Patent ID: 12204009

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to using scent fingerprints and sound fingerprints for location and proximity determinations. A user device can move relative to an environment. For example, the user device may move into an environment, through the environment, out of the environment, between two environments, and/or among other environments and/or other locations. The user device can generate, using one or more sensors, an instance of sensor data that can be provided to a server computer. The sensor data can include geographic location information, scent data, sound data, movement data, environment data (e.g., temperature information, etc.), and/or other data (e.g., data that represents resources accessible to the user device, applications executing at the user device, or the like). The server computer can be configured, e.g., via execution of a location and proximity service, to generate, based on the sensor data, a fingerprint that describes sounds and smells associated with one or more geographic locations and/or proximities of the user device (e.g., devices and/or entities in a proximity of the user device), as well as resources being used and/or accessed by the user device102at particular locations and/or proximities. The fingerprint can be stored or immediately used for various purposes.

In particular, the server computer can be configured to detect a movement of the user device relative to an environment, and to determine if a user or other entity associated with the user device has opted in to, or opted out from, using scent and/or sound to determine location and/or proximity. In some embodiments, the user device can be queried for an opt-in/opt-out decision by the location and proximity service (e.g., at setup time and/or at any other time), while in some other embodiments the user device can define opt-in and/or opt-out preferences at the user device (e.g., during installation, activation, and/or configuration of the location and proximity application). Because the opt-in and/or opt-out decision can be obtained from the user device in additional and/or alternative manners, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the user device has opted-in to use scent and sound for determining location and/or proximity, the location and proximity service can be configured to determine if a fingerprint is stored for the user device and/or the associated location relative to which the movement was detected. If a fingerprint is not stored and/or accessible, the location and proximity service can be configured to create a fingerprint. If a fingerprint is stored and/or is accessible, the location and proximity service can obtain the fingerprint associated with the user device and the location, as well as an additional release of the sensor data.

The location and proximity service can compare the additional release of the sensor data to the fingerprint to determine where the user device is located. Namely, the sound and/or scent information from the sensor data can be compared to the sound fingerprint and/or scent fingerprint in the fingerprint to determine a relative location of the user device to the location and/or proximity captured by the fingerprint. It can be appreciated that multiple fingerprints can be used to determine where the user device is located, based on sound and/or scent information, among other data.

Upon determining a location and/or proximity of the user device, the location and proximity service can determine if an action should be taken. Namely, the fingerprints can also define; for specific locations, scent profiles or fingerprints, sound profiles or fingerprints, proximities, and the like; resources that were accessed and/or used by the user device. Thus, for example, the fingerprint can define, for a particular location and device, one or more applications being used at the user device; one or more resources being accessed by the user device; a sound fingerprint at the user device; a scent fingerprint at the user device; combinations thereof; or the like. Thus, the fingerprints can be used to determine location and proximity, and also to determine resources accessed and/or used by the user device at the various locations and/or proximities. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the location and proximity service determines that an action should be taken (or triggered), the location and proximity service can generate one or commands for taking or triggering the action. Thus, for example, the location and proximity service can generate a command that, when received by the computing device, causes the computing device to host a resource, make the resource available, activate a service, or otherwise make the resource available to the user device. The command also can include instructions that, when received by the user device, causes the user device to activate or access a resource such as the resource, an application installed at the user device, and/or other resources. The location and proximity service can update the fingerprint to reflect the most recent use, in some embodiments. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

While the subject matter described herein is presented in the general context of program modules that execute in conjunction with the execution of an operating system and application programs on a computer system, those skilled in the art will recognize that other implementations may be performed in combination with other types of program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject matter described herein may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.

Referring now toFIG.1, aspects of an operating environment100for various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein for using scent fingerprints and sound fingerprints for location and proximity determinations will be described, according to an illustrative embodiment. The operating environment100shown inFIG.1includes a user device102. The user device102can operate in communication with and/or as part of a communications network (“network”)104, though this is not necessarily the case.

According to various embodiments, the functionality of the user device102may be provided by one or more mobile telephones, smartphones, laptop computers, tablet computers, other computing systems, and the like. It should be understood that the functionality of the user device102can be provided by a single device, by two or more similar devices, and/or by two or more dissimilar devices. For purposes of describing the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the user device102is described herein as a smartphone. It should be understood that this embodiment is illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The user device102can execute an operating system106and one or more application programs such as, for example, a location and proximity application108(labeled “LPA108” inFIG.1). The operating system106can include a computer program that can be configured to control the operation of the user device102. The location and proximity application108can include an executable program that can be configured to execute on top of the operating system106to provide various functions as illustrated and described herein for using scent fingerprints and sound fingerprints for location and proximity determinations.

In particular, the location and proximity application108can be configured to interact with one or more sensors110of the user device102to generate sensor data112. According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the sensors110can include one or more location determination devices (e.g., global positioning system (“GPS”) receivers, wireless transceivers, motion sensors, orientation sensors, and the like), one or more light sensors, one or more temperature sensors, one or more sound sensors (e.g., microphones, pressure sensors, etc.), one or more scent sensors (e.g., electronic noses or other sensors that can detect smells and/or other chemical compositions in the air, etc.), other sensors, combinations thereof, or the like.

Thus, it can be appreciated that the sensor data112can include, for example, geographic location information (e.g., GPS coordinates and/or other definitions of location associated with the user device102), sound data (e.g., one or more measured frequencies in a proximity of the user device102, measured volumes of the one or more frequencies in the proximity of the user device102, combinations of frequencies in the proximity of the user device102, etc.), scent data (e.g., one or more chemicals sensed in the proximity of the user device102, concentrations of the one or more chemicals sensed in the proximity of the user device102, combinations of chemicals in the proximity of the user device102, etc.), movement data (e.g., information that describes movements of the user device102, orientations of the user device102, etc.), combinations thereof, or the like.

The sensor data112also can include usage data, which can capture information that describes resources being used and/or accessed by the user device102at a particular location (e.g., applications being executed by the user device102, applications or services being accessed by the user device102, data being stored and/or accessed by the user device102, combinations thereof, or the like). The sensor data112also can include other data such as, for example, orientation information, device information, user information, identifiers, combinations thereof, or the like. Because the sensor data112can include additional and/or alternative information, it should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the location and proximity application108can be configured to obtain, via the sensors110, sensor readings that the location and proximity application108can compile into a data set such as the sensor data112. According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the user device102can be configured, via execution of the location and proximity application108, to generate a new release or instance of the sensor data112at various times such as, for example, at time intervals (e.g., every n seconds, minutes, or the like); when movements or certain movements of the user device102are detected by the location and proximity application108; on demand; when the user device102is determined to be in proximity of another device, location, or entity; at other times; combinations thereof; or the like. Because the sensor data112can be generated at additional and/or alternative times, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the location and proximity application108can be configured to detect a trigger (or be triggered) to generate the sensor data112, and to access the sensors110to obtain sensor readings and/or data that will be included in the sensor data112as noted above. Thus, for example, the location and proximity application108can be configured to activate one or more microphones to determine one or more sounds in a proximity of the user device102; to activate one or more scent sensors to determine one or more scents in the proximity of the user device102; to activate a GPS receiver of the user device102to determine a geographic location of the user device102; activate other sensors110as illustrated and described herein; or the like.

The location and proximity application108can obtain sensor readings and/or output from the sensors110, and generate an instance of the sensor data112based on the sensor readings and/or data obtained. Thus, the sensor data112can include sound data, scent data, geographic location data, movement data, etc., as noted above, where the sensor data112is associated with one or more environments114A-B (hereinafter collectively and/or generically referred to as “environments114”). It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The environments114can correspond to one or more geographic locations, one or more geographic areas, one or more buildings, and/or other locations, areas, regions, buildings, or the like. In some embodiments, for example, the environment114A can correspond to a shopping mall, for example, and the environment114N can correspond to an office building, for example. It should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way. As shown inFIG.1, the user device102may be located at a first location L1at a first time T1in the environment114A. The user device102may move over time to a different location such as the environment114N, where the user device102may be located at a second location L2at a second time T2in the environment114N. Then, the user device102can move within the environment114N so that the user device102may be located at a third location L3at a third time T3in the environment114N, and at a fourth location L4at a fourth time T4in the environment114N. It should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

In accordance with various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the user device may be configured, e.g., via execution of the location and proximity application108, to transmit one or more instances of the sensor data112to another entity when a movement into, through, from, and/or between environments114occurs and/or are detected. Thus, in the example embodiment shown inFIG.1, the user device102can be configured to transmit four instances of sensor data112, for example at the first time T1, the second time T2, the third time T3, and the fourth time T4. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the user device102can transmit the one or more releases or instances of the sensor data112to a location and proximity service116or other service or application. The location and proximity service116can correspond to a service operating on a device such as the server computer118, where this service is configured to enable the embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the functionality of the server computer118can be provided, in some embodiments, by one or more server computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, other computing systems, and the like. It should be understood that the functionality of the server computer118can be provided by a single device, by two or more similar devices, and/or by two or more dissimilar devices. For purposes of describing the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the server computer118is described herein as a server computer such as a web server or application server. It should be understood that this embodiment is illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The location and proximity service116can be configured to receive the sensor data112, and to determine, based on the sensor data112, a location and/or proximity of the user device102including, an environment114at which and/or within which the user device102is located, as well as a location within the environment114at which the user device102is located. By way of example, if the environment114at which the user device102is located corresponds to a shopping mall, the location and proximity service116can be configured to determine, based on the sensor data112and/or other information as explained herein, a particular location within the shopping mall at which the user device102is located. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the location and proximity service116can be configured to generate and/or store one or more fingerprints120, which can be used to determine the proximity and/or location of the user device102. The fingerprints120can include, for example, sound fingerprints122and scent fingerprints124, which are described in more detail below. Because other information (e.g., geographic location data, light data, connection data, etc.) can be included in the fingerprints120, it should be understood that these example components are illustrative and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

A sound fingerprint122can include information describing one or more sounds detected using one or more of the sensors110, and a geographic location at which the sounds were detected. Thus, the sound fingerprint122can be used to associate particular sounds and/or combinations of sounds with a particular geographic location.

In some embodiments, the sound fingerprints122can include data that describes the one or more sounds such as, for example, a frequency of the sound, a perceived intensity (e.g., volume) of the sound at that frequency, a pattern associated with the sound (e.g., a volume pattern or frequency pattern), combinations thereof, or the like. Thus, it can be appreciated that the sound fingerprints122can describe some or all sound perceived at a particular geographic location.

In one example embodiment, a sound fingerprint122can describe a first sound, a first frequency or first frequency pattern associated with the first sound, a first volume or first volume pattern associated with the first sound; a second sound, a second frequency or second frequency pattern associated with the second sound, a second volume or second volume pattern associated with the second sound; . . . ; and an nth sound, an nth frequency or nth frequency pattern associated with the nth sound, an nth volume or nth volume pattern associated with the nth sound. The sound fingerprint122also can include other generalized information associated with sound represented by the sound fingerprint122such as, for example, an average frequency, an average frequency pattern, an average volume, an overall volume, etc. Thus, it can be appreciated that the sound fingerprint122can describe one or more perceived sounds and/or sound levels associated with a particular geographic location. As will be explained in more detail herein, this information can be used to determine location and/or proximity based on sound.

A scent fingerprint124can include information describing one or more scents detected using one or more of the sensors110, and a geographic location at which the scents were detected. Thus, the scent fingerprint124can be used to associate particular scents and/or combinations of scents with a particular geographic location.

In some embodiments, the scent fingerprints124can include data that describes the one or more scents such as, for example, a chemical makeup of the scent(s), a perceived intensity or intensities (e.g., strength(s)) of the particular scent(s), combinations thereof, or the like. Thus, it can be appreciated that the scent fingerprints124can describe some or all scents perceived at a particular geographic location.

In one example embodiment, a scent fingerprint124can describe a first scent (e.g., a first chemical makeup associated with the first scent) and a first intensity (e.g., parts per million (“PPM”), etc.) of the first scent; a second scent (e.g., a second chemical makeup associated with the second scent) and a second intensity (e.g., PPM, etc.) of the second scent; . . . ; and an nth scent (e.g., an nth chemical makeup associated with the nth scent) and an intensity (e.g., PPM, etc.) of the nth scent. The scent fingerprint124also can include other generalized information associated with scent represented by the scent fingerprint124such as, for example, a total list of chemicals among all scents detected, perceived intensities (e.g., PPM, etc.) of each of the perceived chemicals, etc. Thus, it can be appreciated that the scent fingerprint124can describe one or more perceived scents and/or scent intensities associated with a particular geographic location. As will be explained in more detail herein, this information can be used to determine location and/or proximity based on scent.

Thus, it can be appreciated that the fingerprints120can describe scents and smells associated with a particular geographic location, and therefore can be used as an accurate source of location and/or proximity data when other sensors (e.g., GPS, etc.) are unavailable. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

According to various embodiments, the location and proximity service116can be configured to obtain the sensor data112, and to generate a fingerprint120based on the sensor data112. It can be appreciated from the above description that the fingerprints120generated by the location and proximity service116can include sound fingerprints122, scent fingerprints124, proximity data, location data, movement data, environment data, etc. Thus, the location and proximity service116can be configured to analyze the sensor data112and determine, based on the sensor data112, a fingerprint120associated with a particular geographic location and/or area such as an environment114and/or a particular portion of the environments114. The fingerprint120can be used to understand sounds, scents, and other aspects of various locations and/or points within and/or throughout the environments114. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

Thus, embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein can be used to create the fingerprints120, where the fingerprints120can include sound fingerprints122, scent fingerprints124, and/or other information associated with various environments114. According to some other embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the fingerprints120can be used to determine location and/or proximity of the user device102and/or other devices within the environments114, and/or for other purposes such as, for example, to trigger various actions and/or to provide services based on the location and/or proximity of the user device102within the environments114. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

In particular, in some embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the location and proximity service116can be configured to obtain, from the user device102, one or more releases of sensor data112. The location and proximity service116can be configured to use the sensor data112to create the fingerprints120, as noted above, and/or to use the fingerprints120to determine if actions should be triggered based on a location and/or proximity of the user device102. Thus, releases of the sensor data112can be viewed, in some instances, as a request for the location and proximity service116to use the fingerprints120to determine if an action should be triggered and/or if services should be offered based on locations and/or proximities of the user device102, in some embodiments.

Thus, for example, the location and proximity service116can be configured to detect a movement of a user device102into, within, out of, between, and/or otherwise with respect to or relative to one or more environments114. For example, as shown inFIG.1, the location and proximity service116can be configured to detect a movement of the user device102through and/or out of the environment114A, between the environment114A and the environment114N, into the environment114N, within the environment114N, out of the environment114N, or the like. In response to detecting the movement of the user device102, the location and proximity service116can be configured to determine if the user device102has opted-in to using scent fingerprints and/or sound fingerprints to determine location and/or proximity. The location and proximity service116can determine that the user device102has opted-in or not opted-in based on preferences, settings, and/or other information that can convey the decision associated with the user device102for opting-in and/or opting-out. In some other embodiments, the location and proximity service116can send, to the user device102, a request to opt-in or opt-out of using sound and/or scent for making location and/or proximity determinations at any time. Thus, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the user device102or a user associated with the user device102has opted-in to using scent and/or sound for location and/or proximity determinations, the location and proximity service116can be determined to determine if a fingerprint120associated with the user device102is stored and/or is accessible to the location and proximity service116. Thus, for example, the location and proximity service116can search the fingerprints120to determine if a fingerprint120associated with the user device102and/or a geographic location is stored and/or is accessible to the location and proximity service116. As such, it can be appreciated that the fingerprints120can include location data that can be used to search for locations; user and/or device data that can be used to search for particular devices and/or users; and/or other data as illustrated and described herein for determining if a fingerprint120associated with a device, user, and/or location is accessible and/or is stored. It should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the location and proximity service116determines that a fingerprint120associated with the user device102and/or the geographic location (e.g., the environments114) is accessible to the location and proximity service116, the location and proximity service116can retrieve the fingerprint120for use. If the location and proximity service116determines that a fingerprint120associated with the user device102and/or the geographic location (e.g., the environments114) is not accessible to the location and proximity service116, the location and proximity service116can use a release of the sensor data112to create the fingerprint120, in some embodiments. Because the location and proximity service116can take other actions if it is determined that the fingerprint120associated with the user device102and/or the location is not stored by and/or accessible to the location and proximity service116, it should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The location and proximity service116can create the fingerprint120by commanding the user device102(e.g., via communications with the location and proximity application108) to capture location, proximity, scent, sound, and/or other information, and to submit instances of that information to the location and proximity service116as the sensor data112, for example. According to various embodiments, the location and proximity service116can perform recognition on the sensor data112to determine sound fingerprints122and/or scent fingerprints124at locations and/or points within locations associated with the user device102. The location and proximity service116also can determine, based on the sensor data112, locations of the user device102at various times. For purposes of creating the fingerprints120, the location determined by the location and proximity service116can also include movements and/or proximities of the user device102. For example, the if the environment114in which the user device102is moving is a shopping mall, the shopping mall can include location beacons and/or other devices for tracking movements and/or orientation of the user device102within the environment114. Thus, as the user device102captures the sensor data112, location and/or proximity information for the user device102can also be captured, e.g., from the user device102and/or from other devices that can communicate with the location and proximity service116.

The location and proximity service116can be configured to record and store the fingerprint120based on the release of sensor data112. Therefore, as noted herein, the fingerprint120can include a sound fingerprint122for a particular location and/or proximity; a scent fingerprint124for a particular location and/or proximity; geographic location information, proximity information, and/or orientation information for a particular location and/or proximity; combinations thereof; or the like. The location and proximity service116can create and store the fingerprint120for immediate and/or future use.

Regardless of when the fingerprint120is used (e.g., either immediately after creation and/or later after retrieval), the fingerprint120can be used in association with sensor data112to determine, based on scents, sounds, locations, and/or other information represented by the sensor data112, if an action should be taken. In particular, the fingerprint120can be used by the location and proximity service116to determine a location and/or proximity of the user device102. For example, if a fingerprint120indicates that at a specific location and/or proximity, sounds (e.g., as defined in a sound fingerprint122associated with the location and/or proximity) and scents (e.g., as defined in a scent fingerprint124associated with the location and/or proximity) will be detected. Thus, the location and proximity service116can determine, based on sounds and/or scents captured by sensor data112, where the user device102is located and/or what is in a proximity of the user device102without capturing other location information and/or proximity information with the sensor data112. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The location and proximity service116can obtain another release of sensor data112at some time, and determine, based on the fingerprint120and the new release of the sensor data112, if an action should be taken based on a location and/or proximity of the user device102. If the location and proximity service116determines that an action should be taken, the location and proximity service116can trigger the action. In some embodiments, the action can include instantiating and/or orchestrating a service or resource. For example, the location and proximity service116can be configured to generate a command126that, when received by a device such as the computing device128, causes the computing device128to create or obtain a resource130, or otherwise to make the resource available to the user device102.

Other actions that can be taken can include triggering delivery of advertisements or other information; commanding the user device102to launch a particular application (e.g., an authentication application, a particular application for accessing the resource130, etc.); or the like. Thus, while the command126is illustrated as being transmitted to the computing device128, it should be understood that the location and proximity service116can also send one or more commands126to the user device102. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way. Thus, it can be appreciated that scent and sound can be used to determine a location and/or proximity of the user device102, and to trigger various actions based on the determined location and/or proximity.

In practice, a user device102can move into, through, out of, and/or between one or more environments114or other locations. The user device102can generate, using one or more sensors110, an instance of sensor data112that can be provided to a server computer118. The server computer118can be configured, e.g., via execution of a location and proximity service116, to generate, based on the sensor data112, a fingerprint120that describes sounds and smells associated with one or more geographic locations and/or proximities of the user device102(e.g., devices and/or entities in a proximity of the user device102). The fingerprint120can be stored or immediately used for various purposes.

In particular, the server computer118can be configured to detect a movement of the user device102relative to an environment114, and to determine if a user or other entity associated with the user device102has opted in to, or opted out from, using scent and/or sound to determine location and/or proximity. In some embodiments, the user device102can be queried for an opt-in/opt-out decision by the location and proximity service116(e.g., at setup time and/or at any other time), while in some other embodiments the user device102can define opt-in and/or opt-out preferences at the user device102(e.g., during installation, activation, and/or configuration of the location and proximity application108). Because the opt-in and/or opt-out decision can be obtained from the user device102in additional and/or alternative manners, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the user device102has opted-in to use scent and sound for determining location and/or proximity, the location and proximity service116can be configured to determine if a fingerprint120is stored for the user device102and/or the associated location relative to which the movement was detected. If a fingerprint120is not stored and/or accessible, the location and proximity service116can be configured to create a fingerprint120. If a fingerprint120is stored and/or is accessible, the location and proximity service116can obtain the fingerprint associated with the user device102and the location, as well as an additional release of the sensor data112.

The location and proximity service116can compare the additional release of the sensor data112to the fingerprint120to determine where the user device102is located. Namely, the sound and/or scent information from the sensor data112can be compared to the sound fingerprint122and/or scent fingerprint124in the fingerprint120to determine a relative location of the user device102to the location and/or proximity captured by the fingerprint120. It can be appreciated that multiple fingerprints120can be used to determine where the user device102is located, based on sound and/or scent information, among other data.

Upon determining a location and/or proximity of the user device102, the location and proximity service116can determine if an action should be taken. Namely, the fingerprints120can also define, for specific locations, scent fingerprints, sound fingerprints, proximities, and the like, resources130that were accessed and/or used by the user device102. Thus, for example, the fingerprint120can define, for a particular location and device, one or more applications being used at the user device102; one or more resources130being accessed by the user device102; a sound fingerprint at the user device102; a scent fingerprint at the user device102; combinations thereof; or the like. Thus, the fingerprints120can be used to determine location and proximity, and also to determine resources130accessed and/or used by the user device102at the various locations and/or proximities. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the location and proximity service116determines that an action should be taken (or triggered), the location and proximity service116can generate one or commands126for taking or triggering the action. Thus, for example, the location and proximity service116can generate a command126that, when received by the computing device128, causes the computing device128to host a resource130, make the resource130available, activate a service, or otherwise make the resource130available to the user device102. The command126also can include instructions that, when received by the user device102, causes the user device102to activate or access a resource such as the resource130, an application installed at the user device102, and/or other resources. The location and proximity service116can update the fingerprint120to reflect the most recent use, in some embodiments. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

FIG.1illustrates one user device102, one network104, two environments114, and one server computer118. It should be understood, however, that various implementations of the operating environment100can include zero, one, or more than one user device102; zero, one, or more than one network104; one, two, or more than two environments114; and/or zero, one, or more than one server computer118. As such, the illustrated embodiment should be understood as being illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

Turning now toFIG.2, aspects of a method200for using scent fingerprints124and sound fingerprints122for location and proximity determinations will be described in detail, according to an illustrative embodiment. It should be understood that the operations of the methods disclosed herein are not necessarily presented in any particular order and that performance of some or all of the operations in an alternative order(s) is possible and is contemplated. The operations have been presented in the demonstrated order for ease of description and illustration. Operations may be added, omitted, and/or performed simultaneously, without departing from the scope of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein.

It also should be understood that the methods disclosed herein can be ended at any time and need not be performed in its entirety. Some or all operations of the methods, and/or substantially equivalent operations, can be performed by execution of computer-readable instructions included on a computer storage media, as defined herein. The term “computer-readable instructions,” and variants thereof, as used herein, is used expansively to include routines, applications, application modules, program modules, programs, components, data structures, algorithms, and the like. Computer-readable instructions can be implemented on various system configurations including single-processor or multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based, programmable consumer electronics, combinations thereof, and the like.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the logical operations described herein are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance and other requirements of the computing system. Accordingly, the logical operations described herein are referred to variously as states, operations, structural devices, acts, or modules. These states, operations, structural devices, acts, and modules may be implemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof. As used herein, the phrase “cause a processor to perform operations” and variants thereof is used to refer to causing a processor of a computing system or device, such as the user device102and/or the server computer118, to perform one or more operations and/or causing the processor to direct other components of the computing system or device to perform one or more of the operations.

For purposes of illustrating and describing the concepts of the present disclosure, the method200is described herein as being performed by the server computer118via execution of one or more software modules such as, for example, the location and proximity service116. It should be understood that additional and/or alternative devices and/or network nodes can provide the functionality described herein via execution of one or more modules, applications, and/or other software including, but not limited to, the location and proximity service116. Thus, the illustrated embodiments are illustrative, and should not be viewed as being limiting in any way.

The method200begins at operation202. At operation202, the server computer118can detect a movement of a user device102relative to an environment such as, for example, one of the environments114. It should be understood that the functionality of operation202can be provided by the server computer118detecting movement of a user device102into one or more environment114, movement of a user device102within one or more environment114, movement of a user device102out of one or more environment114, combinations thereof, or the like. According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the server computer118can detect the movement in operation202by obtaining a release of the sensor data112and determining, based on an analysis of the sensor data112, that the user device102has moved into, within, out of, and/or between one or more environments114. Because the movements can be detected in operation202in additional and/or alternative manners, it should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation202, the method200can proceed to operation204. At operation204, the server computer118can determine if a user (e.g., the user associated with the user device102) has opted in to use scent and/or sound for location and proximity determinations. According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, a user or other entity associated with the user device102can opt-in or opt-out of using scent and/or sound for location and/or proximity determinations during installation, activation, and/or use of the location and proximity application108; during registration and/or setup with the location and proximity service116; when a release of sensor data112is obtained by the location and proximity service116; on demand; and/or at other times.

As such, the functionality of the server computer118illustrated and described with respect to operation204can include determining if an opt-in or opt-out decision exists for the user device102, sending an opt-in decision query (e.g., an opt-in/opt-out screen) to the user device102, and/or otherwise determining if the user device102is opted-in or opted-out for location and/or proximity determinations using scent and/or sound. Because the determination of operation204can be made in additional and/or alternative manners, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the server computer118determines, in operation204, that a user associated with the user device102has opted in to use scent and/or sound for location and proximity determinations, the method200can proceed to operation206. At operation206, the server computer118can determine if one or more fingerprints120are stored for the environment114associated with the movement detected in operation202. It should be understood that the functionality of operation204can also include determining that a fingerprint120for the environment114is also associated with the user device102associated with the opt-in determined to exist (or not exist) in operation204. Thus, in operation206, the server computer118can determine if a fingerprint120for the user device102and the environment114exist and/or is stored. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the server computer118determines, in operation206, that one or more fingerprints120are stored for the environment114and the user device102associated with the movement detected in operation202, the method200can proceed to operation208. At operation208, the server computer118can retrieve one or more of the fingerprints120that are stored for the environment114associated with the movement detected in operation202. As explained above, the fingerprints120can be stored with information that can associate the fingerprints120with particular user devices (e.g., the user device102), particular users (e.g., a user of the user device102), particular locations and/or proximities, etc. Thus, the fingerprints120can be keyed on multiple data in the fingerprints120and therefore can be retrieved based on any data included in the fingerprints120, in some embodiments.

If the server computer118determines, in operation206, that one or more fingerprints120are not stored for the environment114and the user device102associated with the movement detected in operation202, the method200can proceed to operation210. At operation210, the server computer118can create one or more fingerprints120for the environment114associated with the movement detected in operation202. More details of the operations for creating the fingerprints120are illustrated and described herein with reference toFIG.3, but it should be noted at least that a release or instance of sensor data112can be obtained by the server computer118to create the fingerprint120, in some embodiments. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation210, the method200can proceed to operation212. The method200also can proceed to operation212from operation208. At operation212, the server computer118can obtain updates to the sensor data112and use the fingerprint120retrieved in operation208or created in operation210. Thus, in operation212the server computer118can obtain one or more additional releases and/or instances of the sensor data112, which can include one or more updates to a location of the user device102, a proximity of the user device102, one or more scents at or near the user device102, one or more sounds at or near the user device102, one or more movements and/or orientations of the user device102, combinations thereof, or the like. In another embodiment, the server may occasionally re-compute a fingerprint (e.g., as determined by a low confidence score from a retrieval system or other device, a fixed time interval, a new user or sensor detected, etc.) for an environment114to validate that its fingerprint is still accurate and correctly characterizes the sensor data112. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

In operation214, the server computer118also can use the fingerprint120retrieved in operation208and/or created in operation210, in association with the updated sensor data112, to determine a location and/or proximity of the user device102. As explained above, the uniqueness of the sound fingerprints122and the scent fingerprints124can be leveraged by embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein to use scent and sound to determine location and/or proximity of the user device102. Thus, the new release of the sensor data112can be compared to the fingerprint120to determine a location and/or proximity of the user device102. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation212, the method200can proceed to operation214. At operation214, the server computer118can determine if an action should be triggered and/or taken, e.g., based on the location and/or proximity of the user device102as determined using the fingerprint120and the movements in the environment114as depicted by the sensor data112update obtained in operation212. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

As noted above, the action can include, for example, the location and proximity service116can be configured to create and/or make available certain resources130to the user device102based on the location and/or proximity of the user device102; to cause the user device102to activate, install, and/or use a particular application based on the location and/or proximity of the user device102; to send particular data and/or reports to one or more other devices; to cause other devices to install and/or make available the resource130; combinations thereof; or the like. In some embodiments, the determination of operation214can be made based on determining that when previously in a particular location, the user device102used and/or accessed a particular resource130. In some other embodiments, the determination of operation214can be made based on determining that when previously in location with a similar sound and smell (to the current sound and smell), the user device102used and/or accessed a particular resource130, and deciding that the user device102may be interested in the same resource130based on the sound and smell being similar. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

If the server computer118determines, in operation214, that an action should be taken based on the fingerprint120and the movements of the user device102in the environment114, the method200can proceed to operation216. At operation216, the server computer118can trigger one or more actions as determined in operation214. Thus, for example, the server computer118can generate one or more commands126that, when received by the computing device128, cause the computing device128to make a resource130available to the user device102. Thus, it can be appreciated that the resource130can include an application or service that can be installed and/or activated by the command126; data that can be loaded to and/or made available by the computing device128; or the like. In some other embodiments, the commands126can cause the user device102to access and/or obtain the resource130, and/or to take other actions to share or obtain data as illustrated and described herein. Because other actions can be triggered by the server computer118, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation216, the method200can proceed to operation218. At operation218, the server computer118can update the fingerprint120retrieved in operation208or created in operation210based on the action taken in operation216. Thus, the fingerprint120can be updated with additional information to depict services and/or other resources130that should be installed and/or made available based on movements of the user device102; applications at the user device102that should be activated at certain locations and/or proximities; and/or other actions.

It can be appreciated that the actions taken by the server computer118can be triggered at other devices (e.g., the computing device128and/or the user device102, for example), in some embodiments, while in some other embodiments the actions can be triggered and/or taken at the server computer118. Thus, the illustrated embodiment should be understood as being illustrative and should not be construed as being limiting in any way. Thus, operation218can include updating the fingerprint120to reflect actions taken at various locations, in some embodiments. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation218, the method200can proceed to operation220. The method200also can proceed to operation220if the server computer118determines, in operation214, that an action should not be taken based on the fingerprint120and the movements in the environment114. The method200also can proceed to operation220from operation204if the server computer118determines, in operation204, that if a user (associated with the user device102) has not opted in to use scent and sound for location and proximity determinations. The method200can end at operation220.

Turning now toFIG.3, aspects of a method300for creating scent fingerprints and sound fingerprints will be described in detail, according to an illustrative embodiment. For purposes of illustrating and describing the concepts of the present disclosure, the method300is described herein as being performed by the server computer118via execution of one or more software modules such as, for example, the location and proximity service116. It should be understood that additional and/or alternative devices and/or network nodes can provide the functionality described herein via execution of one or more modules, applications, and/or other software including, but not limited to, the location and proximity service116. Thus, the illustrated embodiments are illustrative, and should not be viewed as being limiting in any way.

The method300begins at operation302. At operation302, the server computer118can obtain an instance or release of sensor data112. In some embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the server computer118can perform operation302by sending, to the user device102, a command to send a release of the sensor data112to the server computer118. In some other embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the server computer118can receive or otherwise obtain a release of the sensor data112from the user device102without requesting the sensor data112and/or without commanding the user device102to send the sensor data112, e.g., the user device102can send the sensor data112to the server computer118without a request or command126. Because the sensor data112can be obtained by the server computer118at additional and/or alternative times, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation302, the method300can proceed to operation304. At operation304, the server computer118can perform recognition on the sensor data112obtained in operation302. Operation304can include the server computer118analyzing the release of the sensor data112to determine a location of the user device102, a proximity of a user device102(e.g., a proximity of the user device102to another device or entity and/or other devices or entities in a specified range/proximity of the user device102such as a ten foot radius, etc.), sounds detected in the proximity of the user device102, scents detected in the proximity of the user device102, and/or other information such as a temperature in the proximity of the user device102, light levels in the proximity of the user device102, combinations thereof, or the like.

In various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, operation304includes at least the server computer118determining, based on the release of the sensor data112obtained in operation302, a) a geographic location of the user device102; b) determining devices and/or other entities in a proximity of the user device102; c) one or more sounds in the proximity of the user device102; and d) one or more scents in the proximity of the user device102. Because other information can be determined based on analysis of the sensor data112, it should be understood that these examples are illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way. Additionally, some embodiments of operation304can include updates based on available sensor data112.

For example, while one fingerprint recognition may be representative of a flower's scent in the morning (e.g., a dew-like fragrance that is sharp and cool), the same scent and location may be slightly altered in its chemical makeup and interpretation (e.g., a warm blend of the fragrance and humidity) at a time later in the day. Subsequently, operation304may also include mechanisms for updating the original recognition operation or augmenting the recognition operation with an additional fingerprint data that can indicate the same location and proximity but based on slightly different sensor data112. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation304, the method300can proceed to operation306. At operation306, the server computer118can determine a location and/or proximity of the user device102. In some embodiments, the location and/or proximity (e.g., devices at and/or near the user device102and/or a specific orientation of the user device102relative to other devices or entities) can be determined through the analysis of operation304. In some other embodiments, the server computer118may obtain location and/or proximity information in operation306from other devices. Regardless of how they are determined, operations304-306can include the server computer118determining the location of the user device102, the proximity of the user device102to other devices, sounds at or near the user device102, and/or scents at or near the user device102. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation306, the method300can proceed to operation308. At operation308, the server computer118can record and store one or more fingerprints120. Thus, operation308can include the server computer118generating a data record and/or a tuple for a database, or the like, where the data record indicates a) a device with which the record is associated (e.g., the user device102); b) a location with which the record is associated (e.g., one of the environments114); c) a proximity associated with the user device102(e.g., one or more devices and/or entities in a proximity of the user device102); d) one or more sounds detected at the location and/or proximity; and e) one or more scents detected at the location and/or proximity.

This data can be stored as a fingerprint and retrieved for various uses as illustrated and described herein. In another embodiment, the same fingerprint (e.g., scent sensor data112for “new car smell”) from a first environment114(e.g., car rental agency number one) may be associated with a second environment114(e.g., car rental agency number two) but with different location and/or proximity data. In some embodiments, this data record can be accommodated simply via a second tuple in a database with appropriate differing field values (e.g., only location field of five tuple fields). It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

From operation308, the method300can proceed to operation310. The method300can end at operation310.

Turning now toFIG.4, additional details of the network104are illustrated, according to an illustrative embodiment. The network104includes a cellular network402, a packet data network404, for example, the Internet, and a circuit switched network406, for example, a publicly switched telephone network (“PSTN”). The cellular network402includes various components such as, but not limited to, base transceiver stations (“BTSs”), Node-B's or e-Node-B's, base station controllers (“BSCs”), radio network controllers (“RNCs”), mobile switching centers (“MSCs”), mobile management entities (“MMEs”), short message service centers (“SMSCs”), multimedia messaging service centers (“MMSCs”), home location registers (“HLRs”), home subscriber servers (“HSSs”), visitor location registers (“VLRs”), charging platforms, billing platforms, voicemail platforms, GPRS core network components, location service nodes, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (“IMS”), and the like. The cellular network402also includes radios and nodes for receiving and transmitting voice, data, and combinations thereof to and from radio transceivers, networks, the packet data network404, and the circuit switched network406.

A mobile communications device408, such as, for example, a cellular telephone, a user equipment, a mobile terminal, a PDA, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, and combinations thereof, can be operatively connected to the cellular network402. The cellular network402can be configured as a 2G GSM network and can provide data communications via GPRS and/or EDGE. Additionally, or alternatively, the cellular network402can be configured as a 3G UMTS network and can provide data communications via the HSPA protocol family, for example, HSDPA, EUL (also referred to as HSDPA), and HSPA+. The cellular network402also is compatible with 4G mobile communications standards, 5G mobile communications standards, other mobile communications standards, and evolved and future mobile communications standards.

The packet data network404includes various devices, for example, servers, computers, databases, and other devices in communication with one another, as is generally known. The packet data network404devices are accessible via one or more network links. The servers often store various files that are provided to a requesting device such as, for example, a computer, a terminal, a smartphone, or the like. Typically, the requesting device includes software (a “browser”) for executing a web page in a format readable by the browser or other software. Other files and/or data may be accessible via “links” in the retrieved files, as is generally known. In some embodiments, the packet data network404includes or is in communication with the Internet. The circuit switched network406includes various hardware and software for providing circuit switched communications. The circuit switched network406may include, or may be, what is often referred to as a plain old telephone system (POTS). The functionality of a circuit switched network406or other circuit-switched network are generally known and will not be described herein in detail.

The illustrated cellular network402is shown in communication with the packet data network404and a circuit switched network406, though it should be appreciated that this is not necessarily the case. One or more Internet-capable devices410, for example, a PC, a laptop, a portable device, or another suitable device, can communicate with one or more cellular networks402, and devices connected thereto, through the packet data network404. It also should be appreciated that the Internet-capable device410can communicate with the packet data network404through the circuit switched network406, the cellular network402, and/or via other networks (not illustrated).

As illustrated, a communications device412, for example, a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, computer, or the like, can be in communication with the circuit switched network406, and therethrough to the packet data network404and/or the cellular network402. It should be appreciated that the communications device412can be an Internet-capable device, and can be substantially similar to the Internet-capable device410. In the specification, the network104is used to refer broadly to any combination of the networks402,404,406. It should be appreciated that substantially all of the functionality described with reference to the network104can be performed by the cellular network402, the packet data network404, and/or the circuit switched network406, alone or in combination with other networks, network elements, and the like.

FIG.5is a block diagram illustrating a computer system500configured to provide the functionality described herein for using scent fingerprints and sound fingerprints for location and proximity determinations, in accordance with various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein. The computer system500includes a processing unit502, a memory504, one or more user interface devices506, one or more input/output (“I/O”) devices508, and one or more network devices510, each of which is operatively connected to a system bus512. The bus512enables bi-directional communication between the processing unit502, the memory504, the user interface devices506, the I/O devices508, and the network devices510.

The processing unit502may be a standard central processor that performs arithmetic and logical operations, a more specific purpose programmable logic controller (“PLC”), a programmable gate array, or other type of processor known to those skilled in the art and suitable for controlling the operation of the server computer. As used herein, the word “processor” and/or the phrase “processing unit” when used with regard to any architecture or system can include multiple processors or processing units distributed across and/or operating in parallel in a single machine or in multiple machines. Furthermore, processors and/or processing units can be used to support virtual processing environments. Processors and processing units also can include state machines, application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), combinations thereof, or the like. Because processors and/or processing units are generally known, the processors and processing units disclosed herein will not be described in further detail herein.

The memory504communicates with the processing unit502via the system bus512. In some embodiments, the memory504is operatively connected to a memory controller (not shown) that enables communication with the processing unit502via the system bus512. The memory504includes an operating system514and one or more program modules516. The operating system514can include, but is not limited to, members of the WINDOWS, WINDOWS CE, and/or WINDOWS MOBILE families of operating systems from MICROSOFT CORPORATION, the LINUX family of operating systems, the SYMBIAN family of operating systems from SYMBIAN LIMITED, the BREW family of operating systems from QUALCOMM CORPORATION, the MAC OS, iOS, and/or LEOPARD families of operating systems from APPLE CORPORATION, the FREEBSD family of operating systems, the SOLARIS family of operating systems from ORACLE CORPORATION, other operating systems, and the like.

The program modules516may include various software and/or program modules described herein. In some embodiments, for example, the program modules516include the location and proximity application108and/or the location and proximity service116. These and/or other programs can be embodied in computer-readable media containing instructions that, when executed by the processing unit502, perform one or more of the methods200,300described in detail above with respect toFIGS.2-3and/or other functionality as illustrated and described herein. It can be appreciated that, at least by virtue of the instructions embodying the methods200,300, and/or other functionality illustrated and described herein being stored in the memory504and/or accessed and/or executed by the processing unit502, the computer system500is a special-purpose computing system that can facilitate providing the functionality illustrated and described herein. According to embodiments, the program modules516may be embodied in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Although not shown inFIG.5, it should be understood that the memory504also can be configured to store the sensor data112; the fingerprints120and/or components thereof such as, for example, the sound fingerprints122and/or the scent fingerprints124; and/or other data, if desired.

By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may include any available computer storage media or communication media that can be accessed by the computer system500. Communication media includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics changed or set in a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer storage media includes only non-transitory embodiments of computer readable media as illustrated and described herein. Thus, computer storage media can include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, Erasable Programmable ROM (“EPROM”), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”), or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer system500. In the claims, the phrase “computer storage medium” and variations thereof does not include waves or signals per se and/or communication media.

The user interface devices506may include one or more devices with which a user accesses the computer system500. The user interface devices506may include, but are not limited to, computers, servers, personal digital assistants, cellular phones, or any suitable computing devices. The I/O devices508enable a user to interface with the program modules516. In one embodiment, the I/O devices508are operatively connected to an I/O controller (not shown) that enables communication with the processing unit502via the system bus512. The I/O devices508may include one or more input devices, such as, but not limited to, a keyboard, a mouse, or an electronic stylus. Further, the I/O devices508may include one or more output devices, such as, but not limited to, a display screen or a printer.

The network devices510enable the computer system500to communicate with other networks or remote systems via a network, such as the network104. Examples of the network devices510include, but are not limited to, a modem, a radio frequency (“RF”) or infrared (“IR”) transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router, or a network card. The network104may include a wireless network such as, but not limited to, a Wireless Local Area Network (“WLAN”) such as a WI-FI network, a Wireless Wide Area Network (“WWAN”), a Wireless Personal Area Network (“WPAN”) such as BLUETOOTH, a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (“WMAN”) such as_a WiMAX network, or a cellular network. Alternatively, the network104may be a wired network such as, but not limited to, a Wide Area Network (“WAN”) such as the Internet, a Local Area Network (“LAN”) such as the Ethernet, a wired Personal Area Network (“PAN”), or a wired Metropolitan Area Network (“MAN”).

Turning now toFIG.6, an illustrative mobile device600and components thereof will be described. In some embodiments, the user device102described above with reference toFIG.1can be configured as and/or can have an architecture similar or identical to the mobile device600described herein inFIG.6. It should be understood, however, that the user device102may or may not include the functionality described herein with reference toFIG.6. While connections are not shown between the various components illustrated inFIG.6, it should be understood that some, none, or all of the components illustrated inFIG.6can be configured to interact with one another to carry out various device functions. In some embodiments, the components are arranged so as to communicate via one or more busses (not shown). Thus, it should be understood thatFIG.6and the following description are intended to provide a general understanding of a suitable environment in which various aspects of embodiments can be implemented, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the mobile device600can include a display602for displaying data. According to various embodiments, the display602can be configured to display various graphical user interface (“GUI”) elements such as, for example, opt-in screens, location screens, proximity screens, text, images, video, virtual keypads and/or keyboards, messaging data, notification messages, metadata, internet content, device status, time, date, calendar data, device preferences, map and location data, combinations thereof, and/or the like. The mobile device600also can include a processor604and a memory or other data storage device (“memory”)606. The processor604can be configured to process data and/or can execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory606. The computer-executable instructions executed by the processor604can include, for example, an operating system608, one or more applications610such as the location and proximity application108, other computer-executable instructions stored in a memory606, or the like. In some embodiments, the applications610also can include a UI application (not illustrated inFIG.6).

The UI application can interface with the operating system608, such as the operating system106shown inFIG.1, to facilitate user interaction with functionality and/or data stored at the mobile device600and/or stored elsewhere. In some embodiments, the operating system608can include a member of the SYMBIAN OS family of operating systems from SYMBIAN LIMITED, a member of the WINDOWS MOBILE OS and/or WINDOWS PHONE OS families of operating systems from MICROSOFT CORPORATION, a member of the PALM WEBOS family of operating systems from HEWLETT PACKARD CORPORATION, a member of the BLACKBERRY OS family of operating systems from RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED, a member of the IOS family of operating systems from APPLE INC., a member of the ANDROID OS family of operating systems from GOOGLE INC., and/or other operating systems. These operating systems are merely illustrative of some contemplated operating systems that may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the concepts and technologies described herein and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The UI application can be executed by the processor604to aid a user in entering content, opting in, entering locations, entering proximity information, configuring settings, manipulating address book content and/or settings, multimode interaction, interacting with other applications610, and otherwise facilitating user interaction with the operating system608, the applications610, and/or other types or instances of data612that can be stored at the mobile device600. The data612can include, for example, the location and proximity application108and/or other applications or program modules. According to various embodiments, the data612can include, for example, presence applications, visual voice mail applications, messaging applications, text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications, add-ons, plug-ins, email applications, music applications, video applications, camera applications, location-based service applications, power conservation applications, game applications, productivity applications, entertainment applications, enterprise applications, combinations thereof, and the like. The applications610, the data612, and/or portions thereof can be stored in the memory606and/or in a firmware614, and can be executed by the processor604.

It can be appreciated that, at least by virtue of storage of the instructions corresponding to the applications610and/or other instructions embodying other functionality illustrated and described herein in the memory606, and/or by virtue of the instructions corresponding to the applications610and/or other instructions embodying other functionality illustrated and described herein being accessed and/or executed by the processor604, the mobile device600is a special-purpose mobile device that can facilitate providing the functionality illustrated and described herein. The firmware614also can store code for execution during device power up and power down operations. It can be appreciated that the firmware614can be stored in a volatile or non-volatile data storage device including, but not limited to, the memory606and/or a portion thereof.

The mobile device600also can include an input/output (“I/O”) interface616. The I/O interface616can be configured to support the input/output of data such as location information, sensor data112, fingerprints120and/or components thereof (e.g., the sound fingerprints122and/or the scent fingerprints124), user information, organization information, presence status information, user IDs, passwords, and application initiation (start-up) requests. In some embodiments, the I/O interface616can include a hardwire connection such as a universal serial bus (“USB”) port, a mini-USB port, a micro-USB port, an audio jack, a PS2 port, an IEEE 1394 (“FIREWIRE”) port, a serial port, a parallel port, an Ethernet (RJ45 or RJ48) port, a telephone (RJ11 or the like) port, a proprietary port, combinations thereof, or the like.

In some embodiments, the mobile device600can be configured to synchronize with another device to transfer content to and/or from the mobile device600. In some embodiments, the mobile device600can be configured to receive updates to one or more of the applications610via the I/O interface616, though this is not necessarily the case. In some embodiments, the I/O interface616accepts I/O devices such as keyboards, keypads, mice, interface tethers, printers, plotters, external storage, touch/multi-touch screens, touch pads, trackballs, joysticks, microphones, remote control devices, displays, projectors, medical equipment (e.g., stethoscopes, heart monitors, and other health metric monitors), modems, routers, external power sources, docking stations, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be appreciated that the I/O interface616may be used for communications between the mobile device600and a network device or local device.

The mobile device600also can include a communications component618. The communications component618can be configured to interface with the processor604to facilitate wired and/or wireless communications with one or more networks such as the network104described herein. In some embodiments, other networks include networks that utilize non-cellular wireless technologies such as WI-FI or WIMAX. In some embodiments, the communications component618includes a multimode communications subsystem for facilitating communications via the cellular network and one or more other networks.

The communications component618, in some embodiments, includes one or more transceivers. The one or more transceivers, if included, can be configured to communicate over the same and/or different wireless technology standards with respect to one another. For example, in some embodiments one or more of the transceivers of the communications component618may be configured to communicate using GSM, CDMAONE, CDMA2000, LTE, and various other 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and greater generation technology standards. Moreover, the communications component618may facilitate communications over various channel access methods (which may or may not be used by the aforementioned standards) including, but not limited to, TDMA, FDMA, W-CDMA, OFDM, SDMA, and the like.

In addition, the communications component618may facilitate data communications using GPRS, EDGE, the HSPA protocol family including HSDPA, EUL or otherwise termed HSUPA, HSPA+, and various other current and future wireless data access standards. In the illustrated embodiment, the communications component618can include a first transceiver (“TxRx”)620A that can operate in a first communications mode (e.g., GSM). The communications component618also can include an Nthtransceiver (“TxRx”)620N that can operate in a second communications mode relative to the first transceiver620A (e.g., UMTS). While two transceivers620A-N (hereinafter collectively and/or generically referred to as “transceivers620”) are shown inFIG.6, it should be appreciated that less than two, two, and/or more than two transceivers620can be included in the communications component618.

The communications component618also can include an alternative transceiver (“Alt TxRx”)622for supporting other types and/or standards of communications. According to various contemplated embodiments, the alternative transceiver622can communicate using various communications technologies such as, for example, WI-FI, WIMAX, BLUETOOTH, infrared, infrared data association (“IRDA”), near field communications (“NFC”), other RF technologies, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, the communications component618also can facilitate reception from terrestrial radio networks, digital satellite radio networks, internet-based radio service networks, combinations thereof, and the like. The communications component618can process data from a network such as the Internet, an intranet, a broadband network, a WI-FI hotspot, an Internet service provider (“ISP”), a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) provider, a broadband provider, combinations thereof, or the like.

The mobile device600also can include one or more sensors624. The sensors624can include temperature sensors, light sensors, air quality sensors, movement sensors, orientation sensors, noise sensors, proximity sensors, or the like. As such, it should be understood that the sensors624can include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, magnetometers, gyroscopes, infrared sensors, noise sensors, microphones, combinations thereof, or the like. Additionally, audio capabilities for the mobile device600may be provided by an audio I/O component626. The audio I/O component626of the mobile device600can include one or more speakers for the output of audio signals, one or more microphones for the collection and/or input of audio signals, and/or other audio input and/or output devices.

The illustrated mobile device600also can include a subscriber identity module (“SIM”) system628. The SIM system628can include a universal SIM (“USIM”), a universal integrated circuit card (“UICC”) and/or other identity devices. The SIM system628can include and/or can be connected to or inserted into an interface such as a slot interface630. In some embodiments, the slot interface630can be configured to accept insertion of other identity cards or modules for accessing various types of networks. Additionally, or alternatively, the slot interface630can be configured to accept multiple subscriber identity cards. Because other devices and/or modules for identifying users and/or the mobile device600are contemplated, it should be understood that these embodiments are illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The mobile device600also can include an image capture and processing system632(“image system”). The image system632can be configured to capture or otherwise obtain photos, videos, and/or other visual information. As such, the image system632can include cameras, lenses, charge-coupled devices (“CCDs”), combinations thereof, or the like. The mobile device600may also include a video system634. The video system634can be configured to capture, process, record, modify, and/or store video content. Photos and videos obtained using the image system632and the video system634, respectively, may be added as message content to an MMS message, email message, and sent to another mobile device. The video and/or photo content also can be shared with other devices via various types of data transfers via wired and/or wireless communication devices as described herein.

The mobile device600also can include one or more location components636. The location components636can be configured to send and/or receive signals to determine a geographic location of the mobile device600. According to various embodiments, the location components636can send and/or receive signals from global positioning system (“GPS”) devices, assisted-GPS (“A-GPS”) devices, WI-FI/WIMAX and/or cellular network triangulation data, combinations thereof, and the like. The location component636also can be configured to communicate with the communications component618to retrieve triangulation data for determining a location of the mobile device600. In some embodiments, the location component636can interface with cellular network nodes, telephone lines, satellites, location transmitters and/or beacons, wireless network transmitters and receivers, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, the location component636can include and/or can communicate with one or more of the sensors624such as a compass, an accelerometer, and/or a gyroscope to determine the orientation of the mobile device600. Using the location component636, the mobile device600can generate and/or receive data to identify its geographic location, or to transmit data used by other devices to determine the location of the mobile device600. The location component636may include multiple components for determining the location and/or orientation of the mobile device600.

The illustrated mobile device600also can include a power source638. The power source638can include one or more batteries, power supplies, power cells, and/or other power subsystems including alternating current (“AC”) and/or direct current (“DC”) power devices. The power source638also can interface with an external power system or charging equipment via a power I/O component640. Because the mobile device600can include additional and/or alternative components, the above embodiment should be understood as being illustrative of one possible operating environment for various embodiments of the concepts and technologies described herein. The described embodiment of the mobile device600is illustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

FIG.7illustrates an illustrative architecture for a cloud computing platform700that can be capable of executing the software components described herein for using scent fingerprints and sound fingerprints for location and proximity determinations and/or for interacting with the location and proximity application108, the location and proximity service116, and/or other entities. Thus, it can be appreciated that in some embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the cloud computing platform700illustrated inFIG.7can be used to provide the functionality described herein with respect to the server computer118.

The cloud computing platform700thus may be utilized to execute any aspects of the software components presented herein. Thus, according to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, the location and proximity service116can be implemented, at least in part, on or by elements included in the cloud computing platform700illustrated and described herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated cloud computing platform700is a simplification of but only one possible implementation of an illustrative cloud computing platform, and as such, the illustrated cloud computing platform700should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cloud computing platform700can include a hardware resource layer702, a virtualization/control layer704, and a virtual resource layer706. These layers and/or other layers can be configured to cooperate with each other and/or other elements of a cloud computing platform700to perform operations as will be described in detail herein. While connections are shown between some of the components illustrated inFIG.7, it should be understood that some, none, or all of the components illustrated inFIG.7can be configured to interact with one another to carry out various functions described herein. In some embodiments, the components are arranged so as to communicate via one or more networks such as, for example, the network104illustrated and described hereinabove (not shown inFIG.7). Thus, it should be understood thatFIG.7and the following description are intended to provide a general understanding of a suitable environment in which various aspects of embodiments can be implemented, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The hardware resource layer702can provide hardware resources. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware resources can include one or more compute resources708, one or more memory resources710, and one or more other resources712. The compute resource(s)708can include one or more hardware components that can perform computations to process data, and/or to execute computer-executable instructions of one or more application programs, operating systems, services, and/or other software including, but not limited to, the location and proximity service116illustrated and described herein.

According to various embodiments, the compute resources708can include one or more central processing units (“CPUs”). The CPUs can be configured with one or more processing cores. In some embodiments, the compute resources708can include one or more graphics processing units (“GPUs”). The GPUs can be configured to accelerate operations performed by one or more CPUs, and/or to perform computations to process data, and/or to execute computer-executable instructions of one or more application programs, operating systems, and/or other software that may or may not include instructions that are specifically graphics computations and/or related to graphics computations. In some embodiments, the compute resources708can include one or more discrete GPUs. In some other embodiments, the compute resources708can include one or more CPU and/or GPU components that can be configured in accordance with a co-processing CPU/GPU computing model. Thus, it can be appreciated that in some embodiments of the compute resources708, a sequential part of an application can execute on a CPU and a computationally-intensive part of the application can be accelerated by the GPU. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

In some embodiments, the compute resources708also can include one or more system on a chip (“SoC”) components. It should be understood that the SoC component can operate in association with one or more other components as illustrated and described herein, for example, one or more of the memory resources710and/or one or more of the other resources712. In some embodiments in which an SoC component is included, the compute resources708can be or can include one or more embodiments of the SNAPDRAGON brand family of SoCs, available from QUALCOMM of San Diego, California; one or more embodiment of the TEGRA brand family of SoCs, available from NVIDIA of Santa Clara, California; one or more embodiment of the HUMMINGBIRD brand family of SoCs, available from SAMSUNG of Seoul, South Korea; one or more embodiment of the Open Multimedia Application Platform (“OMAP”) family of SoCs, available from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS of Dallas, Texas; one or more customized versions of any of the above SoCs; and/or one or more other brand and/or one or more proprietary SoCs.

The compute resources708can be or can include one or more hardware components arranged in accordance with an ARM architecture, available for license from ARM HOLDINGS of Cambridge, United Kingdom. Alternatively, the compute resources708can be or can include one or more hardware components arranged in accordance with an x86 architecture, such as an architecture available from INTEL CORPORATION of Mountain View, California, and others. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the implementation of the compute resources708can utilize various computation architectures and/or processing architectures. As such, the various example embodiments of the compute resources708as mentioned hereinabove should not be construed as being limiting in any way. Rather, implementations of embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein can be implemented using compute resources708having any of the particular computation architecture and/or combination of computation architectures mentioned herein as well as other architectures.

Although not separately illustrated inFIG.7, it should be understood that the compute resources708illustrated and described herein can host and/or execute various services, applications, portals, and/or other functionality illustrated and described herein. Thus, the compute resources708can host and/or can execute the location and proximity service116or other applications or services illustrated and described herein (e.g., functionality associated with the location and proximity application108, etc.).

The memory resource(s)710can include one or more hardware components that can perform or provide storage operations, including temporary and/or permanent storage operations. In some embodiments, the memory resource(s)710can include volatile and/or non-volatile memory implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data disclosed herein. Computer storage media is defined hereinabove and therefore should be understood as including, in various embodiments, random access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”), Erasable Programmable ROM (“EPROM”), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), flash memory or other solid state memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”), or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store data and that can be accessed by the compute resources708, subject to the definition of “computer storage media” provided above (e.g., as excluding waves and signals per se and/or communication media as defined in this application).

Although not illustrated inFIG.7, it should be understood that the memory resources710can host or store the various data illustrated and described herein including, but not limited to, sensor data112, the fingerprints120, the sound fingerprints122, the scent fingerprints124, and/or other data, if desired. It should be understood that this example is illustrative, and therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The other resource(s)712can include any other hardware resources that can be utilized by the compute resources(s)708and/or the memory resource(s)710to perform operations. The other resource(s)712can include one or more input and/or output processors (e.g., a network interface controller and/or a wireless radio), one or more modems, one or more codec chipsets, one or more pipeline processors, one or more fast Fourier transform (“FFT”) processors, one or more digital signal processors (“DSPs”), one or more speech synthesizers, combinations thereof, or the like.

The hardware resources operating within the hardware resource layer702can be virtualized by one or more virtual machine monitors (“VMMs”)714A-714N (also known as “hypervisors;” hereinafter “VMMs714”). The VMMs714can operate within the virtualization/control layer704to manage one or more virtual resources that can reside in the virtual resource layer706. The VMMs714can be or can include software, firmware, and/or hardware that alone or in combination with other software, firmware, and/or hardware, can manage one or more virtual resources operating within the virtual resource layer706.

The virtual resources operating within the virtual resource layer706can include abstractions of at least a portion of the compute resources708, the memory resources710, the other resources712, or any combination thereof. These abstractions are referred to herein as virtual machines (“VMs”). In the illustrated embodiment, the virtual resource layer706includes VMs716A-716N (hereinafter “VMs716”).

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that systems and methods for using scent fingerprints and sound fingerprints for location and proximity determinations have been disclosed herein. Although the subject matter presented herein has been described in language specific to computer structural features, methodological and transformative acts, specific computing machinery, and computer-readable media, it is to be understood that the concepts and technologies disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the specific features, acts, or media described herein. Rather, the specific features, acts and mediums are disclosed as example forms of implementing the concepts and technologies disclosed herein.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein.