Contiguous location-based user networks
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- identifying a first proximity group comprising a first plurality of users, each user of the first plurality of users being within a proximate area of at least one other user of the first plurality of users and having an area of interest, each of the proximate area and the area of interest corresponding to geographic regions where the area of interest is larger than the proximate area; and
identifying at least one additional user within an aggregate of the areas of interests of the first plurality of users in the first proximity group as a neighbor of each of the first plurality of users in the first proximity group.
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for creating location-based user networks. In general, a proximity group including a number of users is identified. Each user in the proximity group is within a proximate area of at least one other user in the proximity group and has an area of interest. The areas of interest of the users in the proximity group are aggregated to provide an aggregate area of interest for the proximity group. Other users within the aggregate area of interest are identified as neighbors of each of the users in the proximity group. Once the neighbors are identified, each of the users in the proximity group may use the neighbors as members, or potential members, for a user network.
184 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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identifying a first proximity group comprising a first plurality of users, each user of the first plurality of users being within a proximate area of at least one other user of the first plurality of users and having an area of interest, each of the proximate area and the area of interest corresponding to geographic regions where the area of interest is larger than the proximate area; and identifying at least one additional user within an aggregate of the areas of interests of the first plurality of users in the first proximity group as a neighbor of each of the first plurality of users in the first proximity group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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a communication interface for communicating with a plurality of user devices via a network, the plurality of user devices associated with a plurality of users; and a control system associated with the communication interface and adapted to; identify a first proximity group comprising at least two first users of the plurality of users, each user of the at least two first users being within a proximate area of at least one other user of the at least two first users and having an area of interest, each of the proximate area and the area of interest corresponding to geographic regions where the area of interest is larger than the proximate area; and identify at least one additional user from the plurality of users within an aggregate of the areas of interests of the at least two first users in the first proximity group as a neighbor of each of the at least two first users in the first proximity group. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification