Patent US 8,725,838

Content can be shared between devices by transmitting an encoded signal that indicates, to each capable device within range, instructions for accessing the content. For example, a first device can emit an encoded audio signal that can be received by any capable device within audio range of the device. Any device receiving the signal can decode the information included in the signal and obtain a location to access the content from that information. Using such an approach, a first user can quickly and easily share content with several users at the same time without any of the receiving users having to determine or navigate to the content being shared. Further, using signals, such as audio signals, provides the ability for most existing devices to easily share content without significant hardware modification or additional expense.