PROXIMITY-BASED SOCIAL NETWORKING
First Claim
1. A method in a computing system, comprising:
- providing a proximity-based social networking environment to a plurality of users that are each operating a mobile device, the plurality of users each belonging to one or more social networking services, by;
receiving location information from each of the mobile devices;
determining a subset of the plurality of users, each of the users of the subset being proximately located to every other user of the subset and having indicated a desire to be made visible electronically to other users; and
causing the mobile devices operated by each of the subset of users to present, without use of a map or any other specific indication of a user location, information about other users of the subset.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments facilitate proximity-based social networking. In one embodiment, a Proximity-based Social Networking facilitator system (“PSN”) determines and provides a user with relevant information based on his proximity to other users of his social and other networks. Proximity determinations may be based on various factors, including user location, user affinity, user activities, and the like. In one embodiment, the PSN determines a group of users that are proximately located to one another, and provides users of the group with information about other users without disclosing their actual location on a map. The users of the group receive the information via mobile computing devices, and can use the mobile computing devices to further interact with the other users of the group, such as by arranging meetings, communicating, and/or engaging in transactions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method in a computing system, comprising:
providing a proximity-based social networking environment to a plurality of users that are each operating a mobile device, the plurality of users each belonging to one or more social networking services, by; receiving location information from each of the mobile devices; determining a subset of the plurality of users, each of the users of the subset being proximately located to every other user of the subset and having indicated a desire to be made visible electronically to other users; and causing the mobile devices operated by each of the subset of users to present, without use of a map or any other specific indication of a user location, information about other users of the subset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computing system configured to facilitate proximity based social networking, comprising:
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a memory; a module stored on the memory that is configured, when executed, to; provide a proximity-based social networking environment to a plurality of users that are each operating a mobile device, the plurality of users each belonging to one or more social networking services, by; receiving location information from each of the mobile devices; determining a subset of the plurality of users, each of the users of the subset being proximately located to every other user of the subset and having indicated a desire to be made visible to other users; and causing the mobile devices operated by each of the subset of users to present, without use of a map or any other specific indication of a user location, information about other users of the subset.
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20. A computer-readable medium whose contents, when executed, cause a computing system to facilitate proximity-based social networking, by:
providing a proximity-based social networking environment to a plurality of users that are each operating a mobile device, the plurality of users each belonging to one or more social networking services, by; receiving location information from each of the mobile devices; determining a subset of the plurality of users, each of the users of the subset being proximately located to every other user of the subset and having indicated a desire to be made visible to other users; and causing the mobile devices operated by each of the subset of users to present, without use of a map or any other specific indication of a user location, information about other users of the subset.
Specification