PRESENTING INSTANT MESSAGING CONTACTS LISTED BY PROXIMITY TO SET LOCATION

• US 20120296984A1
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Khan, Tabarak
• Granted Patent: US 8,909,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

An electronic device having instant messaging (IM) capabilities within one or networks. The technology provides means and methods whereby an electronic device is enabled to evaluate and present information regarding available IM contacts based on geographic criteria. Location information from devices which are associated with instant messaging contacts of a first electronic device are received. IM contacts contact can be display based on geographic location, including proximity to one or more set locations. The technology can be customized dynamically on a per device basis.

Claims

1. A processor-implemented method for presenting instant messaging contacts of a first device, the method comprising:

determining at least one set location;

requesting the location of at least one second device, each second device associated with an instant messaging contact of the first device;

receiving the location of at least one second device;

determining the pairwise proximity between each at least one received location and each at least one set location; and

presenting a list of at least one instant messaging contact in order of the determined pairwise proximity.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pairwise proximity is based upon distance between the at least one set location and the received location of the at least one second device.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein pairwise the proximity is based upon estimated travel time between the at least one set location and the received location of the at least one second device.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pairwise proximity is based upon a determination of a mode of transportation available at the at least one second device and estimated time to the at least one set location using the mode of transportation available.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the mode of transportation is one of ambulatory, vehicular, and mass transit.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one set location is one of product location, brand location and item location.

7. A processor-implemented method for presenting instant messaging contacts of a first device, the method comprising:

requesting the location of at least one second device, each second device associated with an instant messaging contact of the first device;

receiving the location of at least one second device;

requesting the location of at least one third device, each third device associated with an instant messaging contact of the first device;

receiving the location of at least one third device;

determining the pairwise proximity between the location of the at least one second device and the location of the at least one third device; and

presenting a list of at least one instant messaging contact in order of the determined pairwise proximity.

8. A computer program product for presenting instant messaging contacts of a first device, the computer program product comprising:

a least one computer readable medium; and

at least one program module,

stored on the at least one medium, and operative, upon execution by at least one processor to;

determine at least one set location;

request the location of at least one second device, each second device associated with an instant messaging contact of the first device;

receive the location of at least one second device;

determine the pairwise proximity between each at least one received location and each at least one set location; and

present a list of at least one instant messaging contact in order of the determined pairwise proximity.

9. The computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the pairwise proximity is based upon distance between the at least one set location and the received location of the at least one second device.

10. The computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein pairwise the proximity is based upon estimated travel time between the at least one set location and the received location of the at least one second device.

11. The computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein proximity is based upon a determination of a mode of transportation available at the at least one second device and estimated time to the at least one set location using the mode of transportation available.

12. The computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the mode of transportation is one of ambulatory, vehicular, and mass transit.

13. The computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the set location is determined by evaluating criteria including one of product availability, brand availability and item availability.

14. The computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one set location comprises at least one location which is determined by criteria including business location.

15. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising:

a display;

at least one processor in communication with the display,

at least one computer readable medium in communication with the processor;

at least one program module,

stored on the at least one medium, and operative upon execution by the processor for;

determining at least one set location;

requesting the location of at least one second device, each second device associated with an instant messaging contact of the first device;

receiving the location of at least one second device;

determining the pair-wise proximity between each at least one received location and each at least one set location; and

presenting on the display a list of at least one instant messaging contact in order of the determined pairwise proximity.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein proximity is based upon distance between the at least one set location and the received location of the at least one second device.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein proximity is based upon estimated travel time between the at least one set location and the received location of the at least one second device.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein proximity is based upon a determination of a mode of transportation available at the least one second device and estimated time to the at least one set location using the mode of transportation available.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the mode of transportation is one of ambulatory, vehicular, and mass transit.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one set location is determined by evaluating criteria including one of product availability, brand availability and item availability.