Techniques for enabling computing devices to identify when they are in proximity to one another

Abstract

The embodiments set forth a technique for securely identifying relevant computing devices that are nearby. The technique can be implemented at a first computing device, and include the steps of (1) receiving, from a second computing device, an advertisement packet that includes: (i) a network address that is associated with the second computing device, and (ii) a hash value that is calculated using the network address and an encryption key that is associated with the second computing device, and (2) for each known encryption key in a plurality of known encryption keys that are accessible to the first computing device: (i) calculating a temporary hash value using the network address and the known encryption key, and (ii) in response to identifying that the temporary hash value and the hash value match: carrying out an operation associated with the second computing device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for displaying a reminder when at least one individual is in proximity to a computing device, the method comprising, at the computing device:
 receiving a description of the reminder;   receiving information associated with the at least one individual;   identifying at least one computing device associated with the at least one individual;   detecting that the at least one computing device satisfies a proximity threshold relative to the computing device; and   displaying the reminder.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a date and time for the reminder, and/or   receiving a geographical condition for the reminder.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising, prior to displaying the reminder:
 detecting that a current date and time exceeds the date and time.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the proximity threshold.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to receiving information associated with the at least one individual:
 displaying a contact list from which the at least one individual can be selected, and/or   displaying individuals who are in proximity to the computing device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising, prior to displaying the individuals who are in proximity to the computing device:
 detecting communications signals output by computing devices associated with the individuals.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein contacts in the contact list are grouped based on respectively assigned categories. 
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a computing device, cause the computing device to display a reminder when at least one individual is in proximity to the computing device, by carrying out steps that include:
 receiving a description of the reminder;   receiving information associated with the at least one individual;   identifying at least one computing device associated with the at least one individual;   detecting that the at least one computing device satisfies a proximity threshold relative to the computing device; and   displaying the reminder.   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the steps further include:
 receiving a date and time for the reminder, and/or   receiving a geographical condition for the reminder.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein the steps further include, prior to displaying the reminder:
 detecting that a current date and time exceeds the date and time.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the steps further include:
 receiving the proximity threshold.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the steps further include, prior to receiving information associated with the at least one individual:
 displaying a contact list from which the at least one individual can be selected, and/or   displaying individuals who are in proximity to the computing device.   
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the steps further include, prior to displaying the individuals who are in proximity to the computing device:
 detecting communications signals output by computing devices associated with the individuals.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein contacts in the contact list are grouped based on respectively assigned categories. 
     
     
         15 . A computing device configured to display a reminder when at least one individual is in proximity to the computing device, the computing device comprising a processor configured to cause the computing device to carry out steps that include:
 receiving a description of the reminder;   receiving information associated with the at least one individual;   identifying at least one computing device associated with the at least one individual;   detecting that the at least one computing device satisfies a proximity threshold relative to the computing device; and   displaying the reminder.   
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the steps further include:
 receiving a date and time for the reminder, and/or   receiving a geographical condition for the reminder.   
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 16 , wherein the steps further include, prior to displaying the reminder:
 detecting that a current date and time exceeds the date and time.   
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the steps further include:
 receiving the proximity threshold.   
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the steps further include, prior to receiving information associated with the at least one individual:
 displaying a contact list from which the at least one individual can be selected, and/or   displaying individuals who are in proximity to the computing device.   
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 19 , wherein the steps further include, prior to displaying the individuals who are in proximity to the computing device:
 detecting communications signals output by computing devices associated with the individuals.