Methods of locating data spots and networks and user equipment for using the same

A method of providing content to a first network user from a network controller, the method comprising:

• receiving, at the network controller, a request for content from the first network user, the content not being currently available at a geographic position of the first network user;
• determining, at the network controller, available transmission resources, the transmission resources including at least a second network user acting as an ad hoc hotspot by transmitting data via sideloading, the second network user having a geographic position associated therewith;
• determining, at the network controller, characteristics of the transmission resources, the characteristics including content available at the transmission resources;
• positioning at least one of the transmission resources as a data spot, the data spot selected based on the content available at the transmission resources, the content requested by the first network user and the geographic position of the transmission resources in relation to the geographic position of the first network user, the geographic position of the first and second network users being dynamic;
• transmitting, from the network controller to the first network user, the position of the data spot;
• determining a change in the geographic position of the transmission resources in relation to the geographic position of the first network user;
• and
• repeating the transmitting of the geographic position of the data spot to the first network user based on the determined change, wherein
• the data spot is further selected from the transmission resources based on a compatibility in communication protocols between the first network user and the transmission resources and a capability of the first network user to receive the data via the sideloading.

A central station for a network configured to provide data spot information to network users wirelessly connected to the network, the central station comprising:

• a network controller configured to,
• determine, at the network controller, available transmission resources, the transmission resources including at least a first network users acting as an ad hoc hotspot by transmitting data via sideloading, the first network users having a geographic position associated therewith;
• determine, at the network controller, characteristics of a the transmission resources, the characteristics including a geographic position of the transmission resource and content available at the transmission resource;
• determine, at the network controller, a geographic position of a data spot selected from the transmission resources, the data spot selected based on the content available at the transmission resources, a content requested by a second network users and the geographic position of the transmission resources in relation to a geographic position of the second network user, the geographic position of the first and second network users being dynamic;
• transmit, from the network controller to the second network user, the geographic position of the data spot;
• determine a change in the geographic position of the transmission resources in relation to the geographic position of the second network user and
• repeat the transmitting of the geographic position of the data spot to the second network users based on the determined change, wherein the data spot is further selected from the transmission resources based on a compatibility in communication protocols between the second network user and the transmission resources and a capability of the second network users to receive the data via the sideloading.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code that when executed performs a method comprising:

• determining, at a network controller, available transmission resources, the transmission resources including at least a first network user acting as an ad hoc hotspot by transmitting data via sideloading, the first network user having a geographic position associated therewith;
• determining, at the network controller, characteristics of a the transmission resources, the characteristics including a geographic position of the transmission resource and content available at the transmission resource;
• determining, at the network controller, a geographic position of a data spot selected from the transmission resources, the data spot selected based on the content available at the transmission resources, a content requested by a second network user, the geographic position of the transmission resources in relation to a geographic position of the second network user, the geographic position of the first and second network users being dynamic;
• transmitting, from a network controller to the second network user, the geographic position of the data spot determining a change in the geographic position of the transmission resources in relation to the geographic position of the second network user;
• and
• repeating the transmitting of the geographic position of the data spot to the second network user based on the determined change, wherein
• the data spot is further selected from the transmission resources based on a compatibility in communication protocols between the second network user and the transmission resources and a capability of the second network user to receive the data via the sideloading.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code that when executed performs a method comprising:

• receiving, at a first network user from a network controller, a geographic position of a data spot, the data spot being selected from transmission resources by the network controller, the transmission resources including at least a second network user acting as an ad hoc hotspot by transmitting data via sideloading, the second network user having a geographic position associated therewith, the selection based on content available at the transmission resources, content requested by the first network user and a geographic position of the transmission resources in relation to a geographic position of the first network user, the geographic position of the first and second network users being dynamic;
• determining a change in the geographic position of the transmission resources in relation to the geographic position of the first network user;
• and
• repeating the transmitting of the geographic position of the data spot to the first network user based on the determined change, wherein
• the data spot is further selected from the transmission resources based on a compatibility in communication protocols between the first network user and the transmission resources and a capability of the first network user to receive the data via the sideloading.