System, devices and methods for use in proximity-based networking
First Claim
1. A device for proximity-based communication between the device and at least a second device, the device comprising:
- at least one communication unit adapted to communicate between the first device and the second device in a wireless manner;
at least one network layer that includes a communication specification for communicating information between the device and the second device through the communication unit, the network layer being adapted to detect proximity between the device and the second device and communicate information regarding detection of physical proximity between the device and the second device or a lack of detection of physical proximity between the device and the second device;
a PAN Cell Management layer that receives the physical proximity information from the network layer over time, the PAN Cell Management layer translating the physical proximity detection information received over time into time- and proximity-based events; and
an application layer including a memory in which at least one computer application is stored, the PAN Cell Management layer communicating information of occurrence of at least one of the time- and proximity-based events to the computer application so that the computer application can perform a task programmed to be performed on occurrence of one of the proximity-based events.
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Abstract
In general, the present invention provides in one aspect thereof a device for proximity-based communication between the device and at least a second device. The device preferably includes: a communication unit adapted to communicate between the first device and the second device in a wireless manner; a network layer that includes a communication specification for communicating information between the device and the second device through the communication unit, the network layer being adapted to determine or detect physical proximity between the device and the second device and communicate information regarding detection of physical proximity between the device and the second device or a lack of detection of physical proximity between the device and the second device; a PAN Cell Management layer that receives the physical proximity information from the network layer over time, the PAN Cell Management layer translating the physical proximity detection information received over time into time- and proximity-based events; and an application layer including a memory in which at least one computer application is stored, the PAN Cell Management layer communicating information of occurrence of at least one of the proximity-based events to the computer application so that the computer application can perform a task programmed to be performed on occurrence of the one of the proximity-based events.
143 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for proximity-based communication between the device and at least a second device, the device comprising:
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at least one communication unit adapted to communicate between the first device and the second device in a wireless manner;
at least one network layer that includes a communication specification for communicating information between the device and the second device through the communication unit, the network layer being adapted to detect proximity between the device and the second device and communicate information regarding detection of physical proximity between the device and the second device or a lack of detection of physical proximity between the device and the second device;
a PAN Cell Management layer that receives the physical proximity information from the network layer over time, the PAN Cell Management layer translating the physical proximity detection information received over time into time- and proximity-based events; and
an application layer including a memory in which at least one computer application is stored, the PAN Cell Management layer communicating information of occurrence of at least one of the time- and proximity-based events to the computer application so that the computer application can perform a task programmed to be performed on occurrence of one of the proximity-based events. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19)
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13. A method for event-based programming that operates upon the basis of proximity over time between a first device and at least a second device, the method comprising the steps of:
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storing in the memory of the first device an application that performs a task on the basis of the occurrence of at least one of a plurality of time- and proximity-based events;
detecting if the first device and the second device are in physical proximity in a recurring manner over time;
aggregating recurring detection or lack of detection of the proximity of the first device and the second device over time to produce the time- and proximity-based events, the time- and proximity-based events being representative of the proximity of the device in relation to the second device at the time of production thereof;
communicating at least one of the time- and proximity-based events to the registered application. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for event-based programming that operates upon the basis of proximity over time between a plurality of stationary communication/detection devices in communication with a stationary computing device and at least one mobile device, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning each of the stationary communication/detection devices at a unique position within an area;
storing in the memory of the computing device an application that performs a task on the basis of the occurrence of at least one of a plurality of time- and proximity-based events;
detecting if the mobile device is in physical proximity with each of the stationary communication/detection devices in a recurring manner over time;
aggregating recurring detection or lack of detection of the proximity of each of the stationary communication/detection devices and the mobile device over time to produce the time- and proximity-based events, the time- and proximity-based events being representative of the proximity of the mobile device to the area at the time of production thereof;
communicating at least one of the time- and proximity-based events to the registered application. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
at least one communication unit adapted to communicate with any of the communication/detection devices in a wireless manner;
at least one network layer that includes a communication specification for communicating information between the mobile device and any one of the communication/detection devices through the communication unit, the network layer being adapted to detect proximity between the mobile device and any one of the communication/detection devices and communicate information regarding detection of physical proximity between the device and any one of the communication/detection devices or a lack of detection of physical proximity between the device and any one of the communication/detection devices;
a PAN Cell Management layer that receives the physical proximity information from the network layer over time, the PAN Cell Management layer translating the physical proximity detection information received over time into time- and proximity-based events; and
an application layer including a memory in which at least one computer application is stored, the PAN Cell Management layer communicating information of occurrence of at least one of the time- and proximity-based events to the computer application so that the computer application can perform a task programmed to be performed on occurrence of one of the proximity-based events.
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Specification