Method of Social Networking Using a Defined Geo-Fence and Check-In Feature
First Claim
1. A method of creating a localized social network for users associated with mobile devices, each of the mobile devices having a geographic referencing system, the method comprising:
- establishing an area defined by a geo-fence having geographic reference coordinates;
determining that at least one mobile device is within the area;
contacting the at least one mobile device in proximity of the area with a request to join a social network of users having mobile devices, each of the users of the mobile devices being checked in to the localized social network;
receiving a check in to join the social network from the at least one mobile device; and
adding the user associated with the at least one mobile device to the social network.
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Abstract
A method and system for creating and operating a localized social network is disclosed. The potential members of the network are users having mobile devices. Each of the mobile devices has a geographic referencing system. An area is defined by a geo-fence having geographic reference coordinates. It is determined that at least one mobile device is within the area. The mobile device in proximity of the area is contacted with a request to join a social network. The social network includes users having mobile devices, each of whom having checked into the localized social network. A check in to join the social network is received from the at least one mobile device. The user associated with the at least one mobile device is then added to the social network.
24 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of creating a localized social network for users associated with mobile devices, each of the mobile devices having a geographic referencing system, the method comprising:
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establishing an area defined by a geo-fence having geographic reference coordinates; determining that at least one mobile device is within the area; contacting the at least one mobile device in proximity of the area with a request to join a social network of users having mobile devices, each of the users of the mobile devices being checked in to the localized social network; receiving a check in to join the social network from the at least one mobile device; and adding the user associated with the at least one mobile device to the social network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for establishing a social network for a geographical area, the system comprising:
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a network interface to establish a geo-fence around an area defined by geographic coordinates; a communications interface to determine the presence of mobile devices in the area based on received geographic coordinates from the mobile devices; a controller operable to; send a request to join the social network to a mobile device within the area; accept a check in from a user associated with the mobile device; and maintain a social network of all mobile devices which have been checked in and are in the area. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A mobile device based interface for participating in a social network associated with a geographical area, the social network including users of mobile devices checked in when the mobile devices are in the area, the mobile device comprising:
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a display device; a geographic referencing transceiver to determine the location of the mobile device; and a controller operable to; receive information relating to the social network associated with a geographic area when the mobile device is with in the area; send a check in communication to join the social network; receive messages from other mobile devices in the social network; and make identification information associated with the user of the mobile device in the social network available to the other members of the social network.
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21. A non-transitory, machine readable medium having stored thereon instructions for establishing a social network associated with a geographical area, the stored instructions comprising machine executable code, which when executed by at least one machine processor, causes the machine to:
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establish an area defined by a geo-fence having geographic reference coordinates; determine that at least one mobile device is within the area; contact the at least one mobile device within the area with a request to join a social network of users having mobile devices within the area, each of the users of the mobile devices being checked in; receive a check in communication to join the social network from the at least one mobile device; and add a user associated with the at least one mobile device to the social network.
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Specification