(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0281716 A1
`Altman et al.
`
`(43) Pub. Date: Dec. 6, 2007
`
`US 20070281716A1
`
`(54) MESSAGE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR
`USERS OF LOCATION-AWARE MOBILE
`COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN A LOCAL
`AREA NETWORK
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Samuel H. Altman, Menlo Park,
`CA (US); Nicholas T. Sivo, Palo
`Alto, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`COURTNEY STANIFORD & GREGORY LLP
`P.O. BOX 9686
`SAN JOSE, CA 95157
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Flipt, Inc
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/445,727
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 1, 2006
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04Q 7/20
`(52) US. Cl.
`....................................................... 455/466
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Embodiments of a location-based social network manager
`process are described. The process is executed on a server
`
`computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication
`devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a
`
`location-aware mobile communication device. The process
`determines the geographic location of a mobile communi-
`cation device operated by a user within an area, displays a
`map representation of the area around the mobile commu-
`nication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile
`communication device, and superimposes on the map the
`respective locations of one or more other users of mobile
`communication devices coupled to the mobile communica-
`tion device over the network. The process establishes com-
`munication links between the user and the plurality of
`acquaintances through respective location aware mobile
`communication devices through a network protocol. The
`user can create one or more groups of acquaintances based
`on one or more characteristics common to members of each
`
`group. The process facilitates the transmission of a user
`specified message or a pre-defined message to one or more
`acquaintances of the groups of acquaintances within a
`pre-defined distance to the user. The contents of the user
`specified message and pre-defined message is based on the
`characteristics of the group and the relative distance of the
`members to the user. The process can also be configured to
`automatically transmit a message to a user who is within a
`pre-defined distance to a point of interest within the dis-
`played area.
`
`100
`
`
`
`
`
`‘
`
`
`106
`
`
`III-.-=:=
`—=u
`
`
`CLIENT
`
`INTERNET
`110
`
`
`
`
`
`WEB
` SERVER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`105
`
`CELL
`
`116
`SERVER
`
`
`
`
`LOCATION-BASED
`
`
`SOCIAL NETWORK
`MANAGER
`
`
`112
`
`
`
`
`DATA STORE 120
`
`
`
`MAP
`DB
`
`USER
`DB
`
`‘ LOCATION
`DB
`
`USER
`
`
`PROVIDED
`DB
`
`124
`122
`126
`>128
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 1 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`106
`
`CLIENT
`
`12' _
`:1
`
`CLIENT
`
`
`
`E
`u
`
`
`
`.j
`La
`
`105
`
`
`
`WEB
`
`SERVER
`
`114
`
`CELL
`
`SERVER
`
`1.16
`
`104
`
`— LOCATION-BASED
`.=.
`' SOCIAL NETWORK
`
`DATA STORE 120
`
`112
`126
`
`DB
`
`DB
`
`LOCATION
`DB
`
`'
`
`USER
`PROVIDED
`DB
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0002
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`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 2 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`200
`
`
`
`FIGURE 2A
`
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 3 of 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`NNN
`
`mN‘.m—m.
`
`20.n—
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0004
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`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 4 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`' 3’00
`
`1.....4,‘r:~104vaw.1
`
`{:Iwwfigzatyc'wwikw‘E—Kfiz-‘fi
`
`",9;
`
`39.2
`
`FIGURE 3
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0005
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`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 5 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`bum
`Group Manager
`Dhcfionsl Drag your fiknd‘s from 0b. right Into a group on an lqfl or nn‘thc bowel-n If a gruup ls almady nludnd.
`'Yuu may “I‘d muluplt frlgn'ds by holding dorm th- CTRL luv hfon you did: on thn man.
`
`h
`. a.
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`a.
`, m.» .
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`o.o"w'a
`-
`.
`
`.
`
`>
`
`4 c I \'
`
`g! .111: Boys (7)
`'
`Daxcdpuon af your new group
`
`
`
`
`7 ab} "an (in.
`»' [ abanl 5c:
`
`.
`
`f
`
`‘
`
`-‘
`>
`
`406
`
`Home!
`
`FIGURE 4A
`
`
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0006
`
`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`_ Ffiend"!
`
`: Fixing my caf 19.72 mi
`
`,: hissing my phone...
`
`: But with friends. (2.8
`
`n : i‘m busy workhu.
`
`Name:
`lice:
`finance:
`My net-sage:
`
`Kaya’.
`25
`
`'
`
`3255mm;
`
`at mi some 5m mo.
`
`5'06
`
`/
`
`‘9 mm
`“
`
`gnaw
`
`WM
`
`'
`
`51‘0
`
`Rama:
`tom
`Distance:
`
`Gym Em
`25
`3928 feet
`
`
`
`Adar Renews: cm my 03 Mad.
`
`m:
`he:
`01mm:
`Mn, net-we:
`
`ms: 3»
`22
`2.8 mites
`out mm «rend» hick. someone
`heart was and save me from mm
`
`g mamas.
`® and
`9 Wfifi‘iflfl
`
`a F
`
`IGURE 53
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0007
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`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0007
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 7 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`.
`
`_
`
`3‘
`
`
`
`
`a FriendFirlde
`-
`_
`l" -
`,
`PrivacHlSetlins
`Sl’tnr
`
`
`
`Status ”39
`h
`- ,
`
`Uisibililg s--
`
`: Freelflusu _
`
`|_ ca Dating
`: [1:131_ Passwordil'honellum
`«a, flboul Stored Password
`
`
` Mobile Privacy
`
`Status Message:
`
`‘0 6
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[allow an] [block all]
`I am currently:
`Free (‘9 Busy
`6
`604 ~
`
`
`~ choose who can see your location with the settings below.
`
`608 .
`.
`My location ls visible in:
`6A" Friefids ®Nobody ®Some Friends (see blacklist below)
`
`
`
`6 Ia
`Block niy locafion from certain fiends. by checking them:
`This list only applies if visibility is set to 'Some Friends" above.
`
`I 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIGURE 63
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0008
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`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0008
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 8 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`
`
`',‘CairllT
`
`llan GI
`
`, Ryan H:
`
`I: J
`Z
`_
`'
`'
`.
`jflifitmles
`snag-cu
`
`
`Héy guys! Want to meet up afier work for drinks? The game
`is on Ibo.
`
`FIGURE 73
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0009
`
`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 9 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`'
`n 08!
`
`Hosted by: Sally.
`lncatinni: Lnading acme
`
`.‘Lo Abunch nf penp
`
`a
`
`nu
`
`Loading Zone. Stop by and have a drink!
`
` suns: mm a 3:15 pm '
`
`
`End-n 3mm 0 «15 PM
`910
`NM LMM
`
`“m: '1261 Ram Fun
`
`.
`314
`
`
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0010
`
`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0010
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`30>
`
`yo3:8m.55:53>252.2:5.;
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0011
`
`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0011
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 11 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
` USER ACCESSES SERVER
`
`OR PRESENT POLLING
`PERIOD IS FINISHED
`1002
`
`
`
`
`
`PERFORM GPS POLL TO
`OBTAIN USER’S LOCATION
`
`
`
` 1004
`
`
`
`WAIT THEN RETRY OR
`CHECK IF USER
`
`
`LOCATION
`
`CHANGED CELL TOWER
`FIXED?
`
`
`
`1008
`
`
`
`
`
`SEND LOCATION
`
`DISTANCE
`INFORMATION TO SERVER
`DELTA >
`
`
`
`THRESHOLD?
`
`
`1014
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`WAIT AND DECREASE
`INCREASE POLLING
`FREQUENCY BY PRESET
`
`
`POLLING FREQUENCY BY
`
`FACTOR
`PRESET FACTOR
`
`
` 1016
`1012
`
`
`
`FIGURE 10
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0012
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 12 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`FRIENDS TRANSMIT UPDATED
`
`
`
`INFORMATION TO SERVER
`
`COMPUTER
`
`1102
`
`
`
`UPDATED DATA IS FLAGGED ON
`
`
`
`SERVER COMPUTER
`
`
`
`1104
`
`
`
`
`
`SERVER HOLDS AND BUNDLE
`
`UPDATED DATA FOR
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMISSION TO USER UPON
`
`NEXT NETWORK CALL
`
`1106
`
`
`
`USER RECEIVES UPDATE OR
`
`
`
`CHANGED STATUS IN MOBILE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONDEVICE OR
`
`CLIENT COMPUTER
`
`1108
`
`FIGURE 11
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0013
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`

`

`Patent Application Publicat
`
`1011
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`
`
`a:somafimgfizfigmfigfi
`
`
`
`3$50."...
`
`.2N
`
`3.3.3.u..
`
`
`gag—553%.
`
`52E.3.89:3
`
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`
`...35....
`
` .__3.3.11.2?n.0333:3"in...“m‘
`
`
`$25....3.“.3:
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0014
`
`Snap Inc. Ex. 1006 Page 0014
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`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Dec. 6, 2007 Sheet 14 0f 14
`
`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`USER TABLE
`
`1302
`
`
`
`mum-man. LI_|§IKA
`
`lllan G
`55541452 A4_321d74
`
`555-0293
`41chj892
`Tei 3.
`
`
`Dan H. qr9997b ‘ 555-2987
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`..........................................................................
`
`LOCATION HISTORY TABLE
`
`1304
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`b56$ha112
`
`32.546514144
`
`3243 54 324 3474
`
`143554 456477
`
`
`
`
`FIGURE 13
`
`Snap Inc. EX. 1006 Page 0015
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`

`

`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`Dec. 6, 2007
`
`MESSAGE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR
`USERS OF LOCATION-AWARE MOBILE
`COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN A LOCAL
`AREA NETWORK
`
`and messaging among users based on the relative location of
`the users with respect to each other or a place of interest.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] The current application is related to US. Patent
`Application entitled “Displaying the Location of Individuals
`on an Interactive Map Display on a Mobile Communication
`Device” filed on Jun. 1, 2006, US. Patent Application
`entitled “Mobile Dating System Incorporating User Loca-
`tion Information” filed on Jun. 1, 2006, and US. Patent
`Application entitled “Displaying and Tagging Places of
`Interest
`on Location-Aware Mobile Communication
`Devices in a Local Area Networ ” filed on Jun. 1, 2006.
`
`FIELD
`
`[0002] Embodiments of the invention relate generally to
`mobile communication networks, and more specifically, to
`displaying geographic locations and providing location-
`based message transmission for users on mobile communi-
`cation devices.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003] The advent of mobile phones and associated ser-
`vices, such as Instant Messaging (IM) has provided a great
`impetus to social networking by facilitating instant and
`efficient communication among friends and acquaintances.
`Although they provide a great deal of on-demand commu-
`nication capability, mobile phones and similar communica-
`tion devices are still exclusively voice or text based com-
`munication devices. People who communicate using mobile
`phones are, by definition, usually in different geographic
`locations. Present mobile phone systems may facilitate the
`coordination of meetings and events by making it easier for
`people to converse while on the go, but they still involve
`traditional methods of communication and response. The
`process of two or more people getting together and coordi-
`nating their activities and schedules to interact in person still
`requires that the people contact one another and ask who is
`where, and what is going on when. For a network of even a
`few friends, this can require several phone calls or messages
`to coordinate an activity.
`[0004]
`Present messaging and mobile phone communica-
`tions are also typically not optimized based on the relative
`location of the communicating users. People typically ini-
`tiate communication with their friends or associates when it
`
`like it. If a
`is convenient for them or when they feel
`communication involves a particular event or place of
`interest, people must communicate in advance to coordinate
`their activities with respect to the location of the event or
`place of interest. Present communication systems, therefore,
`are not optimized with respect to facilitating communication
`when users are within a certain proximity of a particular
`location or to one another.
`
`[0005] What is needed, therefore, is a mobile communi-
`cation system that facilitates social interaction and activity
`coordination by incorporating location information as part of
`the mobile phone or messaging communication.
`[0006] What
`is further needed,
`therefore,
`is a mobile
`communication system that helps initiate communication
`
`[0007] Embodiments of a location-based social network
`manager process are described. The process is executed on
`a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile commu-
`nication devices over a wireless network. At least some of
`the mobile devices are location-aware mobile communica-
`
`tion devices. The process determines the geographic loca-
`tion of a mobile communication device operated by a user
`within an area, displays a map representation of the area
`around the mobile communication device on a graphical
`user interface of the mobile communication device, and
`superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or
`more other users of mobile communication devices coupled
`to the mobile communication device over the network. The
`
`user can build a database of friends among the one or more
`other users whose location can be displayed on each respec-
`tive mobile communication device. Robust privacy features
`allow users to define who among his or her network of
`friends can view the location information on their mobile
`
`functions
`communication devices. Messaging and alert
`using the communications capability of the mobile device
`can incorporate the location information resulting in inter-
`action among users based on user identity as well as relative
`position to one another. Other location-based items, such as
`places of interest, events, and the like can also be displayed
`on each respective user’s mobile communication device.
`[0008]
`In one embodiment, the server-side social network-
`ing process establishes communication links between the
`user and the plurality of acquaintances through respective
`location aware mobile communication devices through a
`network protocol. The user can create one or more groups of
`acquaintances based on one or more characteristics common
`to members of each group. The process facilitates the
`transmission of a user specified message or a pre-defined
`message to one or more acquaintances of the groups of
`acquaintances within a pre-defined distance to the user. The
`contents of the user specified message and pre-defined
`message is based on the characteristics of the group and the
`relative distance of the members to the user. The system can
`also be configured to automatically transmit a message to a
`user who is within a pre-defined distance to a point of
`interest within the displayed area.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0009] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example
`and not
`limitation in the figures of the accompanying
`drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements
`and in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communi-
`[0010]
`cation and computer network that implements embodiments
`of a location-based social network system.
`[0011]
`FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a map displayed
`on a mobile communication device, according to an embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG. 2B illustrates the display of information
`[0012]
`details for users on a map, according to an embodiment.
`[0013]
`FIG. 3 illustrates a web page that provides access
`to the databases and social network manager system, under
`an embodiment.
`
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`

`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`Dec. 6, 2007
`
`FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a database inter-
`[0014]
`face for storing and grouping friends on a client computer,
`under an embodiment.
`
`FIG. 4B illustrates an example of a database inter-
`[0015]
`face for storing and grouping friends for implementation on
`a mobile communication device, under an embodiment.
`[0016]
`FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a friend list
`displayed on a mobile communication device, according to
`an embodiment.
`
`FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a friend list
`[0017]
`displayed on a web page, according to an embodiment.
`[0018]
`FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a privacy pref-
`erence menu displayed on a mobile communication device,
`under an embodiment.
`
`FIG. 6B illustrates an example of a privacy pref-
`[0019]
`erence menu displayed on a web page, under an embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a messaging
`[0020]
`function for implementation on a mobile communication
`device, according to an embodiment.
`[0021]
`FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a messaging
`function for implementation on a web page, according to an
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 8A illustrates an example of an event manager
`[0022]
`function for implementation on a mobile communication
`device, according to an embodiment.
`[0023]
`FIG. 8B illustrates an example of an event manager
`function for implementation on a client computer, according
`to an embodiment.
`
`FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an alert function
`[0024]
`for the location-based social network manager process,
`under an embodiment.
`
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart that illustrates GPS polling
`[0025]
`for a location determination module, according to an
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of
`[0026]
`sending updated information to a user’s mobile device,
`under an embodiment.
`
`FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a user update on
`[0027]
`a mobile communication device and a corresponding update
`table, under an embodiment.
`[0028]
`FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user table and
`an associated location history table, under an embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0029] Embodiments of a location-based social network
`system and mobile communication device that incorporates
`a real-time map display are described. In the following
`description, numerous specific details are introduced to
`provide a thorough understanding of, and enabling descrip-
`tion for, embodiments of the system. One skilled in the
`relevant art, however, will recognize that these embodiments
`can be practiced without one or more of the specific details,
`or with other components, systems, and so on. In other
`instances, well-known structures or operations are not
`shown, or are not described in detail, to avoid obscuring
`aspects of the disclosed embodiments.
`[0030] Embodiments are directed to a location-based
`social network system that enables the display of maps and
`real-time location information on mobile phones and similar
`communication devices. FIG. 1 illustrates a communication
`
`and computer network system 100 that implements one or
`more embodiments. In system 100, a plurality of mobile
`communication devices, such as cell phones or similar
`
`devices 102 are coupled to a communication network, such
`as cell network 111. The mobile communication devices (or
`“mobile devices”) are each carried and operated by a user
`and communicate with one another using known commu-
`nication methods such as wireless telephony, radio, satellite,
`cellular systems (e.g., GSM, CDMA, and so on), or other
`similar systems. For the embodiment exemplified by FIG. 1,
`the mobile communication devices are cellular phones and
`the network coupling these devices is a cellular telephone
`network, although it should be noted that any other type of
`wireless network that supports mobile devices can also be
`used.
`
`In one embodiment, a server computer 104 runs a
`[0031]
`location-based social network manager process 112. This
`process controls various data objects relating to one or more
`social parameters or characteristics of the users of the
`mobile devices 102. The users of the mobile devices form a
`
`group or number of subgroups of people who desire to
`interact with one another on a social level by communicating
`with one another, participating in activities, sharing infor-
`mation or experiences, or other types of social or profes-
`sional interaction based on their location. Because the users
`
`of the mobile devices are inherently transitory, a fundamen-
`tal data object associated with each of the users of the mobile
`devices is the location of each user within a particular
`region. Other parameters include the profile of each user,
`and the preferences of each user with respect to activities,
`people, privileges, and so on. Each user who desires to
`interact with other users in the system using this data utilizes
`the location-based social network manager process 112.
`Through a subscription, or similar membership-type (free or
`fee-based) participation model, each user registers with the
`server computer 104 by providing certain information relat-
`ing to the user. Each principle parameter or characteristic for
`each user is stored in one or more databases accessible to the
`
`server computer 104. For the embodiment of FIG. 1, the data
`objects are stored in a data store 120 and are organized in
`databases for user profiles 124, user locations 126, user
`provided data 128, and map tiles 122. The mobile network
`111 supporting the mobile devices 102 are coupled to the
`server computer through an intermediate server computer,
`such as cell server 116.
`
`In one embodiment, each user of a mobile device
`[0032]
`may also operate or access the location-based social network
`manager process 112 through a client computer 106, or any
`device that can access the Internet, such as a WAP (Wireless
`Application Protocol) device 105. The client computer 106,
`or similar device 105 (hereinafter also referred to as a “client
`computer”), facilitates the establishment and management of
`each user’s account on the server computer by providing a
`comprehensive interface to the databases and processes
`provided on the server computer 104. For the embodiment
`shown, the client computer interface supported by the server
`computer is a World-Wide Web (WWW) based interface
`through a web server 114 to the network 110 that supports
`the client computers 106. Thus, for this embodiment, the
`web server 114 is a server or process that stores data in the
`form of web pages and transmits these pages as Hypertext
`Markup Language (HTML) files over the Internet 110 to the
`client computers 106. For this embodiment, the client com-
`puters typically run a web browser program to access the
`web pages served by the web server 114 and any available
`content provider or supplemental server that may also be
`coupled to the network. The client computers may access the
`
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`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`Dec. 6, 2007
`
`Internet 110 through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). It
`should be noted that network 110 may be the Internet, a
`Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN),
`or any combination thereof.
`[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, aspects of the one or more
`embodiments described herein may be implemented on one
`or more computing devices executing software instructions.
`The server computer 104 is typically a server or workstation
`class computer, but can be any type of computing device
`with sufficient power and resources. The client computer
`106 or 105 can be any type of personal computing devices,
`such as a workstation, personal computer, notebook com-
`puter, mobile communication device, game console, camera,
`personal digital assistant (PDA), or any device with an
`appropriate amount of processing capability. Likewise, each
`mobile device 102 can be a mobile computing device, such
`as a mobile phone, PDA, notebook computer, game console,
`or any similar class of mobile computing device with
`sufficient processing and communication capability to inter-
`act with other devices over network 111.
`
`[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, server computer 104 runs a
`server-side location-based social network manager process
`112. The client computers 106 may run a client side version
`of this program, or they may access executable program
`components over the network 110, such as through web
`browser. Data for any of the clients 106 or mobile devices
`102 may be provided by a data store 120 that is closely or
`loosely coupled to any of the server 104 and/or each network
`110 and 111. A separate content provider computer may
`provide some of the data that is associated with the social
`network manager program 112. Although data store 120 is
`shown coupled to the network server 104, it should be noted
`that content data may be stored in or more data stores
`coupled to any of the computers of the network, such as a
`network client 106 or to devices within the network 110
`itself.
`
`In one embodiment, the location-based social net-
`[0035]
`work manager process 112 contains one or more program
`components that perform the tasks of displaying location
`and user profile information related to each mobile commu-
`nication device that is part of the network, on each mobile
`device and client computer, and facilitating communication
`between devices based on the location information. The
`
`process also includes a database manager program that
`manages the different databases stored in data store 120. It
`should be noted that the various databases 122 to 128 shown
`
`in data store 120 can be organized as separate databases,
`portions of a single database, or any other logical structure
`appropriate for storing the data.
`[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1, data store 120 stores user
`information in user database 124. This information relates to
`each user of a mobile device 102 and includes basic infor-
`
`mation, such as the user’s name, identifier (nickname or
`“uid”), security check information (e.g., date of birth, moth-
`er’s maiden name), and so on. Depending on the social
`network services provided by the system, this database can
`also store the user’s social and consumer preference infor-
`mation, such as what type of people the user is interested in
`meeting or dating, what types of food or events the user
`prefers, and so on. The user provided database 128 stores
`graphic information related to each user, such as the user’s
`picture, and any other associated images. These images can
`be displayed on the other user’s mobile devices to provide
`a visual reference for each user. The user provided database
`
`can also store other data objects, such as video clips, audio
`clips, hypertext links, documents, or other data provided by
`or associated with the user. Location information for each
`
`user, such as location histories, frequently visited areas, and
`so on, is stored in the location database 126. A map database
`122 can also be included. This database provides the back-
`ground maps that are displayed on each user’s mobile device
`and correspond to an area or region around the user at the
`time the user invokes the process. In one embodiment, the
`map images comprise map tiles that are image files of maps
`with varying degrees of granularity. For example, a map tile
`of the United States may provide an image of the continental
`US. that can be zoomed to display a regional street level
`map for any area in the US. The maps may be stored locally
`within the data store 120 to be provided by the server 104 to
`the appropriate mobile device 102, or they may be provided
`by a third party map provider. Other databases storing
`information relating to the user’ s of the system and the areas
`of their operation can also be included in data store 120, such
`as an events database, a place of interest database, a store
`finder database, and the like.
`
`Social Networking
`
`In one embodiment, each user of a mobile device
`[0037]
`102 maintains an account on the server computer 104 that is
`set up and maintained through a subscription or similar
`membership mechanism. This account allows each user to
`define their own profile and preference data and define the
`boundaries of interaction with the other users in the system.
`The server computer 104 may be a centralized server or
`cluster of server computers that maintains the processes and
`databases for a number of different users, or it may represent
`a distributed set of computers located in different geographic
`regions, each serving a different group of users.
`[0038] The location-based social network manager allows
`each user to set up virtual networks that connect that user to
`other people, places, and events in a manner that adaptively
`utilizes the geographic location information for each of these
`items. The process 112 utilizes the user profile and prefer-
`ence information to allow the user to define networks of
`
`friends within the entire group of users and then locate these
`friends on maps that are displayed on the mobile device
`itself. Using the messaging and calendar functions of the
`mobile device, the user can then send and receive messages
`on the device from these friends, or find places of interest or
`events in the area.
`
`In one embodiment, each mobile communication
`[0039]
`device runs local client versions of the map generator and
`database manager components. Such a component or com-
`ponents may be a thin-client program, such as a Java
`program running on a cell phone, for example.
`In one
`embodiment, each mobile communication device includes a
`circuit or component that determines the geographic location
`of the device relative to a standard set of coordinates. Such
`
`a location determination component can be a GPS module or
`assisted GPS (A-GPS) that provides the location of the
`mobile communication devices in terms of latitude/longi-
`tude coordinates, or a cell phone locator module that pro-
`vides the location in terms of distance to the nearest fixed
`
`cell transmitter location or a group of transmitters, or other
`similar location determination method. Such methods can
`
`(TOA),
`limited to: Time-of-Arrival
`include, but are not
`Time-Difference-of—Arrival
`(TDOA), a Wireless Fidelity
`(WiFi) network, mesh networks, and similar networks. The
`
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`US 2007/0281716 A1
`
`Dec. 6, 2007
`
`client side map generator displays a map of an area (pro-
`vided by map database 122) around the user on the display
`screen of the mobile communication device. Superimposed
`on this map is an indicator for the location of the mobile
`communication device. As the user moves, the position of
`his location on the displayed map is updated in real-time or
`near real-time. The map image information is configurable
`depending upon the location of the user, and can be provided
`by the server computer 104, a separate map provider service,
`or it can be programmed into the mobile device itself.
`[0040]
`In one embodiment, the client-side database man-
`ager component stores information relating to acquaintan-
`ces, friends, family, or other contacts (hereinafter collec-
`tively referred to as “friends”), as well as other items of
`interest, such as places of interest or locations of events of
`interest. The map generator component can be configured to
`display the locations of such items of interest or of any
`friends that are within the region displayed on the map, and
`have mobile devices that are similarly capable of determin-
`ing their own location. In this manner, the user of the mobile
`communication device can see his or her location relative to
`
`other friends or places of interest directly on map displayed
`on the mobile communication device. In general, the dis-
`played map is a street level map to aid the navigation of the
`user within the region displayed by the map. The map can be
`scaled from any number of degrees of resolution, such as
`from country to state or city level down to block level,
`depending upon the configuration of the map generator
`component.
`[0041]
`FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a map displayed
`on a mobile communication device, according to an embodi-
`ment. As shown in FIG. 2A, a mobile communication
`device, such as cellular phone 200 has a display screen 202.
`The map generator displays a map on the display with
`certain icons superimposed thereon denoting the location of
`certain friends or places of interest to the user. For example,
`a large circular icon 208 may denote the location of the user
`of the mobile device, while smaller icons 206 or icons of a
`different shape and/or color may indicate the location of his
`or her friends. The display area can be divided into a number
`of different sub-display areas devoted to displaying infor-
`mation relating to the items displayed. Thus, as shown in
`FIG. 2A, display area 204 displays certain information
`relating to the user, such as name, and status information.
`The status information includes both a status message, a
`user-programmed message that is displayed on the mobile
`devices of the other users, and an indication of availability
`of the user, such as “free” or “busy.” A status flag can be
`defined to allow the user to specify whether he or she is busy
`or free to all or certain users. Other characteristics can also
`be defined and made available to other users in the network,
`such as event preferences, dating preferences, and so on.
`[0042] Depending upon the constraints of the display of
`the mobile device, other items of interest, such as names and
`status of friends and/or places of interest or events can also
`be displayed or shown on the map. Different visual indica-
`tors or tiling techniques, or nested menu techniques can be
`used to provide access to the graphical information provided
`on the display. In one embodiment,
`the process can be
`configured to display the name, image, and any associated
`status information for a user when the icon associated with
`
`the user is selected on the display.
`[0043]
`FIG. 2B illustrates the display of information
`details for users on a map, according to an embodiment.
`
`Because of display space limitations that may be inherent in
`the mobile communication devices, and even the web pages,
`various different display configurations can be used to
`maximize the amount of information displayed at any one
`time. In one embodiment, pop-up screens are utilized to
`display the use