Method and system for connecting mobile users based on degree of separation
First Claim
1. A method for initiating a telecommunications connection, comprising the step of connecting a first telecommunications unit (TU) to a second TU when predetermined criteria is met, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the first and second TUs being within a predetermined distance of each other, and a first user associated with the first TU being connected to a second user associated with the second TU in a first graph representing relationships among users.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for selectively connecting proximately located telecommunications units are disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. A first TU may be connected to a second TU when the first and second TUs are within a predetermined distance of each other and when a first user associated with the first TU may be connected to a second user associated with the second TU on a graph representing individual relationships, such as an acquaintance graph or genealogical tree. The connection may further be based on whether the first and second users have a less than a maximum threshold degree of separation within the relationship graph.
364 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for initiating a telecommunications connection, comprising the step of connecting a first telecommunications unit (TU) to a second TU when predetermined criteria is met,
wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the first and second TUs being within a predetermined distance of each other, and a first user associated with the first TU being connected to a second user associated with the second TU in a first graph representing relationships among users.
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14. A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform a set of steps for initiating a telecommunications connection, the set of steps comprising the step of connecting a first telecommunications unit (TU) to a second TU when predetermined criteria are met,
wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the first and second TUs being within a predetermined distance of each other, and a first user associated with the first TU being connected to a second user associated with the second TU in a first graph representing relationships among users.
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27. A system for initiating a telecommunications connection, comprising:
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a processor;
memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform a set of steps, the set comprising the step of connecting a first telecommunications unit (TU) to a second TU when predetermined criteria are met, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the first and second TUs being within a predetermined distance of each other, and a first user associated with the first TU being connected to a second user associated with the second TU in a first graph representing relationships among users.
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Specification