WO2012071690A1

WO2012071690A1 - Method and apparatus for providing context-based user profiles

Info

Publication number: WO2012071690A1
Application number: PCT/CN2010/001962
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sailesh Sathish; Jilei Tian; Rile Hu; Wenfeng Li
Original assignee: Nokia Inc
Current assignee: Nokia Inc
Priority date: 2010-12-03
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2012-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-03

Abstract

An approach is provided for providing context-based user profiles. A profile platform determines at least one context associated with a user. The profile platform then determines user preference information associated with the least one context, and determines to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING

CONTEXT-BASED USER PROFILES

BACKGROUND

[0001] Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. Many of these services provide access to a wealth of applications, functions, information, and the like. In some cases, the vast variety of available content and functions can overwhelm the user and make it difficult for users to find applications, services, etc. of interest and/or to configure the specific applications and/or services to meet specific user preferences or requirements. As these services and applications become context-aware (e.g., provide content and/or functions depending on specific contexts associated with users), the choices available for configuring and operating the applications and services increase even more exponentially. Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers face significant technical challenges to enabling users to efficiently define user preferences (e.g., preferences with respect to any number of applications and/or services) that reflect contexts (e.g., activity, location, date, time, social environment, etc.) that may be associated with the user or the user's device (e.g., a mobile device).

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0002] Therefore, there is a need for an approach for providing user profiles that can, for instance, dynamically express user preferences under an extensible variety of contexts and provide a framework for building advanced context-based user profiles applicable to multiple applications, services, etc.

[0003] According to one embodiment, a method comprises determining at least one context associated with a user. The method also comprises determining user preference information associated with the at least one context. The method further comprises determining to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user.

[0004] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more computer programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to determine at least one context associated with a user. The apparatus is also caused to determine user preference information associated with the at least one context. The apparatus is further caused to determine to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user. [0005] In addition, for various example embodiments of the invention, the following is applicable: a method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on (or derived at least in part from) any one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0006] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform any one or any combination of network or service provider methods (or processes) disclosed in this application.

[0007] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods or processes disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0008] For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising creating and/or modifying (1 ) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based at least in part on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

[0009] In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes) can be accomplished on the service provider side or on the mobile device side or in any shared way between service provider and mobile device with actions being performed on both sides.

[0010] According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to determine at least one context associated with a user. The apparatus is also caused to determine user preference information associated with the at least one context. The apparatus is further caused to determine to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user,

[0011] According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for determining at least one context associated with a user. The apparatus also comprises means for determining user preference information associated with the at least one context. The apparatus further comprises means for determining to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user,

[0012] According to another embodiment, a method comprises facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to determine at least one context associated with a user. The at least one service is also configured to determine user preference information associated with the at least one context. The at least one service is further configured to determine to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user.

[0013] According to another embodiment, a computer program product including one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to determine at least one context associated with a user. The apparatus is also caused to determine user preference information associated with the at least one context. The apparatus is further caused to determine to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user. [0014] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings: [0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing context-based user profiles, according to one embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a profile platform, according to one embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for generating a context-based user profile, according to one embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for segmenting a user profile into one or more classes, according to one embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for specifying context monitoring rules in a user profile, according to one embodiment; [0021] FIGs. 6A and 6B are diagrams of user interfaces used in the processes of FIGs. 1 -5, according to various embodiments; [0022] FIG. 7 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; and [0024] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for providing context-based user profiles are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention. [0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of providing context based user profiles, according to one embodiment. A modern mobile device is often featured as always on and always with a user. As a result, the device is particularly suited for collecting user data (e.g., in- device and environmental sensor data, interaction data, and other data indicative of user behavior patterns) that can be used to form a rich context data space. This rich context data space (e.g., context information) can then be used to extract information regarding user behavior, interests, needs, intents, and/or other user characteristics. In some embodiments, the rich context data space can be used to predict what the user is planning to do next. Because such rich context data spaces incorporate non-homogeneous data (e.g., different data types, fields, information, etc.) from many different sources, service providers and device manufacturers face significant research and engineering challenges to build holistic advanced user profiles that can reflect situational and/or context-based user preferences. User profiles have been studied and several traditional implementations exist. However, these traditional or conventional user profiles generally do not define general-purpose user preferences that can be accessed by multiple applications and/or services (e.g., via application programming interfaces (APIs)) and address the context-aware features of the applications and/or services in the most efficient approach. Moreover, traditional user profiles generally have not captured user preferences based on the user's intent, context, situation, and the like.

[0027] To address this problem, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the capability to build advanced context-based user profiles that define and embed user preferences according to user contexts, behaviors, and/or other context information. As used in the descriptions of the various embodiments described herein, the term "context" refers to data that indicates the state of a device, state of the device environment and/or the inferred state of a user of the device. The states indicated by the context are, for instance, described according to one or more "context parameters" including time, recent applications running on the device, recent World Wide Web pages presented on the device, keywords in current communications (such as emails, SMS messages, IM messages), current and recent locations of the device (e.g., from a global positioning system, GPS, or cell tower identifier), environment temperature, ambient light, movement, transportation activity (e.g., driving a car, riding the metro, walking, cycling, etc.) , activity (e.g., eating at a restaurant, drinking at a bar, watching a movie at a cinema, watching a video at home or at a friend's house, exercising at a gymnasium, travelling on a business trip, travelling on vacation, etc.), emotional state (e.g., happy, busy, calm, rushed, etc.), interests (e.g., music type, sport played, sports watched), contacts, or contact groupings (e.g., family, friends, colleagues, etc.), among others, or some combination thereof.

[0028] In one embodiment, the advanced context-based user profile can also provide for a layered structure to control privacy and/or security of the profile. For example, user contexts and associated user preferences or settings can be grouped according to different classes that are associated with different levels of privacy and/or security controls. In this way, a user can grant access to various portions of the user profile on a class-by-class level to enable more efficient designation and control of privacy and/or security of user contexts, particularly as the number of contexts embedded in the user profile increases. [0029] In yet another embodiment, the context-based user profile supports profile adaption and extensibility for applicability to a wide range of applications and/or services. For example, the contexts, applications, services, etc. may express context information according to different ontologies or vocabularies. The system 100 can translate the information among the various contexts, applications, services, etc. so that like information can be identified and processed. In this way, the system 100 need not manage or impose a system-wide ontology or vocabulary. As used herein, an ontology refers, for instance, to a defined schema for specifying the various context information, parameters, controls, structures, rules, mechanisms, and the like for expressing profile information. [0030] In another embodiment, the system 100 makes the user profile available to applications, services, content providers, etc. through APIs or other interfaces so that context- based user preferences can be taken into account when performing functions, configuring settings, delivering services, providing content, etc. In this way, the advanced context-based user profile can be uniquely associated with a user to express preferences, settings, etc. for content, applications, services, and the like consumed, used, or initiated by or on behalf of the user.

[0031] More specifically, the system 100 creates or provides advanced context-based user profiles that are derived through automated means and/or through manual input. By way of example, the context-based user profile includes demographic features (e.g., age, gender, home, income, etc.), user interests (e.g., entertainment -> music -> rock -> ...), user behavior (e.g., <Monday-Friday, 8am-9am, on shuttle bus> -> listening to music), social context (My classmates -> A, B, C; My colleagues -> X, Y, Z), online purchasing history pattern, etc. It is contemplated that the features of the user profile may be either statically or dynamically determined. In other words, any of the features, entries, or elements of the user profile can be dynamically updated based on, for instance, ongoing context monitoring. In some embodiments, the user profile is divided or segmented into one or more static sections (e.g., sections containing profile data that does not change or changes infrequently such as name, gender, occupation, etc.), and or more dynamic sections [0032] In another embodiment, the system 100 enables embedding of monitoring points or rules into the advanced context-based profiles. As used herein, a monitoring point or rule is a set of context-value pairs and associated action items that can be initiated with observed context information substantially matches the context-value pairs. For example, a user can define a rule to include one context-value pair as context = "location and time" and value = <home location, 6pm-6am>, and then can associate an action item (e.g., place device in silent mode form work contacts) with the context-value pair. The system 100 embeds the monitoring point or rule into the user profile and then monitors context information for initiation of the action time according to the rule. In yet another embodiment, the monitoring point or rule can be shared or transmitted to other user profiles so that the rule may be applied to context information associated with another user or device,

[0033] Accordingly, the system 100 provides for advanced context-based user profiles that provide for: (1 ) embedded context information with user preference, (2) embedded privacy layers or classes, (3) support for static and dynamic features in the user profile, (3) optimization of the structure or segments of the user profile for more efficient access and/or processing, (4) extensible and adaptive structure, (5) embedded monitoring points or rules, and (6) transfer or sharing of the monitoring points or rules across users and/or devices.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1 , the system 100 comprises one or more user equipment (UEs) l O l a-l O l n (also collectively referred to as UEs 101) having connectivity to a profile platform 103 via a communication network 105. In addition or alternatively, the UEs 101 may include respective profile managers 107a-107n (also collectively referred to as profile managers 107) to perform all or a portion of the functions of the profile platform 103 with respect to building, using, accessing, etc. advanced context-based user profiles. As depicted in FIG. 1 , the UEs 101 may include or have access to an application 109 (or applications 109), which may consist of client programs, services, or the like that may utilize the service platform 1 1 1 , the services/applications 1 1 3a- 1 13m (also collectively referred to as services/applications 1 13), the content providers 1 15a-1 15k (also collectively referred to as content providers 1 15), or other services, applications, content, etc. available over the communication network 105. As users access any of the applications 109, the service platform 1 1 1 , the services/applications 1 13, and/or the content providers 1 15, the profile platform 103 and/or profile manager 107 can retrieve the user's context-based profile from, for instance, the profile database 1 17, The retrieved user profile can then be used to configure the services, applications, content, etc. based, at least in part, on the user preferences associated with one or more contexts defined in the profile

[0035] In one embodiment, the services/applications 1 13a-1 13m comprise the server-side components corresponding to the applications 109a-109n operating within the UEs 101. In one embodiment, the service platform 1 11, the services/applications 1 13a~1 13m, the applications 109a-109n, or a combination thereof have access to, provide, deliver, etc. one or more items associated with the content providers 1 15a-1 15k. In other words, content and/or items are delivered from the content providers 1 15a-115k to the applications 109a-109n or the UEs 101 through the service platform 1 1 1 and/or the services/applications 1 13a-1 13n. In one embodiment, the delivery and/or execution of these content, services, applications, etc. are controlled by the user profile in accordance with the context information associated with the UE 101 , a user of the UE 101, other UEs 101, other users, or a combination thereof.

[0036] By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), short range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth®, Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0037] The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, personal communication system (PCS) device, personal navigation device, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game device, or any combination thereof, including the accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as "wearable" circuitry, etc.),

[0038] By way of example, the UE 101, the profile platform 103, and the profile manager 107 communicate with each other and other components of the communication network 105 using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links, The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.

[0039] Communications between the network nodes are typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application headers (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) as defined by the OSI Reference Model,

[0040] In one embodiment, the profile manager 107 and the profile platform 103 interact according to a client-server model, It is noted that the client-server model of computer process interaction is widely known and used. According to the client-server model, a client process sends a message including a request to a server process, and the server process responds by providing a service. The server process may also return a message with a response to the client process. Often the client process and server process execute on different computer devices, called hosts, and communicate via a network using one or more protocols for network communications. The term "server" is conventionally used to refer to the process that provides the service, or the host computer on which the process operates. Similarly, the term "client" is conventionally used to refer to the process that makes the request, or the host computer on which the process operates. As used herein, the terms "client" and "server" refer to the processes, rather than the host computers, unless otherwise clear from the context. In addition, the process performed by a server can be broken up to run as multiple processes on multiple hosts (sometimes called tiers) for reasons that include reliability, scalability, and redundancy, among others.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a profile platform, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the profile platform 103 includes one or more components for providing context-based user profiles. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the profile platform 103 executes at least one algorithm for performing and/or coordinating the functions related to providing advanced context-based user profiles. As noted previously, it is contemplated that all or a portion of the functions of the profile platform 103 may be performed by the profile manager 107 executing on the UE 101 . [0042] As shown, the profile platform 103 includes one or more user Preference Inference Engines (PIEs) 201 a-201 n (also collectively referred as PIEs 201) that use advanced machine learning techniques such as collaborative filtering to search through user and application data stored in, for instance, the user and application data database 203. In one embodiment, the user and application data database 203 is available within the device to support determination of user behavior patterns or user contexts. These user behavior patterns or contexts are then mapped to certain preferences. In one embodiment, the preferences are also derived from the data stored in the user and application database 203.

[0043] In certain embodiments, there may be several PIEs 201 in a UE 101 with each PIE 201 concentrating on one or more particular preference inferences or types of preference inferences. In other words, each PIE 201 may include specific algorithms and or access specific data to infer user preference information from a particular type or source of user behaviors or contexts. For example, one PIE 201 may concentrate on making inferences regarding musical preferences, whereas another PIE 201 may concentrate on making inferences regarding sports activities. [0044] The profile platform 103 also include one or more Context Inference Engines (CIEs) 205a-205m (also collectively referred to as CIEs 205) that function similarly to the PIEs 201 except that the data being used are current context information that depict, for instance, user, system, and/or environmental contexts or context information. In one embodiment, the CIE 205 uses respective primary context sources 207a-207m (also collectively referred to as context sources 207) and related inferences to determine latent contexts associated with a UE 101 or an associated user. For example, the CIE 205 can combine several sources or types of context information to form a higher level hypothesis with respect to what contexts to associate with the UE 101. Like, the PIEs 201 , the profile platform 103 can include one or more CIEs 205 that concentrate on generating specific types of contexts or context inferences.

[0045] In one embodiment, the context embedder 209 then combines input from the PIEs 201 and the CIEs 205s and integrates the data according to certain integration rules. By way of example, the integration rules generally specify inferred contexts and associated user preferences that can be used to pre-fill or otherwise populate context fields in the context-based user profile, in some embodiment, the context embedder 209 may pre-fill or populate the context fields based, at least in part, on pre-defined templates or formats. As an example, the profile platform 103 may be requested to specify context-based user preferences for "Music". In one embodiment, the music template (or integration rule) for the context-based user profile can be specified using, for instance, Extensible Markup Language (XML) as illustrated in Table 1 below. It is also contemplated that the template may be specified using any other declarative format or data structure.

PreferenceName: Music

PreferenceNameSpace: www.profiles.com

PreferenceType: (example: Jazz, Rock etc)

Context Sources{

Activity: ; //(example: travelling by bus)

Time_Generalized: ; //(example: evening, morning, after-noon etc)

Albums: ; (preferred albums)

Player_data: ; //which music player user uses

Associated_devices: ; //other add on's related to audio

}

Services {

Name: ; //name of external sites or social sites where music is downloaded/uploaded

Type: ; //type of service

Interactionjype: ; //music uploaded or downloaded

URL: ; //address for service

} Table 1

[0046] In one embodiment, the context embedder 209 chooses an appropriate template or rule based on input from the PIEs 201 and integrates/fills the selected template with appropriate context data if available. The context embedder 209 then feeds the information to the profile builder (PB) 21 1. It is noted that in one embodiment, the PIEs 201, the CIEs 205, and the context embedder 209 can be a single integrated entity and may rely on a single database (e.g., a single database combining, for instance, data from the user and application data database 23 and context sources 207). The separate modules are shown in FIG. 1 as an illustration of one possible embodiment.

[0047] The PB 21 1 then builds the context-based user profile based on the profile template, the contexts, and/or the user preferences determined by the PIEs 201 , the CIEs 205, and the context embedder 209. In one embodiment, the profile platform 103 uses an XML based profile that enables efficient processing. As previously noted, it is contemplated that any other data format or structure may be used. In one embodiment, the context ontologies and vocabulary definitions (VOCs) module 210 provide definitions and translation of vocabularies used by the different PIEs 201 and CIEs 205 and is used in resolving name conflicts of the various embedded contexts of the user profile and the various context or preference related inputs (e.g., manual inputs from the profile user interface (UI) 213). In one embodiment, the profile UI 213 can be part of client applications (e.g., applications 109) or a UI application on its own. The profile UI 213 is used to manually enter user data that is not or cannot be inferred by the PIEs 201 and/or the CIEs 205. By way of example, the profile UI 213 is also used to edit profile data as well as change privacy settings and levels.

[0048] In one embodiment, the profile UI 213 facilitates a creation and/or a modification of at least one device user interface element, at least one device user interface functionality, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on information, data, messages, and/or signals resulting from any of the processes and or functions of the profile platform 103 and/or any of its components or modules. By way of example, a device user interface element can be a display window, a prompt, an icon, and/or any other discrete part of the user interface presented at, for instance, the UE 101 . In addition, a device user interface functionality refers to any process, action, task, routine, etc. that supports or is triggered by one or more of the user interface elements. For example, user interface functionality may enable speech to text recognition, haptic feedback, and the like. Moreover, it is contemplated that the profile UE 213 can operate based at least in part on processes, steps, functions, actions, etc. taken locally (e,g,₅ local with respect to a UE 101) or remotely (e.g., over another component of the communication network 105 or other means of connectivity).

[0049] Once the context-based user profile is generated, the profile platform 103 can store the user profile locally at the UE 101 or remotely over the communication network 105 (e.g., the profile database 1 17). The context-based user profile is then made accessible or otherwise usable by various applications and services (e.g., applications 109, service platform 1 1 1 , services/applications 1 13, etc.).

[0050] In one embodiment, the context-based user profile is XML-based and is generated on the client (e.g., using the profile manager 107) and/or remotely on the server side (e.g., using the profile platform 103). In one embodiment, the profile is divided into two sections: a static descriptive section and a dynamic inferred section. By way of example, the static descriptive section covers mostly static data about the user such as gender, age etc and is mostly provided by the user. On the other hand, the dynamic inferred section contains mostly dynamically inferred profile data (even though they can also be manually edited by the user later). In another embodiment, the dynamic section is divided into sub-sections (e.g., Class A, Class B and Class C). Each class or sub-section can, for instance, contain substantially the same information but the information differs in granularity with respect to the classes. In this way, the user profile can provide different layers of visibility or access to the user profile based on class for enhanced privacy and/or security purposes. In some embodiments, the classes are arranged sequentially rather than embedded within each other. This is done so that an entity can quickly select a particular class directly rather than doing complicated XML traversal to get into more granular data. For example, in a profile with three classes (e.g., Classes A-C), A, B and C types sit in parallel (arranged sequentially in XML template). [0051] An example for structure of a context-based user profile is shown in Table 2.

<static_descriptive>

<gender>FemaIe</gender>

<stdNS:City>San Francisco</stdNS:City>

<language><li>EngIish</li><li>Chinese</li></language>

<Nationality>China</Nationality>

</static_descriptive>

<dynamic_inferred>

<category type="sports"><li>Tennis</li><li>Cricket</li><li>Football</li></category> <category type- 'Music" ns- 'www.musicvocabulary.com"><li>Jazz</li><li>Rock</li> </category>

</interest>

</class>

<nc:albumName>Some Name</nc:alburnName>

<nc:musicSite>ww .amazon,com </nc:musicSite>

</category>

</class>

<Context: transport> Bus </Context:transport>

<alt>

<Context:activity>Running</Context:activity>

</alt>

</condition>

</class>

</profile>

Table 2

[0052] In one embodiment, the static_descriptive tag of the user profile contains general information about the user. Further, as previously noted, the classes within the dynamic_inferred section contains different levels or granularities of information. The information within a particular class can be linked between the classes via their names, tags, keywords, etc. provided the namespaces of the information in the classes match. In this way, a parser can more easily traverse the user profile to build a hierarchical structure for a single entity such as Jazz by examining occurrences of Jazz within all classes and combining the information together.

[0053] As seen from the example, class A provides high level information that poses no security or privacy risk. The information in class B goes one level below and provides a higher granularity of information. Class C which is most significant combines context data and embed that information within the preference section. This contains the most detailed information that can be shared with trusted applications. Class C based transactions allows applications to perform state-based adaptations provided the states (context) get satisfied. The alt tag in class C allows for alternate combinations of context to be satisfied in order for that preference to be given due importance. The tags without namespaces can be resolved within a default namespace while tags that are additionally added are resolvable within their own namespace. Otherwise, an application can, for instance, ignore these tags. This provides for extending the profile with proprietary tags as well as allowing new tags for new types of contexts and preferences to be added without breaking the profile structure.

[0054] In one embodiment, the profile platform 103 includes a rule templates module 215 provides certain templates that can be used by the user to embed within the XML templates 217 when building profiles. By way of example, the rule templates contain a set of monitor points or rules and associated action items. As used herein, a monitor point or rule is a set of context node-value pairs with each set containing one or more such pairs. A monitor point usually contains a single set but there may be more than one. Each set denotes a condition and when that condition gets satisfied or at least substantially satisfied, an action item is called or otherwise initiated. In one embodiment, the monitor point or rule is embedded within a particular user profile but monitor points may be executed on other user devices (e.g., corresponding to other users such as family, friends, coworkers, etc.) where adequate permissions have been granted. In one embodiment, the monitor points are exported to other users via, for instance, a dedicated profile client or during permissions setup.

[0055] By way of example, the rule templates module 215 provides some standard sets of data sources (context). In one embodiment, the profile platform 103 can also monitor (depending on implementation) user context information, usage behavior, context patterns, and the like to suggest using a template to define actions over time. This suggestion process is adaptive in behavior based on user interaction and responses. Alternatively, preference for certain actions can be directly provided by user by manually filling in the templates, in one embodiment, the monitor points also follow an XML format, and an example is given in Table 3.

<!ocation type- ^!placename">school</location>

</set>

<message number="+l 1223344556677">Son reached School</message>

</monitorpoint>

Table 3

[0056] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for generating a context-based user profile, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the profile platform 103 performs the process 300 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 7. In addition or alternatively, the profile manager 107 may perform all or a portion of the process 300. In step 301 , the profile platform 103 determines at least one context associated with a user. As noted the one or more contexts may be determined in whole or in part based on any provided manual input or through automated analysis (e.g., semantic analysis). The profile platform 103 then determines user preference information associated with the at least one context (step 303).

[0057] Next, the profile platform 103 determines whether the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof are specified by one or more applications, one

is or more services, or a combination thereof according to one or more respective different ontologies (step 305). If there are different ontologies or vocabularies, the profile platform 103 determines to translate the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof among the one or more respective ontologies (step 307).

[0058] In step 309, the profile platform 103 determines whether a profile template is available for generating the context-based user profile. For example, the profile platform 103 can retrieve or other determine the availability of a template based, at least in part, on searching in a template database using the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof as query or search terms. If a template is available, the profile platform 103 will determine to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile is based, at least in part, on the at least one template, the at least one rule, or a combination thereof (step 31 1 ). If a template is not available, the profile platform 103 determines to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user (step 313).

[0059] Next, the profile platform 103 determines to make the at least one user profile accessible to one or more applications, one or more services, or combination thereof (step 315). As previously , described, accessibility can be provided via, for instance, one or more APIs for linking to or accessing the context-based user profile. After making the user profile available, the profile platform 103 may also continue to monitor user behavior, contexts, interactions, etc. to determine information for updating the user profile (step 317). In one embodiment, the profile platform 103 may generate updates to the at least one context, the user preference information, the at least one user profile, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the one or more user behavior patterns.

[0060] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for segmenting a user profile into one or more classes, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the profile platform 103 performs the process 400 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 7. In addition or alternatively, the profile manager 107 may perform all or a portion of the process 400. In step 401 , the profile platform 103 determines to segment the at least one user profile into at least one class. By way of example, the at least one class is based, at least in part, on one or more privacy criteria, one or more security criteria, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, different classes may display different the contexts or user preferences in the user profile at different levels of granularity.

[0061] Next the profile platform 103 may categorize the at least one context and the user preference information of the user profile according to the at least one class (step 403). For example, when displaying a location a less private or secure class, the location may only be displayed at a city level. When displaying the same information at a more private or secure class, the location may be displayed at an accuracy of the full street address instead of just the city.

[0062] In one embodiment, as previously discussed, the profile platform 103 may determine to arrange the at least user profile sequentially based, at least in part, on the at least one class (step 405). In this way, information categorized according to one class are grouped together to facilitate a more efficient retrieval or access to the block of information associated with a particular class. For example, the profile platform 103 may receive a request for an access to at least a portion of the at least one user profile. The profile platform 103 can then, for instance, grant the access based, at least in part, on the at least one class (step 407). In another embodiment, the profile platform 103 associates the at least one context and the user preference of the user profile with one or more names, one or more keywords, one or more tags, or a combination thereof. In this way, the user profile is traversed or otherwise accessed to determine the at least one context and the user preference information based, at least in part, on the one or more names, the one or more keywords, the one or more tags, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the one or more names, the one or more keywords, the one or more tags, or a combination thereof are specified by one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for specifying context monitoring rules in a user profile, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the profile platform 103 performs the process 500 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 7. In addition or alternatively, the profile manager 107 may perform all or a portion of the process 400. In step 501 , the profile platform 103 determining at least one rule, the at least one rule specifying at least in part a context-value pair and one or more associated action items. As discussed previously, the at least one rule is or may include one or more monitoring points that are to be embedded the context-based user profile. The monitoring points specify context conditions (e.g., as context-value pairs) and associated action items that are triggered or initiated if the context conditions are at least substantially satisfied. In one embodiment, the profile platform 103 can also determine to monitor one or more user behavior patterns at, for instance, the UE 101. The profile platform 103 can then determine to generate one or more suggested rules, one or more suggested context-value pairs, one or more suggested action items, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the one or more user behavior patterns.

[0064] Once the rule or monitoring point is generated, the profile platform 103 determines to monitor context information associated with the user, one or more devices associated with user, or a combination thereof to determine whether the monitor context information substantially satisfies the context conditions of the rule (step 505). In some embodiments, the profile platform 103 may optionally include, transmit, and/or share the at least one rule with one or more other user profiles (step 507). In other words, a user may create a monitoring point and then share or otherwise apply the monitoring point with other users at other devices. For example, a father may create a monitoring point that triggers transmission of a text message when context information indicates that a child has returned to the home location at a specified time. In this case, the profile platform 103 also determines to monitor context information associated with the other user, one or more other devices associated with the other user, or a combination thereof for satisfaction of the rule (step 509). [0065] If the context information at least substantially satisfies the context conditions of the rule (step 51 1 ), the profile platform 103 initiates one or more of the actions items specified in the rule (step 513). [0066] FIGs. 6 A and 6B are diagrams of user interfaces used in the processes of FIGs. 1 -5, according to various embodiments. In the examples of FIGs. 6A and 6B, the user interface (UI) 601 of FIG. 6A and the UI 621 of FIG. 6B include one or more user interface elements and/or functionalities created and/or modified based, at least in part, on information, data, and/or signals resulting from any of the processes described with respect to FIGs. 1 -5. More specifically, FIG. 6A depicts a UI 601 that presents, for instance, a user profile screen for configuring and displaying context elements or data of a context-based user profile according to one or more classes (e.g., privacy classes). As shown, the UI 601 includes a class column 603 wherein a selection 605 is made to specify viewing and/or providing access to the user profile at a Class B privacy level.

[0067] In this example, Class B is associated with an intermediate level of privacy. Accordingly, the contexts 607 and 609 and their associated user preferences are displayed at a medium level of granularity. For example, the context 607 specifies a context of "Morning Bus Ride." At a higher privacy class, the same information can be displayed with more specificity (e.g., "Morning Bus Ride on Bus Route 679"). At a lower privacy class, the context can be specified with less granularity as "Transportation." Similarly, the user preference information can also be specified at different granularities according to class (e.g., Class A = "Media Player - John Coltrane" --> Class B = "Media Player - Jazz" --> Class C = "Media Player - Music").

[0068] Accordingly, applications or services with privileges to access the context-based user profile at a Class B level will be able to obtain user context and/or user preference at a medium level of granularity. These Class B applications will not be able to access the more specific forms of the same information provided at the higher Class A level.

[0069] FIG. 6B depicts a UI 621 that presents a user profile screen for configuring monitoring points embedded in the context-based user profile. In this example, the UI 621 is displaying embedded monitoring points 623 and 625. Each monitoring point 623 and 625 includes a context-value pair and associated action items. Via the UI 621 , a user can manually input, modify, and/or confirm the context-value pairs and actions items. It is contemplated that the context-value pair can be specified using any number or combination of context parameters (e.g., location, date, time, activity, social environment, etc.). It is also contemplated that any number of action items may be specified to be associated the context-value pair.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 6B, each rule 623 and 625 is associated respectively with user device designations 627 and 629. The user device designations 627 and 629 specify, for instance, which devices should be monitored for satisfaction or substantial satisfaction of the corresponding rule. In this example, rule 623 defines a context-value pair or condition based on the context of arriving at home and a corresponding action to send a text message (e.g., "At home"). In this case, the user has privileges or rights to establish monitoring points for the user, a family member 1 , and a friend 1. With respect to the rule 623, the user has designated to embed the rules in the user profiles of the user and the family member 1. Accordingly, the profile platform 103 will apply and monitor the rules via the user profiles of the designated devices.

[0071] The processes described herein for providing context-based user profiles may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processor(s), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

[0072] FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system 700 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer system 700 is depicted with respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within FIG. 7 can deploy the illustrated hardware and components of system 700. Computer system 700 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to provide context-based user profiles as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 710 for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system 700. Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. Computer system 700, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing context-based user profiles. [0073] A bus 710 includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus 710. One or more processors 702 for processing information are coupled with the bus 710.

[0074] A processor (or multiple processors) 702 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to providing context-based user profiles. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor, The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 710 and placing information on the bus 710. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 702, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination.

[0075] Computer system 700 also includes a memory 704 coupled to bus 710, The memory 704, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for providing context-based user profiles. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system 700. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 704 is also used by the processor 702 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system 700 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 706 or any other static storage device coupled to the bus 710 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system 700. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus 710 is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device 708, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system 700 is turned off or otherwise loses power.

[0076] Information, including instructions for providing context-based user profiles, is provided to the bus 710 for use by the processor from an external input device 712, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system 700. Other external devices coupled to bus 710, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device 714, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a plasma screen, or a printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 716, such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or a motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 714 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 714. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system 700 performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device 712, display device 714 and pointing device 716 is omitted.

[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 720, is coupled to bus 710. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor 702 quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display 714, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

[0078] Computer system 700 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 770 coupled to bus 710. Communication interface 770 provides a one-way or two- way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link 778 that is connected to a local network 780 to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface 770 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface 770 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface 770 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 710 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface 770 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 770 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface 770 includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface 770 enables connection to the communication network 105 for providing context-based user profiles to the UE 101.

[0079] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 702, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 708. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 704. Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer- readable medium except transmission media.

[0080] Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC 720.

[0081] Network link 778 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link 778 may provide a connection through local network 780 to a host computer 782 or to equipment 784 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 784 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet 790.

[0082] A computer called a server host 792 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host 792 hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display 714. It is contemplated that the components of system 700 can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host 782 and server 792.

[0083] At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 700 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 700 in response to processor 702 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory 704. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory 704 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device 708 or network link 778. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 704 causes processor 702 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC 720, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

[0084] The signals transmitted over network link 778 and other networks through communications interface 770, carry information to and from computer system 700. Computer system 700 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 780, 790 among others, through network link 778 and communications interface 770. In an example using the Internet 790, a server host 792 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 700, through Internet 790, ISP equipment 784, local network 780 and communications interface 770. The received code may be executed by processor 702 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 704 or in storage device 708 or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 700 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

[0085] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 702 for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 782. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system 700 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link 778. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 770 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 710. Bus 710 carries the information to memory 704 from which processor 702 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory 704 may optionally be stored on storage device 708, either before or after execution by the processor 702.

[0086] FIG. 8 illustrates a chip set or chip 800 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 800 is programmed to provide context-based user profiles as described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 7 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set 800 can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip 800 can be implemented as a single "system on a chip." It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing user interface navigation information associated with the availability of functions. Chip set or chip 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing context-based user profiles.

[0087] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 800 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 801 for passing information among the components of the chip set 800. A processor 803 has connectivity to the bus 801 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 805. The processor 803 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently, A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 803 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 801 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 803 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 807, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 809. A DSP 807 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 803. Similarly, an ASIC 809 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

[0088] In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 800 includes merely one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relating to and/or for the one or more processors.

[0089] The processor 803 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 805 via the bus 801. The memory 805 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to provide context-based user profiles. The memory 805 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

[0090] FIG. 9 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobile terminal 901 , or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing context-based user profiles. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to both: (1 ) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application and if applicable to the particular context, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.

[0091] Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 905, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit 907 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of providing context-based user profiles. The display 907 includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display 907 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry 909 includes a microphone 91 1 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 91 1. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 91 1 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 913.

[0092] A radio section 915 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 917. The power amplifier (PA) 91 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU 903, with an output from the PA 919 coupled to the duplexer 921 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA 919 also couples to a battery interface and power control unit 920. [0093] In use, a user of mobile terminal 901 speaks into the microphone 91 1 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 923. The control unit 903 routes the digital signal into the DSP 905 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0094] The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 925 for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 927 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface 929. The modulator 927 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter 931 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 927 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 933 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA 919 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 919 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 905 from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer 921 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 935 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 917 to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

[0095] Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 901 are received via antenna 917 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 937. A down-converter 939 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 941 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer 925 and is processed by the DSP 905. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 943 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 945, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903 which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

[0096] The MCU 903 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 947. The keyboard 947 and/or the MCU 903 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 91 1 ) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU 903 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 901 to provide context-based user profiles. The MCU 903 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 907 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU 903 exchanges information with the DSP 905 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 949 and a memory 951. In addition, the MCU 903 executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP 905 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 905 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 91 1 and sets the gain of microphone 91 1 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 901.

[0097] The CODEC 913 includes the ADC 923 and DAC 943. The memory 951 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. The memory device 951 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memory storage, or any other nonvolatile storage medium capable of storing digital data,

[0098] An optionally incorporated SIM card 949 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card 949 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 901 on a radio network. The card 949 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.

[0099] While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining at least one context associated with a user;

determining user preference information associated with the at least one context; and determining to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user,

2. A method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining to make the at least one user profile accessible to one or more applications, one or more services, or combination thereof.

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising:

determining at least one template based, at least in part, on the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof,

wherein the determining to include the at least one context and the user preference information in the at least one user profile is based, at least in part, on the at least one template, the at least one rule, or a combination thereof.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 -3, further comprising:

determining the at least one context from one or more context sources, one or more inferences based on context information from the one or more context sources, or a combination thereof.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 -4, further comprising:

determining to segment the at least one user profile into at least one class; and

categorizing the at least one context and the user preference information according to the at least one class.

6. A method of claim 5, wherein the at least one class is based, at least in part, on one or more privacy criteria, one or more security criteria, or a combination thereof.

7. A method according to any one of claims 5 and 6, further comprising:

receiving a request for an access to at least a portion of the at least one user profile, and determining to grant the access based, at least in part, on the at least one class.

8. A method according to any one of claims 5-7, further comprising:

determining to arrange the at least user profile sequentially based, at least in part, on the at least one class,

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 -8, further comprising:

determining to monitor one or more user behavior patterns; and

determining to update the at least one context, the user preference information, the at least one user profile, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the one or more user behavior patterns,

10. A method according to any one of claims 1-9, further comprising:

associating the at least one context and the user preference with one or more names, one or more keywords, one or more tags, or a combination thereof,

wherein the user profile is traversed to determine the at least one context and the user preference information based, at least in part, on the one or more names, the one or more keywords, the one or more tags, or a combination thereof.

1 1 . A method of claim 10, wherein the one or more names, the one or more keywords, the one or more tags, or a combination thereof are specified by one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof.

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 -1 1 , further comprising: determining at least one rule, the at least one rule specifying at least in part a context-value pair and one or more associated action items; and

determining to include the at least one rule in the at least one user profile.

13. A method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining to monitor one or more user behavior patterns;

determining to generate one or more suggested rules, one or more suggested context-value pairs, one or more suggested action items, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the one or more user behavior patterns.

14. A method according to any one of claims 12 and 13, further comprising:

determining to monitor context information associated with the user, one or more devices associated with user, or a combination thereof;

determining whether the context information substantially satisfies the at least one rule; and causing, at least in part, initiation of at least one of the one or more action items based, at least in part, on the determination with respect substantial satisfaction of the at least one rule.

15. A method of claim 14, wherein the context information is further associated with at least one other user, one or more other devices associated with the at least one other user, or a combination thereof.

16. A method according to any one of claims 12-15, further comprising:

determining to include the at least one rule in at least one other user profile, the at least one other user profile associated with at least one other user.

17, A method according to any one of claims 12-16, wherein the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof are specified by one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof according to one or more respective ontologies, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining to translate the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof among the one or more respective ontologies.

18. An apparatus compris ing :

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

determine at least one context associated with a user;

determine user preference information associated with the at least one context; and determine to include the at least one context and the user preference information in at least one user profile associated with the user.

19. An apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to make the at least one user profile accessible to one or more applications, one or more services, or combination thereof.

20. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18 and 19, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine at least one template based, at least in part, on the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof,

21 . An apparatus according to any one of claims 18-20, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: determine the at least one context from one or more context sources, one or more inferences based on context information from the one or more context sources, or a combination thereof.

22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18-21 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to segment the at least one user profile into at least one class; and

categorize the at least one context and the user preference information according to the at least one class.

23. An apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one class is based, at least in part, on one or more privacy criteria, one or more security criteria, or a combination thereof.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 22 and 23, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

receive a request for an access to at least a portion of the at least one user profile, and determine to grant the access based, at least in part, on the at least one class.

25. An apparatus according to any one of claims 22-24, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to arrange the at least user profile sequentially based, at least in part, on the at least one class.

26. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18-25, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to monitor one or more user behavior patterns; and

determine to update the at least one context, the user preference information, the at least one user profile, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the one or more user behavior patterns.

27. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18-26, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

associate the at least one context and the user preference with one or more names, one or more keywords, one or more tags, or a combination thereof,

28. An apparatus of claim 27, wherein the one or more names, the one or more keywords, the one or more tags, or a combination thereof are specified by one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof.

29. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18-28, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine at least one rule, the at least one rule specifying at least in part a context-value pair and one or more associated action items; and

determine to include the at least one rule in the at least one user profile.

30. An apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to monitor one or more user behavior patterns;

determine to generate one or more suggested rules, one or more suggested context-value pairs, one or more suggested action items, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on the one or more user behavior patterns.

31 . An apparatus according to any one of claims 29 and 30, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to monitor context information associated with the user, one or more devices associated with user, or a combination thereof;

determine whether the context information substantially satisfies the at least one rule; and causing, at least in part, initiation of at least one of the one or more action items based, at least in part, on the determination with respect substantial satisfaction of the at least one rule.

32. An apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the context information is further associated with at least one other user, one or more other devices associated with the at least one other user, or a combination thereof.

33. An apparatus according to any one of claims 29-32, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to include the at least one rule in at least one other user profile, the at least one other user profile associated with at least one other user.

34. An apparatus according to any one of claims 29-33, wherein the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof are specified by one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof according to one or more respective ontologies, and wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to translate the at least one context, the user preference information, or a combination thereof among the one or more respective ontologies.

35. An apparatus according to any one of claims 18-34, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising:

user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone.

36. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform at least a method of any one of claims 1 -17.

37. An apparatus comprising means for performing a method of any one of claims 1 -17.

38. An apparatus of claim 37, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising: user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

39. A computer program product including one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the steps of a method of any one of claims 1-17.

40. A method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform a method of any one of claims 1 -17.

41 . A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on a method of any one of claims 1-17.

42. A method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1 ) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on a method of any one claims 1-17.

43. A method comprising creating and/or modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on a method of any one claims 1-17.