Ad hoc networking based on content and location

• US 8,386,620 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2009
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chatterjee, Shuvo
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, VIET DUY
• Application Number:
  US12/638,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20110142016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,169 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/219, 709/223, 709/224, 709/227, 709/228, 709/230, 709/237, 719/318
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/435 Filtering based on additional data, e.g. user or group profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/185 by embedding added-value information into content, e.g. geo-tagging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

Methods, program products, and systems for ad hoc networking based on content and location are described. A user of a mobile device can identify another user using another mobile device who is close by, if both users have requested to participate in networking. Common interests and experiences of two or more users located close to each other can be identified from content, including automatically created usage data of the mobile devices. Usage data of a mobile device can be created based on activities performed on the mobile device (e.g., songs downloaded), a trajectory of the mobile device (e.g., places traveled), or other public data available from the mobile device (e.g., pictures shared). Each of the users can be notified that another user having the common interests and experiences is close by. A means of initiating communication can be provided to the users to facilitate communication between the users.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method, comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving, from a second mobile device, a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

2. The method of claim 1, where determining the match score includes:

identifying common content items downloaded to both the first mobile device and the second mobile device according to the usage data; and

calculating the match score based on a number of the downloaded common content items.

4. The method of claim 2, where the second request is received within a time window of receiving the first request.

3. A computer implemented method comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving, from a second mobile device, a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, including;

recognizing that one or more first images uploaded from the first mobile device and one or more second images uploaded from the second mobile device relate to one or more common subjects using facial recognition; and

calculating the match score based on a number of the common subjects; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on the match score, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

5. A computer implemented method, comprising:

from a first mobile device, sending to a server a first request to participate in social networking;

sending to the server information specifying a geographical location of the first mobile device;

receiving notification from the server that a second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, that the second mobile device has sent a second request to participate in the social networking, and that the first mobile device and the second mobile device share at least one common item in usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein the social networking distance is a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

displaying the notification on the first mobile device, including displaying the match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising displaying on the first mobile device a direction toward where the second mobile device is located or a distance between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

on the first mobile device, displaying a user interface in association with the first request, the user interface operable to receive user permission to transmit usage data; and

upon receiving the user permission, sending the usage data of the first mobile device to the server.

8. A computer implemented method, comprising:

on a first mobile device, receiving a user request to participate in social networking with mobile devices located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

identifying a second mobile device within the social networking distance of the first mobile device, the second mobile device configured to participate in the social networking;

transmitting usage data from the first mobile device to the second mobile device;

on the first mobile device, receiving from the second mobile device an identification of at least one match between the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the match being determined based on the usage data by determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

indicating on the first mobile device that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance based on the match.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the social networking distance is determined by a transmission range of the first mobile device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the usage data include a trajectory of the first mobile device, the trajectory identifying one or more geographical locations the first mobile device has visited.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the match is determined based on collaborative filtering of the usage data, the collaborative filtering including identifying a geographical location that both the first and the second mobile device have visited in the past.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the match is determined based on collaborative filtering of the usage data, the collaborative filtering including identifying a browsing preference between the first mobile device and the second mobile device, including at least one of common browsing history, common browsing bookmarks, and membership at common content provider websites.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein indicating on the first mobile device that a social networking opportunity exists includes displaying identification information of a user of the second mobile device and displaying a match score, the match score measuring a confidence level of the match.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein indicating on the first mobile device that a social networking opportunity exists includes displaying an indicator on the first mobile device, the indicator indicating a direction at which the second mobile device is located based on geographical coordinates of the first and second mobile devices.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first mobile device includes an electronic compass for indicating the direction.

16. A computer implemented method, comprising:

on a first mobile device, receiving a request to participate in social networking with mobile devices located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

detecting that at least one second mobile device is located within the social networking distance of the first mobile device, the second mobile device transmitting an invitation for social networking;

on the first mobile device, receiving usage data of the second mobile device;

identifying at least one match between the usage data of the second mobile device and usage data of the first mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

accepting the invitation, including sending an indicator of the match to the second mobile device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device include a recently played song list.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device include a music genre configured on the first mobile device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device include a list of recently played electronic games.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device include a list of recently played electronic games.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device includes a list of recently played electronic games.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein accepting the invitation from the second mobile device includes sending the match score to the second mobile device.

23. A system, comprising:

one or more computers configured to perform operations comprising;

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving from a second mobile device a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

24. The system of claim 23, where determining the match score includes:

identifying common content items downloaded to both the first mobile device and the second mobile device according to the usage data; and

calculating the match score based on a number of the downloaded common content items.

25. A system, comprising:

one or more computers configured to perform operations comprising;

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving from a second mobile device a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, including;

recognizing that one or more first images uploaded from the first mobile device and one or more second images uploaded from the second mobile device relate to one or more common subjects using facial recognition; and

calculating the match score based on a number of the common subjects; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on the match score, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

26. The system of claim 25, where the second request is received within a time window of receiving the first request.

27. A system, comprising:

a first mobile device configured to perform operations comprising;

sending to a server a first request to participate in social networking;

sending to the server information specifying a geographical location of the first mobile device;

receiving notification from the server that a second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, that the second mobile device has sent a second request to participate in the social networking, and that the first mobile device and the second mobile device share at least one common item in usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein the social networking distance is a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

displaying the notification on the first mobile device, including displaying the match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

28. The system of claim 27, the operations further comprising displaying on the first mobile device a direction toward where the second mobile device is located or a distance between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

29. The system of claim 27, the operations further comprising:

on the first mobile device, displaying a user interface in association with the first request, the user interface operable to receive user permission to transmit usage data; and

upon receiving the user permission, sending the usage data of the first mobile device to the server.

30. A system, comprising:

a first mobile device configured to perform operations comprising;

receiving a user request to participate in social networking with mobile devices located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

identifying a second mobile device within the social networking distance of the first mobile device, the second mobile device configured to participate in the social networking;

transmitting usage data from the first mobile device to the second mobile device;

on the first mobile device, receiving from the second mobile device an identification of at least one match between the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the match being determined based on the usage data by determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

indicating on the first mobile device that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance based on the match.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the social networking distance is determined by a transmission range of the first mobile device.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the usage data include a trajectory of the first mobile device, the trajectory identifying one or more geographical locations the first mobile device has visited.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the match is determined based on collaborative filtering the usage data, the collaborative filtering including identifying a geographical location that both the first and the second mobile device have visited in the past.

34. The system of claim 30, wherein the match is determined based on collaborative filtering the usage data, the collaborative filtering including identifying a browsing preference between the first mobile device and the second mobile device, including at least one of common browsing history, common browsing bookmarks, and membership at common content provider websites.

35. The system of claim 30, wherein indicating on the first mobile device that a social networking opportunity exists includes displaying an indicator on the first mobile device, the indicator indicating a direction at which the second mobile device is located based on geographical coordinates of the first and second mobile devices.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the first mobile device includes an electronic compass for indicating the direction.

37. A system, comprising:

a first mobile device configured to perform operations comprising;

receiving a request to participate in social networking with mobile devices located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

detecting that at least one second mobile device is located within the social networking distance of the first mobile device, the second mobile device transmitting an invitation for social networking;

on the first mobile device, receiving usage data of the second mobile device;

identifying at least one match between the usage data of the second mobile device and usage data of the first mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

accepting the invitation, including sending an indicator of the match to the second mobile device.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device include a recently played song list.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device include a music genre configured on the first mobile device.

40. A non-transitory computer storage device storing a computer program product, the computer program product operable to cause data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving from a second mobile device a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content list created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content list created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content lists being parts of the usage data, the first and second content lists generated using collaborative filtering; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

41. The device of claim 40, where determining the match score includes:

identifying common content items downloaded to both the first mobile device and the second mobile device according to the usage data; and

calculating the match score based on a number of the downloaded common content items.

42. A computer program product stored on a computer storage device, operable to cause data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving, from a second mobile device, a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, including;

recognizing that one or more first documents uploaded from the first mobile device and one or more second documents uploaded from the second mobile device relate to one or more common subjects using facial recognition; and

calculating the match score based on a number of the common subjects; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on the match score, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

43. The computer program product of claim 42, where the second request is received within a time window of receiving the first request.

44. A non-transitory computer storage device storing a computer program product, the computer program product operable to cause a first mobile device to perform operations comprising:

sending to a server a first request to participate in social networking;

sending to the server information specifying a geographical location of the first mobile device;

receiving notification from the server that a second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, that the second mobile device has sent a second request to participate in the social networking, and that the first mobile device and the second mobile device share at least one common item in usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein the social networking distance is a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

displaying the notification on the first mobile device, including displaying the match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

45. The device of claim 44, the operations further comprising displaying on the first mobile device a direction toward where the second mobile device is located or a distance between the first mobile device and the second mobile device.

46. The device of claim 44, the operations further comprising:

on the first mobile device, displaying a user interface in association with the first request, the user interface operable to receive user permission to transmit usage data; and

upon receiving the user permission, sending the usage data of the first mobile device to the server.

47. A non-transitory computer storage device storing a program product, the program product operable to cause a first mobile device to perform operations comprising:

receiving a user request to participate in social networking with mobile devices located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

identifying a second mobile device within the social networking distance of the first mobile device, the second mobile device configured to participate in the social networking;

transmitting usage data from the first mobile device to the second mobile device;

on the first mobile device, receiving from the second mobile device an identification of at least one match between the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the match being determined based on the usage data; and

indicating on the first mobile device that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance based on the match.

48. The device of claim 47, wherein the social networking distance is determined by a transmission range of the first mobile device.

49. The device of claim 47, wherein the usage data include a trajectory of the first mobile device, the trajectory identifying one or more geographical locations the first mobile device has visited.

50. The device of claim 49, wherein the match is determined based on collaborative filtering of the usage data, the collaborative filtering including identifying a geographical location that both the first and the second mobile device have visited in the past.

51. The device of claim 47, wherein the match is determined based on collaborative filtering of the usage data, the collaborative filtering including identifying a browsing preference between the first mobile device and the second mobile device, including at least one of common browsing history, common browsing bookmarks, and membership at common content provider websites.

52. The device of claim 47, wherein indicating on the first mobile device that a social networking opportunity exists includes displaying an indicator on the first mobile device, the indicator indicating a direction at which the second mobile device is located based on geographical coordinates of the first and second mobile devices.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein the first mobile device includes an electronic compass for indicating the direction.

54. A non-transitory computer storage device storing a computer program product, the computer product operable to cause a first mobile device to perform operations comprising:

receiving a request to participate in social networking with mobile devices located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device, the social networking distance being a distance between two mobile devices each of which requested participation in the social networking;

detecting that at least one second mobile device is located within the social networking distance of the first mobile device, the second mobile device transmitting an invitation for social networking;

on the first mobile device, receiving usage data of the second mobile device;

identifying at least one match between the usage data of the second mobile device and usage data of the first mobile device, comprising;

determining similarity between a first content collection created for the first mobile device using content items in a first library and a second content collection created for the second mobile device using content items in a second library, the first and second content collections being parts of the usage data, the first and second content collections being generated using collaborative filtering; and

accepting the invitation, including sending an indicator of the match to the second mobile device.

55. The device of claim 54, wherein the usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device include a recently played song list.

56. The device of claim 54, wherein the usage data on each of the first mobile device and the second mobile device include a music genre configured on the first mobile device.

57. A computer implemented method, comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving, from a second mobile device, a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein determining the match score comprises applying collaborative filtering to first content items from usage data of the first mobile device and second content items from usage data of the second mobile device; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein applying collaborative filtering comprises filtering information or patterns based on collaboration among multiple users.

59. A system, comprising:

one or more computers configured to perform operations comprising;

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving, from a second mobile device, a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein determining the match score comprises applying collaborative filtering to first content items from usage data of the first mobile device and second content items from usage data of the second mobile device; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

60. The system of 59, wherein applying collaborative filtering comprises filtering information or patterns based on collaboration among multiple users.

61. A non-transitory storage device storing a computer program product, the computer program product operable to cause data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a first mobile device, a first request to participate in social networking;

receiving, from a second mobile device, a second request to participate in the social networking;

determining that the second mobile device is located within a social networking distance of the first mobile device;

determining a match score between the first mobile device and the second mobile device based on usage data of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, wherein determining the match score comprises applying collaborative filtering to first content items from usage data of the first mobile device and second content items from usage data of the second mobile device; and

sending a notification to at least one of the first mobile device and the second mobile device, the notification indicating that a social networking opportunity exists within the social networking distance.

62. The device of claim 61, wherein applying collaborative filtering comprises filtering information or patterns based on collaboration among multiple users.