US20150326523A1 - Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150326523A1 US20150326523A1 US14/802,298 US201514802298A US2015326523A1 US 20150326523 A1 US20150326523 A1 US 20150326523A1 US 201514802298 A US201514802298 A US 201514802298A US 2015326523 A1 US2015326523 A1 US 2015326523A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- social networking
- message
- networking service
- reply
- mobile
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000006855 networking Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 137
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 35
- 230000003190 augmentative effect Effects 0.000 title abstract description 19
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 36
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 20
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 17
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 14
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 13
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 10
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000001413 cellular effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010295 mobile communication Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012797 qualification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003068 static effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000003491 array Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002096 quantum dot Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000282412 Homo Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006735 deficit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002085 persistent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013550 pizza Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002123 temporal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001052 transient effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
- G06Q10/107—Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
-
- H04L51/32—
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q50/00—Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
- G06Q50/01—Social networking
-
- G06Q50/40—
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/02—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail using automatic reactions or user delegation, e.g. automatic replies or chatbot-generated messages
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/52—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail for supporting social networking services
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/12—Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
Definitions
- Wireless (e.g., cellular) service providers and device manufacturers are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services.
- These network services can include social networking services, which provide the ability to keep subscribers abreast of the actions of a member of the social networking service.
- a method comprises generating a message for posting to a social networking service.
- the method also comprises determining addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users. At least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service.
- the addressing information is used to send the message to the group.
- the method further comprises receiving a reply to the message from one of the devices of the group.
- the method additionally comprises initiating posting of the reply to the social networking service.
- an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to generate a message for posting to a social networking service.
- the apparatus is also caused to determine addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users. At least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service. The addressing information is used to send the message to the group.
- the apparatus is further caused to receiving a reply to the message from one of the devices of the group.
- the apparatus is additionally caused to initiate posting of the reply to the social networking service.
- a computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to generate a message for posting to a social networking service.
- the apparatus is also caused to determine addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users. At least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service. The addressing information is used to send the message to the group.
- the apparatus is further caused to receiving a reply to the message from one of the devices of the group.
- the apparatus is additionally caused to initiate posting of the reply to the social networking service.
- an apparatus comprises means for generating a message for posting to a social networking service.
- the apparatus also comprises means for determining addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users, wherein at least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service, and wherein the addressing information is used to send the message to the group.
- the apparatus further comprises means for receiving a reply to the message from one of the devices of the group.
- the apparatus additionally comprises means for initiating posting of the reply to the social networking service.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a user equipment, according to one embodiment
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are ladder diagrams of processes for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment
- FIGS. 5A-5E are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4 , according to various embodiments;
- FIG. 6 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a diagram of a mobile station (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.
- a mobile station e.g., handset
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 100 capable of providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment.
- users are typically required to join the same service. This is inconvenient for people who do not wish to subscribe to the service. Their reluctance to register with a social network service can stem from any number of reasons, such as cost and privacy concerns.
- these non-subscribers cannot be involved with communication exchanges resulting from updates to a social networking service.
- a user of a social networking service may want to post status messages and/or instant messages to all of the user's friends in the service, and also to all friends who are not members of the social networking service.
- a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the capability to provide subscription-less social networking via the use of messaging services on a mobile device.
- the system 100 allows for the updating, according to one embodiment, of status messages and responses, e.g., in form of micro blogs, using simple messaging services (e.g., short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), other forms of text messaging, etc.) available on a mobile device without being required to subscribe to a social networking service.
- simple messaging services e.g., short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), other forms of text messaging, etc.
- SMS short message service
- MMS multimedia messaging service
- a user can be a member of a social networking service where the user may post micro blog status messages, which can be commented on by other users.
- the user can define a “messaging buddies” list using one or more contacts from a contacts list or phone book to make available the status messages and commenting.
- the status message is posted to the service and to the list of messaging buddies.
- the messaging buddies receive text messages corresponding to the message posts.
- the messaging buddies that receive the status message posts may comment on the status message by replying to the message using certain protocols.
- the replies can be received by a mobile device of the user and can be posted to the social networking site using an application residing on the mobile device. In this manner, comments to status messages can be interleaved from friends who have accounts in the social networking service and from friends who have no account and simply use messaging services of a mobile device.
- system 100 involves user equipments (UEs) 101 a - 101 n having connectivity to a social networking platform 103 via a communication network 105 .
- the UE 101 can utilize a social networking application 107 a or a messaging application 107 n to send and receive micro blog messages.
- a UE 101 a posts messages associated with the social networking platform 103 via a gateway 109 to a UE 101 n .
- a UE 101 n connects to the social networking platform 109 through the communication network 105 via another UE 101 a .
- the social networking platform 103 has a messaging database 111 that keeps track of blogging posts and comments on the blogging posts.
- a gateway database 113 can include information regarding addresses (e.g., phone numbers) to UEs 101 .
- the social networking service can update the messaging database 111 with the information of the user's message as well as comments associated with the message posted by other users.
- the system 100 includes a social networking platform 103 .
- the social networking platform 103 can be associated with one or more social networking service (e.g., FACEBOOK, TWITTER, MYSPACE, LINKEDIN, etc.).
- a social networking service may be instantiated on one or more devices (e.g., a peer-to-peer social networking service between UEs 101 ).
- a user via a UE 101 a , can post a message (e.g., a status message) to the social networking service platform 103 to allow other people to become aware of the contents of the message.
- the social networking platform 103 can be accessed by other UEs 101 n to retrieve the content of the message.
- an application 107 a on the UE 101 a of the user is used to distribute the message to both the social network service and to users that are not necessarily subscribed with the social networking service.
- the application 107 can send a text message to the receiving UE 101 n or can post the message to the social networking platform 103 .
- the social networking platform 103 provides a mechanism to send text messages (or other messages) to UEs 101 associated with a list of the user, but not subscribed to the social networking service.
- one of the messaging buddies responds to one of the text message status message posts.
- the messaging buddy replies within a certain time window, and the messaging buddy also replies to the phone number associated with the message (e.g., the sender's phone number).
- a messaging application 107 can associate the sender with responses (e.g., comments to a status message from messaging buddies) to a time window with respect to the time when the originating message was sent.
- the time window and the information that the sender of an SMS is a messaging buddy provides confidence that an inbound SMS text message is a response to a status message post that was sent via text message, as opposed to a coincidental text message sent to a sender from a messaging buddy within the same time window that had nothing to do with the original status message that was sent.
- the messaging application 107 can select to update the social network platform 307 of the reply message if the reply message meets the time window and sender qualifications.
- the social networking platform 103 can be associated with a gateway 109 ; the gateway 109 can be used as a conduit to deliver messages to both to the social networking service and to users that may not have a subscription to the social networking service.
- the gateway 109 can use, for example, a phone number as a channel to deliver messages to messaging buddies of the user.
- the messaging buddies are set up by the user, or via a plugin to the social networking service.
- the gateway 109 can have a number of telephone numbers with messaging capabilities associated with it. The telephone numbers could be used as channels sitting between a social networking service user and messaging buddies of the service user.
- each channel can have a unique telephone number associated with it.
- the text message is sent via the gateway 109 using one of the unique mobile phone numbers associated with gateway 109 or a channel of the gateway 109 .
- the receiving telephone numbers can be included in the status message via a plugin.
- the gateway phone number is used to send the status message.
- the gateway 109 may also be provided access to the list of messaging buddies by the sender. With the messaging buddies access, the receiving buddy access need not be provided in the status message.
- the gateway 109 can then extract the phone numbers and send the status message to each recipient and store in a gateway database 113 a sender phone number, a status message identifier (ID), and a recipient phone number triplet.
- a sender phone number is associated with the recipient phone number triplet in the gateway database 113
- the gateway 109 can associate the recipient with the sender. Additionally, the gateway 109 can associate the recipient replies with the other recipients of the original message. The replies can thus be sent by the gateway 109 to the sender and other recipients of the status message.
- one of the messaging buddies responds to one of the text message status message posts.
- the messaging buddy replies within a certain time window, and the messaging buddy also replies to the phone number associated with the message and the original sender sent via the gateway 109 , which can be used as a unique channel.
- a mobile application 107 can now associate the sender with responses (e.g., comments to a status message from messaging buddies) to both a time window and a channel used to send the original status message by utilizing the gateway 109 .
- Time window and channel information implementation provides confidence that an inbound SMS text message is a response to a status message post that was sent via text message, as opposed to a coincidental text message sent to a sender from a messaging buddy within the same time window that had nothing to do with the original status message that was sent.
- the gateway 109 can send a comment to a “status message” to all recipients of the original message, thereby saving costs for the sender of a “status message” or a comment because the transactions need not be transmitted directly to the UE 101 of the sender.
- the gateway 109 can also include a status message identifier (ID), e.g., a name, phone number, etc., to the response SMS so that the original sender's UE 101 can show the status message and its comments together in a user interface (e.g., by initiating posting of the messages on a social networking service).
- ID e.g., a name, phone number, etc.
- the system 100 comprises UEs 101 having connectivity to a social networking platform 103 and gateway 109 via a communication network 105 .
- the communication network 105 of system 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combination thereof.
- the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network.
- the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like.
- EDGE enhanced data rates for global evolution
- GPRS general packet radio service
- GSM global system for mobile communications
- IMS Internet protocol multimedia subsystem
- UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system
- any other suitable wireless medium e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi
- the UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as “wearable” circuitry, etc.).
- a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links.
- the protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information.
- the conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.
- OSI Open Systems Interconnection
- Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol.
- the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information.
- the header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol.
- the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model.
- the header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload.
- the higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol.
- the headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application headers (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) as defined by the OSI Reference Model.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a user equipment 101 , according to one embodiment.
- the UE 101 includes one or more components for providing augmented social networking messaging. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality.
- the UE 101 includes a power module 201 , a network interface module 203 , a runtime module 205 , a memory module 207 , a user interface 209 , and a contacts module 211 .
- the power module 201 provides power to the UE 101 .
- the power module 201 can include any type of power source (e.g., battery, plug-in, etc.). Additionally, the power module 201 can provide power to the components of the UE 101 including processors, memory, and transmitters.
- a UE 101 includes a network interface module 203 .
- the network interface module 203 can be used by the runtime module 205 to communicate with a social networking platform 103 .
- the social networking platform 103 is used to keep track of the status of a user of the UE 101 .
- the network interface module 203 is used to communicate with a gateway 109 via the communication network 105 .
- the network interface module 203 communicates with the social networking platform 103 via the gateway 109 or via another UE 101 .
- the gateway 109 is used to communicate via a text messaging format with a UE 101 .
- a UE 101 includes a user interface 209 .
- the user interface 209 can include various methods of communication.
- the user interface 209 can have outputs including a visual component (e.g., a screen), an audio component, a physical component (e.g., vibrations), and other methods of communication.
- User inputs can include a touch-screen interface, a scroll-and-click interface, a button interface, etc.
- a user can input a request to upload or receive object information via the user interface 209 .
- the user interface 209 displays a web browser.
- the runtime module 205 receives a request from a user input and stores the request in the memory module 207 .
- the user interface 209 displays text messaging.
- the runtime module 205 executes an application 107 associated with a social networking service that is displayed on the user interface 209 .
- a UE 101 includes a contacts module 211 .
- the contacts module 211 can include phone numbers of people that a user of the UE 101 knows.
- the contacts module 211 can also be used to set up subgroups of people that can include a messaging buddies list.
- the multiple messaging buddies lists can be used to send messages to the buddies.
- the messaging buddies lists can be associated to an application 107 executed by a runtime module 205 .
- the application 107 can be associated with a social networking service.
- the application 107 can post a message (e.g., a status message or other micro-blog message) via the social networking service. When the status is posted, application 107 can also send the message to the messaging buddies via a text messaging service.
- a runtime module 205 of the UE 101 a executes a social networking application 107 a .
- a user can post a message to a social networking service using the application 107 a via a network interface module 203 .
- the application 107 a can determine that a list of messaging buddies should be sent a text message corresponding to the posted message.
- the receiver of the text message can then reply to the text message to comment on the message.
- the text messages are time stamped by the UE 101 .
- the application 107 a can assume that a received text message is in response to the original text message.
- the receiving UE 101 n can be implemented using only text messaging capabilities without any need for a subscription to the social networking service or independent applications on the UE 101 n .
- the response can be assumed to be a comment to the posted message (e.g., a status message) if the response is from a member of the text messaging buddies within a certain time frame from the original posting. Text messaging buddies can be recognized by an identifier (e.g., a phone number).
- the application 107 a has rights to read the text messaging inbox of the user.
- the application 107 a on the UE 101 a can retrieve the received text message and relay the message to the social networking service to add as a comment.
- the responsive text message initiates a process for relaying the response message to the social networking site for the subscribers in the social networking service.
- the user of the UE 101 a can select which text messages to post.
- the runtime module 205 can utilize ports of a UE 101 to uniquely identify a social networking application 107 a .
- the posting UE 101 a and a buddy UE 101 n can both have corresponding applications.
- the applications 107 on both UEs 101 are compatible.
- the application 107 n on the buddy UE 101 can be a simplified, specialized, or limited application 107 n .
- the buddy need not subscribe to any social networking service or give out personal information, the buddy can simply install the application 107 n .
- the post and the buddy replies may indicate the social networking service associated with the post and/or reply.
- the indication can be in the form of a message at the start of a text message (e.g., the text message starts with SSA or FB to represent that the posting and/or reply message is associated with social service A or FACEBOOK respectively.
- text messaging ports e.g., a set of SMS ports
- the posting and buddy UEs 101 could have a unique channel between them corresponding to the port numbers used.
- Multiple ports can be used by the applications 107 to segregate messaging data.
- the posting UE 101 a can send a post to one set of buddies using one port number and another post to a set of other buddies using another port number. Buddies receiving the post can respond using the assigned port number.
- the posting UE 101 a is able to determine which buddy message is responding to which post.
- a separate port number can be used for other text messages unassociated with the application 107 .
- the messages can be received in the user's text messaging inbox and the responses can be forwarded for posting using non-port means described in the previous paragraph.
- the application 107 can be used as a “hook” to the buddy to join the social networking service.
- the status message can include a link to the service to encourage the buddy to become a member of the service.
- the buddy can become more inclined to join the service by becoming more accustomed to the messages and benefits of the service.
- the application 107 may send a personalized link in addition to the status message to facilitate becoming a member of the service.
- the status message can be sent with a personalized link to all non-member or selected non-member buddies in addition to the status message.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are ladder diagrams of processes for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment.
- a member of a social networking service can, via a mobile device (Mobile A) 301 , send a message to a group of mobile devices (e.g., Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305 ) by posting the message to a social networking platform 307 .
- Address information e.g., phone numbers
- the message is a status message or an instant message.
- the status of the member is updated using an application executed on Mobile A 301 .
- the status update is updated on the social network platform 307 using Mobile A 301 .
- Mobile A 301 also sends a status update to a group of users (e.g., Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305 ).
- the status update can be via an SMS, a text message, MMS, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), e-mail, or any other type of mobile messaging.
- the user of Mobile B 303 is a member of the social networking service, but is sent the message via the messaging service to expedite the flow of information to the user of Mobile B 303 .
- the user of Mobile C 305 is not a member of the social networking service.
- the user of Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305 can respond to the message.
- the reply messages can be received by Mobile A 301 .
- the reply messages are used to update the social network platform 307 .
- Mobile A 301 at steps 323 and 325 can send the reply messages to the group of mobile devices.
- Mobile A 301 can determine if incoming messages are associated with the sent status message. If an incoming message is not associated with the sent status message, Mobile A 301 can determine that the incoming message is not related to the status message and Mobile A 301 need not update the social network platform 307 . In this embodiment, Mobile A 301 can take note of what time the sent status message was sent. If the incoming message is within a predetermined time window after the status message was sent, it can be qualified as a possible reply to the send status message.
- Mobile A 301 can also retrieve a phone number from an incoming message. Mobile A 301 can then compare the phone number (or another identifier) to the address information to determine if the incoming message is associated with the sent status message.
- the predetermined time window qualification and address identifier combination can provide a certain level of certainty as to whether the incoming message should be considered reply messages that should be updated on the social network platform 307 . If the identifier does not match, the incoming message is not associated with the sent status message. If the identifier does match, the incoming message is qualified as a reply. In another example, if an incoming message meets the temporal and user qualifications, the information in the message is posted.
- Mobile A 301 , Mobile B 303 , and Mobile C 305 can execute compatible applications.
- Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305 need not have to be members of the same service as Mobile A 301 .
- the applications can use a set of ports. In one embodiment, if incoming messages are not associated with a particular port or set of ports associated with the sent status message, the incoming messages are not qualified as being a reply.
- the user of Mobile C 305 is a member of the same service as Mobile A 301 .
- Responses from the Mobile C 305 can be associated with Mobile C 305 the messaging application 107 of Mobile A 301 because the messaging application 107 can have access to a list of the group and a list of corresponding members of the service.
- Mobile A 301 can inform the social network platform 307 that the message is associated with the user of Mobile C 305 .
- the social network platform 307 can receive the member data of the user of Mobile C 305 in the message reply 321 .
- the social network platform 307 can enable visibility options based on the user preferences of Mobile C 305 . For example, members of the social network service can are friends with the user of Mobile C 305 can view the message associated with the user of Mobile C 305 .
- Mobile B 303 is not a member of the social network platform 307 .
- Mobile B 303 sends its reply 315 to Mobile A 301 and Mobile A 301 determines that Mobile B 303 is associated with the status update.
- the user of Mobile B 303 is not a member of the social network platform 307 .
- the user of Mobile B 303 has not agreed to the terms of service of the service of social network platform 307 .
- a determination can be made by Mobile A 301 do determine what restrictions, if any, should be placed on any reply messages received from Mobile B 303 .
- Mobile A 301 determines that the message should not be sent to the social network platform 307 because the user of Mobile B 303 has not consented to such a posting.
- Mobile A 301 determines that the message should be sent to the social network platform 307 , but restrictions should be made so that the message is private to only the account associated with Mobile A 301 .
- the user of Mobile A 301 may receive the message, and the users in the group may receive the message, but the message is not posted for viewing by other users of the social network platform 307 .
- Mobile A 301 determines that the message should be posted to the social network platform 307 without any restrictions.
- the user of Mobile A 301 can explicitly share the content of the Mobile B 303 message using the social network platform 307 .
- Mobile A 301 can post the message according to the terms of service that the user of Mobile A 301 has agreed to.
- the update of the reply messages can include identifying information of the user of Mobile B 303 and/or Mobile C 305 .
- the replies can be in the form of text messages.
- Mobile A 301 retrieves a phone number associated with the reply.
- Mobile A 301 can then compare the phone number to phone numbers stored in the device's memory to determine an identifier (e.g., a name or a nickname associated with the phone number) associated with the phone number.
- the identifier can be used to associate the replying user with the reply message.
- FIG. 3B is a ladder diagram of a process for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment.
- a member of a social networking service can, via a gateway 351 , send a message to a group of mobile devices (e.g., Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305 ) by posting the message to a social networking platform 307 .
- Mobile A 301 sends the social network platform 307 the message.
- the social network platform 307 can then notify the gateway 351 of the message at step 355 .
- Mobile A 301 directly notifies the gateway 351 of the message at step 357 .
- the gateway 351 can also be provided a list of the group of mobile devices by the social network platform 307 or Mobile A 301 .
- the gateway 351 can store this list in a database associated with the user of Mobile A.
- the gateway 351 utilizes a group of phone numbers as channels to deliver messages to mobile devices.
- the phone number used for the channel can be unique to the users in the group.
- a first publisher using the gateway 351 can have Mobile B 303 as a user in the first publisher's group.
- a second publisher using the gateway 351 can also have Mobile B 303 as a user in the second publisher's group.
- the gateway 351 compares the list of users in the message with a list of users currently active on a gateway channel before sending the message via the channel. If Mobile B 303 is currently active on the gateway channel, the gateway 351 will use a different channel to send the message to Mobile B 303 or the entire group.
- a device is currently active on a gateway channel if within a predetermined time period, the device was sent a message.
- a device becomes active on a channel if a message is sent to the device.
- the device can be deactivated by the course of time, or by using an ordering algorithm (e.g., round-robin, first in first out, etc.).
- the gateway 351 notifies the group of mobile devices of the status message.
- the gateway 351 can use an unknown phone number to the user, therefore, an identifying message can be used (e.g., from User of Mobile A 301 ).
- an identifying message can be used (e.g., from User of Mobile A 301 ).
- the user of Mobile B 303 and/or Mobile C 305 would like to comment on the status message.
- Mobile B 303 replies to the message by sending a message (e.g., a text message) to the gateway 351 on the channel the message was received.
- gateway 351 compares the phone number of Mobile B 303 to the phone number in its active database. The active database determines that the phone number is associated with the user of Mobile A 301 .
- the gateway 351 may then send the reply message to the original sender of the status message, Mobile A 301 , and the receivers of the status message, Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305 .
- the gateway 351 updates the social network platform 307 with the reply message.
- the gateway 351 can send the reply message to the rest of the associated group.
- associated activity timers can be reset when the reply message is sent out.
- Mobile C 305 can respond to the message by responding on the channel the message was received.
- the gateway 351 can determine that the phone number of Mobile C 305 is not in the active database.
- the gateway 351 can send a response to Mobile C 305 indicating that the response was stale.
- the user of Mobile C 305 is a member of the same service as Mobile A 301 .
- the gateway 351 can determine that the response is associated with the status message.
- the response 367 from the Mobile C 305 can be associated with Mobile C 305 by the gateway 351 because the gateway 351 can have access to a list of the group and a list of corresponding members of the service (e.g., a buddy list associated with Mobile A 301 ).
- the gateway 351 can inform (e.g., by sending identification information) the social network platform 307 that the message is associated with the user of Mobile C 305 .
- the social network platform 307 can receive the member data of the user of Mobile C 305 in the message reply. Then, the social network platform 307 can enable visibility options based on the user preferences of Mobile C 305 . For example, members of the social network platform 307 can are friends with the user of Mobile C 305 can view the message associated with the user of Mobile C 305 or members of the social network platform 307 that are in the same groups as the user of Mobile C 305 on the social network platform 307 can receive access to the message.
- Mobile B 303 is not a member of the social network platform 307 .
- Mobile B 303 sends its reply 363 to the gateway 351 and the gateway 351 determines that the message from Mobile B 303 is associated with the status update.
- the gateway 351 also determines that the user of Mobile B 303 is not a member of the social network platform 307 . Accordingly, the user of Mobile B 303 has not agreed to the terms of service of the service of social network platform 307 .
- a determination can be made by the gateway 351 to determine what restrictions should be placed on any reply messages received from Mobile B 303 .
- the gateway 351 determines that the message should not be sent to the social network platform 307 because the user of Mobile B 303 has not consented to such a posting. In another instance, the gateway 351 determines that the message should be sent to the social network platform 307 , but restrictions should be made so that the message is private to only the account associated with Mobile A 301 . In this instance, the user of Mobile A 301 may receive the message, and the users in the group may receive the message, but the message is not posted for viewing by other users of the social network platform 307 . Under another scenario, the gateway 351 determines that the message should be posted to the social network platform 307 without any restrictions. Thus, the user of Mobile A 301 can share the content of the message of Mobile B 303 via the social network platform 307 . The gateway 351 can post the message for Mobile A 301 according to the terms of service that the user of Mobile A 301 has agreed to.
- users of devices can receive and comment on messages (e.g., status messages) from a member of a social networking service.
- messages e.g., status messages
- the users of the devices need not be subscribed to the social networking service to receive and comment upon the messages.
- the micro-blogging on a social networking service can be expanded to users of UEs 101 via text, SMS, MMS, or other sorts of messaging. Additionally, this allows for users of devices that carry the capability to use text messaging, but no additional data services, to stay informed of the status of buddies.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment.
- the gateway 109 or UE 101 performs the process 400 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown FIG. 7 .
- a message is generated by a member of a social networking for posting to a social networking service.
- the message is generated on a UE 101 .
- the message is generated by a gateway 109 based on information from a UE 101 or some other source.
- addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users is determined.
- a UE 101 or gateway 109 stores addressing information for the group in a database.
- the UE 101 can be used to create or update the addressing information.
- the UE 101 or gateway 109 can access the information from a social networking platform 103 .
- at least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service.
- the addressing information can be in the form of a telephone number, for instance.
- the addressing information is used to send the message to the group.
- the message is in the form of a text message.
- the UE 101 associates the message with a port.
- the port can be utilized to send and receive messages to the group of one or more mobile devices.
- the gateway 109 associates the message with a channel (e.g., a telephone number) and the channel is used to communicate with the group of one or more mobile devices.
- the gateway 109 can associate the channel with the message and the group of one or more mobile devices by using a list of phone numbers.
- the UE 101 of the member is a primary phone number associated with the channel.
- the phone numbers of the group of one or more mobile devices can also be stored as associated with the member's phone number. More than one UE 101 can be a primary phone number on a single channel at a certain time. Additionally, a UE 101 can be the primary phone number on multiple channels at the same time.
- the UE 101 or gateway 109 receives a reply to the message from one of the mobile devices of the group.
- the UE 101 waits for a threshold time period for replies to the message.
- the UE 101 can determine that the message is received within the threshold time period. If a reply (e.g., a message from a phone number associated with one of the addresses of the group) is received within the threshold period, it is likely that the message is meant to be a reply that should be posted to the social networking service.
- the UE 101 monitors a port (or a set of ports) associated with text messaging for incoming messages on the port.
- the users of the group can have an application installed on the users' UEs 101 that can be used to send messages via the port.
- the gateway 109 or UE 101 of the member receives the reply message on a channel.
- the gateway 109 associates an identifier to the reply message.
- the identifier is the phone number of the replying UE 101 .
- the gateway 109 compares the identifying information to a database that contains the list of addresses of the group.
- the identifier is then associated with the user phone number.
- the reply message is associated with the replying user.
- posting of the reply to the social networking service is initiated. Because the replying user's identity is identified, an identifier of the replying user can be added to the post.
- the gateway 109 or the member's UE 101 can used to initiate the posting. Additionally, the member's UE 101 or the gateway 109 can send the reply as an update to the posting thread to the group.
- users of devices can receive and comment on messages from a member of a social networking service without being subscribed to the service.
- the micro-blogging on a social networking service can be expanded to users of UEs 101 via messaging.
- the approach allows for users with devices with only text messaging capabilities to read and comment upon messages.
- FIGS. 5A-5E are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4 , according to various embodiments.
- User interface 500 displays a social networking service representation 501 of, for example, a user named Leslie. Leslie is able to add and select people to be on a buddy list 503 . The people on the buddy lists may or may not be associated with the social networking service.
- phone numbers 505 are used to identify a group of people that Leslie wants to send updated status messages to.
- User interface 520 displays one such status message 521 that can be posted to a social networking service. Other people that are members of or have access to the social networking service can view Leslie's page 523 .
- the status message can also be sent to the buddy list via a text messaging service.
- Joey's user equipment interface 540 receives a text message indicating that Leslie is hungry 541 .
- Joey decides to reply 543 to the message by sending a response to the phone number associated with the message.
- Joey replies with “Want to get Pizza?” 545 .
- the posting is updated and the reply is sent to all of the people on the buddy list 503 and/or the social networking service.
- User interface 560 displays an interface associated with Katie.
- Katie is running an application that receives updates to a friend's micro-blog via text messaging ports.
- Katie reply to the micro-blog messages by hitting a reply feature 561 .
- User interface 580 displays a social networking service user's interface displaying the status message update 581 and comments 583 of Joey and Katie utilizing the processes described above.
- the processes described herein for providing augmented social networking messaging may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware (e.g., general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof.
- DSP Digital Signal Processing
- ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
- FPGA Field Programmable Gate Arrays
- firmware or a combination thereof.
- FIG. 6 illustrates a computer system 600 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.
- Computer system 600 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to provide augmented social networking messaging as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 610 for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system 600 .
- Information also called data
- Information is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states ( 0 , 1 ) of a binary digit (bit).
- a superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit).
- a sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character.
- information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range.
- a bus 610 includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus 610 .
- One or more processors 602 for processing information are coupled with the bus 610 .
- a processor 602 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to augmented social networking messaging.
- the computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions.
- the code for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor.
- the code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language).
- the set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 610 and placing information on the bus 610 .
- the set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND.
- Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits.
- a sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 602 such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions.
- Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination.
- Computer system 600 also includes a memory 604 coupled to bus 610 .
- the memory 604 such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for providing augmented social networking messaging. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system 600 . RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses.
- the memory 604 is also used by the processor 602 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions.
- the computer system 600 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 606 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 610 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system 600 . Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost.
- ROM read only memory
- non-volatile (persistent) storage device 608 such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system 600 is turned off or otherwise loses power.
- Information is provided to the bus 610 for use by the processor from an external input device 612 , such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor.
- an external input device 612 such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor.
- a sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system 600 .
- Other external devices coupled to bus 610 used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device 614 , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 616 , such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 614 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 614 .
- a display device 614 such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting text or images
- a pointing device 616 such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 614 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 614 .
- a display device 614 such as a cathode ray
- special purpose hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 620
- ASIC application specific integrated circuit
- the special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor 602 quickly enough for special purposes.
- application specific ICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display 614 , cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.
- Computer system 600 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 670 coupled to bus 610 .
- Communication interface 670 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link 678 that is connected to a local network 680 to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected.
- communication interface 670 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer.
- USB universal serial bus
- communications interface 670 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line.
- ISDN integrated services digital network
- DSL digital subscriber line
- a communication interface 670 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 610 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable.
- communications interface 670 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented.
- LAN local area network
- the communications interface 670 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data.
- the communications interface 670 includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver.
- the communications interface 670 enables connection to the communication network 105 .
- Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 608 .
- Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 604 .
- Transmission media include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media.
- Computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read.
- the term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media.
- Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC 620 .
- Network link 678 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information.
- network link 678 may provide a connection through local network 680 to a host computer 682 or to equipment 684 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- ISP equipment 684 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet 690 .
- a computer called a server host 692 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet.
- server host 692 hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display 614 .
- At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 600 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 600 in response to processor 602 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory 604 . Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory 604 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device 608 or network link 678 . Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 604 causes processor 602 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC 620 , may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.
- the signals transmitted over network link 678 and other networks through communications interface 670 carry information to and from computer system 600 .
- Computer system 600 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 680 , 690 among others, through network link 678 and communications interface 670 .
- a server host 692 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 600 , through Internet 690 , ISP equipment 684 , local network 680 and communications interface 670 .
- the received code may be executed by processor 602 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 604 or in storage device 608 or other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 600 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.
- instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 682 .
- the remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem.
- a modem local to the computer system 600 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link 678 .
- An infrared detector serving as communications interface 670 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 610 .
- Bus 610 carries the information to memory 604 from which processor 602 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions.
- the instructions and data received in memory 604 may optionally be stored on storage device 608 , either before or after execution by the processor 602 .
- FIG. 7 illustrates a chip set 700 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.
- Chip set 700 is programmed to provide augmented social networking messaging as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 6 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips).
- a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction.
- the chip set can be implemented in a single chip.
- the chip set 700 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 701 for passing information among the components of the chip set 700 .
- a processor 703 has connectivity to the bus 701 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 705 .
- the processor 703 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently.
- a multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores.
- the processor 703 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 701 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading.
- the processor 703 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 707 , or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 709 .
- DSP digital signal processors
- ASIC application-specific integrated circuits
- a DSP 707 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 703 .
- an ASIC 709 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a general purposed processor.
- Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.
- FPGA field programmable gate arrays
- the processor 703 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 705 via the bus 701 .
- the memory 705 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to provide augmented social networking messaging.
- the memory 705 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.
- FIG. 8 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile station (e.g., handset) capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment.
- a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics.
- the front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry.
- RF Radio Frequency
- circuitry refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions).
- This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims.
- the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware.
- the term “circuitry” would also cover, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.
- Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 803 , a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 805 , and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit.
- a main display unit 807 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile station functions that offer automatic contact matching.
- An audio function circuitry 809 includes a microphone 811 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 811 . The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 811 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 813 .
- CODEC coder/decoder
- a radio section 815 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 817 .
- the power amplifier (PA) 819 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU 803 , with an output from the PA 819 coupled to the duplexer 821 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art.
- the PA 819 also couples to a battery interface and power control unit 820 .
- a user of mobile station 801 speaks into the microphone 811 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage.
- the analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 823 .
- ADC Analog to Digital Converter
- the control unit 803 routes the digital signal into the DSP 805 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving.
- the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like.
- a cellular transmission protocol such as global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc.
- EDGE global evolution
- GPRS general packet radio service
- GSM global system for mobile communications
- IMS Internet protocol multimedia subsystem
- UMTS universal mobile telecommunications system
- any other suitable wireless medium e.g., microwave access (Wi
- the encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 825 for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion.
- the modulator 827 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface 829 .
- the modulator 827 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation.
- an up-converter 831 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 827 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 833 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission.
- the signal is then sent through a PA 819 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level.
- the PA 819 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 805 from information received from a network base station.
- the signal is then filtered within the duplexer 821 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 835 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 817 to a local base station.
- An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver.
- the signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.
- PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
- Voice signals transmitted to the mobile station 801 are received via antenna 817 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 837 .
- a down-converter 839 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 841 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream.
- the signal then goes through the equalizer 825 and is processed by the DSP 805 .
- a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 843 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 845 , all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 803 —which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).
- MCU Main Control Unit
- CPU Central Processing Unit
- the MCU 803 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 847 .
- the keyboard 847 and/or the MCU 803 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 811 ) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input.
- the MCU 803 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile station 801 to provide augmented social networking messaging.
- the MCU 803 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 807 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively.
- the MCU 803 exchanges information with the DSP 805 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 849 and a memory 851 .
- the MCU 803 executes various control functions required of the station.
- the DSP 805 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 805 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 811 and sets the gain of microphone 811 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile station 801 .
- the CODEC 813 includes the ADC 823 and DAC 843 .
- the memory 851 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet.
- the software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art.
- the memory device 851 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.
- An optionally incorporated SIM card 849 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information.
- the SIM card 849 serves primarily to identify the mobile station 801 on a radio network.
- the card 849 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile station settings.
Abstract
Description
- Wireless (e.g., cellular) service providers and device manufacturers are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. These network services can include social networking services, which provide the ability to keep subscribers abreast of the actions of a member of the social networking service.
- According to one embodiment, a method comprises generating a message for posting to a social networking service. The method also comprises determining addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users. At least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service. The addressing information is used to send the message to the group. The method further comprises receiving a reply to the message from one of the devices of the group. The method additionally comprises initiating posting of the reply to the social networking service.
- According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to generate a message for posting to a social networking service. The apparatus is also caused to determine addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users. At least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service. The addressing information is used to send the message to the group. The apparatus is further caused to receiving a reply to the message from one of the devices of the group. The apparatus is additionally caused to initiate posting of the reply to the social networking service.
- According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to generate a message for posting to a social networking service. The apparatus is also caused to determine addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users. At least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service. The addressing information is used to send the message to the group. The apparatus is further caused to receiving a reply to the message from one of the devices of the group. The apparatus is additionally caused to initiate posting of the reply to the social networking service.
- According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for generating a message for posting to a social networking service. The apparatus also comprises means for determining addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users, wherein at least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service, and wherein the addressing information is used to send the message to the group. The apparatus further comprises means for receiving a reply to the message from one of the devices of the group. The apparatus additionally comprises means for initiating posting of the reply to the social networking service.
- Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
- The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a user equipment, according to one embodiment; -
FIGS. 3A and 3B are ladder diagrams of processes for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment; -
FIGS. 5A-5E are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the processes ofFIGS. 3 and 4 , according to various embodiments; -
FIG. 6 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a mobile station (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. - A method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.
-
FIG. 1 is a diagram of asystem 100 capable of providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment. To use the current generation of micro-blogging, media sharing, or other social networking services, users are typically required to join the same service. This is inconvenient for people who do not wish to subscribe to the service. Their reluctance to register with a social network service can stem from any number of reasons, such as cost and privacy concerns. Traditionally, these non-subscribers cannot be involved with communication exchanges resulting from updates to a social networking service. For example, a user of a social networking service may want to post status messages and/or instant messages to all of the user's friends in the service, and also to all friends who are not members of the social networking service. - To address this problem, a
system 100 ofFIG. 1 introduces the capability to provide subscription-less social networking via the use of messaging services on a mobile device. Thesystem 100 allows for the updating, according to one embodiment, of status messages and responses, e.g., in form of micro blogs, using simple messaging services (e.g., short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), other forms of text messaging, etc.) available on a mobile device without being required to subscribe to a social networking service. In one scenario, a user can be a member of a social networking service where the user may post micro blog status messages, which can be commented on by other users. In one embodiment, the user can define a “messaging buddies” list using one or more contacts from a contacts list or phone book to make available the status messages and commenting. When the user posts a new status message from an application on the user's mobile device or other device, the status message is posted to the service and to the list of messaging buddies. The messaging buddies receive text messages corresponding to the message posts. The messaging buddies that receive the status message posts may comment on the status message by replying to the message using certain protocols. The replies can be received by a mobile device of the user and can be posted to the social networking site using an application residing on the mobile device. In this manner, comments to status messages can be interleaved from friends who have accounts in the social networking service and from friends who have no account and simply use messaging services of a mobile device. - Under the scenario of
FIG. 1 ,system 100 involves user equipments (UEs) 101 a-101 n having connectivity to asocial networking platform 103 via acommunication network 105. The UE 101 can utilize asocial networking application 107 a or amessaging application 107 n to send and receive micro blog messages. In one embodiment, a UE 101 a posts messages associated with thesocial networking platform 103 via agateway 109 to a UE 101 n. In another embodiment, a UE 101 n connects to thesocial networking platform 109 through thecommunication network 105 via another UE 101 a. In one embodiment, thesocial networking platform 103 has amessaging database 111 that keeps track of blogging posts and comments on the blogging posts. Agateway database 113 can include information regarding addresses (e.g., phone numbers) toUEs 101. Additionally, the social networking service can update themessaging database 111 with the information of the user's message as well as comments associated with the message posted by other users. - According to one embodiment, the
system 100 includes asocial networking platform 103. Thesocial networking platform 103 can be associated with one or more social networking service (e.g., FACEBOOK, TWITTER, MYSPACE, LINKEDIN, etc.). In other embodiments, a social networking service may be instantiated on one or more devices (e.g., a peer-to-peer social networking service between UEs 101). A user, via a UE 101 a, can post a message (e.g., a status message) to the socialnetworking service platform 103 to allow other people to become aware of the contents of the message. Thesocial networking platform 103 can be accessed by other UEs 101 n to retrieve the content of the message. The users of theother UEs 101 subscribe to the social networking service. In one embodiment, anapplication 107 a on the UE 101 a of the user is used to distribute the message to both the social network service and to users that are not necessarily subscribed with the social networking service. For example, the application 107 can send a text message to the receiving UE 101 n or can post the message to thesocial networking platform 103. In one embodiment, thesocial networking platform 103 provides a mechanism to send text messages (or other messages) to UEs 101 associated with a list of the user, but not subscribed to the social networking service. - In one example, one of the messaging buddies responds to one of the text message status message posts. The messaging buddy replies within a certain time window, and the messaging buddy also replies to the phone number associated with the message (e.g., the sender's phone number). Thus, a messaging application 107 can associate the sender with responses (e.g., comments to a status message from messaging buddies) to a time window with respect to the time when the originating message was sent. The time window and the information that the sender of an SMS is a messaging buddy provides confidence that an inbound SMS text message is a response to a status message post that was sent via text message, as opposed to a coincidental text message sent to a sender from a messaging buddy within the same time window that had nothing to do with the original status message that was sent. Thus, the messaging application 107 can select to update the
social network platform 307 of the reply message if the reply message meets the time window and sender qualifications. - In another embodiment, the
social networking platform 103 can be associated with agateway 109; thegateway 109 can be used as a conduit to deliver messages to both to the social networking service and to users that may not have a subscription to the social networking service. Thegateway 109 can use, for example, a phone number as a channel to deliver messages to messaging buddies of the user. The messaging buddies are set up by the user, or via a plugin to the social networking service. Thegateway 109 can have a number of telephone numbers with messaging capabilities associated with it. The telephone numbers could be used as channels sitting between a social networking service user and messaging buddies of the service user. - Under the scenario of
FIG. 1 , each channel can have a unique telephone number associated with it. When a user posts a new status message and it is sent by text message to the buddies' phones, the text message is sent via thegateway 109 using one of the unique mobile phone numbers associated withgateway 109 or a channel of thegateway 109. Using this approach, if the original status message is also sent via thegateway 109, the receiving telephone numbers can be included in the status message via a plugin. Alternatively or additionally, the gateway phone number is used to send the status message. Thegateway 109 may also be provided access to the list of messaging buddies by the sender. With the messaging buddies access, the receiving buddy access need not be provided in the status message. Thegateway 109 can then extract the phone numbers and send the status message to each recipient and store in a gateway database 113 a sender phone number, a status message identifier (ID), and a recipient phone number triplet. In one embodiment, because the sender phone number is associated with the recipient phone number triplet in thegateway database 113, if the recipient replies to the message, thegateway 109 can associate the recipient with the sender. Additionally, thegateway 109 can associate the recipient replies with the other recipients of the original message. The replies can thus be sent by thegateway 109 to the sender and other recipients of the status message. - In one example, one of the messaging buddies responds to one of the text message status message posts. According to one embodiment, the messaging buddy replies within a certain time window, and the messaging buddy also replies to the phone number associated with the message and the original sender sent via the
gateway 109, which can be used as a unique channel. Thus, a mobile application 107 can now associate the sender with responses (e.g., comments to a status message from messaging buddies) to both a time window and a channel used to send the original status message by utilizing thegateway 109. Time window and channel information implementation provides confidence that an inbound SMS text message is a response to a status message post that was sent via text message, as opposed to a coincidental text message sent to a sender from a messaging buddy within the same time window that had nothing to do with the original status message that was sent. Thegateway 109 can send a comment to a “status message” to all recipients of the original message, thereby saving costs for the sender of a “status message” or a comment because the transactions need not be transmitted directly to theUE 101 of the sender. - In one embodiment, to provide
UEs 101 with the ability to personalize a user interface, thegateway 109 can also include a status message identifier (ID), e.g., a name, phone number, etc., to the response SMS so that the original sender'sUE 101 can show the status message and its comments together in a user interface (e.g., by initiating posting of the messages on a social networking service). - As shown in
FIG. 1 , thesystem 100 comprisesUEs 101 having connectivity to asocial networking platform 103 andgateway 109 via acommunication network 105. By way of example, thecommunication network 105 ofsystem 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like. - The
UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that theUE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as “wearable” circuitry, etc.). - By way of example, the
UE 101,social networking platform 103, andgateway 109 communicate with each other and other components of thecommunication network 105 using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within thecommunication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model. - Communications between the network nodes are typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application headers (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) as defined by the OSI Reference Model.
-
FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of auser equipment 101, according to one embodiment. By way of example, theUE 101 includes one or more components for providing augmented social networking messaging. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, theUE 101 includes apower module 201, anetwork interface module 203, aruntime module 205, amemory module 207, a user interface 209, and acontacts module 211. - The
power module 201 provides power to theUE 101. Thepower module 201 can include any type of power source (e.g., battery, plug-in, etc.). Additionally, thepower module 201 can provide power to the components of theUE 101 including processors, memory, and transmitters. - In one embodiment, a
UE 101 includes anetwork interface module 203. Thenetwork interface module 203 can be used by theruntime module 205 to communicate with asocial networking platform 103. In some embodiments, thesocial networking platform 103 is used to keep track of the status of a user of theUE 101. In another embodiment, thenetwork interface module 203 is used to communicate with agateway 109 via thecommunication network 105. In one embodiment, thenetwork interface module 203 communicates with thesocial networking platform 103 via thegateway 109 or via anotherUE 101. In another embodiment, thegateway 109 is used to communicate via a text messaging format with aUE 101. - In one embodiment, a
UE 101 includes a user interface 209. The user interface 209 can include various methods of communication. For example, the user interface 209 can have outputs including a visual component (e.g., a screen), an audio component, a physical component (e.g., vibrations), and other methods of communication. User inputs can include a touch-screen interface, a scroll-and-click interface, a button interface, etc. A user can input a request to upload or receive object information via the user interface 209. In one embodiment, the user interface 209 displays a web browser. In this embodiment, theruntime module 205 receives a request from a user input and stores the request in thememory module 207. In another embodiment, the user interface 209 displays text messaging. In yet another embodiment, theruntime module 205 executes an application 107 associated with a social networking service that is displayed on the user interface 209. - In one embodiment, a
UE 101 includes acontacts module 211. Thecontacts module 211 can include phone numbers of people that a user of theUE 101 knows. Thecontacts module 211 can also be used to set up subgroups of people that can include a messaging buddies list. For example, the multiple messaging buddies lists can be used to send messages to the buddies. Also, the messaging buddies lists can be associated to an application 107 executed by aruntime module 205. The application 107 can be associated with a social networking service. In one embodiment, the application 107 can post a message (e.g., a status message or other micro-blog message) via the social networking service. When the status is posted, application 107 can also send the message to the messaging buddies via a text messaging service. - In one embodiment, a
runtime module 205 of the UE 101 a executes asocial networking application 107 a. A user can post a message to a social networking service using theapplication 107 a via anetwork interface module 203. During the posting event, theapplication 107 a can determine that a list of messaging buddies should be sent a text message corresponding to the posted message. The receiver of the text message can then reply to the text message to comment on the message. In one example, when text messages are sent from aUE 101, the text messages are time stamped by theUE 101. When the text messages are sent to a particular number, at a particular time, if a text message response is received from that particular number within a certain time window (e.g., a few minutes), theapplication 107 a can assume that a received text message is in response to the original text message. In this example, the receiving UE 101 n can be implemented using only text messaging capabilities without any need for a subscription to the social networking service or independent applications on the UE 101 n. The response can be assumed to be a comment to the posted message (e.g., a status message) if the response is from a member of the text messaging buddies within a certain time frame from the original posting. Text messaging buddies can be recognized by an identifier (e.g., a phone number). In one example, theapplication 107 a has rights to read the text messaging inbox of the user. Thus, theapplication 107 a on the UE 101 a can retrieve the received text message and relay the message to the social networking service to add as a comment. Under one scenario, the responsive text message initiates a process for relaying the response message to the social networking site for the subscribers in the social networking service. The user of the UE 101 a can select which text messages to post. - In one embodiment, the
runtime module 205 can utilize ports of aUE 101 to uniquely identify asocial networking application 107 a. In this embodiment, the posting UE 101 a and a buddy UE 101 n can both have corresponding applications. In one example, the applications 107 on bothUEs 101 are compatible. Theapplication 107 n on thebuddy UE 101 can be a simplified, specialized, orlimited application 107 n. In this example, the buddy need not subscribe to any social networking service or give out personal information, the buddy can simply install theapplication 107 n. Additionally, the post and the buddy replies may indicate the social networking service associated with the post and/or reply. The indication can be in the form of a message at the start of a text message (e.g., the text message starts with SSA or FB to represent that the posting and/or reply message is associated with social service A or FACEBOOK respectively. In one embodiment, text messaging ports (e.g., a set of SMS ports) can be used to uniquely identify the application 107. Then, the posting andbuddy UEs 101 could have a unique channel between them corresponding to the port numbers used. Multiple ports can be used by the applications 107 to segregate messaging data. For example, the posting UE 101 a can send a post to one set of buddies using one port number and another post to a set of other buddies using another port number. Buddies receiving the post can respond using the assigned port number. Thus, the posting UE 101 a is able to determine which buddy message is responding to which post. A separate port number can be used for other text messages unassociated with the application 107. For buddies that do not have the application 107 installed, the messages can be received in the user's text messaging inbox and the responses can be forwarded for posting using non-port means described in the previous paragraph. - Under one scenario, the application 107 can be used as a “hook” to the buddy to join the social networking service. In one embodiment, the status message can include a link to the service to encourage the buddy to become a member of the service. The buddy can become more inclined to join the service by becoming more accustomed to the messages and benefits of the service. Additionally, the application 107 may send a personalized link in addition to the status message to facilitate becoming a member of the service. For example, the status message can be sent with a personalized link to all non-member or selected non-member buddies in addition to the status message.
-
FIGS. 3A and 3B are ladder diagrams of processes for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment. A member of a social networking service can, via a mobile device (Mobile A) 301, send a message to a group of mobile devices (e.g.,Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305) by posting the message to asocial networking platform 307. Address information (e.g., phone numbers) associated with the group of mobile devices can be saved in a list. In one exemplary embodiment, the message is a status message or an instant message. In one example, the status of the member is updated using an application executed onMobile A 301. At step 309, the status update is updated on thesocial network platform 307 usingMobile A 301. At steps 311 and 313,Mobile A 301 also sends a status update to a group of users (e.g.,Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305). The status update can be via an SMS, a text message, MMS, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), e-mail, or any other type of mobile messaging. In one embodiment, the user ofMobile B 303 is a member of the social networking service, but is sent the message via the messaging service to expedite the flow of information to the user ofMobile B 303. In another embodiment, the user ofMobile C 305 is not a member of the social networking service. Atsteps Mobile B 303 andMobile C 305 can respond to the message. The reply messages can be received byMobile A 301. - In one embodiment, at
steps social network platform 307. Additionally,Mobile A 301, atsteps Mobile A 301 need not update thesocial network platform 307. In this embodiment, Mobile A 301 can take note of what time the sent status message was sent. If the incoming message is within a predetermined time window after the status message was sent, it can be qualified as a possible reply to the send status message. In one example, Mobile A 301 can also retrieve a phone number from an incoming message. Mobile A 301 can then compare the phone number (or another identifier) to the address information to determine if the incoming message is associated with the sent status message. The predetermined time window qualification and address identifier combination can provide a certain level of certainty as to whether the incoming message should be considered reply messages that should be updated on thesocial network platform 307. If the identifier does not match, the incoming message is not associated with the sent status message. If the identifier does match, the incoming message is qualified as a reply. In another example, if an incoming message meets the temporal and user qualifications, the information in the message is posted.Mobile A 301,Mobile B 303, andMobile C 305 can execute compatible applications.Mobile B 303 andMobile C 305 need not have to be members of the same service asMobile A 301. The applications can use a set of ports. In one embodiment, if incoming messages are not associated with a particular port or set of ports associated with the sent status message, the incoming messages are not qualified as being a reply. - In one embodiment, the user of
Mobile C 305 is a member of the same service asMobile A 301. Responses from theMobile C 305 can be associated withMobile C 305 the messaging application 107 ofMobile A 301 because the messaging application 107 can have access to a list of the group and a list of corresponding members of the service. Then, when sending themessage reply 321 to thesocial network platform 307, Mobile A 301 can inform thesocial network platform 307 that the message is associated with the user ofMobile C 305. Under one scenario, thesocial network platform 307 can receive the member data of the user ofMobile C 305 in themessage reply 321. Then, thesocial network platform 307 can enable visibility options based on the user preferences ofMobile C 305. For example, members of the social network service can are friends with the user ofMobile C 305 can view the message associated with the user ofMobile C 305. - In another embodiment,
Mobile B 303 is not a member of thesocial network platform 307. Under this scenario,Mobile B 303 sends itsreply 315 toMobile A 301 andMobile A 301 determines thatMobile B 303 is associated with the status update. The user ofMobile B 303 is not a member of thesocial network platform 307. Thus, the user ofMobile B 303 has not agreed to the terms of service of the service ofsocial network platform 307. Thus, a determination can be made byMobile A 301 do determine what restrictions, if any, should be placed on any reply messages received fromMobile B 303. In one example,Mobile A 301 determines that the message should not be sent to thesocial network platform 307 because the user ofMobile B 303 has not consented to such a posting. In another instance,Mobile A 301 determines that the message should be sent to thesocial network platform 307, but restrictions should be made so that the message is private to only the account associated withMobile A 301. In this instance, the user ofMobile A 301 may receive the message, and the users in the group may receive the message, but the message is not posted for viewing by other users of thesocial network platform 307. Under anotherscenario Mobile A 301 determines that the message should be posted to thesocial network platform 307 without any restrictions. Thus, the user ofMobile A 301 can explicitly share the content of theMobile B 303 message using thesocial network platform 307. Mobile A 301 can post the message according to the terms of service that the user ofMobile A 301 has agreed to. - In one embodiment, the update of the reply messages can include identifying information of the user of
Mobile B 303 and/orMobile C 305. The replies can be in the form of text messages. In this embodiment,Mobile A 301 retrieves a phone number associated with the reply. Mobile A 301 can then compare the phone number to phone numbers stored in the device's memory to determine an identifier (e.g., a name or a nickname associated with the phone number) associated with the phone number. The identifier can be used to associate the replying user with the reply message. -
FIG. 3B is a ladder diagram of a process for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment. A member of a social networking service can, via agateway 351, send a message to a group of mobile devices (e.g.,Mobile B 303 and Mobile C 305) by posting the message to asocial networking platform 307. In one embodiment, at step 353,Mobile A 301 sends thesocial network platform 307 the message. Thesocial network platform 307 can then notify thegateway 351 of the message at step 355. In another embodiment,Mobile A 301 directly notifies thegateway 351 of the message at step 357. Thegateway 351 can also be provided a list of the group of mobile devices by thesocial network platform 307 orMobile A 301. Thegateway 351 can store this list in a database associated with the user of Mobile A. - In one embodiment, the
gateway 351 utilizes a group of phone numbers as channels to deliver messages to mobile devices. In one embodiment, the phone number used for the channel can be unique to the users in the group. For example, a first publisher using thegateway 351 can haveMobile B 303 as a user in the first publisher's group. A second publisher using thegateway 351 can also haveMobile B 303 as a user in the second publisher's group. When the second publisher sends a request to send a message, thegateway 351 compares the list of users in the message with a list of users currently active on a gateway channel before sending the message via the channel. IfMobile B 303 is currently active on the gateway channel, thegateway 351 will use a different channel to send the message toMobile B 303 or the entire group. In one embodiment, a device is currently active on a gateway channel if within a predetermined time period, the device was sent a message. In another embodiment, a device becomes active on a channel if a message is sent to the device. The device can be deactivated by the course of time, or by using an ordering algorithm (e.g., round-robin, first in first out, etc.). - At steps 359 and 361, the
gateway 351 notifies the group of mobile devices of the status message. Thegateway 351 can use an unknown phone number to the user, therefore, an identifying message can be used (e.g., from User of Mobile A 301). In some embodiments, the user ofMobile B 303 and/orMobile C 305 would like to comment on the status message. Atstep 363,Mobile B 303 replies to the message by sending a message (e.g., a text message) to thegateway 351 on the channel the message was received. In one embodiment,gateway 351 compares the phone number ofMobile B 303 to the phone number in its active database. The active database determines that the phone number is associated with the user ofMobile A 301. Thegateway 351 may then send the reply message to the original sender of the status message,Mobile A 301, and the receivers of the status message,Mobile B 303 andMobile C 305. Atstep 365, thegateway 351 updates thesocial network platform 307 with the reply message. In one example, thegateway 351 can send the reply message to the rest of the associated group. In another example, associated activity timers can be reset when the reply message is sent out. Atstep 367,Mobile C 305 can respond to the message by responding on the channel the message was received. Thegateway 351 can determine that the phone number ofMobile C 305 is not in the active database. Atstep 369, thegateway 351 can send a response toMobile C 305 indicating that the response was stale. - In one embodiment, the user of
Mobile C 305 is a member of the same service asMobile A 301. Thegateway 351 can determine that the response is associated with the status message. Theresponse 367 from theMobile C 305 can be associated withMobile C 305 by thegateway 351 because thegateway 351 can have access to a list of the group and a list of corresponding members of the service (e.g., a buddy list associated with Mobile A 301). Then, when sending a message reply (not shown) to thesocial network platform 307, thegateway 351 can inform (e.g., by sending identification information) thesocial network platform 307 that the message is associated with the user ofMobile C 305. Under one scenario, thesocial network platform 307 can receive the member data of the user ofMobile C 305 in the message reply. Then, thesocial network platform 307 can enable visibility options based on the user preferences ofMobile C 305. For example, members of thesocial network platform 307 can are friends with the user ofMobile C 305 can view the message associated with the user ofMobile C 305 or members of thesocial network platform 307 that are in the same groups as the user ofMobile C 305 on thesocial network platform 307 can receive access to the message. - In another embodiment,
Mobile B 303 is not a member of thesocial network platform 307. Under this scenario,Mobile B 303 sends itsreply 363 to thegateway 351 and thegateway 351 determines that the message fromMobile B 303 is associated with the status update. Thegateway 351 also determines that the user ofMobile B 303 is not a member of thesocial network platform 307. Accordingly, the user ofMobile B 303 has not agreed to the terms of service of the service ofsocial network platform 307. Next, a determination can be made by thegateway 351 to determine what restrictions should be placed on any reply messages received fromMobile B 303. In one example, thegateway 351 determines that the message should not be sent to thesocial network platform 307 because the user ofMobile B 303 has not consented to such a posting. In another instance, thegateway 351 determines that the message should be sent to thesocial network platform 307, but restrictions should be made so that the message is private to only the account associated withMobile A 301. In this instance, the user ofMobile A 301 may receive the message, and the users in the group may receive the message, but the message is not posted for viewing by other users of thesocial network platform 307. Under another scenario, thegateway 351 determines that the message should be posted to thesocial network platform 307 without any restrictions. Thus, the user ofMobile A 301 can share the content of the message ofMobile B 303 via thesocial network platform 307. Thegateway 351 can post the message forMobile A 301 according to the terms of service that the user ofMobile A 301 has agreed to. - With the above approach, users of devices can receive and comment on messages (e.g., status messages) from a member of a social networking service. In this manner the users of the devices need not be subscribed to the social networking service to receive and comment upon the messages. Thus, the micro-blogging on a social networking service can be expanded to users of
UEs 101 via text, SMS, MMS, or other sorts of messaging. Additionally, this allows for users of devices that carry the capability to use text messaging, but no additional data services, to stay informed of the status of buddies. -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for providing augmented social networking messaging, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, thegateway 109 orUE 101 performs theprocess 400 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shownFIG. 7 . Instep 401, a message is generated by a member of a social networking for posting to a social networking service. In one embodiment, the message is generated on aUE 101. In another embodiment, the message is generated by agateway 109 based on information from aUE 101 or some other source. - At
step 403, addressing information for a group of one or more devices associated with one or more users is determined. In one embodiment, aUE 101 orgateway 109 stores addressing information for the group in a database. TheUE 101 can be used to create or update the addressing information. In another embodiment, theUE 101 orgateway 109 can access the information from asocial networking platform 103. In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more users is a non-subscriber to the social networking service. The addressing information can be in the form of a telephone number, for instance. - At
step 405, the addressing information is used to send the message to the group. In one embodiment, the message is in the form of a text message. In one embodiment, theUE 101 associates the message with a port. The port can be utilized to send and receive messages to the group of one or more mobile devices. In another embodiment, atstep 407, thegateway 109 associates the message with a channel (e.g., a telephone number) and the channel is used to communicate with the group of one or more mobile devices. Thegateway 109 can associate the channel with the message and the group of one or more mobile devices by using a list of phone numbers. Under one scenario, theUE 101 of the member is a primary phone number associated with the channel. The phone numbers of the group of one or more mobile devices can also be stored as associated with the member's phone number. More than oneUE 101 can be a primary phone number on a single channel at a certain time. Additionally, aUE 101 can be the primary phone number on multiple channels at the same time. - At
step 409, theUE 101 orgateway 109 receives a reply to the message from one of the mobile devices of the group. In one embodiment, theUE 101 waits for a threshold time period for replies to the message. When a message is received, theUE 101 can determine that the message is received within the threshold time period. If a reply (e.g., a message from a phone number associated with one of the addresses of the group) is received within the threshold period, it is likely that the message is meant to be a reply that should be posted to the social networking service. In another embodiment, theUE 101 monitors a port (or a set of ports) associated with text messaging for incoming messages on the port. If a reply message is within the threshold period and on the port, there is a high likelihood that the message is meant to be a reply that should be posted. The users of the group can have an application installed on the users'UEs 101 that can be used to send messages via the port. - In another embodiment, the
gateway 109 orUE 101 of the member receives the reply message on a channel. Atstep 411, thegateway 109 associates an identifier to the reply message. In one example, the identifier is the phone number of the replyingUE 101. Thegateway 109 then compares the identifying information to a database that contains the list of addresses of the group. The identifier is then associated with the user phone number. Thus, the reply message is associated with the replying user. - At
step 413, posting of the reply to the social networking service is initiated. Because the replying user's identity is identified, an identifier of the replying user can be added to the post. Thegateway 109 or the member'sUE 101 can used to initiate the posting. Additionally, the member'sUE 101 or thegateway 109 can send the reply as an update to the posting thread to the group. - With the above approach, users of devices can receive and comment on messages from a member of a social networking service without being subscribed to the service. Thus, the micro-blogging on a social networking service can be expanded to users of
UEs 101 via messaging. Additionally, the approach allows for users with devices with only text messaging capabilities to read and comment upon messages. -
FIGS. 5A-5E are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the processes ofFIGS. 3 and 4 , according to various embodiments.User interface 500 displays a socialnetworking service representation 501 of, for example, a user named Leslie. Leslie is able to add and select people to be on abuddy list 503. The people on the buddy lists may or may not be associated with the social networking service. In one embodiment,phone numbers 505 are used to identify a group of people that Leslie wants to send updated status messages to.User interface 520 displays onesuch status message 521 that can be posted to a social networking service. Other people that are members of or have access to the social networking service can view Leslie'spage 523. The status message can also be sent to the buddy list via a text messaging service. In one embodiment, Joey'suser equipment interface 540 receives a text message indicating that Leslie is hungry 541. Joey decides to reply 543 to the message by sending a response to the phone number associated with the message. Joey replies with “Want to get Pizza?” 545. By the processes described above, the posting is updated and the reply is sent to all of the people on thebuddy list 503 and/or the social networking service.User interface 560 displays an interface associated with Katie. In one embodiment, Katie is running an application that receives updates to a friend's micro-blog via text messaging ports. Katie reply to the micro-blog messages by hitting areply feature 561.User interface 580 displays a social networking service user's interface displaying thestatus message update 581 andcomments 583 of Joey and Katie utilizing the processes described above. - The processes described herein for providing augmented social networking messaging may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware (e.g., general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.
-
FIG. 6 illustrates acomputer system 600 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.Computer system 600 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to provide augmented social networking messaging as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as abus 610 for passing information between other internal and external components of thecomputer system 600. Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. - A
bus 610 includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to thebus 610. One ormore processors 602 for processing information are coupled with thebus 610. - A
processor 602 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to augmented social networking messaging. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from thebus 610 and placing information on thebus 610. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by theprocessor 602, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination. -
Computer system 600 also includes amemory 604 coupled tobus 610. Thememory 604, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for providing augmented social networking messaging. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by thecomputer system 600. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. Thememory 604 is also used by theprocessor 602 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. Thecomputer system 600 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 606 or other static storage device coupled to thebus 610 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by thecomputer system 600. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled tobus 610 is a non-volatile (persistent)storage device 608, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when thecomputer system 600 is turned off or otherwise loses power. - Information, including instructions for providing augmented social networking messaging, is provided to the
bus 610 for use by the processor from anexternal input device 612, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information incomputer system 600. Other external devices coupled tobus 610, used primarily for interacting with humans, include adisplay device 614, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), or plasma screen or printer for presenting text or images, and apointing device 616, such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, or motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on thedisplay 614 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on thedisplay 614. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which thecomputer system 600 performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more ofexternal input device 612,display device 614 andpointing device 616 is omitted. - In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 620, is coupled to
bus 610. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed byprocessor 602 quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of application specific ICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images fordisplay 614, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware. -
Computer system 600 also includes one or more instances of acommunications interface 670 coupled tobus 610.Communication interface 670 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with anetwork link 678 that is connected to alocal network 680 to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example,communication interface 670 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments,communications interface 670 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, acommunication interface 670 is a cable modem that converts signals onbus 610 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example,communications interface 670 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, thecommunications interface 670 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, thecommunications interface 670 includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, thecommunications interface 670 enables connection to thecommunication network 105. - The term computer-readable medium is used herein to refer to any medium that participates in providing information to
processor 602, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such asstorage device 608. Volatile media include, for example,dynamic memory 604. Transmission media include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media. - Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as
ASIC 620. - Network link 678 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example,
network link 678 may provide a connection throughlocal network 680 to ahost computer 682 or toequipment 684 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP).ISP equipment 684 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as theInternet 690. A computer called aserver host 692 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example,server host 692 hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation atdisplay 614. - At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of
computer system 600 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed bycomputer system 600 in response toprocessor 602 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained inmemory 604. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read intomemory 604 from another computer-readable medium such asstorage device 608 ornetwork link 678. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained inmemory 604 causesprocessor 602 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such asASIC 620, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein. - The signals transmitted over
network link 678 and other networks throughcommunications interface 670, carry information to and fromcomputer system 600.Computer system 600 can send and receive information, including program code, through thenetworks network link 678 andcommunications interface 670. In an example using theInternet 690, aserver host 692 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent fromcomputer 600, throughInternet 690,ISP equipment 684,local network 680 andcommunications interface 670. The received code may be executed byprocessor 602 as it is received, or may be stored inmemory 604 or instorage device 608 or other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner,computer system 600 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave. - Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to
processor 602 for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such ashost 682. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to thecomputer system 600 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as thenetwork link 678. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 670 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data ontobus 610.Bus 610 carries the information tomemory 604 from whichprocessor 602 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received inmemory 604 may optionally be stored onstorage device 608, either before or after execution by theprocessor 602. -
FIG. 7 illustrates achip set 700 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 700 is programmed to provide augmented social networking messaging as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect toFIG. 6 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set can be implemented in a single chip. - In one embodiment, the chip set 700 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 701 for passing information among the components of the chip set 700. A
processor 703 has connectivity to the bus 701 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, amemory 705. Theprocessor 703 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, theprocessor 703 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 701 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. Theprocessor 703 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 707, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 709. ADSP 707 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of theprocessor 703. Similarly, anASIC 709 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a general purposed processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips. - The
processor 703 and accompanying components have connectivity to thememory 705 via the bus 701. Thememory 705 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to provide augmented social networking messaging. Thememory 705 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps. -
FIG. 8 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile station (e.g., handset) capable of operating in the system ofFIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices. - Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 803, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 805, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A
main display unit 807 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile station functions that offer automatic contact matching. Anaudio function circuitry 809 includes amicrophone 811 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from themicrophone 811. The amplified speech signal output from themicrophone 811 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 813. - A
radio section 815 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, viaantenna 817. The power amplifier (PA) 819 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to theMCU 803, with an output from thePA 819 coupled to theduplexer 821 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. ThePA 819 also couples to a battery interface andpower control unit 820. - In use, a user of
mobile station 801 speaks into themicrophone 811 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 823. Thecontrol unit 803 routes the digital signal into theDSP 805 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like. - The encoded signals are then routed to an
equalizer 825 for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, themodulator 827 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in theRF interface 829. Themodulator 827 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter 831 combines the sine wave output from themodulator 827 with another sine wave generated by asynthesizer 833 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through aPA 819 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, thePA 819 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by theDSP 805 from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within theduplexer 821 and optionally sent to anantenna coupler 835 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted viaantenna 817 to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks. - Voice signals transmitted to the
mobile station 801 are received viaantenna 817 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 837. A down-converter 839 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 841 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through theequalizer 825 and is processed by theDSP 805. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 843 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through thespeaker 845, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 803—which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown). - The
MCU 803 receives various signals including input signals from thekeyboard 847. Thekeyboard 847 and/or theMCU 803 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 811) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. TheMCU 803 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of themobile station 801 to provide augmented social networking messaging. TheMCU 803 also delivers a display command and a switch command to thedisplay 807 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, theMCU 803 exchanges information with theDSP 805 and can access an optionally incorporatedSIM card 849 and amemory 851. In addition, theMCU 803 executes various control functions required of the station. TheDSP 805 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally,DSP 805 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected bymicrophone 811 and sets the gain ofmicrophone 811 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of themobile station 801. - The
CODEC 813 includes theADC 823 andDAC 843. Thememory 851 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. Thememory device 851 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data. - An optionally incorporated
SIM card 849 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. TheSIM card 849 serves primarily to identify themobile station 801 on a radio network. Thecard 849 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile station settings. - While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/802,298 US20150326523A1 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2015-07-17 | Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/552,095 US9117203B2 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2009-09-01 | Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging |
US14/802,298 US20150326523A1 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2015-07-17 | Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/552,095 Continuation US9117203B2 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2009-09-01 | Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20150326523A1 true US20150326523A1 (en) | 2015-11-12 |
Family
ID=43626458
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/552,095 Active 2032-10-05 US9117203B2 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2009-09-01 | Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging |
US14/802,298 Abandoned US20150326523A1 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2015-07-17 | Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/552,095 Active 2032-10-05 US9117203B2 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2009-09-01 | Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US9117203B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2473965A4 (en) |
KR (2) | KR20150013943A (en) |
CN (1) | CN102598035B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011027023A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11297688B2 (en) | 2018-03-22 | 2022-04-05 | goTenna Inc. | Mesh network deployment kit |
US20230232191A1 (en) * | 2022-01-19 | 2023-07-20 | BK Technologies Inc. | System and method for managing access to a push-to-talk-over-cellular communication network |
Families Citing this family (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102833180B (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2015-01-07 | 腾讯科技(北京)有限公司 | Method and system for sharing microblog messages |
US20130211943A1 (en) * | 2011-09-13 | 2013-08-15 | Lee Linden | Method for enabling a gift transaction |
CN103037314B (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2016-03-09 | 国际商业机器公司 | The method of pocket transmission news on the mobile terminal in autonomous network |
US8825777B2 (en) * | 2011-10-05 | 2014-09-02 | Blackberry Limited | Selective delivery of social network messages within a social network |
US9148397B2 (en) * | 2011-12-19 | 2015-09-29 | Facebook, Inc. | Messaging object generation for synchronous conversation threads |
US8904013B2 (en) * | 2012-01-26 | 2014-12-02 | Facebook, Inc. | Social hotspot |
US9882847B1 (en) | 2012-02-10 | 2018-01-30 | Google Llc. | Multiple medium social networking experience |
KR101668897B1 (en) * | 2012-02-27 | 2016-10-24 | 라인 가부시키가이샤 | Method and apparatus for providing chatting service |
US20130226663A1 (en) * | 2012-02-29 | 2013-08-29 | Xerox Corporation | Systems and methods for providing inter-market collaborative services using social networks |
KR20130111868A (en) | 2012-04-02 | 2013-10-11 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Method for sharing content and mobile terminal thereof |
US20130290439A1 (en) * | 2012-04-27 | 2013-10-31 | Nokia Corporation | Method and apparatus for notification and posting at social networks |
US20130297493A1 (en) * | 2012-05-02 | 2013-11-07 | Facebook, Inc. | Method for enabling gift prepay |
EP2850584A4 (en) | 2012-05-14 | 2016-04-06 | Sgrouples Inc | Social platform with enhanced privacy and integrated customization features |
US9392049B2 (en) * | 2012-06-19 | 2016-07-12 | Empire Technology Development Llc | Automatic content forwarding to communication networks of content posted from a user |
US10079786B2 (en) | 2012-09-03 | 2018-09-18 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Methods and apparatus for enhancing device messaging |
US9509758B2 (en) * | 2013-05-17 | 2016-11-29 | Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Relevant commentary for media content |
CN104158805B (en) * | 2014-08-10 | 2017-11-17 | 复旦大学 | Towards the personalized service method of mobile social circle |
US9887891B2 (en) | 2015-01-21 | 2018-02-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Graph segment representing a gist of an online social network conversation |
US10296610B2 (en) | 2015-03-31 | 2019-05-21 | International Business Machines Corporation | Associating a post with a goal |
US9781067B2 (en) | 2015-04-07 | 2017-10-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | Social conversation management |
US10205696B2 (en) * | 2015-06-11 | 2019-02-12 | Avi Solomon | Systems methods circuits and associated computer executable code for facilitating selective messaging and multicasting |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060165040A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-07-27 | Rathod Yogesh C | System, method, computer program products, standards, SOA infrastructure, search algorithm and a business method thereof for AI enabled information communication and computation (ICC) framework (NetAlter) operated by NetAlter Operating System (NOS) in terms of NetAlter Service Browser (NSB) to device alternative to internet and enterprise & social communication framework engrossing universally distributed grid supercomputing and peer to peer framework |
US20080167015A1 (en) * | 2007-01-08 | 2008-07-10 | Envio Networks Inc. | Community Interaction Using Mobile Communication Devices |
US20090063178A1 (en) * | 2007-08-17 | 2009-03-05 | Sms.Ac | Systems and methods for a mobile, community-based user interface |
US20100306099A1 (en) * | 2009-05-27 | 2010-12-02 | Boku, Inc. | Systems and Methods to Process Transactions Based on Social Networking |
US20120190325A1 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2012-07-26 | Kenneth E. GRIGG | Alert broadcasting to unconfigured communications devices |
US20130310089A1 (en) * | 2008-08-05 | 2013-11-21 | Vasileios John Gianoukos | Voice texting over sms |
US8639762B2 (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2014-01-28 | Google Inc. | Providing access to a conversation in a hosted conversation system |
Family Cites Families (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6016478A (en) * | 1996-08-13 | 2000-01-18 | Starfish Software, Inc. | Scheduling system with methods for peer-to-peer scheduling of remote users |
CA2333803A1 (en) | 2000-02-04 | 2001-08-04 | Palm, Inc. | System and method for calendar and personal information management |
AU2001252885A1 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2001-09-12 | John E. Boyd | A computer-based networking service and method and system for performing the same |
US8707185B2 (en) * | 2000-10-10 | 2014-04-22 | Addnclick, Inc. | Dynamic information management system and method for content delivery and sharing in content-, metadata- and viewer-based, live social networking among users concurrently engaged in the same and/or similar content |
US20020087878A1 (en) * | 2000-12-29 | 2002-07-04 | Ballen Robert G. | System and method of protecting privacy |
US20050120084A1 (en) * | 2003-10-28 | 2005-06-02 | Yu Hu | Method of and system for creating, maintaining, and utilizing an online universal address book |
US7389324B2 (en) * | 2003-11-07 | 2008-06-17 | Plaxo, Inc. | Viral engine for network deployment |
WO2005053323A2 (en) | 2003-11-19 | 2005-06-09 | Idea Place Corporation | Groupware systems and methods |
US7519708B2 (en) * | 2004-04-08 | 2009-04-14 | At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. | Guest account life cycle |
US20060253324A1 (en) * | 2005-04-15 | 2006-11-09 | 1-800-Jackpot | Systems and methods for combining subscription services, rewards programs, and sweepstakes |
US7620636B2 (en) * | 2006-01-10 | 2009-11-17 | Stay Awake Inc. | Method and apparatus for collecting and storing information about individuals in a charitable donations social network |
US20080045236A1 (en) * | 2006-08-18 | 2008-02-21 | Georges Nahon | Methods and apparatus for gathering and delivering contextual messages in a mobile communication system |
US8726169B2 (en) * | 2006-09-05 | 2014-05-13 | Circleup, Inc. | Online system and method for enabling social search and structured communications among social networks |
US20080182563A1 (en) * | 2006-09-15 | 2008-07-31 | Wugofski Theodore D | Method and system for social networking over mobile devices using profiles |
US20080250332A1 (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2008-10-09 | Ecirkit | Social networking website interface |
US20090221280A1 (en) * | 2007-01-19 | 2009-09-03 | Cellfish Media, Llc | Personalization system and methods |
US20080222308A1 (en) * | 2007-03-07 | 2008-09-11 | Fatdoor, Inc. | Wiki groups of an online community |
US7987110B2 (en) * | 2007-07-25 | 2011-07-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Managing organizational resources |
US9177284B2 (en) * | 2007-10-29 | 2015-11-03 | International Business Machines Corporation | Instant conversation in a thread of an online discussion forum |
US20090125230A1 (en) * | 2007-11-14 | 2009-05-14 | Todd Frederic Sullivan | System and method for enabling location-dependent value exchange and object of interest identification |
US20090192871A1 (en) * | 2008-01-29 | 2009-07-30 | Linksmanager Llc | Business Social Network Advertising |
US20090234876A1 (en) * | 2008-03-14 | 2009-09-17 | Timothy Schigel | Systems and methods for content sharing |
US8886817B2 (en) * | 2008-05-22 | 2014-11-11 | Yahoo! Inc. | Federation and interoperability between social networks |
US20090307607A1 (en) * | 2008-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | Microsoft Corporation | Digital Notes |
US20090327437A1 (en) * | 2008-06-30 | 2009-12-31 | Microsoft Corporation | Real time media-based social network notifications |
US20100223341A1 (en) * | 2009-02-27 | 2010-09-02 | Microsoft Corporation | Electronic messaging tailored to user interest |
US20100263005A1 (en) * | 2009-04-08 | 2010-10-14 | Eric Foster White | Method and system for egnaging interactive web content |
US9400972B2 (en) * | 2009-04-16 | 2016-07-26 | Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. | Weighting social network relationships based on communications history |
-
2009
- 2009-09-01 US US12/552,095 patent/US9117203B2/en active Active
-
2010
- 2010-06-11 KR KR1020157000655A patent/KR20150013943A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2010-06-11 WO PCT/FI2010/050486 patent/WO2011027023A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-06-11 EP EP10813385.1A patent/EP2473965A4/en not_active Ceased
- 2010-06-11 CN CN201080045976.0A patent/CN102598035B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-06-11 KR KR1020127008263A patent/KR20120059594A/en active Application Filing
-
2015
- 2015-07-17 US US14/802,298 patent/US20150326523A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060165040A1 (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-07-27 | Rathod Yogesh C | System, method, computer program products, standards, SOA infrastructure, search algorithm and a business method thereof for AI enabled information communication and computation (ICC) framework (NetAlter) operated by NetAlter Operating System (NOS) in terms of NetAlter Service Browser (NSB) to device alternative to internet and enterprise & social communication framework engrossing universally distributed grid supercomputing and peer to peer framework |
US20080167015A1 (en) * | 2007-01-08 | 2008-07-10 | Envio Networks Inc. | Community Interaction Using Mobile Communication Devices |
US20090063178A1 (en) * | 2007-08-17 | 2009-03-05 | Sms.Ac | Systems and methods for a mobile, community-based user interface |
US20120190325A1 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2012-07-26 | Kenneth E. GRIGG | Alert broadcasting to unconfigured communications devices |
US20130310089A1 (en) * | 2008-08-05 | 2013-11-21 | Vasileios John Gianoukos | Voice texting over sms |
US8639762B2 (en) * | 2009-03-23 | 2014-01-28 | Google Inc. | Providing access to a conversation in a hosted conversation system |
US20100306099A1 (en) * | 2009-05-27 | 2010-12-02 | Boku, Inc. | Systems and Methods to Process Transactions Based on Social Networking |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11297688B2 (en) | 2018-03-22 | 2022-04-05 | goTenna Inc. | Mesh network deployment kit |
US20230232191A1 (en) * | 2022-01-19 | 2023-07-20 | BK Technologies Inc. | System and method for managing access to a push-to-talk-over-cellular communication network |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20110055335A1 (en) | 2011-03-03 |
KR20150013943A (en) | 2015-02-05 |
EP2473965A1 (en) | 2012-07-11 |
CN102598035B (en) | 2016-02-10 |
CN102598035A (en) | 2012-07-18 |
KR20120059594A (en) | 2012-06-08 |
WO2011027023A1 (en) | 2011-03-10 |
US9117203B2 (en) | 2015-08-25 |
EP2473965A4 (en) | 2013-08-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9117203B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for augmented social networking messaging | |
KR101535766B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for utilizing communication history | |
US9706000B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for generating a relevant social graph | |
US20130080520A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for provisioning resource credentials based on social networking data | |
US9407702B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for bridging communication sessions | |
US20100333019A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for providing member request and response in a social network | |
US20150005010A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for managing the presenting of location-based events | |
US20120191790A1 (en) | Web-Based Push Messaging Methods and Systems | |
US20100323667A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for in-application notice of independent message | |
US9503410B2 (en) | Sharing of activity metadata via messaging systems | |
US9525986B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for providing triggered-presentation of a participant message associated with a multi-party communication session | |
US10439970B2 (en) | Dynamic communication participant identification | |
US9271130B2 (en) | Systems and methods for managing communications across multiple identities | |
US9674698B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for providing an anonymous communication session | |
US10187476B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for bridging communication sessions | |
US10362138B2 (en) | Systems and methods for managing communications across multiple identities | |
TW201116095A (en) | Methods and apparatus for obtaining contextually relevant content | |
WO2016071787A1 (en) | Method and system for providing customized sender related information to recipient in telecommunication network | |
WO2013132140A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for call forwarding using social network information |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NOKIA CORPORATION, FINLAND Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:REILLY, JAMES FRANCIS;STRANDELL, TONI PETER;SALOMAA, JYRI P.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090904 TO 20091007;REEL/FRAME:036791/0629 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: OMEGA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, LP, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WSOU INVESTMENTS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:043966/0574 Effective date: 20170822 Owner name: OMEGA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, LP, NEW YO Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:WSOU INVESTMENTS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:043966/0574 Effective date: 20170822 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WSOU INVESTMENTS, LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:OCO OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, L.P. (F/K/A OMEGA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND LP;REEL/FRAME:049246/0405 Effective date: 20190516 |