WO2013132140A1

WO2013132140A1 - Method and apparatus for call forwarding using social network information

Info

Publication number: WO2013132140A1
Application number: PCT/FI2013/050169
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jerome BEAUREPAIRE; Jussi IMPIÖ; Marko MYLLYLUOMA; Stephen GACHOKA
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2012-03-07
Filing date: 2013-02-14
Publication date: 2013-09-12

Abstract

An approach is provided for determining a user device based on social network information. A social proximity platform causes, at least in part, a determination of an unavailability of at least one device to receive at least one communication session. The social proximity platform then causes, at least in part, a processing and/or facilitating a processing of social networking information associated with the at least one device, at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof to cause, at least in part, a selection of at least one other device. Next, the social proximity platform causes, at least in part, a forwarding of the at least one communication session to the at least one other device.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR

CALL FORWARDING USING SOCIAL NETWORK INFORMATION

BACKGROUND

Service providers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) and device manufacturers are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. One area of development has been the integration of services (e.g., e-mail, text messaging, telephone, etc.) to enable users to easily and conveniently communicate in a variety of circumstances. For example, users may utilize text messaging in circumstances where a user is unable to use a telephone (e.g., loud atmosphere), or in circumstances when the message is best communicated via text messaging (e.g., a yes or no response to a question). However, even with the availability and integration of communication services, users may lack access to their device (e.g., no connectivity, low battery, etc.), but have access to or be located near another user's device (e.g., a family member's device, friend's device, etc.). Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers face significant challenges to enabling users to access users via a device associated with another user, such as the user's a friend, co-worker, family member, classmate, and the like. SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for determining a user device based on social network information. According to one embodiment, a method comprises determining an unavailability of at least one device to receive at least one communication session. The method also comprises processing and/or facilitating a processing of social networking information associated with the at least one device, at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof to cause, at least in part, a selection of at least one other device. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, a forwarding of the at least one communication session to the at least one other device.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more computer programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to determine an unavailability of at least one device to receive at least one communication session. The apparatus is also caused to process and/or facilitate a processing of social networking information associated with the at least one device, at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof to cause, at least in part, a selection of at least one other device. The apparatus is further caused to cause, at least in part, a forwarding of the at least one communication session to the at least one other device. According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to determine an unavailability of at least one device to receive at least one communication session. The apparatus is also caused to process and/or facilitate a processing of social networking information associated with the at least one device, at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof to cause, at least in part, a selection of at least one other device. The apparatus is further caused to cause, at least in part, a forwarding of the at least one communication session to the at least one other device. According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for determining an unavailability of at least one device to receive at least one communication session. The apparatus also comprises means for processing and/or facilitating a processing of social networking information associated with the at least one device, at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof to cause, at least in part, a selection of at least one other device. The apparatus further comprises means for causing, at least in part, a forwarding of the at least one communication session to the at least one other device.

In addition, for various example embodiments of the invention, the following is applicable: a method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on (or derived at least in part from) any one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform any one or any combination of network or service provider methods (or processes) disclosed in this application.

For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods or processes disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising creating and/or modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based at least in part on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention. In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes) can be accomplished on the service provider side or on the mobile device side or in any shared way between service provider and mobile device with actions being performed on both sides.

For various example embodiments, the following is applicable: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of originally filed claims 1-20 and 36-38.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of determining user equipment based on social network information, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a social proximity platform, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for determining user equipment based on social network information, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for determining user equipment based on social network information using a request to connect to user equipment, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for determining user equipment based on social network information using a request to connect to a location, according to one embodiment;

FIGs. 6A-6E are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the processes of FIG. 3, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for determining user equipment based on social network information are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.

As used herein, the term social network information refers to an indication of a grouping of users (e.g., CIRCLES, LISTS, etc.), an indication of mobile equipment (e.g., mobile device number, international manufacture equipment identity (IMEI), subscriber identity module card, etc.) associated with a user, an indication of a user and/or user equipment's location (e.g., CHECK-IN, calendar event, electronic invite, etc.), a number of communications between users (e.g., messages, POKES, LIKES, COMMENTS, etc.), and the like.

As used herein, a "communication session," refers to a voice-based communications (e.g., voice calls, audio streams, media streams, etc.), video-based communications (e.g., video conferencing, video telephony, etc.), text based communications (e.g., short message service, e-mail, instant message (IM), electronic invite, etc.), and the like. In one embodiment, communication sessions are sent from one user to at least one other user. It is noted that user equipment may initiate a communication session via a video conferencing (or video telephony) protocol and/or application (e.g., SKYPE, GOOGLE TALK, FACETIME, etc.).

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of determining user equipment based on social network information, according to one embodiment. Traditionally, unavailable user equipment frequently results in a user being inaccessible to other users. This may be particularly important in emergency or urgent conditions. As a result, users with access to user equipment and services, nonetheless, may remain unreachable to other users.

To address this problem, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the capability to determine user equipment based on social network information. In this manner, attempts to contact users, unreachable by their own user equipment, may be forwarded or transferred to other user equipment owned or associated with another user. That is, a user unreachable by his or her own user equipment may be reached via user equipment associated with another user (e.g., a friend, a family member, a co-worker, etc.) based on a social proximity or a degree of separation. In this manner, users may avoid unnecessarily limiting their availability of access by other users. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 comprises a user equipment (UE) 101 having connectivity to social proximity platform 103 via a communication network 105. In one embodiment, UE 101 may detect a physical location of the UE 101 (e.g., UE 101a) or another UE 101 (e.g., UE 101η) using a sensor module 107. Additionally, or alternatively, the platform 103 may retrieve social network information from social media provider 109 (e.g., FACEBOOK, TWITTER, FOURSQUARE, LINKEDIN, etc.) and store the social network information in log 111. In this manner, the platform 103 may access information determined by the sensor module 107 and/or data stored in the log 111 to facilitate a forwarding of a communication session, for example,

In one embodiment, the system 100 comprises a service platform 1 13, the services 115a-115n (also collectively referred to as services 115) of the service platform 1 13, and social media provider 109. By way of example, the service platform 1 13, the services 115, and the social media provider 109 may include or otherwise support services (e.g., content sharing services, social network services, content stores, content databases that provide one or more of physical location information, social proximity information, or a combination thereof. By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network, a wireless network, a telephony network, or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), short range wireless network (e.g., BLUETOOTH, WIFI, WIMAX, near-field communication (NFC), etc.), or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth®, Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof.

The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, personal communication system (PCS) device, personal navigation device, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game device, or any combination thereof, including the accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as "wearable" circuitry, etc.). By way of example, the UE 101 , the platform 103, the social media provider 109, and the service platform 113 communicate with each other and other components of the communication network 105 using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.

Communications between the network nodes are typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data- link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) headers as defined by the OSI Reference Model.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a social proximity platform 103, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the platform 103 includes one or more components for determining user equipment based on social network information. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the platform 103 includes a control logic 201, availability module 203, geographic data module 205, context module 207, user selection module 209, and communication interface 211.

The control logic 201 oversees tasks, including tasks performed by the availability module 203, geographic data module 205, context module 207, user selection module 209, and communication interface 21 1. For example, although the other modules may perform the actual task, the control logic 201 may determine when and how those tasks are performed or otherwise direct the other modules to perform the task. The availability module 203 determines an availability status associated with user equipment. The availability module 203 may work in conjunction with the geographic data module 205 to determine an availability status associated with user equipment. In one example embodiment, the availability module 203 determines an availability status of the user equipment using a geolocation of UE 101 (e.g., UE 101a) and/or a proximity of the UE 101 to other UE 101 (e.g., UE 101b) by working with the geographic data module 205 (or sensor module 107). For example, a request to connect to an office address that results in a target area including UE 101b and UE 101c may result in a determination that only UE 101b and UE 101c are available to take calls to the office address. In another example, a request to connect to UE 101a, which is unavailable due to, for example, a calendar input indicating a user is unwilling to accept calls, causes a proximity detection of UE 101b and UE 101c that may result in a determination that only UE 101b and UE 101c are available to take calls intended for UE 101a.

Additionally, or alternatively, user equipment may further be determined to be unavailable based on a determination that user equipment is not in associated with other user equipment. By way of example, the availability module 203 may determine that UE 101b is unavailable to UE 101a due to no or little social connection using social network information, for example, when social network information indicates that users associated with UE 101a and UE 101b are not a friends (or not friends of a mutual friend). In another example, the availability module 203 may determine that UE 101b is unavailable to UE 101a because UE 101a lacks a visibility of a mobile device number for UE 101b based on, for example, social media information, a contact list associated with UE 101a, and the like. It is contemplated that user equipment determined to be unavailable due to a lack of association may become associated using a request via, for example, a SMS text, an e-mail, features associated with social media (e.g., messages, posts, comments, etc.), and the like.

Additionally, or alternatively, availability module 203 may work with a communication interface 21 1 to determine an availability status of user equipment based on a user input (e.g., an input into UE 101). For example, availability module 203 may determine that UE 101a is unavailable based on a user input such as, for example, a calendar appointment indicating that requests to connect with UE 101a are to be forwarded to UE 101b. It is contemplated an availability status may include a priority level. For example, availability module 203 may determine an available status based on a user input indicating that that UE 101a is only available during a particular meeting to close friends, family, co-workers, a specific user, and the like. Additionally, or alternatively, availability module 203 may determine an available status of user equipment based on a user input into other user equipment indicating a confirmation to interrupt a particular meeting. By way of example, UE 101b receives a message indicating that UE 101a is in a meeting along with an option to continue with a request to establish a connection with UE 101a, and the availability module 203 may determine an available status of a UE 101a based on a user input into UE 101b confirming to continue with the request to establish the connection. Additionally, or alternatively, availability module 203 may determine that UE 101a is unavailable based on a status of user equipment (e.g., a low battery, a low connectivity, a failed attempt to connect, etc.). For example, the availability module 203 may determine that UE 101a is unavailable to UE 101b based on a determination that a request to connect from UE 101b to UE 101a has not been accepted a predefined number of times (e.g., a default value associated with UE 101a). In another example, the availability module 203 may determine that UE 101a is unavailable to UE 101 (e.g., UE 101a, UE 101b, etc.) based on a determination that a request to connect to UE 101a has not been accepted a predefined number of times (e.g., a default value associated with availability module 203). The availability module 203 may also access the social network information log 1 11 to determine an availability status of user equipment based on, for example, an input into a social media user profile (e.g., check-in, check-out, etc.), an uploaded media item (e.g., a photo, a video, an audio file, etc.) containing location metadata, and the like. It is contemplated that the availability module 203, or UE 101 (e.g., UE 101a) may monitor a status of UE 101 (e.g., US 101a) to determine an estimated time of unavailability and initiate, for example, an input by a user selecting one or more options (e.g., a user device to forward a communication session) and/or a forwarding of a communication session.

The geographic data module 205 manages and controls location information associated with user equipment. The geographic data module 205 may work with a communication interface 21 1 to determine a target area based on a received target location, a detection of UE 101 in proximity to one another, or a determination of a registration of users associated with UE 101 with an event (e.g., sales trip, vacation, birthday party, etc.).

In one embodiment, geographic data module 205 receives a target location (e.g., an address, a geographical coordinates, etc.) and determines a target area based on the target location and predetennined criteria. For example, the geographic data module 205 may determine an area associated with a user's office based on the office address and, for example, a number of city blocks, a distance away, a city neighborhood, and the like. It is contemplated that the predetennined area may be a default value associated with platform 103, UE 101, a user, a type of request (e.g., location based, or user based), and the like, or may be input into the UE 101. Additionally, the geographic data module 205 may work with an availability module 203 to adjust a target area based on a number of available devices. For example, a default area that results in a number of available user equipment below a minimum threshold may be expanded. Likewise, a default area that results in a number of available user equipment above a maximum threshold may be reduced. The geographic data module 205 may determine a target location by a triangulation system such as a GPS system, assisted GPS (A-GPS), wireless local area network triangulation, or other location extrapolation technologies. Standard GPS and A-GPS systems can use satellites to pinpoint the location (e.g., longitude, latitude, and altitude) of the element. GPS coordinates can provide finer detail as to the location of the element. Alternately, geographic data module 205 may determine a target location based on, for example, an input into user equipment, and/or by accessing the social network information log 1 11. For example, geographic data module 205 may determine a target location of UE 101 to be an office location (e.g., an address) based on a determination that a user associated with UE 101 has checked- in to the office location using social media.

In another example embodiment, geographic data module 205 determines UE 101 within a proximity to one another. That is, UE 101 may be configured to utilize a short-range wireless radio that detects and/or announces UE 101. By way of example, geographic data module 205 may determine UE 101a and UE 101b to be in proximity based on a short-range wireless radio connection, for example, using NFC, between UE 101a and UE 101b. In this manner, a location of UE 101 is not necessary to determine a proximity of the device to another. Indeed, a UE 101 (e.g., UE 101a) may determine a location based on a proximity to another UE 101 (e.g., 101b).

In yet another exemplary embodiment, geographic data module 205 determines a location based on an indication of a check-in using, for example, a mobile payment, GOOGLE LATITUDE, a parking application (e.g., PRIMO SPOT, PARKING MATE, etc.), a calendar application, an electronic invite, and the like. In one example embodiment, the geographic data module 205 determines a location based on an indication of a location associated with a mobile payment, such as a payee or store address. It is contemplated that UE 101 may initiate an input of a location associated with a mobile payment by, for example, suggesting a check-in associated with the mobile payment. By way of example, in response to a mobile payment, a user may be prompted with an option to indicate or share a time and location along with a message such as "I just bought some clothes at Retailer X on Main Street." In another example embodiment, the geographic data module 205 determines a location based on an indication of a location associated with a parking application. By way of example, in response to a user associated with UE 101a indicating a check-in to a particular parking garage or parking spot, the geographic data module 205 determines the location of UE 101a as the particular parking garage or parking spot until a more recent check-in of UE 101a.

In yet another example embodiment, the geographic data module 205 determines a location based on an indication of an event that users associated with UE 101 are, have or will participate in an event such as sales trip, vacation, birthday party, and the like. That is, an event may have a different physical location depending on a time of day and a check-in to the event indicates UE 101 (and users associated with the UE 101) will follow the physical location of an event. For example, in response to a user's check-in or joining of a sales event indicating a sales trip to client A's office on Tuesday, and client B's office on Wednesday, the geographic data module 205 determines the location of the user equipment associated with the user (e.g., UE 101a) to be at client A's office on Tuesday, and Client B's office on Wednesday. It is contemplated that events may be joined or participated based on a physical proximity to the event or participants of the event, and/or based on a registration (e.g., a check-in) of a user that indicates the user is participating in an event. In one example embodiment, the geographic data module 205 may ignore an indication of attending an event (e.g., a check-in, a calendar event, an accepting of an electronic invite, etc.) based on an indication that the user has left or is leaving the event (e.g., a check-out). Once geographic data has been determined by the geographic data module 205, the context module 207 may determine a social proximity between users. In one embodiment, a social proximity is determined by a number of interactions exchanged via, for example, a telephonic connection, a message (e.g., a Short Messaging Services (SMS), an e-mail, etc.), a comment (e.g., POKE, NUDGE, LIKE, FOLLOW, +1 BUTTON, etc.), and the like. In a further embodiment, the context module 207 may access the social network information log 11 1 to determine, at least in part, a social proximity. For example, a user may indicate a social proximity between users, or may classify users in groups (e.g., family, friends, co-workers, etc.) that may be associated with a social proximity.

The user selection module 209 may work with the context module 207 to select user equipment. In one embodiment, the context module 207 determines a social proximity score or factor associated with user equipment based on one or more social proximity factors between users associated with user equipment such as, for example, a number of communications exchanged, a number of mutual friends, a time of day, a title and/or age of a user associated with user equipment, a type of relation (e.g., a relative, a co-worker, a close friend, a restricted user, etc.), a check-in time and the like. By way of example, user selection module 209 may determine UE 101b has a higher social proximity score than UE 101c based on a determination that UE 101b has checked- in to a location more recently than UE 101c. In another embodiment, the context module 207 ranks the UE 101 in an order of social proximity based on one or more social proximity factors. By way of example, user selection module 209 may determine UE 101b has a higher social proximity rank than UE 101c based on a determination that a time of day indicates a higher social rank for a co-worker relationship than a friend relationship, and that UE 101b is associated with a co-worker relationship and UE 101c is associated with a friend relationship. It is contemplated that certain social proximity factors may exclude or remove a selection from consideration. For example, the user selection module 209 may consider only UE 101 associated with a family or restricted user type of relationship when a request to establish a connection is associational with an emergency condition. Once the user selection module 209 determines a social proximity score or rank it may then determine user equipment based on, for example, a social proximity score, a social proximity rank, an input into user equipment, or a combination thereof. For example, user selection module 209 may select UE 101b based on a determination that UE 101a and UE 101b have a social proximity factor (or rank) representing a highest social proximity between UE 101a and UE 101 (e.g., UE 101c, UE lOld, etc.). In another example, user selection module 209 may select UE 101b based on a user input into UE 101a indicating a selection of UE 101b from a presentation of UE 101 (e.g., UE 101b, UE 101c, etc.) with an indication of social proximity (e.g., a social proximity rank, a social proximity score, etc.). It is contemplated that the user selection module 209 may recommend or suggest one or more UE 101 based on one or more social proximity factors and that user input may include, for example, gesture based forwarding (e.g., a pointing of user equipment toward another user equipment), tapping (e.g., moving user equipment within close proximity to other user equipment), and the like. The communication interface 21 1 manages and controls any incoming and outgoing communication such as an indication of a user selection, a geographical location, a status of user equipment, and the like. The communication interface 21 1 can also manage other communications of the UE 101 such as Internet communications. For example, as discussed above, the context module 207 may retrieve context information from the social network information log 111 , via the communication interface 21 1, in order to determine a social proximity score. Additionally, communication interface 21 1 may forward a request to establish a connection (e.g., a telephonic call) using a variety of communication means, for example, an SMS text, a voice connection, a video connection, a blog post, a comment on social media, and the like. It is contemplated that communication interface 21 1 may select a communication means based on, for example, a user profile associated with user equipment (e.g., UE 101), social media information, a determination of availability by availability module 203, a user input indicating a preferred communication means, and the like. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for determining user equipment based on social network information, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the platform 103 performs the process 300 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 8. In step 301 , the UE 101a requests to establish a connection. In a first embodiment discussed further with respect to FIG. 4, the UE 101a detects a user input indicating UE 101b (e.g., a mobile device number (MDN), a user associated with a MDN, etc.). In another embodiment discussed further with respect to FIG. 5, the UE 101a detects a user input indicating a geolocation (e.g., an office location, a home location, a school location, etc.). Once the UE 101a detects a request to establish a connection, the platform 103 determines, as in step 303, another user is available. In one exemplary embodiment, the platform 103 determines an availability status of UE 101b based on, for example, a battery life status, a connectivity status, a geolocation of the UE 101b (e.g., a detected location, an input location, etc.) and the like. In another exemplary embodiment, the platform 103 determines an availability status based on a status of one or more users associated with specified user equipment, for example, via social information (e.g., check-in information) received from social media, via a user input indicating availability, and the like. Once another user is determined, the platform 103 receives, as in step 305, social networking information from social media relating to another user. In one embodiment, the social networking information indicates a social proximity between a user making the request (e.g., a user associated with UE 101a) and another user (e.g. a user associated with UE 101b). The social networking information may be received from user equipment (e.g., UE 101), a database (e.g., social network information log 1 11), a social media provider (e.g., social media provider 109), or a combination thereof. The platform 103 then selects, as in step 307, other user equipment based on the social networking information. In one embodiment, the selection of other user equipment is based on social networking information indicating a closest social proximity. In another embodiment, the platform 103 sends an indication of some (e.g., the top five) of the other user equipment with a closest social proximity, and selects user equipment based on a user input selecting, for example, one of the user equipment devices. Once other user equipment is selected, the platform 103 establishes, as in step 309, a connection with the selected user equipment (e.g., UE 101).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for determining user equipment based on social network information using a request to connect to user equipment, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the platform 103 performs the process 400 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 8. In step 401, the UE 101a requests to establish a connection with UE 101b. Once the UE 101a detects a request to establish a connection, the platform 103 determines, as in step 403, other user equipment is available. In the exemplary embodiment, the platform 103 determines an input into UE 101b indicating that a user associated with the UE 101b is unavailable and that requests to establish a connection to UE 101b should be forwarded to UE 101c or user equipment connected to UE 101b via BLUETOOTH. In response to the unavailability of UE 101b, the platform 103 determines that UE 101c is available based on a check- in status indicated in social media provider 109a and that UE lOld is available based on a BLUETOOTH connection with UE 101a. Once the UE 101c and UE 101 d are determined to be available, the platform 103 determines, as in step 405, social networking information from social media relating to one or more users associated with UE 101c and UE lOld. In the exemplary embodiment, platform 103 determines a frequency of communication between UE 101a and UE 101c and between UE 101a and lOld. For example, a frequency of communication between UE 101a and UE 101c may include a weekly average of ten SMS texts, ten telephonic conversations, ten e-mails and ten comments using social media and a frequency of communication between UE 101a and UE lOld may include a weekly average of five SMS texts, five telephonic conversations, five e-mails and five comments using social media. Once the social networking information is received, the platform 103 selects, as in step 407, UE 101c based on the social networking information. In the exemplary embodiment, platform 103 determines a social proximity score based on the context information by counting the total number of average weekly communications between user equipment. That is, UE 101c receives a social proximity score of forty, and UE lOld receives a social proximity score of twenty. Based on the proximity score, platform 103 selects UE 101c and establishes, as in step 409, a connection with UE 101c. In the exemplary embodiment, platform 103 sends a message to UE 101c indicating the established connection was requested for UE 101b which was determined to be unavailable and based on a user input establishes a connection between UE 101a and UE 101c.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for determining user equipment based on social network information using a request to connect to a location, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the platform 103 performs the process 500 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 8. In step 501 , the UE 101a requests to establish a connection with an office location (e.g., an address). Once the UE 101a detects a request to establish a connection, the platform 103 determines, as in step 503, other user equipment is available. In the exemplary embodiment, the platform 103 determines a database on UE 101a indicating a user's contacts (e.g., UE 101a, UE 101b, . . . , UE 101η) and the platform 103 determines that UE 101c and UE lOld are located at the office using a GPS location technology on UE 101c and using a check- in status input into UE lOld. Once the UE 101c and UE lOld are determined to be available, the platform 103 receives, as in step 505, social networking information from social media provider 109b relating to UE 101c and UE lOld. In the exemplary embodiment, platform 103 determines a cumulative number of communications between UE 101a and UE 101c and between UE 101a and lOld. For example, a frequency of communication between UE 101a and UE 101c may include a total of one-hundred SMS texts and no comments using social media and a frequency of communication between UE 101a and UE 101 d may include a total of no texts and one-hundred comments using social media. Once the social networking information is received, the platform 103 selects, as in step 507, UE 101c based on the social networking information. In the exemplary embodiment, platform 103 determines a social proximity rank based on the social networking information by, for example, counting the total number of communications between user equipment with comments at a weight of double the value of messages. That is, UE lOld receives a social proximity rank higher than UE 101c because of the higher weighting of comments compared to messages. Additionally, the platform 103 sends information relating to the social proximity rank to the UE 101a with a recommendation to select UE lOld, and a user indicates (e.g., touches) a selection of UE 101c. Based on the user selection, platform 103 selects UE 101c and establishes, as in step 509, a connection with UE 101c. In the exemplary embodiment, platform 103 sends a message to UE 101a initiating an input to confirm an establishing a connection to UE 101c and establishes the connection based on a user input into UE 101a.

FIGs. 6A-6E are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the processes of FIG. 3, according to various embodiments. Fig. 6A illustrates a UE 601 (e.g., UE 101a) presenting a user interface with a selectable option 603 that when selected initiates a call to an office, and a map 605. In the exemplary embodiment, the map 605 includes a target location 607 (e.g., an address associated with the office), a target area 609, an indicator 611 indicating a location of a UE (e.g., UE 101b), an indicator 613 indicating a location of a UE (e.g., UE 101c) and an indicator 615 indicating a location of a UE (e.g., UE 1 Old). The target area 609 may be adjusted (e.g., touching the target area 609) to expand or move the target area 609, for example, to include user equipment represented by indicator 615 or reduce the target area 609, for example, to exclude user equipment represented by indicator 61 1 and/or indicator 613. Additionally, a user may select (e.g., touch) an indicator (e.g., indicators 611-615) to establish a connection with the user equipment (e.g., UE 101) represented by the indicator, or may select selectable option 603 to establish a connection with the user equipment within the target area 609 determined to have the closest social proximity within the target area 609.

Fig. 6B illustrates the UE 601 (e.g., UE 101a) presenting a user interface with a status window 621 that displays status information, for example, an indication that UE 601 has a low battery requiring UE 601 to shut down. In the exemplary embodiment, the user interface includes a window 623 that includes selectable options indicating a selection of UE 101 and an indication of a corresponding social proximity value (e.g., a numerical value, a percentage compared to a maximum social proximity value, a rank, or highest value, etc.) and/or an indication of a default UE 101 (e.g., a UE lOlp). It is contemplated that window 623 may display the order of selectable options based on the social proximity value (e.g., highest social proximity towards the top, lowest social proximity towards the bottom) and/or indicate a recommended selection (e.g., a selection associated with a highest social proximity).

Fig. 6C illustrates the UE 601 (e.g., UE 101a) presenting a user interface with a status window 631 that displays status information, for example, an indication that UE 101 (e.g., UE 101a) or a user associated with UE 101 is unavailable and may include an indication of a cause of the unavailability (e.g., a number of failed attempts to connect, a low battery, a check-out of an event, a calendar event, etc.). In the exemplary embodiment, the user interface includes a selectable option 633 indicating a request to leave a message with an unavailable UE 101 (e.g., via SMS text, voice mail, e-mail, blog post, etc.) and a window 635 that includes selectable options indicating a selection of another UE 101. In one example embodiment, the window 635 displays selectable options containing a default UE 101 (e.g., UE lOlr) based on a determination that the default UE 101 (e.g., UE lOlr) detects by a short-range wireless radio the unavailable UE 101 (e.g., UE 101a). It is contemplated that window 635 may display selectable options in an order of a social proximity rank (e.g., user d having the highest social proximity, followed by user b, etc.), and/or based on a physical proximity, for example, via location detection technology (e.g., GPS, cell tower triangulation, etc.), a proximity detection technology (e.g., a detection via short-range wireless radio, a detection via infrared, etc.), and/or social network information (e.g., a check-in status indicating a proximity with another user, a check-in status indicating a location, etc.).

Fig. 6D illustrates the UE 601 (e.g., UE 101a) presenting a user interface with a status window 641 that displays status information, for example, an indication that a user is receiving a request to establish a connection that has been forwarded from another UE 101. In the exemplary embodiment, the user interface includes a selectable option 643 indicating an acceptance of the request and a selectable option 645 indicating a rejection of the request.

Fig. 6E illustrates the UE 601 (e.g., UE 101a) presenting a user interface with a status window 647 that displays status information, for example, an indication that one or more calls to UE 601 have been forwarded to the UE 101. In the exemplary embodiment, the user interface includes window 649 that includes selectable options indicating a UE 101 (e.g., UE 101b) associated with a person or user who called, a time associated with the call (e.g., time of day, date, day of week, etc.), and a UE 101 (e.g., UE 101c) associated with a person or user whom the call was forwarded. In the exemplary embodiment, in response to a selection of one of the selectable options of window 649, the UE 601 initiates a communication session (e.g., a SMS text) with a UE 101 (e.g., UE 101a, UE 101b, etc.) associated with a user who called or a user whom a call was forwarded. The processes described herein for determining user equipment based on social network information may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below. FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system 700 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer system 700 is depicted with respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within FIG. 7 can deploy the illustrated hardware and components of system 700. Computer system 700 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to determine user equipment based on social network information as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 710 for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system 700. Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. Computer system 700, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of determining user equipment based on social network information. A bus 710 includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus 710. One or more processors 702 for processing information are coupled with the bus 710.

A processor (or multiple processors) 702 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to determining user equipment based on social network information. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 710 and placing information on the bus 710. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 702, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical, or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination. Computer system 700 also includes a memory 704 coupled to bus 710. The memory 704, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for determining user equipment based on social network information. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system 700. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 704 is also used by the processor 702 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system 700 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 706 or any other static storage device coupled to the bus 710 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system 700. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus 710 is a non- volatile (persistent) storage device 708, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system 700 is turned off or otherwise loses power. Information, including instructions for determining user equipment based on social network information, is provided to the bus 710 for use by the processor from an external input device 712, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, a microphone, an Infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, a touch screen, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system 700. Other external devices coupled to bus 710, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device 714, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a plasma screen, or a printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 716, such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or a motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 714 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 7147. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system 700 performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device 712, display device 714 and pointing device 716 is omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 720, is coupled to bus 710. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor 702 quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display 714, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

Computer system 700 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 770 coupled to bus 710. Communication interface 770 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link 778 that is connected to a local network 780 to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface 770 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface 770 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface 770 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 710 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface 770 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 770 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface 770 includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface 770 enables connection to the communication network 105 for determining user equipment based on social network information to the UE 101.

The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 702, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non- volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-transitory media, such as nonvolatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 708. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 704. Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer- readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media.

Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC 720.

Network link 778 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link 778 may provide a connection through local network 780 to a host computer 782 or to equipment 784 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 784 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet 790.

A computer called a server host 792 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host 792 hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display 714. It is contemplated that the components of system 700 can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host 782 and server 792. At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 700 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 700 in response to processor 702 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory 704. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory 704 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device 708 or network link 778. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 704 causes processor 702 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC 720, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link 778 and other networks through communications interface 770, carry information to and from computer system 700. Computer system 700 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 780, 790 among others, through network link 778 and communications interface 770. In an example using the Internet 790, a server host 792 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 700, through Internet 790, ISP equipment 784, local network 780 and communications interface 770. The received code may be executed by processor 702 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 704 or in storage device 708 or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 700 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave. Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 702 for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 782. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system 700 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link 778. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 770 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 710. Bus 710 carries the information to memory 704 from which processor 702 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory 704 may optionally be stored on storage device 708, either before or after execution by the processor 702. FIG. 8 illustrates a chip set or chip 800 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 800 is programmed to determine user equipment based on social network information as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 7 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set 800 can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip 800 can be implemented as a single "system on a chip." It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing user interface navigation information associated with the availability of functions. Chip set or chip 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of determining user equipment based on social network information.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 800 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 801 for passing information among the components of the chip set 800. A processor 803 has connectivity to the bus 801 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 805. The processor 803 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 803 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 801 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 803 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 807, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 809. A DSP 807 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 803. Similarly, an ASIC 809 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more controllers, or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 800 includes merely one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relating to and/or for the one or more processors.

The processor 803 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 805 via the bus 801. The memory 805 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to determine user equipment based on social network information. The memory 805 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobile terminal 901, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of determining user equipment based on social network information. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application and if applicable to the particular context, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.

Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 905, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit 907 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of determining user equipment based on social network information. The display 907 includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display 907 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry 909 includes a microphone 91 1 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 91 1. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 911 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 913.

A radio section 915 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 917. The power amplifier (PA) 919 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU 903, with an output from the PA 919 coupled to the duplexer 921 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA 919 also couples to a battery interface and power control unit 920. In use, a user of mobile terminal 901 speaks into the microphone 91 1 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 923. The control unit 903 routes the digital signal into the DSP 905 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 925 for compensation of any frequency- dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 927 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface 929. The modulator 927 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter 931 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 927 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 933 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA 919 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 919 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 905 from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer 921 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 935 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 917 to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 901 are received via antenna 917 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 937. A down-converter 939 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 941 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer 925 and is processed by the DSP 905. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 943 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 945, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903 which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The MCU 903 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 947. The keyboard 947 and/or the MCU 903 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 91 1) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU 903 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 901 to determine user equipment based on social network information. The MCU 903 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 907 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU 903 exchanges information with the DSP 905 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 949 and a memory 951. In addition, the MCU 903 executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP 905 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 905 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 91 1 and sets the gain of microphone 911 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 901.

The CODEC 913 includes the ADC 923 and DAC 943. The memory 951 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. The memory device 951 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memory storage, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data. An optionally incorporated SIM card 949 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card 949 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 901 on a radio network. The card 949 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.

While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the following:

determining an unavailability of at least one device to receive at least one communication session;

processing and/or facilitating a processing of social networking information associated with the at least one device, at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof to cause, at least in part, a selection of at least one other device; and

causing, at least in part, a forwarding of the at least one communication session to the at least one other device.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

processing and/or facilitating a processing of the social networking information to determine a ranking of one or more available devices based, at least in part, on a social proximity, a physical proximity, or a combination thereof to the at least one device,

wherein the selection of the at least one other device is based, at least in part, on the ranking.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

determining the one or more available devices based, at least in part, on one or more wireless technologies including, at least in part, short-range wireless radio, near-field

communication (NFC), or a combination thereof.

4. The method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the selection of the at least one other device is further based, at least in part, on location information, context information, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one device, the at least one other device, or a combination thereof.

5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

determining the location information, the context information, or a combination thereof from (a) the social networking information, (b) sensor information associated with the at least one device, the at least one other device, or a combination thereof, and (c) a combination thereof.

6. The method according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

determining the unavailability of the at least one device based, at least in part, on network availability information, power availability information, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

processing and/or facilitating a processing of the network availability information, the power availability information, or a combination thereof to determine an estimated time of the unavailability of the at least one device; and

causing, at least in part, the selection of the at least one other device, the forwarding of the at least one communication session, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the estimated time.

8. The method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

determining consent information for forwarding the at least one communication session from the at least one device, the at least one other device, or a combination thereof.

9. The method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

processing and/or facilitating a processing of the social networking information to the

determine that the at least one device, the at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof is participating in at least one event; and

causing, at least in part, the selection of the at least one other device based, at least in part, on whether the at least one other device, at least one other user of the at least one other device, or a combination thereof is participating the at least one event.

10. The method according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

causing, at least in part, a presentation of at least one recommendation to select the at least one other device to initiate the forwarding of the at least one communication session.

11. A method comprising:

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

communication (NFC), or a combination thereof.

14. The method according to any of claims 11-13, wherein the selection of the at least one other device is further based, at least in part, on location information, context information, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one device, the at least one other device, or a combination thereof.

15. The method according to any of claims 11-14, further comprising:

16. The method according to any of claims 11-15, further comprising:

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

18. The method according to any of claims 11-17, further comprising:

19. The method according to any of claims 11-18, further comprising: processing and/or facilitating a processing of the social networking information to the determine that the at least one device, the at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof is participating in at least one event; and

20. The method according to any of claims 11-19, further comprising:

21. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

determine an unavailability of at least one device to receive at least one communication session;

process and/or facilitate a processing of social networking information associated with the at least one device, at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof to cause, at least in part, a selection of at least one other device; and

cause, at least in part, a forwarding of the at least one communication session to the at least one other device.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process and/or facilitate a processing of the social networking information to determine a ranking of one or more available devices based, at least in part, on a social proximity, a physical proximity, or a combination thereof to the at least one device,

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine the one or more available devices based, at least in part, on one or more wireless technologies including, at least in part, short-range wireless radio, near-field

communication (NFC), or a combination thereof.

24. The apparatus according to any of claims 21-23, wherein the selection of the at least one other device is further based, at least in part, on location information, context information, or a combination thereof associated with the at least one device, the at least one other device, or a combination thereof .

25. The apparatus according to any of claims 21-24, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine the location information, the context information, or a combination thereof from (a) the social networking information, (b) sensor information associated with the at least one device, the at least one other device, or a combination thereof, and (c) a combination thereof.

26. The apparatus according to any of claims 21-25, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine the unavailability of the at least one device based, at least in part, on network

availability information, power availability information, or a combination thereof.

27. The apparatus according to any of claims 21-26, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process and/or facilitate a processing of the network availability information, the power

availability information, or a combination thereof to determine an estimated time of the unavailability of the at least one device; and

cause, at least in part, the selection of the at least one other device, the forwarding of the at least one communication session, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the estimated time.

28. The apparatus according to any of claims 21-27, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine consent information for forwarding the at least one communication session from the at least one device, the at least one other device, or a combination thereof.

29. The apparatus according to any of claims 21-28, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process and/or facilitate a processing of the social networking information to the determine that the at least one device, the at least one user of the at least one device, or a combination thereof is participating in at least one event; and

cause, at least in part, the selection of the at least one other device based, at least in part, on whether the at least one other device, at least one other user of the at least one other device, or a combination thereof is participating the at least one event.

30. The apparatus according to any of claims 21-29, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, a presentation of at least one recommendation to select the at least one other device to initiate the forwarding of the at least one communication session.

31. An apparatus according to any of claims 21-30, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising: user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone.

32. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform at least a method of any of claims 1-20.

33. An apparatus comprising means for performing a method of any of claims 1-20.

34. An apparatus of claim 33, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising: user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

35. A computer program product including one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the steps of a method of any of claims 1-20.

36. A method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform a method of any of claims 1-20.

37. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the method of any of claims 1-20.

38. A method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on the method of any of claims 1-20.