Efficient resource usage for location sharing in computer networks
First Claim
1. A mobile computing device, comprising:
- satellite positioning circuitry configured to receive satellite signals and capable of being used to determine location information for the mobile computing device using a first location determination protocol;
at least one transceiver configured to communicate over one or more networks and capable of being used to determine location information for the mobile computing device using a second location determination protocol that differs from the first location determination protocol; and
at least one processor in communication with the at least one transceiver and the satellite positioning circuitry, the at least one processor configured to;
receive tracking information associated with requests from a set of client computing devices for location information associated with the mobile computing device;
determine, based on the tracking information, whether there is a first level of interest or a second level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device;
determine location information for the mobile computing device using the satellite positioning circuitry and the first location determination protocol, in response there being the first level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device; and
determine location information for the mobile computing device using the at least one transceiver and the second location determination protocol, in response to there being the second level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device;
wherein using the satellite positioning circuitry and the first location determination protocol to determine location information for the mobile computing device provides for higher accuracy and consumes more battery power than using the at least one transceiver and the second location determination protocol to determine the location information for the mobile computing device;
wherein the satellite positioning circuitry comprises a global positioning system (GPS) engine, and the first location determination protocol comprises a GPS protocol; and
wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to communicate over a cellular or Wi-fi network, and the second location determination protocol comprises a cellular or Wi-fi protocol.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A location sharing system and related processes across computer networks are provided that efficiently utilize resources by adjusting location determination techniques at client devices. A rule-based architecture including user-based heuristics facilitates location determination that is accurate while optimizing resource consumption. Current interest in or other behavior associated with a target user or requesting user can be used in selecting a location determination protocol at the client device. An accurate portrayal of a user'"'"'s location can be provided efficiently by correlating interest to utilize more accurate but larger resource-intensive components when interest is higher and to utilize less accurate but lower resource-intensive components when interest is lower.
24 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A mobile computing device, comprising:
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satellite positioning circuitry configured to receive satellite signals and capable of being used to determine location information for the mobile computing device using a first location determination protocol; at least one transceiver configured to communicate over one or more networks and capable of being used to determine location information for the mobile computing device using a second location determination protocol that differs from the first location determination protocol; and at least one processor in communication with the at least one transceiver and the satellite positioning circuitry, the at least one processor configured to; receive tracking information associated with requests from a set of client computing devices for location information associated with the mobile computing device; determine, based on the tracking information, whether there is a first level of interest or a second level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device; determine location information for the mobile computing device using the satellite positioning circuitry and the first location determination protocol, in response there being the first level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device; and determine location information for the mobile computing device using the at least one transceiver and the second location determination protocol, in response to there being the second level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device; wherein using the satellite positioning circuitry and the first location determination protocol to determine location information for the mobile computing device provides for higher accuracy and consumes more battery power than using the at least one transceiver and the second location determination protocol to determine the location information for the mobile computing device; wherein the satellite positioning circuitry comprises a global positioning system (GPS) engine, and the first location determination protocol comprises a GPS protocol; and wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to communicate over a cellular or Wi-fi network, and the second location determination protocol comprises a cellular or Wi-fi protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for use by a mobile computing device, the method comprising:
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receiving tracking information associated with requests from a set of client computing devices for location information associated with the mobile computing device; determining, based on the tracking information, whether there is a first level of interest or a second level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device; determining location information for the mobile computing device, using satellite positioning circuitry of the mobile computing device and a first location determination protocol, in response to determining that there is the first level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device, wherein the satellite positioning circuitry is configured to receive satellite signals; and determining location information for the mobile computing device, using at least one transceiver of the mobile computing device and a second location determination protocol, in response to determining that there is the second level of interest in location information associated with the mobile computing device, wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to communicate over one or more networks; wherein the second location determination protocol differs from the first location determination protocol; wherein using the satellite positioning circuitry and the first location determination protocol to determine location information for the mobile computing device provides for higher accuracy and consumes more battery power than using the at least one transceiver and the second location determination protocol to determine the location information for the mobile computing device; wherein the satellite positioning circuitry comprises a global positioning system (GPS) engine, and the first location determination protocol comprises a GPS protocol; and wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to communicate over a cellular or Wi-fi network, and the second location determination protocol comprises a cellular or Wi-fi protocol. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification