Message transmission system for users of location-aware mobile communication devices in a local area network
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting messages to a plurality of acquaintances capable of communication with a user over a network, the method comprising:
- establishing communication links between the user and the plurality of acquaintances through respective location aware mobile communication devices through a network protocol;
creating one or more groups of acquaintances based on one or more characteristics common to members of each group; and
transmitting one 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, wherein 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.
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Accused Products
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 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 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 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 displayed area.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting messages to a plurality of acquaintances capable of communication with a user over a network, the method comprising:
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establishing communication links between the user and the plurality of acquaintances through respective location aware mobile communication devices through a network protocol; creating one or more groups of acquaintances based on one or more characteristics common to members of each group; and transmitting one 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, wherein 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of building a messaging network of acquaintances capable of communicating with a user, the method comprising:
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loading a client-side module on a first mobile communication device operated by the user and coupled to the network; identifying an acquaintance user of a second mobile communication device coupled to the network to allow location-sharing between the user and the acquaintance user through graphical user interfaces on their respective mobile communication devices and to allow messaging between the user and the acquaintance user based on their relative locations; transmitting the client-side module to the second mobile communication device; and receiving input of specific identification information provided by the acquaintance user of the second mobile communication device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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21. A system comprising:
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a network defined by a network service provider; a server computer coupled to the network and configured to communicate to a plurality of other computing devices over the network; and a mobile communication device coupled to the network and configured to communicate with a plurality of other mobile communication devices over the network, wherein the location of the other mobile communication devices relative to the mobile communication device is displayed on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and further configured to transmit one of a user specified message or a pre-defined message to one or more of the other mobile communication devices within a pre-defined distance to a user of the mobile communication device, wherein contents of the user specified message and pre-defined message is based on the relative distance of the user to the other mobile communication devices.
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Specification