WO2013008251A2

WO2013008251A2 - Method and system for social networking in a restricted connectivity environment

Info

Publication number: WO2013008251A2
Application number: PCT/IN2012/000482
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anil Kumar; Ashutosh DHIMAN
Original assignee: Hughes Systique India Private Limited
Priority date: 2011-07-08
Filing date: 2012-07-09
Publication date: 2013-01-17
Also published as: WO2013008251A3

Abstract

According to the present disclosure, social networking in a restricted environment is provided where groups are created instantly in random fashion and information is to be pushed in a short span of time. Such random groups are active as long as one participant exists.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING IN A RESTRICTED CONNECTIVITY ENVIRONMENT

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to messaging, and more specifically to, systems and methods for messaging in social networking in a restricted connectivity environment.

Background

A social networking service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, who, for example, share interests and/or activities. A social network service essentially consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services. Most social network services are web based and provide means for users to interact over the Internet, such as e-mail and instant messaging. Social networking sites allow users to share ideas, activities, events, and interests within their individual networks. Some Social networking services which have grown popularity in recent years such as Facebook^®, MySpace^®, and Twitter^®. However, social networking in a restricted connectivity environment is quite uncommon as it imposes certain restriction on the way network connectivity is used to access the services such as social networking services available outside of it. These restrictions pertains to security, available bandwidth etc. Restricted connectivity environments, for example intranet of an enterprise, university campus network, Wi-Fi hotspots etc., are created for specific purpose and provides some level security but restricts availability of infrastructure required for social networking service. This restricts the usage of social networking in a restrictive environment.

Further, social network service usually means an individual-centered service whereas online community services are group-centered. The addition of users to form the community is done by sending an invite to join such groups. Thereby, users' activity spread from users to users in the social networking community which leads to geometric growth. However, random informal groups for the purpose of social networking in a restricted environment are quite uncommon. Furthermore, online groups are created and managed by social networking service provider, for example Facebook, and it takes time to spread the information in the user community to join the group. Typically, there is no social networking environment where such groups are created instantly in random fashion and information is required to be pushed in a short span of time. Even such random groups do not require being active as long as one participant exists. In addition, these groups should be independent of server.

Hence, there is a need to have a system and method that can overcome the above stated problems and provides an efficient social networking in a restricted connectivity environment. Summary

The following presents a simplified summary of the subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of subject matter embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of the subject matter. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the embodiments or to delineate the scope of the subject matter.

Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

It is therefore a primary objective of this disclosure to provide a method and an associated data structure and system that provides social networking platform for restricted connectivity environment.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a system and method for automatic social messaging in a restricted connectivity environment is provided. A social network discovery messages is implemented on the devices used by the social networking service users in restricted connectivity environment. This protocol is used to create random group, send invite to join group, detect absence of group members, discover participating users IP address and other attributes of the member users required for social networking.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a social networking system in a restricted environment (100), said system comprising one or more social networking devices (102) configured to be automatically coupled with each other in a social network group; said social networking device comprises a communication unit (201 ) communicatively coupled with said social networking devices (102) to send and/or receive a social network discovery messages; a user interface (202) to interact with applications (204) provided by the social networking device (102); an automatic social messaging unit (203) being configured in accordance with predefined trigger events to join social network group; an application interface (206) being configured in accordance with application (204a-204n) with said automatic social messaging unit (203); a memory unit (205) to store predefined trigger events and the information related to the social network devices in the social network group; and a privacy control unit (207) to maintain privacy policies in order to allow or restrict said device to permit or deny to join a social network group.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for social networking in a restricted environment (100), said method comprising configuring one or more social networking devices (102) to be automatically coupled with each other in a social network group; communicating a social network discovery messages to said one or more social networking devices (102); interacting applications (204) as provided by the social networking device (102); configuring automatic social messaging in accordance with a predefined trigger events to access at least one of the discovered devices (102) in the social network group; storing predefined trigger events and the information related to the social network devices in the social network group; and maintaining privacy policies in order to allow or restrict said device to permit or deny to join a social network group.

These and other objects, embodiments and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the disclosure not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the embodiments of the systems and methods described herein, and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a block diagram showing of an exemplary characteristic of restricted environment 100 for the system for automatic social networking to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary social network device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 depicts the Message structure of the messages used by the Social network discovery messages according to the present disclosure.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method of social networking in a restricted environment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Description

Exemplary embodiments now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the particular exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements. The specification may refer to "an", "one" or "some" embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "includes", "comprises", "including" and/or "comprising" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include operatively connected or coupled. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The figures depict a simplified structure only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units whose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connections shown are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the structure may also comprise other functions and structures. Also, all logical units described and depicted in the figures include the software and/or hardware components required for the unit to function. Further, each unit may comprise within itself one or more components which are implicitly understood. These components may be operatively coupled to each other and be configured to communicate with each other to perform the function of the said unit.

The features provided by the disclosed system in the present disclosure, may be accessed remotely, in one or more embodiments, and/or through an online service provider. Such types of online service providers operates and maintains the computing systems and environment, such as server system and architectures, that promote the delivery of portable electronic documents in a communication network. Typically, server architecture includes the infrastructure (e.g. hardware, software, and communication lines) that offers online services.

The detailed description follows in parts to terms of processes and symbolic representations of operations performed by conventional computers, including computer components. For the purpose of this disclosure, a computer may be any microprocessor or processor (hereinafter referred to as processor) controlled device such as, by way of example, personal computers, workstations, servers, clients, minicomputers, main-frame computers, laptop computers, a network of one or more computers, mobile computers, portable computers, handheld computers, palm top computers, set-top boxes for a TV, interactive televisions, interactive kiosks, personal digital assistants, interactive wireless devices, mobile browsers, or any combination thereof.

For the most part, the operations described herein are operations performed by a computer or a machine in conjunction with a human operator or user that interacts with the computer or the machine. The programs, modules, processes, methods, and the like, described herein are but an exemplary implementation and are not related, or limited, to any particular computer, apparatus, or computer language. Rather, various types of general purpose computing machines or devices may be used with programs constructed in accordance with the teachings described herein.

It would be well appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the term "module" and "unit" can be interchangeably used in the present disclosure.

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram showing of an exemplary restricted environment 100 for the system for automatic social networking, to embodiments of the present disclosure. Exemplary restricted environment 100 includes one of more social networking devices 102, configured to be connected with each other.

Social networking devices 102 are configured to perform the functions associated with automatically keeping a set of pre-defined applications in real time, of information associated with the user of the social networking device. Social networking devices 102 may be portable devices such as, but not limited to, mobile/cell phones or personal digital assistants.

Alternatively, a social network device may be a device located in a home. For example, social networking device may be a multi-media phone system. These multi-media phone systems typically have IP connectivity, a large display screen, and special applications that allow the user to engage in a variety of activities, including watching movies, listening to music, playing games, scheduling events, etc.

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary social network device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Social networking device 102 includes a communications module 201, a user interface 202, an automatic social messaging module 203, and one or more applications 204a-n, a memory 205, an application interface 206 and a privacy control module 207.

Further, automatic social messaging module 203 performs functions associated with automatic social messaging upon occurrence of a predefined trigger event. To perform these functions, social networking device 102 maintains a set of predefined trigger events supported by social messaging module 203 in a memory 205. A trigger event may be a passive trigger or an affirmative user action trigger. Example passive triggers include occurrence of an event without explicit user action (e.g., user arrival at a location) or a predefined time (e.g., alarm clock at 8am). Example affirmative triggers include triggers associated with an affirmative user action such as dialing a telephone number, answering a call, requesting a location, or requesting a direction.

Communication module 201 enables communication between one or more social networking devices 102. Social networking device 102 communicates directly using any type of wireless or wired communication using messages/protocols. It is noted that multiple communications modules may operate in a social networking device. For example, in one embodiment, communications module is an air interface protocol module (e.g., IS-95, GSM, etc.). In another example embodiment, communications module is a TCP/IP stack. As would be appreciated by persons of skill in the art, other implementations for communications module 202 can be used with the present disclosure. Further, said communication is through Short Message Service (SMS) channels and Packet based Transport. The Transport is multicast or multi-unicast. User interface 202 is preferably a graphical user interface that enables users to interact with applications provided by the social networking device 102. More generally, user interface 202 controls how functions presented by automatic social messaging module 203 and applications 204a-n are presented to users. The user interface 202 further controls how users interact with such functions and modules.

Applications 204 can be any application or function stored onto social networking device 102. Application 204 is configured to coordinate with social messaging module 203. For example, application 204 may be configured to send social messaging module 203 a message when an action is taken by a user (e.g., request location, request directions, dials phone, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, an application may be configured to send social messaging module 203 messages at predefined intervals.

A social network device implements social network discovery protocol and many social networking applications to establish social networking in a restricted environment. Social networking applications uses application interface 206 as depicted in Figure 2 to create social networking groups. The functions implemented are such as CREATE and DELETE a social networking group , QUERY to a user, receives notifications as other user join or leave groups, control privacy policies. The automatic messaging module 203 comprises three messages namely ANNOUNCE, REFRESH and QUERY exchanged with other users in the restricted network. Privacy control module 207 implements user and social networking applications specific polices. ANNOUNCE message announces the creation of a social networking group. If privacy policies of the receiver of ANNOUNCE permits him/her to join then REFRESH message is send and an entry in the memory (membership cache) 205 is added. QUERY message is used when the status of a specific user for social networking group is needed. These messages are sent as multicast within the restricted connectivity environment.

Figure 3 Error! Reference source not found.depicts the Message structure 300 of the messages used by the Social network discovery messages according to the present disclosure. The message structure are namely ANNOUNCE, REFRESH and QUERY. It comprises message type to identify one of the three messages send or received. User identities can be one more of name, nick name, contact numbers, contact address etc, hierarchy level of the user in a particular social network. Social network group identifies a particular social network or social networking group and comprises one or several names of the group, purpose of the group and group specific privacy attributes.

Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for social networking in a restricted connectivity environment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Flowchart 400 will be described with continued reference to the restrictive environment 100 described with reference to FIG. 1 and the example social networking device 102 described with reference to FIG. 2. However, the invention is not limited to those embodiments. Note that some steps shown in flowchart 400 do not necessarily have to occur in the order shown.

When a social networking application creates a group, a periodic group membership announcement timer is started and an ANNOUNCE message is sent, as given in step 401. On every expiry of group announcement timer, ANNOUNCE message is also sent. All the users in the restricted connectivity environment receive and process this message. If the recipient user privacy policies do not permit him/her to join the group then the received ANNOUNCE message is silently discarded. If the privacy policies permit then an entry in the memory (membership cache) is created or existing entry is refreshed. A periodic group membership refresh timer is started. On every expiry of the refresh expiry timer, REFRESH message is sent as given in step 402. On reception of REFRESH message, if privacy policies do not permits the sender to join the group then message is silently discarded. If the privacy policies permits then an entry in the membership cache is created or existing entry is refreshed. Periodic group membership announcement time is stopped when social networking application destroys the group. Periodic group membership refresh timer is stopped when no ANNOUNCE message is received in last three consecutive expiry of the refresh timer.

If the privacy policies of the recipient and the group privacy in the ANNOUNCE message allows to recipient to sent out ANNOUNCE into the next level of social hierarchy then a new ANNOUNCE message is created and sent by the recipient. New ANNOUNCE message is created from the received ANNOUNCE message, recipient user identities are added the received user identities, received Hierarchy level is incremented by one. QUERY message 403 is used when the status of a specific user for social networking group is needed. If the privacy policies permit the receiver to join the group then it sends REFRESH message.

Memory (Membership cache) keep track of social networking group subscription of other users in the restricted connectivity environment. When a new entry is added, an entry life time timer is started and associated social networking application of the user is notified for join. When an entry is refreshed then the entry life time timer is re-started. On expire of the entry life time timer, entry is removed and associated social networking application of the user is notified for leave.

In an advantageous embodiment, users of the social networking will be approached directly using e-mail and/or sms. This request can be initiated by a user's laptop, desktop, ipod, mobile devices etc. This brings ease of use for the users to get connected to others users in groups in immediately.

According to the present invention, abovementioned methodology take care of managing changes in the compliance definition and enables to perform impact analysis and reporting based on revised compliance definition.

The present disclosure is applicable to all types of on-chip and off chip memories used in various in digital electronic circuitry, or in hardware, firmware, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combination thereof. Apparatus of the invention can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and methods actions can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output. The invention can be implemented advantageously on a programmable system including at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language or in assembly or machine language, if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and specific microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a readonly memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data file; such devices include magnetic disks and cards, such as internal hard disks, and removable disks and cards; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of volatile and non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks; and buffer circuits such as latches and/or flip flops. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits), FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays) and/or DSPs) digital signal processors).

It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in this art that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein, consistent with the present disclosure, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Other embodiments consistent with the present disclosure will become apparent from consideration of the specification and the practice of the description disclosed herein.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A social networking system in a restricted environment (100), said system comprising: one or more social networking devices (102) configured to be automatically coupled with each other in a social network group;

said social networking device comprises:

a communication unit (201) communicatively coupled with said social networking devices ( 102) to send and/or receive a social network discovery messages;

a user interface (202) to interact with applications (204) provided by the social networking device (102);

an automatic social messaging unit (203) being configured in accordance with predefined trigger events to join social network group;

an application interface (206) being configured in accordance with application

(204a-204n) with said automatic social messaging unit (203); a memory unit (205) to store predefined trigger events and the information related to the social network devices in the social network group; and a privacy control unit (207) to maintain privacy policies in order to allow or restrict said device to permit or deny to join a social network group.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication unit comprises a transmitter and a receiver.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication is a wireless or wired.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication is through Short Message Service (SMS) channels and Packet based Transport.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said communication is multicast or multi- unicast.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predefined trigger events are user actions or time based.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device comprise social network group privacy information in the social network discovery messages.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said social network discovery messages comprises three messages such as ANNOUNCE, REFRESH and QUERY message.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ANNOUNCE message declares the creation of a social network group.

10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said REFRESH message permits and adds entry of the receiver of ANNOUNCE to join the group on meeting the privacy policies.

1 1. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said QUERY message communicates the status of a specific member of the social network group.

12. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said device on reception of ANNOUNCE message for a social network group, sends a new ANNOUNCE message for the same social network group.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said new ANNOUNCE message is send on meeting the privacy settings of the reception device.

14. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said REFRESH message is send to the original sender of ANNOUNCE message.

15. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ANNOUNCE message is transmitted periodically to declare the availability of the social network group.

16. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said social network group is treated as deleted on non-reception of periodic ANNOUNCE message for said social network group.

17. A method for social networking in a restricted environment (100), said method comprising: configuring one or more social networking devices ( 02) to be automatically coupled with each other in a social network group; communicating a social network discovery messages to said one or more social networking devices (102); interacting applications (204) as provided by the social networking device (102); configuring automatic social messaging in accordance with a predefined trigger events to access at least one of the discovered devices (102) in the social network group; storing predefined trigger events and the information related to the social network devices in the social network group; and maintaining privacy policies in order to allow or restrict said device to permit or deny to join a social network group.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said communication is a wireless or wired.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said communication is through Short Message Service (SMS) channels and Packet based Transport.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said communication is multicast or multi- unicast.

21. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said predefined trigger events are user actions or time based.

22. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said device comprise social network group privacy information in the social network discovery messages.

23. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said social network discovery message comprises three messages such as ANNOUNCE, REFRESH and QUERY message.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said ANNOUNCE message declares the creation of a social network group.

25. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said REFRESH message permits and adds entry of the receiver of ANNOUNCE to join the group on meeting the privacy policies.

26. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said QUERY message communicates the status of a specific member of the social network group.

27. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said device on reception of ANNOUNCE message for a social network group, sends a new ANNOUNCE message for the same social network group.

28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein said new ANNOUNCE message is send on meeting the privacy settings of the reception device.

29. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said REFRESH message is send to the original sender of ANNOUNCE message.

30. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said ANNOUNCE message is transmitted periodically to declare the availability of the social network group.

31. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said social network group is treated as deleted on non-reception of periodic ANNOUNCE message for said social network group.