Secure and private location sharing for location-aware mobile communication devices
First Claim
1. A location-aware mobile communication device system comprising:
- a registration device allowing a first user and second user to register for a location sharing service using a respective location-aware mobile device;
a configuration device allowing the first user to invite the second user to establish a trusted relationship on a server computer coupled to each of the first and second user;
a location sharing device displaying a location of the first user on the mobile device of the second user, when the trusted relationship has been established, and the first user has enabled location display of the first user'"'"'s respective mobile device on the mobile device of the second user;
wherein the registration device transmits a validation message at random intervals during use of the location sharing service by a targeted user any time after registration of the targeted user, wherein the validation message alerts the targeted user that the location sharing feature of the user'"'"'s respective mobile device is enabled, and requesting a text message back affirming continued enablement of the location sharing feature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other trusted users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. A security component allows users to establish trusted relationships by requiring mutual consent and disclosure of identifier and phone number information for each trusted user. Location information can be blocked among trusted users or obfuscated on the display of the mobile devices of the other users.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A location-aware mobile communication device system comprising:
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a registration device allowing a first user and second user to register for a location sharing service using a respective location-aware mobile device; a configuration device allowing the first user to invite the second user to establish a trusted relationship on a server computer coupled to each of the first and second user; a location sharing device displaying a location of the first user on the mobile device of the second user, when the trusted relationship has been established, and the first user has enabled location display of the first user'"'"'s respective mobile device on the mobile device of the second user; wherein the registration device transmits a validation message at random intervals during use of the location sharing service by a targeted user any time after registration of the targeted user, wherein the validation message alerts the targeted user that the location sharing feature of the user'"'"'s respective mobile device is enabled, and requesting a text message back affirming continued enablement of the location sharing feature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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determining the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a first user within an area; displaying a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device; establishing a trusted friend relationship between the first user and a second user upon an invitation request from the first user; and transmitting a validation message to the first user and the second user, the validation message including an alert that the location sharing feature is enabled, and requiring an affirmative response from each of the first user and second user to continue to enable the location sharing feature. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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determining the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a first user within an area; displaying a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device; establishing a trusted friend relationship between the first user and a second user upon an invitation request from the first user; and transmitting a validation message to the first user and the second user, the validation message including an alert that the location sharing feature is enabled, and requiring an affirmative response from each of the first user and second user to continue to enable the location sharing feature, wherein the location is provided by display of a location icon, and wherein the location icon is configured to indicate an actual location of the displayed user or an obfuscated location of the displayed user within the area displayed on a scalable map.
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Specification