WO2018197738A1

WO2018197738A1 - Remotely configurable communication profile

Info

Publication number: WO2018197738A1
Application number: PCT/FI2017/050308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arto Palin; Teemu Savolainen
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2017-04-24
Filing date: 2017-04-24
Publication date: 2018-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-24

Abstract

An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided for controlling a remotely configurable communication profile. An example apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to obtain a location of a remotely configurable device, the remotely configurable device being in communication with a network via a first communication profile (302), and determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device (304). The apparatus may further be configured to in response to the change in the location of the remotely configurable device, determine a second communication profile (306), and cause the remotely configurable device to utilize the second communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the remotely configurable device in accordance with the second communication profile (308).

Description

REMOTELY CONFIGURABLE COMMUNICATION PROFILE

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] An example embodiment relates generally to remotely configurable devices, such as wearable devices or smartwatches, and, more particularly, to modifying a communication profile associated with a remotely configurable device for connecting with a network.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Low-power, simply embedded devices, such as wearable devices and smartwatches, are often used to collect and measure behavioral and other health related data from user contact with the wearable devices (e.g., wearing a smartwatch). By way of example, a wearable device worn by a user may be embedded with various sensors capable of detecting and/or recording a user's heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and other similar health related vitals or biometric data. However, traditional wearable devices often do not contain independent means for determining the location of the wearable device. For example, a wearable device may not have a Global Positioning System ("GPS") or other satellite navigation system, and, further, may not utilize cellular network based positioning systems due to the associated high power consumption. If a wearable device is unaware of its current location, the device may consume resources (e.g., power, data bandwidth, or the like) by attempting to transmit data to another device or by attempting to connect with a network in instances in which such transmission or connection will be unsuccessful. These attempts may also unnecessarily expose the wearable device to location dependent attacks or other related security concerns.

[0003] Additionally, in some circumstances, a corporation or other entity may wish to collect portions of the data collected by the wearable devices of its employees. However, wearable devices have not always been configured to separate the different types of data and to differently report the different types of data, such as personal data relative to data intended for business purposes, thereby potentially unnecessarily burdening the networks and devices involved in the transmission of such data.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] An apparatus, method, and computer program product are provided according to an example embodiment in order to adjust a communication profile utilized by a wearable device in response to a change in the location of the wearable device. An example of the disclosure provides an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to obtain a location of a remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with a network via a first communication profile. The apparatus is caused to determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device. The apparatus is caused to, in response to the change in the location of the remotely configurable device, determine a second communication profile. The apparatus may then cause the remotely configurable device to utilize the second communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the remotely configurable device in accordance with the second communication profile.

[0005] In one embodiment, the remotely configurable device comprises a wearable device configured to connect with a mobile device.

[0006] In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to obtain the location of the remotely configurable device by receiving a location advertisement transmitted by the remotely configurable device. In such an embodiment, the location advertisement may be transmitted via a Bluetooth low energy transmission.

[0007] In other embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device by monitoring a geolocation of the remotely configurable device via global positioning systems, cellular locationing, Wi-Fi positioning, or Bluetooth tag detection.

[0008] In some further embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor to monitor the location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with the network via the second communication profile, determine a subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device, and in response to the subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device, cause the remotely configurable device to recommence utilization of the first communication profile.

[0009] In some yet further embodiments, the first communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device does not meet a proximity threshold. [0010] In other embodiments, the second communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device meets a proximity threshold.

[0011] In some embodiments, the remotely configurable device is simultaneously connected with the network via a second communication profile and via a third

communication profile, wherein the third communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of personal user data.

[0012] In some other embodiments, the second communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of work-related user data.

[0013] In any of the above embodiments, the remotely configurable device may be configured to monitor wellness data of a corresponding user.

[0014] A method for a remotely configurable device is provided in accordance with another embodiment with the method obtaining a location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with a network via a first communication profile. The method includes determining a change in the location of the remotely configurable device, and, in response to the change in the location of the remotely configurable device, determining a second communication profile. The method includes causing the remotely configurable device to utilize the second communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the remotely configurable device in accordance with the second communication profile.

[0015] In one embodiment, the remotely configurable device comprises a wearable device configured to connect with a mobile device.

[0016] In another embodiment, the location of the remotely configurable device comprises causing a mobile device to receive a location advertisement transmitted by the remotely configurable device. In such an embodiment, the location advertisement may be transmitted via a Bluetooth low energy transmission.

[0017] In other embodiments, the method further includes determining a change in the location of the remotely configurable device comprises a mobile device monitoring a geolocation of the remotely configurable device via global positioning systems, cellular locationing, Wi-Fi positioning, or Bluetooth tag detection.

[0018] In some further embodiments, the method further includes monitoring the location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with the network via the second communication profile, determining a subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device, and, in response to the subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device, causing the remotely configurable device to recommence utilization of the first communication profile.

[0019] In other embodiments, the first communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device does not meet a proximity threshold.

[0020] In some still further embodiments, the second communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device meets a proximity threshold.

[0021] In some cases, the remotely configurable device is connected with the network via a second communication profile and via a third communication profile, wherein the third communication profile is utilized to facility provision of personal user data.

[0022] In other cases, the second communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of work-related user data.

[0023] In any of the above embodiments, the remotely configurable device may be configured to monitor wellness data of a corresponding user.

[0024] In a further embodiment, a computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code stored therein is provided. The computer executable program code portions also include program code configured to obtain a location of a remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with a network via a first communication profile and determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device. The computer executable program code portions also include program code configured to, in response to the change in the location of the remotely configurable device, determine a second communication profile, and cause the remotely configurable device to utilize the second communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the remotely configurable device in accordance with the second communication profile.

[0025] In one embodiment, the remotely configurable device comprises a wearable device configured to connect with a mobile device.

[0026] In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to obtain the location of the remotely configurable device by receiving a location advertisement transmitted by the remotely configurable device. In such an embodiment, the location advertisement may be transmitted via a Bluetooth low energy transmission. [0027] In other embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device by monitoring a geolocation of the remotely configurable device via global positioning systems, cellular locationing, Wi-Fi positioning, or Bluetooth tag detection.

[0028] In some further embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor to monitor the location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with the network via the second communication profile, determine a subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device, and in response to the subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device, cause the remotely configurable device to recommence utilization of the first communication profile.

[0029] In some yet further embodiments, the first communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device does not meet a proximity thresho Id.

[0030] In other embodiments, the second communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device meets a proximity threshold.

[0031] In some embodiments, the remotely configurable device is simultaneously connected with the network via a second communication profile and via a third

[0032] In some other embodiments, the second communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of work-related user data.

[0033] In any of the above embodiments, the remotely configurable device may be configured to monitor wellness data of a corresponding user.

[0034] In yet another example embodiment, a device is provided that includes means for obtaining a location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with a network via a first communication profile and means for determining a change in the location of the remotely configurable device. The device further includes means for, in response to the change in the location of the remotely configurable device, determining a second communication profile, and means for causing the remotely configurable device to utilize the second communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the remotely configurable device in accordance with the second communication profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Having thus described certain embodiments of the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0036] FIG. 1 shows an example block diagram of a communication system;

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a device that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the device of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 4 shows a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the device of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0040] FIG. 5 shows a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the device of FIGS. 1 and/or 2, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the description may refer to an "apparatus" or "device." However, elements of the apparatus or device described herein may be equally applicable to the claimed method and computer program product. In any embodiment of the present disclosure, a "wearable device" or "smartwatch" may encompass any object capable of collecting and/or recording user data. Further, a remotely configurable device may be used interchangeable with a "wearable device" or "smartwatch" and equally encompassing an object which may connect with a computing device (e.g., mobile device, server, or the like) and may be modified by the computing device. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Definition of Terms

[0042] Certain terms used in connection with embodiments described herein are defined below.

[0043] As used herein, the terms "data," "information," and other similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to information capable of being transmitted, received, and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention. Further, where a computing device/server is described herein to receive data from another computing device/server, it will be appreciated that the data may be received directly from the another computing device, or may be received indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, base stations, hosts, and/or the like, sometimes referred to herein as a "network." Similarly, where a computing device/server is described herein to send data to another computing device/server, it will be appreciated that the data may be sent directly to the another computing device or may be sent indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices, such as, for example, one or more servers, relays, routers, network access points, base stations, hosts, and/or the like.

[0044] As used herein, the terms "connection," "connected," "communication," "in communication with," and the like may be used interchangeably to encompass connection between two devices (or a device and a network) utilizing one or more explicit connection protocols (e.g., bilateral communication or data transmission), as well as unilateral transmission (e.g., transmitting data) by a device where the transmission may be received (and further recognized and/or understood) by a networking entity. By way of example, a remotely configurable device (e.g., a wearable device) may be described herein as connected to or in communication with a network via one or more communication profiles. However, the present disclosure contemplates that this connection or communication may encompass embodiments in which the remotely configurable device unilaterally transmits data (e.g., unicast messages) which may be received by a network, as well as bilateral communication (e.g., transmission and receipt of data) between both the remotely configurable device and the networking entity. Moreover, reference herein to devices being connected or in connection merely requires that communication is supported between the devices without any requirement of an explicit protocol connection having been established.

[0045] As used herein, the terms "application," "mobile application," "mobile app," and "software application" refer to computer-executable application software programmed to or capable of running on a processing unit of a server, computing device, mobile device, or the like. In some embodiments discussed here, a mobile application may be used to determine a communication profile for connecting a wearable device with a network.

[0046] As used herein, the term "user profile," "communication profile," and "profile" refer to a collection of preferences, settings, configurations, mobile device identifiers, data, and information associated with a specific wearable device, mobile device, or user. A user profile refers therefore to the explicit digital representation of a user's identity and other data or information associated with the user. A communication profile configured in accordance with the present disclosure is accessible by one or more of the software applications that are supported by a mobile device (e.g., server, computing device, or the like) and, thus, may include application-specific preferences, settings, configurations, data, and information. In some embodiments, a communication profile may be used to store a description of characteristics of the user and/or of the wearable device, as well as credentials, access data, encryption key, and/or connection protocols of the wearable device. Further, the present disclosure contemplates that in some embodiments, the data contained by a user profile, communication profile, or the like may be transmitted in an anonymous, unidentified form or may be transmitted to a separate computing device with identification of the user.

[0047] Further, the present disclosure contemplates that in some embodiments, the communication profiles described herein may operate to connect a wearable device or remotely configurable device with a network by transmitting only data allowed by the particular communication profile. By way of example, if a second communication profile as described below, comprises work-related user data, the second communication profile may operate to connect the wearable device to the network by only transmitting work- related user data. Conversely, in some embodiments, the wearable device or remotely configurable device may continually transmit substantially all of the data collected by the device in an encrypted form. In such an embodiment, the communication profiles described herein may function to decrypt only data defined by the corresponding communication profile. By way of example, if a second communication profile as described below, comprises work-related user data, the second communication profile may operate to decrypt data transmitted by the wearable device to the network by decrypting only data to which the second communication profile has a corresponding encryption key. Further, without a corresponding communication profile, a corporate entity for example, may receive transmissions from the wearable device, but may be unable to identify that the wearable device is associated with an employee of the corporate entity.

[0048] As used herein, the terms "mobile computing device" and "mobile device" (which may be used interchangeably) refer to computer hardware and/or software that is configured to access a service made available by a server and, among various other functions, is configured to communicate or otherwise request data from a server or network. Example mobile devices may include a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a wearable device, and the like. In other embodiments, a mobile device may include a "smart device" that is equipped with chip of other electronic device that is configured to communicate with the server via Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), Wi-Fi, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), fifth generation (5G), radio frequency identification (RFID) protocols, and the like. In one example, a mobile device may include an object that is equipped with a Wi-Fi radio that is configured to

communicate with a Wi-Fi access point that is communicably connected with a server. In another embodiment, a mobile device may include an object that is equipped with network radio that is configured to communication with a cellular network.

[0049] As used herein, the term "proximity threshold" refers to a defined mathematical difference between location coordinates for two objects or areas (e.g., mobile device, wearable device, office building, office Wi-Fi network coverage area, etc.). By way of example, a proximity threshold may be a mathematical representation of the distance between a wearable device and a perimeter defined by an office building. Although described herein in reference to an office building, the present disclosure contemplates that any object or location may define a proximity threshold. For example, in some

embodiments, a vehicle may define a vehicle proximity threshold wherein a wearable device may be determined to be located within the vehicle if the vehicle proximity threshold is satisfied.

[0050] As defined herein, a "computer-readable storage medium," which refers to a non-transitory physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non- volatile memory device), can be differentiated from a "computer-readable transmission medium," which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

[0051] Additionally, as used herein, the term 'circuitry' refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an device to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term 'circuitry' also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term 'circuitry' as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device, and/or other computing device.

An Example System Architecture

[0052] A remotely configurable communication profile device, method, and computer program product are provided to control a communication profile utilized by a wearable device to connect with a network (e.g., network entity, server, etc.). Wearable devices may be configured to collected data related to a user and may transmit the data over a radio connection, Bluetooth Low Energy connection, or the like. These wearable devices are often paired with a mobile device capable of determining the location of the wearable device (e.g., via determining an approximate position of the wearable device via Received Signal Strength Indicators ("RSSI") or the like), configuring the wearable device, retrieving data from the wearable device, causing the wearable device to connect with a network, and the like. A mobile device, as described herein, may provide corporate access to data collected and/or recorded by a wearable device based upon the location of the wearable device. By way of example, the mobile device may determine, via analyzing the location data of the wearable device or by the mobile device defining its location and, by association, the location of the wearable device, that the wearable device is located within an office building, and may further allow a corporate entity (e.g., server, system, or the like) access to the data collected and/or recorded by the wearable device. [0053] With reference to FIG. 1 , an example communication system 100 is illustrated with a wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) in communication with a mobile device 106 and a network 104. The mobile device 106 may, in some embodiments, comprise one or more applications, digital platforms, or the like for causing the wearable device to connect with a network 104. Further, the mobile device 106 may also comprise one or more applications (e.g., Healthmate, or the like) configured to receive data collected and/or recorded by the wearable device, and analyze the data (e.g., to determine the location of the wearable device, determine a user's heart rate, etc.). Although described herein as a connection between the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) and the network 104, the present disclosure equally encompasses unilateral data transmission by the wearable device 102 where said data transmission may be received by the network 104 without any explicit protocol connection having been established.

[0054] The mobile device 106 may include circuitry, networked processors, or the like (e.g., as seen in FIG. 2) configured to perform some or all of processes described herein, and may be any suitable network device and/or other type of processing device. In some embodiments, the functionality of the mobile device 106 and/or the communication system 100 may function as a "cloud." In that sense, the mobile device 106 may include several processing devices performing interconnected and/or distributed functions. To avoid unnecessarily overcomplicating the disclosure, the mobile device 106 is shown and described herein as a single mobile device. Although described herein as a "mobile device," the present disclosure contemplates that the mobile device 106 may be broadly encompassed by any computing device. Additionally, as described herein, the mobile device 106 may be configured to detect or otherwise recognize the wearable device 102 regardless of the communication profile, discussed hereinafter, utilized by the wearable device 102. To be clear, the mobile device 106 (e.g., any other applicable computing device or server) may be communicably connected with the wearable device 102 when the wearable device 102 utilizes any communication profile discussed herein.

[0055] The wearable device 102 may also include circuitry, processors, or the like (e.g., as seen in FIG. 2) configured to perform some or all of processes described herein. Further, the wearable device 102 may include sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, microphones, motion tracking sensors, pedometers, magnetometers, heart rate sensors,

GPS antennas, thermometers, blood pressure monitors, and the like) for collecting and/or recording user data. By way of example, a smartwatch (e.g., wearable device) may include a pedometer which collects and records the steps taken by a user wearing the smartwatch. In such an example, the smartwatch may collect this user data and store the user data as part of a corresponding user profile. As will be discussed more fully below, a mobile device 106 may periodically receive this user data and may transmit at least a portion of the user data to a network 104.

[0056] Although described herein with reference to health related user data (e.g. , wellness data, biometric data, or the like), the present disclosure contemplates that the wearable device may be configured to collect and/or record data relating to a user's location, application usage (e.g., applications which may be utilized by the wearable device), battery usage, or any other data that the wearable device 102 may be configured to collect and/or record. Similarly, the wearable device 102, and its communication with a mobile device 106, may be configured to analyze these data types to determine the habits, productivity, activity, or any other metric associated with a user wearing the wearable device 102 and to thereby derive additional data.

[0057] The communication system 100 may be configured in some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 1 , such that the wearable device 102 may be communicably connected with a network 104 via a mobile device 106. The network 104 may include one or more wired and/or wireless communication networks including, for example, a wired or wireless local area network (LAN), personal area network (PAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), or the like, as well as any hardware, software and/or firmware for implementing the one or more networks (e.g. , network routers, switches, hubs, etc.). For example, the network 104 may include a cellular telephone, mobile broadband, long term evolution (LTE), a global system for mobile communications (GSM)/enhanced data GSM environment (EDGE), a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)/a highspeed packet access (HSPA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 1 , IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, Wi-Fi, dial-up, and/or a world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) network. Furthermore, the network 104 may include a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to transmission control protocol (TCP)/internet protocol (IP) based networking protocols. Although described herein as a single network (e.g., network

104 in FIG. 1), the present disclosure contemplates that various network beacons, access points, or the like may be utilized by the embodiments described herein.

[0058] In some embodiments, the wearable device 102 and the mobile device 106 may be associated with a user profile and/or communication profile. Although described in reference to a single wearable device 102 communicably connected with a single mobile device 106, the present disclosure contemplates that any number of mobile devices may be associated with any number of wearable devices. Further, a single mobile device may be communicably connected with multiple wearable devices. Additionally, each wearable device and mobile device contemplated by the present disclosure may include one or more user profiles or communication profiles.

[0059] In some alternative embodiments, the wearable device 102 may be directly connected with the network 104 without the use of a mobile device 106 and may include circuitry configured to perform the processes described herein without the use of a mobile device. In such an embodiment, the wearable device 102 may include circuitry, networked processors, or the like (e.g., as seen in FIG. 2) configured to perform some or all of processes described herein, and may be any suitable network device and/or other type of processing device. By way of example, in some embodiments, the wearable device 102 may directly connect with the network 104 (e.g., via a communication profile discussed hereinafter) and may be configured to determine the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., independently determine its location). More particularly, the present disclosure contemplates that the remotely configurable device (e.g., wearable device 102) may directly connect with one or more cloud servers (e.g., network 104) without the use of a separate mobile device 106.

[0060] Regardless of the type of device that embodies the mobile device 106 or the wearable device 102, the mobile device 106 and/or the wearable device 102 may include or be associated with an apparatus 200 as shown in FIG. 2. In this regard, the apparatus 200 may include or otherwise be in communication with a processor 202, a memory device 204, a communication interface 206, and/or a user interface 208. As such, in some embodiments, although devices or elements are shown as being in communication with each other, hereinafter such devices or elements should be considered to be capable of being embodied within the same device or element and thus, devices or elements shown in communication should be understood to alternatively be portions of the same device or element.

[0061] In some embodiments, the processor 202 (and/or co-processors or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory device 204 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 200. The memory device 204 may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device 204 may be an electronic storage device (e.g. , a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g. , bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processor). The memory device 204 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus 200 to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. In this regard, the memory device 204 may store various

applications configured to determine a communication profile as discussed below. For example, the memory device 204 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 202. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device 204 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 202.

[0062] As noted above, the apparatus 200 may be embodied by a mobile device 106 or a wearable device 102 configured to be utilized in an example embodiment of the present invention. However, in some embodiments, the device may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus 200 may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g. , chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g. , a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus 200 may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0063] The processor 202 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor 202 may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processor 202 may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 202 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and/or multithreading. [0064] In an example embodiment, the processor 202 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 204 or otherwise accessible to the processor 202. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 202 may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor 202 may represent an entity (e.g. , physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor 202 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 202 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 202 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor 202 to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processor 202 may be a processor 202 of a specific device (e.g., a mobile device 106 or wearable device 102 as shown in FIG. 1) configured to be employed by an embodiment of the present invention by further configuration of the processor 202 by instructions for performing the algorithms and/or operations described herein. The processor 202 may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processor.

[0065] Meanwhile, the communication interface 206 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data between computing devices and/or servers (e.g., the mobile device 106, the wearable device 102, and the network 104 as shown in FIG. 1). In this regard, the communication interface 206 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications wirelessly. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). For example, the communication interface 206 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the one or more mobile devices, such as via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other wireless communications techniques. In some instances, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the

communication interface 206 may include a communication modem and/or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms. For example, the communication interface 206 may be configured to communicate via wired communication with other components of a mobile device, computing device, or sever.

[0066] In some embodiments, the apparatus 200 may optionally include a user interface 208 in communication with the processor 202, such as by the user interface circuitry, to receive an indication of a user input and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical, or other output to a user. As such, the user interface 208 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen display, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. The user interface may also be in communication with the memory 204 and/or the communication interface 206, such as via a bus.

[0067] The apparatus 200, method, and computer program product of an example embodiment will now be described in conjunction with the operations illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. With reference to FIG. 3, a flowchart is provided that illustrates a method for modifying a remotely configurable communication profile 300 (e.g., method 300) for use with some embodiments, described herein. Although not referenced in FIGS. 3-5, a wearable device (e.g., a remotely configurable device), regardless of connection with a network and/or utilization of a communication profile as described herein, may continually collect and/or record user data. As described above, the wearable device 102 may continually collect, iteratively update, and/or otherwise record user data collected via sensors defined by the wearable device 102. Further, the collection of user data may occur simultaneous with the steps of the method contained in the following description. By way of example, a wearable device may continually collect and/or record user data relating to a user's heartrate, and may further continue to collect this user data when the wearable device is remotely configured by a mobile device by modifying a communication profile of the wearable device.

[0068] The method 300 may include obtaining a location of a remotely configurable device (e.g., wearable device) connected with a network (e.g., network 104) via a first communication profile at Block 302. The apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106 in FIG. 1) may include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for obtaining the location of the remotely configurable device. As described above, the wearable device 102 may be communicably connected with a network 104 by a mobile device 106. The wearable device 102 may be configured to communicate wirelessly with the mobile device 106 via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless techniques. By way of example, the wearable device 102 may be configured to transmit data to and receive data from the mobile device 106 via a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) wireless technique. In some embodiments, the wearable device 102 may be configured to broadcast periodic Bluetooth LE location advertisements which may be received by the mobile device 106 and analyzed to determine the location of the wearable device 102. Although described herein as a connection between the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) and the network 104 via a communication profile, the present disclosure equally encompasses unilateral data transmission by the wearable device 102 where said data transmission may be received by the network 104 without any explicit protocol connection having been established.

[0069] The apparatus 200, at Block 302, may also include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for causing the wearable device 102 (e.g. remotely configurable device) to connect with a network via a first communication profile. As defined above, a communication profile may be used to store a description of characteristics of the user and/or of the wearable device, as well as credentials, access data, encryption key, and/or connection protocols of the wearable device. By way of example, a first communication profile may define a basic, predefined set of data which may be transmitted by the wearable device 102 to the network 104 via the mobile device 106 and/or used to connect the wearable device 102 with the network 104. By way of a more particular example, the wearable device 102 may connect with the network 104 using a first communication profile where the first communication profile allows transmission of a portion of the user data collected by the wearable device 102 to the network 104. This portion of the user data collected by the wearable device 102 may, in some embodiments, only include data identifying the wearable device 102 to the mobile device 106 and/or network 104. In some embodiments, the first communication profile may be configured such that the identity data of the wearable device 102 is unencrypted while the remaining transmitted data remains encrypted. As will be discussed more fully below with reference to FIG. 5, the first communication profile may be utilized by the wearable device 102 in instances in which a proximity threshold has not been met.

[0070] The apparatus 200, may also include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for determining a change in the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) at Block 304. As described above at Block 302, in some embodiments, the mobile device 106 may continually obtain

(e.g., receive transmissions from the wearable device 102) a location of the wearable device 102. In such an embodiment, the mobile device 106 may utilize various threshold values to determine if the location data obtained by the mobile device 106 indicates that the location of the wearable device 102 has changed. As will be described further with reference to FIG. 4, the mobile device 106 may further iteratively receive location data from the wearable device 102 and may analyze each location data transmission to determine if a change in location has occurred.

[0071] In some embodiments, such as when the wearable device is a smartwatch (e.g., remotely configurable device), the smartwatch may include means, such as the processor 202, for monitoring its location and determining if a change in the location of the smartwatch has occurred without transmitting location data to a mobile device. In some further embodiments, such as when the network 104 includes means such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for obtaining a location of the wearable device 102, the wearable device 102 may transmit location data to a networking entity (e.g., server, cloud server(s), computing device, or the like defined by the network 104), and the networking entity may similarly determine if a change in location has occurred. To be clear, although described in some embodiments with reference to a smartwatch or other similar device capable of independently determining its location, the remotely configurable device (e.g., wearable device) need not be capable of independently identifying or determining its location, but may, instead, define its location based upon the location of a mobile device, such as by having the same location as that determined by the mobile device, which is presumed to be nearby.

[0072] The apparatus 200, may also include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for, in response the change in location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device), determining a second

communication profile at Block 306. As will be described further with reference to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the mobile device 106 may determine that the change in location of the wearable device 102 at Block 304 indicates that a second communication profile may be utilized by the wearable device 102 to connect with the network 104. By way of example, the wearable device 102 may be determined to be located within an office building by the mobile device 106. In such a circumstance, the user data (e.g., work- related user data) collected and/or recorded by the wearable device 102 may be of interest to a corporate employer of other entity. By way of a further example, an employee wearing a smartwatch (e.g., wearable device) collecting and/or recording user data of the employee (e.g., the employee's heartrate) may enter an office building associated with his or her employer. A mobile device communicably connected with the smartwatch may obtain location data from the smartwatch indicating that the smartwatch is located within the office building or via other location determining techniques (e.g., detecting a WLAN connection, utilizing GPS coordinates, or the like). The mobile device may determine a second communication profile for connecting the wearable device with the network such that the employer may access a portion of the data collected and/or recorded by the wearable device.

[0073] Similar to the first communication profile described above at Block 302, a second communication profile may define a predefined set or portion of data which may be transmitted by the wearable device 102 to the network 104 via the mobile device 106 and/or data used to connect the wearable device 102 with the network 104. Therefore, the apparatus 200, may also include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for causing the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) to utilize the second communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the wearable device 102 in accordance with the second communication profile at Block 308. By way of example, a portion of the user data (e.g., work-related user data) collected by the wearable device 102 (e.g., corresponding to a second communication profile) may, in some embodiments, include data of interest to a corporate entity of employer of the user wearing the wearable device. For example, a corporate entity may want to analyze the activity of its employees while in the office. In such an example, a mobile device paired with a wearable device may determine that the wearable device is located within an office building. In response, a second communication profile may be used to transmit user data indicative of activity (e.g., a raised heartbeat, higher blood pressure, or the like) to a network. In some embodiments, the second communication profile may be configured such that the work-related user data of the wearable device is unencrypted while the remaining transmitted data remains encrypted. As will be discussed more fully below with reference to FIG. 5, the second communication profile may be utilized by the wearable device in instances in which a proximity threshold has been met.

[0074] As described above, a remotely configurable communication profile utilized to connect a wearable device with a network facilitates the access of a corporate entity to user data collected and/or recorded by a wearable device. In this regard, a mobile device communicably connected with the wearable device may be configured to obtain location data of the wearable device where the wearable device is connected with the network via a first communication profile (e.g., connected via Bluetooth LE to the mobile device and transmitting a basic portion of collected user data). In response to a change in the location data, the mobile device may, in some embodiments, determine that the change in location of the wearable device requires connection of the wearable device with the network via a second communication profile wherein the second communication profile allows corporate access to user data collected and/or recorded by the user device. Thus, a corporate entity may receive user data related to its employees, and analyze said user data, while maintaining the protection of said user data through encryption keys. In some

embodiments, when a wearable device (e.g., remotely configurable device) is connected with a network via a second communication profile, a corporate entity may further receive detailed location data (e.g., precise, room-level accuracy) of the wearable device. By way of a particular example, once the wearable device is determined to be located within an office building and connected with the network via a second communication profile, access (e.g., unencrypted, transmitted, or the like) to the exact location of the wearable device and mobile device may be provided to a corporate entity. Although described as a connection between the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) and the network 104 via a communication profile, the present disclosure equally encompasses unilateral data transmission by the wearable device 102 where said data transmission may be received by the network 104 without any explicit protocol connection having been established.

[0075] With reference to FIG. 4, a flowchart is provided that illustrates a

communication method for determining a change in the location of the remotely configurable device 400 for use with some embodiments described herein. The apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106) may include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for receiving location data or identification data used (via network infrastructure, RSSI, or the like) to locate the wearable device from the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) at Block 402. As described above, the wearable device 102 may periodically broadcast its location to the mobile device 106 via a Bluetooth LE wireless transmission. The mobile device 106 may further include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for monitoring location data transmitted by the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely

configurable device) at Block 404. By way of example, the mobile device 106 may receive location data transmitted by the wearable device 102 at various intervals and may analyze this location data to determine the location of the wearable device 102 at the time in which the wearable device 102 transmitted the location data.

[0076] The apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106) may also include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for determining if the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) changed at Block 406. By way of example, the mobile device 106 may be preset or otherwise configured with various proximity thresholds. These proximity thresholds, discussed further with reference to FIG. 5, may be utilized by the mobile device 106 to determine if the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) has changed. By way of an example, a proximity threshold utilized by the mobile device 106 may monitor the location data transmitted by the wearable device 102 at Block 404 and may compare each transmission with the previous location data transmission. The proximity threshold may further include a threshold location value, wherein the location of the wearable device 102 may be determined to have changed if the threshold location value is met. By way of a more particular example, if the location data transmitted by the wearable device 102 initially indicates a first location for the wearable device 102, and a subsequent

transmission of location data indicates a second location for the wearable device 102, where the second location is greater than the mathematical difference defined by the threshold location value, the mobile device 106 may determine that the location of the wearable device 102 has changed. If the location of the wearable device 102 has not changed, the apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106) may return to monitoring the location data transmitted by the wearable device 102 at Block 404. With any embodiment described herein, monitoring the location data transmitted by the wearable device 102 at Block 404 may be accomplished by monitoring the geolocation of the remotely

configurable device via global positioning systems, cellular locationing, Wi-Fi positioning, or Bluetooth tag detection. In some embodiments, the location data of the wearable device 102 may include only the identification of the wearable device 102, and surrounding network infrastructure may determine or otherwise monitor the location of the wearable device. By way of example, a wearable device may only transmit data identifying the wearable device to the network, and the network may monitor the location of the wearable device by monitoring the connection and/or signal strength (e.g., RSSI or the like) between the wearable device and the network.

[0077] In some embodiments, the mobile device 106 (e.g., apparatus 200) may also determine the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) and any associated change in said location via recognition of a network object (e.g., wireless beacon, RFID recognition, cellular tower, or the like). By way of example, in some embodiments, the mobile device 106 may determine a change in the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) via the connection of the mobile device 106 with a wireless network at a new geo location. By way of a more particular example, a user may leave an office building, with the mobile device 106 and wearable device 102, and arrive at a separate location where the mobile device 106 connects with a Wi-Fi network. In such an embodiment, the apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106) may determine the change in the location of the wearable device 102 without comparison of mathematical differences defined by a threshold location value by connection with a network object at a new location. In some further embodiments, a manual user input (e.g., confirmation of location) may be used to determine a change in the location of the wearable device 102.

[0078] If the location of the mobile device 106 (e.g., remotely configurable device) is determined to have changed at Block 406, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for determining a second communication profile at Block 306 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0079] With reference to FIG. 5, a flowchart is provided that illustrates a

communication method (e.g., method 550) for determining a second communication profile based upon the location of the wearable device (e.g., remotely configurable device) for use with some embodiments described herein. The apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106) may include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for determining if the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) meets a proximity threshold at Block 502. By way of example, and as described generally above, when the mobile device 106 determines a change in the location of the wearable device 102, the mobile device 106 may compare the location data transmitted by the wearable device 102 to determine if the location of the wearable device 102 meets a proximity threshold. By way of a more particular example, the proximity threshold may be a mathematical expression of the physical location of a perimeter associated with a structure, a radius encircling a location, or the like. Additionally, as above, the mobile device 106 may determine that a location of the wearable device 102 meets a proximity threshold via connection of the mobile device 106 with a network object at a new location.

[0080] If the apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106) determines that the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) does not meet a proximity threshold, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processor 202, the

communications interface 206 or the like, for continuing connection between the wearable device 102 and the network via the first communication profile at Block 506. By way of example, the mobile device 106, in monitoring the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., at Block 404 in FIG. 4 for example), may continually compare the location data of the wearable device 102 with a proximity threshold or otherwise determine if the proximity threshold is met by the location of the wearable device 102. In such an example, the wearable device 102, currently connected with the network 104 via a first communication profile (e.g., at Block 302 in FIG. 3 for example) may continue its connection via a first communication profile. To be clear, the location of the wearable device 102 may continually change (e.g., while currently connected with the network 104 by the mobile device 106 utilizing a first connection profile). However, this change in location of the wearable device 102 may not result in the wearable device 102 meeting the proximity threshold. Therefore, the method 500 may continue the connection of the wearable device 102 with the network 104 via a first communication profile. As described the mobile device 106 may continue the connection of the wearable device 102 with the network 104 via a first communication profile at Block 506; however, the present disclosure

contemplates that the described connection may not require a communication or active step (e.g., order, command, or the like) by the mobile device 106. By way of example, the mobile device 106 may not actively maintain the connection of the wearable device, but may instead not cause the communication profile utilized by the wearable device to change. To be clear, the absence of determining a second communication profile as described below results in the continued connection of the wearable device 102 with the network 104 via the first communication profile (e.g., continue connection at Block 506).

[0081] If the apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106) determines that the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) does meet a proximity threshold, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for determining a second communication profile associated with the proximity threshold at Block 504. As described above, a second communication profile may define a predefined set or portion of data which may be transmitted by the wearable device 102 to the network 104 via the mobile device 106 and/or data used to connect the wearable device 102 with the network 104. By way of example, a portion of the user data collected by the wearable device 102 (e.g., corresponding to a second communication profile) may, in some embodiments, include data of interest to a corporate entity of employer of the user wearing the wearable device. Connection of the wearable device 102 with the network 104 utilizing a second communication profile associated with the proximity threshold may allow a corporate entity to receive and otherwise analyze the data provided by the wearable device 102.

[0082] Once a second communication profile associated with the proximity threshold is determined at Block 504, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for transmitting the second

communication profile from the mobile device 106 to the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) at Block 508 and/or causing the wearable device 102 to connect with the network via at least a second communication profile at Block 510. As described above, the second communication profile may allow the wearable device 102 to transmit data defined by the second communication profile and/or may allow a separate entity (e.g., server, computing device, or the like) to receive and otherwise utilize the data contained within the transmission of the wearable device 102.

[0083] In some embodiments, once the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely

configurable device) is connected with the network 104 via at least a second

communication profile, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for continuing connection between the remotely configurable device and the network via the first communication profile at Block 512. By way of example, a wearable device 102 may be determined (e.g., via the methods described in reference to FIGS. 3-5) to be located such that connection of the wearable device 102 with the network 104 may be accomplished with a second communication profile (e.g., by meeting a proximity threshold at Block 502 in FIG. 5 for example). In such an example, such as when an employee and corresponding wearable device are located within an office building, the apparatus 200 may correctly determine that a second communication profile may be used. However, in some embodiments, a first

communication profile is continually used with the connection to the network 104. By way of a particular example, when the wearable device is located within an office building, a communication profile allowing corporate access (e.g. , a second communication profile) and a communication profile providing basic identification of the device (e.g., a first communication profile) may be used simultaneously. As above, the present disclosure contemplates that the described continuing connection via a first communication profile may not require a communication or active step (e.g. , order, command, or the like) by the mobile device 106.

[0084] In some embodiments, a subsequent change in the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device) may be determined such that a proximity threshold (e.g., at Block 502 in FIG. 5 for example) is no longer met by the location of the wearable device 102. In some embodiments, in response to the subsequent change in the location of the wearable device 102 (e.g., remotely configurable device), the apparatus 200 may cause the wearable device to recommence utilization of the first communication profile. By way of example, when an employee is leaving an office building, the wearable device 102 may no longer meet the proximity threshold defined by the office building, and the apparatus 200 (e.g., mobile device 106) may determine that a first communication profile should be used to connect the wearable device 102 with the network 104.

[0085] In some further embodiments, the apparatus 200 may include means, such as the processor 202, the communications interface 206 or the like, for causing the wearable device 102 to connect with the network 104 via any number of communication profiles. By way of example, in some embodiments, a third communication profile may be utilized to facilitate provision of personal user data. By way of example, personal fitness trackers (e.g., wearable devices and/or remotely configurable devices) may utilize the mobile device 106 and the network 104 to update a personal fitness application. More

specifically, a personal fitness tracker may record the number of steps a user takes in a single day (via pedometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes or the like), and may attempt to upload this data to a personal fitness application. This third communication profile may be configured to facilitate provision (e.g., allow access to or otherwise transmit) of the personal user data (e.g., number of steps taken) of the wearable device 102 with the network 104.

[0086] In some embodiments, a proximity threshold may be utilized for a mobile environment (e.g., a vehicle). By way of example, a proximity threshold in some embodiments may refer a perimeter defined by a vehicle (e.g., car, boat, or the like). In these embodiments, the location of the remotely configurable device (e.g., wearable device 102 in FIG. 1) may continually change, yet may continue to meet the proximity threshold. Particularly, a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 106 in FIG. 1) communicably connected with a wearable device may connect with a vehicle (e.g. , via a Bluetooth LE connection) which may indicate to the device (e.g., mobile device 106) that the location of the wearable device may change and the proximity threshold may continue to be met. Further, the wearable device may connect with a network, in some embodiments, to provide wellness or other biometric data of a user associated with the wearable device (e.g., a car's driver).

In such an embodiments, the biometric data (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure, and the like) may be monitored to determine if an emergency is present, such as in a situation where the driver of the vehicle' wearable device does not detect a heart rate. Although described herein with reference to a corporate entity or vehicle, the present disclosure contemplates that a communication profile may be utilized for a variety of locations (e.g., a cruise ship profile, an amusement park profile, a visitor/tourist profile, etc.) without limitation.

[0087] As described above, Figures 3-5 illustrate flowcharts of an apparatus 200, method, and computer program product according to example embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and/or other devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory 204 of an apparatus 200 employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor 202 of the device. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable device (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable device implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer- readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable device to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer- implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable device provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0088] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. [0089] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

[0090] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:

obtain a location of a remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with a network via a first communication profile; determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device;

in response to the change in the location of the remotely configurable device, determine a second communication profile; and

cause the remotely configurable device to utilize the second communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the remotely configurable device in accordance with the second communication profile.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the remotely configurable device comprises a wearable device configured to connect with a mobile device.

3. The apparatus according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to obtain the location of the remotely configurable device by receiving a location advertisement transmitted by the remotely configurable device.

4. The apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the location advertisement is transmitted via a Bluetooth low energy transmission.

5. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device by monitoring a geolocation of the remotely configurable device via global positioning systems, cellular locationing, Wi-Fi positioning, or Bluetooth tag detection.

6. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor: monitor the location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with the network via the second communication profile;

determine a subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device; and

in response to the subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device, cause the remotely configurable device to recommence utilization of the first communication profile.

7. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the first

communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device does not meet a proximity threshold.

8. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the second communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device meets a proximity threshold.

9. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the remotely configurable device is simultaneously connected with the network via a second

communication profile and via a third communication profile, wherein the third communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of personal user data.

10. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the second communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of work-related user data.

11. The apparatus according any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein the remotely configurable device is configured to monitor wellness data of a corresponding user.

12. A method for a remotely configurable device, the method comprising:

obtaining a location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with a network via a first communication profile; determining a change in the location of the remotely configurable device;

in response to the change in the location of the remotely configurable device, determining a second communication profile; and causing the remotely configurable device to utilize the second communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the remotely configurable device in accordance with the second communication profile.

13. The method according to Claim 12, wherein the remotely configurable device comprises a wearable device configured to connect with a mobile device.

14. The method according to Claims 12 or 13, wherein obtaining the location of the remotely configurable device comprises causing a mobile device to receive a location advertisement transmitted by the remotely configurable device.

15. The method according to Claim 14, wherein the location advertisement is transmitted via a Bluetooth low energy transmission.

16. The method according to any one of Claims 12 to 15, wherein determining a change in the location of the remotely configurable device comprises a mobile device monitoring a geolocation of the remotely configurable device via global positioning systems, cellular locationing, Wi-Fi positioning, or Bluetooth tag detection.

17. The method according to any one of Claims 12 to 16, further comprising:

monitoring the location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with the network via the second communication profile;

determining a subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device; and

in response to the subsequent change in the location of the remotely configurable device, causing the remotely configurable device to recommence utilization of the first communication profile.

18. The method according to any one of Claims 12 to 17, wherein the first communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device does not meet a proximity threshold.

19. The method according to any one of Claims 12 to 18, wherein the second communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device meets a proximity threshold.

20. The method according to any one of Claims 12 to 19, wherein the remotely configurable device is connected with the network via a second communication profile and via a third communication profile, wherein the third communication profile is utilized to facility provision of personal user data.

21. The method according to any one of Claims 12 to 20, wherein the second communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of work-related user data.

22. The method according any one of Claims 12 to 21, wherein the remotely configurable device is configured to monitor wellness data of a corresponding user.

23. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer- readable storage medium having computer-executable program code stored therein, the computer-executable program code comprising program code instructions configured to: obtain a location of a remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with a network via a first communication profile; determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device;

24. A computer program product according to Claim 23, wherein the remotely configurable device comprises a wearable device configured to connect with a mobile device.

25. A computer program product according to Claims 23 or 24, wherein the program code instructions are configured to obtain the location of the remotely configurable device by receiving a location advertisement transmitted by the remotely configurable device.

26. A computer program product according to Claim 25, wherein the location advertisement is transmitted via a Bluetooth low energy transmission.

27. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 23 to 26, wherein the program code instructions are configured to determine a change in the location of the remotely configurable device by monitoring a geolocation of the remotely configurable device via global positioning systems, cellular locationing, Wi-Fi positioning, or Bluetooth tag detection.

28. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 23 to 27, wherein the program code instructions configured to:

monitor the location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with the network via the second communication profile;

29. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 23 to 28, wherein the first communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device does not meet a proximity threshold.

30. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 23 to 29, wherein the second communication profile is utilized in an instance in which the determined location of the remotely configurable device meets a proximity threshold.

31. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 23 to 30, wherein the remotely configurable device is simultaneously connected with the network via a second communication profile and via a third communication profile, wherein the third

communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of personal user data.

32. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 23 to 31, wherein the second communication profile is utilized to facilitate provision of work-related user data.

33. A computer program product according to any one of Claims 23 to 32, wherein the remotely configurable device is configured to monitor wellness data of a corresponding user.

34. A device comprising at least:

means for obtaining a location of the remotely configurable device, wherein the remotely configurable device is in communication with a network via a first

communication profile;

means for determining a change in the location of the remotely configurable device; means for, in response to the change in the location of the remotely configurable device, determining a second communication profile; and

means for causing the remotely configurable device to utilize the second

communication profile to facilitate subsequent communication by the remotely

configurable device in accordance with the second communication profile.