Device-to-Device Network Membership Confirmation

A computer-program product for use in conjunction with an electronic device, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a computer-program mechanism embedded therein to communicate a message, the computer-program mechanism including:

• instructions for confirming that a second instance of the electronic device in a group is associated with a provider of the electronic device, wherein the second instance of the electronic device is associated with a second user in a device-to-device network, and wherein the group includes one or more other instances of the electronic device in a device-to-device network of a user of the electronic device;
• and
• instructions for communicating, when the association is confirmed, the message to the second instance of the electronic device at a location specified by a pre-established and maintained association between the electronic device and the second instance of the electronic device;
• wherein the association is maintained tor longer time than the dynamic connection;
• and
• wherein the communicating involves at least a dynamic connection that is based on the association and that is set up by the electronic device without assistance of a computer in another network, which conveys the communication between the electronic device and the second instance of the electronic device via at least a non-wireless communication technique.

An electronic-device-implemented method for communicating a message, wherein the method comprises:

• confirming that a second instance of the electronic device in a group is associated with a provider of the electronic device, wherein the second instance of the electronic device is associated with a second user in a device-to-device network and wherein the group includes one or more other instances of the electronic device in a device-to-device network of a user of the electronic device;
• and
• communicating, when the association is confirmed, the message to the second instance of the electronic device at a location specified, by a pre-established and maintained association between the electronic device and the second instance of the electronic device;
• wherein the association is maintained for longer time than the dynamic connection;
• and
• wherein the communicating involves at least a dynamic connection that is based on the association and that is set up by the electronic device without assistance of a computer in another network, which conveys the communication between the electronic device and the second instance of the electronic device via at least a non-wireless communication technique.