Dynamically Managing Social Networking Groups

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamically managing social networking groups according to embodiments of the present invention are provided. A particular embodiment includes detecting a predetermined number of user devices within a specified physical area; and in response to detecting the predetermined number of user devices within the specified physical area, creating a social networking group corresponding to the specified physical area. Another embodiment includes detecting a predetermined number of user devices exiting a specified physical area, each user device associated with a user belonging to a social networking group corresponding to the specified physical area; and in response to detecting the predetermined number of user devices exiting the specified physical area, destroying the social networking group after a duration following the detection of the predetermined number of users of the social networking group exiting the specified physical area.

1 . A method of dynamically managing social networking groups, the method comprising:
 detecting, by an allocation controller, a predetermined number of user devices within a specified physical area; and   in response to detecting the predetermined number of user devices within the specified physical area, creating, by the allocation controller, a social networking group corresponding to the specified physical area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 detecting, by the allocation controller, a user device within the specified physical area; and 
 in response to detecting the user device within the specified physical area, inviting, by the allocation controller, a user of the user device to join the social networking group. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 determining, by the allocation controller, a group historical significance value to correspond with the social networking group; and 
 determining, based on the group historical significance value, by the allocation controller, a duration of time to maintain availability of content of the social networking group. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein determining a group historical significance value to correspond with the social networking group includes determining the group historical significance value based one or more parameters associated with the social networking group. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the one or more parameters includes at least one of: individual historical significance value of a user of the social network group; number of user devices within the specified physical area; number of users associated with the social networking group; amount of user activity within the social networking group; diversity of user activity within the social networking group; and number of pictures posted in the social networking group. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising allocating, by the allocation controller, resources to the social networking group based on the historical significance value. 
     
     
         7 . A method of dynamically managing social networking groups, the method comprising:
 detecting, by an allocation controller, a predetermined number of user devices exiting a specified physical area, each user device associated with a user belonging to a social networking group corresponding to the specified physical area; and   in response to detecting the predetermined number of user devices exiting the specified physical area, destroying, by the allocation controller, the social networking group after a duration following the detection of the predetermined number of users of the social networking group exiting the specified physical area.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 determining, by the allocation controller, a group historical significance value to correspond with the social networking group; and 
 determining, by the allocation controller, the duration based on the historical significance value. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein determining a group historical significance value to correspond with the social networking group includes determining the group historical significance value based one or more parameters associated with the social networking group. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the one or more parameters includes at least one of: individual historical significance value of a user of the social network group; number of user devices within the specified physical area; number of users associated with the social networking group; amount of user activity within the social networking group; diversity of user activity within the social networking group; and number of pictures posted in the social networking group. 
     
     
         11 - 20 . (canceled)