Methods and systems for dynamic execution of actions in response to communications events of one or more communications protocols

Abstract

According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for dynamic execution of actions in response to communications events of one or more communications protocols that are generated in response to a variety of triggers. The method includes, at an event clearinghouse for receiving communications events, receiving a communications event that is associated with a trigger, the communications event having a first communication protocol, identifying an action to take in response to the communications event, identifying a target for the action, and initiating the identified action by or on behalf of the identified target, wherein the event clearinghouse supports a plurality of communications protocols.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for dynamic execution of actions in response to communications events of one or more communications protocols that are generated in response to a variety of triggers, the method comprising:
 at an event clearinghouse for receiving communications events:
 receiving a communications event that is associated with a trigger, the communications event having a first communication protocol; 
 identifying an action to take in response to the communications event; 
 identifying a target for the action; and 
 initiating the identified action by or on behalf of the identified target, wherein the event clearinghouse supports a plurality of communications protocols. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communications event is generated in response to detection of an event trigger, and the event trigger comprises at least one of:
 a visual trigger; 
 a near field communication trigger; 
 a radio frequency trigger; 
 a touch or contact trigger; 
 a proximity or presence trigger; 
 an audio or aural trigger; 
 a motion or acceleration trigger; and 
 a user input trigger. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  comprising receiving, at the event clearinghouse, a communications event that contains contextual information and using the contextual information to identify the action and/or the target for the action, and wherein the contextual information includes at least one of: location information, manufacturer information, product data, social networking information, and demographic information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the event clearinghouse allows registration and configuration of dynamically triggered events. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising providing an interface to consumers and producers for specifying and configuring: profile information, authentication information, login names, passwords, account settings, preferences, interests, and types of events, triggers, messages, and actions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the event clearinghouse is used to dynamically trigger actions associated with social networking and identifying a target for an action includes identifying a set of people that have expressed one or more common interests or a set of people that meet a set of criteria. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the identified action includes at least one of:
 notifying a set of people that they have expressed a common interest; and 
 notifying a person of the existence or location of another person meeting a set of criteria. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the event clearinghouse is used to dynamically trigger actions associated with retail manufacturing and receiving a communications event includes receiving information about a location, preference, or purchase of a consumer, wherein an identified action includes accepting bids from advertisers, manufacturers, or retailers. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein identifying a target includes identifying a consumer based on consumer profile information and advertiser profile information, and the event clearinghouse is used to dynamically trigger events associated with providing retail product support and receiving a communications event includes receiving signals from a device embedded in an article of clothing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein identifying a target for an action includes identifying a consumer who might be interested in the article of clothing. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein initiating an action includes notifying an identified consumer about at least one of a style, a color, and a nearest retail outlet associated with the article of clothing and the action includes providing product support or documentation to enhance an initial experience with a new customer and/or new product for a predetermined time period after purchase. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the event clearinghouse is used to dynamically trigger events associated with providing dating services and identifying a target for an action includes identifying a set of consumers that have expressed one or more common interests, and the action includes facilitating personal meetings between the identified set of consumers for dating, networking, recruiting, or community interaction. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the event clearinghouse is used to dynamically trigger events associated with monitoring a manufacturing process and effecting maintenance procedures and receiving a communications event includes receiving an indication of a number of items processed, wherein identifying a target for an action includes identifying equipment having processed a number of items above a threshold number, and the action comprises initiating a maintenance procedure for the identified equipment. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the event clearinghouse is used to dynamically trigger events associated with providing gaming, food, or beverage services and receiving a communications event includes receiving an indication of participant activity, wherein identifying a target for an action includes identifying a participant that has satisfied an activity requirement and the action comprises identifying a participant that has satisfied an activity requirement, providing an award to the participant, or providing notification of an award to the participant. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the event clearinghouse is used to dynamically trigger events associated with automotive applications and receiving a communications event includes receiving real-time or near real-time traffic information, wherein receiving traffic information includes receiving events that generated in response to detecting, by scanners installed at specified locations, triggers generated by transponders attached to automobiles. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the action includes provides real-time or near real-time alerts to drivers of traffic conditions and identifying a target for an action includes identifying drivers that are in proximity to detected traffic conditions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the event clearinghouse is used to dynamically trigger events associated with battlefield applications and receiving a communications event includes receiving the location of a detected explosive device, wherein identifying a target for an action includes identifying bomb disposal robots in the vicinity of the detected explosive device and the action includes instructing the bomb disposal robots to dispose of the detected explosive device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein receiving a communications event includes receiving the location of an injured soldier. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein identifying a target for an action includes identifying medical personnel in the vicinity of the injured soldier and the action includes deploying the identified medical personnel to the injured soldier. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein receiving a communications event includes receiving biometric data from military personnel outfitted with biometric sensors and identifying a target for an action includes using biometric data to identify military personnel having biometric readings that meet a health, location, or movement criterion, wherein the action includes reporting the health, location, or movement of the identified military personnel to a medical personnel or a commanding officer of the identified military personnel.