System and method for control and management of resources for consumers of information

Abstract

A system and method is provided for using information broadcast by devices and resources in the immediate vicinity of a mobile device, or by sensors located within the mobile device itself, to ascertain and make a determination of the immediate environment and state of the mobile device. The sensor data is then used to identify situational profiles to target and determine the relevance of apps, advertisements, content, and recommendations.

1 . A method for activating apps on a user device, comprising:
 receiving a capabilities list from one or more external resources available to the user device, each capabilities list specifying one or more attributes of the respective external resource from which it is received;   storing each of the received capabilities lists in a resource registry associated with the user device;   receiving updated capabilities lists from the one or more external resources;   dynamically updating the resource registry with one or more updated capabilities lists;   determining an environment map for the user device, the environment map comprising (i) resource environment information obtained from the resource registry and (ii) state information for the user device;   applying predefined matching rules for comparing the environment map with situational profiles, the situational profiles comprising predefined combinations of at least one of resource environment information or state information;   displaying one or more recommended apps based on the matching of the environment map to the situational profiles; and   activating one of the recommended apps based on user input received in response to the displaying of the recommended apps.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the state information for the user device comprises physical environment information obtained from one or more sensors associated with the user device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the physical environment information comprises location information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the physical environment information comprises speed information. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the physical environment information comprises acceleration information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the physical environment information comprises sound information. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the state information for the user device comprises user device settings. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein user device settings comprise audible notification settings. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the state information for the user device comprises physical setting information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the physical setting information indicates presence in a vehicle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the physical setting information indicates proximity to a predetermined business establishment. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the physical setting information indicates presence in a predetermined geographical area. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the physical setting information indicates user engagement in a predetermined activity. 
     
     
         14 . A user device
 comprising: a processor;   and   a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon, that when executed on the processor, perform the steps of:
 receiving a capabilities list from one or more external resources available to the user device, each capabilities list specifying one or more attributes of the respective external resource from which it is received; 
 storing each of the received capabilities lists in a resource registry associated with the user device; 
 receiving updated capabilities lists from the one or more external resources; 
 dynamically updating the resource registry with one or more updated capabilities lists; 
 determining an environment map for the user device, the environment map comprising (i) resource environment information obtained from the resource registry and (ii) state information for the user device; 
 applying predefined matching rules for comparing the environment map with situational profiles, the situational profiles comprising predefined combinations of at least one of resource environment information or state information; 
 displaying one or more recommended apps based on the matching of the environment map to the situational profiles; and 
 activating one of the recommended apps based on user input received in response to the displaying of the recommended apps. 
   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the state information for the user device comprises physical environment information obtained from one or more sensors associated with the user device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the physical environment information comprises location information. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the physical environment information comprises speed information. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the physical environment information comprises acceleration information. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the physical environment information comprises sound information. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the state information for the user device comprises user device settings. 
     
     
         21 - 26 . (canceled)