LOCATION SHARING

• US 20090325603A1
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Published: 12/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Matas, Mike, Herz, Scott, Van Os, Marcel MWA
• Granted Patent: US 8,369,867 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Geographic location data is sent from a first device to a second device with a modified message to signal the presence of geographic location data associated with the message. The message can include (or attach) the geographic location data or file, or the message can include a link to a network-based resource which the second device can use to obtain the geographic location data. In some implementations, when a user of the first device views a location on a map display of the first device, a graphical user interface is presented to allow the user to select an option to share the geographic location with the second device. The second device receives geographic location data or a link from the first device which can trigger a map display on the second device showing the location of the first device and, optionally, the location of the second device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining input specifying sharing of geographic location data or a contact with a device; and

sending the geographic location data or contact with a text message to the device, where the text message is modified to signal the presence of the geographic location data or contact associated with the text message.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the geographic location on a map display of a mobile device; and

receiving the input through the map display.

3. The method of claim 2, where the sending is performed using an email or messaging application which is selectable by a user.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

providing a virtual keyboard on the first mobile device for typing the message.

5. The method of claim 2, where the geographic location data includes map data associated with the geographic location.

6. The method of claim 2, where the geographic location data includes a link to a network-based map service for providing map data associated with the geographic location data.

7. A method comprising:

receiving a message and geographic location data from a device;

processing the message to determine if the message is associated with geographic location data; and

if the message is associated with the geographic location data, presenting a map display with the geographic location of the device identified.

8. The method of claim 7, where the map display is presented automatically.

9. A method comprising:

sending a text message to a mobile device, the text message requesting the mobile device to share its current location;

responsive to the request, continually receiving current location information from the device; and

tracking the device on a map display using the current location information.

10. A system comprising:

a processor; and

memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

obtaining input specifying sharing of geographic location data or a contact with a device; and

sending the geographic location data or contact with a text message to the device, where the text message is modified to signal the presence of the geographic location data or the contact associated with the text message.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

identifying the geographic location on a map display of a mobile device; and

receiving the input through the map display.

12. The system of claim 11, where the sending is performed using an email or messaging application which is selectable by a user.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

providing a virtual keyboard on the first mobile device for typing the message.

14. The system of claim 11, where the geographic location data includes map data associated with the geographic location.

15. The system of claim 11, where the geographic location data includes a link to a network-based map service for providing map data associated with the geographic location data.

16. A system comprising:

a processor; and

memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving a message and geographic location data from a device;

processing the message to determine if the message is associated with geographic location data; and

if the message is associated with the geographic location data, presenting a map display with the geographic location of the device identified.

17. The system of claim 16, where the map display is presented automatically.

18. A system comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

sending a text message to a mobile device, the text message requesting the mobile device to share its current location;

responsive to the request, continually receiving current location information from the device; and

tracking the device on a map display using the current location information.

19. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

obtaining input specifying sharing of geographic location data or a contact with a device; and

sending the geographic location data or contact with a text message to the device, where the text message is modified to signal the presence of the geographic location data or contact associated with the text message.

20. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving a message and geographic location data from a device;

processing the message to determine if the message is associated with geographic location data; and

if the message is associated with the geographic location data, presenting a map display with the geographic location of the device identified.