(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2008/0132251A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 5, 2008
`Altman et al.
`
`US 2008O132251A1
`
`(54)
`
`GEO-TAGGED JOURNAL SYSTEM FOR
`LOCATION-AWARE MOBILE
`COMMUNICATION DEVICES
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Samuel H. Altman, Menlo Park,
`CA (US); Nicholas T. Sivo, Palo
`Alto, CA (US); Thomas B.
`Pernikoff, Mountain View, CA
`(US); Alok Deshpande, Palo Alto,
`CA (US); Richard M. Pernikoff,
`Palo Alto, CA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`COURTNEY STANFORD & GREGORY LLP
`P.O. BOX 9686
`SANJOSE, CA 95157
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`11/932,127
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 31, 2007
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 1 1/445,730,
`filed on Jun. 1, 2006.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04O 7/20
`(2006.01)
`G06F 7/30
`(52) U.S. Cl. ......................................... 455/457; 707/100
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Embodiments of a location sharing 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 communication device oper
`ated 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 trusted users of mobile communication devices
`coupled to the mobile communication device over the net
`work. A journal creation and management component pro
`vides tools for users to create and store user-generated content
`in the form of an online journal. This user-generated content
`can be automatically tagged with location information pro
`vided by the location-aware mobile communication device.
`Such geo-tagged journal information can be shared with spe
`cific users in the network or utilized by users with specific
`interest in the location dimension of the journal content. The
`user-generated content can be provided in the form of text or
`graphic messages, pictures, audio/video clips, and the like.
`
`Location-Based Socia
`Network Manager
`12
`
`
`
`
`
`location-to
`Display Process
`52
`
`e
`Map Server
`
`
`
`
`
`102
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`POSITION
`DETERMINATION
`168
`
`
`
`DATA RAIO
`64
`
`s Y
`
`DISPLAY
`170
`
`PROCSSOR
`162
`
`NUt
`168
`
`LOCATION-AWARE DEVICE
`
`160
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 001
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 1 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`106 - 2D
`2.
`Client
`
`106-2D
`2.
`Client
`
`-
`Cr-102
`
`100
`
`Olu?o
`
`Internet
`110
`
`Cell network
`111
`
`--10s
`
`o u-102
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`I I I
`H H 1 1 6 I 1 1 8
`
`:
`
`y
`Web server 104
`
`-
`
`H
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ya
`Cell server
`
`Ad server
`
`Advertising
`platform manager
`117
`
`?t
`Server
`
`Location-based
`social network 112
`manager
`
`
`
`Data Store 120
`
`Map
`
`Location
`DB
`126
`
`provided DB
`128
`
`FIG.1A
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 002
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 2 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`Location-Based Social
`Network Manager
`112
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LOCation-to
`Display Process
`152
`
`
`
`c
`Map Server
`
`102
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DATA RADIO
`164
`
`POSITION
`DETERMINATION
`166
`
`DISPLAY
`170
`
`PROCESSOR
`162
`
`LOCATION-AWARE DEVICE
`
`160
`
`FG, 1B
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 003
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 3 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`
`
`208
`
`FIG.2A
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 004
`
`

`

`
`
`FIG.2B
`
`0.
`
`OOOOOOO
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 19
`
`US 2008/O132251A1
`
`
`
`90%
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 6 of 19
`
`US 2008/O132251A1
`
`Group Manager
`
`/~/
`
`404
`
`
`
`Name:
`Description:
`
`406 N/
`
`Friends:
`
`FIG.4B
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EOSchgglfriends I
`O The Boys
`SD All Friends
`Within this radius.
`5 8) O Any
`
`
`
`e
`
`
`
`
`
`O.5 miles
`O 1 mile
`O 5 miles
`O 10 miles
`
`
`
`
`
`414
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 007
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 7 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`FIG.5A
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Cindy L. Fixing my car:(
`’8 Fris (2.72 miN)
`
`502
`
`Nick C. :Missing my phone.
`(0.17 mi)
`
`506
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Yl 1 -? /u/N-
`Name:
`1V- NuNJ
`Age:
`-- ~\-/-
`Distance;
`AWay Message: M- - - -
`
`
`
`--> --/n-
`Name:
`1v1 Nfy
`Age:
`Yu-1 UVA/N-
`Distance:
`AWay Message: ~~ -ul-ul
`
`Name:
`-Na? NY/
`Age:
`1v- Sun
`Distance:
`-- ~-/n-
`AWay Message: M- -, -u
`
`G) --- Y -
`(S)- r ->
`E - N -- 1 MS-Yu/
`w
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 008
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 8 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`FIG.6A
`
`
`
`Mobile Privacy
`
`Status Message:
`
`606
`
`Choose who can see your location with the settings below.
`My location is visible to:
`608
`O All friends ONobody G) Some Friends (see blacklist below)
`Block my location from certain friends by checking them:
`This list only applies if visibility is set to "Some Friends" above.
`allow all block all
`I am Currently:
`O Free O Busy
`
`612
`
`61
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 9 of 19
`
`US 2008/O132251A1
`
`
`
`Join loopt
`was seas has invited you to join loopt. Find your
`friends fast. Sign up now or learn more here. Verify
`you know ---------- before being friends.
`
`:
`
`JECT: FIRSTNAME OF INVI ER) has invited you to join OOp
`
`INVITERNAME PHONENUMBER has invited you to join loopt and be
`friends!
`If you don't know what loopt is you can learn more at www.loopt.com, but
`
`here's the scoop...
`
`,
`
`, , , , , , , ,
`
`,
`
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`
`, , ,
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. .
`
`.
`
`oopt is the first social mapping service that allows you to enhance your
`mobile lifestyle and improve the way you communicate with friends.
`Know where your friends are and what they're up to. Share your experiences
`pictures and thoughts on the go with the journal. Go to a cool place? Tag
`laces and venues to share with friends. Send invitations for your events right
`
`rom your phone.
`
`.
`
`33.3::::::::::, ; , " :
`
`"
`
`: . . .
`
`.
`
`&
`
`O sign up, just go to https://boost loopi.com/loopt/sess/signup-start. Web2.l.
`in your web browser.
`
`F.G. 6D
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 10 of 19
`
`US 2008/O132251A1
`
`FIG.7A
`
`
`
`Ilan G. Ryan H. Carl T.
`
`Hey guys Want to meet up after Workfor drinks?
`The game is on too.
`
`FIG.7B
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0011
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 11 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FriendFinder
`2 of 3
`& Frik Barnight
`Basi:f3.
`SS
`Hosted by sally
`Pa Location:Loading zone
`P Me Very far away
`
`
`
`:
`
`FIG.8A
`
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`AY
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`AN
`
`S///
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0012
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 12 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`
`
`ZO
`
`6’OIH
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0013
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 13 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`User accesses server or present 1002
`polling period is finished
`4
`
`Perform GPS poll to
`obtain user's location
`1004
`
`Location
`fixed?
`1006
`
`
`
`Distance delta >
`threshold?
`1010
`
`Wait and decrease
`polling frequency by
`preset factor
`1012
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.10
`
`Wait then retry or
`check if user
`changed cell tower
`1008
`
`
`
`Send location
`information to server
`1014
`
`
`
`Increase polling
`frequency by preset
`factor
`
`1016
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0014
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 14 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`
`
`Friends transmit
`updated information
`to server computer
`
`Updated data is
`flagged on server
`computer
`
`Server holds and bundle
`updated data for
`transmission to user upon
`next network call
`
`User receives update
`or changed status in
`in mobile communication
`device or client computer
`
`FIG.11
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0015
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 15 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`ZI’OIH
`
`
`
`ZOZI
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0016
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 16 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251 A1
`
`$2
`
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`
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`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`
`Page 0017
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0017
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 17 of 19
`
`US 2008/O132251A1
`
`
`
`1404
`
`DOWnloading journal...
`
`FIG.14A
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0018
`
`

`

`ication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 18 of 19
`
`US 2008/0132251A1
`
`
`
`FIG.14B
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0019
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 5, 2008 Sheet 19 of 19
`
`US 2008/O132251A1
`
`1500-
`
`FIG.15A
`
`p. 1/2
`
`Fr.
`
`1502
`
`
`
`My Journal
`NCG)
`218 1:04am (MAP)
`Check Out this Sunset
`everyone should check out this
`restaurant
`218 12:21am (MAP)
`rain rain go away...hope the
`Suncomes back SOOn
`27 9:00pm
`grabbing lunch, I'm thinking
`burritos.
`256.55pm.
`
`1506
`
`N
`
`2/8/2007 1:04am
`(entry # 4 of 11)
`
`1508
`
`1510
`
`FIG 15B
`
`check Out this sunset everyone
`ShOuld check Out this restaurant
`
`1512
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0020
`
`

`

`US 2008/O 132251A1
`
`Jun. 5, 2008
`
`GEO-TAGGED JOURNAL SYSTEM FOR
`LOCATION-AWARE MOBILE
`COMMUNICATION DEVICES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`0001. The current application is a continuation-in-part
`application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 1 1/445,730,
`entitled “Displaying the Location of Individuals on an Inter
`activeMap Display on a Mobile Communication Device' and
`filed on Jun. 1, 2006. The current application is related to U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 1 1/445,727, entitled “Message
`Transmission System for Users of Location-Aware Mobile
`Communication Devices in a Local Area Network, and U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 1 1/445,729, entitled “Mobile Dat
`ing System Incorporating User Location Information, and
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 1 1/445,751, entitled “Dis
`playing and Tagging Places of Interest on Location-Aware
`Mobile Communication Devices in a Local Area Network.”
`each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in it
`entirety.
`
`FIELD
`0002 Embodiments of the invention relate generally to
`mobile communication networks, and more specifically, to
`creating and sharing journal entries containing location
`based information.
`
`BACKGROUND
`0003. The incorporation of location and navigation tech
`nology, Such as global positioning system (GPS) technology
`into mobile phones and similar wireless portable devices has
`created a class of “location-aware' devices that allow users to
`communicate with other users as well as determine or even
`view the location of other users on their own device. Such
`devices may be configured to display a regional map and the
`location of other users and/or places of interest on their
`device. This greatly enhances the Social networking capabil
`ity of Such devices, beyond simple Voice or text-based com
`munication by allowing users to quickly find friends and
`associates and coordinate activities based on respective loca
`tions.
`0004. The advent of social network sites has encouraged
`the creation and sharing of a great deal of user-generated
`content. The widespread use of mobile phones, digital cam
`eras and video recorders allows users to record and store a
`multitude of different events and experiences and share this
`content with family and friends. Such content is often created
`and stored in the form of web logs (“blogs’) or other similar
`online diaries or journals that are posted to an online site that
`is accessible to the public or to specific stets of users. A key
`feature of such online journals is that they can be accessed and
`commented on by other users. In general, present methods of
`generating, storing, and sharing user-generated content are
`based on the model of a static client computer which is at a
`fixed location and is used to create and store the journal
`entries. Mobile devices. Such as mobile phones, cameras, tape
`recorders, video recorders and the like, are typically used only
`to capture content at a certain location. A user then typically
`downloads any such content to their personal computer or
`workstation to create a blog or journal entry. The increased
`processing, storage, and video/audio capture capabilities of
`mobile devices along with increased availability of popular
`
`application Software, however, allows the use of such devices
`to be used directly in the creation and sharing of journal
`entries. However, present mobile device platforms do not
`effectively allow for creation and sharing of user-generated
`content or the incorporation of location information that is
`often available in modern telecommunication devices.
`0005. The incorporation of location display capability pre
`sents unique opportunities in the creation and sharing of
`user-generated content, Such as notes, photographs, audio/
`video clips, and the like. The use of location information
`inherent in the location-aware mobile device can be used to
`create user-content that is relevant to groups of users or mem
`bers of a network. The location information can also be used
`to transmit user generated content to specific members of a
`network, Such as members who are in the general proximity
`of a user or a particular location.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`0006 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 communi
`cation devices over a wireless network. At least some of the
`mobile devices are location-aware mobile communication
`devices. The process determines the geographic location 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 agraphical 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 com
`munication device over the network. The user can build a
`database of trusted friends among the one or more other users
`whose location can be displayed on each respective mobile
`communication device. A journal creation and management
`component provides tools for users to create and store user
`generated content in the form of an online journal. This user
`generated content can be automatically tagged with location
`information provided by the location-aware mobile commu
`nication device. Such geo-tagged journal information can be
`shared with specific users in the network or utilized by users
`with specific interest in the location dimension of the journal
`content. The user-generated content can be provided in the
`form of text or graphic messages, pictures, audio/video clips,
`reviews/ratings, past events and the like.
`
`INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
`0007 Each publication, patent, and/or patent application
`mentioned in this specification is herein incorporated by ref
`erence in its entirety to the same extent as if each individual
`publication and/or patent application was specifically and
`individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0008 Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and
`not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in
`which like references indicate similar elements.
`0009 FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a mobile communi
`cation and computer network that implements embodiments
`of a location-based social network system.
`0010 FIG. 1B is a block diagram of components of a
`location-aware mobile device that is used in the network of
`FIG. 1A, under an embodiment.
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
`Page 0021
`
`

`

`US 2008/O 132251A1
`
`Jun. 5, 2008
`
`FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a map displayed
`0011
`on a mobile communication device, according to an embodi
`ment.
`0012 FIG.2B illustrates the display of information 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.
`0014 FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a database inter
`face for storing and grouping friends on a client computer,
`under an embodiment.
`0015 FIG. 4B illustrates an example of a database inter
`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 dis
`played on a mobile communication device, according to an
`embodiment.
`0017 FIG. 5B illustrates an example of a friend list dis
`played on a web page, according to an embodiment.
`0018 FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a privacy prefer
`ence menu displayed on a mobile communication device,
`under an embodiment.
`0019 FIG. 6B illustrates an example of a privacy prefer
`ence menu displayed on a web page, under an embodiment.
`0020 FIG. 6C illustrates display windows containing an
`invite-a-friend message in SMS format and as an e-mail mes
`sage, under an embodiment.
`0021
`FIG. 6D is a flowchart illustrating a method of estab
`lishing a friendship link between two users, under an embodi
`ment.
`0022 FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a messaging func
`tion for implementation on a mobile communication device,
`according to an embodiment.
`0023 FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a messaging func
`tion for implementation on a web page, according to an
`embodiment.
`0024 FIG. 8A illustrates an example of an event manager
`function for implementation on a mobile communication
`device, according to an embodiment.
`0025 FIG. 8B illustrates an example of an event manager
`function for implementation on a client computer, according
`to an embodiment.
`0026 FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an alert function for
`the location-based social network manager process, under an
`embodiment.
`0027 FIG. 10 is a flowchart that illustrates GPS polling for
`a location determination module, according to an embodi
`ment.
`0028 FIG. 11 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of
`sending updated information to a user's mobile device, under
`an embodiment.
`0029 FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a user update on a
`mobile communication device and a corresponding update
`table, under an embodiment.
`0030 FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a user table and an
`associated location history table, under an embodiment.
`0031
`FIG. 14A illustrates the display of interstitial ad
`messages on a location-aware mobile communication device,
`under an embodiment.
`0032 FIG. 14B illustrates the display of public, private, or
`user-generated places of interest on the display of a location
`aware mobile device, under an embodiment.
`0033 FIG. 15A illustrates an example of a journal for a
`user, under an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15A.
`
`0034 FIG. 15B illustrates an expanded journal entry for
`the journal of FIG. 15A, under an embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0035 Embodiments of a location-based mobile commu
`nication device network system that incorporates a geo
`tagged journal creation system are described. In the following
`description, numerous specific details are introduced to pro
`vide a thorough understanding of, and enabling description
`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.
`0036 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 commu
`nication devices. FIG. 1A illustrates a communication and
`computer network system 100 that implements one or more
`embodiments. In system 100, a plurality of mobile commu
`nication devices, such as cell phones or similar devices 102
`are coupled to a communication network, Such as cell net
`work 111. The mobile communication devices (or “mobile
`devices') are each carried and operated by a user and com
`municate with one another using known communication
`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 net
`work, although it should be noted that any other type of
`wireless network that supports mobile devices can also be
`used.
`0037. In one embodiment, a server computer 104 runs a
`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 information or
`experiences, or other types of Social or professional interac
`tion based on their location, Because the users of the mobile
`devices are inherently transitory, a fundamental data object
`associated with each of the users of the mobile devices is the
`location of each user within a particular region. Other param
`eters 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 net
`work manager process 112. Through a subscription, or simi
`lar membership-type (free or fee-based) participation model,
`each user registers with the server computer 104 by providing
`certain information relating to the user. Each principle param
`eter 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.
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1003
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`0038. In one embodiment, each user of a mobile device
`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 pro
`vided 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 computers
`typically run a web browser program to access the web pages
`served by the web server 114 and any available content pro
`vider or supplemental server that may also be coupled to the
`network. The client computers may access the 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.
`0039. As shown in FIG. 1A, 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 computer, mobile
`communication device, game console, camera, personal digi
`talassistant (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, of any similar class
`of mobile computing device with Sufficient processing and
`communication capability to interact with other devices over
`network 111.
`0040. As shown in FIG. 1A, 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 com
`ponents 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 pro
`gram 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 com
`puters of the network, such as a network client 106 or to
`devices within the network 110 itself.
`0041. In one embodiment, the location-based social net
`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 communica
`tion 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 dif
`ferent 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.
`0042. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, data store 120 stores user
`information in user database 124. This information relates to
`each user of a mobile device 102 and includes basic informa
`tion, such as the user's name, identifier (nickname or “uid'),
`security check information (e.g., date of birth, password), 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 information, 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 pro
`vided 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. The user
`provided database also stores user-generated content that can
`be included in journals or blogs maintained by the user. The
`journals comprise journal entries that are stored in chrono
`logical order and that can be accessed and commented on by
`other users of the system.
`0043 Real-time location information for each user, and
`geo-tagged places and journal entries, and so on, is stored in
`the location database 126. A map database 122 can also be
`included. This database provides the background 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 U.S. that can be Zoomed
`to display a regional Street level map for any area in the U.S.
`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.
`0044 FIG. 1B is a block diagram of components of a
`location-aware mobile device that is used in the network of
`FIG. 1A, under an embodiment. For the embodiment of FIG.
`1B, location-aware device 160 represents a mobile phone or
`similar mobile device that incorporates the location sharing
`feature provided by the location-based social network man
`ager process 112. This allows the location of device 160 to be
`displayed on its own display 170 as well as on the display of
`other user devices 102, which may or may not have location
`capabilities, and/or server computers 104. Location informa
`tion for the device is determined by position determination
`unit 166, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) method,
`or other location determination process implemented within
`the device 160. The location information is provided in a
`standardized format. Such as latitude/longitude to a processor
`162 and a data radio 164. Because of the limited size of the
`displays on devices 160 and 102, the background map must be
`appropriately scaled depending on user preference. In one
`
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`Page 0023
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`US 2008/O 132251A1
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`Jun. 5, 2008
`
`embodiment, the scale information is provided by the user
`through input 168 (e.g., keypad input). The data radio 164
`transmits the location data for the device as well as the scale
`information over network 110 to server 104.
`0045. In one embodiment, the location-based social net
`work manager process 112 executed by server 104 includes a
`location-to-display process 152. This process converts the
`location data into pixel data that displays an icon representing
`the device 160 on a map that is appropriately scaled based on
`user input. The background maps may be provided by a
`separate map server 154. The location-based social network
`manager process 112 includes components that display the
`location information for device 160 to other user devices 102
`based on lists of friends whom user 160 has specified as
`authorized to view Such location information.
`0046. In an alternative embodiment, the location-to-dis
`play process may be implemented in part or in whole by a
`process that is executed locally on device 160.
`Social Networking
`0047. In one embodiment, each user of a mobile device
`102 maintains an account on the server computer 104 that is
`set up and maintained through a Subscription or similar mem
`bership mechanism. This account allows each user to define
`their own profile and preference data and define the bound
`aries 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 distrib
`uted set of computers located in different geographic regions,
`each serving a different group of users.
`0048. 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 or any of
`these item