Author: claimsbot

1. A monodisperse population of nanocrystals comprising:
a plurality of nanocrystal particles, wherein each particle includes a core including a first semiconductor material and an overcoating including a second semiconductor material deposited on the core, wherein the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material are the same or different,
wherein the monodisperse population emits light in a spectral range of no greater than about 60 nm full width at half max (FWHM) when irradiated.
2. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the monodisperse population emits light in a spectral range of no greater than about 40 nm full width at half max (FWHM) when irradiated.
3. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the monodisperse population emits light in a spectral range of no greater than about 30 nm full width at half max (FWHM) when irradiated.
4. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the monodisperse population exhibits photoluminescence having a quantum yield of greater than 30%.
5. The monodisperse population of claim 4, wherein the monodisperse population exhibits photoluminescence having a quantum yield of greater than 40%.
6. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the spectral range has a peak in the range of about 470 nm to about 620 nm.
7. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the cores of the plurality of nanocrystal particles have diameters having no greater than 10% rms deviation.
8. The monodisperse population of claim 7, wherein the cores of the plurality of nanocrystal particles have diameters having no greater than 5% rms deviation.
9. The monodisperse population of claim 7, wherein the cores have a mean diameter in the range of about 20 \u212b to about 125 \u212b.
10. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the overcoating includes greater than 0 to about 5.3 monolayers of the second semiconductor material.
11. The monodisperse population of claim 10, wherein the second semiconductor material is ZnS or ZnSe.
12. The monodisperse population of claim 10, wherein the overcoating includes less than about one monolayer of the second semiconductor material.
13. The monodisperse population of claim 10, wherein the overcoating includes in the range of about one to about two monolayers of the second semiconductor material.
14. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein each particle of the monodisperse particle population further comprises an organic layer on the outer surface of the particle.
15. The monodisperse population of claim 14, wherein the organic layer includes a moiety selected to provide a stable suspension or dispersion with a suspension or dispersion medium.
16. The monodisperse population of claim 14, wherein the organic layer includes a moiety selected to exhibit affinity for a surface of the nanocrystal particle.
17. The monodisperse population of claim 16, wherein the moiety includes a short-chain polymer terminating in a moiety having affinity for a suspension or dispersion medium.
18. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, and mixtures thereof.
19. The monodisperse population of claim 18, wherein the second semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of ZnS, ZnSe, CdS, CdSe, and mixtures thereof.
20. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the second semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of ZnS, ZnSe, CdS, CdSe, and mixtures thereof.
21. The monodisperse population of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor material is CdSe and the second semiconductor material is ZnS.
22. The monodisperse population of claim 21, wherein the overcoating includes greater than 0 to about 5.3 monolayers of the second semiconductor material.
23. The monodisperse population of claim 21, wherein the overcoating includes less than about one monolayer of the second semiconductor material.
24. The monodisperse population of claim 21, wherein the overcoating includes about one to about two monolayers of the second semiconductor material.
25. A suspension of nanocrystals comprising:
a plurality of nanocrystal particles, wherein each particle includes a core including a first semiconductor material, and an overcoating including a second semiconductor material deposited on the core, wherein the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material are the same or different,
wherein the cores of the plurality of nanocrystal particles have diameters having no greater than 10% rms deviation.
26. The suspension of claim 25, wherein the rms deviation is no greater than 5%.
27. The suspension of claim 25, wherein the cores have a mean diameter in the range of about 20 \u212b to about 125 \u212b.
28. The suspension of claim 25, wherein the overcoating includes greater than 0 to about 5.3 monolayers of the second semiconductor material.
29. The suspension of claim 28, wherein the second semiconductor material is ZnS or ZnSe.
30. The suspension of claim 28, wherein the overcoating includes less than about one monolayer of the second semiconductor material.
31. The suspension of claim 28, wherein the overcoating includes about one to about two monolayers of the second semiconductor material.
32. The suspension of claim 25, wherein each particle of the monodisperse particle population further comprises an organic layer on the outer surface of the particle.
33. The suspension of claim 32, wherein the organic layer includes a moiety selected to provide a stable suspension or dispersion with a suspension or dispersion medium.
34. The suspension of claim 32, wherein the organic layer includes a moiety selected to exhibit affinity a surface of a nanocrystal.
35. The suspension of claim 34, wherein the moiety includes a short-chain polymer terminating in a moiety having affinity for a suspension or dispersion medium.
36. The suspension of claim 25, wherein the first semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, and mixtures thereof.
37. The suspension of claim 36, wherein the second semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of ZnS, ZnSe, CdS, CdSe, and mixtures thereof.
38. The suspension of claim 25, wherein the second semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of ZnS, ZnSe, CdS, CdSe, and mixtures thereof.
39. The monodisperse population of claim 25, wherein the first semiconductor material is CdSe and the second semiconductor material is ZnS.
40. The suspension of claim 39, wherein the overcoating includes greater than 0 to about 5.3 monolayers of the second semiconductor material.
41. The suspension of claim 39, wherein the overcoating includes less than about one monolayer of the second semiconductor material.
42. The suspension of claim 39, wherein the overcoating includes about one to about two monolayers of the second semiconductor material.
43. A method of preparing a monodisperse population of nanocrystals capable of light emission, comprising:
introducing into a coordinating solvent a plurality of cores, each core including a first semiconductor material, and a precursor capable of thermal conversion into a second semiconductor material, the cores emitting light in a spectral range of no greater than about 60 nm full width half max (FWHM) when irradiated,
wherein the coordinating solvent is maintained at a temperature sufficient to convert the precursor into the second semiconductor material yet insufficient to substantially alter the monodispersity of the cores,
wherein the second semiconductor material has a band gap greater than the first semiconductor material, and
whereby the cores become individually overcoated with the second semiconductor material to form a monodisperse population of nanocrystals.
44. The method of claim 43, further comprising monitoring the monodispersity of the population of nanocrystals.
45. The method of claim 44, further comprising increasing the temperature of the coordinating solvent when monitoring indicates overcoating appears to stop.
46. The method of claim 44, further comprising lowering the temperature of the coordinating solvent when monitoring indicates a spreading of the size distribution of the population of nanocrystals.
47. The method of claim 43, wherein the first semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, and mixtures thereof.
48. The method of claim 43, wherein the second semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of ZnS, ZnSe, CdS, CdSe and mixtures thereof.
49. The method of claim 43, wherein the cores have a mean diameter in the range of about 20 \u212b to about 125 \u212b.
50. The method of claim 43, further comprising exposing the monodisperse population of nanocrystals to an organic compound having affinity for a surface of a nanocrystal, whereby the organic compound displaces the coordinating solvent.
51. The method of claim 43, wherein the spectral range is no greater than about 40 nm full width at half max (FWHM).
52. The method of claim 43, wherein the population of nanocrystals exhibit photoluminescence having a quantum yield of greater than about 30%.
53. A method of preparing a monodisperse population of nanocrystals capable of light emission, comprising:
introducing into a coordinating solvent a plurality of cores, each core including a first semiconductor material, and a precursor capable of thermal conversion into a second semiconductor material, the plurality of cores having diameters having no greater than 10% rms deviation,
wherein the coordinating solvent is maintained at a temperature sufficient to convert the precursor into the second semiconductor material yet insufficient to substantially alter the dispersity of the cores,
wherein the second semiconductor material has a band gap greater than the first semiconductor material, and
whereby the cores become individually overcoated with the second semiconductor material to form a monodisperse population of nanocrystals.
54. The method of claim 53, further comprising monitoring the monodispersity of the population of nanocrystals.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein the first semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, and mixtures thereof.
56. The method of claim 53, wherein the second semiconductor material is selected from the group consisting of ZnS, ZnSe, CdS, CdSe and mixtures thereof.
57. The method of claim 53, wherein the cores have a mean diameter in the range of about 20 \u212b to about 125 \u212b.
58. The method of claim 53, further comprising exposing the monodisperse population of nanocrystals to an organic compound having affinity for a surface of a nanocrystal, whereby the organic compound displaces the coordinating solvent.
59. The method of claim 53, wherein the cores, when irradiated, emit light in a spectral range of no greater than about 60 nm full width half maximum (FWHM).
60. A method of preparing a monodisperse population of nanocrystals capable of light emission, comprising:
contacting a plurality of cores, each core including a first semiconductor material, with a precursor capable of thermal conversion into a second semiconductor material in a coordinating solvent, the plurality of cores having diameters having no greater than 10% rms deviation, and
overcoating each core individually with a second semiconductor material without substantially altering the monodispersity of the cores.
61. A family of nanocrystal dispersions comprising:
a first suspension or dispersion of nanocrystals, wherein each nanocrystal in the first suspension or dispersion includes a core including a first semiconductor material and an overcoating including a second semiconductor material deposited on the core; and
a second suspension or dispersion of nanocrystals, wherein each nanocrystal in the second suspension or dispersion includes a core including a third semiconductor material and an overcoating including a fourth semiconductor material deposited on the core,
wherein the first, second, third and fourth semiconductor materials are each, individually, the same or different,
wherein the first suspension or dispersion, when irradiated, emits light in a spectral range of no greater than about 60 nm full width at half max (FWHM), the light having a first maximum wavelength of light emission.
62. The family of claim 61, wherein the second suspension or dispersion, when irradiated, emits light having a second maximum wavelength of light emission, the first maximum wavelength and the second maximum wavelength being different.
63. The family of claim 62, further comprising a third suspension or dispersion of nanocrystals having a third maximum wavelength of light emission different from the first maximum wavelength and the second maximum wavelength.
64. The family of claim 63, further comprising a fourth suspension or dispersion of nanocrystals having a fourth maximum wavelength of light emission different from the first maximum wavelength, the second maximum wavelength, and the third maximum wavelength.
65. The family of claim 64, further comprising a fifth suspension or dispersion of nanocrystals having a fifth maximum wavelength of light emission different from the first maximum wavelength, the second maximum wavelength, the third maximum wavelength, and the fourth maximum wavelength.
66. The family of claim 65, further comprising a sixth suspension or dispersion of nanocrystals having a sixth maximum wavelength of light emission different from the first maximum wavelength, the second maximum wavelength, the third maximum wavelength, the fourth maximum wavelength, and the fifth maximum wavelength.
67. The family of claim 62, wherein each maximum wavelength of light emission of the first suspension or dispersion and the second suspension or dispersion is between 470 nm and 620 nm.
68. A method of making a family of nanocrystal dispersions comprising:
overcoating a first monodisperse population of nanocrystal cores; and
overcoating a second monodisperse population of nanocrystal cores,
wherein each monodisperse population of nanocrystal cores, when irradiated, emits light in a spectral range of no greater than about 60 nm full width half max (FWHM), and wherein the first monodisperse population of cores has a maximum wavelength of light emission different from a maximum wavelength of light emission of the second monodisperse population.
69. The method of claim 68, wherein the maximum wavelengths of light emission of the first monodisperse population and the second monodisperse population differ by at least 30 nm.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A pipe joining agent container system, comprising:
a container having a bottom wall and a side wall connected to the bottom wall and extending upwardly from the bottom wall to an edge defining an open top of the container, the bottom wall and the side wall defining an interior space;
a pipe joining agent disposed within the interior space of the container;
a female pipe joining agent applicator brush removably associated with the container and configured for applying pipe joining agent to an exterior surface of a first cylindrical pipe structure that has a nominal exterior diameter, the female pipe joining agent applicator brush including:
a support structure, the support structure being configured for removable mounting on the cylindrical container, and the support structure includes a first handle;
a cylindrical female brush connected to the support structure, the female brush including a first axial end, a second axial end, and an arrangement of bristles; the bristles extend generally radially inward toward one another between the first axial end and the second axial end, and the bristles include outer radial ends connected to the support structure and inner radial ends that define a passage through the cylindrical female brush that extends from the first axial end to the second axial end; and
the passage has a diameter that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the first cylindrical pipe structure; and

a male pipe joining agent applicator brush that is configured for applying pipe joining agent to an interior surface of a second cylindrical pipe structure that has a nominal exterior diameter, the male pipe joining agent applicator brush including:
a second handle having an outer surface;
a cylindrical male brush connected to the second handle and that extends circumferentially around the outer surface thereof, the male brush including a first axial end, a second axial end, and an arrangement of second bristles; the second bristles extend generally radially outward from the outer surface of the second handle between the first axial end and the second axial end of the male brush, and the second bristles include inner radial ends adjacent to the outer surface and outer radial ends;
the cylindrical male brush has an outer diameter defined by the outer radial ends of the second bristles, and the outer diameter is approximately 25% greater than the nominal exterior diameter of the second cylindrical pipe structure;
the cylindrical male brush has a length measured between the first axial end and the second axial end thereof that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the second cylindrical pipe structure; and
the outer diameter of the cylindrical male brush is approximately 25% greater than the diameter of the passage of the cylindrical female brush.
2. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a lid for the container, and the lid has a perimeter edge that is configured to detachably connect to the edge of the side wall to close the open top.
3. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a frame that removably mounts onto the container adjacent to the open top, and further comprising a lid for the container, the lid having a perimeter edge that is configured to detachably connect to the edge of the side wall to close the open top.
4. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 1, wherein the support structure is a sleeve that surrounds the bristles and to which the outer radial ends of the bristles are connected, and the first handle is connected to the sleeve.
5. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 4, wherein the first handle comprises gripping structure formed on an exterior surface of the sleeve.
6. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 1, further comprising a cap connected to the support structure that is configured to close the passage through the cylindrical female brush, the cap is moveable between a first position that covers the passage through the cylindrical female brush and a second position where it does not cover the passage through the cylindrical female brush.
7. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 3, wherein the edge of the side wall includes a notch at the open top of the container, the first handle is configured to fit into the notch, and the lid closes the notch when the lid is connected to the side wall.
8. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical male brush further includes pipe joining agent stirring bristles at the second axial end thereof, the pipe joining agent stirring bristles have a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the second bristles, and the pipe joining agent stirring bristles have an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter defined by the outer radial ends of the second bristles.
9. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 1, wherein the pipe joining agent comprises flux, primer or adhesive.
10. The pipe joining agent container system of claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical pipe structure comprises a pipe, a fitting or a valve, and the second cylindrical pipe structure comprises a pipe, a fitting or a valve.
11. A female pipe joining agent applicator brush configured for applying pipe joining agent to an exterior surface of a cylindrical pipe structure that has a nominal exterior diameter, comprising:
a support structure, the support structure being configured for removable mounting on a container that holds pipe joining agent, and the support structure includes a handle;
a cylindrical female brush connected to the support structure, the female brush including a first axial end, a second axial end, and an arrangement of bristles; the bristles extend generally radially inward toward one another between the first axial end and the second axial end, and the bristles include outer radial ends connected to the support structure and inner radial ends that define a passage through the cylindrical female brush that extends from the first axial end to the second axial end; and
the passage has a diameter that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure.
12. The female pipe joining agent applicator brush of claim 11, wherein the support structure is a lid for the container, and the lid has a perimeter edge that is configured to detachably connect to the container.
13. The female pipe joining agent applicator brush of claim 11, wherein the support structure is a frame that is configured to removably mount onto the container adjacent to an open top of the container.
14. The female pipe joining agent applicator brush of claim 11, wherein the support structure is a sleeve that surrounds the bristles and to which the outer radial ends of the bristles are connected, and the handle is connected to the sleeve.
15. The female pipe joining agent applicator brush of claim 14, wherein the handle comprises gripping structure formed on an exterior surface of the sleeve.
16. The female pipe joining agent applicator brush of claim 11, further comprising a cap connected to the support structure that is configured to close the passage through the cylindrical female brush, the cap is moveable between a first position that covers the passage through the cylindrical female brush and a second position where it does not cover the passage through the cylindrical female brush.
17. The female pipe joining agent applicator brush of claim 11, wherein the pipe joining agent comprises flux, primer or adhesive.
18. A male pipe joining agent applicator brush configured for applying pipe joining agent to an interior surface of a cylindrical pipe structure that has a nominal exterior diameter, comprising:
a handle having an outer surface;
a cylindrical male brush connected to the handle and that extends circumferentially around the outer surface thereof, the male brush including a first axial end, a second axial end, and an arrangement of bristles; the bristles extend generally radially outward from the outer surface of the handle between the first axial end and the second axial end of the male brush, and the bristles include inner radial ends adjacent to the outer surface and outer radial ends;
the cylindrical male brush has an outer diameter defined by the outer radial ends of the bristles, and the outer diameter is approximately 25% greater than the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure; and
the cylindrical male brush has a length measured between the first axial end and the second axial end that is approximately equal to the nominal exterior diameter of the cylindrical pipe structure.
19. The male pipe joining agent applicator brush of claim 18, wherein the cylindrical male brush further includes pipe joining agent stirring bristles at the second axial end thereof, the pipe joining agent stirring bristles have a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the second bristles, and the pipe joining agent stirring bristles have an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter defined by the outer radial ends of the second bristles.
20. The male pipe joining agent applicator brush of claim 18, wherein the pipe joining agent comprises flux, primer or adhesive.

1. A method of controlling fluid flow between a formation and a wellbore, the method comprising:
conveying a retrievable communication device including a control unit through a tubular to a selected location in the wellbore;
obtaining a measurement of a downhole parameter at a downhole sensor included in the tubular;
communicating a signal corresponding to the measurement of the downhole parameter from the downhole sensor to the retrievable communication device at the selected location via a downhole control node included in the tubular;
determining a control signal in response to the signal corresponding to the measurement of the downhole parameter at the control unit; and
communicating the determined control signal from the retrievable communication device to a flow control device included in the tubular via the control node to control the fluid flow between the formation and the wellbore.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein conveying the retrievable communication device comprises conveying the retrievable communication device via one of a wireline or a slickline.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein:
conveying the retrievable communication device comprises conveying an inductive coupling device; and
communicating signals between the retrievable communication device and the control node comprises inductively transmitting signals between the inductive coupling device and the control node.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising producing a fluid from the formation while the retrievable communication device is downhole.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the fluid flow comprises adjusting a position of a flow control device to control a flow rate.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating between the control node and the retrievable communication device wirelessly via an inductive coupling.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the downhole parameter is selected from a group consisting of: (i) flow rate; (ii) resistivity; (iii) an acoustic property; (iv) pressure; (v) temperature; (vi) a nuclear magnetic resonance property; (vii) a chemical property of the fluid; (viii) a physical property of the fluid; and (ix) an optical property of the fluid.
8. The method of claim 1, comprising retrieving the retrievable communication device uphole after controlling the fluid flow.
9. An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow rate downhole, comprising:
a retrievable communication device configured to be conveyed downhole to a selected location in a tubular;
a control node included in the tubular at the selected location configured to communicate with the retrievable communication device at the selected location;
a sensor included in the tubular and coupled to the control node configured to provide a signal relating to a downhole parameter to the retrievable communication device via the control node; and
a control unit of the retrievable communication device and conveyed downhole with the retrievable communication device, the control unit configured to determine a control signal from the signal relating to the downhole parameter provided by the sensor; and
a flow control device included in the tubular and coupled to the control node and configured to receive the control signal from the retrievable communication device via the control node and control the fluid flow rate of the flow control device based on the received control signal, wherein at least one of the sensor and the flow control device are not at the selected location.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retrievable communication device is configured to be conveyed downhole via one of a wireline or a slickline.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retrievable communication device comprises an inductive coupling device configured to inductively transmit signals to the control node.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the flow control device is configured to produce a fluid from a formation while the retrievable communication device is downhole.
13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the retrievable communication device is configured to be retrieved uphole after controlling the flow rate.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control node is located uphole of the at least one of the sensor and the flow control device and communicates with the at least one of the sensor and the flow control device via a network.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the downhole parameter is selected from the group consisting of: flow rate; resistivity; an acoustic property, pressure, temperature, a nuclear magnetic resonance property, a chemical property of the fluid, a physical property of the fluid; and an optical property of the fluid.
16. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of flow control devices and a plurality of sensors, wherein the control node is configured to communicate with the plurality of flow control devices and the plurality of sensors.
17. An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow rate downhole, comprising:
a control node included in a production string at a selected location configured to inductively communicate with a retrievable communication device including a control unit conveyed through a bore of the production string to the selected location;
a sensor in the production string configured to communicate a downhole parameter to the retrievable communication device via the control node; and
a flow control device in the production string configured to receive a control signal from the retrievable communication device via control node to control the fluid flow rate for the flow control device based on the control signal, wherein the control signal is determined at the control unit of the retrievable communication device in response to the communicated downhole parameter.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the flow control device is configured to produce a fluid from the formation while the retrievable communication device is downhole.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the retrievable communication device is configured to be deployed downhole temporarily to communicate with the flow control device and sensor.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control node comprises an inductive coupling and the retrievable communication device comprises an inductive coupling, wherein the control node and retrievable communication device communicate wirelessly with each other using the inductive couplings.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method comprising:
receiving at a first user device a query from a second user device for encrypted data, the query being associated with a first user, the first user being described according to a first set of criteria;
based, at least in part, on the query and one or more second sets of criteria associated with a second user, determining by the first user device whether at least one of the second sets of criteria are matched, at least in part, to the first set of criteria; and
associating by the first user device the query with the matched at least one of the second sets of criteria used as a public key for encrypting the encrypted data according to an identity-based encryption scheme,
wherein the first set of criteria and the at least one of the second sets of criteria include one or more digital right management compliant requirements.
2. A method of claim 1, further comprising:
causing, at least in part, presentation of the matched at least one of the second sets of criteria to the second user,
receiving an input, from the second user, for selecting one of the matched at least one of the second sets of criteria;
causing, at least in part, reception by the second user device of the encrypted data, wherein the encrypted data was encrypted by the first user to share with others before the query is transmitted; and
causing, at least in part, decryption by the second user device the encrypted data based, at least in part, on the selected second set of criteria.
3. A method of claim 2, wherein the decryption further comprises:
causing, at least in part, transmission by the second user device a request for a decryption key for the selected second set of criteria;
verifying that the second user satisfies the selected one of the second sets of criteria by determining one or more access rights of the second user; and
causing, at least in part, transmission of the decryption key to the second user device in response to the request upon verifying that the second user satisfies the selected one of the second sets of criteria,
wherein the decryption is based, at least in part, on the decryption key.
4. A method of claim 1, wherein an information store maintains the set of criteria associated with the first user, the method further comprising:
negotiating with the information store to store, publish, keep confidential, or a combination thereof all or some of the first set of criteria.
5. A method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:
formatting the first set of criteria, the second sets of criteria, the query, the encrypted data, or a combination thereof respectively into predetermined information representation structures;
constructing reduced ordered binary decision diagrams from the information representation structures; and
computing a hash identifier corresponding to respective ones of the reduced ordered binary decision diagrams,
wherein the first set of criteria, the second sets of criteria, the query, the encrypted data, or a combination thereof are transmitted or received in as at least one of the information representation structure, the reduced ordered binary decision diagram, and the hash identifier.
6. An apparatus comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code,
the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus embedded in a first user device to perform at least the following,
receive a query from a second user device for encrypted data, the query being associated with a first user, the first user being described according to a first set of criteria;
based, at least in part, on the query and one or more second sets of criteria associated with a second user, determine whether at least one of the second sets of criteria are matched, at least in part, to the first set of criteria; and
set the matched at least one of the second sets of criteria as a public key for encrypting data, associated with the query, according to an identity-based encryption scheme,
wherein the first set of criteria and the at least one of the second sets of criteria include one or more digital right management compliant requirements.
7. An apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
cause, at least in part, presentation of the matched at least one of the second sets of criteria to the second user,
receive an input, from the second user, for selecting one of the matched at least one of the second sets of criteria;
cause, at least in part, reception by the second user device of the encrypted data, wherein the encrypted data was encrypted by the first user to share with others before the query is transmitted; and
cause, at least in part, decryption by the second user device the encrypted data based, at least in part, on the selected second set of criteria.
8. An apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
cause, at least in part, transmission by the second user device a request for a decryption key for the selected second set of criteria;
verify that the second user satisfies the selected one of the second sets of criteria by determining one or more access rights of the second user; and
cause, at least in part, transmission of the decryption key to the second user device in response to the request upon verifying that the second user satisfies the selected one of the second sets of criteria,
wherein the decryption is based, at least in part, on the decryption key.
9. A method comprising:
receiving at one or more second user devices a query sent from a first user device as made by a first user for encrypted data, the first user being described according to a first set of criteria;
matching, by the one or more second user devices, one or more second sets of criteria with all or part of the first set of criteria, wherein the matching defines respective second users who are qualified to receive the query, and wherein at least one of the second sets of criteria is matched with all or part of the first set of criteria and was used by a respective second user as a public key for encrypting data to be shared with others, the encrypted data is associated with the respective second user and was encrypted according to an identity-based encryption scheme; and
causing, at least in part, transmission of the at least one of the second sets of criteria to the first user device,
wherein the first set of criteria and the at least one of the second sets of criteria include one or more digital right management compliant requirements.
10. A method of claim 9, wherein the first set of criteria, the second sets of criteria, or a combination thereof include at least one of a user personality feature, a technical capability of the first device, a usage pattern of the first device, an environmental condition in which the first device is used, and context information associated with the first device.
11. A method of claim 9, further comprising:
receiving a request, from the first user device, for a decryption key for the matched at least one of the second sets of criteria;
causing, at least in part, verification of whether the first set of criteria substantially describe the first user; and
causing, at least in part, transmission of the decryption key based, at least in part, on the verification.
12. A method of claim 11, wherein the verification comprises at least one of:
determining one or more access rights associated with the first user; and
causing, at least in part, comparison of all or part of the first set of criteria against information associated with the first user that is available locally or externally, the information including an online or offline public record, a transaction history, an activity history, a history of visited locations, an interaction history, associated communication content items, associated memberships, or a combination thereof.
13. A method of claim 11, wherein the verification and the transmission are performed by a private key generator, the information store, or a combination thereof.
14. An apparatus comprising:
at least one processor; and
at least one memory including computer program code,
the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus embedded in one of a plurality of second user devices to perform at least the following,
receive a query sent from a first user device as made by a first user for data that is encrypted, the first user being described according to a first set of criteria;
match one or more second sets of criteria with all or part of the first set of criteria, wherein the matching defines respective second users who are qualified to receive the query for data, and wherein at least one of the second sets of criteria is matched with all or part of the first set of criteria and was used by a respective second user as a public key for encrypting data to be shared with others, the encrypted data is associated with the respective second user and was encrypted according to an identity-based encryption scheme; and
cause, at least in part, transmission of the at least one of the second sets of criteria to the first user device,
wherein the first set of criteria and the at least one of the second sets of criteria include one or more digital right management compliant requirements.
15. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first set of criteria, the second sets of criteria, or a combination thereof include at least one of a user personality feature, a technical capability of the first device, a usage pattern of the first device, an environmental condition in which the first device is used, and context information associated with the first device.
16. An apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:
receive a request, from the first user device, for a decryption key for the matched at least one of the second sets of criteria;
cause, at least in part, verification of whether the first set of criteria substantially describe the first user; and
cause, at least in part, transmission of the decryption key based, at least in part, on the verification.
17. An apparatus of claim 16, wherein in performing verification, the apparatus is further caused to:
determine one or more access rights associated with the first user; and
cause, at least in part, comparison of all or part of the first set of criteria against information associated with the first user that is available locally or externally, the information including an online or offline public record, a transaction history, an activity history, a history of visited locations, an interaction history, associated communication content items, associated memberships, or a combination thereof.
18. A method of claim 1, further comprising:
formatting by the first user device the public key into a predetermined information representation structure;
constructing by the first user device a reduced ordered binary decision diagram from the information representation structure of the public key; and
causing, at last in part by the first user device, storage of the decision diagram of the public key.
19. A method of claim 1, wherein the first set of criteria and the second set of criteria include one or more physical features, one or more personal interests, or a combination thereof, of the first user, the second user, or a combination thereof.
20. A method of claim 5, wherein the one or more digital right management compliant requirements are formatted into one or more portions of predetermined information representation structures and constructed as one or more portions of the reduced ordered binary decision diagrams.