Method and system for connecting mobile users based on degree of separation
First Claim
1. A method for initiating a telecommunications connection, comprising the step of connecting a first telecommunications unit (TU) to a second TU when predetermined criteria is met, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the first and second TUs being within a predetermined distance of each other, and a first user associated with the first TU being connected to a second user associated with the second TU in a graph representing relationships among users, wherein the predetermined distance is responsive to a degree of separation of the first and second users.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for selectively connecting proximately located telecommunications units are disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. A first TU may be connected to a second TU when the first and second TUs are within a predetermined distance of each other and when a first user associated with the first TU may be connected to a second user associated with the second TU on a graph representing individual relationships, such as an acquaintance graph or genealogical tree. The connection may further be based on whether the first and second users have a less than a maximum threshold degree of separation within the relationship graph.
566 Citations
33 Claims
- 1. A method for initiating a telecommunications connection, comprising the step of connecting a first telecommunications unit (TU) to a second TU when predetermined criteria is met, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the first and second TUs being within a predetermined distance of each other, and a first user associated with the first TU being connected to a second user associated with the second TU in a graph representing relationships among users, wherein the predetermined distance is responsive to a degree of separation of the first and second users.
- 7. A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform a set of steps for initiating a telecommunications connection, the set of steps comprising the step of connecting a first telecommunications unit (TU) to a second TU when predetermined criteria are met, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the first and second TUs being within a predetermined distance of each other, and a first user associated with the first TU being connected to a second user associated with the second TU in a graph representing relationships among users, wherein the predetermined distance is responsive to a degree of separation of the first and second users.
-
13. A system for initiating a telecommunications connection, comprising:
-
a processor;
memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform a set of steps, the set comprising the step of connecting a first telecommunications unit (TU) to a second TU when predetermined criteria are met, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises the first and second TUs being within a predetermined distance of each other, and a first user associated with the first TU being connected to a second user associated with the second TU in a graph representing relationships among users, wherein the predetermined distance is responsive to a degree of separation of the first and second users. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunication units (TUs), comprising:
-
determining a distance between a first TU and a second TU;
determining a degree of separation between a first user associated with the first TU and a second user associated with the second TU; and
responsive to determinations that the first TU and the second TU are within a predetermined distance of each other and the first user and the second user are a predetermined degree of separation from each other;
transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform a set of steps for transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunication units (TUs), the set of steps comprising:
-
determining a distance between a first TU and a second TU;
determining a degree of separation between a first user associated with the first TU and a second user associated with the second TU; and
responsive to determinations that the first TU and the second TU are within a predetermined distance of each other and the first user and the second user are a predetermined degree of separation from each other;
transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A system for transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunication units (TUs), comprising:
-
a processor;
memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform a set of steps, the set comprising;
determining a distance between a first TU and a second TU;
determining a degree of separation between the first TU and the second TU; and
responsive to determinations that the first TU and the second TU are within a predetermined distance of each other and the first user and the second user are a predetermined degree of separation from each other;
transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
-
Specification