Computer-based networking service and method and system for performing the same

• US 20090037531A1
• Filed: 10/01/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Boyd, John Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,716,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Methods and systems for assisting individuals (101) arrange meetings such as networking meeting with other individuals (101) at a specified time (or within a specified time range) and/or at a specified place (or within a specified geographic region). More specifically, methods and systems for allowing individuals (110) to post an invitation to for a meeting on an on-line network and for allowing one or more other individuals (101) to accept such invitation.

Claims

1-95. -95. (canceled)

96. A computer based method for facilitating an arrangement for a meeting including a first user and a second user comprising:

(a) allowing said first user to register by providing an email address and creating a first user profile including public information and private information;

(b) determining the location of said second user; and

(c) providing a notification to, or at an online location accessible by, said second user including updated information including meeting invitations;

wherein said steps (a), (b) and (c) are performed using one or more computer devices and said method results in said meeting including said first user and said second user.

98. The method of claim 96, wherein said location of said second user is determined using an advanced positioning system in combination with a cellular communication network.

106. The method of claim 96, further receiving a travel itinerary from a third user and allowing another user to provide said third user with information based on said travel itinerary.

107. The method of claim 96, further comprising providing a directory of users that includes user information and allowing users to contact other users for meetings using said directory.

108. A system for performing the method of claim 96, comprising one or more computer devices for:

(a) allowing said first user to register;

(b) determining the location of said second user; and

(c) providing said notification to, or at an online location accessible by, said second user including said updated information including said meeting invitations.

97. A computer based method for facilitating an arrangement for a meeting including a first user and a second user comprising:

(a) receiving invitation information from said first user;

(b) determining the location of said second user; and

(c) providing said invitation information to, or at an online location accessible by, said second user based on said location;

wherein said steps (a), (b), and (c) are performed using one or more computer devices.

99. The method of claim 97, wherein said location of said second user is determined using an advanced positioning system in combination with a cellular communication network.

100. The method of claim 97, further comprising providing said invitation information to, or at a location accessible by, other users.

101. The method of claim 97, wherein said first user and said second user do not know each other prior to said first user providing said invitation information in step (a).

102. The method of claim 97, further comprising communicating to said first user a communication from said second user regarding said invitation information.

103. The method of claim 97, wherein said invitation information does not include a specified invited individual.

104. The method of claim 97, wherein said invitation information includes a time or time range and a location for said meeting.

105. The method of claim 97, wherein said invitation information includes a description of who said first user would like to meet.

109. A system for performing the method of claim 97, comprising one or more computer devices for:

(a) receiving said invitation information from said first user;

(b) determining the location of said second user; and

(c) providing said invitation information to, or at an online location accessible by, said second user based on said location.

110. A computer based method for facilitating an arrangement for a meeting including a first user and a second user comprising:

(a) receiving an invitation for said meeting from said first user; and

(b) providing said invitation to, or at a location accessible by, other users;

further comprising determining the location of a second user, wherein said steps (a) and (b) are performed using one or more computer devices.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein said location of said second user is determined using an advanced positioning system in combination with a cellular communication network.

112. The method of claim 110, further comprising providing said second user with said invitation based on said location of said second user.

113. The method of claim 112, further comprising providing an acceptance of said invitation from said second user to, or at location accessible by, said first user.

114. The method of claim 110, wherein said invitation does not include a specified invited individual.

115. The method of claim 110, wherein said invitation includes a time or time range and a location for said meeting.