Method, apparatus and computer program for enabling access to content in a network service

• US 8,209,426 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2009
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conversant Wireless Licensing S.à.r.l. (f/k/a Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l.) (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Original Assignee: Core Wiresless Licensing SARL (MOSAID Technologies Inc. (f/k/a Conversant Intellectual Property Management))
• Inventors: Simonen, Hannu Antero, Vyrynen, Jarno Tapio, Bostrm, Jani
• Primary Examiner(s): LAZARO, DAVID R
• Application Number:
  US12/404,027
• Publication Number:
  US 20100235429A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/217, 709/218, 709227-229
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/24 Transfer of terminal data

Abstract

An approach is provided for enabling access to content in a network service. Location information is received, at a server, relating to a first remote apparatus and another remote apparatus. The received location information is utilized to determine that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are proximal to each other. Access rights are updated within a network service to enable the user of the another remote apparatus to access content associated with the user of the first remote apparatus.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, at a server, location information relating to a first remote apparatus and another remote apparatus;

determining, using the received location information, that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are proximal to each other;

updating, in response to the determining that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are proximal to each other, access rights within a network service to enable a user of the another remote apparatus to access content associated with a user of the first remote apparatus.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising receiving, at the server, a message from the first remote apparatus indicating that a user of the first remote apparatus wishes to permit a user of another remote apparatus to access content relating to a network service;

receiving, at the server, first identification information from the first remote apparatus which enables the server to identify the content to which access is to be permitted;

receiving, at the server, second identification information which enables a user of the another remote apparatus to be identified.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the location information is obtained using a short range wireless communication link between the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the short range wireless communication link is a Bluetooth communication link or a near field communication link.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the location information is obtained using a satellite positioning system.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the location information enables the server to determine that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are within a particular region.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the location information enables the server to determine that the first apparatus and the another apparatus are within a predetermined distance of each other.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the server updates the access rights by assigning one of a plurality of access levels to the user of the another apparatus.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the server also updates access rights within the network service to enable the user of the first remote apparatus to access content associated with the user of the another remote apparatus.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the network service is a subscriber service.

11. An apparatus comprising:

at least one receiver configured to receive location information relating to a first remote apparatus and a second remote apparatus; and

a controller configured to determine, using the received location information, that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are proximal to each other, wherein the controller is also configured to update, in response to the determining that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are proximal to each other, access rights within a network service to enable a user of the another remote apparatus to access content associated with a user of the first remote apparatus.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11 comprising at least one receiver configured to receive a message from the first remote apparatus indicating that a user of the first remote apparatus wishes to permit a user of the another remote apparatus to access content relating to a network service;

at least one receiver configured to receive first identification information from the first remote apparatus which enables the apparatus to identify the content to which access is to be permitted and second identification information which enables a user of another remote apparatus to be identified.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the location information is obtained using a short range wireless communication link between the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus and is then transmitted to the apparatus.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the short range wireless communication link is a Bluetooth communication link or a near field communication link.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the location information is obtained using a satellite positioning system.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the location information enables the apparatus to determine that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are within a particular region.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the location information enables the apparatus to determine that the first apparatus and the another apparatus are within a predetermined distance of each other.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the apparatus updates the access rights by assigning one of a plurality of access levels to the user of the another apparatus.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising computer program instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform,

receiving location information of a first remote apparatus and a second remote apparatus;

and

determining, using the received location information, that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are proximal to each other; and

updating, in response to the determining that the first remote apparatus and the another remote apparatus are proximal to each other, access rights within a network service to enable a user of the another remote apparatus to access the identified content.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as claimed in claim 19, wherein the apparatus is caused to further perform,

receiving first identification information from the first remote apparatus which enables the apparatus to identify the content to which access is to be permitted and second identification information which enables a user of another remote apparatus to be identified.