Systems, apparatus, and methods for programmatically associating nearby users

• US 9,907,104 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2016
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Loopd Inc. (MPAV Lower Mid Co LLC d/b/a Stova)
• Original Assignee: Loopd Inc. (MPAV Lower Mid Co LLC d/b/a Stova)
• Inventors: Friedman, Brian Mullin, Houng, Allen, Galada, Sambhav
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, NHAN T
• Application Number:
  US14/997,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20160192428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 455 412, 455418-420, 4554221, 4554351, 4554352, 4554561, 4554566, 4555751, 4555756, 455 411
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• 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 76/14 Direct-mode setup

Abstract

Systems, apparatus, methods, and non-transitory media for programmatically associating nearby users are discussed herein. Some embodiments may include user-wearable gesture exchange device including a motion sensor and circuitry. The motion sensor may be configured to generate motion data values indicating motion of the gesture exchange device. The circuitry may be configured to monitor motion data values generated by the motion sensor for detection of a gesture exchange signature, such as a handshake, being performed by the user. In some embodiments, the gesture exchange device may be configured to establish a wireless communication connection with a second gesture exchange device for exchange of user data, such as in response to detecting user performance of the gesture exchange signature and/or determining that the second gesture exchange device is within a predetermined proximity.

Claims

1. A wearable device, comprising:

a motion sensor configured to generate motion data values;

a gesture detection module configured to detect performance of a gesture exchange signature based on the motion data values;

a proximity detection module configured to determine whether a second device is within a gesture exchange distance of the wearable device by comparing a detected distance of the second device away from the wearable device to the gesture exchange distance;

a gesture exchange module configured to wirelessly send a user identifier associated with the user to the second device in response to (i) the gesture detection module detecting performance of the gesture exchange signature and (ii) the proximity detection module determining that the second device is within the gesture exchange distance of the wearable device;

a communications module configured to establish a wireless connection with the second device for data exchange, wherein the communications module is configured to establish the wireless connection with the second device in response to the proximity detection module determining that the second device is within the gesture exchange distance of the wearable device.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is configured to generate orientation data indicative of orientation of the wearable device.

3. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the user identifier includes contact information.

4. The wearable device of claim 3, wherein the contact information includes a code generated by a central system.

5. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the second device is determined whether within the gesture exchange distance of the wearable device based at least in part on received signal strength of a wireless communication connection.

6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the proximity detection module includes a proximity sensor.

7. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the distance of the second device away from the wearable device is detected using a proximity sensor.

8. A machine-implemented method for data exchange of a wearable device, comprising:

receiving one or more motion data values from a motion sensor that is worn by a user;

detecting, by circuitry, a performance of a gesture exchange signature based on the one or more motion data values received from the motion sensor;

determining a second device is within a gesture exchange distance of the wearable device by comparing a detected distance of the second device away from the wearable device to the gesture exchange distance;

in response to (i) detecting the performance of the gesture exchange signature and (ii) the second device is determined to be within the gesture exchange distance of the wearable device, wirelessly sending a user identifier associated with the user to the second device;

and

establishing a wireless connection with the second device for data exchange.

9. A system for data exchange among a plurality of wearable devices, comprising:

a central system configured to generate one or more user identifiers to be exchanged among the plurality of wearable devices;

the plurality of wearable devices associated with a plurality of users, wherein at least one of the plurality of wearable devices comprises;

a motion sensor configured to generate motion data values;

a gesture detection module configured to detect performance of a gesture exchange signature based on the motion data values; and

a proximity detection module configured to determine whether a second wearable device is within a gesture exchange distance of the at least one wearable device by comparing a detected distance of the second device away from the at least one wearable device to the gesture exchange distance;

a gesture exchange module configured to wirelessly send a user identifier associated with the user of the at least one wearable device to the second wearable device from the plurality of wearable devices in response to (i) the gesture detection module detecting performance of the gesture exchange signature and (ii) the proximity detection module determining that the second wearable device is within the gesture exchange distance of the at least one wearable device;

and

a communications module configured to establish a wireless connection with the second wearable device for data exchange, wherein the communications module is configured to establish the wireless connection with the second wearable device in response to the proximity detection module determining that the second wearable device is within the gesture exchange distance of the at least one wearable device.