Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for collecting data and generating synthesized data from the collected data. For example, a request for an image may be received from a requestor and at least one data capture device may be identified as capable of providing at least a portion of the requested image. A request may be sent to identified data capture devices to obtain an image corresponding to the requested image. Multiple images may be received from the data capture devices and may further be connected or stitched together to provide a panoramic, 3-dimensional image of requested subject matter.

Abstract: The present invention includes entity tracking, privacy assurance, and zone policy administration technologies allowing for the creation of zone policies, including the definition of zones and managed entities, the zone policies including rules that apply to the managed entities within or in relation to the zones, and privacy policies assuring privacy of sensitive data. The technologies also provide for the definition of sensors, rule event objects, and default event objects, and for the establishment of associations between rules and managed entities, sensors, and rule event objects so as to create zone policies. Event objects may generate zone policy events or actions upon compliance with or violation of various rules of zone policy. Managed entities are defined as entities associated with mobile devices capable of location tracking and communication with zone policy servers. Entities may be persons, vehicles, animals, or any other object for which tracking and zone policy administration is of value.

Abstract: The present invention includes entity tracking, privacy assurance, and zone policy administration technologies allowing for the creation of zone policies, including the definition of zones and managed entities, the zone policies including rules that apply to the managed entities within or in relation to the zones, and privacy policies assuring privacy of sensitive data. The technologies also provide for the definition of sensors, rule event objects, and default event objects, and for the establishment of associations between rules and managed entities, sensors, and rule event objects so as to create zone policies. Event objects may generate zone policy events or actions upon compliance with or violation of various rules of zone policy. Managed entities are defined as entities associated with mobile devices capable of location tracking and communication with zone policy servers. Entities may be persons, vehicles, animals, or any other object for which tracking and zone policy administration is of value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for collecting data and generating synthesized data from the collected data. For example, a request for an image may be received from a requestor and at least one data capture device may be identified as capable of providing at least a portion of the requested image. A request may be sent to identified data capture devices to obtain an image corresponding to the requested image. Multiple images may be received from the data capture devices and may further be connected or stitched together to provide a panoramic, 3-dimensional image of requested subject matter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for collecting data and generating synthesized data from the collected data. For example, a request for an image may be received from a requestor and at least one data capture device may be identified as capable of providing at least a portion of the requested image. A request may be sent to identified data capture devices to obtain an image corresponding to the requested image. Multiple images may be received from the data capture devices and may further be connected or stitched together to provide a panoramic, 3-dimensional image of requested subject matter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating an index and creating a network of devices based on the index. Information and data may be provided via the network. In one example, a request may be received from a user at a service. The service may maintain an index containing characteristics of devices. Any number or type of devices may be selected to participate in the network. Also, the network may be subsequently modified by the addition or removal of any device from the network. Information or data received from the network devices may be returned to the user requesting the information via the service.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for conducting a purchasing activity among federated devices in an ad hoc network. In one example, the purchasing activity is an auction. Devices may be identified for federating into the ad hoc network. The devices may be identified, for example, based on distance from an auction item or distance from a device of a seller of the auction item. Alternatively, the purchasing activity may include a bulk purchase in which user devices may federate into an ad hoc network for sharing costs of bulk items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for collecting data and generating synthesized data from the collected data. In one example, the data may include data at a specific time or over a period of time such that a requestor may request data obtained or captured by data capture devices at the specified time or during the period of time. Multiple images may also be received from the data capture devices and may further be connected or stitched together to provide a panoramic, 3-dimensional image of requested subject matter.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for capturing data from a population of device users with network access. A requestor may request a data capture. The requested data may include, for example, a geographical location or a desired subject matter. Devices capable of providing the requested data capture are identified and requested to provide the data. The devices may be identified based on location, capabilities, availability, etc. The data capture from the identified federated devices may be sent to the requestor. The data may be exchanged for a fee, determined by prearrangement or via an economic model such as a competitive auction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing a plurality of devices in a federated network and a sub-network within the federated network. The devices in the sub-network may have a functional capability of performing a function associated with the federated network. For example, the federated network may include devices for providing data content such as media content and the sub-network may include devices for controlling the presentation of the data content. In addition, a constellation of devices is provided that may share data content such as media data. At least some of the devices in the constellation may form a sub-network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating an index and creating a network of devices based on the index. Information and data may be provided via the network. In one example, a request may be received from a user at a service. The service may maintain an index containing characteristics of devices. Any number or type of devices may be selected to participate in the network. Also, the network may be subsequently modified by the addition or removal of any device from the network. Information or data received from the network devices may be returned to the user requesting the information via the service.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for managing or controlling a network of federated devices. In one example, the devices in the network capture data corresponding to an object or entity of interest. The captured data is sent to a server component such as a hub or backend processor which further processes the data. Based on the received data, the hub or backend processor generates commands or instructions for the network or devices in the network. The commands/instructions are sent to the network to modify network behavior or to controlling device behavior.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing a plurality of devices in a federated network and a sub-network within the federated network. The devices in the sub-network may have a functional capability of performing a function associated with the federated network. For example, the federated network may include devices for providing data content such as media content and the sub-network may include devices for controlling the presentation of the data content. In addition, a constellation of devices is provided that may share data content such as media data. At least some of the devices in the constellation may form a sub-network.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for capturing data from a population of device users with network access. A requestor may request a data capture. The requested data may include, for example, a geographical location or a desired subject matter. Devices capable of providing the requested data capture are identified and requested to provide the data. The devices may be identified based on location, capabilities, availability, etc. The data capture from the identified federated devices may be sent to the requestor. The data may be exchanged for a fee, determined by prearrangement or via an economic model such as a competitive auction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for collecting data and generating synthesized data from the collected data. In one example, the data may include data at a specific time or over a period of time such that a requestor may request data obtained or captured by data capture devices at the specified time or during the period of time. Multiple images may also be received from the data capture devices and may further be connected or stitched together to provide a panoramic, 3-dimensional image of requested subject matter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for collecting data and generating synthesized data from the collected data. For example, a request for an image may be received from a requestor and at least one data capture device may be identified as capable of providing at least a portion of the requested image. A request may be sent to identified data capture devices to obtain an image corresponding to the requested image. Multiple images may be received from the data capture devices and may further be connected or stitched together to provide a panoramic, 3-dimensional image of requested subject matter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for coordinating devices in a federated network of devices. A server may determine policies for coordinating the devices and may send messages to devices in the federated network for providing a service. The policies for providing the service among the federated devices may be based on properties of the devices or relative locations of the devices. For example, the federated devices may provide media data and control of the media data to a user. Provision of the media data and/or control of the media data may change from one device to another in the federated network based on policies from the server.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for conducting a purchasing activity among federated devices in an ad hoc network. In one example, the purchasing activity is an auction. Devices may be identified for federating into the ad hoc network. The devices may be identified, for example, based on distance from an auction item or distance from a device of a seller of the auction item. Alternatively, the purchasing activity may include a bulk purchase in which user devices may federate into an ad hoc network for sharing costs of bulk items.

Abstract: The present invention includes entity tracking, privacy assurance, and zone policy administration technologies allowing for the creation of zone policies, including the definition of zones and managed entities, the zone policies including rules that apply to the managed entities within or in relation to the zones, and privacy policies assuring privacy of sensitive data. The technologies also provide for the definition of sensors, rule event objects, and default event objects, and for the establishment of associations between rules and managed entities, sensors, and rule event objects so as to create zone policies. Event objects may generate zone policy events or actions upon compliance with or violation of various rules of zone policy. Managed entities are defined as entities associated with mobile devices capable of location tracking and communication with zone policy servers. Entities may be persons, vehicles, animals, or any other object for which tracking and zone policy administration is of value.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for management of medical data from a network of devices. The network of devices may include federated sensors that collect and forward medical data pertaining to an individual or biological specimen. The federated sensors or a central or remote device may further process the medical data and assign a priority value to the medical data. Processing can also include the analysis of the data for sensor error, local fusion of multiple sensors into higher-level interpretations, and the summarization or abstraction of the data into information that people are more comfortable with sharing than they might be with transmittal of the base data. The medical data may be transported to a healthcare provider or other endpoints based on the priority value and the authorization of recipient.