeding a predetermined threshold.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises:

means for accessing a first social network;

means for accessing records of the first social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

means for accessing a second social network;

means for accessing records of the second social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

means for identifying from the determined number of followers for each of the accessed records a subset which has more followers than average.

22. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for storing the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities in a proxy server positioned near an edge of a wireless communication network; and

means for responding to requests for social network updates for highly popular entities from the proxy server without routing the requests to the respective social networks.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor executable instructions configured to cause a server processor to perform operations comprising:

identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks;

obtaining from the one or more social network updates from the identified highly popular entities; and

transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network.

24. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 23, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the server processor to perform operations and transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network comprises broadcasting the obtained social network updates, comprising:

generating an overhead message communicating broadcast scheduling information identifying each of the obtained social network updates and when each of the obtained social network updates will be broadcast;

broadcasting the overhead message; and

broadcasting the obtained social network updates at times identified in the overhead message.

25. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 23, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the server processor to perform operations and wherein identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises identifying entities having a number of followers exceeding a predetermined threshold.

26. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 23, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the server processor to perform operations and wherein identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises:

accessing a first social network;

accessing records of the first social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

accessing a second social network;

accessing records of the second social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

identifying from the determined number of followers for each of the accessed records a subset which has more followers than average.

27. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 23, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the server processor to perform operations further comprising:

storing the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities in a proxy server positioned near an edge of a wireless communication network, wherein the proxy server is configured to respond to requests for social network updates for highly popular entities from the proxy server without routing the requests to the respective social networks.

28. A computing device, comprising:

a display;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the display and to the memory and configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving social network updates via one of a broadcast network and a multicast network;

storing the received social network updates in the memory; and

responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory.

29. The computing device of claim 28, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving an overhead message;

obtaining information identifying each of the obtained social network updates from the received overhead message;

comparing the information identifying each of the obtained social network updates scheduled for broadcast with social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device to identify social network updates for reception;

receiving a broadcast of the identified social network updates based upon scheduling information obtained from the received overhead message;

storing the received social network updates in the memory ice; and

responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory.

30. The computing device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stored in the memory; and

forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stored in the memory.

31. The computing device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stale; and

forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stale.

32. The computing device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device by monitoring the user'"'"'s usage of social networks.

33. The computing device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

registering social network applications implemented on the processor with an agent implemented on the processor, wherein registration of the social network applications identifies to the agent social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device.

34. The computing device of claim 29, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising determining social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device by receiving messages from one or more social networks identifying social network entities relevant to the user.

35. A computing device, comprising:

means for receiving in social network updates transmitted via the one of a broadcast and a multicast network;

means for storing the received social network updates in memory; and

means for responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory.

36. The computing device of claim 35, further comprising:

means for receiving an overhead message;

means for obtaining information identifying each of the obtained social network updates from the received overhead message;

means for comparing the information identifying each of the obtained social network updates scheduled for broadcast with social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device to identify social network updates for reception;

means for receiving a broadcast of the identified social network updates based upon scheduling information obtained from the received overhead message;

means for storing the received social network updates in memory; and

means for responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory.

37. The computing device of claim 36, further comprising:

means for determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stored in the memory; and

means for forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stored in the memory.

38. The computing device of claim 36, further comprising:

means for determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stale; and

means for forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stale.

39. The computing device of claim 36, further comprising:

means for determining social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device by monitoring the user'"'"'s usage of social networks.

40. The computing device of claim 36, further comprising:

means for registering social network applications implemented on the computing device with an agent implemented on the computing device, wherein registration of the social network applications identifies to the agent social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device.

41. The computing device of claim 36, further comprising means for determining social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device by receiving messages from one or more social networks identifying social network entities relevant to the user.

42. A non-transitory processor readable medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a computing device processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving social network updates transmitted via the one of a broadcast and a multicast network;

storing the received social network updates in memory; and

responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory.

43. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 42, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the computing device processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving an overhead message;

obtaining information identifying each of the obtained social network updates from the received overhead message;

comparing the information identifying each of the obtained social network updates scheduled for broadcast with social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device to identify social network updates for reception;

receiving a broadcast of the identified social network updates based upon scheduling information obtained from the received overhead message;

storing the received social network updates in the memory; and

responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory.

44. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the computing device processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stored in the memory; and

forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stored in the memory.

45. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the computing device processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stale; and

forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stale.

46. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the computing device processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device by monitoring the user'"'"'s usage of social networks on the computing device.

47. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the computing device processor to perform operations further comprising:

registering social network applications implemented on the computing device with an agent implemented on the computing device, wherein registration of the social network applications identifies to the agent social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device.

48. The non-transitory processor readable medium of claim 43, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the computing device processor to perform operations, further comprising:

determining social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device by receiving messages from one or more social networks identifying social network entities relevant to the user.

49. A system comprising:

a server coupled to one of a broadcast network and a multicast network; and

a computing device configured to received communications from the server via one of a broadcast network and a multicast network,

wherein the server is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks;

obtaining from the one or more social network updates from the identified highly popular entities; and

transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the server is configured to perform operations further comprising:

transmitting the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities via one of a broadcast and a multicast network comprises broadcasting the obtained social network updates, comprising;

wherein the server generates an overhead message communicating broadcast scheduling information identifying each of the obtained social network updates and when each of the obtained social network updates will be broadcast;

broadcasting the overhead message; and

broadcasting the obtained social network updates at times identified in the overhead message.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein the server is configured to perform operations further comprising:

identifying one or more social networks highly popular entities having a number of followers exceeding a predetermined threshold.

52. The system of claim 49, wherein the server is configured to perform operations such that identifying highly popular entities among one or more social networks comprises:

accessing a first social network;

accessing records of the first social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers;

accessing a second social network;

accessing records of the second social network for each of a plurality of entities to determine a number of followers; and

identifying from the determined number of followers for each of the accessed records a subset which has more followers than average.

53. The system of claim 49, wherein the computing device comprises memory and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising:

receiving the transmitted social network updates via the one of a broadcast and a multicast network;

storing the received social network updates in the memory; and

responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the computing device processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving an overhead message via the one of a broadcast and a multicast network;

obtaining information identifying each of the obtained social network updates from the received overhead message;

comparing the information identifying each of the obtained social network updates scheduled for broadcast with social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device to identify social network updates for reception;

receiving a broadcast of the identified social network updates based upon scheduling information obtained from the received overhead message;

storing the received social network updates in the memory; and

responding to requests for a social network update of a highly popular entity by recalling the requested update from the memory.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the computing device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stored in memory of the computing device; and

forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stored in memory of the computing device.

56. The system of claim 53, wherein the computing device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

determining from information obtained from the received overhead message whether an identified social network update scheduled for broadcast is stale; and

forgoing receiving a broadcast of the identified social network update when it is determined that the update is stale.

57. The system of claim 53, wherein the computing device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

determining social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device by monitoring the user'"'"'s usage of social networks on the computing device.

58. The system of claim 53, wherein the computing device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

registering social network applications implemented on the computing device with an agent implemented on the computing device, wherein registration of the social network applications identifies to the agent social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device.

59. The system of claim 53, wherein the computing device is configured to perform operations further comprising:

determining social network entities relevant to a user of the computing device by receiving messages from one or more social networks identifying social network entities relevant to the user.

60. The system of claim 49, further comprising a proxy server positioned near an edge of a wireless communication network,

wherein the server is configured to perform operations further comprising storing the obtained social network updates from the identified highly popular entities in the proxy server, and

wherein the proxy server is configured to perform operation comprising responding to requests for social network updates for highly popular entities from the proxy server without routing the requests to the respective social networks.