Patent Document

GRANT OF NON-EXCLUSIVE RIGHT 
       [0001]    This application was prepared with financial support from the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, and in consideration therefore the present inventor(s) has granted The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a non-exclusive right to practice the present invention. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention. 
         [0003]    Smart devices and technology have become a major part in almost all people&#39;s lives. Whether a personal device or a family shared device or even a business shared device they all play a vital role and people have become fully dependent on them. Smart devices are used for almost everything from making a simple phone call to a high tech conference call, including all social media and useful applications. However, a good number of mobile/smart device communication applications only provide constant coverage and detection, and often includes being simultaneously detectable in other locations that happen to be located within the geographic diameter covered/detected by the smart device. 
         [0004]    Generally, most people use multiple mobile applications for chatting/communicating with other people for example; providing a mobile application that includes all aspects of communication will help them achieve everything in an organized and timely manner. This is not only convenient but also can save a lot of trouble, as a person may choose what to send, where, and how. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The mobile application system and method increases the overall level of efficiency in communication. In an embodiment, a chat room may be created based on a specific location of a user. The chat room may be for a couple or a group of users, it may be of different detection diameter based on the location of certain users in different nearby locations, or their location in the same specific location. In operation, any time that a mobile application is activated, the application detects a private singular chat room or group chat room generated by the user and different features may be applied to sent information. 
         [0006]    The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustrating a diameter of a geographical area detected by a smart phone according to one example. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic illustrating how two different may self-identify and cooperate according to one example. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating different chat rooms in a single specific location and in a nearby specific location according to one example. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a process of selecting a detection diameter according to one example. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a process of starting a secured private singular or group-chat according to one example. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a process of hiding a message from selected users in a group chat according to one example. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a process of assigning priority to a certain chat room, group or singular chat according to one example. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration of a smart device according to one example. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         [0017]    Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating a diameter  102  of a geographical area  104  (or near-field communication range) detected by a smart phone  106 . The detectable geographical area  104  may include multiple specific locations such as STARBUCKS  108  and a library  110 . STARBUCKS  108 , has user “A” located therein, while library  110  has user “B” located therein. User A and B are within the same detectable geographical area  104 , but are within different mutually exclusive specific locations  108  and  110  respectively in area  104 . “Specific location” in this content means a descriptor of a region having a recognized name, such as a store name, a classroom number, etc. Accordingly, in one embodiment that will be further described in later figures, users “A” and “B” may not start a joined chat room even though they share the same geographical area  104 , because they are located in two different specific locations, albeit both within a common wireless coverage range. The diameter (or other specific metric(s) for defining a space) may be set by signal strength relative to a predetermined threshold, such as to a transmission beacon in the desired location. 
         [0019]    The smart phone may use different ways to determine its location. Some of these ways are via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth beacons or via similar suitable techniques. In one embodiment the smartphone may use RSSI. RSSI (received signal strength indication) is the most common way of Wi-Fi to determine a location. It takes the smartphone detected signals from nearby access points and refers them to a database of Wi-Fi networks. The database then provides information about the location of each uniquely identified access point, and depending on the strength of the signal the RSSI determines the location of a smartphone down to tens of meters. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1B  is a figure that shows how two different smart phones  106  and  107  may self-identify and cooperate at the specific location. In particular, smart phone  106  identifies itself being located within a specific location such as STARBUCKS A  108  ( FIG. 1A ). Initially smart phone  106  identifies this location by way of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth beacons, or GPS. However, that may be insufficient to avoid actually identifying a presence of a smart phone  106  in the specific location of STARBUCKS  108 . In order to further confirm that smart phone  106  is in STARBUCKS  108 , smart phone  106  initially receives an RF or optical beacon from an optical/RF guidepost  115 . Optical/RF guidepost  115  is physically located within STARBUCKS  108  and transmits a beacon signal that can be received by smart phone  106 . The beacon indicates where optical/RF guidepost  115  is located within the room, providing visual clues to assist smart phone  106  in performing an optical search for it. For example, optical/RF guidepost  115  may broadcast a beacon indicating that its position is in a corner of the room near the ceiling. Smart phone  106 , once receiving the beacon, and once invited to participate in a secure chatting session within STARBUCKS  108 , automatically turns on the imaging device (camera) in smart phone  106  and scans for an optical match of the optical/RF guidepost  115 . Included in the beacon is a description of a distinguishing characteristic  117  that is visually prominent on the optical/RF guidepost  115 . The smart phone  106  performs image recognition on the distinguishing feature  117  to confirm a match. When a match is confirmed, smart phone  106  broadcasts a confirmation identification to a chat coordinator that then includes smart phone  106  into the chat session. 
         [0021]    Optionally, smart phone  106  itself broadcasts a description of optically distinguishing feature  119  that is automatically viewed by the smart phone  107 , which in this example is the chat room coordinator, such that smart phone  106  is not invited into the chat session until smart phone  107  identifies distinguishing characteristics  119  as being accurately reported and accepted by smart phone  107  into the chat session. Similarly, smart phone  107  includes distinguishing feature  121 , which again may be used as an optical beacon by the optical/RF guidepost  115  and smart phone  106  for collaborating smart phone  107  within the specific location of the STARBUCKS  108 . 
         [0022]    While the above example describes smart phone  106  as having distinguishing feature  119  and smart phone  107  as having optically distinct feature  121 , the respective smart phones  106  and  107  may broadcast an image of the user that the user took of himself or herself (a selfie) so that the chat room coordinator may optically verify that the user of the particular smart phone is in fact the user invited into the chat session. Furthermore, the distinguishing feature  119  and  121  may be personal characteristics of the user such as height, weight, gender, hair color, eyeglasses, tattoos, or other distinguishing features that distinguish the user from another user such that an optical match of the user to a predefined entry in a database will collaborate the presence of the user in the specific location, which in this instance is STARBUCKS  108 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating different chat rooms in a single specific location  200  and in a nearby specific location  201 . In one embodiment, users in the same specific location, such as specific location  200  in this example, may start a single and/or multiple chat rooms, with a single and/or multiple users. The different alphabet letters represent different users in this example. User F in only one chat room  202  with only one other user D. Users D and E are part of multiple chat rooms; two are single chat rooms with only one other user, and one group chat room with multiple users, in this case chat room  206 . User C is part of two chat rooms, one of which is with a single user; chat room  204 , and the other is a group chat room; including two other users, chat room  206 . User G is in a solitude chat room  208 . User G is not involved in any chat rooms, and that may be because user G is not detectable, or simply has not started or responded to any chat rooms. Moreover, user H is in a wide range chat room  210  and that may be because user H has chosen (via location accessibility options in the smartphone) to be detectable by a detection diameter that is larger than the diameter of the current specific location  200 . 
         [0024]    User H may not be uniquely identified as being located with a specific location, but may be located in a nearby specific location  201 . If in fact user H is located in a nearby specific location  201 , user H would not be invited into the chat session by the session coordinator. Validation of the presence of user H within the nearby specific location  201  (indicating that user H would not be invited into other chat sessions in region  200 ) would be evident because no visual indication of user H′s presence within the specific location could be found. On the other hand, if user H is located within visual contact of the different users in a specific location or through a particular exchange of a unique RF tag, then user H would be eligible for participating in a chat session. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a process of selecting a detection diameter. The process begins at step S 302  which is a waiting stage until the application is opened and a detection mode is turned on, the process then proceeds to step S 304 , where the system checks if the user wants a full range detection diameter if yes, the system allows the user to start different chat rooms in different specific locations at step S 306 . However, if no then the system limits the detection diameter to cover one selected/chosen specific location and checks for available users at that specific location at step S 308 . At step S 310  the system allows the user to start a single or multiple chat groups that fall within the diameter that was predetermined at step S 304 . After the user has started chat groups the system allows the user to adjust status to show for example “available”, “busy”, “tired” or “away” accordingly at step S 312 . 
         [0026]    The diameter of a geographical area may be determined in various ways. In one embodiment, when a user walks into a certain location, a transponder provides the user with a code that enables the user to chat with other users present in that same location. However, only people present in that specific location are assigned a code, this excludes any individual that is not within the diameter of that specific geographical location. The code according to this embodiment may be allocated to a user via a near-field communication such as when the user walks through a security sensor at an entrance of a specific location (e.g. such as at a library). 
         [0027]    In particular, the code would not only be a unique code to help identify the user within the specific location, but would also compel the smart phone assigned that code to broadcast that code in a particular chirp sequence (repetition pattern) associated with a known chirp parameter set by the chat coordinator. In particular, the chat coordinator may establish a particular chirp pattern (such as a repetition cycle of between one chirp per second to one chirp per five seconds) so that the user of the cell phone may have an attribute for its broadcast that is unique to the chat session for the specific location. A user outside of the specific location would not be provided with the code or the chirp sequence that would identify that particular cell phone being located within the specific location. If at any time a particular user in the chat session is questioned by the chat coordinator, the smart phone for the chat coordinator can interrogate the chat user to replicate the code initially issued to the smart phone. Not only is the code a specific transmitted RF sequence, but also a particular signature pattern for the RF signal that is a parameter set by the chat coordinator. Once again, an example is an on/off duty cycle period (such as between a duty cycle of 1% to 50%). 
         [0028]    Accordingly, in one embodiment this may be achieved via Bluetooth beacons. They may be used to determine very specific locations in a specific area, by sending out/transmitting signals. This is done by placing a plurality of beacons every few meters in a specific area such as a library; this will allow the beacons to communicate with any mobile device equipped with Bluetooth. This system can use these transmitted signals to determine locations within a 10 centimeters range. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment the system allows the user to start multiple chat groups and adjust different statuses for different groups as needed. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a process of starting a secured private singular or group-chat. The process begins at step S 402  where a user chooses full range detection diameter (or perimeter), the process then proceeds to either step S 404  or step S 412  depending on the choice of the user. If the user chooses to start a private group chat at step S 404 , then the process proceeds to step S 406 , where the system checks if the group chat is active after a predetermined amount of time. At step S 408  the system proceeds to step S 410  if the group chat is not active, where the system terminates the group chat session. However, if the user chooses to start a private singular chat (a chat session with only one person) the process goes through step S 412  and to S 414  to set a security passcode, the security passcode may be a password, a sound, a movement, a fingerprint, a picture or any other passcode. At step S 416  the process proceeds to start a chat room and activate it for a predetermined amount of time before locking it. Once the chat room is locked the process proceeds to step S 418 , where the system requests a security passcode/check to unlock the chat session. At step S 420 , the system checks if the inputted passcode matches the predetermined passcode form step S 414 . If the passcodes match then the system proceeds to step S 424  where is unlocks the chat session/room. If not, then process proceeds to step S 422 , where the system keeps the chat session locked. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a process of hiding a message from selected users in a group chat. The process begins at step S 502  which is a waiting stage, where the system waits until the application is turned on/activated. The process then proceeds to step S 504 , where the user may choose to start a semi group chat room (a chat room with multiple users, yet allows selective use of who receives the message). Once the selective group chat room is selected, the process proceeds to step S 506  where the user adds available users within the predetermined detection diameter and start a chat room, the process then proceeds to step S 508 , where the user can select a number of the users that are included in the selective group chat (not all users) to receive a message, yet have it be hidden from the rest of the users in the group. 
         [0032]    At step S 510  the system checks if the user chose users from the group to receive a selective message, if yes the process proceeds to step S 514  where the system marks the selective message with a star and brackets including the chosen users (as will be explained in the following example, and as shown in the exemplary chat window described in  FIG. 5 ). However, if not the process will proceed to step S 512 , where the system will continue to send the message to all users included in the chat room. 
         [0033]    For example: if users L,M,N and P are in a selective group chat room and user N decides to send a message only to users Land P in the same chat room and hide it from user M. The system will mark the selective message with a star and small brackets including the users that are supposed to receive the message. The system will allow any user in a selective message to continue sending messages to the whole group at any time. In another embodiment, the system will also double check to make sure the same users are the ones included in the back and forth selective messaging. 
         [0034]    In another embodiment the smartphone may use wireless fingerprinting, which uses profiles of given places based on Wi-Fi signals detected therein. This embodiment may be enabled if a specific location is visited repeatedly; because the fingerprint may be created and stored in memory the first time the user visits a specific location. Fingerprinting can determine the location of a smartphone within just a few meters. 
         [0035]    Furthermore, the mobile application may be programmed to include and/or remember geographic dimensions or a fingerprint of a specific geographic location and its diameter. This will enable determining which users get to be part of a certain chat room in a specific location based on the predetermined/remembered dimension and/or fingerprint of that specific location. For example, if a user tries to access certain chat rooms within a specific location without being present in that same specific location then the mobile application will not enable that action. The geographic dimensions/fingerprints may be shared from an already authenticated user to another user that is trying to access/join a chat room if that person is known to the authenticated user; meaning if a person at a library is already in a chat room with a group of other users at the same library, if a friend wants to join, any user in the chat room may share the authentication information with this friend to enable them to join that same chat room. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a process of assigning priority to a certain chat room, group or singular chat. The process begins at step S 602  where the application is activated/turned on, the process then proceeds to step S 604  where the user chooses different group chats by selecting users from the main chat room. At step S 606 , the user is requested to set a priority status to the chosen group chats, and at step S 608  the system check whether the set priority for the group is high or not. If the set priority is not high then the process proceeds to step S 610  where the system displays messages from this group when received, based on a first received, first displayed manner, regardless of how many chat groups are active. However, if it is set to high priority, then the process checks for any other previously set high priority chat groups at step S 612 . At step S 614 , if no other high priority chat groups are available, the process proceeds to step S 616  where the system displays messages received from the current group before any other messages received from any other groups. However, if yes then the process proceeds to step S 618  where the user is requested to set priority between the two high priority groups. At step S 620  the system displays the messages from the highest to lowest priority accordingly. 
         [0037]    Next, a hardware description describing the smart device according to exemplary embodiments is described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 7 , the smart device includes a CPU  704  which performs the processes described above. The process data and instructions may be stored in memory  702 . These processes and instructions may also be stored on a storage medium disk  704  such as a hard drive (HDD) or portable storage medium or may be stored remotely. Further, the claimed advancements are not limited by the form of the computer-readable media on which the instructions of the inventive process are stored. For example, the instructions may be stored on CDs, DVDs, in FLASH memory, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disk or any other information processing device with which the server communicates, such as another server or computer. 
         [0039]    Further, the above-noted processes may be provided as a utility application, background daemon, or component of an operating , or combination thereof, executing in conjunction with CPU  704  and an operating such as Microsoft Windows 8, UNIX, Solaris, LINUX, Apple MAC-OS and other systems known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0040]    CPU  704  may be a Xenon or Core processor from Intel of America or an Opteron processor from AMD of America, or may be other processor types that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the CPU  704  may be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, PLD or using discrete logic circuits, as one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. Further, CPU  704  may be implemented as multiple processors cooperatively working in parallel to perform the instructions of the inventive processes described above. 
         [0041]    The smart device in  FIG. 7  also includes a network controller  706 , such as an Intel Ethernet PRO network interface card from Intel Corporation of America, for interfacing with network  700 . As can be appreciated, the network  700  can be a public network, such as the Internet, or a private network such as an LAN or WAN network, or any combination thereof and can also include PSTN or ISDN sub-networks. The network  700  can also be wired, such as an Ethernet network, or can be wireless such as a cellular network including EDGE, 3G and 4G wireless cellular systems. The wireless network can also be WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless form of communication that is known. 
         [0042]    The smart device further includes a display controller  708 , such as a NVIDIA GeForce GTX or Quadro graphics adaptor from NVIDIA Corporation of America for interfacing with display  710 , such as a Hewlett Packard HPL2446w LCD monitor. A general purpose I/O interface  712  interfaces with a keyboard and/or mouse  714  as well as a touch screen panel  716  on or separate from display  710 . General purpose I/O interface also connects to a variety of peripherals  718  including printers and scanners, such as an OfficeJet or DeskJet from Hewlett Packard 
         [0043]    A sound controller  720  is also provided in the smart device, such as Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium from Creative, to interface with emitter  722  thereby providing sounds, vibrations, electric shock light and/or music. The emitter  722  can also be used to accept dictated words as commands for controlling the smart device system server. 
         [0044]    The general purpose storage controller  724  connects the storage medium disk  704  with communication bus  726 , which may be an ISA, EISA, VESA, PCI, or similar, for interconnecting all of the components of the smart device system server. A description of the general features and functionality of the display  710 , keyboard and/or mouse  714 , as well as the display controller  708 , storage controller  724 , network controller  706 , sound controller  720 , and general purpose I/O interface  712  is omitted herein for brevity as these features are known. 
         [0045]    Any processes, descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understood as representing modules, segments, portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the exemplary embodiment of the present system in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. Further, it is understood that any of these processes may be implemented as computer-readable instructions stored on computer-readable media for execution by a processor. 
         [0046]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Peripheral Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.

Technology Category: 5