Abstract: A system for providing positioning-related information within wireless communication signals. For example, an apparatus (e.g., acting as a tracker) may receive one or more messages advertising the presence of another apparatus (e.g., acting as a target). The advertisement messages may further comprise information indicating the availability of positioning-related information from the target apparatus. The tracker device may then determine, based on the received information, that positioning-related interaction with the target apparatus is available. If determined to be available, the tracker and target may interact with each other in order to initiate positioning-related information transmission. After receiving at least one message comprising positioning-related information from the target apparatus, the tracker apparatus may then determine at least one of a relative direction towards or from the target apparatus based on the received positioning-related information.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are disclosed to allow for proximity detection in a manner that advantageously balances power consumption and latency. In the context of a method, the presence of a communication device is detected and a wireless link is caused to be established to provide a connection, such as a session description protocol (SDP) connection, with the communication device. The method may also detect the proximity of the communication device based upon signal strength of one or more signals communicated via the established wireless link. The method may also adjust one or more connection parameters of the established wireless link based at least upon the signal strength of the one or more signals communicated via the link. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, access network discovery information is received from an access network discovery and selection function server, access network discovery assistance information is received from a separate server, and the received access network discovery and access network discovery assistance information is used in network discovery.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed to communicate with a smart object. In the context of a method, an identifier associated with a smart object is received. The method includes causing transmission of the identifier, receiving, based on the identifier, one or more universal resource identifiers (URIs) associated with the smart object, and selecting, by a processor, one of the URIs for communication between a device and the smart object. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to permit device discovery to be conducted utilizing a first radio technology, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) technology, and to then handover to a second radio technology, e.g., a second radio technology having a greater bandwidth than the first radio technology. In the context of a method, device discovery is conducted utilizing a first radio technology. The method also causes communication of handover information in accordance with a predefined attribute protocol of the first radio technology. The method also performs handover to a second radio technology, such as Bluetooth technology or a wireless local area network technology, in accordance with the handover information communicated utilizing the first radio technology.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for configuring and controlling guest access sharing. In the context of a method, a method is provided that includes causing a network scan to be initiated and receiving the results of said network scan, the results comprising information regarding an access point and determining, based on the received results, whether the access point comprises two or more network interfaces. The method further includes causing a guest access sharing configuration procedure to be initiated if the access point comprises two or more network interfaces. The guest access sharing configuration procedure includes causing guest access information to be uploaded to a server. Another method is provided that includes receiving and storing guest access information, receiving a request to obtain the guest access information and causing the guest access information to be provided to a device if the device has permission to access it.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a near field communication unit configured to read usage information pertaining to one or more devices within a certain space; and a processing unit configured to forward at least part of said usage information to one or more devices of another space, such as a personal space comprising devices personally held by a certain user. The certain space may be a smart space. Also related other devices, methods and computer programs are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, a computer program product and a method is provided for device and/or user identification. The example embodiment comprises receiving, at an apparatus, a wireless signal comprising at least one of an address or an indication identifying a wireless 5 communication device initiating the wireless signal, transmitting a query to a remote network entity, the query including at least one of the received address or indication identifying the wireless communication device and an indication associated with identity of the apparatus, and receiving a response to the query including information relating to identity of the wireless communication device if an association exists between the 10 apparatus and the wireless communication device.

Abstract: An approach for automating the provisioning of access credentials related to one or more shared resources to one or more user devices. An access rights platform determines one or more resources associated with at least one user, at least one device associated with the at least one user, or a combination thereof. The platform also processes social networking information associated with the at least one user, the at least one device, or a combination thereof to determine one or more social networking groups to which the one or more resources are associated. One or more access rights to the one or more resources for one or more other devices based, at least in part, on membership in the respective one or more social networking groups is then determined.

Abstract: A system for providing positioning-related information within wireless communication signals. For example, an apparatus (e.g., acting as a tracker) may receive one or more messages advertising the presence of another apparatus (e.g., acting as a target). The advertisement messages may further comprise information indicating the availability of positioning-related information from the target apparatus. The tracker device may then determine, based on the received information, that positioning-related interaction with the target apparatus is available. If determined to be available, the tracker and target may interact with each other in order to initiate positioning-related information transmission. After receiving at least one message comprising positioning-related information from the target apparatus, the tracker apparatus may then determine at least one of a relative direction towards or from the target apparatus based on the received positioning-related information.

Abstract: A system for providing positioning information within a wireless communication signal. An example process may start by positioning resources being activated in an apparatus. Activation of the positioning resources may occur automatically, in response to user interaction, etc. The apparatus may then engage in a discovery process via wireless communication in order to identify other apparatuses within communication range that are enabled to transmit positioning information. Upon discovering another apparatus, the apparatus may interact with the other apparatus in order to determine a location for the other apparatus. For example, the apparatus may transmit one or more messages comprising a request for positioning information from the other apparatus, and may in turn receive one or more messages from the other apparatus comprising positioning information. The apparatus may then utilize the positioning information to determine its position (e.g., relative to the other apparatus).

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product example embodiments provide direction finding information exchange without establishment of a formal communication connection. In an example embodiment, a special value is reserved for an inquiry access code, to signify that an inquiring device that transmits the special code is a direction finding capable device that is capable of receiving and using information usable for estimating at least a relative direction, for direction estimation. In an example embodiment, an inquiry scanning device that recognizes the special code, is capable of generating and transmitting information usable for estimating at least a relative direction, for direction estimation.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising exchanging connectivity information, setting up a connection, determining that a correspondent node has at least one access in an inactive state, and transmitting a request to the correspondent node to activate at least one of the at least one access in an inactive state. The setting up may be done based on the exchanged connectivity information.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a communication request to a user device of a first communication type, receiving a message during the communication request or within a predetermined amount of time after the communication request, of a second communication type. If the message received is from the user device, then it may be immediately presented or displayed. If the message is not from the user device, then it is precluded from being presented until the communication request is completed. The first communication type may be in the form of a voice call and the user device may be a mobile phone. The second communication type may be a text message, E-mail, or other mode of communication that differs from the first communication type.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, access network discovery information is received from an access network discovery and selection function server, access network discovery assistance information is received from a separate server, and the received access network discovery and access network discovery assistance information is used in network discovery.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a communication request to a user device of a first communication type, receiving a message during the communication request or within a predetermined amount of time after the communication request, of a second communication type. If the message received is from the user device, then it may be immediately presented or displayed. If the message is not from the user device, then it is precluded from being presented until the communication request is completed. The first communication type may be in the form of a voice call and the user device may be a mobile phone. The second communication type may be a text message, E-mail, or other mode of communication that differs from the first communication type.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the management of reconfigurable communication resources. These reconfigurable communication resources may include, for example, software defined radio (SDR) modules. SDR modules may comprise fixed hardware-level support for a multitude of wireless radios whose operation/protocols are defined at the software level. A variety of software-based radio definitions (e.g., radio software) may be stored on the apparatus, the radio software defining operation/protocol for one or more radios. Radios defined in the stored radio software may be individually loaded into the SDR module in order to emulate the operation (e.g., wireless communication) of corresponding hardware-based radio modules. Loading radios into, or the unloading of radios from, the SDR module may be managed based on decision criteria.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus including a near field communication unit configured to read usage information pertaining to one or more devices within a certain space; and a processing unit configured to forward at least part of said usage information to one or more devices of another space, such as a personal space comprising devices personally held by a certain user. The certain space may be a smart space. Also related other devices, methods and computer programs are disclosed.