GB2518347A

GB2518347A - User-centric Communication Methods, System and Framework

Info

Publication number: GB2518347A
Application number: GB1312056.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dr Sivapathalingham Sivavakeesar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-07-05
Filing date: 2013-07-05
Publication date: 2015-03-25
Also published as: GB201312056D0

Abstract

The present invention proposes a system, framework and methodologies to compose a user-centric network based on the users spontaneous collaboration requirements. According to one aspect, user-centric networks are formed among like-minded users to enable new paradigm of social networking. Users specify their spontaneous collaboration requirements in the centralised server for instance preferably in terms of applications and services they are interested in. Based on the spontaneous collaboration requirements specified, the proposed system can proactively and reactively identify like-minded users and to form a user-centric network on demand by automatically electing one or more devices to take a special functionality from a short-range radio technology perspectives based on device capabilities and user-context, configuring the elected devices for the purpose of establishing communication channels especially from the perspectives of physical-layer, link-layer, TCP/IP-layer and application-layer, and passing the configured parameters on to other devices to associate with the elected devices.

Description

User-centric Communication Methods, System and Framework

Technical Field

The present invention relates to methods and a complete system/framework for composing user-centric networks.

Background

Modern computing and communication devices have increasing diversity in their capabilities in terms of their processing power, memory capacity, graphics power to support multimedia enriched applications and interfaces to have concurrent multimodal connectivity. With hardware becoming increasingly cheaper. handheld devices for computing and communication will become faster, smaller, more accessible, more affordable, and easier to use. In addition, new short-range radio communication standards such as ZigBee. Bluetooth and WiFiIWiFi-Direct are emerging while promising excellent data rate with low power consumption -hence are more suitable for handheld devices. This leads to a widespread availability of mobile handheld devices that are equipped with one or plurality of such short-range radio standards as WiFi (IEEE 802.11 and its variants). Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1), ZigBee (IEEE 802. i5.4), Infrared, WiMedia UWB and the like. Hence, a smart computing and communication space filled with multitude of heterogeneous handheld devices in the move together with fixed devices aHowing cyber-foraging for instance should be the direct outcome of these technological advancements, and where heterogeneous devices are able to get together and form a network spontaneously on demand as long as they are within each other's radio range. With this, dynamic composition of network is possible on-the-fly and this will improve human interactions and collaborations.

This dynamic network formation that encompasses heterogeneous devices greatly benefits from the ability to rapidly create, deploy and manage services, applications and protocols in response to user demands. In such environments, users can specify their demand in terms of the application and/or services they are interested in to use at a given location at a given time instance. This patent is interested in users' such demand that governs spontaneous interaction among either two or more users using their handheld devices or a handheld device and one or more different kinds of devices (often fixed).

In the modern social networking era, users' ever increasing demand to spontaneously collaborate with one or more like-minded users having the same interests using their portable handheld devices can be satisfied by pre-existing network infra-structures such as cellular networks, wireless LAN or WiFi hotspots, or similar computer networks. However. with the advent of smart-phones, handheld tablet devices, notebooks and the like, mobile users have already generated too large amount of data that even modem cellular networks cannot cope up with. Because cellular networks use licenced spectrums which are scarce and expensive in nature, mobile users will inevitably get an expensive mobile bills. Further, because of the explosive growth of data demanded by modern users, cellular networks have been struggling to satisfy the required quality of service at a decent cost. As a result, flat-rate subscribers in congested cities experience long delays even for a simple loading of a web page in their handheld devices.

Recent studies shows that people would most want to use direct connections for instant messaging, sharing pictures with friends and family, displaying those pictures from a portable device to a monitor or TV screen, video chatting, and playing video games with others while not at home, such as when using public transit. In spite of such growing interest for localised communication, modern handheld devices capabilities and extreme data capacity that can be achieved by modem short-range radio technologies that can well exceed the current typical data rate provided by a modern cellular network, it is not possible for a user to connect to one or more like-minded users or devices instantly and automatically without having to manually configure short-range radios. Hence, because of the technical knowledge and skills required by such an attempt to connect to another like-minded user or device, laymen are deprived of taking advantage of varieties of capabilities provided by modern handheld devices. Given that very often a like-minded user happens to be a stranger, security concern is another hindering issue at present.

The objective of the patent is to enable a user to automatically identify like-minded users even if they happen to be total strangers in a local neighbourhood and subsequently establish necessary communication channels for such like-minded users to interact with each other using one of the supported short-range radio technologies economically without compromising users' security and privacy. The main goal is to enable the identification of like-minded users and establishment of necessary communication channel for possible spontaneous interaction in a user transparent way, so that even a non-technical person can benefit from modern handheld devices and their excellent capabilities.

As a result, in current digital era, for the reasons mentioned spontaneous collaboration demand or the execution of a complex task by a user does not necessanly make use of preconfigured devices or networks, but requires instead a selection of suitable computing elements on-the-fly, based on the task or collaboration requirements and device characteristics (i.e.. tie/working-on-demand or taskiuser-centric networking). This is the "anyone, anywhere, anytime" paradigm of intelligent task-/user-centric network composition. In this new communication paradigm applications and the services are not ported onto a pre-existing network, but where the network itself grows out of the applications and the services which end users want. This approach enables users to view the network in the manner most appropriate to them and their requirements. This can push the boundaries of today's handheld devise users in terms of their ability to form different networks on demand using short-range communication capabilities while being attached to the original conventional mobile/wireless systems namely 3G+, 4G, WiMAX, and WiFi.

However, this potential has not been realized yet technically and commercially due to the following four fundamental reasons: i) the first important problem is associated with the security as this type of spontaneous collaboration often inevitably demands communicating with total strangers or strange devices, and this discourages or prevents users of devices being equipped with one or more short-range radio communication technologies from being connected to each other (e.g.. threat of Bluejacking in the case of Bluetooth), IS ii) the second reason attributes to the unavailability of a unified framework allowing interaction among devices being equipped with different short-range radio technologies in a cohesive and collective way by making them understand each other, iii) the third reason is the unavaflability of killer applications, and iv) the fourth reason attributes to the unavailability of a mechanism that can bridge a gap between a user-centric network composed on demand mainly employing shor -range radio standards and any pre-existing fixed network.

The present invention seeks to overcome the above drawbacks, and particularly seeks to provide a unified solution for easy and economical spontaneous user collaborative experiences.

It is important to be noted here that a network formed on demand to satisfy the demands of one or plurality of users does not have to be peer-to-peer from the perspectives of the short-range radio technology being used.

To aid further understanding of the present invention, a bnef disclosure of Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol UP) (TCP/IP) based Internet protocol suite is now provided. The Internet protocol suite has four abstraction layers on top of the physical-layer that are used to sort all related protocols according to the scope of networking involved. From lowest to highest, the layers above the physical-layer are Link-Layer, Internet-Layer, Transport-Layer and Application-layer.

To aid further understanding of the present invention, difference between Infra-Structure mode (i.e., Access Point (AP) based) operation and Ad-hoc-mode based operation of a short-range radio technology such as WiFi/IEEE 802.11 (and its differcnt variants) is provided.

An IEEE 802.11-based wireless network interface controller (WNIC) can operate in two modes known as Infra-Structure mode and Ad-hoc-mode. In the case of the Infra-Structure mode network, the WNIC needs a wireless Access Point: all data is transferred using the access point as the central hub.

All wireless nodes in an Tnfra-Structure mode network connect to an access point. All nodes connecting to the access point must have the same service set identifier (SSID) as the access point, and if the access point is enabled with wireless encryption protocol (WEP), they must have the same WEP key or other authentication parameters. Infra-Structure mode thus operates in master-stave mode while utilising the Point coordination function (PCF) of the IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control protocol. PCF resides in a point coordinator also known as Access Point (AP), to coordinate the communication within the network. With an availability of a regulator, this mode is suited to multimedia-enriched application that needs quality of service provisioning being ensured by a network to an extent.

On the other hand, in an Ad-hoc-mode network, the WNIC does not require an access point, but rather can inteiface with all other wireless nodes directly.

Ad-hoc mode thus operates in peer-to-peer mode while utilising the Distributed coordination function (DCF) of the IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control protocol. Given that DCF is a random access mechanism with poor medium utilisation efficiency, such mode of operation is only suited to best effort traffic especially in a congested environment.

Typically, many operating systems allow devices to use the Infra-Structure mode of operation by default while requiring no extra manual configuration.

On the other hand, only a handful of operating systems allow devices to use the Ad-hoc mode of operation -but requires sophisticated manual configuration.

Further the term Association in the current context refers to an act by a device to get associated with a wireless access point. The term pairing refers to an act by one device to establish a secure physical-layer and/or link-layer connection after passing of a successful encryption key. Both the terms -association and pairing -are considered in the context of a short-range radio technology.

There exists a multitude of prior works in the area of ad-hoc peer-to-peer networking. Although most of them are not quite related to the present invention because the present invention is interested in forming mainly non-peer-to-peer-based user-centric networks at least from the physical-layer and/or link-layer perspectives, this paragraph tries to review some prior art (e.g., patents namely WO 2007/084807 Al, US 2007/0197160 Al, EP 2161962 Al, and US 2011/0258313 Al) for completeness. In addition, in general, other solutions appearing in the literature have vanous short-comings and deficiencies such as security threats, needing special hardwired solutions, having serious privacy, scalability. and interoperability issues and more importantly lacking the auto network composition that is achievable in a user transparent way with modern short-range radio technologies without expecting any user input or without having to modify the prevalent short-range technologies as proposed in this patent. In other words, the dynamic network composition method, and system as proposed by the present invention is readily applicable to modern handhdd device without leaving out legacy communication and computing devices.

For instance, patent WO 2007/084807 Al envisages the formation of a medical ad hoc peer-to-peer network where each peer device is hardwired and includes a special hardware ca1ed Body-Coupled Communication (BCC) interface for the purpose of authenticating a user. According to that piece of work, joining an existing network requires the user to touches the new device with any device belonging to the estaNished network; in contrary. our proposed framework does not require any such behaviour by any user.

Further, patent WO 2007/084807 Al uses Bluetooth-based connection establishment and mutual authentication which requires manual intervention at least in the first instance. This further precludes any interaction among total strangers without requiring a face-to-face meeting. Further, collaboration is made possible only among purpose built special devices whereas according to the proposed solutions of our present invention the intention is to make such spontaneous collaboration possible among any genenc computing! communication devices as long as they have any short-range wireless transceiver and a mechanism to connect to the centralized server intermittently either before or during the spontaneous collaborations.

Patent US 2007/0197 160 Al presents a low cost apparatus and method to broadcast music in a peer-to-peer network formed on demand. It hence requires special hardware for this purpose, and has one application in mind.

On the other hand, the methodologies and the system framework as proposed in the present invention enable any handheld device users/owners to interact in multiple ways using a variety of applications. Further, the present invention ensures mutual authentication and non-repudiation. and hence allows any user to interact with any stranger as long as the proposed system framework and methodologies confirms the authenticity of users.

Another piece of prior art as proposed in EP 2161962 Al presents a network-assisted peer-to-peer ad hoc network formation based on the service request received from one user equipment CUE). According to this prior art a service request from a source UEI clearly indicates in terms of who the recipient (i.e., the target UE2) is, and then the network checks whether Ad-hoc mode of operation between those UEi and UE2 is possible. If ad hoc network is possiNe, the network will configure UEI to operate in an Ad-hoc network mode and pass the configured parameters to UE2 for the latter to connect to UEi. This network formation operates in pure Ad-hoc mode (i.e., Independent Basic Service Set in the context of WiFi's ad-hoc (peer-to-peer) mode of 802.11 which does not use an access point) whereby a source UEI is required by the network to create and advertise the IBSS of the ad hoc network. This mechanism will not work if the source URI will not support IBSS mode of operation. This is because such mode of operation is not widely supported by many existing devices or many operating systems used by handheld devices -hence, such an ad hoc network formation technique will leave out many computing/communication devices that support legacy mobile operating systems. This is evident from paragraph [0010] that says that an established ad-hoc connection refers to peer-to-peer connection between wireless user terminals, where the communication is supported via wireless-to-wireless transmission. In contrast, the present invention is interested in a composition of a user-centric network where a suitable computing/communication device is configured to operate in the capacity of a wireless access point which one or plurality of other user equipment can later associate with for spontaneous collaboration. Further, in the present invention, network decides in terms of who can be part of a user-centric network based on one or many of the following: 1. instantaneous location information of one or plurality of users 2. time instance 3. applications and services each user is interested in This means a source UEi does not explicitly decide in terms of who it wants to interact with.

One of the notable differences between EP 2161962 Al and the present invention is that in our present invention the centralised server knows in terms of what short-range technologies being supported by two or more devices that intend to spontaneously collaborate with each other prior to any collaboration attempt -if none of them support a common short-range radio technology, no spontaneous collaboration attempt will be triggered. Further, in our present invention, with the prior know'edge the centraised server will choose the right short-range radio technology as opposed to trying out in a trial-and-error method.

Another difference between EP 2161962 Al and the present invention is that the former only allows interaction between two or more homogeneous devices (e.g., user equipment), whereas the latter allows spontaneous interaction between heterogeneous devices (e.g., a user equipment and a printer).

Another patent appfication (US 2011/0258313 Al) presents an idea of network-assisted discovery which is very similar in principles to GB0910282.3 (the predecessor of US 12/897,8i7 which was published and later withdrawn) in terms of the way devices maintain active profiles in the centralised server and the way services and applications are maintained consistently for lightweight operation. Accordingly, the network decides in terms of who can become part of spontaneous collaboration triggered by UEI based on the active profiles. It again concentrates on peer-to-peer network formation that again suffer from the same drawbacks as mentioned for EP 2161962 A2 -hence, the mechanisms proposed will leave out UEs supporting legacy operating systems. One notable difference between US 2011/0258313 Al and our present invention is that according to our present invention, users are registered and not the devices used by users. Users may use different devices -hence, user registration is quite useful. For instance, a device (e.g., a smart-phone) can support a particular application or service -but a user is not interested in it. If this is the case, how can a backend central entity shortlist like-minded users? Further, US 2011/0258313 Al does not clearly explain in terms of how peer discovery will work with the existing short-range radio technologies where device ID (as used in the context of pairing, e.g., in the case of Bluetooth or WiFi-direct) and encryption key are needed by an application or service running at the application-layer lever for pairing, If device IDs are not configured by the network, more than one device having the same make, model and type will have the same device ID. In order to deal with device ambiguities that will thus arise at the time of pairing, devices may need an extra piece of information about the other devices -this is the MAC Address.

In our present invention, it is ensured that in order to form a user-centric network, only minimum configuration information is utilised by the application or service that runs at the application-layer level of the Internet protocol suite as listed below: a) in the case of Bluetooth or WiFi-direct, the centralised server ensures that each device has a unique device ID (through configuration prior to any spontaneous collaboration attempt) and encryption details that are used for pairing and bonding -in this case unique device ID (uniqueness is ensured by the centralised entity through its configuration attempt) and pairing key are suffice for pairing without having to use additional information like MAC Addresses; b) in the case of WiFi induding W1FI-direct as weB), a correct device having suitable capabilities wifl be dynamicafly chosen and configured by the centralised entity to operate in the capacity of an Access Point (AP). Access or login credentials to associate with a said dynamically created AP will be passed on to other devices. Access or login credentials include Network SSID (Service Set Identifier), encryption protocol Option and password. By ensuring uniqueness of Network SSIID by the centralised server (again through configuration prior to any spontaneous collaboration attempt), no additional information (e.g., MAC Address) is needed to ensure identifying the right AP.

Further, this dynamic AP formation will allow any legacy device (those using old mobile Operating System or those that cannot support Ad-hoc mode operation as defined for instance by IBSS) to become part of a user-centric network formed on demand for spontaneous collaboration (i.e., they are not left out).

In other words, in our present invention, the application or service that runs at the application-layer level in a handheld device is provided with the correct information in the appropriate format (e.g., SSID of an Access Point) to enable user-centric network formation as opposed to requiring an application-layer protocol to deal with Layer 2 (i.e., Link Layer) protocol information (i.e., MAC Address of an Access Point). The act of configuring and providing a different piece of information in the appropriate format for an application-layer level protocol is thus one notable difference.

In addition, according to the present invention the network SSID and the device ID are configured such they are application or service dependent so that it is easy for other devices that look for a user-centric network pertaining to a given application or service can easily identify an existence of a network for easy joining.

Spontaneous collaboration in US 2011/0258313 Al and EP 2161962 Al will not work if for instance a backend entity cannot be contacted by a device. In contrast, according to the present invention, spontaneous collaboration is still possible without compromising security and privacy of users. Although the present invention does not claim priority to one of the earlier tiling (US 12/897,8 17) made by the same authors in the same technical area that is different in terms of the inventive steps taken, it take advantage of the way applications and services are systematically and hierarchically classified to ensure consistency and lightweight operation of a service, peer or device discovery protocol that proactively and reactively identify like-minded users and/or devices to enable spontaneous collaboration using one of the short-range radio technologies -the relevant contents of which are incorporated here by reference. The present invention is different from US 12/897.817 because in the latter initial handshake is among user devices. Network assistance is sought later for mutual authentication, avoiding address collision and the like.

The present invention is different from US 12/897,817, EP 2161962 Al or similar prior art because the present invention enables a user-centric network composition employing one or many short-range radio technologies concurrently.

The present invention also differs from US 12/897,817, EP 2161962 Al or similar prior art in that the network-topothgy is not going to be of mesh type but preferably of a star type. Another distinct feature is that the present invention considers a user-centric network formation from the perspectives of the physical-layer, the link-layer. TCP/IP-level and the application-layer.

In essence, the framework enabling secure spontaneous interaction proposed in the present invention has a number of unique features that make the invention easily standout from the prior art because of the way it enables a very pragmatic dynamic composition of network based on user requirements that is readily possible with existing technologies. In doing so, unlike some prior arts, the present invention does not totafly leave out old handheld devices that use legacy mobile operating systems.

It should also be noted here that while there exists various solutions to the problem of enabling direct spontaneous collaboration, there has been no proper attempt to apply it to the same research problem in order to enable secure user-centric network composition and subsequent secure direct spontaneous collaboration among total strangers along with an ability to maintain session continuity when users move a part substantially that they go out-of-range of each other in the manner proposed here. In addition to being a scalable and very pragmatic commercial solution because of the way the direct spontaneous collaboration (i.e., user-centric) network makes use of fixed centralised server and the associated database to assure total strangers to interact with each other with no fear, it bnngs in additional benefits such as being appflcable to any application and services (i.e., not tied to a particular application), assuring security among sporadic strangers without requiring them to have any interaction prior to any direct spontaneous collaboration, being applicable at a global level without requiring any special hardware or hardwired mechanism, assuring session continuity, ensunng user privacies and many as slightly discussed previously.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising: a) A first user and one or more other users trying to interact with one another using one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type; b) an pre-existing infrastructure-based network providing Internet Protocol (IF) connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type with a centralised server; where each computing/communication devices of first type supports one or more variants of communication interfaces of first type and a communication interface of second type and the centraised server captures context-information in relation to each user of a computing/communication devices of first type together with capability information of each of said computing/communication devices of first type via the said communication interface of second type. wherein on identifying the existence of two or more like-minded users in a given location that can spontaneously collaborate with each other for a common goal based on said context-information, the said centralised server will execute a user-centric network formation procedure comprising the steps of: i) choosing one or more communication interfaces of first type to be used that are common to said computing/communication devices of first type being used by the said 111cc-minded users; ii) configuring the parameters associated with the one or more said communication interfaces of first type chosen pertaining to one or more selected computing/communication devices of first type; iii) passing the said configured parameters of each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type on to each of non-selected computing/communication devices of first type; along with an identity of exact communication interfaces of first type chosen and, iv) prompting each of the said non-selected computing/communication devices of first type to connect to each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type using the configured parameters on the chosen communication interfaces of first type; Wherein both the said selected and non-selected computing/communication devices of first type belong to the said like-minded users identified, and each of the said non-selected computing/communication devices of first type connect to each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type through pairing or association on the one or more chosen communication interfaces of first type.

It is preferred that the said user-centric network formed on demand.

characterised in that the said context information being used to identify the said like-minded users pertains at least to the types of applications or services that users are interested in to enable spontaneous collaboration in a given location and at a given time instance and whether the said computing/communication devices of first type being currently used support the types of applications or services being interested in and the exact communication interfaces of first type being supported by the said computing/communication devices of first type being currently used.

PreferaNy the said user-centric network formed on demand, characterised in that an identification of the said like-minded users in a given location at a given time instance is canied out with respect to a said first user by the centralised server and it involves: a. determining whether a first user is currently located in a close proximity to one or many users that can spontaneously collaborate with each other for a said common goal and short-listing a first set of users accordingly; b. subjecting the first set of users short-listed to a further test by checking whether two or more users belonging to the said first set supports one or more of common said communication interfaces of first type and short-listing a second set of users such that users belonging to the said second set are within the communication range/coverage pertaining to one or more common said communication interfaces of first type supported of each other; c. further dividing the said second set per communication interface of first type supported and deriving a set of third sets where in each set of the said third sets said computing/communication devices of first type can connect to each other through one exact variant of the said communication interface of first type; d. further checking whether there exists one or more said computing/communication devices of first type that are common to two or more of the said sets of said third set; e. considering only those sets of said third set that can satisfy a set of criteria for composing a said user-centric network in a given location at a given time.

wherein spontaneously collaborating with each other for a common goal means whether said one or more other users are interested to spontaneously collaborate in relation to the same application or service a first user is interested in.

Preferably the said user-centric network formed on demand through short-listing a said set of said third sets, characterised in that those sets of said third set being considered for composing a said user-centric network need to meet the said set of criteria comprising: i) need to including the said first user from the perspectives of the said communication interface of first type; ii) maximum number of users that can be supported by the said common goat iii) existence of one or more said computing/communication devices of first type that are common to two or more of the said sets of said third set; wherein the said set of said third sets that can meet the said set of criteria is teimed the allowed set of third sets being considered for composing a user-centric network in a given location at a given time instance and set of communication interfaces of first type that can be supported in the said allowed set of third sets is termed the allowed set of communication interfaces of first type.

It is preferred that the said user-centric network formed on demand by getting each of the said non-selected computing/communication devices of first type connect to each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type through pairing or association, characterised in that the said selected and non-selected computing/communication devices of first type is considered from the perspectives of the said allowed set of third sets.

Preferably the said user-centric network formed on demand through deriving the said allowed set of third sets, characterised in that the said selected computing/communication devices of first type comprises those computing/communication devices of first type that are common to two or more of the said ailowed set of third sets.

It is preferred that the said user-centric network formed on demand through deriving the said allowed set of third sets, characterised in that the said configured parameters pertaining to one or more said selected computing/communication dcviccs of first type arc rclated to the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type.

It is preferred that the said user-centric network formed on demand through derving the said allowed set of third sets, characterised in that a new user-centric network will be formed only when a similar network for the same common-goal does not exist in a given location at a given time instance on the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type.

PreferaNy the said user-centric network formed on demand through deriving the said allowed set of third sets, characterised in that one of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type that can support as many number of said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type as possihle will be chosen to operate in the capacity of an application server to achieve the said conmion goal.

It is prefelTed that the said user-centric network formed on demand, characterised in that the selection of the said application server is made by the said centralised server and its details will be passed on to every said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets.

It is preferred that the said user-centric network formed on demand through deriving the said allowed set of third sets, characterised in that the said application server operates an access point from the perspectives of one or more of the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type and the said configured parameters govern namely the network Service Set Identifier (SSID), encryption protocol, and password where the network Service Set Identifier (SSID) is application or service specific and takes a constant value for a given application or service achieving the same said common goal.

Preferably the said user-centric network formed on demand through denying the said allowed set of third sets, characterised in that the said application server allows connection from other said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets through pairing from the perspectives of one or more of the said ailowed set of communication interfaces of first type and the said configured parameters are painng parameters containing namely device identifier (i.e., device ID) to be advertised on one or more of the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type and an associated encryption key commonly known as a Personal Information Number (PIN), wherein the device identifier (i.e., device ID) is application or service specific and takes a constant value for a given application or service achieving the same said common goal.

It is prefelTed that the said user-centric network formed on demand through deriving the said allowed set of third sets, characterised in that the said application server operates the dynamic host configuration protocol (DI-ICP) so that it will assign IP address to any said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets that joins it through either pairing or association.

PreferaNy the said user-centric network formed on demand through deriving the said aHowed set of third sets, characterised in that the said application server can provide Internet connection through a technique called tethering to any said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets that joins it through either pairing or association.

Preferably the said user-centric network formed on demand, characterised in that the said pre-existing infrastructure network can be a cellular network, wired Local Area network (LAN), or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) providing TCP/IP-based packet-switched connection between a said computing/communication device of first type and the said centralised server, and the said communication interface of first type operates any existing or future short-range radio technology and the said the communication interface of second type can be the main air interface of any cellular network, WiMAX, any existing and future WLAN/WiFi (e.g., IEEE 802.1 la/b/g/n and the like) or can be based on Ethernet and the 111cc.

It is preferred that the said user-centric network formed on demand, characterised in that in case periodic contact/communication/interaction between the said centralised server and a said computing/communication device of first type is not preferred or possible, the said computing/communication device of first type of a first user wanting to engage in a spontaneous interactive communication based on a given application or service being interested in will perform the following: i). sniffing the local neighbourhood for any existence of a user-centric network for a given application or service a first user is interested in a given location and at a given time-instance; ii). if a similar user-centric network already exists, a. it trying to join using default access or login credentials; b. if an access using default access or login credentials fails, contacting the said centralised server for user-centric-specific access or login credentials to be passed on and it trying to join using the obtained access or login credentials; iii).if a similar user-centric network does not already exist only on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type of a said first user, the said computing/communication device of first type will configure one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that it can support using default parameters.

Wherein any second user that is interested in the same application or service can join the said computing/communication device of a first type belonging to a said first user using default parameters pertaining to one or more of said communication interfaces of first type being supported by both a said first user and a second user.

Preferably the said user-centric network formed on demand. characterised in that each said computing/communication device of first type being part of a said user-centric network formed on demand measures the received signal strength from a said computing/communication device that operates in the capacity of an application server and the said application server measuring received signa' strength from each of other computing/communication devices of first type and each device reporting the measurement to the said centralised server, wherein the said centralised server will prompt a said computing/communication device of first type, whose received signal from or transmitted signal to the said application server is below a given threshold, to connect to the said application server via the said communication interface of second type.

Preferably the said user-centric network formed on demand, characterised in that if received signal strength based measurement reporting indicates that the said configured application server is moving away from most of the other like-minded users of an existing active user-centric network, another suitable computing/communication device of first type will be chosen to replace an existing application server or all the said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets will be prompted to maintain connectivity with the existing application server via the said communication interface of second type.

Preferably the said user-centric network formed on demand. characterised in that in case the said centralised server is involved in the formation of a user-centric network, the said server will keep user-centric network-specific details centrally consisting of at least the said configured parameters pertaining to a said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type. the identity or the IP address of a user/device being configured to operate in the capacity of an application-server, the said common goal for which it is created, and active participants.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand working with: a) one or many users trying to interact with one another using one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type; b) an pre-existing infrastructure-based network providing Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type with a centralised server; where each computing/communication devices of first type supports one or more variants of communication interfaces of first type and a communication interface of second type and the centralised server captures context-information in relation to each user of a computing/communication devices of first type together with capability information of each of said computing/communication devices of first type via the said communication interface of second type, wherein on identifying the existence of two or more like-minded users in a given location that can spontaneous'y collaborate with each other for a common goal based on said context-information, the said centralised server will execute a user-centric network formation procedure comprising the steps of: i). choosing one or more communication interfaces of first type to be used that are common to said computing/communication devices of first type being used by the said like-minded users; ii). The said centralised server checking to see whether a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given common goal a first user is interested in already exists on the chosen communication interfaces of first type -if does not exists already, go to step (iii) or else if it already exists follow step (iv); iii).lii case a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given common goal a first user is interested in on the chosen communication interfaces of first type does not already exist a. The said centralised server determining whether a first user is currently located in a close proximity to one or many like-minded users such that the said like-minded users are within the radio coverage pertaining to the said communication interface of first type supported by each other; b. Based on step (iii.a), the said centralised server shortlisting one or plurality of like-minded users that can spontaneously collaborate with a said first user at a given time instance at a given location; c. The said centralised server configuring the said communication interface of first type pertaining to one or more of said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to a said shortlisted like-minded users while passing the configured parameters to other computing/communication devices of first type; d. With the passed on parameters. the said centralised server getting said computing/communication devices of first type to form the said user-centric network.

iv). In case a user-centric network at a given thcation at a given time-instance for a given common goal a first user is interested in already exists on the chosen communication interfaces of first type; a. The said centralised server getting a said first user to join the existing user-centric network; Wherein if a said user-centric network is formed on-demand in a given location at a given time instance for a given application or service, the said centralised server will record the user-centric network-specific details centrally, and once like-minded users become part of a user-centric network, any application or service programme running at the application-layer level of a said computing/communication device of first type belonging to a said first user and said shortlisted like-minded users enables spontaneous collaboration among the identified like-minded users.

Preferably the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, wherein like-minded users are identified based on applications or services a first user is interested in.

It is preferred that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, wherein each said computing/communication device of first type is installed and running a client application and the said method is executed by the said client application along with user-centric network composition procedure.

It is preferred that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that the said centralised server checking to see whether a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in already exists involves one or many of the following steps: a) Getting a said computing/communication device of first type being used by a said first user to sniff its local area for any existence of a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in on one or more of said communication inteifaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type of a said first user; b) the said centralised server checking its records for any existence of a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in; PreferaNy the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand. characterised in that the said user-centric network-specific details centrally recorded by the said centralised server include at least user-centric network-specific association or pairing parameters from the perspectives of the said communication interface of first type.

It is prefelTed that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that user-centric network-specific configuration parameters can be passed on to a first user to join an already existing user-centnc network.

Preferably the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that the said centralised server periodically checks with a member of a user-centric network for the existence of a given user-centric network to continuously keep a given user-centric network -specific details centrally.

It is preferred that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characteilsed in that in case the said centralised server chccking to see whether a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user interested in does not have any user-centric network-specific record centrally whereas a said computing/communication device of first type being used by a said first user identifies an existence of a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in, the said centralised server will get a first user to join the identified user-centric network using default access or login credentials.

PreferaNy the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that the said user-centric network to be formed on demand can be an Access Point (AP) or base-station (BS) based where one said computing/communication device of first type will be configured to operate in the capacity of an access point by the said centralised server on the said communication interface of first type with specific configuration parameters governing the Network SSID. encryption protocol, and password and the 111cc, and other 111cc-minded users in a given location at a given time instance will be provided with the configuration parameters to automatically associate with the configured access point.

It is preferred that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that the said dynamically created access point or base-station (BS) can be based on WiFi or IEEE 802.11 wherein joining the AP is similar to the existing mechanism.

I

Preferably the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that each user creates and maintains one or more active profiles in the centralised server for the said centralised server to identify like-minded users on-the-fly in a given location and a given time instance where each profile specifies means for a said first user to spontaneously collaborate with one or plurality of like-minded users and the said one or more active profile enables a user to at least specify preferences in terms of what high-level application and services (being typically supported by the application-layer of the Internet protocol suite) a given user is interested at a given location at a given time instance and the type of spontaneous collaboration a user prefers is governed by the type of application or service a user is interested in and whether a said computing/communication device of first type being used at a given time instance by a user can support the given application or service.

It is preferred that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand. characterised in that the centralised server further collects information (constantly or periodically) in relation to capabilities associated with a said computing/communication device of first type being used at a given time instance by a user at least in terms of the make, brand, model, type, the exact communication interface of first type (i.e., short-range radio technologies) supported. types and versions of application or services installed and supported, the Operating System installed and its version, residual battery energy level (%), current user activity (i.e., iWe or engaged) and the like.

Preferably the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that the said centralised server chooses the right type of the said communication interface of first type to be used in the formation of a said user-centric network, configures the required association or pairing parameters pertaining to the said communication interface of first type of one or plurality of a said computing/communication device of first type used by like-minded users and passes the said configured parameters to other like-minded users for the user-centric network formation, wherein the selection of the right type of the said communication interface of first type to be used at least depends on one or many of the following: a. Whether it is supported by one or many said computing/communication devices of first type used by like-minded users.

b. Whether the QoS demanded by an application or service being interested in by like-minded users can be supported; Preferably the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that configuring one device to operate in the capacity of an access point by the said centralised server on the said communication interface of first type is based on the capability information gathered by the said centralised server in relation to a said computing/communication device of first type being used at a given time instance by a user.

It is prefelTed that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that the said Network SSID of a said access point belonging to a user-centric network formed on-demand at a given location at a given time instance to enable spontaneous interactive communication based on the given application or service can be application or service dependent and takes a constant value for a given application or service supported where each application or service is hierarchically, consistently and systematically classified in a tine granular manner to ensure its uniqueness.

Preferably the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand. characterised in that in case periodic contact! communication/interaction between the said centralised server and a said computing! communication device is not preferred or possible, the said computing!communication device of first type of a said first user wanting to engage in a spontaneous interactive communication based on a given application or service being interested in will perform the following: i). sniffing the local neighbourhood for any existence of a user-centric network for a given application or service a user is interested in a given location and at a given time-instance on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type of a said first user; ii). if a similar user-centric network already exists, a. it tying to join using default access or login credentials; b. if an access using default access or login credentials fafis, contacting the said centralised server for user-centric-specific access or login credentials to be passed on and it trying to join using the obtained access or login credentials; iii).if a similar user-centnc network does not already exist only, the said computing/communication device of first type will configure itself as an access point using default Network SSID for a given application or service being interested in and default access or login credentials.

Wherein in case there is already an existing user-centric network operating on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type of a said first user at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user interested in, another user-centric network for the same application or service cannot be formed.

It is prefelTed that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that the said computing/communication device of first type configuring itself as an access point is possible only if such configuration is supported by a said computing/communication device of first type.

Preferably the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that a said user-centric network to be formed on demand can be of pure peer-to-peer type without involving configuring any said computing/communication device of first type to operate in the capacity of an access point or base station.

It is prefelTed that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that a said user-centric network to be formed on demand can be of pure peer-to-peer type employing WiFi-direct technology on the said communication interface of first type where each said computing/communication device of first type is configured by the said centralised server to take a globally unique device identifier to be advertised on the said communication interface of first type and an associated encryption key commonly known as a Personai Information Number (PIN) and such configured parameters are exchanged with said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to other like-minded users shortlisted to form a said user-centric networlc.

PreferaNy the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, charactensed in that a said user-centric network to be formed on demand can be of pure peer-to-peer type employing Wifi-direct or Bluetooth technology on the said communication interface of first type.

I

It is prefelTed that the said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand, characterised in that each said computing/communication device of first type being part of a said user-centnc network formed on demand measures the received signal strength from a said computing/communication device that functions as a master or access point of a said user-centric network while a said master or access point measuring received signal strength from other said computing/communication device of first type and each device reporting the measurement to the said centralised server, wherein the said centralised server will prompt a said computing/communication device of first type, whose received signal or transmitted signal from/to a said master or access point is below a given threshold of a specific communication interface of first type used, to connect to the same user-centric network via the said communication interface of second type.

According to the third embodiment present invention, there is provided a spontaneous collaboration system comprising: a) one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type; b) an pre-existing infrastructure-based network providing Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type with a centralised server; c) one or plurality of computing/communication devices of second type; wherein each said computing/communication devices of first type supports a communication interface of first type and a communication interface of second type to connect to the said centralised server, whereas each said computing/communication devices of second type supports only communication interface of first type where spontaneous collaboration between a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type is initiated when an explicit service request originates from the former and the said centralised server will execute spontaneous collaboration procedure comprising the steps of: i) getting the instantaneous geographica' location information of a said computing/communication device of first type and the exact communication interface of first type it can support; ii) discovering the set of said computing/communication devices of second type that can provide the service requested in a given thcation; iii) selecting the best said computing/communication device of second type, finding out the exact communication interface of first type it can support and fetching associated association or pairing parameters; iv) passing the fetched associated association or pairing parameters on to a said computing/communication devices of first type only if a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type supports one or more common communication interfaces of first type; v) prompting the said computing/communication devices of first type to connect to said computing/communication device of second type using the passed on associated association or pairing parameters; PreferaNy the said spontaneous collaboration between a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type, characterised in that a said computing/communication device of second type provides a fixed service and relatively fixed in a given geographical location.

It is prefelTed that the said spontaneous collaboration between a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type, characterised in that details of a said computing/communication device of second type namely in terms of exact services it can provide, identity or address, geographical location, exact communication interfaces of first type being supported and associated pairing or association parameters are manually stored with the centralised server.

Preferably the said spontaneous collaboration between a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type, characterised in that the pairing or association parameters associated with a said computing/communication device of second type are not advertised on one or more communication interfaces of first type.

It is preferred that the said spontaneous collaboration between a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type, characterised in that communication interface of first type supports Bluetooth orWiFi-direct.

According to the fourth embodiment present invention, there is provided a spontaneous collaboration method worlcing with: a) one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type; b) one or plurality of computing/communication devices of second type; c) an pre-existing infrastructure-based network providing Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type and one or many said computing/communication devices of second type with a centralised server; wherein each said computing/communication devices of first/second type supports a communication interface of first type and a communication interface of second type to connect to the said centralised server, where spontaneous collaboration between a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type is initiated when an explicit service request originates from the former and the said centralised server will execute spontaneous collaboration procedure comprising the steps of: i) getting the instantaneous geographical location information of a said computing/communication device of first type and the exact communication interface of first type it can support; ii) discovering the set of said computing/communication devices of second type that can provide the service requested in a given location; iii) selecting the best said computing/communication device of second type, finding out the exact communication interface of first type it can support, configuring associated association or pairing parameters; iv) passing the configured associated association or pairing parameters pertaining to the best said computing/communication device of second type chosen on to a said computing/communication devices of first type only if a said computiiig/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type supports the same communication interface of first type; v) prompting the said computing/communication devices of first type to connect to said computing/communication device of second type using the passed on associated association or pairing parameters; It is preferred that the said spontaneous collaboration method, characterised in that configured association parameters govern namely the network Service Set Identifier (SS ID), encryption protocol. and password where the network Service Set Identifier (SSID) is specific to a service provided and takes a constant va'ue for a given service provided.

Preferably the said spontaneous collaboration method, configured pairing parameters containing namely device identifier (i.e., device ID) to be advertised on one or more of the supported communication interface of first type and an associated encryption key commonly known as a Personal Information Number (PIN), wherein the device identifier (i.e., device ID) is specific to a service provided and takes a constant value for a given service provided.

It is preferred that the said spontaneous collaboration method, characterised in that communication inteitace of first type supports Bluetooth or WiFi or WiFi-direct.

Description of the Drawings

Non-limited and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

Figure 1 is an exemplary illustrative network environment where various embodiments of the present invention are said to work.

Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates the resulting user-centric network formed on demand from the perspectives of different functionalities and protocol architecture supported by devices involved according to one embodiment of thc prcscnt invention.

Figure 3 illustrates signalling involved as part of a centralised server assisted proactive user-centric network composition among computing/communication devices of first type according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates signalling involved as part of a centralised server assisted user-centric network composition among computing/communication devices of first type at an explicit service request according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates signalling involved as part of a centralised server assisted user-centric network composition between a computing/communication device of first type and a computing/communication device of second type at an explicit service request according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 6 and 6B pertain to a flowchart illustrating the functioning of a computing /communication device of first type as part of the centralised server assisted user-centric network composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the functioning of the centralised server as part of a centralised server assisted user-centric network composition among computing/communication devices of first type according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the functioning of the centralised server as part of a centraised server assisted user-centric network composition between a computing/communication device of first type and a computing/communication device of second type according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 depicts some of the key functionalities of the centralised server application according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the functioning of the centralised server when executing session continuity within a user-centric network formed on demand according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Specific Embodiments

The present embodiments are described with reference to ubiquitous communication and computing environment where there exists a plurality of heterogeneous handheld mobile computing devices and fixed computing devices all of which are equipped with one or plurality of wireless transceivers providing short-range wireless or mobile communication capabilities.

Figure 1 is an exemplary illustrative network environment lO where various embodiments of the present invention are said to work. The network environment 10 that can facilitate secure user-centric network 14 composition based on user context consists namely of one or plurality of computing/communication deviccs of first typc 12, a server 24 running a server application 28 and maintaining one or plurality of databases 22, and a pre-existing infra-structure network 18 providing connection between 12 and the Internet 20. A computing/communication devices of first type 12 can be a mobile phone, smartphone, personal digital assistant PDA), netbook, laptop, tablet (e.g., Apple's iPad) or similar device being equipped with a wireless transceiver providing the communication interface of first type 48. Different variants of computing/communication devices of first type 12 can exist as shown exemplarily by 12-1, 12-2, 12-3... that vary from each other namely in teims of the processing power and memory capacity being possessed and Operating System (OS) supported. Any computing/communication device of first type 12 can preferably support TCP/IP networking and associated protocols for the purpose of interacting with the server 24/28 either prior to or during or after forming a user centric network 14.

The centralised server 24 can get to know users' context namely based on time of a day, location and one or plurality of user profiles that any user maintains with 24. A more detailed description about this will be given later.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the intention is to make a user-centric network 14 formed on demand among one or more computing/communication devices of first type 12 based on users' current context information as a way to enable spontaneous collaboration among like- minded users. According to one aspect of the present embodiment, a user-centric network 14 formed on demand operates on a communication interface of first type 48. For this purpose, each computing/communication device of first type 12 supports a communication interface of first type 48. A communication interface of first type 48 is provided by a short-range radio communication technology such as infrared, IEEE 802.11 (Wifi/WiFi-Direct) 48-1, Buetooth 48-2, ZigBee 48-3 (not shown in Fig. 1), near-field communication (NFC) 48-4 (not shown in Fig. 1) or their variants or similar technologies. The user-centric network 14 once formed can operate with or without any reliance on a pre-existing infra-structure-based network 18 as it will be explained later. This will enable users to avoid using licenced cellular spectrum as much as possible as a way to minimise mobile bills.

Any spontaneous collaboration among two mobile devices 12 is via a communication interface of first type 48 whereas intermittent interaction between a mobile device 12 and the centralised network is via the communication interface of second type 32. However, after a user-centric network 14 is formed on the said communication interface of first type 48, if all users move apart such that they will be out of each other's range of the said communication interface of first type 48, a user-centric network formed on demand can operate entirely on communication interface of second type 32. If, on the other hand, if some users that formed 14 on demand are within each other's range of 48 while others are not, a combination of 32 and 48 will beutilised to enable spontaneous collaboration among users in 14.

The pre-existing infra-structure-based network 18 can take different variants depending on whether it supports a cellular network (18-I) or Wireless LAN hotspot (18-2) or wired Ethernet hub (18-3). Similarly, the communication interface of second type 32 being used to allow/provide intermittent or constant interaction between a computing/communication devices of first type 12 and the centralised server 24 can vary depending on what type of pre-existing infra-structure-based network 18 being employed. for instance, in the case of a cellular network 18-1, the communication interface of second type (as exemplarily shown non-exhaustively by 32-i) is its main air interface.

Any pre-existing infra-strucuire-based network 18-1 can be GSM/GPRS, UMTSIWCDMA/CDMA-2000, HSDPA/HSUPPAIHSPA/HRPD, LTE/LTE-Advanced or future generation type employing preferably one or combination of the following access technologies: CDMA, TDMA, EDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA and the like. A CDMA network may implement a radio technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) and CDMA2000. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA.

CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. A TDMA network may imp'ement a radio technology such as G'obal System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). An OFDMA network may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM.

Any pre-existing infra-structure-based cellular network 18-1 can be a base station, Node B, Home Node B (HNB), eNB, Home eNB (HeNB) and the like. The backhaul 42-1 can be wired (e.g.. employing for instance ADSL or optical fibre technologies) or point-to-point wireless link.

According to another arrangement, any pre-exi sting infra-structure-based network 18 can preferably be a wireless access point (AP) 18-2. The AP 18-2 can have an ADSL-based, cellu'ar-based or wired backhaul 42-2 with the Internet 20. According to one another arrangement, any pre-existing infra-structure-based network 18 can preferably be an Ethernet hub 18-3 providing wired (e.g., RJ-45) connection to a computing/communication device of first type 12 or a a computing/communication device of second type.

In order to allow spontaneous collaboration among one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type 12 autonomously, each user of i2 needs to register with a server 24 in order to specify each user's spontaneous collaboration requirements in terms of what application or service a user is interested in preferably at a given time instance/duration and/or location. This can be carried out preferably by creating and activating one or more user-specific profiles in the server 24. Such user-specific profiles being maintained in 24 is used by a server 24 to identify like-minded users in a given location at a given time instance. For this purpose, a server 24 employs a service/peer discovery protocol 9-2 as it will be explained in relation to Fig. 9. A server 24 either proactively or reactively (based on a first user's expficit service request) identifies Uke-minded users to match the spontaneous-collaborative requirements of a first user. In order to store user-specific profiles, a server 24 may employ central database 22. User-specific profiles mainly forms the context information of a user together with device related information fetched by the centralised server 24 on demand.

The server 24 runs its own server application 28 having multiple functionalities as it will be described ater in rdation with Fig. 9 and communicates with one or plurality of online databases 22 depending on its functionalities. One of the functionalities of the server application 28 is to create/maintain/delete one or plurality of profiles of a user of a computing/communication device of first type 12 in the centralised database 22. User profiles specify a given user's spontaneous collaboration requirements and expressed in the form of applications or services a user is interested in.

According to one arrangement of the present embodiment, the server 24 and its server application 28 can be part of the cellular network operator's IF Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). According to one another arrangement of the present invention the server 24 and its server application 28 is maintained independent of any cellular service provider or network operator.

The centralised databasc 22 mainly functions as thc profile database/repository. The centralised database 22 has necessary information about a user to be used for accounting, authentication and authorisation (AAA) purposes. According to one arrangement of the present embodiment, it can be used to ensure uniqueness of applications and services that enable spontaneous collaborations. This is possible through the systematic, hierarchical and consistence maintenance of application or service trees -the detailed of which is not within the scope of the present invention.

By the term user, this patent actually refers to the user of a computing/communication device of first type 12. Also, terms database and repository are used interchangeably throughout this document. Similarly, terms like server and server application are used interchangeably in the present document, although technically they may mean different entities.

Fig. 2 exemplarily illustrates the resulting user-centric network 14 formed on demand from the perspectives of different functionalities and protocol aithitecture supported by devices involved according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this network 14, different computing/communication devices of first/second type 12/50 take different functionalities based on how each device is configured to operate in the said network 14. Device 12/50 as shown by 280 has an application server 232 functionality from the application-layer perspectives. It additionally has an access point functionality 214 from the perspectives of the physical-layer and the link-layer of the communication inteiface of first type 48. Device 12/50 as shown by 280 also allows connection through pairing functionality 216 from the perspectives of the physical-layer and the link-layer of the communication interface of first type 48. It can additionally have the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) functionality 222 to assi 1P address to each connecting device.

Devices as shown by 250 and 260 can connect to the device 280 through association and pairing respectively. One variant of communication interface of first type 48 that allows only association is shown by 210. On the other hand, another variant of communication interface of first type 48 that allows only painng is shown by 212. Application or service that runs at the application-layer level is shown by 230. The device 280 also runs one or more applications or services at the application layer level along with an application server functionality as shown by 232. The TCP/IP-layer that gets assigned an IP address by the DHCP functionality 222 of 280 is shown by 220.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, each computing/communication devices of first type 12 supports one or more variants of communication interfaces of first type 48 and a communication interface of second type 32 and the centralised server 24/28 captures context-information in relation to each user of a computing/communication devices of first type 12 together with capability information of each of said computing/communication devices of first type 12 via the said communication interface of second type 32. On server 24/28 identifying the existence of two or more like-minded users in a given location that can spontaneously collaborate with each other for a common goal based on said context-information, the said centralised server will execute a user-centric network formation procedure comprising the steps of: i) choosing one or more communication interfaces of first type 48 to be used that are common to said computing/communication devices of first type 12 being used by the said like-minded users; ii) configuring the parameters associated with the one or more said communication interfaces of first type 48 chosen pertaining to one or more selected computing/communication devices of first type 12; iii) passing the said configured parameters of each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 on to each of non-selected computing/communication devices of first type 12; along with an identity of exact communication interfaces of first type 48 chosen and.

iv) prompting each of the said non-selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 to connect to each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 using the configured parameters on the chosen communication interfaces of first type 48; Both the said selected and non-selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 belong to the said like-minded users identified, and each of the said non-selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 connect to each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 through pairing or association on the one or more chosen communication interfaces of first type 48.

The said context information being used to identify the said like-minded users pertains at least to the types of applications or services that users are interested in to enable spontaneous collaboration in a given location and at a given time instance and whether the said computing/communication devices of first type 12 being currently used support the types of applications or services being interested in and the exact communication interfaces of first type 48 being supported by the said computing/communication devices of first type 12 being currently used.

An identification of the said like-minded users in a given location at a given time instance is canied out with respect to a said first user by the centralised server 24/28 and it involves: a. determining whether a first user is currently located in a close proximity to one or many users that can spontaneously coflaborate with each other for a said common goal and short-listing a first set of users accordingly; b. subjecting the first set of users short-listed to a further test by checking whether two or more users belonging to the said first set supports one or more of common said communication interfaces of first type 48 and short-listing a second set of users such that users belonging to the said second set are within the communication range/coverage pertaining to one or more common said communication interfaces of first type 48 supported of each other; c. further dividing the said second set per communication interface of first type 48 supported and deriving a set of third sets where in each set of the said third sets said computing/communication devices of first type 12 can connect to each other through one exact variant of the said communication interface of first type 48; d. further checking whether there exists one or more said computing/communication devices of first type 48 that are common to two or more of the said sets of said third set; e. considering only those sets of said third set that can satisfy a set of criteria for composing a said user-centric network 14 in a given location at a given time.

Spontaneously collaborating with each other for a common goal means whether said one or more other users are interested to spontaneously collaborate in relation to the same application or service a first user is interested in.

Those sets of said third set being considered for composing a said user-centric network need to meet the said set of criteria comprising: i) need to including the said first user from the perspectives of the said communication interface of first type 48; ii) maximum number of users that can be supported by the said common goal; iii) existence of one or more said computing/communication devices of first type 48 that are common to two or more of the said sets of said third set; The said set of said third sets that can meet the said set of criteria is termed the allowed set of third sets being considered for composing a user-centric network in a given location at a given time instance and set of communication interfaces of first type 48 that can be supported in the said allowed set of third sets is termed the allowed set of communication interfaces of first type 48.

The said selected and non-selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 is considered from the perspectives of the said allowed set of third sets. Further, the said selected computing/communication devices of first type i2 comprises those computing/communication devices of first type i2 that are common to two or more of the said allowed set of third sets. The said configured parameters pertaining to one or more said selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 are related to the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type 48.

A new user-centric network 14 will be formed only whcn a similar network for the same common-goal does not exist in a given location at a given time instance on the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type 48.

One of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type 12 that can support as many number of said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type 48 as possible will be chosen to operate in the capacity of an application server to achieve the said common goal. The selection of the said application server is made by the said centralised server 24/28 and its details will be passed on to every said computing/communication devices of first type 12 belonging to the said allowed set of third sets.

The said application server operates an access point from the perspectives of one or more of the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type 48 and the said configured parameters govern namely the network Service Set Identifier (SSID), encryption protocol, and password where the network Service Set Identifier (SSID) is application or service specific and takes a constant value for a given application or service achieving the same said common goal. The reason for the network Service Set Identifier (SSID) to take an application or service specific value is to allow any new user/device 12 to easily identify a user-centric network 14 that supports a given application or service.

The said application server allows connection from other said computing/communication devices of first type 12 belonging to the said allowed set of third sets through pairing from the perspectives of one or more of the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type 48 and the said configured parameters are pairing parameters containing namely device identifier (i.e., device ID) to be advertised on one or more of the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type 48 and an associated encryption key commonly known as a Personal Information Number (PIN), wherein the device identifier (i.e.. device ID) is application or service specific and takes a constant value for a given application or service achieving the same said common goal.

The said application server operates the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) so that it will assign IP address to any said computing/communication devices of first type 12 belonging to the said allowed set of third sets that joins it through either pairing or association.

The said application server can provide Internet connection through a technique called tethering to any said computing/communication devices of first type 12 belonging to the said allowed set of third sets that joins it through either pairing or association.

The said centralised server 24/28 enables each user of a said computing/communication devices of first type to create, maintain and activate one or more user profiles that specify each user's preferences in terms of what high-level applications or services being typically supported by the application-layer a given user is interested at a given location at a given time instance and for a given time duration and the said preferred applications or services govern the type of spontaneous collaboration among like-minded users.

The said centralised server 24/28 captures the necessary context to trigger a user-centric network 14 formation procedure and the said centralised server 24/28 captures context from one or more of said user profiles pertaining to all users is a given geographical location, each user's current activity and hardware and software capabilities of the said computing/communication device of first type 12 being used by each user.

In case periodic contact/communication/interaction between the said centralised server 24/28 and a said computing/communication device of first type 12 is not prefened or possible, the said computing/communication device of first type 12 of a first user wanting to engage in a spontaneous interactive communication based on a given application or service being interested in will perform the following: i). sniffing the local neighbourhood for any existence of a user-centric network 14 for a given application or service a first user is interested in a given location and at a given time-instance; ii). if a similar user-centric network 14 already exists, a. it trying to join using default access or login credentials; b. if an access using default access or login credentials fails, contacting the said centralised server 24/28 for user-centric-specific access or login credentials to be passed on and it trying to join using the obtained access or login credentials; iii).if a similar user-centric network 14 does not already exist only on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type 48 that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type 12 of a said first user, the said computing/communication device of first type 12 will configure one or more of said communication interfaces of first type 48 that it can support using default parameters.

Once a user-centric network is formed this way with no sever 24/28 support, any second user that is interested in the same application or service can join the said computing/communication device of a first type 12 belonging to a said first user using default parameters pertaining to one or more of said communication interfaces of first type 48 being supported by both a said first user and a second user.

Each computing/communication device of first type 12 being part of an active user-centric network 14 measures the received signal strength from a said computing/communication device that operates in the capacity of an application server. Similarly the said application server also measures received signa' strength from each of other computing/communication devices of first type 12. Once measured, each device 12 reports the measurement to the said centralised server 24/28. With this measurement reporting in place, the said centralised server 24/28 will prompt a given computing/communication device of first type 12, whose received signal from or transmitted signal to the said application server is below a given threshold, to connect to the said application server via the said communication interface of second type 32.

If received signal strength based measurement reporting indicates that the said configured application server is moving away from most of the other like-minded users of an existing active user-centric network 14, another suitable computing/communication device of first type 12 will be chosen to replace an existing application server or all the said computing/communication devices of first type l2belongingto the said allowed set of third sets wifibeprompted to maintain connectivity with the existing application server via the said communication interface of second type 32.

In case the said centralised server 24/28 is involved in the formation of a user-centric network, the said server will keep user-centric network-specific details centrally consisting of at least the said configured parameters pertaining to a said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type 48, the identity or the]P address of a user/device being configured to operate in the capacity of an application-server, the said common goal for which it is created, and active participants.

I

Fig. 3 illustrates signalling involved as part of a server 24 assisted proactive user-centric network 14 composition among computing/communication devices of first type 12. A first user uses a computing/communication devices of first type 12-1 whereas other like-minded users use computing/communication devices of first type 12-2, 12-3 12-n. Users are required to sign in (shown by step 3-1 in fig. 3) with a server 24 using a computing/communication devices of first type 12 that they are using. With this act, the centralised server 24 or the server application 28 can map a device 12 with a given user that uses it after authenticating a given user. Once users signed in and got authenticated, a computing/communication devices of first type 12 is supposed to report its instantaneous geographical location -such an location update as shown by step 3-2 is optional if the server 24/28 can get user location information from a different source (e.g., cellular network). Once users have signed in on 12, the server 24/28 may optionally request for capabilities of a computing/communication device of first type 12 being used by a given user. This device capability information can be non-exhaustive in nature and can include preferaNy make, brand, model, type, the exact communication interface of first type 48 (i.e., short-range radio technologies) supported, types and versions of application or services installed and supported, the Operating System installed and its version, residual battery energy level (%), current user activity (i.e., idle or engaged) and the 111cc. Devices 12 will respond with the capability information queried as shown by step 3-4.

User profiles that specify user spontaneous collaborative requirements at a given time instance/duration and location, time, instantaneous location information and device related capability information captured on demand together with similar information captured in rdation to other users in the local neighbourhood of a given user can preferably form the core part of user-context information. By the term local neighbourhood, this document implies the coverage range of the communication interface of first type 48 with respect to a first user in question.

With the learnt user-context, in step 3-5, the server 24/28 will decide whether a user-centric network 14 has to be formed on demand based on the spontaneous collaborative requirements of a first user of device 12-I at a given time instance and a location with other like-minded users of devices 12- 2, 12-3 12-n. As part of this, the server 24/28 will see whether user has any application or service that can enable spontaneous collaboration installed in the device 12-i being used currently and whether there exists users in the local neighbourhood (i.e., within the range of communication interface of first type 48 being used by a first user's device 12-1) that are interested in the same application or service and are available for a spontaneous collaboration.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, like-minded users are identified based on applications or services a user is interested in at a given time instance andior a given location. Once the server 24/28 established that there are like-minded users in the thcal neighbourhood of a first user, the server 24/28 will check whether devices 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-n being used by those 111cc-minded users can support any communication interface of first type 48 and if so, what exact type it is. Assume that set of devices 12-1, 12-2, 12-3 12-n belonging to those like-minded users form Supper Set SI.

Based on all captured context information, the server 24/28 will first decide on exact communication interface of first type 48 to be used and subsequently the pairing or association parameters for devices to establish the required physical-/link-layer communication channel on the chosen communication interface of first type 48.

The selection of the nght type of the said communication interface of first type 48 to be used at least depends on one or many of the following: Whether it is supported by one or many said computing/communication devices of first type 12 used by like-minded users.

* Whether the QoS demanded by an application or service being interested in by like-minded users can be supported.

Whether a given communication interface of first type 48 is already in use in the local neighbourhood by one or many of the devices 12 belonging to the identified like-minded users.

In order ensure uniqueness to enable right pairing or association with right devices, the server 24/28 will configure the pairing parameters (e.g., device identifier (i.e., device ID)) to be advertised on the said communication interface of first type and an associated encryption key commonly known as a Personal Information Number (PIN) being applied in the context of pairing of Bluetooth OR WiFi-direct or similar technology) or association parameters (namely Network SSID, encryption protocol, and password being applied in the context of PCF of IEEE 802.11) pertaining to the communication interface of first type 48 of selected devices -assume that those selected devices form a subset S2. Once configured, such pairing or association parameters are passed onto other devices (i.e., those devices that are part of subset S3 where S3 = SI -S2) belonging to those like-minded users of devices. This is shown by step 3-6. Once pairing or association parameters are passed on, devices can pair or associate with each other to establish the required physical-/link-layer channel on the communication interface of first type 48 in the user-centric network 14 formed on demand. This association or pairing in the context of short-range radio (e.g., Bluetooth. WiFi/WiFi-direct) can be executed in a very user transparent way (this means a user must agree to such alTangement one-off in priory) or non-user transparent way (meaning that user needs to explicitly authorise each time). This is shown by 3-7. As soon as the required physical- /link-layer communication channel is established among the constituents of a user-centric network, each computing/communication device of first type 12 will auto configure its IP address. Once the physical-/link-layer communication channel on the communication interface of first type 48 is established, the centralised server will invoke an application or service on the devices 12-1, 12-2, 12-3 12-n belonging to the like-minded users (i.e., those belonging to super set SI) that will facilitate spontaneous collaboration in 14. This is shown by step 3-8.

Application or service invocation as shown in step 3-8 preferab'y takes place in the application-layer of the Internet protocol suite. As part of this, one of a computing/communication device of first type 12 will be chosen to operate in the capacity of an application-server by the server 24/2 8, if such operation is required. This selection can preferably be made based namely on the software, hardware capabilities, user preferences in terms of using a device 12 as an application-server, congestion on a communication interface of first type 48, and an ability/preference to connect to a pre-existing infra-structure-based network 18 in case one user of a user-centric network 14 likes connection via communication interface of second type 32 and the like.

As seen, the server 24/28 preferably plays a vital role in deciding in terms of who can compose a user-centric network 14 and for what application or service such network 14 is being composed of at a given time instance and at a given location, configuring the required physical-/link-layer parameters of a communication interface of first type 48, triggering the formation of 14 and invoking the application or service those like-minded users are interested in at a given location and time instance.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that steps 3-2 and 3-4 can be generated reactively in response to the server 24/28 request or proactively. Also, steps 3- 2 and 3-4 can take place concurently or at different preceding orders between steps 3-1 and 3-5.

According to the prefelTed arrangement of the present embodiment, the user-centric network 14 formed on demand is access point (AP) based and the communication interface of first type 48 is based on WiFi or IEEE 802.11 and its different variants. Accordingly, once 111cc-minded users are determined as part of step 3-5 by the server 24/28, one of the computing/communication devices of first type 12-1. 12-2, 12-3 12-n will be chosen by the server 24/28 to operate in the capacity of an AP on the communication interface of first type 48. The selection is based mainly on device software and hardware capabilities. Once selected, the server 24/28 will configure the association parameters such as Network SSID, encryption protocol, and password and the like in an application or service specific way and pass that details on to other devices belonging to the said like-minded users. With those association parameters, those other devices 12 will be prompted to get associated with a dynamically configured AP. This will ensure the establishment of physical-Junk-layer communication channel for Uke-minded users to spontaneously collaborate using the desired application or service for which a user-centric network 14 was composed. Also, additionally a computing/communication device of first type 12 that is chosen to operate in the capacity of an AP will have the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) functionality to assign IP address to each successfully associated device 12 belonging to other like-minded users.

The dynamically configured AP within a user-centric network 14 can provide Internet connection to other associated devices being part of 14 through a technique called tethering. This means that a computing/communication device of first type 12 that dynamically chosen by the server 24/28 to operate in the capacity of an access point from the perspectives of the communication interface of first type 48 can maintain connectivity to the Internet 20 via a pre-existing infra-structure-based network 18 and provide Internet connectivity to all devices 12 that are currently associated with a given AP using 48 and have no connectivity to any pre-existing infra-strucuire network 18.

According to the second embodiment, there is provided a communication system 16 comprising: a) one or many users trying to interact with one another using one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type 12; b) an pre-existing infrastructure-based network 18 providing Internet Protocol (IP) 20 connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type 12 with a centralised server 24/28; In this arrangement each computing/communication device of first type 12 has a communication interface of first type 48 supporting a short-range wireless radio to be used in a user-centric network 14 to be formed on-demand and a communication interface of second type 32 to connect to the said pre-existing infrastructure-based network 18. Each user maintains one or more active profiles in the centralised server 24/28 that enables the said centralised server 24/28 to identify like-minded users on-the-fly in a given location and a given time instance for a specific spontaneous interactive communication.

In order to allow user-centric network composition in an Thnywhere, anytime" manner, the server 24/28 constantly monitors each first user's geographical location, the capabilities of a computing/communication device of first type i2 being currently used by each first user and the exact communication interface of first type 48 being supported by a given computing/communication device of first type i2 being currently used by each first user through the communication interface of second type 32. With this arrangement in place, spontaneous interactive communication among one or plurality of like-minded users using the communication/computing devices of first type 12 is achieved at the application-layer level (according to the Internet protocol suite) using a user-centric network composition procedure comprising the steps of: i). The centralised server 24/28 checking to see whether there already exists a user-centric network 14 at a given location at a given time- instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in -if does not exists already, go to step (ii) or else if it already exists foflow step (iii); ii). In case a user-centric network 14 at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in does not already exist; a. The centralised server 24/2 8 determining whether a first user is currently located in a close proximity to one or many like-minded users such that the said like-minded users are within the radio coverage pertaining to the said communication interface of first type 48 supported by each other; b. Based on step (ii.a), the centralised server 24/28 shortlisting one or plurality of like-minded users that can spontaneously collaborate with a said first user at a given time instance at a given location; c. The centralised server 24/28 configuring the said communication interface of first type 48 pertaining to one or more of said computing/communication devices of first type 12 belonging to a said shortlisted like-minded users while passing the configured parameters to other computing/communication devices of first type 12; d. With the passed on parameters, the centralised server 24/28 getting said computing/communication devices of first type 12 to form the said user-centric network 14.

iii). In case a user-centric network 14 at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in already exists; a. The centralised server 24/2 8 getting a said first user to join the existing user-centric network 14; According to the second embodiment of the present invention, in a user-centric network 14 when each computing/communication devices of first type 12 connect to one another through pairing or association on the communication interface of first type 48, necessary communication channels from the physical-layer and the link-layer perspectives are established. Once it is complete, the next stage of the said user-centric network formation procedure further comprises IP Address allocation to each computing/communication devices of first type. The said user-centric network formation procedure further comprises configuring one of a said computing/communication devices of first type to operate in the capacity of an application server and getting each of the other computing/communication devices of first type 12 to associate with the said application server at the application-layer level securely.

In case a user-centric network 14 is formed on-demand in a given ocation at a given time instance for a given application or service, the server 24/28 will record the user-centric network-specific details centrally, and once like-minded users become part of a user-centric network 14, any application or service programme running at the application-layer level of a said computing/communication device of first type 12 belonging to a said first user and said shortlisted like-minded users enables spontaneous collaboration among the identified like-minded users.

Like-minded users are identified by the server 24/28 based on applications or services a user is interested in at a given time instance at a given location and whether the preferred application or service can be supported by computing/communication devices of first type 12 being used by users If the server 24/28 is involved in the formation of a user-centric network 14, the server 24/28 will centrally record at least user-centric network-specific association or pairing parameters from the perspectives of the said communication interface of first type 48, the existence of application-server, if any, and the identity or the 1P address of a user/device 12 being configured to operate in the capacity of an application-server, the identities of all like-minded users and their devices 12 that form part of a given user-centric network 14, the exact identities of each application or service that is used for facilitating spontaneous collaborations in 14, location and time at which a user centric network is formed and how long spontaneous collaboration lasted on 14, at what time a user-centric network 14 is disintegrated, number of current participants of an active 14 and how many more can be allowed and the like.

As part of the user-centric network-specific information coflection process, the server 24/28 periodicafly checks with a member of a user-centric network 14 for the existence of a given user-centric network once it is formed.

User-centric network-specific configuration parameters being centrally recorded by the server 24/28 can be passed on to any future first user to join an already existing user-centric network 14.

Fig. 4 is very similar to Fig. 3 in that a user-centric network is formed among homogeneous devices of first type 12 -however, the difference is that in Fig. 3, any spontaneous collaboration is triggered proactively by the server 24/28, whereas in Fig. 4 it is triggered by a first user (i.e., originator) when it initiates an explicit service request to check whether there exists any like-minded users in the neighbourhood to get involved in a spontaneous collaboration in relation to an application or service the first user is interested in. Hence, steps 3-1 to 3-4 are very analogous to steps 4-I to 4-4. When an explicit service request is received in step 4-5, the server 24/28 will check in step 4-6 whether there exists like-minded users within the range of the communication interface of first type 48 that are interested to get involved in spontaneous collaboration in relation to an application or service the first user is interested in.

According to one arrangement of the preferred embodiment, if no like-minded users are found within the local neighbourhood of a first user, the server 24/28 will send an explicit faflure (e.g., Service Request Failure) in step 4-7.

According to one another arrangement of the preferred embodiment, if no like-minded users are found within the local neighbourhood of a first user, the server 24/28 will prompt the first user to check whether a first user is interested in any spontaneous collaboration in connection with an application or service being interested in at a given time instance with faraway like-minded users via the communication interface of second type 32. At the discretion of users, a user-centric network can be formed via the communication interface of second type 32.

On the other hand, if in step 4-6, server 24/28 determines that there are like-minded users in the local neighbourhood of a first user, in step 4-8 the server 24/28 will short-list 111cc-minded users. Rest of the procedures that are involved as shown by steps 4-9, 4-10 and 4-Il are similar to those procedures 3-6, 3-7 and 3-8 described in relation to Fig. 3.

If the server 24/28 is involved in a formation of a user-centnc network 14, it will keep information namely association or pairing parameters that are needed to establish physical-/link-layer communication channel, details in relation to an application or service for which a user-centric network 14 is formed, application-server detafis. if any, the number and identities of current users that formed 14 and the number of more users still needed. This information will be passed on to any new user that is interested in becoming part of an already existing user-centric network 14.

Alihough not shown in Fig.], the network environment 10 may also consist of different type of devices that are not tied to a particular user in the same way a computing/communication device of first type 12 is associated with a given user. This different kind of devices in the present invention is referred to as a computing/communication device of second type 50. The main characteristics of a computing/communication device of second type 50 (e.g., a printer) are that each device provides preferably one fixed service (e.g.. printing).

relatively fixed in a given geographical location and the like.

Fig. 5 illustrates signalling involved as part of the server 24 assisted user-centric network composition between a computing/communication device of first type 12 and a computing/communication device of second type 50 when an explicit service request is initiated according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Steps 5-1 -5-4 are common with 3-1 to 3-4 of Fig. 3 except the fact that unlike in the case of Fig. 3 or Fig. 4, in the scenario considered in relation to Fig. 5, capabilities of a computing/communication device of second type 50 is not fetched on demand from the device 50 itself.

For instance in case a service provided by a computing/communication device of second type 50 is printing, details like whether it is a colour or black-and-white. Laser or ink-jet, DPI, Resolution, charge per print, its location, pairing or association details and the like are manually entered and the server 24/28 will either keep those details in 22 or knows where to get them from in case those details are stored externally. If such manual data entry is assumed, then step 5-3 to inquire capabilities of a computing/communication device of second type 50 is not needed.

As shown in step 5-5 of Fig. 5, a service request onginates from a computing/communication device of first type 12. It is also equally possible for a service request to be originated from a computing/communication device of second type as well 50.

On receiving a service request, the server 24/28 will check to see in step 5-6 whether a requested service is provided in the local neighbourhood of the device that generated the Service Request based on the current instantaneous location of a service requester and the type of service being interested in. If no service provider is identified, the server 24/28 will initiate a service request failure in step 5-7. On the other hand, if the server 24/28 has identified more than one service provider, it will bring them to the attention of a service requester to make a final selection. Alternatively, the server 24/28 can select the best match based on a service requester's preference being learnt from one or more profiles. This task is in general shown by step 5-8. Once chosen, the server 24/28 will pass the pairing or association parameters associated with a computing/communication device of second type 50 to a service requester as shown in step 5-9.

Alternatively, step 5-9 can be implemented in a different way such that one appropriate computing/conmiunication device of first type 12 or second type will be configured to operate in the capacity of an access point by the server 24/28 on the communication interface of first type 48. Association parameters for the AP can be either supplied and configured by the server 24/28 or generated by a device 12/50 and passed onto the server 24/28 such that uniqueness of those parameters is ensured. According to another alternative arrangement, one appropriate computing/communication device of first type 12 or second type 50 will be configured to perform pairing on the communication inteiface of first type 48. Again the pairing parameters can be either supplied and configured by a server or generated by a device 12/50 such that uniqueness of those parameters is ensured. This however requires that a computing/communication device of first type 12 and second type 50 are able to communicate with the server 24/28 possibly via the communication interface of second type 32.

According to one arrangement of the third embodiment, the pairing or association parameters associated with a said computing/communication device of second type 50 are not advertised on one or more communication interfaces of first type 48.

In step 5-10, based on the passed on parameters a user-centric network 14 will be formed where physical-/linklayer connection among the constituents is established on a communication interface of first type 48. Step 5-10 can be automatically activated by the server 24/28 or manually carried out.

After a possible IP auto configuration, service can be invoked by the server 24/28 automatically as shown in step 5-11. Alternatively, a service can be initiated by a user.

When a service is successfully consumed and completed in step 5-12, devices can leave from and deactivate a formed user-centric network 14. According to one arrangement of the present embodiment, Once a service is consumed successfully by a service requester, the server 24/28 will request charging details from a service provider as shown by step 5-13. A service provider will calculate service charge and pass it on to the server 24/28. Based on this information a server will charge a service requester. Different arrangements of the present embodiment are possible such that the server 24/28 will not get involved in charging.

According to the prefelTed arrangement of the present embodiment, a computing/communication device of second type 50 is not connected to the server 24/28. If this is the case, charging details can be passed directly by a computing/communication device of second type 50 onto a service requester for the latter to be charged.

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Given that a computing/communication device of first type 12 explicitly generates a service request for the purpose of spontaneously interacting with a computing/communication device of second type 50, a service requesting user does not have to maintain any user profile with a help of the server 24.

Fig. 6/6B is a flowchart illustrating the functioning of a computing /communication device of first type 12 as part of the server 24/28 assisted user-centric network 14 composition according to one embodiment of the present invention. This functioning can be executed by a software or hardware program or combination of both. According to one prefelTed embodiment of the present invention, functioning as illustrated by a flowchart in Fig. 6/6B is implemented by a software module called a dent application 30 that needs to be installed on a computing/communication device of first type 12 and a user is expected to sign in with the centralised server 24/28 using this client application 30.

In step 6-1, it is checked whether a user has signed in. If not, a user is prompted to sign in by step 6-2. Once a user is signed in and the server 24/28 has successfully authenticated a signed in user, it will be checked in step 6-3 whether a client module 30 or 12 has received any request by the server 24/28 to provide capabilities of a computing/communication device of first type 12.

The capability information is non-exhaustive and may include namely make, brand, modeL type. the exact communication interface of first type (i.e., short-range radio technologies) supported, types and versions of application or services installed and supported, the Operating System installed and its version, residual battery energy level (%), cunent user activity (i.e., idle or engaged) and the like. If a request has been received in step 6-3, a client module 30 or 12 will provide the requested capability information in step 6-4.

Sirnilary, it will be checked in step 6-5 whether a client module 30 or 12 has received any request by the server 24/28 to update the instantaneous geographical location. Instantaneous geographical location of 30/12 can be learnt with a help of GPS, WiFilcellular network-based positioning methods or similar mechanisms. If location information is inquired, the client 30 or device 12 will provide in step 6-6.

The provisioning of device capabilities or location update can also be proactive in that a client 30 or device 12 will provide the server 24/28 with those details periodically preferably after a penodic time out.

Given that Fig. 6 deals with server 24/28 assisted user-centric network 14 formation, a client 30 or device 12 will check in step 6-7 whether a service invocation request is received from the server 24/28. Also, the service request can be explicitly generated by a first user and the server 24/28 can still assist forming a user-centric network 14.

The server 24/28 will decide whether a formation of a user-centric network 14 at a given time instance and a location is needed based on user profiles and whether there exist one or more like-minded users in each other's range of 48.

If a service invocation request has indeed been received from the server 24/28, a client 30 or device 12 will prompt a user in step 6-9 in terms of an application or service for which a user-centric network 14 is going to be formed on 48 and whether a user is interested in. In case a user initiates a service request for spontaneous collaboration as shown by step 6-8 or a user is interested in the server 24/28 initiated service invocation, a client 30 or device 12 will check whether it has received any configuration parameters to configure its communication interface of first type 48 for the purpose of enabling pairing or association by computing/communication device of first type 12 belonging to other like-minded users.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an appropriate communication device of first type 12 is configured to operate in the capacity of an access point by the server 24/28. The server 24/28 can decide on the association parameters governing the Network SSID, encryption protocol, and password and the 111cc and configure the chosen AP using the decided association parameters. These are shown by steps 6-10 and 6-12.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more selected devices will be configured to advertise unique pairing parameters on the communication interface of first type 48. If this is the case, a client 30 or a device 12 will check to see whether it has received any pairing parameters and if it has, it will configure its communication interface of first type 48 with the received pairing parameters. These are covered by steps 6-10 and 6-12 as well.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, if, on the other hand, a user centric network 14 for a given application or service already exists in a given location and at a given time instance, and a given computing/communication device 12 operates in the capacity of an AP, client or device 12 can be requested to send its association parameters in step 6-ii by the server 24/2 8 and these association parameters will be passed on to other devices 12 to connect to the configured AP.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, if, on the other hand, a user centric network 14 for a given application or service already exists in a given location and at a given time instance where every device 12 is connected to each other from the perspectives of the communication interface of first type 48 through pairing, client 30 of selected devices 12 can be requested to send their pairing parameters in step 6-11 by the server 24/28 and these pairing parameters will be passed on to other devices 12 to pair with a given device 12. These are covered by steps 6-Il and 6-13 as well.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, if a user-centric network to be formed is access point based and where a given device operates in the capacity of an AP, a given device 12 or client 30 will accept association requests as shown by steps 6-14 and 6-16. If, on the other hand, a given device has been provided with association parameters to associate with a dynamically configured AP of a user-centric network 14. a device 12 or client 30 will associate as shown in steps 6-15 and 6-17.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, if, on the other hand, a user centric network 14 for a given application or service already exists in a given location and at a given time instance where every device 12 is connected to each other from the perspectives of the communication interface of first type 48 through pairing, and a given client 30 or device 12 has been provided with pairing parameters by the server 24/28 to join 14, the cfient 30 or device 12 will pair using the supplied pairing parameters by the server 24/28. These are covered by steps 6-15 and 6-17 as well.

If no necessary association between any two device 12 has not taken place on time as shown by step 6-22, each device will restore its physical-/link-layer association or pairing parameters to default values associated with its communication interface of first type 48 in step 6-23 and notify the server 24/28.

Once the necessary physical-/link-layer channel of a user-centnc network 14 is established, a client 30 or device 12 will check whether it has received any request from the server 24/28 to operate in the capacity of an application-server (e.g., gaming server) in step 6-24. If it has, a client 30 or device 12 will operate in the capacity of an application-server as shown by step 6-25. The full application-server configuration can preferably managed by the server 24/28 based on the application or service for which a user-centric network 14 is formed.

If, on the other hand, a cfient 30 or device 12 is notified about the details of an application-server by the server 24/28, it will associate with an application-server as requested as shown by step 6-27.

Once the necessary physical-/link-layer channel of a user-centric network 14 is established, a client 30 or device 12 will check whether it has received any service activation from either the server 24/28 or a user in step 6-i8. In case it has received, a client 30 or device 12 will activate an application or service for which a user-centric network 14 is formed and notify the server 24/28 as shown by step 6-20. In case one new device 12 or client 30 joins an already existing user-centric network 14, each device 12 or client 30 will update its current status with the sen-er 24/28 -this may happen for instance when a new gamer joins an already on-going multi-player interactive gaming session and this will preferably update the culTent status in terms of the total number of current gamers and how many more are needed so that server will help new garners join. If the current total number of participants of an existing active user-centric network 14 has reached its maximum value, the server 24/28 will not encourage new users to join. The maximum number of participants of 14 can preferably be dependent on an application or service type for which 14 is formed or participants' preferences.

So long as a user-centric network 14 is active and maintained, the server 24/28 will run its session continuity functionality 9-7 for each active user-centric network 14. This will be explained in relation to Fig. 10 from the perspectives of server 24/28. However, such session continuity measure of the server 24/28 requires actions from a client 30 or a device 12 although such functionalities are not explained in relation to Fig. 6.

In step 6-19, client 30 or device 12 will check whether it has received ally request to terminate the on-going spontaneous collaboration in relation to an application or service for which i4 was created. The termination request can be explicit from another device 12 or client 30 or implicit where a device 12 has gone out of range of the formed user-centric network 14. In either case, a device 12 or client 30 that has triggered an implicit or explicit termination request will be removed from a user-centric network i4 and the server will be notified about it. If all devices 12 or clients 30 belonging to a user-centric network i4 triggers an implicit or explicit termination request, a given user-centric network 14 and thus the associated spontaneous collaboration will be dis-integrated and the server 24/28 will be notified about it. Some of these actions are shown by steps 6-19 and 6-21.

If, on the other hand, a device i2 that was one of the constituents of user-centric network 14 has gone out-of-range of 14, it can still continue to be an active constituent of i4 via the communication interface of second type 32 at its own discretion -this will be exp'ained in relation to Fig. 10. In case a user-centric network 14 initially composed of only 2 devices of first type 12. those devices can continue maintaining connection with each other via the communication interface of second type 32. In case a user centric network is still composed of more than two users, a device 12 that has gone out of range can continue maintaining its active participation with 14 by maintaining connectivity with an application-server of 14, if any, through the communication interface of second type 32.

User-centric network 14 can be such where some devices 12/50 connect to each other using one variant of communication interface of first type (say 48- 1) whereas other devices 12/50 connect to each other using another variant of communication interface of first type (say 48-2). There may be a situation where one device 12/50 connects to different devices 12/50 concurrently using different variants of communication interface of first type 48.

In case no communication at a given location or at a given time instance is prefelTed between the centralised server 24/28 and a computing/communication device of first type 12 being used by a first user 12 who has already created one or many profiles with the server 24/28, and user-centnc network 14 at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in does not already exist on a desired communication interface of first type 48, the said first user can create a user-centric network 14 using default association or pairing parameters so that other like-minded users can join 14 using default association or pairing parameters. The default parameters are specific to an application or service for which 14 is created so that other like-minded users who is interested in the same application or service can join 14 using the default parameters without seeking any assistance from the server 24/28.

According to the prefelTed embodiment of the present invention, when a first user creates a user-centric network 14 without seeking any assistance from the server 24/28, the formed network can be AP based where a computing/communication device of first type 12 belonging to a first user configures itself as an access point using default access parameters and it is possiNe only if such configuration is supported by a said computing/communication device of first type 12.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the functioning of the centralised server 24/28 as part of the centralised server 24/28 assisted user-centric network 14 composition among computing/communication devices of first type 12 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Once the server 24/28 has received in step 7-1 location information and device capabilities in relation to a signed in first user, the server 24/28 will check in step 7-2 whether a first user is interested in composing a user-centric network i4 or explicidy triggers a service request for the purpose of getting engaged in a spontaneous collaboration with like-minded users in the loca' neighbourhood.

If the server 24/28 determines in step 7-3 that new collaboration is required either based on the users' profile information or because an explicit service request is received, the server 24/28 will further check in step 7-4 whether a user-centric network 14 already exists on one or more of the supported communication interface of first type 48 for enabling spontaneous collaboration in relation to a given application or service a first user is interested in.

The server 24/28 can check to see whether a user-centric network 14 at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in already exists using one or many of the following steps: a) Getting a first computing/communication device of first type 12 being used by a first user to sniff its local area for any existence of a user-centric network 14 operating on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type 48 that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of first type 12 of a said first user at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in; b) the centralised server 24/28 checking its records for any existence of a user-centric network 14 at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in.

Once determined that a user-centric network for a given application or service already exists at a given location at a given time instance on the desired communication interfaces of first type 48, the server 24/28 will check in step 7-5 whether it has necessary information regarding a found user-centric network 14, namely; association or pairing parameters along with application-server, if any, related information. If the server 24/28 is involved in the formation of a user-centric network, it will have those necessary details for other users to join an existing user-centric network 14.

If the server 24/28 has user-centric network related information, it will fetch it in step 7-7 and pass it on to a computing/communication device of first type 12 being used by a first user. This infoimation will be used by a computing/communication device of first type 12 being used by a first user to join (after pairing or association with an AP) an existing active user-centric network 14 and engage in application-layer level spontaneous collaboration (e.g., gaming). A request to join can preferably from the server 24/28 as shown in step 7-11. The server 24/28 can also provide the details of any application-server being dynamically deployed by a user-centric network 14 for any application-level association as well.

If, on the other hand, a user-centric network 14 at a given location at a given time instance in relation to a given application or service already exists and the server 24/28 does not hold any information regarding 14 means that a particular user-centric network 14 was formed without seeking any assistance from the server 24/28. This happens when in case periodic contact/ communication/interaction between the centralised server 24/28 and a computing/communication device of first type 12 is not preferred or possible, and the said computing/communication device of first type 12 belonging to a first user wanting to engage in a spontaneous interactive communication based on a given apphcation or service being interested in forms a user-centric network using default association or pairing parameters (from the perspectives of the communication interface of first type 48) on seeing that no similar network 14 exists in a given location at a given time instance.

Under such circumstances, after confirming through neighbourhood sniffing, if a computing/communication device of first type 12 of a first user wants to still engage in spontaneous collaboration for a given application or service, it can preferably configure itself as an access point using defauli Network SSID for a given application or service being interested in and default access or login credentials. However, in case there is already an existing user-centric network 14 operating on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of first type of a said first user at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user interested in, another user-centric network to operate on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of first type of a said first user for the same application or service cannot be formed.

In the presence of such user-centric network, in step 7-9 the server 24/28 will request a device 12 to join the existing 14 using default access parameters.

This is possible because according to the prefelTed embodiment of the present invention, Network SSID of an access point belonging to a user-centric network 14 formed on-demand can be application or service dependent and takes a constant value for a given application or service supported where each application or service is hierarchically, consistently and systematically classified in a fine granular manner to ensure its uniqueness. Along with network SSID, other encryption and password related association parameters take application or service specific default values. Once the necessary physical-/link-layer communication channels are established, the AP of 14 can pass the details regarding an application-server, if any, to the new joiners after a possible IP address assignment.

If, on the other hand, a user-centric network does not exist for a given application or service, the server 24/28 will choose one or more devices 12 and configure their pairing or association parameters as shown by step 7-6 and pass the configured pairing or association parameters on to other devices 12 as shown by step 7-8.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a user-centric network 14 to be formed on demand can be an Access Point (AP) or base-station (BS) based where one computing/communication device of first type 12 will be configured to operate in the capacity of an access point by the centralised server 24/28 on the said communication interface of first type 48 with specific configuration parameters governing the Network SSID.

encryption protocol, and password and the 111cc, and other like-minded users in a given location at a given time instance will be provided with the configuration parameters to automatically associate with the configured access point. According to one preferred arrangement of the current embodiment, the dynamically created access point or base-station (BS) can be based on WiFi or IEEE 802.11 wherein joining the AP is similar to the existing mechanism.

Configuring one device to operate in the capacity of an access point by the centralised server 24/28 on the said communication interface of first type 48 is based on the capability information gathered by the centralised server 24/28 in relation to a said computing/communication device of first type 12 being used at a given time instance by a user.

In step 7-10. all relevant computing/communication devices of first type 12 will be prompted by the server to establish the physical-/link-layer communication channel through either pairing or association. Each computing/communication devices of first type 12 will additiona'ly employ zero configuration (e.g., zerocont) or similar mechanism to assign itself an IP Address. According to the preferred embodiment, IP address assigning is made simple by getting a dynamically created AP to allocate IP addresses by having the DHCP functionality.

In step 7-12, it will be checked whether an application-server (e.g., gaming server) is needed to enable multi-user collaboration in a user-centric network 14 formed on demand. If such functionality is needed, an appropriate device 12 will be chosen to operate in the capacity of an application-server (preferably at the application-layer level of the Internet protocol suite) in step 7-13 and in step 7-14 the corresponding information will be passed onto other devices to get associated from the application-layer perspectives.

Once a user-centric network 14 is formed properly from each layer perspective (at the physical-layer level it deals with the communication interface of first type 48 where physical-/link-layer communication channel establishment is possible through either pairing or association, at the network-layer, it deals with IP address assignment and at the application-layer level it deals with configuring application-server and passing the details across the network), spontaneous collaboration will be activated among constituents of a user-centric network 14 as shown in step 7-15.

Given a computing/communication device of first type 12 is associated with a user and can be mobile, after a spontaneous collaborative session is initiated, the server 24/28 will continuously operate session continuity functionality 9-7 from each device 12 perspectives and for each user-centric network 14. This will be expbined in relation to Fig. 10.

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Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the functioning of the centralised server 24/28 as part of the server 24/28 assisted user-centric network composition between a computing/communication device of first type 12 and a computing/communication device of second type 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. On receiving an explicit service request in step 8-1 from a signed-in user that uses a given computing/communication device of first type 12, the server 24/28 will check the service requester's current location. If the current location information is stale, the server 24/28 will specifically request instantaneous location information from 12 as shown by step 8-2. The server 24/28 can additionally request device capability information from a computing/communication device of first type 12 and this may include make, model, type, software/hardware supported and versions, operating system supported and its version, exact communication interface of first type supported and the like.

In step 8-3, the server 24/28 will check whether a requested service is provided in the loca' neighbourhood of the service requester. lii order to assist the service discovery protocol being empthyed by the server 24/28 to correctly identify the right service providers, each service is uniquely, systematically, consistently and hierarchically defined and maintained by the server 24/28.

If no service provider is identified, the server 24/28 will initiate a failure (e.g..

service request failure) in step 8-6. On the other hand, if the server 24/28 has identified more than one service provider, it will bring them to the attention of a service requester to make the final selection. Alternatively, the server 24/28 can select the best match based on a service requester's preference being learnt from one or more profiles. This task is in general shown by step 8-5.

Once chosen, the server 24/28 will pass the details of a chosen service provider along with associated information namely its correct location in teims of a map and direction details from the location of a service requester to the identified service provider, charging details, and service provider characteristics (e.g., in the case of printing, whether it can print colour photo and the like). User can be prompted to select a service provider in step 8-7 and the server 24/28 will wait for the response in step 8-8.

The required service is provided by a computing/communication device of second type 50. If a positive response is received, the server 24/28 will first see what exact communication interface of first type 48 that can be supported between a service requester 12 and a chosen service provider 50. Once the exact kind of communication interface of first type 48 to be used is determined, the server 24/28 will get the associated pairing or association parameters of a chosen service provider being specific to the communication interface of first type 48. This association or pairing parameters can be fetched from a database 22 that stores all such details pertaining to each computing/communication device of second type 50.

The server 24/28 will pass the pairing or association parameters associated with a computing/communication device of second type 50 to a service requester as shown in step 8-12 and request a service requester 12 to get paired or associated with a chosen service provider.

Once the necessary physical-/link-layer communication channel is established through either pairing or association between a service requester 12 and a chosen service provider 50, it will be checked in step 8-14 whether a service has been invocated. If there is a time out as checked in step 8-13, both a service requester 12 and a service provider 50 will be prompted to break the physical-/link-layer communication channel established and terminate the service request. If, on the other hand, the requested service is invocated and completed as checked in step 8-14, the server 24/28 will get the charging details either from a service requester 12 or service provider 50 and facilitate charging a service requester 12 for the service used. According to another alTangement, the server 24/28 will not get involved in relation to charging for a service use and this can be handled by a service provider or service requester without getting the server 24/28 involved. Once the service is completed, both a service requester 12 and a chosen service provider 50 will be prompted to break the physical-/link-layer communication channel established based on user demands.

Fig. 9 depicts some of the key functionalities of the centralised server application 28 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The server application 28 is responsible for supporting one or more profile creation, maintenance and deletion by a user through its profile maintenance functionality 9-i. It first enables any user to first register and then create, maintain and activate profiles. Through maintaining active profile a user is able to at east specify preferences in terms of what high-level applications and services (being typically supported by the application-layer of the Internet protocol suite) a given user is interested in at a given location at a given time instance and the type of spontaneous collaboration a user prefers is governed by the type of application or service a user is interested in. Each active profile specifies in terms of exactly what/when/how users can collaborate with one another and how long. This will help the centralised server 24/28 to identify like-minded users on-the-fly in a given location and a given time instance.

Further, the application or service being interested in will specify means for any first user to spontaneous'y collaborate with one or plurality of like-minded users. All user profiles are stored in the database 22.

In order to enable user-centric network 14 formation, the device location and capabilities functionality 9-8 of the server application 28 collects (constantly or periodically) instantaneous location and capabilities associated with a computing/communication device of first type 12 being used at a given time instance by a user and stores them in the database 22. This capability information at east includes make, brand. modd and type of a device 12/50, the exact conmiunication interface of first type (i.e., short-range radio technologies) 48 supported, types and versions of application or services installed and supported, the Operating System installed and its version, residual battery energy level (%), current user activity (i.e., idle or engaged) and the Uke. This will help, for instance, the server 24/28 to decide on in terms of which device can be chosen to operate in the capacity of an AP or an application-server. According to the preferred arrangement of the current embodiment, in the case of a computing/communication device of second type 50 both geographical and capability information can be manually entered. Full details of a said computing/communication device of second 50 type namely in terms of exact services it can provide, identity or address, geographical location, exact communication interfaces of first type being supported and associated pairing or association parameters are manually stored with the centralised server. This means that no direct communication is required between a computing/communication device of second type 50 and the server 24/28 just for collecting location, capability and service-specific information. If on the other hand a direct communication is possible via for instance the communication interface of second type 32. then the server 24/28 can obtain the location, capability and service-specific information directly from a computing/communication device of second type 50.

Once a user-centric network 14 is formed, the server application 28 will store required configuration parameters in the database 22 for the purpose of enabling new users to join an already formed user-centric network 14. The said configuration parameters may preferably include physical-/link-layer details (e.g., pairing or association parameters) pertaining to the communication interface of first type 48, existence of an application-server and if so, the identity or the address of a device 12 that operates in the capacity of an application-server. All these tasks can be taken care of by the user-centric network formation functionality 9-3 of 28.

The server application 28 also employs a peer user/device and service discovery protocol 9-2 that will be used to identify like-minded users in case spontaneous collaboration using computing/communication device of first type 12 is solicited. Similarly, the peer user/device and service discovery protocol can be employed when a computing/communication device of first type 12 looks for a specific service being provided only by a computing/communication device of second type 50. All users, peers, applications and services have unique identifies to ensure the correct operation of 9-2 although mechanisms that are used to ensure uniqueness is beyond the scope of the present invention. In order to ensure uniqueness among appfications or services, the server application can consists of application and service maintenance functionality 9-4.

The server application 28 can also provide Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) 9-5 services and supports relevant protocols such as DIAMETER to subject a user or a device 12/50 to Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA). The relevant information needed for AAA services is stored in database 22.

Once a user-centric network 14 is formed from the physical-/link-layer and TCP/IP-layer perspectives, the server 24/28 can invocate a desired application or service at the applicationlayer level for which 14 is formed. This requires the server application 28 to have service invocation functionality 9-6 and may optionally contain details in terms of whether any application-server is employed and if so, which device 12 operates in the capacity of an application-server and the like.

Session continuity functionality 9-7 of the server application 28 makes sure the maintenance of an active user-centric network 14 once formed. This is because devices 12 can move apart from each other and hence server application 28 has to decide in terms of whether to maintain a formed user-centric network 14 on the communication interface of first type 48 or the communication interface of second type 32 or on both. The session continuity functionality 9-7 will liaise with each constituent of a given active user-centric network 14 for this purpose. Further expbnation of this functionality is given in relation to Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the functioning of the centralised server 24/28 when executing session continuity functionality 10-7 within an active user-centric network 14 formed on demand according to one embodiment of the present invention. A formed user-centric network becomes active when two or more participating like-minded users (i.e., constituents) start spontaneously collaborating with each other. Actually, this flow-chart continues from step 7-HO of Fig. 7. Once a user-centric network is formed among like-minded users that have started spontaneously collaborating on the I It)

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communication interface of first type 48, session continuity functionality 9-7 of the server application 28 wili be triggered for each computing/communication device of first type 12 (i.e., each constituent). This involves configuring each computing/communication device of first type 12 to take received signal strength measurement from a device 12 which is configured to operate in the capacity of an application-server and report it back to the server 24/28. A dynamically formed application-server is also configured to take received signal strength measurement in relation to each device 12 that is part of 14 and report it to the server 24/28. Each measurement report consists of 3-tuple information -i.e., received signal strength, receiving device/user identity and transmitting device/user identity.

This is shown by step 10-1.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, if a user-centric network 14 formed on demand is AP-based, each device 12 is configured to take received signal strength measurement from an AP and periodically report it to the server 24/28. An AP will also report the received signal measurement for each associated device 12 and report it to the server 24/28.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each computing/communication device of first type 12 is configured to take received signal measurement for each paired device i2 and report it to the server 24/28.

In step 10-2, the server application 28 will check whether it has received ally measurement report from a device 12. If it has, it will further check in step 10- 3 whether a received strength is less than a particular threshold. This threshold actually depends namely on the exact communication interface of first type 48 being used, application or service being supported, its QoS requirements, and the like -this is decided by the server 24/28 dynamically.

If the received signal strength is less than a given threshold, in step 10-4 a user/device 12 whose signal is reported to have been tess than a threshold will be prompted in step 10-4 by the session continuity functionality 9-7 to respond whether it is OK to start using the communication interface of second type 32 to maintain connectivity with an application-server of a given user-centric network 14.

If a positive response is received by the server 24/28 as checked in step 10-5, a user/device 12 whose signal is reported as being less than a threshold will be prompted in step 10-6 to disable its communication interface of first type 48 and start using the communication interface of second type 32 to maintain connectivity with a user-centric network 14. If, on the other hand, a negative response is received in step 10-5, the server application 28 will disconnect a device/user whose signal is reported as being less than a threshold and notify the other participants of a user-centric network 14 in question.

In step 10-8 a server application 28 will check to see whether a given user-centric network 14 employs a dynamically configured application-server. If this is a case, the device/user that has been requested to use the communication interface of second type 32 will maintain connectivity with an application-server in order to be part of a spontaneous collaboration. Also, in step 10-9, a user/device that operates in the capacity of an application-server will be promoted by 24/28 to respond whether it can maintain connectivity with a device/user that has just moved out of range of 48 via the communication interface of second type 32. If the response as checked in step 10-10 is positive, a device/user that operates in the capacity of an application-server will be prompted in step 10-1 1 to start concurrently using: 1) communication device of second type 32 to maintain connectivity with one or more moved out devices/users; 2) communication interface of first type 48 to maintain connectivity with other constituents of an onginal user-centric network 14 that are still within its range of 48.

If each computing/communication device of first type 12 of an existing user-centnc network 14 which was originally maintained using the communication interface of first type 48 has moved out of range from each other from the perspective of the communication interface of first type 48, a given user-centric network 14 can still be maintained on the communication interface of second type 32. In other words, afl computing/communication devices of first type 12 belonging to the same user-centric network 14 will maintain connectivity with a device 12 that has been operating in the capacity of an application-server using the communication interface of second type 32.

If, on the other hand, some devices 12 of an existing user-centric network 14 are still within each other's range from the perspective of the communication interface of first type 48, but not others, then the given user-centric network 14 will be maintained using both the communication interface of first type 48 and the communication interface of second type 32.

If a user-centric network 14 currently uses the communication interface of second type 32, and two or more devices/users become closer to each other from the perspectives the communication interface of first type 48, those device/users that have moved within each other's range will be promoted by the server 24/28 to start using the communication interface of first type 48 in order to partly maintain a given user-centric network. This way a user-centric network 14 can be maintained purely using a communication interface of first type 48 or a communication interface of second type 32 or combination of both.

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According to third embodiment of the present invention, the server 24/28 can spontaneously establish connection (from the physical-layer. Link-Layer, Internet-Layer, transport-layer and AppI ication-Layer perspectives) between a computing/communication device of first type 12 and a computing/communication device of second type based on current user activity on computing/communication device of first type 12, instantaneous location information of a user, time and one or more active user profiles. This spontaneous collaboration can be established by the server 24/28 both proactively (i.e., no explicit user request) and reactively (i.e., on receiving user's explicit request).

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a user-centric network 14 formation is among one or more computing/communication devices of first type 12 and one or more computing/communication devices of second type 50 where both computing/communication devices of first type 12 and second type 50 have connectivity to the server 24/28 via a communication interface of second type 32. The user-centric network formation in such environment is very similar to that explained as part of the first embodiment.

References: [1]. P. Basu, "A Task-Based Approach for Modelling Distributed Applications on Mobile Ad hoc Networks," Ph.D. thesis, Boston University, Boston, MA, May 2003.

121. S.Sivavakeesar, 0. F.Gonzalez. and G.Pavlou, "Service Discovery Strategies in Ubiquitous Communication Environments", IEEE Communications Magazine, Sep. 2006.

Claims

Claims 1. There is provided a communication system comprising: a) A first user and one or more other users trying to interact with one another using one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type; b) an pre-existing infrastructure-based network providing Internet Protocol (IF) connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type with a centralised server; where each computing/communication devices of first type supports one or more variants of communication interfaces of first type and a communication interface of second type and the centralised server captures context-information in relation to each user of a computing/communication devices of first type together with capability information of each of said computing/communication devices of first type via the said communication interface of second type, wherein on identifying the existence of two or more like-minded users in a given location that can spontaneous'y collaborate with each other for a common goal based on said context-information, the said centralised server will execute a user-centric network formation procedure comprising the steps of: i) choosing one or more communication interfaces of first type to be used that are common to said computing/communication devices of first type being used by the said like-minded users; ii) configuring the parameters associated with the one or more said communication interfaces of first type chosen pertaining to one or more selected computing/communication devices of first type; iii) passing the said configured parameters of each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type on to each of non-selected computing/communication devices of first type; along with an identity of exact communication interfaces of first type chosen and, iv) prompting each of the said non-selected computing/communication devices of first type to connect to each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type using the configured parameters on the chosen communication interfaces of first type; Wherein both the said selected and non-selected computing/communication devices of first type belong to the said like-minded users identified, and each of the said non-selected computing/communication devices of first type connect to each of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type through pairing or association on the one or more chosen communication interfaces of first type.
2. The said communication system according to claim 1, characterised in that the said context information being used to identify the said like-minded users pertains at least to the types of applications or services that users are interested in to enable spontaneous coHaboration in a given location and at a given time instance and whether the said computing/communication devices of first type being currently used support the types of applications or services being interested in and the exact communication interfaces of first type being supported by the said computing/communication devices of first type being currently used.
3. The said communication system according to daim 2, characterised in that an identification of the said like-minded users in a given location at a given time instance is carried out with respect to a said first user by the centralised server and it involves: a. determining whether a first user is currently located in a close proximity to one or many users that can spontaneously collaborate with each other for a said common goal and short-listing a first set of users accordingly; b, subjecting the first set of users short-listed to further test by checking whether two or more users belonging to the said first set supports one or more of common said communication interfaces of first type and short-listing a second set of users such that users belonging to the said second set are within the communication range/coverage pertaining to one or more common said communication interfaces of first type supported of each other; c. further dividing the said second set per communication interface of first type supported and deriving a set of third sets where in each set of the said third sets said computing/communication devices of first type can connect to each other through one exact variant of the said communication interface of first type; d. further checking whether there exists one or more said computing/communication devices of first type that are common to two or more of the said sets of said third set; e. considering only those sets of said third set that can satisfy a set of criteria for composing a said user-centric network in a given location at a given time.wherein spontaneously collaborating with each other for a common goal means whether said one or more other users are interested to spontaneously collaborate in relation to the same application or service a first user is interested in.
4. The said communication system according to daim 3, characterised in that those sets of said third set being considered for composing a said user-centric network need to meet the said set of criteria comprising: i) need to induding the said first user from the perspectives of the said communication interface of first type; ii) maximum number of users that can be supported by the said common goaI iii) existence of one or more said computing/communication devices of first type that are common to two or more of the said sets of said third set; wherein the said set of said third sets that can meet the said set of criteria is termed the allowed set of third sets being considered for composing a user-centric network in a given ocation at a given time instance and set of communication interfaces of first type that can be supported in the said allowed set of third sets is termed the allowed set of communication interfaces of first type.
5. The said communication system according to claim 4, characterised in that the said selected and non-selected computing/communication devices of first type is considered from the perspectives of the said allowed set of third sets.
6. The said communication system according to claim 4, characterised in that the said selected computing/communication devices of first type comprises those computing/communication devices of first type that are common to two or more of the said allowed set of third sets.
7. The said communication system according to daim 4, characterised in that the said configured parameters pertaining to one or more said selected computing/communication devices of first type are related to the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type.
8. The said communication system according to claim 4, wherein a new user-centric network will be formed only when a similar network for the same common-goal does not exist in a given location at a given time instance on the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type.
9. The said communication system according to claim 4, wherein one of the said selected computing/communication devices of first type that can support as many number of said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type as possible will be chosen to operate in the capacity of an application server to achieve the said common goal.
10. The said communication system according to claim 9, wherein the selection of the said application server is made by the said centralised server and its details will be passed on to every said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets.
ii. The said communication system according to claim 9, wherein the said application server operates an access point from the perspectives of one or more of the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type and the said configured parameters govern namely the network Service Set Identifier (SSID), encryption protocol, and password where the network Service Set Identifier SSID) is application or service specific and takes a constant value for a given application or service achieving the same said common goal.
12. The said communication system according to claim 9. wherein the said application server allows connection from other said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets through pairing from the perspectives of one or more of the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type and the said configured parameters are pairing parameters containing namely device identifier (i.e., device ID) to be advertised on one or more of the said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type and an associated encryption key commoffly known as a Personal Information Number (PIN), wherein the device identifier (i.e.. device ID) is application or service specific and takes a constant value for a given application or service achieving the same said common goal.
13. The said communication system according to claim 9. wherein the said application server operates the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) so that it will assign IP address to any said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets that joins it through either pairing or association.
14. The said communication system according to claim 9, wherein the said application server can provide Internet connection through a technique called tethering to any said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets that joins it through either pairing or association.
15. The said communication system according to claim 1, characterised in that the said pre-existing infrastructure network can be a cellular network.wired Local Area network (LAN), or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) providing TCP/IP-based packet-switched connection between a said computing/communication device of first type and the said centralised server, and the said communication interface of first type operates any existing or future short-range radio technology and the said the communication interface of second type can be the main air interface of any cellular network, WiMAX, any existing and future WLAN/WiFi (e.g., IEEE 802.1 la/b/g/n and the like) or can be based on Ethernet and the like.
16. The said communication system according to claim I, wherein in case per odic contact/communication/interaction between the said centralised server and a said computing/communication device of first type is not preferred or possible, the said computing/communication device of first type of a first user wanting to engage in a spontaneous interactive communication based on a given application or service being interested in will perform the following: i). sniffing the local neighbourhood for any existence of a user-centric network for a given application or service a first user is interested in a given location and at a given time-instance; ii). if a similar user-centric network already exists, a. it trying to join using default access or login credentials; b. if an access using default access or login credentials fails, contacting the said centralised server for user-centric-specific access or login credentials to be passed on and it trying to join using the obtained access or login credentials; iii).if a similar user-centric network does not already exist only on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type of a said first user, the said computing/communication device of first type will configure one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that it can support using default parameters.Wherein any second user that is interested in the same application or service can join the said computing/communication device of a first type belonging to a said first user using default parameters pertaining to one or more of said communication interfaces of first type being supported by both a said first user and a second user.
17. The said communication system according to dairn 9, wherein each said computing/communication device of first type being part of a said user-centric network formed on demand measures the received signal strength from a said computing/communication device that operates in the capacity of an application server and the said application server measuring received signal strength from each of other computing/communication devices of first type and each device reporting the measurement to the said centralised server.wherein the said centralised server will prompt a said computing/communication device of first type, whose received signal from or transmitted signal to the said application server is below a given threshold, to connect to the said application server via the said communication interface of second type.
18. The said communication system according to claim 17. characterised in that if received signal strength based measurement reporting indicates that the said configured application server is moving away from most of the other like-minded users of an existing active user-centric network, another suitable computing/communication device of first type will be chosen o replace an existing application server or all the said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to the said allowed set of third sets will be prompted to maintain connectivity with the existing application server via the said communication interface of second type.
19. The said communication system according to daim 1, characterised in that in case the said centralised server is involved in the formation of a user-centric network, the said server will keep user-centric network-specific details centrally consisting of at least the said configured parameters pertaining to a said allowed set of communication interfaces of first type, the identity or the IP address of a user/device being configured to operate in the capacity of an application-server, the said common goal for which it is created, and active participants.
20. There is provided a method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand working with: a) one or many users trying to interact with one another using one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type; b) an pre-ex isting infrastructure-based networlc providing Internet Protocol (IF) connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type with a centralised server; where each computing/communication devices of first type supports one or more variants of communication interfaces of first type and a communication interface of second type and the centraised server captures context-information in relation to each user of a computing/communication devices of first type together with capability information of each of said computing/communication devices of first type via the said communication interface of second type, wherein on identifying the existence of two or more like-minded users in a given location that can spontaneously collaborate with each other for a common goal based on said context-information, the said centralised server will execute a user-centric network formation procedure comprising the steps of: i). choosing one or more communication interfaces of first type to be used that are common to said computing/communication devices of first type being used by the said like-minded users; ii). The said centralised server checking to see whether a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given common goal a first user is interested in already exists on the chosen communication interfaces of first type -if does not exists already, go to step (iii) or else if it already exists follow step (iv); iii). In case a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given common goal a first user is interested in on the chosen communication interfaces of first type does not aheady exist a. The said centralised server determining whether a first user is culTently located in a close proximity to one or many like-minded users such that the said like-minded users are within the radio coverage pertaining to the said communication interface of first type supported by each other; b. Based on step (iii.a), the said centralised server shortlisting one or plurality of like-minded users that can spontaneously collaborate with a said first user at a given time instance at a given location; c. The said centralised server configuring the said communication interface of first type pertaining to one or more of said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to a said shortlisted like-minded users while passing the configured parameters to other computing/communication devices of first type; d. With the passed on parameters, the said centralised server getting said computing/communication devices of first type to form the said user-centric network.iv). In case a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given common goal a first user is interested in already exists on the chosen communication interfaces of first type; a. The said centralised server getting a said first user to join the existing user-centric network; Wherein if a said user-centric network is formed on-demand in a given location at a given time instance for a given application or service, the said centralised server will record the user-centric network-specific details centrally, and once like-minded users become part of a user-centric network, any application or service programme running at the application-layer level of a said computing/communication device of first type belonging to a said first user and said shortlisted like-minded users enables spontaneous collaboration among the identified like-minded users.
21. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that like-minded users are identified based on applications or services a user is interested in.
22. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that each said computing/communication device of first type is installed and running a client application and the said method is executed by the said client application along with user-centric network composition procedure.
23. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that the said centralised server checking to see whether a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in already exists involves one or many of the following steps: a) Getting a said computing/communication device of first type being used by a said first user to sniff its local area for any existence of a user-centric network at a given thcation at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type of a said first user; h) the said centralised server checking its records for any existence of a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in;
24. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that the said user-centric network-specific details centrally recorded by the said centralised server include at least user-centric network-specific association or pairing parameters from the perspectives of the said communication interface of first type.
25. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on- demand according to claim 24, characterised in that user-centric network-specific configuration parameters can be passed on to a first user to join an already existing user-centric network.
26. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 24, characterised in that the said centralised server periodically checks with a member of a user-centric network for the existence of a given user-centric network to continuously keep a given user-centric network -specific details centrally.
27. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 23, characterised in that in case the said centralised server checking to see whether a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user interested in does not have any user-centric network-specific record centrally whereas a said computing/communication device of first type being used by a said first user identifies an existence of a user-centric network at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user is interested in, the said centralised server will get a first user to join the identified user-centric network using default access or login credentials.
28. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that the said user-centric network to be formed on demand can be an access point (AP) or base-station IBS) based where one said computing/communication device of first type will be configured to operate in the capacity of an access point by the said centralised server on the said communication interface of first type with specific configuration parameters governing the Network SSID, encryption protocol, and password and the like, and other like-minded users in a given location at a given time instance will be provided with the configuration parameters to automatically associate with the configured access point.
29. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 28, characterised in that the said dynamically created access point or base-station (BS) can be based on WiFi or IEEE 802.11 wherein joining the AP is similar to the existing mechanism.
30. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that the centralised server further collects information constantly or periodically) in relation to capabilities associated with a said computing/communication device of first type being used at a given time instance by a user at least in terms of the make, brand, model, type, the exact communication interface of first type (i.e., short-range radio technologies) supported, types and versions of application or services installed and supported, the Operating System installed and its version, residual battery energy level (%), culTent user activity (i.e., idle or engaged) and the like.
31. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that the said centralised server chooses the right type of the said communication interface of first type to be used in the formation of a said user-centric network, configures the required association or pairing parameters pertaining to the said communication interface of first type of one or plurality of a said computing/communication device of first type used by like-minded users and passes the said configured parameters to other like-minded users for the user-centric network formation, wherein the sdection of the right type of the said communication interface of first type to be used at least depends on one or many of the following: I-c, a. Whether it is supported by one or many said computing/communication devices of first type used by like-minded users.b. Whether the QoS demanded by an application or service being interested in by like-minded users can be supported;
32. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 28, characterised in that configuring one device to operate in the capacity of an access point by the said centralised server on the said communication interface of first type is based on the capability information gathered by the said centralised server in relation to a said computing/communication device of first type being used at a given time instance by a user.
33. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 28, characterised in that the said Network SSID of a said access point belonging to a user-centric network formed on-demand at a given location at a given time instance to enable spontaneous interactive communication based on the given application or service can be application or service dependent and takes a constant value based on application or service supported where each application or service is hierarchically, consistently and systematically classified in a fine granular manner to ensure its uniqueness.
34. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that in case periodic contact! communicationlinteraction between the said centralised server and a said computing! communication device is not preferred or possible, the said computing!comrnunication device of first type of a said first user wanting to engage in a spontaneous interactive communication based on a given application or service being interested in will perform the following: i). sniffing the local neighbourhood for any existence of a user-centric network for a given application or service a user is interested in a given location and at a given time-instance on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type of a said first user; ii). if a similar user-centric network already exists, a. it trying to join using default access or login credentials; b. if an access using default access or login credentials fails, contacting the said centralised server for user-centric-specific access or login credentials to be passed on and it trying to join using the obtained access or ogin credentials; iii).if a similar user-centric network does not already exist only, the said computing!comrnunication device of first type will configure itself as an Access point using defauli Network SSID for a given application or service being interested in and default access or login credentials.Wherein in case there is already an existing user-centric network operating on one or more of said communication interfaces of first type that can be supported by the said computing/communication device of a first type of a said first user at a given location at a given time-instance for a given application or service a first user interested in, another user-centric network for the same application or service cannot be formed.
35. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 34, characterised in that the said computing/communication device of first type configuring itself as an access point is possible only if such configuration is supported by a said computing/communication device of first type.
36. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 20, characterised in that a said user-centric network to be fommd on demand can be of pure peer-to-peer type without involving configuring any said computing/communication device of first type to operate in the capacity of an access point or base station.
37. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 36, characterised in that a said user-centric network to be formed on demand can be of pure peer-to-peer type employing Wifi-direct technology on the said communication interface of first type where each said computing/communication device of first type is configured by the said centralised server to take a globally unique device identifier to be advertised on the said communication interface of first type and an associated encryption key commonly known as a Personal Information Number (PIN) and such configured parameters are exchanged with said computing/communication devices of first type belonging to other like-minded users shortlisted to form a said user-centric network.
38. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 37, characterised in that a said user-centric network to be formed on demand can be of pure peer-to-peer type employing WiFi-direct or Bluetooth technology on the said communication interface of first type.
39. The said method to dynamically compose a user-centric network on-demand according to claim 28, characterised in that each said computing/communication device of first type being part of a said user-centric network formed on demand measures the received signal strength from a said computing/communication device that functions as a master or access point of a said user-centric network while a said master or access point measuring received signal strength from other said computing/communication device of first type and each device reporting the measurement to the said centralised server, wherein the said centralised server will prompt a said computing/communication device of first type, whose received signal or transmitted signal from/to a said master or access point is below a given thresh&d of a specific communication interface of first type uscd, to connect to the same user-centric network via the said communication interface of second type.
40. There is provided a spontaneous collaboration system compnsing: a) one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type; b) an pre-existing infrastructure-based network providing Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type with a centralised server; c) one or plurality of computing/communication devices of second type; wherein each said computing/communication devices of first type supports a communication interface of first type and a communication interface of second type to connect to the said centralised server, whereas each said computing/communication devices of second type supports only communication interface of first type where spontaneous collaboration between a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type is initiated when an explicit service request originates from the former and the said centralised server will execute spontaneous collaboration procedure comprising the steps of: i) getting the instantaneous geographical location information of a said computing/communication device of first type and the exact communication interface of first type it can support; ii) discovering the set of said computing/communication devices of second type that can provide the service requested in a given location; iii) selecting the best said computing/communication device of second type, finding out the exact communication interface of first type it can support and fetching associated association or pairing parameters; iv) passing the fetched associated association or pairing parameters on to a said computing/communication devices of first type only if a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type supports the same communication interface of first type; v) prompting the said computing/communication devices of first type to connect to said computing/communication device of second type using the passed on associated association or pairing parameters;
41. The said spontaneous collaboration system according to claim 40, characterised in that a said computing/communication device of second type provides a fixed service and relatively fixed in a given geographical location.
42. The said spontaneous collaboration system according to claim 40, characterised in that details of a said computing/communication device of second type namely in terms of exact services it can provide, identity or address, geographical location, exact communication interfaces of first type being supported and associated palling or association parameters are manually stored with the centralised server.
43. The said spontaneous collaboration system according to claim 40, characterised in that the pairing or association parameters associated with a said computing/communication device of second type are not advertised on one or more communication interfaces of first type.
44. The said spontaneous collaboration system according to claim 40, characterised in that communication interface of first type supports Bluetooth or WiFi-direct.
45. There is provided a spontaneous collaboration method working with: a) one or plurality of computing/communication devices of first type; b) one or plurality of computing/communication devices of second type; c) an pre-existing infrastructure-based network providing Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity to one or many said computing/communication devices of first type and one or many said computing/communication devices of second type with a centralised server; wherein each said computing/communication devices of first/second type supports a communication interface of first type and a communication interface of second type to connect to the said centralised server, where spontaneous collaboration between a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type is initiated when an explicit service request originates from the former and the said centralised server will execute spontaneous coflaboration procedure comprising the steps of: i) getting the instantaneous geographical location information of a said computing/communication device of first type and the exact communication interface of first type it can support; ii) discovering the set of said computing/communication devices of second type that can provide the service requested in a given ocation; iii) selecting the best said computing/communication device of second type, finding out the exact communication interface of first type it can support, configuring associated association or pairing parameters; iv) passing the configured associated association or pairing parameters pertaining to the best said computing/communication device of second type chosen on to a said computing/communication devices of first type only if a said computing/communication device of first type and a said computing/communication device of second type supports the same communication interface of first type; v) prompting the said computing/communication devices of first type to connect to said computing/communication device of second type using the passed on associated association or pairing parameters;
46. The said spontaneous collaboration method according to claim 45, characterised in that configured association parameters govern namely the network Service Set Identifier (SSID), encryption protocol, and password where the network Service Set Identifier (55 ID) is specific to a service provided and takes a constant value for a given service provided.
47. The said spontaneous collaboration method according to claim 45, configured pairing parameters containing namely device identifier (i.e., device ID) to be advertised on one or more of the supported communication interface of first type and an associated encryption key commonly known as a Personal Information Number (PIN), wherein the device identifier (i.e., device ID) is specific to a service provided and takes a constant value for a given service provided.
48. The said spontaneous collaboration method according to claim 45, characterised in that communication interface of first type supports Bluetooth or WiFi or WiFi-direct.