Selective distribution of location based service content to mobile devices

• US 8,583,142 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2012
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Das, Saumitra Mohan, Khorashadi, Behrooz, Gupta, Rajarshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelin, Jean
• Application Number:
  US13/423,038
• Publication Number:
  US 20130244624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404.2, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/420, 455/422.1, 455/432.3, 455/435.1, 455/435.3, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.5, 455/456.6, 342/357.1, 342/357.11, 342/357.15, 709/225, 709/226, 709/229, 701/213, 701/214, 701/215
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/108 characterised by resources being split in blocks or fragments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and/or articles of manufacture are provided that selectively distribute location based service content for use by mobile devices with regard to certain indoor environment(s). In one example implementation, one or more computing devices generate data files that collectively represent an initial content for use by a mobile device with regard to an indoor environment, wherein at least one of the data files is generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to the indoor environment. The one or more computing devices selectively initiates transmission of an indication to one or more mobile devices identifying that a shared data file corresponding to a seeded data file may be obtained from a first mobile device. The first mobile device and/or one or more of the other mobile devices may be identified based, at least in part, on the one or more distribution schemes.

Claims

1. A method comprising, with at least one computing device:

generating a plurality of data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by a mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of data files is generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

initiating transmission of at least one of said plurality of data files, as a seeded data file, to a first mobile device;

determining that a second mobile device is estimated to be currently located within said at least one indoor environment, or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time; and

initiating transmission of an indication to said second mobile device, said indication identifying at least said first mobile device as a peer device from which a shared data file corresponding to said seeded data file is available, said shared data file comprising or being based, at least in part, on said seeded data file, and

wherein at least one of said first mobile device or said second mobile device are identified based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said initiating transmission of said at least one of said plurality of data files is based, at least in part, on a determination that said first mobile device is estimated to be currently located within said at least one indoor environment.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said initiating transmission of said at least one of said plurality of data files is based, at least in part, on a determination that said first mobile device was recently located within said at least one indoor environment.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said initiating transmission of said at least one of said plurality of data files is based, at least in part, on a determination that said first mobile device is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within said threshold period of time.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said initiating transmission of said at least one of said plurality of data files is based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said at least said first mobile device, and/or said at least said second mobile device.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of:

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least said first mobile device is selectively identified to said second mobile device based, at least in part, in response to a request from said second mobile device.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said seeded data file is transmitted over a wireless communication link to said first mobile device using a peer-to-peer networking protocol.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said first mobile device and said second mobile device are capable of communicating over a wireless communication link using a peer-to-peer networking protocol.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, and further comprising:

affecting at least a part of said seeded data file to provide for authentication of said seeded data file.

18. An apparatus for use in at least one computing device, the apparatus comprising:

means for generating a plurality of data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by a mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of data files is generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

means for transmitting at least one of said plurality of data files, as a seeded data file, to a first mobile device;

means for determining that a second mobile device is estimated to be located within said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time;

means for transmitting an indication to said second mobile device, said indication identifying at least said first mobile device as a peer device from which a shared data file corresponding to said seeded data file is available, said shared data file comprising or being based, at least in part, on said seeded data file; and

means for identifying at least one of said first mobile device or said second mobile device based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein transmission of said at least one of said plurality of data files is based, at least in part, on a determination that said first mobile device:

is estimated to be currently located within said at least one indoor environment;

or was recently located within said at least one indoor environment;

or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within said threshold period of time.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein at least one of said means for transmitting said at least one of said plurality of data files, or said means for transmitting said indication, is responsive in a transmission timing based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

21. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said first mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

22. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

23. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

24. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, and further comprising means for receiving a request from said second mobile device, and wherein said at least said first mobile device is selectively identified to said second mobile device based, at least in part, in response to said request.

25. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, wherein said first mobile device and said second mobile device are capable of communicating over a wireless communication link using a peer-to-peer networking protocol.

26. A device comprising:

a communication interface; and

one or more processing units to;

generate a plurality of data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by a mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of data files is generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

initiate transmission, via said communication interface, of at least one of said plurality of data files, as a seeded data file, to a first mobile device;

determine that a second mobile device is estimated to be located within said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time; and

initiate transmission, via said communication interface, of an indication to said second mobile device, said indication identifying at least said first mobile device as a peer device from which a shared data file corresponding to said seeded data file is available, said shared data file comprising or being based, at least in part, on said seeded data file, and

wherein at least one of said first mobile device or said second mobile device are identified by said one or more processing units based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

27. The apparatus as recited in claim 26, wherein said one or more processing units to initiate said transmission of said at least one of said plurality of data files based, at least in part, on a determination that said first mobile device:

is estimated to be currently located within said at least one indoor environment;

or was recently located within said at least one indoor environment;

or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within said threshold period of time.

28. The device as recited in claim 26, said one or more processing units to further:

selectively initiate at least one transmission via said communication interface based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

29. The device as recited in claim 26, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said first mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

30. The device as recited in claim 26, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

31. The device as recited in claim 26, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

32. The device as recited in claim 26, said one or more processing units to further:

receive a request for said shared data file, via said communication interface, from said second mobile device, and selectively identify said first mobile device to said second mobile device in response to said request.

33. The device as recited in claim 26, wherein said communication interface transmits said seeded data file over a wireless communication link to said first mobile device using a peer-to-peer networking protocol.

34. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein computer implementable instructions executable by one or more processing units in at least one computing device to:

generate a plurality of data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by a mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of data files is generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

initiate transmission of at least one of said plurality of data files, as a seeded data file, to a first mobile device;

determine that a second mobile device is estimated to be located within said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time; and

initiate transmission of an indication to said second mobile device, said indication identifying at least said first mobile device as a peer device from which a shared data file corresponding to said seeded data file is available, said shared data file comprising or being based, at least in part, on said seeded data file, and

wherein at least one of said first mobile device or said second mobile device are identified based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

35. The article as recited in claim 34, wherein said transmission of said at least one of said plurality of data files is initiated based, at least in part, a determination that said first mobile device:

is estimated to be currently located within said at least one indoor environment;

or was recently located within said at least one indoor environment;

or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within said threshold period of time.

36. The article as recited in claim 34, wherein said transmission of said at least one of said plurality of data files is based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

37. The article as recited in claim 34, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

38. The article as recited in claim 34, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

39. The article as recited in claim 34, wherein said first mobile device and said second mobile device are capable of communicating over a wireless communication link using a peer-to-peer networking protocol.

40. A method comprising, with a mobile device:

obtaining at least a first data file that comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least one of a plurality of seeded data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by said mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of seeded data files was generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

obtaining an indication that at least a second mobile device is to receive a shared data file that is based, at least in part, on at least a part of said first data file, said indication being based, at least in part, on said one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment; and

initiating transmission of said shared data file to said second mobile device that is estimated to be located within the said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time.

41. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

42. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

43. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

44. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said at least said first data file is received over a wireless communication link from at least one of:

a computing device; and

/or one or more other mobile devices.

45. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said at least said first data file is received over a wireless communication link using a peer to peer networking protocol.

46. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said indication is received from at least one of:

a computing device;

said second mobile device; and

/or one or more other mobile devices.

47. The method as recited in claim 40, wherein said shared data file comprises said first data file.

48. The method as recited in claim 40, and further comprising, with said mobile device:

generating said shared data file based, at least in part, on said at least said part of said first data file.

49. The method as recited in claim 40, and further comprising, with said mobile device:

generating said shared data file based, at least in part, on at least one of said one or more distribution schemes.

50. The method as recited in claim 40, and further comprising, with said mobile device:

obtaining processing information from at least one other device; and

generating said shared data file based, at least in part, on said processing information.

51. An apparatus for use in a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining at least a first data file that comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least one of a plurality of seeded data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by said mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of seeded data files was generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

means for obtaining an indication that at least a second mobile device is to receive a shared data file that is based, at least in part, on at least a part of said first data file, said indication being based, at least in part, on said one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment; and

means for initiating transmission of said shared data file to said second mobile device that is estimated to be located within the said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time.

52. The apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

53. The apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

54. The apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

55. The apparatus as recited in claim 51, wherein said shared data file comprises said first data file.

56. The apparatus as recited in claim 51, and further comprising:

means for generating said shared data file based, at least in part, on said at least said part of said first data file.

70. The article as recited in claim 55, said computer implementable instructions being further executable by said one or more processing units to:

generate said shared data file based, at least in part, on said at least said part of said first data file.

57. A mobile device comprising:

a communication interface; and

one or more processing units to;

obtain, via said communication interface, at least a first data file that comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least one of a plurality of seeded data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by said mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of seeded data files was generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

obtain, via said communication interface, an indication that at least a second mobile device is to receive a shared data file that is based, at least in part, on at least a part of said first data file, said indication being based, at least in part, on said one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment; and

initiate transmission of said shared data file, via said communication interface, to said second mobile device that is estimated to be located within the said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time.

58. The mobile device as recited in claim 57, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

59. The mobile device as recited in claim 57, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

60. The mobile device as recited in claim 57, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

61. The mobile device as recited in claim 57, wherein said indication is received via said communication interface from at least one of:

a computing device;

said second mobile device; and

/or one or more other mobile devices.

62. The mobile device as recited in claim 57, wherein said shared data file comprises said first data file.

63. The mobile device as recited in claim 57, said one or more processing units to further:

generate said shared data file based, at least in part, on said at least said part of said first data file.

64. The mobile device as recited in claim 57, said one or more processing units to further:

obtain processing information from at least one other device via said communication interface, said processing information being based, at least in part, on said at least one of said one or more distribution schemes; and

generate said shared data file based, at least in part, on said processing information.

65. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein computer implementable instructions executable by one or more processing units in a mobile device to:

obtain at least a first data file that comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least one of a plurality of seeded data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by said mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of seeded data files was generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

obtain an indication that at least a second mobile device is to receive a shared data file that is based, at least in part, on at least a part of said first data file, said indication being based, at least in part, on said one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment; and

initiate transmission of said shared data file to said second mobile device that is estimated to be located within the said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time.

66. The article as recited in claim 65, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

67. The article as recited in claim 65, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

68. The article as recited in claim 65, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

69. The article as recited in claim 65, wherein said shared data file comprises said first data file.

71. A method comprising, with a mobile device:

obtaining an indication that said mobile device is to receive a shared data file that comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least a part of a first data file, wherein said first data file comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least one of a plurality of seeded data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by said mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of seeded data files was generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

initiating transmission of a request that is based, at least in part, on said indication to at least a second mobile device that is estimated to be located within said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time; and

receiving said shared data file over a wireless communication link from said second mobile device.

72. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

73. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

74. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

75. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein said indication is received from at least one of:

a computing device; and

/or said at least said second mobile device.

76. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein said request further comprises processing information, and wherein said shared data file is generated based, at least in part, on said processing information.

77. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein said shared data file is received over said wireless communication link using a peer to peer networking protocol.

78. The method as recited in claim 71, wherein said shared data file comprises said first data file.

79. An apparatus for use in a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining an indication that said mobile device is to receive a shared data file that comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least a part of a first data file, wherein said first data file comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least one of a plurality of seeded data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by said mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of seeded data files was generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

means for transmitting a request that is based, at least in part, on said indication to at least a second mobile device that is estimated to be located within said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time; and

means for receiving said shared data file over a wireless communication link from said second mobile device.

80. The apparatus as recited in claim 79, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

81. The apparatus as recited in claim 79, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

82. The apparatus as recited in claim 79, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

83. A mobile device comprising:

a communication interface; and

one or more processing units to;

obtain, via said communication interface, an indication that said mobile device is to receive a shared data file that comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least a part of a first data file, wherein said first data file comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least one of a plurality of seeded data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by said mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of seeded data files was generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

initiate transmission, via said communication interface, of a request that is based, at least in part, on said indication to at least a second mobile device that is estimated to be located within said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time; and

receive, via said communication interface, said shared data file over a wireless communication link from said second mobile device.

84. The mobile device as recited in claim 83, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

85. The apparatus as recited in claim 83, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

86. The apparatus as recited in claim 83, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.

87. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored therein computer implementable instructions executable by one or more processing units of a mobile device to:

obtain an indication that said mobile device is to receive a shared data file that comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least a part of a first data file, wherein said first data file comprises or is based, at least in part, on at least one of a plurality of seeded data files that collectively represent an initial location based service content for use by said mobile device with regard to at least one indoor environment, wherein at least one of said plurality of seeded data files was generated based, at least in part, on one or more distribution schemes relating to said at least one indoor environment;

initiate transmission of a request that is based, at least in part, on said indication to at least a second mobile device that is estimated to be located within said at least one indoor environment or is expected to be located within said at least one indoor environment within a threshold period of time; and

receive said shared data file over a wireless communication link from said second mobile device.

88. The article as recited in claim 87, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one tracking scheme that is based, at least in part, on an estimated location of at least one of:

said mobile device, and/or said second mobile device.

89. The article as recited in claim 87, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a tile-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on an electronic map of said at least one indoor environment;

a data file size-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on a wireless communication protocol;

a peer device constraint-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on one or more operating constraints associated with one or more specific mobile devices; and

/or

a time-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one anticipated event.

90. The article as recited in claim 87, wherein said one or more distribution schemes comprises at least one of:

a user incentive reward-based distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user rewards system;

a user group distribution scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one user attribute; and

/or

a reciprocation scheme that is based, at least in part, on at least one of;

one or more peer device sharing rules, and/or a peer device sharing history.