Wireless communication system & related methods for use in a social network

Abstract

An antenna system and method for managing identification, location, direction and communication with nearby wireless communication devices is provided. Various embodiments can be implemented to enhance the performance of advertising systems, location services, military systems, and social gaming.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-mode antenna system configured to enable one or more social networking capabilities between a designated device and another device within a wireless network, the antenna system comprising:
 two or more antennas coupled with a combining circuit to form an array with the connected antennas; and   an adaptive processor coupled to the array and configured with an algorithm for adjusting a radiation pattern associated with the array, the algorithm configured to:
 identify one or more linkable devices being within a user-defined proximity with the antenna system; and 
 send control signals to one or more components in the combining circuit for changing one or more of an amplitude or phase of an RF signal transmitted from or received from the antennas in the array; 
   wherein the radiation pattern of the array is altered to provide communication to one or more of the linkable devices selected for communication.   
     
     
         2 . The antenna system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the antennas is capable of generating two or more unique radiation patterns. 
     
     
         3 . The antenna system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the one or more antennas comprises: an antenna radiator disposed above a ground plane forming an antenna volume there between, a first parasitic element at least partially disposed within said antenna volume, said first parasitic element being coupled with a first active tuning element for varying a reactance of the antenna; and a second parasitic element positioned outside of the antenna volume and adjacent to the antenna radiator, said second parasitic element being coupled with a second active tuning element for varying a current mode thereon. 
     
     
         4 . In a designated device having a multi-mode antenna system configured to vary an antenna radiation pattern thereof by implementing one or more antenna modes of a plurality of possible antenna modes, a method for enabling one or more social networking capabilities between the designated device and another device within a wireless network, the method comprising:
 identifying one or more linkable devices located within proximity to the designated wireless device; and   at least one of:   optimizing a communication link between the designated device and one or more of the linkable devices in the network;   terminating communication between the designated device and one or more of the linkable devices;   adjusting transmit power of one or more of the designated device and linkable devices for improving communication therebetween;   categorizing one or more of the linkable devices into one or more user-defined groups;   transmitting a data file to one or more of the linkable devices based on group assignment or proximity within the network; or   providing communication with one or more linkable devices determined to be present within a pre-determined proximity with the designated device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said optimizing comprises forming gain maxima in the radiation pattern by selecting an optimum antenna mode of the multi-mode antenna. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said optimizing comprises steering the antenna radiation pattern of the designated device to maximize link quality in a direction of one or more of the linkable devices. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said terminating comprises creating a null in the antenna radiation pattern in a direction of one or more of the linkable devices. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said terminating comprises reducing antenna transmit power in a direction of one or more of the linkable devices. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said terminating comprises steering the null in a direction of one or more of the linkable devices.