Systems And Methods For Location Tracking In A Social Network

• US 20110252095A1
• Filed: 03/11/2011
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Oath Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Joannou, Amy Craig, Cohen, Justin Scott, Sattar, Rizwan Abdus, Wick, Andrew Lee, Cypes, Gregory Brian, Cohen, Neil Wayne, Carnell, Shawn Michael Edwards, Chipman, Steven Grayson
• Granted Patent: US 9,547,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for location tracking and filtering or hiding electronic communications. In one implementation, a method is provided for location tracking for electronic communications. The method includes receiving a location ID for a location from a user who desires to follow the location within a social networking environment, and associating the location ID with the user. The method also includes providing instructions to display a representation of the location in a list of the user'"'"'s contacts.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of location tracking for electronic communications, the method comprising:

receiving a location ID for a location from a first user who desires to follow the location within a social networking environment;

associating the location ID with an identifier of the first user in a database; and

providing instructions to display a representation of the location in a list of the first user'"'"'s contacts.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a social networking activity and location ID from a second user;

identifying one or more users associated with the location ID of the second user; and

providing instructions to display the indication of a social networking activity along with the representation of the location in each contact list of the identified one or more users.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from the first user, a query for selected location-specific activities by users in the first user'"'"'s contact list;

fetching activity data associated with the selected location for each of the first user'"'"'s contacts; and

returning to the first user a list of the fetched activity data.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

generating instructions for displaying the list of the fetched activity data to the first user in a sequence consistent with the order of occurrence of the activities represented by the fetched activity data.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the fetched activity data includes:

a unique user ID associated with a user who performed a social networking activity in relation to the location;

a time associated with the social networking activity; and

an indication of the nature of the social networking activity.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the location ID of the user in association with a location address, location name, location map, and/or location photograph.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating instructions for displaying a preview of recent activity data along with the representation of the location, within the list of the first user'"'"'s contacts.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a mechanism for the first user to initiate a query for viewing location-specific activities by users in the first user'"'"'s contact list, by clicking or touching the representation of the location, within the list of the first user'"'"'s contacts.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the social networking activity includes one or more of:

checking-in to the location, posting a status update for the location, and uploading multimedia content associated with the location.

10. A computer system for facilitating location tracking for electronic communications, the system comprising:

a database configured to store location data and user data; and

a messaging server disposed in communication with the database and configured to;

receive a location ID for a location from a first user who desires to follow the location;

associate the location ID with an identifier of the first user in the database; and

provide instructions to display a representation of the location in a list of the first user'"'"'s contacts.

11. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the messaging server is further configured for:

receiving an indication of a social networking activity and location ID from a second user;

identifying one or more users associated with the location ID of the second user; and

providing instructions to display the indication of a social networking activity along with the representation of the location in each contact list of the identified one or more users.

12. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the messaging server is further configured for:

receiving from the first user a query for selected location-specific activities by users in the first user'"'"'s contact list;

fetching activity data associated with the selected location for each of the first user'"'"'s contacts; and

returning to the first user a list of the fetched activity data.

13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the messaging server is further configured for:

generating instructions for displaying the list of the fetched activity data to the first user in a sequence consistent with the order of occurrence of the activities represented by the fetched activity data.

14. The computer system of claim 12, wherein the fetched activity data includes:

a unique user ID associated with a user who performed a social networking activity in relation to the location;

a time associated with the social networking activity; and

an indication of the nature of the social networking activity.

15. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the messaging server is further configured for:

storing the location ID in association with a location address, location name, location map, and/or location photograph.

16. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the messaging server is further configured for:

generating instructions for displaying a preview of recent activity data along with the representation of the location, within the list of the first user'"'"'s contacts.

17. The computer system of claim 10, wherein the social networking activity includes one or more of:

checking-in to the location, posting a status update for the location, and uploading multimedia content associated with the location.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive a location ID for a location from a first user who desires to follow the location within a social networking environment;

associate the location ID with an identifier of the first user in a database; and

provide instructions to display a representation of the location in a list of the first user'"'"'s contacts.

19. The non-transitory computer medium of claim 18, further including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive an indication of a social networking activity and location ID from a second user;

identify one or more users associated with the location ID of the second user; and

provide instructions to display the indication of a social networking activity along with the representation of the location in each contact list of the identified one or more users.

20. The non-transitory computer medium of claim 18, further including instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive from the first user a query for selected location-specific activities by users in the first user'"'"'s contact list;

fetch activity data associated with the selected location for each of the first user'"'"'s contacts; and

return to the first user a list of the fetched activity data.