Abstract: Methods for communicating discovery information are described. A module intercepts messages within a device which include a first identifier, e.g., a service, application, device or other identifier which is to be communicated or which is to be monitored for in the case of a device seeking something. A second identifier corresponding to the information to be communicated or item or service being sought is generated. The second identifier is transmitted in the case of an advertisement or monitored for in the case of the device seeking something. Following a second device establishing a communications connection in response to an advertisement, stored information such as all or a portion of the first identifier is transmitted over the established connection. A device seeking an item or service, in response to detecting the second identifier, establishes a connection with the second device. The second identifier maybe shorter than the first identifier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a mode of wireless communications to be used by a wireless terminal, e.g., a direct communications mode or an infrastructure communications mode are described. In some embodiments, the mode to be used is determined by a control node based on interference which will be caused to the system taking into consideration at least an area, e.g., cell, in which the wireless terminal seeking to communicate is not located. System interference cost estimates for each mode under consideration are generated and compared. Interference cost estimates may, and do, correspond to different frequency bands when the direct mode uses a different frequency band than the infrastructure communications mode. Separate interference cost estimates and mode determinations are made for different communications directions in some embodiments. The determined mode to be used is communicated to the devices seeking to communicate, e.g., via one or more base stations.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are provided in which information is exchanged through peer-to-peer communication with a second wireless device using a first radio technology. The information regards at least one additional radio technology. In addition, whether to utilize a second radio technology of the at least one additional radio technology for peer-to-peer communication with the second wireless device rather than the first radio technology is determined. Furthermore, the first radio technology is utilized to exchange control information for the second radio technology.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to ad cache maintenance, e.g., determining when ad cache replenishment should occur, replenishing ad cache content and/or updating the content of an ad cache, on a device which supports the presentation of advertisements (ads) are described. Signals are received by a first device including an ad cache. The signals are received from other devices, e.g., devices in the direct wireless communications range of the first device. Received signals are processed and provide context information, e.g., information about the surrounding, services available, stores in the region, etc., in which the first device receiving the signals is at a given point in time. Context information is stored. As new context information is generated from received signals the newly generated set of context information is compared to a previously generated set of context information. Changes in context information are detected and used in performing ad cache maintenance operations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to selecting advertisements for presentation based on, e.g., received signals from devices in the proximity to a user's communications device, are described. In various embodiments a mobile device monitors for signals, e.g., peer discovery or other signals, from other devices which transmit, e.g., broadcast, advertisement related information. In various embodiments a device receives advertising information from an advertising device, e.g., AdPoint. In the case of peer to peer signaling, the AdPoint may be in close proximity to the user device receiving the advertising information. Advertising information received from devices in proximity to the user device are used in selecting an advertisement for presentation.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatus which can be used to implement a system for collecting demographic information of users and/or devices in real-time or near real-time. Methods and apparatus directed to communicating and collecting demographic information via wireless signals, e.g., discovery signals, transmitted by one or more wireless devices, e.g., wireless communications devices supporting a peer to peer signaling protocol, are described. In various embodiments, at least some of the demographic information is transmitted in a secure manner. An information collection device receives demographic information transmitted by wireless communications devices, at least some of said demographic information being transmitted in a secure manner, and forwards collected demographic information to a demographic information processing system.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relate to controlling access to communications resources in a wireless communications system. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited for use in a peer to peer network in which resource access control is implemented in a distributed manner and wireless terminals compete for communications resources, e.g., compete for a peer to peer traffic segment. A wireless terminal generates QoS tokens within said wireless terminal at a rate which is a function of a QoS level associated with the wireless terminal and uses a generated token to control access to a communications resource. Generated tokens within the wireless terminal may be shared among the applications of the wireless terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing user generated information, e.g., reviews, comments, suggestions relevant to a particular geographic region, using local access nodes and/or facilitating discovery of the availability of the locally stored and locally relevant content through the use of peer-to-peer signals are described. In various embodiments, the locally stored and available content can be discovered when passing within range a local access point, storing the locally relevant user provided content. User generated information, in some embodiments, can be stored subject to user specified sharing restrictions. In various embodiments, users can limit the information they are provided by controlling profile setting and/or a setting used to control what information is provided as they move through a region. In some embodiments, user provided information distribution and/or access can be, and sometimes is, restricted based on group membership, user identity and/or interests.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to peer/network/service discovery in a mobile wireless system, e.g., an ad hoc peer-to-peer network are described. Transmission of discovery information, e.g., upper layer discovery information, is divided into a number of portions to be transmitted separately over time. Transmission of the individual portions is structured so as to enable flexibility in the frequency of the peer discovery transmissions as well as the monitoring of such transmissions. Various embodiments facilitate rapid discovery and/or secure discovery, e.g., selective discovery by trusted peers.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to the transmission, e.g., broadcast, of identification information and corresponding control information in discovery signals by a wireless communications device as part of a discovery process. In some embodiments, the identifier identifies one of: an advertisement, a user, or a module. In one embodiment the identifier identifies an advertisement, and the corresponding control information communicates a bid factor used in determining the value of a bid for an ad display opportunity. In another embodiment, the identifier identifies a dynamically modifiable advertisement, and the corresponding control information communicates information that is used to set and/or modify the dynamically modifiable portion of the advertisement. In still another embodiment, the identifier identifiers a user and the control information communicates status information. In yet another embodiment, the identifier identifies a module, e.g.

Abstract: In some embodiments, in an exemplary advertising system multiple bidders compete for ad cache space on devices which display ads. The bidders are, e.g., advertisers, ad networks, and/or loyalty program providers. The devices which store and display the ads are, e.g., mobile and/or stationary wireless communications devices. An individual bidder is provided with contextual information that is of relevance to the individual bidder. The contextual information is about the device onto which ads may be loaded. Different bidders may be, and sometimes are, supplied with different restricted information. Various embodiments are directed to a methods and apparatus for operating an ad broker system.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to assigning a home agent to a wireless terminal during authentication, authorization, and/or accounting with respect to the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal can provide identifying indicia which can be relayed to a AAA server by way of a base station. The AAA server can then determine one or more home agents that can be associated with the wireless terminal. If more than one home agent can be assigned to the wireless terminal, the base station can resolve which home agent to utilize during registration of the wireless terminal. Such determination can be important with respect to MVNOs.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product of a wireless device are provided in which a first device identifier of a wireless device is provided. An allocation record is received that includes an expression used for discovery, a second device identifier, and at least one of a digital signature of a first server that delegates the expression or a digital signature of a second server that manages the expression. The allocation record is verified. An apparatus, a method, and a computer program product of a first server are provided in which a device identifier is received from a wireless device. An allocation record is generated that includes an expression used for discovery, the device identifier, and at least one of a digital signature of the first server or a digital signature of a second server that manages the expression. The allocation record is sent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to peer, network or service discovery in a mobile wireless system, such as an ad hoc peer-to-peer network, are described. Transmission of discovery information, such as upper layer discovery information, is divided into a number of portions to be transmitted separately over time. Transmission of the individual portions is structured to enable flexibility in the frequency of the peer discovery transmissions as well as the monitoring of such transmissions. Various embodiments facilitate rapid discovery and secure discovery, such as selective discovery by trusted peers. The structuring enables proxying of some transmissions by a third party, such as an assist node. The assist node receives discovery information portions being communicated at a first rate and retransmits the received discovery information portions at a second rate which is higher than the first rate.

Abstract: An access node, e.g., base station, determines a configuration of an end node, e.g., wireless terminal, intended to support a specific traffic flow and sends a configuration command to the wireless terminal. A base station may determine one or more parameters associated with classification, queue management, scheduling, and/or automatic repeat request, and then send a configuration command to the wireless terminal instructing it to implement a configuration operation. In some embodiments, a wireless terminal sets the value of an internal parameter to a value directly provided by the base station in a configuration command. In some embodiments, a wireless terminal determines and sets the value of an internal parameter as a function of information included in the configuration command from the base station.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relate to sharing QoS privileges between devices having a higher service level subscription and devices having lower service level subscription. QoS privileges are associated with a QoS service level which is in turn tied to devices, e.g., based on a service level subscription of the device. Devices with higher service level subscription are entitled to superior QoS privileges than the devices with lower service level subscription. In various embodiments a first device with higher QoS service level provides, to a second device having lower QoS service level, information used to obtain a QoS privilege to which the first device is entitled. Thus the second device entitled to lower QoS privileges is provided with the superior QoS privileges on a limited basis, e.g., for communicating with the first device corresponding to the higher QoS service level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a local device to discover proximal information is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal from a remote device, determining an identification and a relative bearing of the remote device based on the signal and displaying the identification and the relative bearing of the remote device. The apparatus for operating a local device to discover proximal information includes a processor configured to receive a signal from a remote device and determine an identification and a relative bearing of the remote device based on the signal and a display coupled to the processor, the display configured to display the identification and the relative bearing of the remote device.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which an identifier is sent in a peer discovery signal. In addition, a value is sent with the identifier in the peer discovery signal indicating at least one of a next time, a next frequency, or a next resource that the identifier will be sent. A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in which an identifier is received in a peer discovery signal. In addition, a value is received with the identifier in the peer discovery signal indicating at least one of a next time, a next frequency, or a next resource that the identifier should be expected to be received.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for wireless communications in networks, e.g., regional ad hoc peer to peer networks, are described. A communications node, e.g., a third node monitors for wireless communications between other peer communication nodes, e.g., a first node and a second node, in its local vicinity. The third node determines from the monitored wireless communication an indication of link quality corresponding to a communication link between the communication nodes which are communicating or seeking to establish a communications link. The third node generates an estimate of a link quality for a communications link between itself and the first node. Based on the indication of link quality and generated estimate of link quality, the third node decides whether or not to send a signal indicating availability to relay communication between the first and second nodes. The third node, when acting as an intermediary node after indicating its availability to so act, may receive traffic data e.g.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to communicating advertisements and/or service announcements to devices in a communications system are described. In various embodiments mobile devices are used as mobile advertisement transmission platforms. Advertisements may be downloaded to the wireless communications device along with transmission constraints. Transmission of an advertisement is made when a transmission constraint, e.g., target audience constraint is satisfied. The wireless terminal may change its transmission frequency, coding rate and/or other transmission characteristics to satisfy a transmission constraint and/or optimize revenue. The mobile device reports advertisements transmissions to a network device, e.g., advertisement server and the owner of the device is compensated for the transmissions. Transmission constraints may involve a number of devices to be reached, the type of devices to be reached, and/or other constraints relating to the demographics of device users.