Joining Communication Groups With Pattern Sequenced Light and/or Sound Signals as Data Transmissions

• US 20140056172A1
• Filed: 08/19/2013
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Lindner, Mark A., Lee, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 9,681,468 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1149 Arrangements for indoor wireless networking of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/215 by non-intrusive coupling means, e.g. acoustic couplers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/737 Characterised by transmission of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. infrared waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

A method for joining a communication group by receiving and processing light and/or sound signals in a mobile device. The signaling may be light or audible signals, such as lights and/or music, that may be emitted in particular sequences. The mobile device may receive the light and/or sound signals with sensors, such as cameras and/or microphones, and may process the light and/or sound signals to obtain information encoded within the signals. The mobile device may decode detected signaling information and identify connectivity data that may be used to join and transmit messages to the communication group. In an embodiment, light and/or sound signals related to unknown third parties may be used by the mobile device to identify the third party based on queries to the communication group. In an embodiment, the mobile device may determine parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on ambient conditions, such as ambient noise.

Claims

1. A method for a user of a mobile device to join a communication group, comprising:

measuring ambient conditions within a recorded sample, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of ambient noise and ambient light;

determining parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions;

receiving signals emitted by a signaling device using the determined parameters, wherein the received signals are at least one of light signals and sound signals;

processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals; and

transmitting messages to join the communication group using the obtained information when the user is not already a member of the communication group.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtained information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving light signals using a camera on the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

performing image processing routines on the received light signals to identify distinct light elements;

comparing the distinct light elements to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences and symbols, wherein the sequences include light elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying intensity, and varying duration; and

decoding the distinct light elements to obtain the information for joining the communication group when the distinct light elements match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving sound signals with a microphone on the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the sound signals include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

performing audio processing routines on the received sound signals to identify distinct sound elements;

converting the identified distinct sound elements to data values based on predefined thresholds;

comparing the data values to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences, wherein the sequences include sound elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying volume, varying pitch, and varying duration; and

decoding the data values to determine connectivity data when the distinct data values match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

emitting one of sound signals and light signals by the mobile device to indicate a preferred mode for receiving the signals from the signaling device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the signaling device, and

wherein receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving the signals emitted by the signaling device according to the preferred mode.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a representation of an unknown third-party within the received signals;

transmitting to the communication group a query message that includes the detected representation and requests an identity of the unknown third-party; and

receiving a message including the identity of the unknown third-party from the communication group.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the detected representation of the unknown third-party includes at least one of an image of a face of the third-party, an image of a body of the third-party, an image of clothing of the third-party, and sound of a voice of the third-party.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether a first signal within the received signals can be accurately decoded, wherein the first signal is of a first signal type that is one of a sound signal and a light signal;

activating a sensor associated with a second signal type when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the sensor is one of a camera and a microphone; and

processing a second signal within signals received with the activated sensor when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the second signal is of the second signal type that is different from the first signal type,

wherein processing the received signals comprises determining whether the received signals include complete information that can be used for joining the communication group.

13. A method for communicating information from a signaling device to enable a mobile device to join a communication group, comprising:

measuring ambient conditions within a recorded sample, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of ambient noise and ambient light;

determining parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions; and

transmitting signals that encode information for joining the communication group using the determined parameters, wherein the signals are at least one of light signals and sound signals, and

wherein the information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the transmitted signals comprise light signals emitted by a light emitter, wherein the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in distinct light elements corresponding to predefined signaling information including predefined sequences and symbols.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the transmitted signals comprise sound signals emitted from a speaker, wherein the sound signals include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the sound signals encode the information for joining the communication group in identify distinct sound elements including predefined sound sequences.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving signals emitted by the mobile device, wherein the received signals are at least one of light signals and sound signals;

decoding the received signals to obtain information indicating a preferred mode for the mobile device to receive signals from the signaling device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the signaling device; and

transmitting the signals encoding the information for joining the communication group according to the preferred mode.

19. A mobile device configured to join a communication group, comprising:

means for measuring ambient conditions within a recorded sample, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of ambient noise and ambient light;

means for determining parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions;

means for receiving signals emitted by a signaling device using the determined parameters, wherein the received signals are at least one of light signals and sound signals;

means for processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals; and

means for transmitting messages to join the communication group using the obtained information when a user of the mobile device is not already a member of the communication group.

20. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the obtained information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

21. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein means for receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises means for receiving light signals using a camera on the mobile device.

22. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein light signals encodes the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

23. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein means for processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

means for performing image processing routines on the received light signals to identify distinct light elements;

means for comparing the distinct light elements to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences and symbols, wherein the sequences include light elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying intensity, and varying duration; and

means for decoding the distinct light elements to obtain the information for joining the communication group when the distinct light elements match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

24. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein means for receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises means for receiving sound signals with a microphone on the mobile device.

25. The mobile device of claim 24, wherein the sound signals include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

26. The mobile device of claim 24, wherein means for processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

means for performing audio processing routines on the received sound signals to identify distinct sound elements;

means for converting the identified distinct sound elements to data values based on predefined thresholds;

means for comparing the data values to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences, wherein the sequences include sound elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying volume, varying pitch, and varying duration; and

means for decoding the data values to determine connectivity data when the distinct data values match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

27. The mobile device of claim 19, further comprising:

means for emitting one of sound signals and light signals by the mobile device to indicate a preferred mode for receiving the signals from the signaling device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the signaling device, and

wherein means for receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises means for receiving the signals emitted by the signaling device according to the preferred mode.

28. The mobile device of claim 19, further comprising:

means for detecting a representation of an unknown third-party within the received signals;

means for transmitting to the communication group a query message that includes the detected representation and requests an identity of the unknown third-party; and

means for receiving a message including the identity of the unknown third-party from the communication group.

29. The mobile device of claim 28, wherein the detected representation of the unknown third-party includes at least one of an image of a face of the third-party, an image of a body of the third-party, an image of clothing of the third-party, and sound of a voice of the third-party.

30. The mobile device of claim 19, further comprising:

means for determining whether a first signal within the received signals can be accurately decoded, wherein the first signal is of a first signal type that is one of a sound signal and a light signal;

means for activating a sensor associated with a second signal type when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the sensor is one of a camera and a microphone; and

means for processing a second signal within signals received with the activated sensor when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the second signal is of the second signal type that is different from the first signal type,

wherein means for processing the received signals comprises means for determining whether the received signals include complete information that can be used for joining the communication group.

31. A computing device configured to communicate information to enable a mobile device to join a communication group, comprising:

means for measuring ambient conditions within a recorded sample, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of ambient noise and ambient light;

means for determining parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions; and

means for transmitting signals that encode the information for joining the communication group using the determined parameters, wherein the signals are at least one of light signals and sound signals, and

wherein the information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

32. The computing device of claim 31, wherein the transmitted signals comprise light signals emitted by a light emitter, wherein the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

33. The computing device of claim 32, wherein the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in distinct light elements corresponding to predefined signaling information including predefined sequences and symbols.

34. The computing device of claim 31, wherein the transmitted signals comprise sound signals emitted from a speaker within the computing device, wherein the sound signals include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

35. The computing device of claim 34, wherein the sound signals encode the information for joining the communication group in identify distinct sound elements including predefined sound sequences.

36. The computing device of claim 31, further comprising:

means for receiving signals emitted by the mobile device, wherein the received signals are at least one of light signals and sound signals;

means for decoding the received signals to obtain information indicating a preferred mode for the mobile device to receive signals from the computing device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the computing device; and

means for transmitting the signals encoding the information for joining the communication group according to the preferred mode.

37. A mobile device configured to join a communication group, comprising:

a memory;

a light sensor;

a microphone; and

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

measuring ambient conditions within a recorded sample, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of ambient noise and ambient light;

determining parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions;

receiving, using the at least one of the light sensor and microphone, signals emitted by a signaling device using the determined parameters, wherein the received signals are at least one of the light signals and the sound signals;

processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals; and

transmitting messages to join the communication group using the obtained information when a user of the mobile device is not already a member of the communication group.

38. The mobile device of claim 37, wherein the obtained information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

39. The mobile device of claim 37, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving light signals using the light sensor on the mobile device, wherein the light sensor is a camera.

40. The mobile device of claim 39, wherein the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

41. The mobile device of claim 39, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

performing image processing routines on the received light signals to identify distinct light elements;

comparing the distinct light elements to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences and symbols, wherein the sequences include light elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying intensity, and varying duration; and

decoding the distinct light elements to obtain the information for joining the communication group when the distinct light elements match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

42. The mobile device of claim 37, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving sound signals with the microphone on the mobile device.

43. The mobile device of claim 42, wherein the sound signals include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

44. The mobile device of claim 42, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

performing audio processing routines on the received sound signals to identify distinct sound elements;

converting the identified distinct sound elements to data values based on predefined thresholds;

comparing the data values to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences, wherein the sequences include sound elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying volume, varying pitch, and varying duration; and

decoding the data values to determine connectivity data when the distinct data values match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

45. The mobile device of claim 37, further comprising:

a signal emitter configured to emit at least one of sound signals and light signals, wherein the processor is coupled to the signal emitter,

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising emitting, using the signal emitter, signals indicating a preferred mode for receiving the signals from the signaling device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the signaling device, and

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving the signals emitted by the signaling device according to the preferred mode.

46. The mobile device of claim 37, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

detecting a representation of an unknown third-party within the received signals;

transmitting to the communication group a query message that includes the detected representation and requests an identity of the unknown third-party; and

receiving a message including the identity of the unknown third-party from the communication group.

47. The mobile device of claim 46, wherein the detected representation of the unknown third-party includes at least one of an image of a face of the third-party, an image of a body of the third-party, an image of clothing of the third-party, and sound of a voice of the third-party.

48. The mobile device of claim 37, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether a first signal within the received signals can be accurately decoded, wherein the first signal is of a first signal type that is one of a sound signal and a light signal;

activating a sensor associated with a second signal type when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the sensor is one of the light sensor and the microphone; and

processing a second signal within signals received with the activated sensor when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the second signal is of the second signal type that is different from the first signal type,

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that processing the received signals comprises determining whether the received signals include complete information that can be used for joining the communication group.

49. A computing device configured to communicate information to enable a mobile device to join a communication group, comprising:

a memory;

a signal emitter configured to emit at least one of sound signals and light signals, and

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

measuring ambient conditions within a recorded sample, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of ambient noise and ambient light;

determining parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions; and

transmitting signals using the signal emitter that encode information for joining the communication group using the determined parameters, and

wherein the information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

50. The computing device of claim 49, wherein the transmitted signals comprise light signals and the signal emitter is a light emitter, and

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

51. The computing device of claim 50, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in distinct light elements corresponding to predefined signaling information including predefined sequences and symbols.

52. The computing device of claim 49, wherein:

the signal emitter is a speaker; and

the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the transmitted signals comprise sound signals that include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

53. The computing device of claim 52, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that the sound signals encode the information for joining the communication group in identify distinct sound elements including predefined sound sequences.

54. The computing device of claim 49, further comprising a sensor configured to receive at least one of sound signals and light signals, wherein the processor is coupled to the sensor,

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

receiving, using the sensor, signals emitted by the mobile device, wherein the received signals are at least one of light signals received using a camera and sound signals received using a microphone;

decoding the received signals to obtain information indicating a preferred mode for the mobile device to receive signals from the computing device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the computing device; and

transmitting the signals encoding the information for joining the communication group according to the preferred mode.

55. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations for a mobile device to join a communication group comprising:

measuring ambient conditions within a recorded sample, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of ambient noise and ambient light;

determining parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions;

receiving signals emitted by a signaling device using the determined parameters, wherein the received signals are at least one of light signals and sound signals;

processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals; and

transmitting messages to join the communication group using the obtained information when a user of the mobile device is not already a member of the communication group.

56. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 55, wherein the obtained information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

57. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 55, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving light signals using a camera on the mobile device.

58. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein light signals encodes the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

59. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

performing image processing routines on the received light signals to identify distinct light elements;

comparing the distinct light elements to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences and symbols, wherein the sequences include light elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying intensity, and varying duration; and

decoding the distinct light elements to obtain the information for joining the communication group when the distinct light elements match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

60. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 55, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving sound signals with a microphone on the mobile device.

61. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the sound signals include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

62. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

performing audio processing routines on the received sound signals to identify distinct sound elements;

converting the identified distinct sound elements to data values based on predefined thresholds;

comparing the data values to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences, wherein the sequences include sound elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying volume, varying pitch, and varying duration; and

decoding the data values to determine connectivity data when the distinct data values match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

63. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 55, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising emitting one of sound signals and light signals to indicate a preferred mode for receiving the signals from the signaling device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the signaling device, and

wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that receiving signals emitted by a signaling device comprises receiving the signals emitted by the signaling device according to the preferred mode.

64. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 55, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

detecting a representation of an unknown third-party within the received signals;

transmitting to the communication group a query message that includes the detected representation and requests an identity of the unknown third-party; and

receiving a message including the identity of the unknown third-party from the communication group.

65. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 64, wherein the detected representation of the unknown third-party includes at least one of an image of a face of the third-party, an image of a body of the third-party, an image of clothing of the third-party, and sound of a voice of the third-party.

66. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 55, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether a first signal within the received signals can be accurately decoded, wherein the first signal is of a first signal type that is one of a sound signal and a light signal;

activating a sensor associated with a second signal type when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the sensor is one of a camera and a microphone; and

processing a second signal within signals received with the activated sensor when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the second signal is of the second signal type that is different from the first signal type,

wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations such that processing the received signals comprises determining whether the received signals include complete information that can be used for joining the communication group.

67. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations for a computing device to communicate information to enable a mobile device to join a communication group, comprising:

measuring ambient conditions within a recorded sample, wherein the ambient conditions include at least one of ambient noise and ambient light;

determining parameters for receiving and/or transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions; and

transmitting signals that encode information for joining the communication group using the determined parameters, wherein the signals are at least one of light signals and sound signals, and

wherein the information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

68. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein the transmitted signals comprise light signals emitted by a light emitter, wherein the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

69. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in distinct light elements corresponding to predefined signaling information including predefined sequences and symbols.

70. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein the transmitted signals comprise sound signals emitted from a speaker, wherein the sound signals include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

71. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 70, wherein the sound signals encode the information for joining the communication group in identify distinct sound elements including predefined sound sequences.

72. The non-transitory processor-readable storage medium of claim 67, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

receiving signals emitted by the mobile device, wherein the received signals are at least one of light signals received using a camera and sound signals received using a microphone;

decoding the received signals to obtain information indicating a preferred mode for the mobile device to receive signals from the computing device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the computing device; and

transmitting the signals encoding the information for joining the communication group according to the preferred mode.

73. A communication system, comprising:

a server configured to manage a communication group communication;

the mobile device; and

a signaling device,

wherein the mobile device comprises;

a first memory;

a light sensor;

a microphone;

a first network interface configured to communicate with a network; and

a first processor coupled to the first memory, the first network interface, the light sensor and the microphone, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

measuring ambient conditions within a first recorded sample of ambient noise and ambient light;

determining communication parameters for one or both of receiving and transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions;

receiving, using at least one of the light sensor and the microphone, signals emitted by the signaling device using the determined parameters, wherein the received signals are at least one of the light signals and the sound signals;

processing the received signals to obtain information for joining a communication group encoded within the received signals; and

transmitting to the server via the first network interface messages to join the communication group using the obtained information when the user is not already a member of the communication group,

wherein the signaling device comprises;

a second memory;

a second signal emitter configured to emit at least one of the sound signals and the light signals, and

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

measuring the ambient conditions within a second recorded sample;

determining communication parameters for one or both of receiving and transmitting signals based on the measured ambient conditions; and

transmitting, using the determined communication parameters and the second signal emitter, the signals encoding the information for joining the communication group, and

wherein the server comprises;

a second network interface configured to communicate with the network; and

a third processor coupled to the second network interface and configured with server-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving via the second network interface from the mobile device the information for joining the mobile device to the communication group; and

joining the mobile device to the communication group based on the received information.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the information for joining the communication group includes one or more of URLs, email addresses, website portal information, IP addresses, session initiation protocol uniform resource identifiers, Facebook connection information, RSS feed information, listserv information, and Twitter feed information.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving, using at least one of the light sensor and the microphone, signals emitted by the signaling device using the determined parameters comprises receiving light signals using the light sensor, wherein the light sensor is a camera, and

wherein the second signal emitter in the signaling device is a light emitter.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the light signals encode the information for joining the communication group in one or more of colors, patterns, symbols, lights, and imagery.

77. The system of claim 75, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

performing image processing routines on the received light signals to identify distinct light elements;

comparing the distinct light elements to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences and symbols, wherein the sequences include light elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying intensity, and varying duration; and

decoding the distinct light elements to obtain the information for joining the communication group when the distinct light elements match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

78. The system of claim 73, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving, using at least one of the light sensor and the microphone, signals emitted by the signaling device using the determined parameters comprises receiving sound signals with the microphone, and

wherein the second signal emitter in the signaling device is a speaker.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the sound signals include one or more of emitted tones, sounds, musical notes, voices, noise, notes, beeps, clicks, and ultrasound.

80. The system of claim 78, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that processing the received signals to obtain information for joining the communication group encoded within the received signals comprises:

performing audio processing routines on the received sound signals to identify distinct sound elements;

converting the identified distinct sound elements to data values based on predefined thresholds;

comparing the data values to predefined signaling information, wherein the predefined signaling information includes predefined sequences, wherein the sequences include sound elements having at least one of varying frequency, varying volume, varying pitch, and varying duration; and

decoding the data values to determine connectivity data when the distinct data values match the predefined signaling information based on the comparison.

81. The system of claim 73, wherein the mobile device further comprises:

a first signal emitter configured to emit at least one of the sound signals and the light signals, wherein the first processor is coupled to the first signal emitter, and

wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising emitting, using the first signal emitter, signals indicating a preferred mode for receiving the signals from the signaling device, wherein the preferred mode describes a characteristic, type, or format of the signals emitted by the signaling device,

wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that receiving, using at least one of the light sensor and the microphone, signals emitted by the signaling device comprises receiving the signals emitted by the signaling device according to the preferred mode,

wherein the signaling device further comprises a second sensor configured to receive at least one of the sound signals and the light signals, wherein the second processor is coupled to the second sensor, and

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

receiving, via the second sensor, the signals emitted by the mobile device that indicate the preferred mode;

decoding the received signals emitted by the mobile device to obtain information indicating the preferred mode; and

transmitting, using the second signal emitter, the signals encoding the information for joining the communication group according to the preferred mode.

82. The system of claim 73, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions further comprising:

detecting a representation of an unknown third-party within the received signals emitted by the signaling device;

transmitting via the first network interface a query message that includes the detected representation and requests an identity of the unknown third-party; and

receiving via the first network interface a message including the identity of the unknown third-party.

83. The system of claim 82, wherein the detected representation of the unknown third-party includes at least one of an image of a face of the third-party, an image of a body of the third-party, an image of clothing of the third-party, and sound of a voice of the third-party.

84. The system of claim 73, wherein the mobile device wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether a first signal within the received signals emitted by the signaling device can be accurately decoded, wherein the first signal was received by one of the light sensor and microphone;

activating the other of the light sensor and the microphone when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded; and

processing a second signal within the received signals emitted by the signaling device when it is determined the first signal cannot be accurately decoded, wherein the second signal was received by the other of the light sensor and the microphone, and

wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that processing the received signals comprises determining whether the received signals emitted from the signaling device include complete information that can be used for joining the communication group, and

wherein the signaling device further comprises a first signal emitter coupled to the second processor, and

wherein the second processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations such that transmitting, using the determined parameters and the second signal emitter, the signals comprises transmitting the signals using the first signal emitter and the second signal emitter.