The present disclosure relates to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly, to the field of video, voice, and data communication for the creation and deployment of a community of interest network and the services provided to its users.
Telecommunications networks that include network elements such as Mobile Switching Centers (MSC), Base Station Controllers (BSC) and Base Transceiver Stations (BTS)/Radio covering a particular geographic area, are implemented by network operators to provide services such as voice, data, video, messaging, mobility and several other communication services. In a communications network, an individual can place a targeted call to another user of the network. The elements used to complete the call include a switch (MSC) and a directory (home location register (HLR)/visiting location register (VLR)). To place a call the calling party needs to be aware of the called party number. Both the calling party and the called party numbers are pre-provisioned in the directory. The switch, which is a network element, is responsible for setting up the call between the two end-points, allocating resources for the call, and tearing down the call. The switch is also responsible for supplementary services such as call hold when the called party is busy. In networks such as these, call initiation is the responsibility of an end point in the network, and the network expects the calling party to be aware of the called party's number.
IP networks, which are different from conventional fixed-line and mobile networks, are built to provide connectivity and routing between IP endpoints. Such networks are also not aware of the service interest of the IP endpoint at any intermediate point in the network. For example, the IP-based communication network can provide voice/video/messaging communication between two user endpoints when a service request is initiated from either the server or a client. Web sites which act as servers in the IP network, but have the potential to act as intermediate points between several client interactions, do not play the role of service anchors between these clients today.
The present disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing a community of interest network (CoIN). A publisher may be configured to provide content to a user across a network. The publisher can be configured to identify a CoIN parameter based on user network activity. A communications services provider may be configured to provide communications services to the user across the network based on the identified community of interest network. In certain implementations, the user network activity may be the user visiting a web page offered by the content provider.
In certain implementations, the content provider may be configured to register a community of interest with the communications services provider, the community of interest used by the communications services provider to identify the services associated with a community of interest network. The communication service provider may provide communications services to the user upon identification of a community of interest network based on a parameter provided by the content provider.
In certain implementations, the publisher is configured to identify a COIN parameter based on user network activity with no interruption to the publishing of content.
In certain implementations, the community of interest parameters may include one or more of network activity, search keywords, tagwords, algorithms, webpage portion, website or webpage domains, uniform resource locators, uniform resource identifiers, cookie information, Internet browsing history information, device type, CoIN lifetime or operational times, communication services for a particular CoIN or authorized enhancements thereto. The registration information may include one or more of default settings; billing information; user information; location information; content type; marketing information; bandwidth limitations; contact information; coding; or other resources for automated communication systems. The instructions may also include receiving application programming interface (API) keys associated with a publisher.
Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses executing instructions on a hardware processor that include identifying one or more communications services associated with a community of interest network (CoIN). A request for video conferencing services may be identified. Whether video conference services are within a set authorized communications services can also be identified or determined. A notification may be provided to users of the CoIN that video conferencing is available. An interface for video conferencing may be provided to at least a portion of the users of the CoIN.
Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses executing instructions on a hardware processor that include validating a request to establish a network service. Billing and service parameters can be exchanged. A dynamic community of interest can be associated with the network service. In certain implementations, the instructions may also include providing the network service requested by members of CoIN.
Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses executing instructions on a hardware processor that include activating the extension of one or more network services of a first type associated with a community of interest network to network domains of a second type. The network domain of the second type may include one or more of Play Station Network, xBox Live Network, Mobile Cellular Network, Public Telephony Network, Email network, SMS network, or Instant Messaging Network.
Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to a computer implemented method for providing a community of interest network. The method may include receiving an indication of network activity of a user. A community of interest network may be identified based on the indication for online content. A processor may be instructed to provide the user with communication services associated with the community of interest network. In certain implementations, instructing a processor to provide the user with communication services associated with the community of interest network includes instructing a communications service provider to provide the user with communication services across a network. Certain implementations may include providing a list of parameters to a communications service provider, the list of parameters identifying at least a community of interest associated with a community of interest network. Certain implementations may include identifying a communications service associated with the community of interest network. In certain implementations, an indication that the user is visiting a web page associated with an online content provider is received.
In certain instances, the user is making an online query. In certain instances, the network activity may include connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot. In certain implementations, receiving the indication of network activity may include receiving an indication across a network of the user's location. In certain implementations, the network activity consists of viewing a TV channel.
Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to a computer implemented method for providing community of interest network services. An indication that a user is requesting access to a community of interest network may be received. A community of interest network for the user may be identified based on a community of interest. Communications services may be provided to the user across a network, the communication services may be configured to provide the user access to the community of interest network. Certain implementations may include receiving a registration from a content provider, the registration providing an indication of a community of interest.
Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to a computer implemented method for establishing a community of interest network (CoIN). An indication may be received from a user for access to content. Real-time network service may be requested across an Internet protocol (IP) network from a service provider. Real-time communications interface may be received across the IP network from the service provider. The real-time communications interface may be provided to the user, the real-time communications interface associated with a community of interest associated with the content, the real-time communications interface facilitating live interactive communication between members of the community of interest network.
Aspects of certain implementations include adding the user to the community of interest network based on the indication from the user for access to the content. A second user may be added to the community of interest network based on the indication from the second user for access to the second content. In certain implementations, the indication from the user is a keyword search. One or more community of interest networks may be identified based on the keyword search. A listing of the one or more community of interest networks may be provided to the user. An indication may be received from the user of one or more preferred community of interest networks. The user can be added to the one or more communities of interest network. Certain implementations may include identifying one or more related community of interest networks based on the one or more preferred community of interest networks, the one or more related community of interest networks associated with subjects related to subjects associated with the one or more preferred community of interest networks. The related community of interest networks may be provided to the user.
In certain implementations, the indication from the user is a keyword search. One or more communities of interest may be identified based on the keyword search. The user may be added to the one or more communities of interest. One or more subscribers can be identified for the identified one or more communities of interest. An indication may be provided to the one or more subscribers of the addition of the user to the community of interest.
In certain aspects of the implementations, the user provides the indication for content through a web browser. In certain aspects of the implementations, the indication from the user for content automatically adds the user to the community of interest associated with the requested content. In certain aspects of the implementations, the real-time communications interface facilitates live, interactive video between members of the community of interest network.
In certain aspects of the implementations, the live communications interface facilitates one or a combination of a text-based communications session, a voice-based communications session, a video-based communications session, or other online interactive communications session between members of the community of interest.
Certain aspects of the implementations may include activating a video session in the user's web browser, a video service system providing a live interactive two-way video between the user's web browser and the web browsers of other members of the community of interest network. In certain aspects of the implementations, the members of the community of interest network include one or more of a publisher of a website and users of the website.
In certain aspects of the implementations, the community of interest is one of a plurality of parameters for establishing the community of interest network. In certain aspects of the implementations, the one of the plurality of parameters is a second community of interest. In certain aspects of the implementations, the community of interest network is established by one or more of a plurality of parameters, the parameters including one or a combination of network activity, search keywords, tagwords, algorithms, webpage portion, website or webpage domains, uniform resource locators, uniform resource identifiers, cookie information, device type, CoIN lifetime, or operational times.
In certain aspects of the implementations, wherein instructions further comprise associating the content with a community of interest (CoI), the CoI used to establish the CoIN.
While generally described as computer implemented software embodied on non-transitory media that processes and transforms the respective data, some or all of the aspects may be computer-implemented methods or further included in respective systems or other devices for performing this described functionality. The details of these and other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The present disclosure describes the configuration, creation, use and tear-down of ad-hoc, transient, real-time communication services for a dynamic Community of Interest Network (CoIN). A CoIN is a network of users who are sharing a particular common interest in content, service, location or device. Such common interests may be referred to as a Community of Interest (CoI). In certain embodiments, the methods, systems, and devices described herein provide for an Internet-website-embedded, autonomous video, voice, and data meeting place that allows any visitor to the website to participate in a real-time interaction with one or more members of a CoIN associated with the website, portion of a website, or content shown on a webpage, such as an advertisement.
At a website visitors are typically unaware of other visitors to that website. As such, the association between website visitors is both instantaneous and transient and the awareness of far-end party numbers does not exist. As a result, there is no mechanism for a website to initiate a call and bridge visitors to the website into the call. Also, no set of services has been defined for such a communication.
A website is typically visited by users and developed and managed by a publisher. Various CoIs can be defined by the users, or publishers. Examples of such CoIs include, but are not limited to, the following:
a) Visitors/publishers of a website;
b) Visitors/publishers of a part of a website;
c) Visitors/publishers in a particular geographic location area (e.g., users in the vicinity of an airport);
d) Visitors/publishers of a website or part of a website in a particular geographic location area (e.g., users of social media site in the vicinity of the Louvre Museum (Paris, France));
e) Users who are watching the same TV channel (via cable, satellite, or Internet);
f) Users who are listening to the same audio channel (via radio, satellite, or Internet);
g) Users who have entered the same keywords in a particular search engine;
h) A service where publishers (users) register for keywords, the entry of which will list them (their webpage) in the search. Each of these listings will create their own community of interest. (e.g., John Doe, Eye doctor from Plano, Tex. will register for keywords of Optometrist, Ophthalmology, Eye Doctor+Plano, Tex.; any search engine resulting in John Doe's listing will also dynamically create a CoI for John Doe);
i) Search results on keywords or people search create a CoI (e.g., All those searching Jane Doe on a social networking site)
j) Individual-specific CoI (e.g., www.hubpages.com/janedoe or www.linkedin.com/johndoe);
k) Users watching the same video clip on any of the video streaming sites; and
l) Algorithmic filters: search words entered in the search engine that are related, resulting in the same search.
In certain embodiments, the systems, methods, and devices described herein facilitate the creation of a virtual, real-time communication network between two or more users visiting an Internet website (or portion of a website) or between one or more users visiting a website (or portion thereof) and publishers of the website. These website visitors and website publishers may have not had any prior association or exchange of information.
The term “real-time” implies that, while data need not be provided instantaneously, it is provided without any intentional delay, taking into account the processing limitations of the system and the time required to accurately measure the data. For example, video frames should be rendered and ready at or before the frame is required for display. The output of a computer process (i.e., rendering) is presented to the user in real-time so that the user observes no appreciable delays that are due to computer processing limitations.
This disclosure describes providing video/voice/text communication to facilitate an increase in service breadth by enabling the video/voice/text communication to be anchored by a website (or various parts of the website), rather than being initiated by an endpoint. In this manner, video services can be consumed between endpoints that would not have been previously able to communicate. This disclosure also facilitates web-driven interaction of the parties. By tying the video interaction to an Internet website, the disclosure provides for an enhanced set of contexts of video interactions. For example, website visitors to a “department” of an online retailer can join into the live video interaction of that section of the website, and have a live visual interaction with other visitors in the same “department,” as well as with the website publishers in charge of that department.
Though described above in connection with a website, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited to websites. For example, a community of interest network can be established and the communication services offered through other mechanisms, including, but not limited to television set top boxes, software running on netbooks, tablets, mobile phones, smartphones, or other portable devices capable of accessing the Internet or other communications network. Communication services include, but are not limited to voice, video, instant messaging, SMS, MMS, voicemail, text chat, e-mail, etc.
The present disclosure also describes achieving scalability by, for example, separating participants into creators and consumers of communications services traffic during a group interaction. Resource allocation is optimized, as well. Because service resources (such as directory storage, or switch processing capacity) are not pre-allocated, the present disclosure includes optimizing resource allocation by, e.g., matching the service size to the resource requirement at the time of service delivery.
In certain implementations, a web business/brand can deploy the CoIN for each of their “departments” (each department may correspond to a website or webpage, or a portion thereof). In certain implementations, a search engine or search toolbar on browsers can deploy a CoIN for various search terms (e.g., keywords) and/or the search results. In certain instances, a portal, such as Facebook, or Twitter, or Google+, can define various CoINs related to various keyword or trending events (e.g., Formula 1, NFL, etc.), and display these CoINs as a button to access the network on the users' webpages whenever such a Keyword appears on their pages/walls/chats/tweets/messages/etc. A browser, plugin, or Helper Object can look at the webpage content, the URL, and other information being browsed by the user and apply a CoIN filter to it to provide CoIN access options to the user. For example, users who are looking at the name “John Doe” can be provided a link to access John Doe's CoIN. In certain implementations, users (individual or business users) of various portal sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc., can subscribe to, define, and create their own CoINs. Other visitors to the user's page or wall can access the user's CoINs.
LNP 102 includes Dynamic Service Register (DSR) 104, Service Discovery Server (SDS) 106, and a Dynamic Service System (DSS) 108. DSR 104 is responsible, in general, for registration processes between the LNP and publisher 110. Registration processes, described in more detail below, include receiving registration information from publisher 110. Registration information can include, but is not limited to, community of interest (CoI) and other parameters used to identify and/or establish a CoIN (CoIN profile), such as network activity including search keywords, tagwords, algorithms, webpage portion, website or webpage domains, uniform resource locators/identifiers, cookie information and/or other historical information, device type, CoIN lifetime or operational times, etc.; communication services for a particular CoIN and/or authorized enhancements thereto; default settings; billing information; user information (e.g., preregistered); location information; content type; marketing information, such as target markets; bandwidth limitations; contact information (e.g., for CoIN publisher or agents who participate in CoINs; coding or other resources for automated communication systems (e.g., bots, messages for voicemail services, etc.); and other information. DSR 104 may also receive application programming interface (API) keys associated with a publisher 110 and/or a CoIN for a publisher 110. Other information includes service keys, validity information, and authentication information, among other things.
System 100 facilitates the publisher service registration. A publisher can initiate a service registration by sending service parameters, API key, and identification details. A publisher can create a dynamic community of interest. The publisher can do so by using an embedded code and corresponding tokens to establish network services for a Dynamic Community of Interest. The system 100 also facilitates access and use of dynamic Cols. A visitor to Website A, which has been enabled for dynamic CoI services by a publisher, can enter the community and integrate in the communication flows that have been assigned to the CoI.
The system 100 may include a Dynamic Home Register (dynHR) that includes a Network Register (NR) where a publisher registers the type of network services that it requires for a specific dynamic CoI it expects to serve. The dynHR also includes a User Register (UR), where a visitor to a Web Page who is interested in participating in the Dynamic CoI registers to become part of the communication service.
DSS 108 is responsible for validating a publisher's request to establish a network service, exchanging billing and service parameters, and allocating an embedded code that is later used to associate a dynamic CoI with a network service. DSS 108 also provides the network service requested by the members of CoIN.
SDS 106 is responsible for identifying one or more communications services associated with a CoIN. Communications services may be assigned to a CoIN based on a registration process, whereby a publisher or other creator of a CoIN defines the communications services offered for that CoIN. Communications services can also be allocated dynamically. For example, SDS 106 may interpret commands, requests, suggestions, etc., from a user communicating in a CoIN and provide other communications services on an ad hoc basis. For example, a user of a CoIN may suggest to another user using textual services that video conferencing would be helpful. SDS 106 can be configured to receive that request using keyword identifications or other semantic process to (a) identify the statement as a request for video conferencing services, (b) identify whether video conference services are within the set authorized communications services for the publisher, (c) provide a notification to the CoIN users that video conferencing is available, and (d) provide an interface for video conferencing to the users (or a portion thereof) of the CoIN. Other events may occur, and the ones listed here are examples of steps that may occur to provide communications services dynamically. SDS 106 also maintains the table or list of network services subscribed by each CoIN, and the associated DSS 108 that will provide the specific network service to the members of the CoIN.
For example, a CoIN may have subscribed to multiple network services such as Video Broadcasting, and Multi-party Video Conferencing. The SDS 106 assigns and maintains a list where Video Broadcasting (network service) is supported by DSS 1, and Multi-party Video Conferencing (network service) is supported by DSS 2. When any member of the CoIN attaches to the CoIN, or invokes a network service, the SDS 106 provides the access information to the respective DSS 108 to the member. The DSS 108 then provides the actual network service to the member of the CoIN.
System 100 also includes a website/content publisher 110. Publisher 110 is a publisher of any website, online web content provider, or online web service provider, or any agent of a content/service provider. Publisher website 110 may be associated with a repository 114 that stores web documents, data, etc., and a web server 112. A publisher may define one or more CoINs. Each CoIN is represented by an array of parameters such as, a web-session between the user's end device and a particular web server, or part of a web service; a web-session between the user's end device and a website (e.g., www.xyz.com); a web-session between the user's end device and a part of a website (e.g., www.xyz.com/department/laptops/customercare); a web-session between the user's end device and a web-based service provided by a website (e.g., www.banking.com/mybanking.cgi). Any such web-based service may be provided by using web technologies such as HTML, DHTML, PHP, CGI, ASX, Flash, Javascripts or any other scripting/web programming languages either driven by client-side, or server-side scripting; a web-session where the user is searching for keywords “Patent Attorneys in Bay Area” on a popular search engine(s), and is in the Bay Area location; the location of the end-user device; and the type of the end-user device.
System 100 includes one or more users or consumers of content/service who are using the Internet or the mobile network to access a particular content or service provided. System 100 shows six device types, which can each be considered a user. For example, user 120 may be a PC, laptop, MAC, tablet, or Internet television, or other device used to access a network 180. User 120 may include a browser 122 that can be used to display a CoIN interface 124, an interface for live or streaming content 126, and an interface for browsing other web content 123. User 120 may also be configured to provide a stand-alone live web interface 126.
User 130 is shown as a tablet PC or smartphone device that communicates with the network 180 through a telecommunications network. User 130 may include a browser that can be used to display a CoIN interface 134, an interface for live or streaming content 136, and an interface for browsing other web content 133.
User 140 is a smartphone that communicates across a mobile network 182 using voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) functionality. The device of user 140 may include an interface 143 and a live web interface 146. A live web interface 146 is a window or display space on the user's end device which is displaying or playing or capturing live media to/from the user's end device.
User 150 is a mobile phone that communicates across the network 182. User 150 includes a communications interface 152. User 160 is a telephone that communicates through a telecom network 184. User 170 is a television system that includes set top box (STB) 172. STB 172 communicates through a television network 186, such as a cable network or a satellite network.
Once registered or attached to the CoIN, a user can invoke and use communication services provided by the CoIN. Users can also specify the device by which CoIN services are to be accessed. For example, a user can use a laptop to access a webpage, and when invoking CoIN services, can specify that such services are to be delivered to his or her cellular phone. The CoIN service can then be delivered to the cellular phone for this session and, if selected, as a default for future sessions.
When Web Browser A 122(A) accesses the Website 1110(1), the Website 1110(1) delivers the Web Video Interface along with other content of the webpage to Web Browser A 122(A). The Web Video Interface in the Web Browser A 122 (A) provides connectivity and access to the Web Video Service system using the HTTP or any other IP based connectivity. Live Web CoIN 124(A) may be used as an interface to interact with other CoIN members using the web video interface delivered by Website 1110(1).
When Web Browser A 122(A) is viewing the webpage content from Website X, it is added to the dynamic community of interest network of Website 1110(1) in the LNP 102. Web Browser A 122(A) can then activate the Web Service Interface (for Live Web CoIN 124(A)) to enter into a Live Interactive video session with all other members of the community of interest of Website 1110(1) by sending messages to the LNP 102.
Website 1110(1) can be any page or all pages on a particular website. For example, all pages in the domain name www.amazon.com can be referred as Website 1110(1), or a particular page on that site (e.g., http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Books/xxxx . . . ) can be referred as Website 1110(1).
The dynamic CoI that is created is for the Website 1110(1) as described above. This includes all such Web Browser A 122(A) visiting the Website 1110(1), including visitors, and publishers of the Website 1110(1). When the video session is activated by the Web Browser A 122(A), the LNP 102 provides a live interactive two-way video between all such web browsers that are part of the same CoIN. A text chat session, or a voice session, or any other interactive session can be initiated by the Web Browser A 122(A) using the LNP 102 system for that particular CoIN.
The publisher 210 establishes a trust relationship with the LNP 202, and requests an API key, billing key, CoIN-key, and authentication parameters for a particular CoIN. The LNP 202 provides a unique API/billing Key, CoIN-key, and authentication parameters for the registered CoIN for the publisher 210. The LNP 202 also provides a suite of services available in the CoIN for the publisher 210, and the respective tariff and billing information. The publisher 210 requests a subscription to specific services, and obtains a service key for each requested service available in the CoIN. The API-key+CoIN-key+Service-key become a unique identifier of a service requested by the publisher 210 for a specific CoIN. In certain implementations, the LNP 210 can provide embedded code or web service links or SDK/tools to allow for publisher 210 to include access to the CoIN and its services in their web content/service
In certain implementations, the publisher builds webpage/content specific for each of the CoIN, and embeds code required to access the CoIN services from the LNP (314). The LNP provides the embedded code, SDKs, tools, etc. necessary for the publisher to access the CoIN and the services subscribed by the CoIN (316). In other implementations, the publisher registers one or more webpages, and requests assignment of CoINs for each website, webpage, or portion thereof. In this situation, a user visiting the webpage can received a CoIN interface and CoIN services directly from the LNP.
The steps above are repeated for each CoIN hosted by the publisher (e.g., for an e-commerce publisher, the publisher can register a CoIN for a shoe department, and another for Laptops, etc.) (318).
The response of the registry is that the API-key, service keys, validity information (authentication), and other information is delivered back to the web server (330) for delivery to the publisher 332.
Publisher 410 includes a web server 412 and a repository 414 for storage of web documents, which may include embedded CoIN coding. Repository 414 can also store authentication information, API keys, service keys, CoIN profiles, user profiles, and other information used to identify, create, register, provide, and otherwise facilitate CoINs.
In system 400, the user is user 430, which is any user that includes a web browser 432 for browsing the Internet. For example, user 430 may be a PC, laptop, tablet, IP-TV browser, gaming system, MAC, etc. Web browser 432 can be used to browse content 436, and can be enhanced using embedded code delivered from a publisher or delivered directly from the LNP 402. Browser 432 can include an embedded window 434 that provides an interface that allows the user to view, join, and interact with the CoIN. LNP 402 can also provide an interface window 438 to the user, either as a new window or as an executable program downloaded from the LNP server 418.
In
The user 430 may click on the default CoIN service (public video room). The CoIN interface 434 in the user's web browser 432 sends the service request to the LNP web server 418 with CoIN Keys, User Session Keys, Service Key, User Login Credentials, Preferred Device, Current Device, Location, etc. The LNP web server 418 will pass the service request to the computer program 422. The computer program 422 will authenticate the service request using the DSR 404. If successful, the computer program 422 will obtain the serving switch ID and address from the SDS 406, and route the service request to the DSS 408. The DSS 408 will start the live session with the live window in the user's browser/app. DSS 408 will exchange messages with the CoIN/browser/app. via computer program 422 and LNP web server 418 to setup the session. Live media will flow directly between DSS 408 and the browser live window 434 or on a stand-alone live window 438 on user's Laptop/PC/Smartphone.
Users accessing or interested in a particular CoI can become associated with the CoIN. Users can access a particular CoI using login credentials that are 1) anonymous, 2) login credentials provided by the CoIN owner, 3) Email/Password, 4) any other federated or social network login credentials such as Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, etc. Once registered/attached to the CoIN, users can invoke and use services provided by the CoIN. Once the user leaves the CoIN, he/she can detach/de-register from the CoIN, and can no longer access services provided by the CoIN. Once user returns to the CoIN, he/she is able to access the services again, as well as access stored messages, videos, text, voicemails, etc. Alternatively, the user can stay checked in after leaving, and receive notifications in, e.g., a task bar or on a mobile device, etc.
The publisher and its agents are notified of the API Key (726), as well as the of the establishment of the CoIN (732) (or the joining of a new user to an established CoIN (728)). Communications services are then provided by the LNP for this CoIN (730). The network is then established (or the new user then joins the network) (732). A user may request a service (734). The LNP sets up and provides access to the requested service (736). The communications service interface is then rendered on the user display (738).
The publisher can establish an association between a CoIN and a list of available services for that CoIN and provide that associated to the LNP. A user accesses the publisher's website, content, or web service, where the parameters of the user's web-session overlap with or correspond to certain of the parameters of the CoIN (as defined by the publisher). For example, a user accessing a web-session at www.xyz.com/department/laptops/customercare using his laptop in Dallas, Tex. would exhibit network activity such as a particular URI (portion of a website), a device type (laptop), a location (Dallas, Tex.). These parameters may overlap with certain parameters associated with one or more CoINs, such as the CoIN associated with customer care for laptops. As another example, user in San Francisco, Calif. is searching for the keywords “Best Patent Attorneys in Bay Area” using his iPad. This user exhibits network activity associated with a keyword search and a device (iPad). The keyword search may prompt the LNP to identify one or more CoINs for patent attorneys in the Bay Area. Certain vendors may register for keywords so that when users search for keywords, the vendor's CoIN is one of the CoINs recommended to the user.
A user can register and attach to a CoIN. Once the parameters of the user's web-session matches or overlaps with the parameters of the CoIN, a request to attach/register the user to the CoIN network is sent to the LNP. Such a request is sent either by the web-browser using client-side scripting embedded in the webpage document, or by server-side scripting driven from the web server hosting the publisher's content/service, or via combination of both. Once the user is registered to the CoIN network, he/she is provided access to the services of the CoIN. Once user ends the web-session (e.g., the web-session parameters no longer match the CoIN parameters), the user is detached or unregistered from the CoIN. In certain implementations, the user can stay attached to the CoIN to follow the Coin session after leaving the session (e.g., shutting down the computer) by having the CoIN transfer the session to a different device, like a smartphone or tablet.
Registration was discussed above in connection with
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.