Apple Files Patent for iGroups

A patent filed by Apple in September of 2008 was released and discovered by Patently Apple what describes a technology that Cupertino is developing called iGroups. The file illustrates a social networking environment that can be created based sheerly on proximity with other iPhones. It goes on explaining how the tech can be used to create large group electronically in a number of event and locations situations such as trade-shows, concerts, movie theaters, theme parks, rallies, field trips, shopping centers, your local Starbucks and other social oriented places and events. It describes the initiation as an exchange of tokens using wireless standards such as Bluetooth or Wireless Fidelity (you most commonly know it as Wi-Fi). The patent gives an example of software being used in Apples WWDC event, precisely using an iGroups app on the iPhone OS where users can invite numerous amounts of people to a group to conduct an activity, say a group discussion or a poll, right on their iPhones. They also give scenario that involves people at a concert.

In this example scenario, a number of attendees of a rock concert set their Bluetooth-enabled devices to Token Exchange mode. All devices within transmission range of each other at the concert and that are set in Token Exchange mode begin exchanging and storing tokens. These devices are collectively referred to as a Group, and the users associated with devices in the Group are referred to as Group members. The Token Exchange is referred to as a “contact event.” The contact event can be associated with a “contact time” defined by timestamps provided to the trusted service.

Using functions such as email and calendaring apps can employ the gathering of Groups. The rock concert example shows how musicians on-stage can start a group, invite other iPhone users, and interact with them. It also describes the ability to daisy chain iPhones. For example, other users who are farther away from the stage can still join the group by linking to iPhones who are in range of both the musicians and the user trying to gain access.

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