Patent Publication Number: US-2022240071-A1

Title: Systems and methods for secure localized communications in a local communications network

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Communication systems using a central communication device and an end-user communication device are known. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system configured for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network. The system may include a central communication hub, one or more information processing units, electronic storage, one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions, one or more client computing platforms, and/or other components. The client computing platforms may include portable communication devices. The processor(s) may be configured to detect proximity of portable communication devices. The proximity may be detected through a short-range wireless communication protocol. The portable communication devices may include a first portable communication device, a second portable communication device, and/or other portable communication devices. The first portable communication device may be associated with a first user. The second portable communication device may be associated with a second user. The processor(s) may be configured to pair the central communication hub with the first portable communication device and pair the central communication hub with the second portable communication device. The pairing may establish secondary wireless communication links. The secondary wireless communication links may provide point-to-point connections with the central communication hub. The processor(s) may be configured to receive instructions, from a first client computing platform that is associated with a (first) supervisory user. The may instructions instruct to transmit one or more messages to one or more portable communication devices associated with one or more other users. The instructions may be received by the central communication hub via a primary wireless communication link. The one or more portable communication devices may include the first portable communication device and the second portable communication device. The processor(s) may be configured to generate the one or more messages for transmission to the one or more portable communication devices. The one or more messages may be in accordance with the received instructions. The processor(s) may be configured to transmit the one or more messages to the one or more portable communication devices via the secondary wireless communication links such that a first message is transmitted to the first portable communication device. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network. The method may include detecting proximity of portable communication devices. The proximity may be detected through a short-range wireless communication protocol. The portable communication devices may include a first portable communication device, a second portable communication device, and/or other portable communication devices. The first portable communication device may be associated with a first user. The second portable communication device may be associated with a second user. The method may include pairing the central communication hub with the first portable communication device and pairing the central communication hub with the second portable communication device. The pairing may establish secondary wireless communication links. The secondary wireless communication links may provide point-to-point connections with the central communication hub. The method may include receiving instructions, from a first client computing platform that is associated with a (first) supervisory user. The may instructions instruct to transmit one or more messages to one or more portable communication devices associated with one or more other users. The instructions may be received by the central communication hub via a primary wireless communication link. The one or more portable communication devices may include the first portable communication device and the second portable communication device. The method may include generating the one or more messages for transmission to the one or more portable communication devices. The one or more messages may be in accordance with the received instructions. The method may include transmitting the one or more messages to the one or more portable communication devices via the secondary wireless communication links such that a first message is transmitted to the first portable communication device. 
     As used herein, any association (or relation, or reflection, or indication, or correspondency) involving central communication hubs, information processing units, processors, client computing platforms, portable communication devices, communication protocols, connections, instructions, messages, user interfaces, and/or another entity or object that interacts with any part of the system and/or plays a part in the operation of the system, may be a one-to-one association, a one-to-many association, a many-to-one association, and/or a many-to-many association or N-to-M association (note that N and M may be different numbers greater than 1). 
     As used herein, the term “obtain” (and derivatives thereof) may include active and/or passive retrieval, determination, derivation, transfer, upload, download, submission, and/or exchange of information, and/or any combination thereof. As used herein, the term “effectuate” (and derivatives thereof) may include active and/or passive causation of any effect, both local and remote. As used herein, the term “determine” (and derivatives thereof) may include measure, calculate, compute, estimate, approximate, generate, and/or otherwise derive, and/or any combination thereof. 
     These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a system configured for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a method for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary system configured for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates exemplary localized communications as may occur in a system configured for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network, in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a system  100  configured for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network, in accordance with one or more implementations. In some implementations, the localized communications may be secured, e.g., by encryption, authentication, etc. System  100  may be referred to as a communication system. In some implementations, system  100  may include one or more central communication hubs  101 , one or more information processing units  102 , electronic storage  126 , one or more client computing platforms  104 , external resources  125 , one or more user interfaces  125 , and/or other components. In some implementations, system  100  may include one or more repeaters that are configured to extend the effective range of one or more central communication hubs  101  to enable localized communications in a greater area. Client computing platforms  104  may include portable communication devices and/or other computing platforms. Central communication hub  101  and/or information processing unit(s)  102  may be configured to communicate with one or more client computing platforms  104  according to a client/server architecture, a point-to-point architecture, and/or other architectures. Client computing platform(s)  104  may be configured to communicate with other client computing platforms via central communication hub  101 , information processing unit(s)  102 , and/or other components. Users may access system  100  via client computing platform(s)  104 . Client computing platforms  104  may include a first client computing platform  104   a,  a second client computing platform  104   b,  a third client computing platform  104   c,  and/or other client computing platforms. First client computing platform  104   a  may be associated with a first user (e.g., a supervisory user), second client computing platform  104   b  may be associated with a second user, third client computing platform  104   c  may be associated with a third user, and so forth. The portable communication devices may include a first portable communication device, a second portable communication device, a third portable communication device, and so forth. In some implementations, the local communications network may include a local area network. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, in some implementations, the local communications network may include a personal area network. For example, the local communications network may be used in a restaurant, a service location, an office, a building, and/or in other localized areas. 
     Central communication hub  101  may include one or more of information processing units  102 , electronic storage  126 , a first antenna  101   a,  a second antenna  101   b,  a third antenna  101   c,  a fourth antenna  101   d,  and/or other components. In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may be referred to as a communication device. In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may be configured to facilitate localized communications in a local communications network among a set of client computing platforms  104 , such as, by way of non-limiting example, first client computing platforms  104   a,  second client computing platforms  104   b,  third client computing platforms  104   c,  and/or other client computing platforms. In some implementations, individual antennas of central communication hub  101  may be configured to operate in conjunction with individual transceivers that are included in central communication hub  101  (not depicted). 
     Central communication hub  101  may use different communication protocols, communication formats, and/or communication links to communicate with different ones (and/or different types) of client computing platforms  104 . For example, central communication hub  101  may use a primary wireless communication link to communicate with first client computing platform  104   a  (e.g., a tablet associated with a supervisory user, the tablet having a graphical user interface, e.g., including a touchscreen). In some implementations, communication via the primary wireless communication link may be based on the (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards. For example, in some implementations, the primary communication link may be a Wi-Fi communication link. In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may use first antenna  101   a  (and a corresponding transceiver) to transmit and/or receive information over the primary communication link. In some implementations, communication over the primary communication link may be supported in system  100  without the need or use of cellular networks or public networks. 
     For example, central communication hub  101  may use a secondary wireless communication link to communicate with second client computing platform  104   b  (e.g., a smart band, a call-for-service button, and/or other communication device). In some implementations, communication via the secondary wireless communication link may be based on the Bluetooth family of standards. For example, in some implementations, the secondary communication link may be a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication link. In some implementations, communication over the secondary communication link may be point-to-point. In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may use second antenna  101   b  (and a corresponding transceiver) to transmit and/or receive information over the secondary communication link. In some implementations, communication over the secondary communication links may be supported in system  100  without the need or use of cellular networks or public networks. 
     For example, central communication hub  101  may use a tertiary wireless communication link to communicate with third client computing platform  104   c.  In some implementations, communication via the tertiary wireless communication link may be based on one or more asynchronous protocols used to transmit data to pagers. For example, in some implementations, the tertiary communication link may be a Post Office Code Standardisation Advisory Group (POCSAG) communication link. In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may use third antenna  101   c  (and a corresponding transceiver) to transmit and/or receive information over the tertiary communication link. 
     For example, central communication hub  101  may use a particular wireless communication link to communicate with one or more client computing platforms  104 , including but not limited to first client computing platforms  104   a,  second client computing platforms  104   b,  third client computing platforms  104   c,  and/or other client computing platforms. In some implementations, communication via this particular wireless communication link may be based on a short-range wireless communication protocol, contact-less information, and/or near-field communication (NFC). In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may use fourth antenna  101   d  to transmit and/or receive information over this particular communication link. In some implementations, communication over this particular communication link may be supported in system  100  without the need or use of cellular networks or public networks. 
     Information processing unit(s)  102  may be configured by machine-readable instructions  106 . Machine-readable instructions  106  may include one or more instruction components. The instruction components may include computer program components. The instruction components may include one or more of proximity detection component  108 , pairing component  110 , instruction receiving component  112 , message generating component  114 , transmission component  116 , connection establishing component  118 , receipt component  120 , presentation component  122 , and/or other instruction components. 
     Proximity detection component  108  may be configured to detect proximity between different components of system  100 . For example, proximity detection component  108  may be configured to detect proximity of central communication hub  101  to one or more client computing platforms  104  (such as, e.g., one or more portable communication devices). In some implementations, portable communication devices may include one or more smart bands that are configured to receive and display incoming text messages and transmit outgoing data messages. In some implementations, smart bands may be basic communication devices configured to facilitate a limited set of types of communication and/or a limited set of messages. For example, in a service environment such as a restaurant, employees may wear smart bands such that a supervisory user can easily send messages to individual employees, particular types of employees, and/or groups of employees. In some implementations, smart bands may be configured to facilitate basic replies, for example by selecting one response from a limited set of responses. To support such basic replies, smart bands may not need a full-fledged and/or advanced user interface. Instead, a few buttons and a basic display (e.g., a text-only display) may be sufficient to support many use cases. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, in some implementations, portable communication devices may include one or more call-buttons that are configured to transmit individual data messages via central communication hub  101  to one or more client computing platforms  104 , such as, by way of non-limiting example, first client computing platform  104   a.  For example, in a service environment such as a restaurant, clients and/or guests may use a call-button to request service (e.g., generic and/or specific service). In some implementations, such requests may be transferred to a tablet and presented to a supervisory user, to a particular user with a particular responsibility, and/or to one or more other users. 
     In some implementations, proximity detection may be based on a short-range wireless communication protocol. In some implementations, the short-range wireless communication protocol may support contact-less communication. In some implementations, the short-range wireless communication protocol may be based on near-field communication (NFC). In some implementations, short-range may be within 2, 3, 4, 5, and/or more than 5 inches. In some implementations, proximity detection of the portable communication devices may be based on electromagnetic induction that is powered by central communication hub  101 . In some implementations, proximity may be detected by central communication hub  101 . For example, in a service environment such as a restaurant, individual employees may use individual second client computing platforms  104   b  (e.g., smart bands). In some implementations, proximity detection component  108  may be configured to detect proximity between individual second client computing platforms  104   b  and central communication hub  101  (in particular, through fourth antenna  101   d ), through the use of near-field communication (NFC). 
     Pairing component  110  may be configured to pair different components of system  100  to facilitate communication. As used herein, the term “pairing” may refer to the process of establishing connections for communication, in particular wireless communication. For example, pairing component  110  may be configured to pair central communication hub  101  with a first portable communication device, pair central communication hub  101  with a second portable communication device, and so forth. In some implementations, an individual pairing may establish an individual primary wireless communication link between central communication hub  101  and first client computing platform  104   a  (e.g., a Wi-Fi communication link). In some implementations, individual pairings may establish individual secondary wireless communication links between central communication hub  101  and individual second client computing platforms  104   b  (e.g., individual BLE communication links). In some implementations, the secondary wireless communication links may provide point-to-point connections with central communication hub  101 , including but not limited to point-to-point BLE connections. In some implementations, pairing component  110  may be configured to pair specific users to specific client computing platforms  104  (e.g., particular smart bands). For example, pairing component  110  may be configured to register specific users to specific portable communication devices. 
     Instruction receiving component  112  may be configured to receive information and/or instructions, including but not limited to receiving information and/or instructions from first client computing platform  104   a.  In some implementations, received instructions may originate from and/or otherwise be associated with a supervisory user. In some implementations, received information may represent one or more messages. In some implementations, individual messages may include one or more of textual information, audio information, video information, and/or other information. The received instructions may instruct system  100  and/or components thereof to transmit one or more messages to one or more client computing platforms  104  (e.g., to portable communication devices) associated with one or more other users. In some implementations, the received instructions may instruct system  100  and/or components thereof to transmit one or more messages to one or more users. In some implementations, the instructions may be received by central communication hub  101  via a primary wireless communication link (e.g., a Wi-Fi communication link with a tablet). In some implementations, instruction receiving component  112  may be configured to determine, based on the received instructions, which one or more client computing platforms  104  and/or which one or more users should receive one or more of the transmitted messages. 
     Message generating component  114  may be configured to generate one or more messages for transmission to one or more client computing platforms  104  (e.g., to portable communication devices). The one or more messages may be in accordance with the instructions and/or information received by instruction receiving component  112 . In some implementations, the received instructions may instruct to transmit a first message to both a first portable communication device and a second portable communication device. In some implementations, the received instructions may instruct to transmit a first message to a first portable communication device and a second message to a second portable communication device. In some implementations, message generating component  114  may be configured to determine, based on the received instructions, which one or more client computing platforms  104  and/or which one or more users should receive one or more of the transmitted messages. 
     Transmission component  116  may be configured to transmit one or more messages to one or more client computing platforms  104  (e.g., to one or more portable communication devices). In some implementations, transmission component  116  may be configured to transmit messages via one or more secondary wireless communication links. For example, a first message may be transmitted to a first portable communication device, a second message may be transmitted to a second portable communication device, and so forth. In some implementations, the first message may be different from the second message, in terms of human-readable content and/or human-intelligible content. In some implementations, transmission component  116  may be configured to transmit messages via one or more tertiary wireless communication links. 
     By way of non-limiting example,  FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary system  100   a  configured for facilitating localized communications in a local communications network. Exemplary system  100   a  may be similar to system  100 . For example, exemplary system  100   a  may be a specific implementation of system  100  as described herein. As depicted, central communication hub  101  may include first antenna  101   a,  second antenna  101   b,  third antenna  101   c,  and fourth antenna  101   d,  and/or other components. Central communication hub  101  may use first antenna  101   a  to transmit and/or receive information over a Wi-Fi communication link  107   a  to/from first client computing platform  104   a  (here, a tablet having a graphical user interface  125 ). For example, instructions from a supervisory user (i.e. supervisory instructions) to transmit messages to other users may be transmitted over Wi-Fi communication link  107   a . Central communication hub  101  may use second antenna  101   b  to transmit and/or receive information over multiple individual BLE communication links  107   b  to/from individual second client computing platforms  104   b  (here, multiple smart bands). For example, individual messages (based on supervisory instructions) may be transmitted over multiple individual BLE communication links  107   b.  In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may use second antenna  101   b  to transmit and/or receive information over multiple individual BLE communication links  107   e  to/from individual repeaters  109 . Repeaters  109  may be configured to extend the effective range of central communication hub  101  to enable localized communications in a greater area, and reach more individual second client computing platforms  104   b,  e.g., by using one or more antennas  109   a  to transmit and/or receive information over multiple individual BLE communication links  107   f  to/from individual second client computing platforms  104   b.  For example, individual messages (based on supervisory instructions) may be transmitted over multiple individual BLE communication links  107   e  and  107   f.  Central communication hub  101  may use third antenna  101   c  to transmit and/or receive information over multiple individual POCSAG communication links  107   c  to/from individual third client computing platforms  104   c  (here, multiple pagers). For example, individual messages (based on supervisory instructions) may be transmitted over multiple individual POCSAG communication links  107   c.  Central communication hub  101  may use fourth antenna  101   d  to transmit and/or receive information over multiple sequential NFC communication links  107   d  to/from individual second client computing platforms  104   b  (here, multiple smart bands). In some implementations, transmitting and/or receiving information over multiple sequential NFC communication links  107   d  to/from individual second client computing platforms  104   b  may occur prior to the transmission of individual messages (based on supervisory instructions), e.g., as part of the operation of pairing component  110 , connection establishing component  118 , and/or other components of system  100   a.    
     By way of non-limiting example,  FIG. 4  illustrates exemplary localized communications as may occur in a system similar to or the same as system  100 , by way of a flow diagram  40 . The localized communications depicted in flow diagram  40  may occur in a local communications network that includes first client computing platform  104   a  (e.g., a tablet), central communication hub  101 , and one or more second client computing platforms  104   b  (e.g., a first smart band, a second smart band, and so forth). For example, the context for flow diagram  40  may be a service environment such as a restaurant, where employees may wear smart bands such that a supervisory user can easily send messages to individual employees, particular types of employees, and/or groups of employees. In a first communication  41 , a supervisory user may enter and/or select the following message using user interface  125  of first client computing platform  104   a : “Bob, please report to Karen.” This message, along with one or more related instructions, may be transmitted to central communication hub  101 , and from there to a particular second client computing platform  104   b  (i.e., a particular smart band) of a particular user, such as user Bob. Accordingly, first communication  41  may be a 1-on-1 communication from the supervisory user to Bob. 
     In a second communication  42 , a supervisory user may enter and/or select the following message using user interface  125  of first client computing platform  104   a : “Busboys, please clean up section 2.” This message, along with one or more related instructions, may be transmitted to central communication hub  101 , and from there to a particular group of second client computing platforms  104   b  (i.e., the particular set of smart bands of the group of busboys current at work in a restaurant). Accordingly, second communication  42  may be a 1-to-many communication from the supervisory user to a group of employees. In some implementations, the content of the individual messages transmitted to each portable communication device of the group of busboys may be identical. In some implementations, the content of the individual messages transmitted to each portable communication device of the group of busboys may be tailored, personalized, specific, and/or otherwise different and/or unique. In some implementations, a group of designated receivers of one or more messages may be based on one or more of a particular role and/or responsibility (e.g. within a restaurant), a current work schedule that specifies which employees are currently working and/or on-duty, a hierarchy among employees, and/or other considerations. 
     In a third communication  43 , a supervisory user may enter and/or select the following message using user interface  125  of first client computing platform  104   a : “Front-of-house, can you help out Bob right now?” This message, along with one or more related instructions, may be transmitted to central communication hub  101 , and from there to a particular group of second client computing platforms  104   b  (i.e., the particular set of smart bands of the group of employees current at work as the “front-of-house” in a restaurant). Accordingly, third communication  43  may include a 1-to-many communication from the supervisory user to a group of employees, as well as many-to-one communications in response from the group of employees to the supervisory user. In some implementations, individual employees who receive a message on their smart band may respond, e.g., by pushing a button on their smart bands for either “yes” or “no.” More elaborate types of responses are envisioned within the scope of this disclosure. Individual responses may be used to form individual response messages. Individual response messages may be transmitted by individual second client computing platforms  104   b,  and received by central communication hub  101 . In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may transmit individual response messages (or individual messages based on individual responses) to first client computing platform  104   a,  which may present a presentation on user interface  125  to the supervisory user. In some implementations, first client computing platform  104   a  may be configured to aggregate received response messages into a single presentation. In some implementations, central communication hub  101  may aggregate multiple individual response messages to create an aggregated message for transmission to first client computing platform  104   a,  which may present a presentation on user interface  125  to the supervisory user. For example, the “yes” responses may be grouped together in the presentation to reflect that (a different) Bob and Karen responded “yes”, while the “no” responses may be grouped together in the presentation to reflect which users responded “no”, and so forth. The use of a single supervisory user in  FIG. 4  is not intended to be limiting in any way. Localized communications may work using a network of multiple supervisory users and multiple groups of employees, who may interact in various and/or overlapping responsibilities such that individual communications may go from one or more users to one or more users. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , connection establishing component  118  may be configured to establish secure connections (e.g., secure point-to-point connections) between central communication hub  101  and one or more portable communication devices. In some implementations, a secure connection may be based on encrypting all or part of the communicated messages, e.g. through one or more cryptographic keys. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, in some implementations, a secure connection may be based on one or more security keys. For example, the security keys may include one or more cryptographic keys. Alternatively, and/or simultaneously, in some implementations, a secure connection may be based on authentication (e.g., through one or more of user-specific passwords, user-specific biometric information, and/or other user-specific information). For example, in some implementations, cryptographic keys may be stored on central communication hub  101 . For example, in some implementations, cryptographic keys may be stored on client computing platforms  104 . In some implementations, one or more cryptographic keys may be shared between central communication hub  101  and an individual client computing platform  104  during pairing (e.g., by pairing component  110 ), and/or subsequent to authentication. 
     Receipt component  120  may be configured to receive response messages in response to a particular message, e.g., the message from the first portable communication device. A response message may be received on behalf of a particular user, e.g., via a secondary wireless communication link. In some implementations, one or more messages transmitted by transmission component  116  may be based on one or more response messages. For example, a message based on a received response message may be transmitted by transmission component  116  via the primary wireless communication link, to, e.g., first client computing platform  104   a.    
     Presentation component  122  may be configured to effectuate presentations on one or more user interfaces  125 , including but not limited to user interface  125  of first client computing platform  104   a.  In some implementations, a particular presentation may be based on a message transmitted by transmission component  116  (e.g., subsequent to receiving response messages by receipt component  120 ). In some implementations, a presentation may include aggregated information (e.g., by aggregating multiple received response messages). 
     In some implementations, information processing unit(s)  102 , client computing platform(s)  104 , and/or external resources  124  may be operatively linked via one or more electronic communication links. For example, such electronic communication links may be established, at least in part, via one or more networks including but not limited to the Internet and/or other networks. It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in which information processing unit(s)  102 , client computing platform(s)  104 , and/or external resources  124  may be operatively linked via some other communication media. 
     A given client computing platform  104  may include one or more processors configured to execute computer program components. The computer program components may be configured to enable an expert or user associated with the given client computing platform  104  to interface with system  100  and/or external resources  124 , and/or provide other functionality attributed herein to client computing platform(s)  104 . By way of non-limiting example, the given client computing platform  104  may include one or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gaming console, and/or other computing platforms. 
     External resources  124  may include sources of information outside of system  100 , external entities participating with system  100 , and/or other resources. In some implementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein to external resources  124  may be provided by resources included in system  100 . 
     Information processing unit(s)  102  may include electronic storage  126 , one or more processors  128 , and/or other components. Information processing unit(s)  102  may include communication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or other computing platforms. Illustration of information processing unit(s)  102  in  FIG. 1  is not intended to be limiting. Information processing unit(s)  102  may include a plurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware components operating together to provide the functionality attributed herein to information processing unit(s)  102 . For example, information processing unit(s)  102  may be implemented by a cloud of computing platforms operating together as information processing unit(s)  102 . 
     User interfaces  125  may be configured to facilitate interaction between users and system  100  and/or between users and client computing platforms  104 . For example, user interfaces  125  may provide an interface through which users may provide information to and/or receive information from system  100 . In some implementations, user interface  125  may include one or more of a display screen, touchscreen, monitor, a keyboard, buttons, switches, knobs, levers, mouse, speakers, headphones, microphones, sensors to capture voice commands, sensors to capture eye movement and/or body movement, sensors to capture hand and/or finger gestures, and/or other user interface devices configured to receive and/or convey user input. In some implementations, one or more user interfaces  125  may be included in one or more client computing platforms  104 . In some implementations, one or more user interfaces  125  may be included in system  100 . 
     Electronic storage  126  may comprise non-transitory storage media that electronically stores information. The electronic storage media of electronic storage  126  may include one or both of system storage that is provided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with information processing unit(s)  102  and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to information processing unit(s)  102  via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage  126  may include one or more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.), magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic hard drive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g., EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.), and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage  126  may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g., cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or other virtual storage resources). Electronic storage  126  may store software algorithms, information determined by processor(s)  128 , information received from information processing unit(s)  102 , information received from client computing platform(s)  104 , and/or other information that enables information processing unit(s)  102  to function as described herein. 
     Processor(s)  128  may be configured to provide information processing capabilities in information processing unit(s)  102 . As such, processor(s)  128  may include one or more of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information. Although processor(s)  128  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a single entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In some implementations, processor(s)  128  may include a plurality of processing units. These processing units may be physically located within the same device, or processor(s)  128  may represent processing functionality of a plurality of devices operating in coordination. Processor(s)  128  may be configured to execute components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122 , and/or other components. Processor(s)  128  may be configured to execute components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122 , and/or other components by software; hardware; firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor(s)  128 . As used herein, the term “component” may refer to any component or set of components that perform the functionality attributed to the component. This may include one or more physical processors during execution of processor readable instructions, the processor readable instructions, circuitry, hardware, storage media, or any other components. 
     It should be appreciated that although components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122  are illustrated in  FIG. 1  as being implemented within a single processing unit, in implementations in which processor(s)  128  includes multiple processing units, one or more of components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122  may be implemented remotely from the other components. The description of the functionality provided by the different components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122  described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any of components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122  may provide more or less functionality than is described. For example, one or more of components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122  may be eliminated, and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones of components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122 . As another example, processor(s)  128  may be configured to execute one or more additional components that may perform some or all of the functionality attributed below to one of components  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 , and/or  122 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a method  200  for facilitating secure localized communications in a local communications network, in accordance with one or more implementations. The operations of method  200  presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some implementations, method  200  may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method  200  are illustrated in  FIG. 2  and described below is not intended to be limiting. 
     In some implementations, method  200  may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices executing some or all of the operations of method  200  in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing devices may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the operations of method  200 . 
     An operation  202  may include detecting proximity of portable communication devices. The proximity may be detected through a short-range wireless communication protocol. The portable communication devices may include a first portable communication device and a second portable communication device. The first portable communication device may be associated with a first user. The second portable communication device may be associated with a second user. The proximity may be detected by a central communication hub. Operation  202  may be performed by one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions including a component that is the same as or similar to proximity detection component  108 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  204  may include pairing the central communication hub with the first portable communication device and pairing the central communication hub with the second portable communication device. The pairing may establish secondary wireless communication links. The secondary wireless communication links may provide point-to-point connections with the central communication hub. Operation  204  may be performed by one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions including a component that is the same as or similar to pairing component  110 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  206  may include receiving instructions, from a first client computing platform that is associated with a first supervisory user. The may instructions instruct to transmit one or more messages to one or more portable communication devices associated with one or more other users. The instructions may be received by the central communication hub via a primary wireless communication link. The one or more portable communication devices may include the first portable communication device and the second portable communication device. Operation  206  may be performed by one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions including a component that is the same as or similar to instruction receiving component  112 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  208  may include generating the one or more messages for transmission to the one or more portable communication devices. The one or more messages may be in accordance with the received instructions. Operation  208  may be performed by one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions including a component that is the same as or similar to message generating component  114 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     An operation  210  may include transmitting the one or more messages to the one or more portable communication devices via the secondary wireless communication links such that a first message is transmitted to the first portable communication device. Operation  210  may be performed by one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions including a component that is the same as or similar to transmission component  116 , in accordance with one or more implementations. 
     Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.