Profile-Based Ad Hoc Social Networking Using Wi-Fi Direct on the Top of Android

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Wi-Fi Direct-based ad-hoc social networking system on Android devices that enables interest-based user matching and private communication without centralized infrastructure.

Contribution

It presents a novel architecture and implementation for interest-based ad-hoc social networks on Android using Wi-Fi Direct, without requiring rooting or centralized servers.

Findings

Supports interest filtering within 200 meters Wi-Fi range

Enables peer-to-peer group formation based on user profiles

Facilitates private communication without network infrastructure

Abstract

Ad-hoc Social Networks have become popular to support novel applications related to location-based mobile services that are of great importance to users and businesses. Unlike traditional social services using a centralized server to fetch location, ad-hoc social network services support infrastructure less real-time social networking. It allows users to collaborate and share views anytime anywhere. However, current ad-hoc social network applications are either not available without rooting the mobile phones or don't filter the nearby users based on common interests without a centralized server. This paper presents an architecture and implementation of social networks on commercially available mobile devices that allow broadcasting name and a limited number of keywords representing users' interests without any connection in a nearby region to facilitate matching of interests. The broadcasting region creates a digital aura and is limited by WiFi region that is around 200 meters. The application connects users to form a group based on their profile or interests using peer-to-peer communication mode without using any centralized networking or profile matching infrastructure. The peer-to-peer group can be used for private communication when the network is not available.