# US11777894B2: Integration Of Devices Through A Social Networking Platform

- Kind: Granted patent
- Family: Integration Of Devices Through A Social Networking Platform (https://www.intellectualfrontiers.com/patents/integration-of-devices-through-a-social-networking-platform)
- USPTO status: Patented Case (as of 2023-09-13; record read 2026-09-27)
- Application: 17327694
- Filed: 2021-05-22
- Published: 2021-09-09
- Granted: 2023-10-03
- Estimated expiration: 2034-09-14 (An estimate from Google Patents, read 9 October 2026. Fees, terminal disclaimers and later events can change it, and it is not legal advice.)
- Inventor: Shahid N. Shah
- Rights holder: Intellectual Frontiers LLC
- Classifications (CPC): H04L 51/52, H04L 67/306, G16H 40/67, H04W 4/80, H04B 5/20, H04B 5/72, H04L 63/102, H04L 63/1433, H04L 67/02, H04L 67/303, H04L 41/0663
- Continuation of US11044221B2
- Continued by US12401615B2

## Licence or acquisition

Available for an exclusive or non-exclusive licence, field-of-use licences included, or for acquisition. Terms on inquiry. Write to hello+ip@intellectualfrontiers.com.

## Abstract

A system and method for providing a social networking service to a plurality of devices. A social networking server for facilitating social information exchange among the plurality of devices through a socially aware network. A social profiles manager is coupled to the social networking server that creates and manages individual centric profiles of the plurality of devices. The individual centric profiles of the plurality of devices are social representation of individual devices within the socially aware network. The plurality of devices are identifiable by other participants and the social networking server through their social profiles.

## Independent claims

1. A system comprising: a plurality of devices interconnected through a socially aware network; a social networking server that provides a social networking service to the plurality of devices so that each of the plurality of devices are communicatively connected to the social networking service by associating respective social profiles with the social networking server, wherein the respective social profiles being social representation of the plurality of devices, and wherein the social networking server is programmed to execute computer-readable instructions for performing a method comprising: receiving a search request for functionally similar devices from a first device from the plurality of devices based on information contained in a social profile of the first device and current operating characteristics of the first device, searching for the functionally similar devices from the plurality of devices, and providing a list of the searched functionally similar devices including social profiles of the searched functionally similar devices and network links for the functionally similar devices to allow the first device to send a connection request to one or more of the searched functionally similar devices, wherein the plurality of devices are associated with respective external controllers that allow interconnection of the plurality of devices with the social networking server to allow a social activity through the social networking server, and wherein each of the plurality of devices is associated with a switch matrix to cause the plurality of devices to change operating states based on a social content requesting a change in the operating states.

2. A method for linking a plurality of devices interconnected through a socially aware network, the method comprising: establishing, by an external controller communicatively linked to a social networking server, an interconnection of the plurality of devices with the social networking server to allow an electronic social activity through the social networking server; providing, by the social networking server, a social networking service to the plurality of devices so that each of the plurality of devices are communicatively connected to the social networking service by associating respective social profiles with the social networking server, wherein the respective social profiles being social representation of the plurality of devices; receiving, by the social networking server, a search request for functionally similar devices from a first device from the plurality of devices based on information contained in a social profile of the first device and current operating characteristics of the first device; searching, by the social networking server, for the functionally similar devices from the plurality of devices; and providing, by the social networking server, a list of the searched functionally similar devices including social profiles of the searched functionally similar devices and network links for the functionally similar devices so as to allow the first device to send a connection request to one or more of the searched functionally similar devices, wherein each of the plurality of devices is associated with a switch matrix to cause the plurality of devices to change operating states based on a social content requesting a change in the operating states.

19. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a computer, and comprising a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform a method for determining relationships between a plurality of devices interconnected through a socially aware network, the method comprising: connecting a plurality of devices with a social networking server to allow an electronic social activity through the social networking server; sending, by a first device from the plurality of devices, a search request for functionally similar devices to a social networking server based on information contained in a social profile of the first device and current operating characteristics of the first device; receiving, by the first device from the social networking server, a list of the functionally similar devices including social profiles of the functionally similar devices and network links for the functionally similar devices; sending, by the first device, a connection request to one or more of the searched functionally similar devices; monitoring health parameters of each of the functionally similar devices; comparing the health parameters with threshold health parameters to ascertain operational status of each of the functionally similar devices; determining whether the operational status is below a threshold limit; when ascertained operational status is indicative of below the threshold limit, generating a signal indicative of the operational status below the threshold limit; and initiating, by the first device using the social networking server, social activities that include communicating the operational status to a set of connected devices of the plurality of devices so as to allow at least one of the connected devices to switch to a task performed by functionally similar devices in case of a health failure of any of the functionally similar devices.

Source: https://www.intellectualfrontiers.com/patents/integration-of-devices-through-a-social-networking-platform/us11777894b2