Abstract:
In some embodiments, a method of transmitting information between two or more entities in a network includes a computer system in the network receiving one or more selection criteria from a first entity in the network. The method further includes the computer system determining one or more other entities in the network associated with the received selection criteria. The method still further includes the computer system communicating information at least partially describing the determined entities to the first entity. The method still further includes the computer system receiving an entity selection from the first entity. The method still further includes the computer system communicatively coupling the first entity to a selected entity of the determined entities such that interaction between the first entity and information regarding the selected entity is permitted.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/249,739 entitled “LOCATING ENTITIES” to Jeffe et al. filed on Oct. 8, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This disclosure relates generally to the field of locating an entity and, more specifically, this disclosure pertains to the field of locating an entity where locating the entity includes selecting multiple entities based on one or more selection criteria. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Relevant Art 
         [0005]    Location based services have been used to present information to a user at a determined location. In one example, advertising information has been presented to a user of a mobile device (e.g., a PDA, laptop, smartphone, etc.) based on a determined location of the mobile device. In another example, the mobile device may be used to locate places of interest, such as gas stations, hospitals, restaurants, shopping centers, grocery stores, etc. within a vicinity of a location of the mobile device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In some embodiments, a method of transmitting information between two or more entities in a network includes a computer system in the network receiving one or more selection criteria from a first entity in the network. The method further includes the computer system determining one or more other entities in the network associated with the received selection criteria. The method still further includes the computer system communicating information at least partially describing the determined entities to the first entity. The method still further includes the computer system receiving an entity selection from the first entity. The method still further includes the computer system communicatively coupling the first entity to a selected entity of the determined entities such that interaction between the first entity and information regarding the selected entity is permitted. 
         [0007]    To facilitate transfer of information between the entities, the computer system may couple the entity to a selected other entity to allow interaction of the entity with the information of the other entity. The coupling may be direct, where the entity may directly access the information on the other entities&#39; computing systems. In other embodiment, information from the other entities&#39; computer systems may be virtually present to the requesting entity by the computer system. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, a computer system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store program instructions executable by the process or to implement a method of transmitting information between two or more entities in a network. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, a tangible, computer readable physical storage medium includes program instructions stored thereon. The program instructions are computer executable to implement a method of transmitting information between two or more entities in a network. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of one or more network communications systems, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one or more network communications systems, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a computing device, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a server computing device, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is method for determining one or more entities associated with one or more selection criteria, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary menu, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary map indicating one or more entities and groups of entities, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary map indicating one or more entities, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary map and an exemplary menu, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary input menu, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11A  is a method for exploring an entity associated with one or more selection criteria, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11B  is a method for exploring an entity associated with one or more selection criteria, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary diagram of information associated with an entity selection, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is an exemplary library of an entity, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is an exemplary menu associated with a library element, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is an exemplary media player interface associated with a library element, according to one or more embodiments; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is an exemplary diagram of information associated with an entity selection, according to one or more embodiments; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is an exemplary map indicating one or more entities, according to one or more embodiments. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to one or more modifications and/or one or more alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents and/or alternatives. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of one or more network communications systems in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a network  1010  may be coupled to one or more access points (APs)  1020 - 1023 . Each access point (AP) of APs  1020 - 1023  may be coupled to one or more respective computing devices (CDs) of CDs  1030 - 1039 . In some embodiments, CDs  1030 - 1039  may be coupled to network  1010  through respective APs  1020 - 1023 . In some embodiments, an AP, such as one of APs  1020 - 1023 , may be coupled to network  1010  in a wireless and/or wired fashion. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, network  1010  may include and/or be coupled to various communications networks. Examples of a communications networks include, but are not limited to a wide area network (WAN), a public network such as an Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and/or a local area network (LAN), etc. One or more of APs  1020 - 1023  may be coupled to one or more various networks. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of a WAN, a public network such as an Internet, a PSTN, and LAN may include one or more wired networks and/or one or more wireless networks. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, CDs  1030 - 1032  may be coupled to AP  1020  in a wireless fashion. In some embodiments, AP  1020  may include a support for cellular telephone services. In certain embodiments, AP  1020  may communicate with CDs  1030 - 1032  using one or more suitable cellular telephone protocols. Examples of suitable cellular telephone protocols include, but are not limited to, CDMA (code division multiple access), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), FDMA (frequency division multiple access), and TDMA (time division multiple access), etc. In some embodiments, AP  1020  may include support for a metropolitan area network (MAN). For example, AP  1020  may communicate with CDs  1030 - 1032  using one or more suitable MAN protocols. Examples of suitable MAN protocols include, but are not limited to, WiMAX and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.16. In some embodiments, AP  1020  may communicate with CDs  1030 - 1032  using a Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol. In some embodiments, CDs  1030  and  1031  may be at a location  1040 , and computing device (CD)  1032  may be at a location  1041 . 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, CDs  1033  and  1034  may be coupled to AP  1021  in a wireless fashion. In some embodiments, AP  1021  may include a wireless access point providing one or more of a wireless LAN and/or a wireless personal are network (PAN) services during use. For example, during use, AP  1021  may communicate with CDs  1033  and  1034  using one or more of wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11), Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15), IEEE 802.15.4, ultra wide band, and infrared communication technologies, etc. In some embodiments, CDs  1033  and  1034  may be at a location  1042 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, CDs  1035 - 1037  may be coupled to AP  1022  in a wireless fashion. In some embodiments, AP  1022  may include a satellite that communicating with CDs  1035 - 1037  using one or more satellite telephone protocols and/or one more satellite data transfer protocols during use. In some embodiments, CDs  1035  and  1036  may be at a location  1043 , and CD  1037  may be at a location  1044 . 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, CDs  1038  and  1039  may be coupled to AP  1023  in a wired fashion. In some embodiments, AP  1023  may include one or more of an Ethernet port, a router, a DSL (digital subscriber loop) modem, a cable modem, a demarcation for a PSTN, and an Ethernet switch, etc. In some embodiments, CDs  1038  and  1039  may be at a location  1045 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, one or more server computing devices (SCDs) such as SCDs  1050 - 1052  may be coupled to network  1010 . In some embodiments, one or more of SCDs  1050 - 1052  may communicate with one or more of CDs  1030 - 1039  through network  1010 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of one or more network communications systems in accordance with one or more embodiments. Elements illustrated in  FIG. 2  are described with reference to  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, one or more of APs  1020 - 1023  may be located at various locations. For example, location  1040  may include AP  1020 , location  1042  may include AP  1021 , and location  1045  may include AP  1023 . In some embodiments, locations of one or more APs may be stored in a database. In some embodiments, it may be determined which AP is communicating with a CD. In certain embodiments, the database may be used to determine a location of the AP; the location may then be used to determine the location of the CD communicating with the AP. For example, it may be determined that AP  1021  is communicating with CD  1034 . The database may then be used to determine a location of AP  1021  (e.g., location  1042 ) which may be used to determine the location of CD  1034  communicating with AP  1021 . For instance, the location of CD  1034  may be the location of AP  1021  which is location  1042 . 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, locations  1040 - 1045  may vary in size. In one example, location  1040  may include a geographic area of some number of thousand feet to some number of miles within a vicinity of AP  1020 . In a second example, location  1042  may include a geographic area of some number of tens to hundred(s) of feet within a vicinity of AP  1021 . In yet another example, location  1045  may include a geographic area of an abode, a retail establishment, a bar, a hotel, a dance hall, a pool hall, etc. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, a CD may provide its location. In some embodiments, each of one or more of CDs  1030 - 1039  may determine its location and provide its location to another computing device or computer system, such as one of CDs  1030 - 1039  and/or SCDs  1050 - 1052 . For example, one or more of CDs  1030 - 1039  may include a global positioning system (GPS) that may be used to determine a location. In one example, CD  1032  may include a GPS and communicate location  1041  to one or more of CDs  1030 ,  1032 - 1039  and/or SCDs  1050 - 1052 . In another example, CD  1035  may include a GPS and communicate location  1043  to one or more of CDs  1030 - 1034 ,  1036 - 1039  and/or SCDs  1050 - 1052 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a computing device in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a CD  3010  may include a processor  3020  that may be coupled to a memory  3030 . In some embodiments, processor  3020  may retrieve and execute instructions from memory  3030  to implement one or more methods and/or processes described herein. In some embodiments, CD  3010  may include a network interface  3040 , a display interface  3050 , an input interface  3060 , and an audio output interface  3070  coupled to processor  3020 . In some embodiments, network interface may include logic, circuitry, and/or a transceiver configured to interface and communicate with one or more of APs  1020 - 1023 . 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, display interface  3050  may interface with a display configured to convey information to a user of CD  3010 . In some embodiments, the display may be included in CD  3010 . In certain embodiments, the display may be external to CD  3010 . In some embodiments, input interface  3060  may receive user input from a user of CD  3010 . In some embodiments, input interface  3060  may interface with a keyboard. In certain embodiments, input interface  3060  may interface with a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, track pad, etc.). In certain embodiments, input interface  3060  may interface with a microphone (e.g., to receive voice input commands). In still further embodiments, input interface  3060  may interface with a touch screen (e.g., resistive sense, capacitive sense, etc.). In some embodiments, one or more of the keyboard, the pointing device, the microphone, and the touch interface may be included in CD  3010  or may be external to CD  3010 . 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, audio output interface  3070  may convey audio signals and/or data to an audio output device. In some embodiments, the audio output device may include logic and/or circuitry facilitating outputting sound signals during use. For example, the logic and/or circuitry may include one or more digital-to-analog converters. In some embodiments, the audio output device may include a speaker. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, CD  3010  may take various forms, including a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop, a notebook, a netbook, a network appliance, an Internet appliance, a wearable computing device, a mobile multimedia device, an embedded computer system, a television system, a workstation, a personal computer system (e.g., a desktop computer system), and/or other device. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, terms such as “computing device”, “computer”, and/or “computer system” may be broadly defined to encompass any device including a processor that executes instructions from a memory. In some embodiments, one or more of CDs  1030 - 1039  may include one or more elements and/or one or more functionalities described with reference to CD  3010 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a server computing device in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a SCD  4010  may include a processor  4020  that may be coupled to a memory  4030 . In some embodiments, processor  4020  may retrieve and execute instructions from memory  4030  to implement one or more methods and/or processes described herein. In some embodiments, SCD  4010  may include a network interface  4040 , a display interface  4050 , and an input interface  4060  coupled to processor  4020 . In some embodiments, network interface may include logic, circuitry, and/or a transceiver configured to interface and communicate with network  1010 . In some embodiments, display interface  4050  may interface with a display configured to convey information to a user of SCD  4010 . For example, the display may be included in SCD  4010  or be external to SCD  4010 . In some embodiments, input interface  4060  may receive user input from a user of SCD  4010 . For example, the user may be at a console interface of SCD  4010 . In some embodiments, input interface  3060  may interface with a keyboard. In some embodiments, input interface  3060  may interface with a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, track pad, etc.). In some embodiments, one or more of SCDs  1050 - 1052  may include one or more elements and/or one or more functionalities described with reference to SCD  4010 . 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, memory  4030  may include an affinity engine  4035  that may include instructions executable by processor  4020  to implement an affinity engine. In some embodiments, an affinity engine (which may also be referred to as a recommendation engine or a recommendation system) may be used to determine one or more recommendations of one or more entities associated with one or more selection criteria. For example, the affinity engine may use input of a user and/or a music library of the user to generate one or more recommendations of one or more entities that have similar musical tastes and/or other similarities. In some embodiments, each song (e.g., played, playing, in a library, etc.) may be associated with one or more quantifiable attributes. In some embodiments, the one or more attributes may include one or more genres. For example, the one or more genres may include one or more of country, rock, classical, swing, big band, 80s, 70s, 60s, hip hop, rap, top 40, and pop, among others. In some embodiments, the one or more attributes may include one or more numbers that indicate how many times specific songs are played. In some embodiments, the one or more attributes may include one or more preferences for one or more of musicians, genres, song ratings, musician ratings, genre ratings, and user specified preferences (e.g., specifying a favorite musician, a favorite song, a top-10 favorite musicians, a top-10 favorite songs, etc.), and a grouping of songs (e.g., a playlist), etc. In still further embodiments, the one or more attributes may include one or more dislikes. For example, the one or more dislikes may include one or more genres, musicians, and songs, among others. In some embodiments, the affinity engine may use multiple songs played over a period of time by a computing device to generate one or more recommendations. For example, CD  1038  may include a jukebox at a place (e.g., a public place, a private place, a bar, a pool hall, a dance hall, a park, a community center, a monument, a yacht club, a country club, a fitness club, an establishment, etc.), and the affinity engine may use multiple songs played over a period of time by CD  1038  to generate one or more recommendations to entities (e.g., users, etc.). 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, terms such as “memory medium” and/or “computer readable medium” may include one or more types of memory or storage, a random access memory or computer system memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM, and/or RAM, etc.), a non-volatile memory such as NVRAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, a magnetic media (e.g., a hard drive, and/or optical storage), an installation medium (e.g., a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or floppy disks, etc.). In some embodiments, a memory medium may include other types of memory as well, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a memory medium may be and/or include an article of manufacture and/or a software product. For example, a memory medium may store instructions executable by a processor or computer system. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, a memory medium may be located in a first computer in which the instructions are executed. In some embodiments, a memory medium may be located in a second computer and/or hardware memory device that connects to a first computer over a network. For example, during use, the second computer may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution by the first computer. 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining one or more entities associated with one or more selection criteria in accordance with one or more embodiments. At  5010 , a selection menu may be displayed. In some embodiments, a selection menu may be displayed to a user of CD  1030 . For example, a selection menu  6010  (see  FIG. 6 ) may be displayed to a user of CD  1030 . At  5015 , one or more selection criteria may be received from a user. For example, the one or more selection criteria may be received from a user of CD  1030 . In some embodiments, an application executing on CD  1030  may receive the one or more selection criteria from the user. For example, the application may include a custom application configured to receive the one or more selection criteria from the user. In another example, the application may include a web browser configured to receive the one or more selection criteria from the user. 
         [0050]    At  5020 , the one or more selection criteria may be sent to a server. For example, CD  1030  may send the one or more selection criteria to SCD  1050 . In some embodiments, SCD  1050  may include an affinity engine, and the one or more selection criteria may be communicated to the affinity engine to determine one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria. In some embodiments, SCD  1050  may interface and communicate (e.g., over a network such as network  1010 ) with another computer system (e.g., SCD  1051 ) that includes an affinity engine. For example, SCD  1050  may send the one or more selection criteria to SCD  1051 , and the one or more selection criteria may be communicated to the affinity engine of SCD  1051  to determine one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria. At  5025 , the one or more selection criteria may be received. For example, SCD  1050  may receive the one or more selection criteria from CD  1030 . At  5030 , one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria may be determined. In some embodiments, one or more entities determined as one or more recommendations of an affinity engine may include one or more persons, places, and events at places. 
         [0051]    At  5035 , one or more locations of the one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria may be determined. In some embodiments, a database may store current and/or last known locations of one or more entities. In some embodiments, the database may be searched to determine current and/or last known locations of the one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria. At  5040 , information associated with the one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria may be sent to the computing device (e.g., CD  1030 ). In some embodiments, the information may include a map that may display one or more locations of the one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria. In some embodiments, the information may include location information that is usable to display a map to indicate one or more locations of the one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria. At  5045 , information associated with the one or more entities associated with the one or more selection criteria may be displayed on a map. For example, in some embodiments, a map may be displayed to a user of CD  1030  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary menu in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a menu  6010  may include one or more menu elements, such as one or more check boxes  6015 - 6025 , selection list boxes  6030  and  6035 , an abort button  6040 , and a confirmation and/or proceed button  6045 . In some embodiments, menu elements  6015 - 6035  may be used to select one or more selection criteria. For example, a user of CD  1030  may use menu elements  6015 - 6035  to select one or more selection criteria to search for one or more users associated with the one or more selection criteria. In some embodiments, check box  6015  may be used to indicate whether or not to include a criterion that takes into account a musical taste of a user. In some embodiments, a musical taste and/or preference of the user may be determined by an affinity engine. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, check boxes  6020  and  6025  may be used to include or exclude male and female users, respectively, and selection list boxes  6030  and  6035  may be used to respectively select a minimum age and a maximum age. Abort or “Cancel” button  6040  may be used to abort or cancel a search. Confirmation/proceed or “OK” button  6045  may be used to select one or more selection criteria and/or proceed with a search based on the one or more selection criteria. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary map indicating one or more entities and one or more groups of entities in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a map  7010  may indicate one or more locations of one or more entities. In some embodiments, map  7010  may be displayed by CD  1030 . In some embodiments, map  7010  may indicate locations of multiple groups  7020 - 7029  of users, places, and/or events at places and/or individual users  7040  and  7041 . In some embodiments, multiple users, places, and/or events at places may be indicated by a group (e.g., one of groups  7020 - 7029 ) based on a resolution of a map displaying the users. 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary map indicating one or more entities in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a map  8010  may indicate one or more locations of one or more entities. For example, map  8010  may indicate locations of one or more individual users  8020 ,  8022 , and  8024 , one or more places  8021  and  8026 , and one or more entities  8023  and  8025  that have recently had a same or a similar experience and/or have recently performed a same or a similar function (e.g., played a same song, viewed a same video, browsed a same or similar web site, etc.) as a current user of CD  1030 . 
         [0056]    In some embodiments, users  8020 ,  8022 , and  8024  can be included in user group  7022  (see  FIG. 7 ). User group  7022  may be selected via user input. In some embodiments, map  8010  may indicate users  8020 ,  8022 , and  8024  based on a resolution of map  8010 . Map  8010  may be displayed by CD  1030  indicating one or more locations of one or more users  8020 ,  8022 , and  8024 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary map and an exemplary menu in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, map  8010  may indicate locations of one or more entities  8020 - 8026  as described above with reference to  FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, a menu  9010  may include menu elements  9015 - 9040 . Menu  9010  may be displayed by CD  1030 . In some embodiments, one or more of menu items  9015 ,  9020 , and  9035  may be used as a selection criterion and/or may be used to input one or more selection criteria. In one example, menu item  9015  may be used as a selection criterion to show entities currently playing a song currently being played by CD  1030 . In a second example, menu item  9035  may be used to access menu  6010  (see  FIG. 6 ), where one or more selection criteria may be input. In another example, menu item  9020  may be used to input one or more favorite musicians. 
         [0058]    Menu item  9040  may be selected to add a current location of the computing device (e.g., CD  1030 ) used by a user. Menu items  9025  and  9030  may be selected to provide support to the user. For example, menu item  9030  may be selected, and information may be retrieved (e.g., from a local memory, from a network, etc.) and displayed to the user. In another example, menu item  9025  may be selected, and someone from a support staff (e.g., an operator) may be contacted to provide assistance to the user. 
         [0059]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary input menu in accordance with one or more embodiments. Menu  10010  may be displayed by CD  1030 . In some embodiments, a menu  10010  may be used to input a favorite musician. For example, “Paul Simon” may be input into an input area  10020 , and add or confirmation menu element  10030  may be selected to add “Paul Simon” to a list of favorite musicians and/or music groups. In some embodiments, list elements  1040 - 1060  may indicate favorite musicians and/or music groups. For example, list elements  1040 - 1060  may include “Roy Orbison”, “Santana”, and “Stevie Ray Vaughan”, respectively. Menu item  10070  may be selected when one or more modifications to the list of favorite musicians and/or music groups have been completed. 
         [0060]      FIG. 11A  is a flow chart illustrating a method for exploring an entity associated with one or more selection criteria in accordance with one or more embodiments. At  11010 , a map indicating locations of entities may be displayed. For example, CD  1030  may display entities associated with the one or more selection criteria. In some embodiments, CD  1030  may display map  8010  indicating locations of entities  8020 - 8025 . At  11015 , an entity selection may be received. For example, a user may select entity  8024  and CD  1030  may receive the selection of entity  8024 . At  11020 , the entity selection may be sent to a server. For example, CD  1030  may send the entity selection to SCD  1050 . In some embodiments, CD  1030  may send an identification associated with entity  8024  usable by SCD  1050  to identify entity  8024 . At  11025 , information associated with the entity selection may be received. For example, SCD  1050  may receive the information associated with the entity selection. In some embodiments, SCD  1050  may receive the identification associated with entity  8024  from CD  1030 . At  11030 , information associated with the entity selection may be sent. For example, SCD  1050  may send information associated with the entity selection to CD  1030 . At  11035 , the information associated with the entity selection may be received. For example, CD  1030  may receive the information associated with the entity selection. At  11040 , the information associated with the entity selection may be displayed. For example, CD  1030  may display the information associated with the entity selection. 
         [0061]      FIG. 11B  is a flow chart illustrated a method for exploring an entity associated with one or more selection criteria in accordance with one or more embodiments. At  11050 , a map indicating locations of entities may be displayed. For example, CD  1030  may display entities associated with the one or more selection criteria. In some embodiments, CD  1030  may display map  8010  indicating locations of entities  8020 - 8025 . At  11055 , an entity selection may be received. For example, a user may select entity  8024  and CD  1030  may receive the selection of entity  8024 . At  11060 , information associated with the entity selection may be determined from a local memory. For example, CD  1030  may store information associated with one or more entities in a memory of CD  1030  and the memory of CD  1030  may be searched to determine information associated with the entity selection. In some embodiments, the memory of CD  1030  may be updated, at one or more times, with information associated with one or more entities. At  11065 , the information associated with the entity selection may be displayed. For example, CD  1030  may display the information associated with the entity selection. 
         [0062]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary diagram of information associated with an entity selection in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a user may select a marker representing an entity. The user may then be presented with a description of that entity and a menu of operations that may be performed with the information associated with the entity selection. In some embodiments, information  12010  may include a description. For example, a description of entity  8024  may be displayed. In some embodiments, the description may include one or more of an online name (e.g., “Tommy505”), a location (e.g., “Alexandria, Va., United States”), a service provider (e.g., “U-Mobile”), a service of the service provider (e.g., “uTouch 3G”), a gender (e.g., “Male”), an age (e.g., “ 21 ”), and a number of songs in a library of entity  8024 , etc. In some embodiments, information  12010  may include a picture  12020  of the selected entity. 
         [0063]    In some embodiments, a menu of operations that may be performed with the information associated with the entity selection may be displayed. In some embodiments, a menu item  12030  may be selected to browse a music library of the entity selection. In some embodiments, menu items  12040  and  12050  may be selected to browse one or more online social network website pages of the entity selection. For example, menu item  12040  may be selected to browse a music online social network website page of the entity selection. The music online social network website page of the entity selection may include one or more online radio stations used by the entity selection. In another example, menu item  12050  may be selected to browse a music social network website page of the entity selection. The online social network website page of the entity selection may include a page from MySpace, Facebook, etc. 
         [0064]      FIG. 13  is an exemplary library of an entity in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a library  13010  of an entity (e.g., entity  3020 ) may include one or more library elements  13020 - 13024 , and library  13010  may be displayed by CD  1030 , for example. In some embodiments, one or more of library elements  13020 - 13024  may indicate information associated with music and/or video. For example, library element  13020  may be associated with a song such as “All Along the Watchtower” performed by Jimi Hendrix from the album Electric Ladyland. In another example, library element  13021  may be associated with a music video such as “In a Big Country” performed by Big Country from the album The Crossing. 
         [0065]    In some embodiments, library element  13022  may be associated with a song such as “Blue Bayou” performed by Linda Rohnstadt from the album Simple Dreams. In some embodiments, an affinity engine may have recommended entity  8024  to a user of CD  1030  since “Blue Bayou” was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson, where Roy Orbison is included in a favorite musician list of the user of CD  1030 . In some embodiments, library element  13023  may be associated with a song such as “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)” performed by Simon &amp; Garfunkel from the album Bridge Over Troubled Waters. In some embodiments, an affinity engine may have recommended entity  8024  to a user of CD  1030  since “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)” was performed by Simon &amp; Garfunkel which included Paul Simon, who is included in a favorite musician list of the user of MCD  1030 . 
         [0066]    In some embodiments, a menu control or library control element  13030  may be selected to proceed to another page of library  13010 . In some embodiments, a menu control or library control element  13040  may be selected to exit library  13010 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 14  is an exemplary menu associated with a library element in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a menu  14010  may be associated with library element  13020  and may include menu elements  14020 - 14040 . In some embodiments, menu item  14020  may be selected to play a preview of the song (and/or video if available) associated with library element  13020  (e.g., “All Along the Watchtower”). Menu item  14030  may be selected to search for the song associated with library element  13020  in a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo!, etc.) and menu item  14040  may be selected to search for information of the song associated with library element  13020  in an online database (e.g., Wikipedia). 
         [0068]      FIG. 15  is an exemplary media player interface in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a media player interface  15010  may include interface controls  15020 - 15024 . Media player interface  15010  may be displayed by CD  1030 . In some embodiments, interface control  15020  may be selected to purchase a complete version of the current media playing (e.g., purchased from an online retailer such as iTunes, Amazon.com, etc.). Interface element  15021  may be selected to direct the media player interface to go to a beginning of the current preview or to go to a previous preview. Interface element  15022  may be selected to pause or start the current preview. Interface element  15023  may be selected to go to an end of the current media playing or to go to a next media. Interface element  15024  may be selected to view a menu of library items that may be played or previewed. Interface element  15025  may be selected to view one or more of song information, video information, artist information, photos, discography information, liner notes, and lyrics, etc. 
         [0069]    In some embodiments, the menu of library items that may be played or previewed may include all or some, but not all, of the media in library  13010 . For example, one or more media in library  13010  may not be available to be played or previewed. In some embodiments, one or more media in library  13010  may not be available to be played or previewed in an online format. In some embodiments, one or more media of library  13010  may be played in entirety. In some embodiments, one or more media of library  13010  may be played in an abridged form, such as a preview. 
         [0070]      FIG. 16  is an exemplary diagram of information associated with an entity selection in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a user may select a marker representing an entity (e.g., entities  8020 - 8022 ). The user may then be presented with a description of that entity and a menu of operations that may be performed with the information associated with the entity selection. In some embodiments, information  16010  associated with entity  8021  (e.g., a bar, a pool hall, a dance hall, an entertainment venue, etc.) may include a description. For example, a description  16010  of entity  8021  may be displayed. In some embodiments, description  16010  may include one or more of an establishment name (e.g., “District Billiards”) and a location (e.g., “Washington, D.C., United States”), etc. 
         [0071]    In some embodiments, a menu of operations that may be performed with the information associated with the entity selection may be displayed. In some embodiments, a menu item  16020  may be selected to browse a homepage (e.g., a web page) of the entity selection. A menu item  16021  may be selected to browse one or more online reviews of the entity selection. A menu item  16022  may be selected to view songs and/or views that are playing or have been recently played by a computing device (e.g., CD  1038 ) of place or entity  8021 . For example, CD  1038  may include a jukebox, and Touchtunes may provide a service that includes a database that tracks music and/or videos played on the jukebox. For instance, the Touchtunes service may provide a web page for each place that has a jukebox included in a computing device (e.g., one of CD  1030 - 1039 ). 
         [0072]    In some embodiments, the text of the establishment name may be selected, and turn-by-turn directions to entity  8021  may be provided. In some embodiments, menu item  16020  may be selected to provide one or more of a promotion (e.g., a coupon, a discount, a “buy one get one free deal”, etc.) of entity  8021 , a menu of food and/or drinks available at entity  8021 , and/or one or more activities (e.g., billiards, pocket billiards, dominos, shuffleboard, miniature golf, video games, etc.) available at entity  8021 , etc. 
         [0073]      FIG. 17  is an exemplary map indicating one or more entities in accordance with one or more embodiments. In some embodiments, a map  17010  may indicate one or more locations of one or more entities recently having a same or a similar experience or having performed a same or a similar function (e.g., playing a same song, viewing a same video, browsing a same web site, etc.) as a current user of CD  1030 . In one example, map  17010  indicates locations of entities  17020 - 17024  where at least one entity that has recently played a same song that CD  1030  is currently playing. In some embodiments, map  17010  may indicate locations of one or more individual users  17021  and  17024  and one or more places  17022  and  17023 , and user  17020  who has recently played a same song that CD  1030  is currently playing. Map  17010  may be displayed by CD  1030 . In some embodiments, menu item  9015  may be selected to produce map  17010 . 
         [0074]    In some embodiments, when CD  1030  changes a current song being played, map  17010  may be updated so that entities may be removed from map  17010  and/or possible other entities may be added to map  17010  to indicate one or more entities that have recently played a same song that CD  1030  is currently playing (i.e., the changed current song). In some embodiments, one or more of CDs  1030 - 1039  may transmit information about what songs and/or videos have been played to a server (e.g., SCD  1050 ). For example, the information about what songs and/or videos have been played may be stored in a database. In some embodiments, CD  1030  may query SCD  1050  to receive map  17010  or to receive information to produce map  17010 . 
         [0075]    In some embodiments, one or more systems and/or methods described herein may be applied to generating recommendations of various other entities based on selection criteria. For example, one or more systems and/or methods described herein may be applied to determining recommendations of one or more of restaurants, movies, plays, books, electric books, audio books, and dance clubs, etc., based on similarities of a user profile and/or one or more selection criteria of a user of a computing device. 
         [0076]    One or more modifications and/or alternative embodiments of one or more aspects of the disclosure may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Thus, this description is to be understood as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the embodiments described herein. In one example, one or more of CDs  1301 - 1039  may include one or more same or similar structures and/or functionalities of CD  1030  and may be used in place of CD  1030  in the description. In a second example, one or more of SCDs  1051  and  1052  may include one or more same or similar structures and/or functionalities of SCD  1050  and may be used in place of SCD  1050  in the description. 
         [0077]    In some embodiments, one or more of the method elements described herein and/or one or more portions of an implementation of a method element may be performed in varying orders, may be performed concurrently with one or more of the other method elements and/or one or more portions of an implementation of a method element, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may be performed as desired. In some embodiments, concurrently may mean simultaneously. In some embodiments, concurrently may mean apparently simultaneously according to some metric. For example, two or more method elements and/or two or more portions of an implementation of a method element may be performed such that they appear to be simultaneous to a human. In some embodiments, one or more of the system elements described herein may be omitted and additional system elements may be added as desired. In some embodiments, elements and materials may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the disclosure may be utilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description.