Sharing User Defined Location Based Zones

• US 20080155027A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Hassan, Ahmed E., Martin, Daryl Joseph, O'Keefe, Christopher David
• Granted Patent: US 8,903,936 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/27 Replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database system; Distributed database system architectures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A method is provided for sharing data, stored on a central data store, between a first user and a secondary user. The method comprises the following steps. A share request message is received from the first user. The share request message includes a data identifier for identifying which of the data stored on the central data store is to be shared with the secondary user, and a user identifier for identifying the secondary user. The data to be shared is associated with an account of the secondary user for subsequent access by the secondary user. A system and computer readable medium configured to implement the method are also described.

Claims

1. A method of sharing data, stored on a central data store, between a first user and a secondary user, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a share request message from the first user, the share request message including a data identifier for identifying which of the data stored on the central data store is to be shared with the secondary user, and a user identifier for identifying the secondary user; and

associating the data to be shared with an account of the secondary user for subsequent access by the secondary user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data to be shared is stored in an account associated with the first user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the central data store comprises one or both of a location based server or a repository.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user identifier comprises one or more of a personal identification number, an e-mail address, or a telephone number.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of verifying that the first user has an associated account including the data to be shared with the secondary user.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of verifying that the secondary user has an associated account for accessing the data to be shared.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising the further step of transmitting the data to be shared to the secondary user if the secondary user does not have an associated account.

8. The method of claim 6, comprising the further step of establishing an account for the secondary user if one does not already exist.

9. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of transmitting a share accept message to the secondary user for approval of the data to be shared.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the share accept message includes a sender identifier for identifying the first user and the data identifier.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein only a subset of the data to be shared is accepted by the secondary user and shared by the first and secondary users.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the data to be shared is only associated with the secondary user'"'"'s account if the share accept message is accepted by the secondary user.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the secondary user tentatively accepts the share accept message, which is stored for later access by the secondary user.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the data to be shared comprises custom zone information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the data to be shared comprises a subset of the custom zone information as defined by the first user.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the data to be shared comprises a subset of the custom zone information as selected by the secondary user.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the data to be shared comprises custom zone information relating to a plurality of custom zones.

18. The method of claim 14, comprising the further step of presenting to the secondary user the custom zone information only when the secondary user views a corresponding custom zone on a mapping application.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the data to be shared is associated with the secondary user'"'"'s account by transferring the data to be shared to the secondary user'"'"'s account.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the data to be shared is updated at the secondary user'"'"'s account at predefined intervals.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein the data to be shared is associated with the secondary user'"'"'s account by linking the secondary user'"'"'s account with the data to be shared in the first user'"'"'s account.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is shared between a first user and a plurality of secondary users, wherein the user identifier identifies the plurality of secondary users, and the data to be shared is associated with the accounts of the secondary users.

24. The server of claim 21, further comprising the central data store.

23. A server for sharing data, stored on a central data store, between a first user and a secondary user, the server comprising a processor configured to execute the steps of:

receiving a share request message from the first user, the share request message including a data identifier for identifying which of the data stored on the central data store is to be shared with the secondary user, and a user identifier for identifying the secondary user; and

associating the data to be shared with an account of the secondary user for subsequent access by the secondary user.

25. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement the steps:

receiving a share request message from the first user, the share request message including a data identifier for identifying which of the data stored on the central data store is to be shared with the secondary user, and a user identifier for identifying the secondary user; and

associating the data to be shared with an account of the secondary user for subsequent access by the secondary user.