APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING FOR COMMUNICATIONS USING DISTRIBUTION LISTS

• US 20130311893A1
• Filed: 05/21/2012
• Published: 11/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Dearman, David Alexander, Setlur, Vidya Raghavan
• Granted Patent: US 10,489,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/738
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and computer program product are described that determine a subset of users from a predefined distribution list based on a common characteristic of members of the subset. A common characteristic may be the fact that members of the subset have been determined to be proximate the source user'"'"'s device. The source user may communicate (e.g., share content) with members of the identified subset through selection of the distribution list, while non-members of the subset would be excluded from the communication.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

access a predefined distribution list;

determine a subset of the distribution list based on a common characteristic of members of the subset;

receive selection of the distribution list; and

provide for communication with members of the subset based on receipt of the selection, wherein non-members of the subset are excluded from the communication.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the common characteristic comprises proximity between a device associated with the member of the subset and the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the common characteristic comprises inclusion of the member of the subset in a predefined group of contacts.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the common characteristic comprises inclusion of the member of the subset in an established communication session.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to provide for communication with members of the subset by sharing content with members of the subset.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to provide for a visual indication of the subset determined.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to access the predefined distribution list based on a context of use of the apparatus.

8. A method comprising:

accessing a predefined distribution list;

determining a subset of the distribution list based on a common characteristic of members of the subset;

receiving selection of the distribution list; and

providing, via a processor, for communication with members of the subset based on receipt of the selection, wherein non-members of the subset are excluded from the communication.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the common characteristic comprises proximity between a device associated with the member of the subset and the apparatus.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the common characteristic comprises inclusion of the member of the subset in a predefined group of contacts.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the common characteristic comprises inclusion of the member of the subset in an established communication session.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing for communication with members of the subset by sharing content with members of the subset.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising providing for a visual indication of the subset determined.

14. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein, the computer-executable program code portions comprising program code instructions for:

accessing a predefined distribution list;

determining a subset of the distribution list based on a common characteristic of members of the subset;

receiving selection of the distribution list; and

providing for communication with members of the subset based on receipt of the selection, wherein non-members of the subset are excluded from the communication.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the common characteristic comprises proximity between a device associated with the member of the subset and the apparatus.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the common characteristic comprises inclusion of the member of the subset in a predefined group of contacts.

17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the common characteristic comprises inclusion of the member of the subset in an established communication session.

18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the program code instructions are further configured for providing for communication with members of the subset by sharing content with members of the subset.

19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the program code instructions are further configured for providing for a visual indication of the subset determined.

20. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the program code instructions are further configured for accessing the predefined distribution list based on a context of use of the apparatus.