System and method for provisioning of proximity networking activity information

Field of Invention

0001This invention relates to systems and methods for provision of proximity networking activity information.

Background Information

0002In recent times, there has been an increase in proximity networking activity. For example, many users have come to prefer proximity gaming over other forms of gaming, have come to prefer proximity messaging over other forms of messaging, and/or have come to prefer proximity media streaming over other forms of media distribution.

0003Accordingly, there may be interest in technologies that, for example, facilitate proximity networking activity.

Summary of the Invention

0004According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided systems and methods applicable, for instance, in proximity networking activity.

0005In various embodiments, nodes and/or other computers may record, receive, and/or provide information regarding proximity networking activity. Moreover, in various embodiments nodes and/or other computers may act to inform their users of proximity networking activity instances. It is additionally noted that, in various embodiments, prediction operations maybe performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

0006<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows exemplary steps involved in exchange of information regarding proximity networking activity according to various embodiments of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>. shows exemplary steps involved in employment of information regarding proximity networking activity according to various embodiments of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> shows an exemplary map according to various embodiments of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> shows exemplary steps involved in fixed node and/or other computer functionality according to various embodiments of the present invention.</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> shows an exemplary computer.</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> shows a further exemplary computer.</li></ul>

Detailed Description of the Invention

General Operation

0007According to embodiments of the present invention there are provided systems and methods applicable, for instance, in proximity networking activity.

0008For example, in various embodiments nodes and/or other computers may record information regarding proximity networking activity instances in which they partake, may receive information regarding proximity networking activity from other nodes and/or other computers, and/or may provide information regarding proximity networking activity to other nodes and/or other computers.

0009As another example, in various embodiments nodes and/or other computers may act to inform their users of proximity networking activity instances, the nodes perhaps providing their users with corresponding geographical information.

0010It is additionally noted that, in various embodiments, prediction operations may be performed.

0011Various aspects of the present invention will now be discussed in greater detail.

Recording of Information Regarding Proximity Networking Activity

0012According to various embodiments of the present invention a mobile node and/or other computer may act to record information regarding proximity networking activity instances in which it is partaking. Such proximity networking activity might, for example, include proximity gaming, proximity messaging, proximity media streaming (e.g., images, video, and/or audio), proximity grid computing, and/or proximity file sharing. Such proximity networking activity might, for instance, make use of Bluetooth, WiFi (e.g., 802.11 g), and/or Ultra Wide Band (UWB).

0013Various information regarding a proximity networking activity instance may, in various embodiments, be recorded by the mobile node and/or other computer. Such information might, for example, include names, nicknames, and/or other identifiers corresponding to users participating in the proximity networking activity instance, numbers of users participating in the proximity networking activity instance, description of the proximity networking activity instance, indication of whether or not the proximity networking activity instance is open to new participants, indication of how long the proximity networking activity instance has been going on (e.g., elapsed time), one or more timestamps corresponding to the proximity networking activity instance, fees required for participating in the proximity networking activity instance, hardware, software, and/or memberships required for participating in the proximity networking activity instance, and/or geographical location information corresponding to the proximity networking activity instance (e.g., geographical coordinates and/or description provided by a user such as, for instance, location relative to a well-known landmark). It is noted that, in various embodiments, a nickname might be employed in the case where anonymity was desired.

0014Various operations might, in various embodiments, be performed by the mobile node and/or other computer in recording such information. For example, the mobile node and/or other computer might determine various of such information by employing one or more software modules that communicated with one or more software modules that allowed the mobile node and/or other computer's user to participate in the proximity networking activity.

0015Accordingly, for instance, in the case where the proximity networking activity was proximity gaming, the mobile node and/or other computer might employ one or more software modules that communicated with one or more software modules providing the gaming experience in order to learn from those software modules information such as, for example, one or more identifiers corresponding to the gaming participants, description of the proximity networking activity, and/or indication of how long the proximity networking activity has been going on.

0016As another example, the mobile node and/or other computer might determine various of such information by querying its user (e.g., via a graphical user interface (GUI) and/or other interface).

0017As yet another example, the mobile node and/or other computer might determine various of such information via use of hardware. Accordingly, for instance, the mobile node and/or other computer might employ Global Positioning System (GPS) hardware and/or networking hardware (e.g., Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) hardware) in order to determine geographical information corresponding to the proximity networking activity instance. In so making use of networking hardware the mobile node and/or other computer might, for example, act to query access points (e.g., base stations) for location information, to employ Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD), and/or the like.

0018It is noted that, in various embodiments a user participating in a proximity networking activity instance might be able to indicate, perhaps via a GUI and/or other interface provided by her mobile node and/or other computer, that some or all identifiers corresponding to her not be provided to other mobile nodes and/or other computers.

Exchange of Information Regarding Proximity Networking Activity

0019A mobile node and/or other computer may, according to various embodiments of the present invention, act to provide information regarding proximity networking activity to other mobile nodes and/or other computers, and/or may act to receive information regarding proximity networking activity from other mobile nodes and/or other computers. Initiation of such functionality might, in various embodiments, be automatic and/or be in response to user request. Such Functionality may be implemented in a number of ways.

0020For example, mobile nodes and/or other computers capable of providing and/or receiving information regarding proximity networking activity might run one or more software modules that act to, for instance, respond to queries from other mobile nodes and/or other computers inquiring if capabilities of providing and/or receiving information regarding proximity networking activity were possessed. With respect to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> it is noted that, according to various embodiments, mobile nodes and/or other computers capable of providing and/or receiving information regarding proximity networking activity might run one or more software modules that acted to, for instance, dispatch queries to other mobile nodes and/or other computers inquiring if capabilities of providing and/or receiving information regarding proximity networking activity were possessed (step 101).

0021Such queries and responses thereto could be communicated among mobile nodes and/or other computers in a number of ways. For instance, Remote Method Invocation (RMI), Java Messaging Service (JMS), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Object Exchange (OBEX) Object Push Profile (OPP), email, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and/or Short Message Service (SMS) might be employed. It is noted that, in various embodiments, proximity connection (e.g,, Bluetooth, WiFi, and/or UWB) might be employed for communication of such queries and responses thereto. Accordingly, in various embodiments, such queries might act to find mobile nodes and/or other computers in proximity connection range possessing capabilities of providing and/or receiving information regarding proximity networking activity.

0022According to embodiments of the present invention, perhaps in accordance with determination, via such queries and responses, of capabilities of mobile nodes and/or other computers for providing and/or receiving information regarding proximity networking activity (step 103), one or more operations could be performed whereby a mobile node and/or other computer possessing information regarding proximity networking activity could act to provide some or all of the information for receipt by another mobile node and/or other computer (step 105). The recipient node might, perhaps, already possess various information regarding proximity networking activity. The mobile node and/or other computer providing information regarding proximity networking activity might, perhaps, further receive information regarding proximity networking activity from the recipient mobile node and/or other computer (step 107).

0023It is noted that, in various embodiments, possessed information regarding proximity networking activity provided by a mobile node and/or other computer could include information regarding proximity networking activity recorded by that mobile node and/or other computer, and/or information regarding proximity networking activity received by that mobile node and/or other computer from another mobile node and/or other computer. It is further noted that, in various embodiments, a mobile node and/or other computer could act to perform one or more handling operations with respect to received information regarding proximity networking activity. For example, the mobile node and/or other computer might act to update already possessed information regarding proximity networking activity. Accordingly, various information of the sort discussed above (e.g., identifiers corresponding to participating users, numbers of users participating, indication of whether or not proximity networking activity instances are open to new participants, timestamps, and/or geographical location information) might, for instance, be updated.

0024The functionality whereby a mobile node and/or other computer could act to provide information regarding proximity networking activity for receipt by another mobile node and/or other computer could be implemented in a number of ways.

0025For instance, the mobile node and/or other computer could employ one or more software modules that acted to provide the information regarding proximity networking activity, with RMI, JMS, SOAP, OBEX OPP, email, MMS, and/or SMS perhaps being employed. It is noted that, in various embodiments, proximity connection (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, and/or UWB) might be employed. Moreover, in various embodiments a recipient mobile node and/or other computer might employ one or more software modules that acted to appropriately receive information regarding proximity networking activity.

0026It is noted that, according to various embodiments of the present invention, via the operations discussed herein mobile nodes and/or other computers could come to share with one another information regarding proximity networking activity that they had recorded, and/or had received from other mobile nodes and/or other computers.

0027Accordingly, for instance, a particular mobile node and/or other computer might come to possess not only the information regarding proximity networking activity that it had recorded itself, but also the information regarding proximity networking activity that had been recorded by each of a plurality of other mobile nodes and/or other computers. Thus, the mobile node and/or other computer might, for example, come to be aware of a number of instances of proximity networking activity (e.g., proximity gaming), the geographical locations associated with those instances, and/or additional information regarding those instances.

0028It is noted that, in various embodiments, a mobile node and/or other computer might perform one or more operations to determine if one or more software modules it possessed were also possessed by another mobile node and/or other computer (e.g., one in proximity communications range).

0029Such functionality might be implemented in a number of ways. For.example, one or more software modules running on a mobile node and/or other computer might act to have one or more communications, inquiring as to the possession of one or more particular software modules, dispatched to another node and/or other computer. In the case where the other node and/or other computer was running the one or more modules in question, one or more software modules running on the other node and/or other computer might act to have an affirmative response sent to the inquiring node and/or other computer. Such operations might, for example, involve the use of RMT, JMS, SOAP, OBEX OPP, email, MMS, and/or SMS. Moreover, such operations might, perhaps, involve proximity connection (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, and/or UWB).

0030It is noted that, in various embodiments, one or more operations for activating one or more software modules maybe performed. For example, where queries found a mobile node and/or other computer to possess capabilities of providing and/or receiving information regarding proximity networking activity, one or more appropriate software modules (e.g., ones involved in such providing and/or receiving) might be activated. For instance, a mobile node and/or other computer receiving such queries and/or affirmatively responding to such queries might act to activate such software modules.

0031As another example, in the case where proximity networking activity information identifying a proximity networking activity instance not previously known by a mobile node and/or other computer (e.g., an instance in the present vicinity of the mobile node and/or other computer) was received, the mobile node and/or other computer might act to activate proximity networking activity software employable in participation in the activity (e.g., proximity gaming software). It is noted that, in various embodiments, appropriate software modules might subscribe to appropriate interprocess communication notifications.

0032It is additionally noted that, in various embodiments, a user's mobile node and/or other computer might act to inform her, perhaps via a GUI and/or other interface, of receipt of proximity networking activity information identifying a proximity networking activity instance not previously known by the mobile node and/or other computer. Text, images, and/or audio describing the instance might, perhaps, be provided to the user by her mobile node and/or other computer.

0033Further, it is noted that, in various embodiments, a user could, for example, specify (e.g., via GUI and/or other interface) that her mobile node and/or other computer should act to acquire information regarding proximity networking activity from other mobile nodes and/or other computers but not provide such information, or that her mobile node and/or other computer should act to provide information regarding proximity networking activity to other mobile nodes and/or other computers but not receive such information.

0034As further examples, a user could, in various embodiments, specify that her mobile node and/or other computer should act to communicate only with known mobile nodes and/or other computers (e.g., ones specified by the user, belonging to users listed in an address book of the user, and/or with which the mobile node and/or other computer had previously communicated), with mobile nodes and/or other computers of users that are members of certain groups (e.g., one or more peer-to-peer groups of which the user is a member), and/or with mobile nodes and/or other computers that are set to be discoverable. As yet another example, a user could, in various embodiments, specify that her mobile node and/or other computer should provide none of her personal information to other mobile nodes and/or other computers.

0035It is noted that, in various embodiments, Nokia Wild Middleware and/or other middleware may be employed in various operations. Additional information regarding Nokia Wild Middleware may be found, for instance, in pending <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US28413502A"><text>U.S. Application No. 10/284,135</text></patcit>, entitled "Device Detection and Service Discovery System and Method For a Mobile Ad Hoc Communications Network" and filed October 31, 2002, and in pending <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US66240703A"><text>U.S. Application No. 10/662,407</text></patcit>, entitled "Device Detection and Service Discovery System and Method For a Mobile Ad Hoc Communications Network" and filed September 16, 2003, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Employment of Information Regarding Proximity Networking Activity

0036According to various embodiments of the present invention, a mobile node and/or other computer may act to perform one or more operations using possessed information regarding proximity networking activity. Such possessed information regarding proximity networking activity might, in various embodiments, include information regarding proximity networking activity recorded by that mobile node and/or other computer, and/or information regarding proximity networking activity received by that mobile node and/or other computer from other mobile nodes and/or other computers.

0037For instance, the mobile node and/or other computer might, perhaps via a GUI and/or other interface, act to make various of its possessed information regarding proximity networking activity available to its user. Such functionality might be implemented in a number of ways. With respect to <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> it is noted that, according to various embodiments, the mobile node and/or other computer might act to present one or more maps to its user (step 203). Such a map might, for instance, depict an area (e.g., a city, a portion of a city, a campus, a park, or a building) and provide presentation of one or more instances of proximity networking activity taking place at that area.

0038For example, an indicator corresponding to a proximity networking activity instance might be placed on a portion of the map corresponding to the location where the activity was taking place. As another example, an indicator corresponding to a proximity networking activity instance might, perhaps visually, indicate the type of proximity networking activity. For instance, an indicator portraying a joystick might be employed to depict proximity gaming, an indicator portraying an envelope might be employed to depict proximity messaging, an indicator portraying a speaker might be employed to depict proximity audio media streaming, an indicator portraying a television set might be employed to depict proximity video media streaming, an indicator portraying a diskette might be employed to depict proximity file sharing, an indicator portraying a camera might be employed to depict proximity picture taking, and/or an indicator portraying a gear might be employed to depict proximity grid computing.

0039As yet another example, an indicator corresponding to a proximity networking activity instance might, perhaps visually, indicate various other information regarding proximity networking activity (e.g., information regarding proximity networking activity of the sort discussed above). Accordingly, for example, an indicator portraying an open door might be employed to depict a proximity networking activity instance that is open to new participants and/or an indicator portraying a closed door might be employed to depict a proximity networking activity instance that is not open to new participants. As another example, an indicator portraying an hourglass might be employed to depict how long a proximity networking activity instance has been going on (perhaps with greater accumulation at the bottom of the hourglass indicating greater time duration).

0040As yet another example, an indicator portraying a pile of coins might be employed to depict a fee requirement for participating in a proximity networking activity instance (perhaps with a greater number of coins indicating a greater fee). As still another example, an indicator portraying an insignia of a particular group might be employed to depict a membership requirement for a proximity networking activity instance. As a further example, an indicator portraying a cluster of people might be employed to depict a number of users participating in a proximity networking activity instance (perhaps with a larger cluster indicating a larger number of users).

0041It is noted that, in various embodiments, an indicator may portray a plurality of information regarding a proximity networking activity instance. For instance, an indicator might portray a joystick having superimposed thereon a pile of coins, a cluster of people, and an open door, and be placed on a certain portion of a map to depict proximity gaming with a certain fee requirement and a certain number of participating users that is open to new participants and which is taking place at a certain location.

0042With further respect to <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> it is noted that, in various embodiments, a user's mobile node and/or other computer might act to present information regarding a proximity networking activity instance to its user in response to its user selecting an indicator, corresponding to a proximity networking activity instance, presented by the mobile node and/or other computer (steps 205, 207). Such selection and presentation might, for instance, be via a GUI and/or other interface provided by the mobile node and/or other computer. The information so presented might, for example, be information not depicted by the selected indicator. For instance, where an indicator depicted proximity audio media streaming with a certain fee requirement which is taking place at a certain location, the mobile node and/or other computer might respond to selection of the indicator by informing its user as to how long the proximity networking activity instance has been going on.

0043It is noted that, according to various embodiments, indicators might be presented to a user via operation of middleware running on a mobile node and/or other computer of the user. It is further noted that, in various embodiments, a user purchasing and/or receiving proximity networking activity software (e.g., proximity gaming software for a particular game) might be provided with not only the proximity networking activity software, but also with middleware and/or one or more updates to middleware already possessed by the mobile node and/or other computer. Such provided middleware and/or updates might, for instance, provide for indication presentation functionality and/or various other functionality discussed herein. Accordingly, such middleware and/or updates might, for example, act to allow a user to become more closely connected to a community associated with the proximity networking activity software (e.g., a gaming community) by virtue, for instance, of the user learning of locations where appropriate proximity networking activity is taking place (e.g., locations where a particular proximity networking game is being played).

0044Shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is an exemplary map according to various embodiments of the present invention including indicators 301 and 303. In this exemplary map, the placement of indicator 301 indicates a proximity networking activity instance occurring within an area bordered by 9^th Ave., 10^th Ave, Wilson St., and Harrison St, while the placement of indicator 303 indicates a proximity networking activity instance occurring within an area bordered by 10^th Ave., 11^th Ave., Wilson St., and Harrison St.

0045It is noted that a mobile node and/or other computer might, in various embodiments of the present invention, make various of its possessed information regarding proximity networking activity available to its user via browsable menus and/or queries. Moreover, in various embodiments, a mobile node and/or other computer might act to inform its user of proximity networking activities that are near the user's present location. For example, a provided map might be centered at the user's present location.

0046With further respect to <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> it is noted that, according to various embodiments, a user may be able to, perhaps via GUI and/or other interface, provide specification as to proximity networking activity instances she wishes to learn about (step 201). For example, the user might be able to specify that she only wishes to learn about proximity networking activity instances of one or more certain types (e.g., proximity gaming and/or proximity messaging), instances having certain fee properties (e.g., no fee requirement and/or a fee requirement of no more than a specified value), instances having certain time properties (e.g., having been going on for at least a specified amount of time), and/or instances having certain user properties (e.g., having at least a specified number of users). Responsive to such action by its user a mobile node and/or other computer might, for example, make available to its user only information regarding proximity networking activity instances matching the user's specifications. Accordingly, for example, where its user specified proximity gaming without fee requirement, the mobile node and/or other computer might show on a provided map only indicators corresponding to proximity networking activity instances that met those criteria.

0047It is additionally noted that, in various embodiments, zoom functionality might be provided. For example, in the case where a mobile node and/or other computer presented a map to its user, the user might, perhaps via a GUI and/or other interface, be able to zoom in and out on the map. Functionality might, for instance, be such that by zooming out the user could view a larger region and corresponding proximity networking activity indicators, and by zooming in the user could view a smaller region and corresponding proximity networking activity indicators.

0048It is noted that, in various embodiments, less detail might be provided to user as she zoomed out on a map, and/or more detail might be provided to her as she zoomed in on a map. For example, proximity networking activity indicators might provide less information as a user zoomed out on a map, and more information as she zoomed in on the map. Accordingly, for instance, an indicator that indicated only location and type (e.g., proximity messaging) of a proximity networking activity instance when a user was more zoomed out on a map might additionally indicate time duration and number of users when she zoomed in. As another example, as a user zoomed out on map, indicators corresponding to single proximity networking activity instances might be combined in to indicators corresponding to pluralities of proximity networking activity instances. Accordingly, for example, as a user zoomed out on a map three indicators corresponding to three proximity gaming instances taking place in a park might be replaced with a single indicator.

0049It is further noted that, in various embodiments, timestamps associated with information regarding proximity networking activity could be accessible by users. Accordingly, a user might act to take into account such timestamps, for instance, when considering the timeliness of information regarding proximity networking activities, and/or when determining if a proximity networking activity instance was still going on.

0050It is additionally noted that, in various embodiments, information regarding proximity networking activity might, perhaps in view of associated timestamps, be considered to be valid only for certain periods of time. Such a time period might, for example, be specified by a system administrator, network provider, and/or corporation.

Fixed Node and/or other Computer Functionality

0051Fixed nodes and/or other computers (e.g., servers) may, according to various embodiments of the present invention, be employed. Such a fixed node and/or other computer might, for example, be placed by a system administrator, network provider, and/or corporation at a particular location. Various functionality of a fixed node and/or other computer might, in various embodiments, be analogous to that discussed above with respect to mobile nodes and/or other computers. Accordingly, for instance, various roles discussed above as being filled by mobile nodes and/other computers may, in various embodiments, be filled by mobile nodes and/or other computers, and/or by fixed nodes and/or other computers.

0052It is noted that, in various embodiments, a fixed node and/or other computer might not act to partake in proximity networking activity instances, but instead might perform operations including providing for receipt by other nodes and/or other computers (e.g., mobile nodes and/or other computers) information regarding proximity networking activity that it had received, the information having been recorded by mobile nodes and/or other computers and provided (e.g., by one or more mobile nodes and/or other computers) to the fixed node and/or other computer. The information regarding proximity networking activity might be made available by the fixed node and/or other computer to the other nodes and/or other computers (e.g., mobile nodes and/or other computers), for example, via proximity connection.

0053A fixed node and/or other computer might, in various embodiments, act to provide possessed information regarding proximity networking activity (e.g., received information regarding proximity networking activity) to other fixed nodes and/or other computers, and/or might receive from other fixed nodes and/or other computers information regarding proximity networking activity possessed by those fixed nodes and/or other computers (e.g., information regarding proximity networking activity that they had received). Such provision and/or receipt might, for example, involve non-proximity connection (e.g., UMTS, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and/or Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity (e.g., internet connectivity) might be employed) and/or proximity connection.

0054Accordingly, for instance, a fixed node and/or other computer on one side of city might act to exchange information regarding proximity networking activity with a fixed node and/or other computer on another side of city. Via such operation, each fixed node and/or other computer might, for example, come to know of information regarding proximity networking activity for regions not in its vicinity. Each fixed node and/or other computer might, for example, then act to provide such information regarding proximity networking activity to mobile nodes and/or other computers in its vicinity. Thus, users of those mobile nodes and/or other computers could, for instance, be able to learn about (e.g., have available to them via maps provided by their mobile nodes and/or other computers) proximity networking activity instances in parts of the city other than the one where they were presently situated.

0055It is noted that, in various embodiments, a fixed node and/or computer might be able to receive from mobile nodes and/or other computers, via non-proximity connection, information regarding proximity networking activity. Such functionality might, for instance, be employed by a user of a mobile node and/or other computer that desired to voluntarily submit information regarding one or more proximity networking activity instances to one or more fixed nodes and/or other computers. A user might do so, for instance, where she hoped to make others aware of a proximity networking activity instance (e.g., where she hoped to attract new players to a proximity game).

0056It is further noted that, in various embodiments, a fixed node and/or computer might be able to provide possessed information regarding networking activity to mobile nodes and/or other computers via non-proximity connection.

0057With respect to <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> it is noted that, according to various embodiments of the present invention, a fixed node and/or other computer may be able to receive information regarding proximity networking activity from one or more mobile nodes and/or other computers, and/or from one or more other fixed nodes and/or other computers (steps 401,403). Moreover, according to various embodiments of the present invention the fixed node and/or other computer may be able to provide held (e.g., received) information regarding proximity networking activity to one or more mobile nodes and/or other computers and/or to one or more other fixed nodes and/or other computers (steps 405, 407). Proximity and/or non-proximity connection might be involved in such operations.

0058According to various embodiments, a mobile node and/or other computer may act to employ non-proximity connection in receiving information regarding proximity networking activity from another mobile node and/or other computer. Moreover, according to various embodiments a mobile node and/or other computer may act to employ non-proximity connection in receiving information regarding proximity networking activity from a fixed node and/or other computer. Such functionality might be employed, for instance, in the case where a mobile node and/or other computer is not in proximity connection range with mobile nodes and/or other computers, and/or fixed nodes and/or other computers, possessing capabilities of providing information regarding proximity networking activity. In various embodiments, such functionality might be implemented using middleware.

0059It is noted that, in various embodiments, a mobile node and/or other computer may have access to (e.g., hold in an accessible store) information (e.g., network addresses) employable in contacting other mobile nodes and/or other computers, and/or fixed nodes and/or other computers and might, for example, employ such information in so receiving information regarding proximity networking activity.

0060Information regarding proximity networking activity so received might, for instance, be with respect to one or more particular areas, Accordingly, in various embodiments, such functionality might be employed in the case where a mobile node and/or other computer is not in proximity connection range with mobile nodes and/or other computers, and/or fixed nodes and/or other computers, in a particular area for which information regarding proximity networking activity is desired, and/or in proximity connection range with mobile nodes and/or other computers, and/or fixed nodes and/or other computers, possessing capabilities of providing information regarding proximity networking activity for a particular area for which information regarding proximity networking activity is desired.

0061As an example of fixed node and/or other computer operation, a fixed node and/or other computer might act to prepare historical statistics regarding possessed proximity networking activity information, the fixed node and/or other computer perhaps making the statistics available to other nodes and/or other computers (e.g., mobile nodes and/or other computers).

0062A variety of statistics might be prepared. For example, such statistics might include frequencies, perhaps with respect to certain time periods and/or areas, for various proximity networking activity information (e.g., types of proximity networking activities, numbers of users, and/or required fees). Via such statistics, for example user might be able to determine how frequently proximity gaming took place at a particular location, how much it tended to cost, and/or how many users tended to participate. The user might, for instance, determine that one or more areas were likely to host proximity gaming of a desired cost and with a desired number of participants. The functionality by which the statistics could be made available might, for example, in implemented in a manner analogous to that discussed above. Having received such statistics, a node and/or other computer could make them available for access by its user, perhaps in a manner analogous to that discussed above.

0063As another example of fixed node and/or other computer operation, a fixed node and/or other computer might act to provide proximity networking activity software (e.g., proximity gaming software) to nodes and/or other computers (e.g., mobile nodes and/or other computers). Such provision might, for instance, involve the use of RMI, JMS, SOAP, OBEX OPP, email, MMS, and/or SMS. Proximity connection might, perhaps, be employed. The software might, for example, be sold for a fee. In various embodiments, a fixed node and/or other computer might act to provide proximity networking activity software relevant to participating in proximity networking activity instances in its vicinity. It is further noted that, in various embodiments, a fixed node and/or other computer might act to advertise (e.g., via messages dispatched via RMI, JMS, SOAP, OBEX OPP, email, MMS, and/or SMS) that it has proximity networking activity software available for dispatch. Proximity connection might, perhaps, be employed in such advertising.

0064According to various embodiments of the present invention, a user purchasing and/or receiving proximity networking activity software from a fixed node and/or other computer might, in various embodiments, receive at her mobile node and/or other computer from the fixed node and/or other computer information regarding proximity networking activity. The received information regarding proximity networking activity might, for example, indicate locations where proximity networking activity instances accessible using the software were taking place and/or likely to be taking place.

0065It is noted that, in various embodiments, storage of information regarding proximity networking activity at a fixed node and/or other computer might cause that information to exist longer than if it were only stored at users' mobile nodes and/or other computers. It is further noted that, in various embodiments, a fixed node and/or other computer might act to advertise (e.g., via messages dispatched via RMI, JMS, SOAP, OBEX OPP, email, MMS, and/or SMS) that it has information regarding proximity networking activity available for dispatch. Such advertising might, perhaps, employ proximity connection.

Prediction Functionality

0066Nodes and/or other computers (e.g., mobile nodes and/or other computers, and/or fixed nodes and/or other computers) might, in various embodiments, make predictions regarding proximity networking activity. It is noted that, in various embodiments, a node and/or other computer might provide such predictions to other nodes and/or other computers, and/or might receive such predictions from other nodes and/or other computers. The functionality by which such predictions might be provided and/or received might, for example, be implemented in a manner analogous to that discussed above.

0067Such predictions might, in various embodiments, take into account historical statistics (e.g., of the sort discussed above). In making such predictions, a node and/or other computer (e.g., a mobile node and/or other computer, and/or a fixed node and/or other computer) might, for example, make use of historical statistics that it has prepared itself. As another example, a node and/or other computer (e.g., a mobile node and/or other computer, and/or a fixed node and/or other computer) might, in making such predictions, make use of historical statistics that it has received from one or more other nodes and/or other computers.

0068Prediction functionality may be implemented in a number of ways. For example, a node and/or other computer making predictions regarding proximity networking activity might employ artificial intelligence and/or pattern reorganization. The node and/or other computer might, for instance, recognize one or more patterns (e.g., proximity networking activity patterns and/or user behavior patterns) in historical statistics of the sort discussed above.

0069To illustrate by way of example, a node and/or other computer might recognize in historical statistics that a particular proximity networking activity has tended to occur at a particular location on Friday afternoons, and predict that the particular proximity networking activity was likely to occur at that location on a future Friday afternoon.

0070Predictions might, in various embodiments, be presented to a user via a GUI and/or other interface.

0071Predictions made by a node and/or other computer might, in various embodiments, take into account various criteria. Such criteria might, for example, be provided by the node and/or other computer's user (e.g., via a GUI and/or other interface). Criteria might, for instance, specify one or more areas for which predictions should be made, one or more times (e.g., times of day, and/or specific dates and/or times) and/or time frames for which predictions should be made, one or more sorts of proximity networking activities for which predictions should be made, and/or one or more proximity networking activity participant specifications to which predictions should be limited. Such specified areas might, for example include types of areas (e.g., restaurants, clubs, and/or parks) and/or specific areas (e.g., specific restaurants, clubs, and/or parks).

0072Such proximity networking activity participant specifications might, for example indicate one or more particular users, one or more user profiles, and/or one or more particular nodes and/or other computers. As another example, such proximity networking activity participant specifications might specify one or more quantities and/or ranges of quantities of users and/or nodes and/or other computers.

0073Such specification of one or more areas might, for example, serve to indicate that predictions of proximity networking activity should be limited to those that would predict proximity networking activity at the specified one or more areas. Such specification of one or more times and/or time frames might, for example, serve to indicate that predictions of proximity networking activity should be limited to those that would predict proximity networking activity occurring during those times and/or time frames.

0074As another example, a specification of one or more particular nodes and/or other computers might serve to indicate that predictions of proximity networking activity should be limited to those that would predict involvement of the specified nodes and/or other computes. As yet another example, a specification of a particular quantity and/or range of quantity of nodes and/or other computers (e.g., a specification of less than 30 nodes and/or other computers) might serve to indicate that predictions of proximity networking activity should be limited to those that would predict involvement of a quantity of nodes and/or other computers that is in accordance with the specification (e.g., those that would predict involvement of less than 30 nodes and/or other computers).

0075It is noted that, in various embodiments, multiple criteria may be specified by users, with predictions made in view of the criteria taking into account, for example, some or all of the criteria

0076In various embodiments, a user may be able to (e.g., via a GUI and/or other interface) request search among predictions already made by one or more nodes and/or other computers. Such search request might, in various embodiments, allow for specification of various criteria. Responsive to such search request, the user might, for instance, receive (e.g., via a GUI and/or other interface) already made predictions matching the criteria.

0077Such criteria might, for example, include those criteria discussed above. Accordingly, for example, in the case where one or more areas were specified, the user might receive predictions that predicted proximity networking activity at the specified areas. As another example, in the case where one or more times and/or time frames were specified, the user might receive predictions that predicted proximity networking activity occurring during those times and/or time frames.

0078As a further example, in the case where one or more particular nodes and/or other computers were specified, the user might receive predictions that predicted involvement of those nodes and/or other computers. As an additional example, in the case where a particular quantity and/or range of quantity of nodes and/or other computers was specified, the use might receive predictions that predicted proximity networking activity involving quantities of nodes and/or other computers in accordance with the specification. It is noted that, in various embodiments, multiple criteria may be specified, and returned search results may be those matching some or all of the specified criteria.

Hardware and Software

0079Various operations and/or the like described herein may be executed by and/or with the help of computers. Further, for example, devices described herein may be and/or may incorporate computers. The phrases "computer", "general purpose computer", and the like, as used herein, refer but are not limited to a smart card, a media device, a personal computer, an engineering workstation, a PC, a Macintosh, a PDA, a portable computer, a computerized watch, a wired or wireless terminal, phone, communication device, node, and/or the like, a server, a network access point, a network multicast point, a network device, a set-top box, a personal video recorder (PVR), a game console, a portable game device, a portable audio device, a portable media device, a portable video device, a television, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, a wireless personal sever, or the like, or any combination thereof, perhaps running an operating system such as OS X, Linux, Darwin, Windows CE, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Palm OS, Symbian OS, or the like, perhaps employing the Series 40 Platform, Series 60 Platform, Series 80 Platform, and/or Series 90 Platform, and perhaps having support for Java and/or .Net.

0080The phrases "general purpose computer", "computer", and the like also refer, but are not limited to, one or more processors operatively connected to one or more memory or storage units, wherein the memory or storage may contain data, algorithms, and/or program code, and the processor or processors may execute the program code and/or manipulate the program code, data, and/or algorithms. Shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is an exemplary computer employable in various embodiments of the present invention. Exemplary computer 5000 includes system bus 5050 which operatively connects two processors 5051 and 5052, random access memory 5053, read-only memory 5055, input output (I/O) interfaces 5057 and 5058, storage interface 5059, and display interface 5061. Storage interface 5059 in turn connects to mass storage 5063. Each of I/O interfaces 5057 and 5058 may, for example, be an Ethernet, IEEE 1394, IEEE 1394b, IEEE 802.1 la, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11i, IEEE 802.11e, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.15a, IEEE 802.16a, IEEE 802.16d, IEEE 802.16e, IEEE 802.16x, IEEE 802.20, IEEE 802.15.3, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Wireless Universal Serial Bus (WUSB), wireless Firewire, terrestrial digital video broadcast (DVB-T), satellite digital video broadcast (DVB-S), Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB), Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting: Handhelds), IrDA (Infrared Data Association), and/or other interface.

0081Mass storage 5063 may be a hard drive, optical drive, a memory chip, or the like. Processors 5051 and 5052 may each be a commonly known processor such as an IBM or Motorola PowerPC, an AMD Athlon, an AMD Opteron, an Intel ARM, an Intel XScale, a Transmeta Crusoe, a Transmeta Efficeon, an Intel Xenon, an Intel Itanium, an Intel Pentium, or an IBM, Toshiba, or Sony Cell processor. Computer 5000 as shown in this example also includes a touch screen 5001 and a keyboard 5002. In various embodiments, a mouse, keypad, and/or interface might alternately or additionally be employed. Computer 5000 may additionally include or be attached to card readers, DVD drives, floppy disk drives, hard drives, memory cards, ROM, and/or the like whereby media containing program code (e.g., for performing various operations and/or the like described herein) may be inserted for the purpose of loading the code onto the computer.

0082In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a computer may run one or more software modules designed to perform one or more of the above-described operations. Such modules might, for example, be programmed using languages such as Java, Objective C, C, C#, C++, Perl, Python, and/or Comega according to methods known in the art. Corresponding program code might be placed on media such as, for example, DVD, CD-ROM, memory card, and/or floppy disk. It is noted that any described division of operations among particular software modules is for purposes of illustration, and that alternate divisions of operation may be employed. Accordingly, any operations discussed as being performed by one software module might instead be performed by a plurality of software modules. Similarly, any operations discussed as being performed by a plurality of modules might instead be performed by a single module. It is noted that operations disclosed as being performed by a particular computer might instead be performed by a plurality of computers. It is further noted that, in various embodiments, peer-to-peer and/or grid computing techniques may be employed.

0083Shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> is a block diagram of a terminal, an exemplary computer employable in various embodiments of the present invention. In the following, corresponding reference signs are applied to corresponding parts. Exemplary terminal 6000 of <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> comprises a processing unit CPU 603, a signal receiver 605, and a user interface (601, 602). Signal receiver 605 may, for example, be a single-carrier or multi-carrier receiver. Signal receiver 605 and the user interface (601, 602) are coupled with the processing unit CPU 603. One or more direct memory access (DMA) channels may exist between multi-carrier signal terminal part 605 and memory 604. The user interface (601, 602) comprises a display and a keyboard to enable a user to use the terminal 6000. In addition, the user interface (601, 602) comprises a microphone and a speaker for receiving and producing audio signals. The user interface (601, 602) may also comprise voice recognition (not shown).

0084The processing unit CPU 603 comprises a microprocessor (not shown), memory 604 and possibly software. The software can be stored in the memory 604. The microprocessor controls, on the basis of the software, the operation of the terminal 6000, such as receiving of a data stream, tolerance of the impulse burst noise in data reception, displaying output in the user interface and the reading of inputs received from the user interface. The hardware contains circuitry for detecting signal, circuitry for demodulation, circuitry for detecting impulse, circuitry for blanking those samples of the symbol where significant amount of impulse noise is present, circuitry for calculating estimates, and circuitry for performing the corrections of the corrupted data.

0085Still referring to <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>, alternatively, middleware or software implementation can be applied. The terminal 6000 can, for instance, be a hand-held device which a user can comfortably carry. The terminal 6000 can, for example, be a cellular mobile phone which comprises the multi-carrier signal terminal part 605 for receiving multicast transmission streams. Therefore, the terminal 6000 may possibly interact with the service providers.

Ramifications and Scope

0086Although the description above contains many specifics, these are merely provided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limitations of the invention's scope. Thus it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the system and processes of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

0087In addition, the embodiments, features, methods, systems, and details of the invention that are described above in the application may be combined separately or in any combination to create or describe new embodiments of the invention.

0088According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, comprising: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>recording, at a first node, information regarding proximity networking activity instances in which the first node is capable of partaking;</li><li>providing some or all of the information to a second node, wherein the second node holds information regarding proximity networking activity;</li><li>receiving at the first node from the second node some or all of the information regarding proximity networking activity held by the second node; and</li><li>informing a user of the first node of proximity networking activity instances associated with one or more geographical locations.</li></ul>

0089The first node may provide to the user a map indicating, for one or more geographical locations, one or more proximity networking activity instances.

0090The information regarding proximity networking activity recorded at the first node may include geographical location information corresponding to each of the proximity networking activity instances in which the first node is capable of partaking.

0091The information regarding proximity networking activity received at the first node may be employed in updating information regarding proximity networking activity held by the first node.

0092Some or all of the information recorded at the first node may include time information and is, based on associated timestamp information, valid for only certain periods of time.

0093The first node and the second node may communicate via proximity connection.

0094One or more of the first node and the second node may be mobile nodes.

0095The method may further comprise making, at the first node, one or more predictions regarding proximity networking activity.

0096Historical statistics may be employed in making the one or more predictions.

0097One or more patterns may be recognized in making the one or more predictions.

0098According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method, comprising: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>receiving at a first fixed node from a mobile node information regarding proximity networking activity;</li><li>receiving at the first fixed node from a second fixed node information regarding proximity networking activity;</li><li>updating some or all of information regarding proximity networking activity held by the first fixed node, wherein some or all of information regarding proximity networking activity received at the first fixed node is employed in the updating; and</li><li>providing from the first fixed node to a requesting node some or all of the information regarding proximity networking activity held by the first fixed node,</li><li>wherein some or all of the information regarding proximity networking activity held by the first fixed node includes geographical location information corresponding to one or more proximity networking activity instances.</li></ul>

0099The method may further comprise preparing, at the first fixed node, historical statistics corresponding to some or all of the information regarding proximity networking activity held by the first fixed node.

0100The first fixed node may communicate with at least one of the mobile node, the second fixed node, and the requesting node via proximity connection.

0101The first fixed node may communicate with at least one of the mobile node, the second fixed node, and the requesting node via non-proximity connection.

0102The information regarding proximity networking activity held by the first fixed node may include information regarding one of proximity gaming, proximity messaging, and proximity media streaming.

0103The method may further comprise making, at the first fixed node, one or more predictions regarding proximity networking activity.

0104Historical statistics may be employed in making the one or more predictions.

0105One or more patterns may be recognized in making the one or more predictions.

0106According to a yet further aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a mobile node, comprising: <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a memory having program code stored therein;</li><li>a processor disposed in communication with the memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with the stored program code; and</li><li>a network interface disposed in communication with the processor;</li><li>wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>recording, at the mobile node, information regarding proximity networking activity instances in which the mobile node is capable of partaking;</li><li>providing some or all of the information to a second node, wherein the second node holds information regarding proximity networking activity;</li><li>receiving at the mobile node from the second node some or all of the information regarding proximity networking activity held by the second node; and</li><li>informing a user of the mobile node of proximity networking activity instances associated with one or more geographical locations.</li></ul></li></ul>

0107The mobile node may provide to the user a map indicating, for one or more geographical locations, one or more proximity networking activity instances.

0108The information regarding proximity networking activity recorded at the mobile node may include geographical location information corresponding to each of the proximity networking activity instances in which the mobile node is capable of partaking.

0109The information regarding proximity networking activity received at the mobile node may be employed in updating information regarding proximity networking activity held by the mobile node.

0110Some or all of the information recorded at the mobile node may include time information and be, based on associated timestamp information, valid for only certain periods of time.

0111The mobile node and the second node may communicate via proximity connection.

0112The processor may further perform making, at the mobile node, one or more predictions regarding proximity networking activity.

0113Historical statistics may be employed in making the one or more predictions.

0114One or more patterns may be recognized in making the one or more predictions.

0115According to a yet further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a network device, comprising: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a memory having program code stored therein; a processor disposed in communication with the memory for carrying out instructions in accordance with the stored program code; and</li><li>a network interface disposed in communication with the processor; wherein the program code, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform: <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>receiving from a mobile node information regarding proximity networking activity;</li><li>receiving from a fixed node information regarding proximity networking activity;</li><li>updating some or all of held information regarding proximity networking activity, wherein some or all of received information regarding proximity networking activity is employed in the updating; and</li><li>providing to a requesting node some or all of the held information regarding proximity networking activity,</li><li>wherein some or all of the held information regarding proximity networking activity includes geographical location information corresponding to one or more proximity networking activity instances.</li></ul></li></ul>

0116The processor may further perform preparing historical statistics corresponding to some or all of the held information regarding proximity networking activity.

0117The network device may communicate with at least one of the mobile node, the fixed node, and the requesting node via proximity connection.

0118The network device may communicate with at least one of the mobile node, the fixed node, and the requesting node via non-proximity connection.

0119The held information regarding proximity networking activity may include information regarding one of proximity gaming, proximity messaging, and proximity media streaming.

0120The processor may further perform making one or more predictions regarding proximity networking activity.

0121Historical statistics may be employed in making the one or more predictions.

0122One or more patterns may be recognized in making the one or more predictions.

0123According to a yet further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium containing program code that when executed causes a first mobile node to perform: <ul id="ul0008" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>recording, at the first node, information regarding proximity networking activity instances in which the first node is capable of partaking;</li><li>providing some or all of the information to a second node, wherein the second node holds information regarding proximity networking activity;</li><li>receiving at the first node from the second node some or all of the information regarding proximity networking activity held by the second node; and</li><li>informing a user of the first node of proximity networking activity instances associated with one or more geographical locations.</li></ul>

0124The present invention is as set out in the following claims.