WO2013001159A1

WO2013001159A1 - Method and apparatus for providing audio-based item sharing

Info

Publication number: WO2013001159A1
Application number: PCT/FI2012/050632
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dhaval Jitendra Joshi
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2011-06-30
Filing date: 2012-06-19
Publication date: 2013-01-03

Abstract

In one example embodiment, an approach is provided for providing sharing using audio. The content manager causes, at least in part, determination of a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items. The content manager determines one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments. The content manager causes, at least in part, an initiation of the one or more sharing operations via a playback, a recognition, or a combination thereof of the one or more audio segments.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AUDIO-BASED ITEM SHARING

BACKGROUND Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. One area of interest has been the development of user-friendly mobile devices and services for such devices. For example, mobile devices are now equipped with audio sampling, touch capabilities, zoom-in/zoom-out functions, Near Field Communication (NFC) or other short-range wireless technologies, etc. In addition, applications, websites, and other content items are being developed specifically for mobile devices, and services also exist to provide mobile device users with easier access to these content items. Nonetheless, content retrieval and/or installation still require numerous user actions, such as having to enter web addresses into mobile devices to access websites, scrolling on the website to find buttons/icons to select, tapping buttons/icons to obtain content, etc. As such, service providers and device manufacturers face significant technical challenges to making content retrieval and/or installation more user-friendly.

SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Therefore, there is a need for an approach for automating content sharing while leveraging existing device capabilities (e.g., audio playback, capture, and/or processing capabilities).

According to one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items. The method also comprises determining one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments. The method further comprises causing, at least in part, an initiation of the one or more sharing operations via a playback, a recognition, or a combination thereof of the one or more audio segments. According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more computer programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to receive a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items. The apparatus is also caused to determine one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments. The apparatus is further caused to determine one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to receive a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items. The apparatus is also caused to determine one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments. The apparatus is further caused to determine one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises means for receiving a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items. The apparatus also comprises means for determining one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments. The apparatus further comprises means for determining one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments.

In addition, for various example embodiments of the invention, the following is applicable: a method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on (or derived at least in part from) any one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention. For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform any one or any combination of network or service provider methods (or processes) disclosed in this application. For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods or processes disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

For various example embodiments of the invention, the following is also applicable: a method comprising creating and/or modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based at least in part on data and/or information resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention, and/or at least one signal resulting from one or any combination of methods (or processes) disclosed in this application as relevant to any embodiment of the invention.

In various example embodiments, the methods (or processes) can be accomplished on the service provider side or on the mobile device side or in any shared way between service provider and mobile device with actions being performed on both sides.

For various example embodiments, the following is applicable: An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of originally filed claims 1 -20 and 36-38.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of particular embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. The invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of sharing items using audio, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of content manager, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for sharing items using audio, according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for receiving an audio segment to share one or more items, according to one embodiment

FIGs. 5A-6C are diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the processes of FIG. 3 and 4, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is a diagram of a chip set that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for sharing items using audio segments or signatures are disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system capable of sharing items using audio, according to one embodiment. As discussed, recent technological advances and developments have made mobile devices more user-friendly. For example, many mobile devices are now equipped with audio sampling and recognition, touch capabilities, zoom-in/zoom-out functions, Near Field Communication (NFC) or other short-range wireless technologies, etc. Moreover, applications, websites, and other content items are developed specifically for mobile devices, and services also exist to provide mobile device users with easier access to these content items. However, sharing of the content items is still usually done through word of mouth or sharing information via an electronic medium where a user may recommend one or more content items to members within their social network. In such cases, the recommendation is usually a set of instructions that may be too open-ended or loose for the user to follow conveniently. For example, the recommendation may be a set of instructions such as, "Go to an online application store and search for an application. When you see the page, download from there," or, "Google the application, and check the search results." Such instructions may contain a high margin of error, inconvenience, and the interested user may forget the instructions by the time he/she has the leisure to download the content item. On the content item developer's side, such existing methods of sharing could be made easier to facilitate exposure for their products. For instance with the content item, applications, there is no shortage of applications, but discovery of applications is not intuitive. Making application retrieval and installation more automatic may aid proliferation of a developer's application.

To address this problem, a system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the capability to share content items using audio. In one embodiment, the system 100 creates associations between items to be shared (e.g., applications) and one or more audio segments or signatures (e.g., an audio tune). Based on these associations, a sharing device plays the one or more audio segments or signatures and an interested device captures and processes audio segments for recognition. Once the audio segment or signature (e.g., a tune or other sound) is identified to be associated with an item (e.g., an application), the details of the item such as description, price, author, etc., and, for instance, a download link is made available to the interested device. Thus, the device interested or targeted device can download the item directly from the link without have to search for the item.

More specifically, in one embodiment, the system 100 may associate a content item with an audio segment that serves as an audio signature for the item. For instance, an application or other item to be shared may have an audio segment associated with it that acts as an identifier or signature for the application. In this way, the system 100 enables devices to playback and/or "listen" to the audio signatures to identify associated items (e.g., the application) for sharing. The sharing may include providing links and/or other information to enable receiving devices to obtain the content.

In one embodiment, the system 100 enables content providers to register the association of items and their respective audio signatures for use by existing applications and/or services. For example, registration may include creating a database of the item/audio signature associations so that the audio segment or segment may be available to existing music search services. Accordingly, playing an audio segment may automatically cause a receiving, "listening" device to sample the audio information being played back by a sharing device, identify one or more audio signatures or segments in the sampled audio information, and consequently determine the content item represented by the audio segment from, e.g., the registration information. Given the example where the content item is an application, once the application associated with the audio segment is found, details of the application such as description, price, author, download link, etc. may be made available to the "listening" device. The "listening" target device may then download the application direction from the automatically generated interface, without the user having to manually searching for the application. In other words, to share an application or other item, a "sending" device can initiate playback of the audio signature associated with the application or item for capture and/or recognition by one or more receiving devices. As a result, the system 100 advantageously reduces the number of manual steps associated with traditional means for sharing applications or items between devices. Although various embodiments of the approach described herein are discussed with respect to sharing applications. It is contemplated that the any item may be associated with an audio signature for sharing. By way of example, the items may also include, at least in part, bookmarks, playlists, ringtones, personal settings, and/or device properties, and/or the like.

As briefly discussed above, in one embodiment, the audio segments may be registered to a database accessible to music recognition services and/or any other service or application capable of recognizing audio samples. The audio segment or signature may then be identified using available music search and recognition services such as Shazam, or any comparable service.

Once the audio segment is identified as existing in the database, the associated content item, description, download link, and/or other associated data may be displayed automatically or otherwise presented to facilitate sharing. Thus, the content item may be shared and/or downloaded directly by playback, capture, and recognition of the corresponding audio signature, without requiring the user to search manually for the content item.

Examples of such audio-based sharing may involve device-to-device playback, or a broadcast such as radio or television, or any audio-playing means. For instance in one scenario, a user may be interested in a content item installed on the device of a friend. In this case, the content item may be an application. Instead of having to search for the application, the user may ask the friend to click a "Play to Share" option from the application that may cause the device to play the audio segment associated with the application. The user's device may then receive the segment and, using a music recognition service, identify the associated application. From there, the user's device may display all the relevant information about the application on the user's device and provide a direct download link so the user may download the application without going to the Application store or searching online. In another scenario, the audio segment may be broadcast over any audio-playing means so that devices within range of the audio broadcast can process the audio to obtain the associated item or items. For example, a store may play an audio segment to automatically prompt customers to download an application alerting customers to special sales promotions in the store. Alternately, audio segments may be broadcast during concerts to give concertgoers and their devices access to information on the band, song, or special downloads. The same can be done over the radio, television, or the movies to provide users further information on the promoted content or related content. As seen from this scenario, no extra hardware (such as NFC) is needed to trigger the display of supplemental information, hence the system 100 provides for increased scope of better scalability to a wider range of devices with varying capabilities.

In particular embodiments, the playback, recognition, or a combination thereof performed by participating devices may be performed by one or more applications, one or more services, or a combination thereof. Devices, users, and promoters have a variety of options in the means of transmitting the audio segment for playback, as seen from the scenarios above. Within a device, various applications may also be used to play an audio segment. Regarding recognition, Shazam, an existing music recognition service may be one option. However, any comparable service or application would be sufficient for recognizing the audio segment.

In one embodiment, if audio signatures are similar or the recognition service is unable to pinpoint specifically one or more content items, the receiving device may display the possible content items that seem related or otherwise match to the audio segment. For instance, if the audio segment seems to implicate more than one content item, the receiving device may yield a user interface with all the content items and prompt the user to select the intended, relevant content item. In one variation, the user may be provided with an option to re-sample or continue sampling the audio segment, in case the content item of interest is not yet displayed.

The audio segment need not be long in duration to be associated with content. The audio segment simply may serve as a signature for one or more items if it is determined to represent one or more items. The audio segment may serve as a signature for one or more items or be associated with one or more items by pre-configuring the association between the audio segment and item, with one or more devices, one or more services, one or more applications, or a combination thereof associated with one or more sharing operations. In some embodiments, the audio signatures may be associated with classes or categories of items. For example, an audio signature may be associated with a particular vendor such that recognition of the audio signature can result in presentation of at least a selection of items associated with the vendor.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the system 100 comprises a user equipment (UE) 101 or multiple UEs 101 or (UEs lOla-lOln) having connectivity to a service platform 103 via a communication network 105. The UE 101 may include or have access to a content manager 107 to enable the UE 101 to interact with one or more audio segments 109 (or audio segments 109a- 109k), the service platform 103, one or more services 1 11 (or services 1 1 la-1 1 lp) of the service platform 103, one or more content providers 1 13 (or content providers 1 13a-l 13m), etc. By way of example, the one or more audio segments 109 may include at least one association to one or more content items. The content items may, for instance, be provided by the service platform 103, the one or more services 11 1 , the one or more content providers 1 13, and/or other services available over the communication network 105. For example, a particular service 111 (e.g., a music or video service) may obtain content (e.g., media content) from a particular content provider 113 to offer the content to the UE 101. Accordingly, the association may be a link or some other identifier that points to a memory or storage location associated with the service platform 103, the services 11 1, and/or the content providers 113.

By way of example, the communication network 105 of system 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network, a wireless network, a telephony network, or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the Internet), short range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially owned, proprietary packet-switched network, e.g., a proprietary cable or fiberoptic network, and the like, or any combination thereof. In addition, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), wireless LAN (WLAN), Bluetooth®, Internet Protocol (IP) data casting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), and the like, or any combination thereof.

The UE 101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, personal communication system (PCS) device, personal navigation device, personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, game device, or any combination thereof, including the accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE 101 can support any type of interface to the user (such as "wearable" circuitry, etc.).

In one embodiment, the content provider 113 may receive a request to perform one or more sharing operations using the communication network 105 on one or more items provided by the service platform 103, one or more services 1 1 1 , and/or one or more content providers 1 13. The one or more items may be installed on one or more UEs 101 , and monitored by respective content managers 107. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more content providers 1 13 may determine one or more associations among one or more items and one or more audio segments 109. The one or more associations may be preconfigured with one or more UEs 101 , one or more services 11 1, one or more applications via UEs 101 and content managers 107, or a combination thereof. In one example, the association may be registered previously, such that the audio segment 109 is associated specifically with one or more content item. As a corollary example, every content item may have an audio segment 109 associated with it, as set by content provider 113, which provides the content item.

In one embodiment, the association between audio segments 109 and content items may be made or stored by the content provider 1 13. The content provider 1 13 may have the association for identification purposes, such as permitting the audio segments 109 to serve as audio signatures for the items associated. In this way, the audio segments 109 may be specific and/or unique to the associated one or more content items. In one possible instance, the one or more associations may be based, at least in part, on one or more categories of the one or more items. For example, a given audio segment may be associated with categories such as Games, Reference, or Lifestyle applications. Playing the "Games" audio segment may trigger the UE 101 to display all the available applications on a device categorized under Games.

In one embodiment, the association may be accessible to, at least in part, service platform 103, services 1 11 , and UEs 101 , or some combination thereof. This way, service platform 103 and/or one or more services 1 1 1 may identify or broadcast the audio segment 109 to initiate some type of sharing operation. For sharing, in one embodiment, a content manager 107 may determine to initiate sharing of the one or more content items. Upon initiation at the UE 101 of this first content manager 107, content provider 1 13 may provide the audio segment 109 associated with the content item to be output by the first content manager 107. Initiation may be based on detection of the one or more devices by device 101 , selection of one or more devices, selection of the one or more content items, etc. Moreover, content manager 107 from one or more target or receiving UE 101s may cause retrieval and/or installation of the one or more content items on the respective UE 101s. To do this, target content managers 107 may sample audio segments 109, and then employ service platform 103 and/or one or more services 1 11 to find the association between content item and audio segment, as given by content provider 113. Upon identification of the associated content item, target content manager 107 may retrieve metadata associated the one or more content items and present the data to the user. For example, metadata may include, at least in part, description information, price information, authorship information, download information, or a combination thereof for the one or more content items. Then, content manager 107 and/or user may install or facilitate installation of the one or more content items of interest on its UE 101.

As mentioned previously, content manager 107 may be prompted to retrieve or install one or more content items in response to audio segments 109 dispensed by various means. The embodiment above describes device-to-device playback as one possibility. Alternately, broadcasts, a combination of broadcast and device-to-device playback, or any comparable and/or related audio-playing means may trigger sharing operations. The content manager 107 may sample the audio segment 109 from almost any source to decipher the associated content item. By way of example, the UE 101, the service platform 103, the audio segments 109, and the content providers 1 13 communicate with each other and other components of the communication network 105 using well known, new or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how the network nodes within the communication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information indicated by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model.

Communications between the network nodes are typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically comprises (1) header information associated with a particular protocol, and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that may be processed independently of that particular protocol. In some protocols, the packet includes (3) trailer information following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other properties used by the protocol. Often, the data in the payload for the particular protocol includes a header and payload for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI Reference Model. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates a type for the next protocol contained in its payload. The higher layer protocol is said to be encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the Internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data-link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, and various application (layer 5, layer 6 and layer 7) headers as defined by the OSI Reference Model.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of the content manager 107 according to one embodiment. By way of example, the content manager 107 includes one or more components for providing audio-based sharing of content items. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality either locally at the UE 101 or remotely over the communication network 105. In this embodiment, the content manager 107 includes control logic 201 , sampling module 203, recognition module 205, installation module 207, communication interface 209, and memory 211.

The control logic 201 executes at least one algorithm for executing functions of the content manager 107. For example, the control logic 201 may interact with the sampling module to initiate audio sampling. Immediately, periodically, at various intervals, or at of some combination thereof, the control logic 201 may direct the recognition module 205 to analyze the audio input from the sampled audio segment. Moreover, the recognition module 205 may also process the audio segment to determine an association to a content item. In addition, the recognition module 205 may handle validating security information regarding the associated content item. For example, recognition module 205 may filter information associated with the content item in question to make sure the information was from trustworthy providers.

Next, the control logic 201 may work with the installation module 207 to retrieve and/or install the content item. By way of example, the installation module 209 may analyze one or more criteria associated with the content item in the retrieval of the content item, and/or the installation of the content item. In other words, the installation module 209 may interact with the service platform 103, one or more services 11 1, or one or more content providers 113 to determine metadata associated with the one or more content items. Instances of such metadata include, at least in part, description information, price information, authorship information, compatibility information, resource usage criterion, or any combination thereof, to determine whether to retrieve and/or install the content item. In some scenarios, a music recognition service such as Shazam may provide both the association identification in the recognition module 207 and the metadata in the installation module 209.

The installation module 209 may collect the metadata such that the one or more items may be installed without further interaction from the user. Alternately, the installation module 209 may request actions from the user prior to retrieving and/or installing the content item. One form of requesting actions from the user may require the installation module 209 to render a presentation of the one or more items, the metadata, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the control logic 201 may also utilize the communication interface 209 to communicate with other components of the content manager 107, the UEs 101 , the service platform 103, the audio segments 109, the content providers 113, and other components of the system 100. The communication interface 211 may include multiple means of communication. For example, the communication interface 21 1 may be able to communicate over SMS, internet protocol, instant messaging, voice sessions (e.g., via a phone network), or other types of communication.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for assigning audio segments as audio signatures, then using the audio segments to share one or more content items, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the content manager 107 performs the process 300 and is implemented in, for instance, a chip set including a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 8. As such, the control logic 201 can provide means for accomplishing various parts of the process 300 as well as means for accomplishing other processes in conjunction with other components of the content manager 107.

In step 301 , the content provider 1 13 may determine to associate one or more items with one or more audio segments. Exemplary items include, at least in part, at least in part, applications, bookmarks, playlists, ringtones, personal settings, and/or device properties, or a combination thereof. The associated audio segment may be almost any audio information, of any length. For example, an audio segment containing a short series of bird chirps may be determined for a content item that is a game involving birds. The one or more associations may also be based, at least in part, on one or more categories of the one or more items. For instance, a short series of bird chirps may set as being associated with all the items from a specific developer. The association between one or more content items and one or more audio segments may take a variety of forms.

Step 303 may be a corollary of step 301 , where the content provider 1 13 may determine to represent the one or more items by using the one or more segments as one or more audio signatures, wherein the one or more associations are based, at least in part, on the one or more audio signatures. In one embodiment, an audio signature may mean that the audio segment may exclusively represent the one or more items. The audio segment may be of any length sufficient enough to serve as an audio signature.

In step 305, content provider 1 13 may determine to pre-configure the one or more associations with one or more devices, one or more services, one or more applications, or a combination thereof associated with the one or more sharing operations. This may mean that the associations made by the content provider 1 13 are made available to the service platform 103 and/or one or more services 1 11 in order for the service platform 103 and/or one or more services 1 11 to trigger sharing operations on requesting UEs 101.

Through steps 301 -305, one or more items are compared with one or more audio segments, where the association between the one or more items and one or more audio segments may be used to perform more actions on UEs 101. The actions that follow association may be that a UE 101 may either output or receive the association. If the UE 101 outputs the association, there may be one or more target UEs 101 that may retrieve and/install the associated content. If the UE 101 receives the association, the UE 101 is the target UE 101 who may retrieve and/or install the associated content or items. To do this, UEs 101 perform 307-311.

In step 307, a UE 101 and content manager 107 may receive a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items. The request may come from another UE 101 , service platform 103, or one or more services 11 1. In response, UE 101 may determine one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments (step 309). As previously discussed, the associations may be preconfigured by the content provider 1 13 and made available throughout the communication network 105.

With the association made, the content manager 107 at step 311 causes, at least in part, an initiation of the one or more sharing operations via a playback, a recognition, or a combination thereof of the one or more audio segments. The one or more sharing operations are the operations requested from step 307. Examples of the operations include causing, at least in part, the playback, the recognition, or a combination thereof to be performed by the one or more applications, the one or more services, or a combination thereof. Of this, the playback of the one or more audio segments is performed, at least in part, via a device-to-device playback, a broadcast, or a combination thereof. FIG. 4 is a more focused flowchart of a process 400 for receiving an audio signature, and retrieving and/or installing the associated item in response. In step 401 , the sampling module 205 may be causing, at least in part, at least one sampling of audio information. Sampling may be done via various means available to UEs 101. Step 403 of finding the audio segment 109 in a database involves the control logic 201 and recognition module 207 processing and/or facilitating a processing of the audio information to cause, at least in part, the recognition of at least one of the one or more audio segments. As previously discussed, such recognition may be performed by music recognition applications such as Shazam.

Step 405 involves the control logic 201 and recognition module 207 determining the one or more items associated with the at least one of the one or more audio segments. Process 300 may be involved in carrying out step 405, where the control logic 201 determines the one or more item relevant to the one or more audio segments. Step 407 may collect other data associated with the item directly associated with the audio segments by determining metadata associated with the one or more items. In one embodiment, metadata may include, at least in part, description information, price information, authorship information, download information, or a combination thereof.

For the final step of 409 where the user may initiate sharing by determining whether or not to install the retrieved item. To do this, control logic 201 may cause, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more items, the metadata, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the presentation is a rendering of the one or more items and select metadata in a user interface permitting the user to install and/or further share the item.

FIGs. 5A-6C are diagrams of example user interfaces utilized in the processes of FIG. 3, according to various embodiments. FIGs. 5A-5C are diagrams of example user interfaces utilized in steps 307-311 for FIG. 3, according to various embodiments. FIG. 5 A illustrates a user interface 500 that features a collection of buttons for applications 501 and 503. As shown in user interface 520 of FIG. 5B, the user has selected a "Money App" application (e.g., by tapping the icon, by pressing and holding the icon for a period of time, etc.). As shown, the Money App is highlighted with outline 505 to indicate the selection. As a result in interface 540 of FIG. 5C, list 507 appears to present the buttons 509, 511 , 513, offering respectively, to Open, Play to Share, or Remove the application. Selecting button 511 , "Play to Share," may cause, at least in part, UE 101 to play the audio segment associated with the Money App for the purpose of triggering a receiving UE 101 to sample, recognize, and potentially install the Money App.

FIGs. 6A-6C are diagrams of example user interfaces used in the process of FIG. 3, in conjunction with the process of FIG. 4. Continuing from FIG. 5C, user interface 600 of FIG. 6A displays an indicator 601 to visually show it is playing the audio segment that signifies the Money App. As shown in user interface 620 of FIG. 6B, the receiving UE 101 may contain also contain an indicator 603 that visually shows receiving or sampling of the audio segment. In this way, the users may have an idea of how much time is left before the end of the audio segment, if there are any glitches in the audio, and/or visualize the audio if the audio may not be heard clearly. Once the sampling is complete and the associated item identified, in one embodiment, user interface 640 may appear (Fig. 6C), displaying the relevant application 501 and a button to initiate download 607.

The processes described herein for sharing items using audio may be advantageously implemented via software, hardware, firmware or a combination of software and/or firmware and/or hardware. For example, the processes described herein, may be advantageously implemented via processors), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. Such exemplary hardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

FIG. 7 illustrates a computer system 700 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer system 700 is depicted with respect to a particular device or equipment, it is contemplated that other devices or equipment (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) within FIG. 7 can deploy the illustrated hardware and components of system 700. Computer system 700 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to share items using audio as described herein and includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 710 for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system 700. Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, subatomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. Computer system 700, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of sharing items using audio.

A bus 710 includes one or more parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus 710. One or more processors 702 for processing information are coupled with the bus 710.

A processor (or multiple processors) 702 performs a set of operations on information as specified by computer program code related to sharing items using audio. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. The code, for example, may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native instruction set of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., machine language). The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 710 and placing information on the bus 710. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication or logical operations like OR, exclusive OR (XOR), and AND. Each operation of the set of operations that can be performed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 702, such as a sequence of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also called computer system instructions or, simply, computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination. Computer system 700 also includes a memory 704 coupled to bus 710. The memory 704, such as a random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for sharing items using audio. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system 700. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 704 is also used by the processor 702 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. The computer system 700 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 706 or any other static storage device coupled to the bus 710 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system 700. Some memory is composed of volatile storage that loses the information stored thereon when power is lost. Also coupled to bus 710 is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device 708, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system 700 is turned off or otherwise loses power. Information, including instructions for sharing items using audio, is provided to the bus 710 for use by the processor from an external input device 712, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, a microphone, an Infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, a touch screen, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression compatible with the measurable phenomenon used to represent information in computer system 700. Other external devices coupled to bus 710, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device 714, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a plasma screen, or a printer for presenting text or images, and a pointing device 716, such as a mouse, a trackball, cursor direction keys, or a motion sensor, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 714 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 714. In some embodiments, for example, in embodiments in which the computer system 700 performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device 712, display device 714 and pointing device 716 is omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 720, is coupled to bus 710. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor 702 quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of ASICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display 714, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware. Computer system 700 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 770 coupled to bus 710. Communication interface 770 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link 778 that is connected to a local network 780 to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface 770 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface 770 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface 770 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 710 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface 770 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communications interface 770 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in wireless handheld devices, such as mobile telephones like cell phones, the communications interface 770 includes a radio band electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface 770 enables connection to the communication network 105 for sharing items using audio to the UE 101.

The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 702, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-transitory media, such as nonvolatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 708. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 704. Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission media. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media.

Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC 720.

Network link 778 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link 778 may provide a connection through local network 780 to a host computer 782 or to equipment 784 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 784 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet 790.

A computer called a server host 792 connected to the Internet hosts a process that provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server host 792 hosts a process that provides information representing video data for presentation at display 714. It is contemplated that the components of system 700 can be deployed in various configurations within other computer systems, e.g., host 782 and server 792.

At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 700 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 700 in response to processor 702 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory 704. Such instructions, also called computer instructions, software and program code, may be read into memory 704 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device 708 or network link 778. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 704 causes processor 702 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC 720, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link 778 and other networks through communications interface 770, carry information to and from computer system 700. Computer system 700 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 780, 790 among others, through network link 778 and communications interface 770. In an example using the Internet 790, a server host 792 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 700, through Internet 790, ISP equipment 784, local network 780 and communications interface 770. The received code may be executed by processor 702 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 704 or in storage device 708 or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 700 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave. Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 702 for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 782. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system 700 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as the network link 778. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 770 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 710. Bus 710 carries the information to memory 704 from which processor 702 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory 704 may optionally be stored on storage device 708, either before or after execution by the processor 702.

FIG. 8 illustrates a chip set or chip 800 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 800 is programmed to share items using audio described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 7 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set 800 can be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set or chip 800 can be implemented as a single "system on a chip." It is further contemplated that in certain embodiments a separate ASIC would not be used, for example, and that all relevant functions as disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing user interface navigation information associated with the availability of functions. Chip set or chip 800, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of sharing items using audio. In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 800 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 801 for passing information among the components of the chip set 800. A processor 803 has connectivity to the bus 801 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 805. The processor 803 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 803 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 801 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 803 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 807, or one or more application- specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 809. A DSP 807 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 803. Similarly, an ASIC 809 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a more general purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), one or more controllers, or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 800 includes merely one or more processors and some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relating to and/or for the one or more processors.

The processor 803 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 805 via the bus 801. The memory 805 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the inventive steps described herein to share items using audio. The memory 805 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of the inventive steps.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobile terminal 901, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of sharing items using audio. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application and if applicable to the particular context, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.

Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 905, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit 907 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps of sharing items using audio. The display 907 includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display 907 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry 909 includes a microphone 91 1 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 91 1. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 91 1 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 913.

A radio section 915 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 917. The power amplifier (PA) 919 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU 903, with an output from the PA 919 coupled to the duplexer 921 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA 919 also couples to a battery interface and power control unit 920.

In use, a user of mobile terminal 901 speaks into the microphone 91 1 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 923. The control unit 903 routes the digital signal into the DSP 905 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 925 for compensation of any frequency- dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 927 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface 929. The modulator 927 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up- converter 931 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 927 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 933 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA 919 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 919 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 905 from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer 921 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 935 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 917 to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 901 are received via antenna 917 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 937. A down-converter 939 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 941 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer 925 and is processed by the DSP 905. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 943 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 945, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 903 which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The MCU 903 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 947. The keyboard 947 and/or the MCU 903 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 91 1) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU 903 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 901 to share items using audio. The MCU 903 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 907 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU 903 exchanges information with the DSP 905 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 949 and a memory 951. In addition, the MCU 903 executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP 905 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 905 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 91 1 and sets the gain of microphone 91 1 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 901. The CODEC 913 includes the ADC 923 and DAC 943. The memory 951 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. The memory device 951 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memory storage, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.

An optionally incorporated SIM card 949 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card 949 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 901 on a radio network. The card 949 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings. While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the following:

a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items;

one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments; and an initiation of the one or more sharing operations via a playback, a recognition, or a

combination thereof of the one or more audio segments.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one determination to represent the one or more items by using the one or more audio segments as one or more audio signatures,

wherein the one or more associations are based, at least in part, on the one or more audio signatures.

3. A method of any of claims 1-2, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one determination to pre-configure the one or more associations with one or more devices, one or more services, one or more applications, or a combination thereof associated with the one or more sharing operations.

4. A method of claim 3, further comprising:

the playback, the recognition, or a combination thereof caused, at least in part, to be

performed by the one or more applications, the one or more services, or a combination thereof.

5. A method of any of claims 1 -4, wherein the playback of the one or more audio segments is performed, at least in part, via a device-to-device playback, a broadcast, or a combination thereof.

6. A method of any of claims 1-5, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one sampling of audio information;

a processing of the audio information to cause, at least in part, the recognition of at least one of the one or more audio segments; and

at least one determination of the one or more items associated with the at least one of the one or more audio segments.

7. A method of claim 6, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

determining metadata associated with the one or more items; and

causing, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more items, the metadata, or a

combination thereof.

8. A method of any of claims 6-7, wherein the metadata include, at least in part, description information, price information, authorship information, download information, or a combination thereof.

9. A method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the one or more associations are based, at least in part, on one or more categories of the one or items.

10. A method of any of claims 1-9, wherein the one or more items includes, at least in part, applications, bookmarks, playlists, ringtones, personal settings, and/or device properties, or a combination thereof.

11. A method comprising:

determining a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items; determining one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments; and

causing, at least in part, an initiation of the one or more sharing operations via a playback, a recognition, or a combination thereof of the one or more audio segments.

12. A method of claim 1 1, further comprising:

determining to represent the one or more items by using the one or more audio segments as one or more audio signatures,

13. A method of any of claims 11 -12, further comprising:

determining to pre-configure the one or more associations with one or more devices, one or more services, one or more applications, or a combination thereof associated with the one or more sharing operations.

14. A method of claim 13, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, the playback, the recognition, or a combination thereof to be

15. A method of any of claims 11-14, wherein the playback of the one or more audio segments is performed, at least in part, via a device-to-device playback, a broadcast, or a combination thereof.

16. A method of any of claims 11 -15, further comprising:

causing, at least in part, at least one sampling of audio information;

processing and/or facilitating a processing of the audio information to cause, at least in part, the recognition of at least one of the one or more audio segments; and

determining the one or more items associated with the at least one of the one or more audio segments.

17. A method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining metadata associated with the one or more items; and

combination thereof.

18. A method of any of claims 16-17, wherein the metadata include, at least in part, description information, price information, authorship information, download information, or a combination thereof.

19. A method of any of claims 11 -18, wherein the one or more associations are based, at least in part, on one or more categories of the one or items.

20. A method of any of claims 11 -19, wherein the one or more items includes, at least in part, applications, bookmarks, playlists, ringtones, personal settings, and/or device properties, or a combination thereof.

21. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

determine a request to perform one or more sharing operations on one or more items; determine one or more associations among the one or more items and one or more audio segments; and

cause, at least in part, an initiation of the one or more sharing operations via a playback, a recognition, or a combination thereof of the one or more audio segments.

22. An apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to represent the one or more items by using the one or more audio segments as one or more audio signatures,

23. An apparatus of any of claims 21-22, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine to pre-configure the one or more associations with one or more devices, one or more services, one or more applications, or a combination thereof associated with the one or more sharing operations.

24. An apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, the playback, the recognition, or a combination thereof to be performed by the one or more applications, the one or more services, or a combination thereof.

25. An apparatus of any of claims 21 -24, wherein the playback of the one or more audio segments is performed, at least in part, via a device-to-device playback, a broadcast, or a combination thereof.

26. An apparatus of any of claims 21-25, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

cause, at least in part, at least one sampling of audio information;

process and/or facilitate a processing of the audio information to cause, at least in part, the recognition of at least one of the one or more audio segments; and

determine the one or more items associated with the at least one of the one or more audio segments.

27. An apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine metadata associated with the one or more items; and

cause, at least in part, a presentation of the one or more items, the metadata, or a combination thereof.

28. An apparatus of any of claims 26-27, wherein the metadata include, at least in part, description information, price information, authorship information, download information, or a combination thereof.

29. An apparatus of any of claims 21-28, wherein the one or more associations are based, at least in part, on one or more categories of the one or items.

30. An apparatus of any of claims 21-29, wherein the one or more items includes, at least in part, applications, bookmarks, playlists, ringtones, personal settings, and/or device properties, or a combination thereof.

31. An apparatus of any of claims 21-30, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising:

user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile phone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone.

32. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform a method of at least one of claims 1-10 and/or 11-20.

33. An apparatus comprising means for performing a method of at least one of claims 1-10 and/or 1 1-20.

34. An apparatus of claim 33, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising: user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile phone through use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

35. A computer program product including one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the steps of a method of at least one of claims 1-10 and/or 1 1-20.

36. A method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform a method of at least one of claims 1-10 and/or 11 -20.

37. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the method of any of claims 1 -10 and/or 11 -20.

38. A method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on the method of any of claims 1 -10 and/or 11-20.