Abstract:
An approach is disclosed for providing sharing of content relating to an event. Detection of a plurality of mobile communication devices within a predetermined location is performed. An event is identified corresponding to the predetermined location and a current time. The mobile communication devices are notified to enable exchange of content about the event. The content is received from one or more of the mobile communication devices, wherein the content is accessible by the mobile communication devices.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/849,008 filed Aug. 31, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0002]    Wireless communication technologies afford users with the convenience of mobility and continually expanding set of capabilities. This convenience has spawned significant adoption by an ever growing number of subscribers as an accepted mode of communication for business and personal uses in terms of communicating using voice and data services. As wireless communication devices become more sophisticated, their features have expanded from merely placing and receiving calls to other enhanced services from music downloads to navigational systems. To support navigational services, cellular phones are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to broadcast their locations. Given the competitive landscape of the telecommunication industry, service providers are continually challenged to develop new products and services. However, few applications have been developed to exploit such information about the users&#39; locations. 
         [0003]    Therefore, there is a need for an approach that provides enhanced communication services that exploit location information to improve user experience. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Various exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a system capable of providing event content sharing by mobile communication devices, according with an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process for sharing content, via mobile communication devices, regarding an event attended by users of the mobile communication devices, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process for identifying an event attended by users of mobile communication devices, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a process for accessing content of an event using a web-based application, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a mobile communication device utilizing a user interface for participating in an event, according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a computer system that can be used to implement various exemplary embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    An apparatus, method, and software for providing event content sharing are described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the various exemplary embodiments 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 exemplary embodiments. 
         [0012]    Although the various embodiments are described with respect to Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and Short Message Service (SMS) protocols, it is contemplated that these embodiments have applicability to other equivalent protocols. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a system capable of providing event content sharing by mobile communication devices, according with an exemplary embodiment. A communication system  100  includes an event content sharing platform  101  for enabling users who are attending a common event to share information or content about the event. That is, the users can share or otherwise exchange information as an impromptu social network. As used herein, “content” refers to either text, image, audio, video, or any combination thereof. Under this scenario, the platform  101  includes a content module  103  that communicates with, according to one embodiment, a MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) and SMS (Short Message Service) message center  105  to permit sharing of content among a group of mobile communication devices  107   a - 107   n  with users within an event venue  109 . SMS service enables the transmission of short text messages among the devices  107   a - 107   n  in a store and forward manner. These short text messages in general can be delivered at any point in time using out-of-band packet, low-bandwidth delivery mechanisms. Similarly, MMS is a store and forward mechanism that supports transfer of media. Such content is uploaded from one or more of the mobile communication devices  107   a - 107   n  to the content module  103  via a wireless network  111 , and is stored in a content database  113 . The wireless network can employ various technologies, including Time Division Multiple Access (TMDA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), etc. The venue  109  represents a location where users congregate to participate in an organized event; for example, stadium, park, area of a city for parades, towns for festivals. The event can include concerts, sporting events, festivals, parades, etc. 
         [0014]    The event is identified based on the location of the users of the devices  107   a - 107   n ; a location and event database  117  is accessed to determine the particular event. As seen, an event and presence service module  115  consults with this database  117 , which according to one embodiment, can be one or more third party events databases. 
         [0015]    The platform  101  monitors and tracks the congregation of users using the event and presence service module  115 . The module  115  provides status information regarding the position of the various devices  107   a - 107   n  about the venue  109 . This event and presence service module  115  captures presence information or availability of the users of the devices  107   a - 107   n . By way of example, upon a device exiting the venue  109 , the presence module  115  removes the device from a list of active users, who are attending the event. 
         [0016]    In an exemplary embodiment, each of the mobile communication devices  107   a - 107   n  includes a location module  119 , which can obtain location (or positional) information using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, and thus, behaves as a GPS receiver. The location module  119  communicates with a constellation of satellites  121 , which transmit very low power interference and jamming resistant signals received by the GPS receivers  119 . At any point on Earth, the GPS receiver  119  can receive signals from multiple satellites (e.g., 6 to 11). Specifically, the GPS receiver  119  may determine three-dimensional geolocation from signals obtained from at least four satellites. Measurements from satellite tracking and monitoring stations located around the world are incorporated into orbital models for each satellite to compute precise orbital or clock data. GPS signals are transmitted over two spread spectrum microwave carrier signals that are shared by GPS satellites  121 . The device  107   a  needs to identify the signals from at least four satellites  121 , decode the ephemeris and clock data, determine the pseudo range for each satellite  121 , and compute the position of the receiving antenna. 
         [0017]    With GPS technology, the wireless devices  107   a - 107   n  can determine their location with great accuracy and convenience. Also, the system  100  can employ Assisted GPS (A-GPS) to mitigate the loss of GPS signals from obstructions between the GPS receiver  119  and the satellites  121 . When operating in A-GPS mode, the system  100  can provide for better in building or obstructed view geolocation. Assistance data can be transmitted to the devices  107   a - 107   n  from the wireless network  111 , in an exemplary embodiment, can include ephemeris data differential GPS correct data, timing data and/or other aiding data. Using the aiding (or assistance) data, the location module  119  performs geolocation calculations. The geolocation data is then transmitted to the platform  101  on a periodic or on-demand basis. The transmission of geolocation data need not be frequent. Transmission of geolocation data is more compact because it is true location rather than pseudo range data. Also, the wireless devices  107   a - 107   n  can more intelligently request assistance data because the devices  107   a - 107   n  themselves can determine when the ephemeris data is no longer valid. 
         [0018]    Each of the wireless devices  107   a - 107   n  utilizes a display  123  to present, for example, a graphic of a map of a pre-defined size (e.g., a street block wide, a mile wide, etc.). The wireless devices  107   a - 107   n  also includes a processor  125  and a memory  127  configured to store and execute instructions for supporting the event content sharing service, as well as other communication functions. 
         [0019]    The event content sharing platform  101  also makes the content stored within the content database  113  available to a computing device  129 . The computing device  129  can be a personal computer (PC), laptop, palm computer, workstation, web appliance, etc. The device  129  communicates with a website  131  over a data network  133  (which can include the global Internet). Under this arrangement, information to be shared among the devices  107   a - 107   n  can be viewed via a web browser or other web-based application. 
         [0020]    According to one embodiment, the platform  101  uses positional information from the GPS enabled wireless devices to identify users who are located within the venue  109 . This positional information is compared to a known location of the event; in an exemplary embodiment, a predetermined proximity to this predetermined location is established as to filter out users who are near the location, but are not in fact attendees. When an individual enters the venue a text message will be pushed to their mobile communication devices  107   a - 107   n  (e.g., cell phone) with the information needed to readily upload pictures, video and send text messages to the content module  115 . All of the individuals within the venue  109  who have a compatible wireless device can upload text, pictures and video. The content module  115  can aggregate all the images (or pictures), video and text information. As noted, this information can be viewed by users inside or outside the venue  109  via a web browser. 
         [0021]    In an exemplary embodiment, the platform  101  can provide advertisements that are relevant to the event. For example, if the event is a concert, then upcoming concerts and the performer&#39;s CDs (compact discs) can be advertised. Unlike traditional approaches, this approach permits more targeted advertising—namely, based on the user participating in a specific event. 
         [0022]    The described platform  101 , in one embodiment, enables large groups of users (e.g., strangers and friends/family, alike) to send information about a specific ongoing event. This forms an “ad hoc” network of users communicating about a common experience. 
         [0023]    The operation, in one embodiment, of the event content sharing platform  101  is next explained. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a process for sharing content, via mobile communication devices, regarding an event attended by users of the mobile communication devices, according to an exemplary embodiment. In step  201 , a mobile communication device (e.g., device  107   a ) moves within a predefined proximity of an event location. The device  107   a  receives text notification of the subject event, per step  203 . By way of example, the notification can specify information relating to the event as well as instructions on how to share content: (1) event name, (2) short description of how to upload text, pictures and video about the event, (3) short description of how to view others text, pictures and videos contributed by others at the event, and (4) any required adverting disclaimers to satisfy anti-spam/legal requirements. 
         [0025]    Additionally, the device  107   a  receives a prompt (e.g., Yes/No prompt) to permit the user to indicate desired participation in the service (step  205 ). If the user indicates that participation is desired (as in step  207 ), the user, via the device  107   a , can generate content about the event. For example, in steps  209  and  211 , the user can write a text description, take a picture, and/or record a short video of the event for uploading to the content module  103  within the event content sharing platform  101 . 
         [0026]    In step  213 , the user can determine whether to view content from other users. If so, the device  107   a  can retrieve the content, as in step  215 . At this point, the user can elect to provide comments about the retrieved content, in which the comments are accordingly uploaded (steps  217 - 221 ). 
         [0027]    According to one embodiment, when the event ends, the capability to send messages, pictures and video via the wireless devices  107   a - 107   n  terminates. However, users can still review the multi-media messages via a web browser either on the wireless device  107   a - 107   n  or PC  129 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a process for identifying an event attended by users of mobile communication devices, according to an exemplary embodiment. First, in step  301 , the platform  101  detects that a device  107   a  is within a vicinity of other devices  107   b - 107   n . Parameters relating to the vicinity and number of devices can be set, so that a minimum number of users are present and the number of proper devices  107   a - 107   n  (e.g., GPS-enabled, capable of taking pictures and video, etc.) are present. Location of the event is determined based on the position information of the other devices  107   b - 107   n , as in step  303 . The platform  101  looks up the location name based on the GPS coordinates (i.e., a reverse geocode operation). Using this location and the current time, the platform  101  identifies the event, per step  305 . Specifically, the event and presence service module  115  accesses the location and event database  117  to determine the subject event. The database  117  can store, for example, event description (e.g., type, name), as well as location and time. 
         [0029]    As mentioned, the content that is generated by the mobile communication devices  107   a - 107   n  can be shared with users outside of the venue location  109 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a process for accessing content of an event using a web-based application, according to an exemplary embodiment. Under this scenario, a user of the computing device  129  can utilize a web-based application (e.g., browser) to enter an address, such as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), of the website  131 , per steps  401  and  403 . In step  405 , the browser can also present the user with an option to participate in any discussion or comment on the content that is exchanged. If the user opts to participate (as in step  405 ), the user inputs comments for submission to the website  131  (step  407 ). 
         [0031]    It is contemplated that the user of the computing device  129  can view content from multiple events, concurrently. As such, events can be categorized, e.g., by topic (rock concert, football game, town fair) and by location. When users view the event messages on the device  129 , they can receive advertisements targeted to future events in the same general area. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a mobile communication device utilizing a user interface for participating in an event, according to an exemplary embodiment. Under this scenario, a mobile device  501  includes a display  503  that is configured to present content that is generated for a particular event. In one embodiment, the user of the mobile device  501  can input information, via cursor buttons  505  or key pad  507 . Further, these cursor buttons  505  or keys of the key pad  507  can control a camera function or an audio recording function. 
         [0033]    Upon entry into the event venue  109 , the device  501  presents an event notification menu  509 . A text box  511  provides information on the event and instructions regarding content sharing. Additionally, the menu  513  displays an upload button  513  to transmit locally generated content to the platform  101 , using text or multimedia messaging (e.g., SMS and MMS). Further, a download button  515  can be selected by the user to retrieve shared content. 
         [0034]    Moreover, the device  501  can receive advertisements  517  that are targeted to attendees of the event. 
         [0035]    The above described processes relating to providing event content sharing using an integrated set-top may be 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. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates a computer system  600  upon which an exemplary embodiment can be implemented. For example, the processes described herein can be implemented using the computer system  600 . The computer system  600  includes a bus  601  or other communication mechanism for communicating information and a processor  603  coupled to the bus  601  for processing information. The computer system  600  also includes main memory  605 , such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus  601  for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor  603 . Main memory  605  can also be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by the processor  603 . The computer system  600  may further include a read only memory (ROM)  607  or other static storage device coupled to the bus  601  for storing static information and instructions for the processor  603 . A storage device  609 , such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is coupled to the bus  601  for persistently storing information and instructions. 
         [0037]    The computer system  600  may be coupled via the bus  601  to a display  611 , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display, active matrix display, or plasma display, for displaying information to a computer user. An input device  613 , such as a keyboard including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to the bus  601  for communicating information and command selections to the processor  603 . Another type of user input device is a cursor control  615 , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor  603  and for controlling cursor movement on the display  611 . 
         [0038]    According to an embodiment, the processes described herein are performed by the computer system  600 , in response to the processor  603  executing an arrangement of instructions contained in main memory  605 . Such instructions can be read into main memory  605  from another computer-readable medium, such as the storage device  609 . Execution of the arrangement of instructions contained in main memory  605  causes the processor  603  to perform the process steps described herein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the instructions contained in main memory  605 . In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the exemplary embodiment. Thus, exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
         [0039]    The computer system  600  also includes a communication interface  617  coupled to bus  601 . The communication interface  617  provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link  619  connected to a local network  621 . For example, the communication interface  617  may be a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, a telephone modem, or any other communication interface to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of communication line. As another example, communication interface  617  may be a local area network (LAN) card (e.g. for Ethernet™ or an Asynchronous Transfer Model (ATM) network) to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links can also be implemented. In any such implementation, communication interface  617  sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information. Further, the communication interface  617  can include peripheral interface devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) interface, etc. Although a single communication interface  617  is depicted in  FIG. 6 , multiple communication interfaces can also be employed. 
         [0040]    The network link  619  typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link  619  may provide a connection through local network  621  to a host computer  623 , which has connectivity to a network  625  (e.g. a wide area network (WAN) or the global packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the “Internet”) or to data equipment operated by a service provider. The local network  621  and the network  625  both use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals to convey information and instructions. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link  619  and through the communication interface  617 , which communicate digital data with the computer system  600 , are exemplary forms of carrier waves bearing the information and instructions. 
         [0041]    The computer system  600  can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link  619 , and the communication interface  617 . In the Internet example, a server (not shown) might transmit requested code belonging to an application program for implementing an exemplary embodiment through the network  625 , the local network  621  and the communication interface  617 . The processor  603  may execute the transmitted code while being received and/or store the code in the storage device  609 , or other non-volatile storage for later execution. In this manner, the computer system  600  may obtain application code in the form of a carrier wave. 
         [0042]    The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to the processor  603  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 as the storage device  609 . Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as main memory  605 . Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus  601 . Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic, optical, or electromagnetic waves, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. 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, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. 
         [0043]    Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in providing instructions to a processor for execution. For example, the instructions for carrying out at least part of the various exemplary embodiments may initially be borne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. In such a scenario, the remote computer loads the instructions into main memory and sends the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem of a local computer system receives the data on the telephone line and uses an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal and transmit the infrared signal to a portable computing device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a laptop. An infrared detector on the portable computing device receives the information and instructions borne by the infrared signal and places the data on a bus. The bus conveys the data to main memory, from which a processor retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by main memory can optionally be stored on storage device either before or after execution by processor. 
         [0044]    In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that flow. The specification and the drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.