Easy location sharing

• US 10,003,938 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2016
• Issued: 06/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, Jae Woo, Frost, Megan M., Dickens, Joshua B., Lemay, Stephen O., Van Os, Marcel, Dellinger, Richard R., Yang, Lawrence Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu, Jinsong
• Assistant Examiner(s): YI, ALEXANDER J.
• Application Number:
  US15/142,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20170048686A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• 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: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for sharing location information during a message conversation are provided. An electronic device detects a location-sharing request from a first participant of a message conversation to share first participant location information with a second participant. The device then enables the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period. In response to detecting interaction by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period, the device extends the predetermined location-sharing time period.

Claims

1. non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of a mobile electronic device of a first participant with a touch-sensitive surface and a display, cause the device to:

display, on the display, a message region;

display, in the message region, a transcript of messages sent between the first participant and a second participant in a message conversation;

detect a location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the second participant;

in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

enable the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period, wherein the predetermined location-sharing time period is scheduled to end at a first time;

detect that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period;

automatically extend the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at a second time that is after the first time based on the detection that the message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period.

2. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

detect that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation during the extended location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation during the extended location-sharing time period;

further extend the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at a third time that is after the second time.

3. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

detect that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the extended predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the extended predetermined location-sharing time period;

forgo further extending the predetermined location-sharing time period.

4. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation comprises detecting at least one criteria selected from the group consisting of:

the first participant viewing at least a portion of the message conversation,

the second participant viewing at least a portion of the message conversation,

the first participant adding a message to the message conversation, and

the second participant adding a message to the message conversation.

5. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

detect a communication between the first and second participant outside of the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting a communication between the first and second participant outside of the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period;

extend the predetermined location-sharing time period.

6. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

display an indication in the message conversation that the location of the first participant is being shared with the second participant.

7. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the indication comprises a map-view.

8. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the map-view is displayed behind an image of the first participant.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the map-view is displayed between two messages of the message conversation.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

update the map view when the first participant location information changes.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the indication comprises one or more of a location-sharing status, the first time, the second time, a current address of the first participant, a travel time between the first participant and the second participant, and a distance between the first participant and the second participant.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 6, wherein the indication is a shared-location affordance, and wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

detect a selection of the shared-location affordance by the first participant; and

in response to detecting the selection of the shared-location affordance by the first participant;

end the predetermined location-sharing time period.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

determine that the predetermined location-sharing time period has ended; and

in accordance with a determination that the predetermined location-sharing time period has ended;

display an indication in the message conversation that the location of the first participant is not being shared with the second participant.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein extending the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at the second time that is after the first time comprises extending the predetermined location-sharing time period for an amount of time that is shorter than the predetermined location-sharing time period.

15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

further in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

receive second participant location information; and

display, on the display, the second participant location information.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

further in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

transmit a request for second participant location information.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period comprises transmitting a location-sharing instruction to an external device, wherein the location-sharing instruction permits the external device to share first participant location information with the second participant.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period comprises transmitting the first participant location information to an external device.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein first participant location information comprises a location of the electronic device.

20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

determine whether the electronic device is representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

transmit a location of the electronic device; and

in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is not representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

forgo transmitting a location of the electronic device.

21. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

after the second time;

cease to enable the second participant to obtain the first participant location information;

detect that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the second time;

in accordance with a determination that less than a buffer time period has elapsed since the second time, re-enable the second participant to obtain the first participant location information; and

in accordance with a determination that more than the buffer time period has elapsed since the second time, display the message conversation without re-enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information.

22. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the device to:

display, in the message region, messages sent between the first participant, the second participant, and a third participant in the message conversation;

detect a location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the third participant; and

in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the third participant;

enable the second and third participants to obtain the first participant location information during a second predetermined location-sharing time period.

23. A method comprising:

at a mobile electronic device of a first participant comprising a touch-sensitive surface and a display;

displaying, on the display, a message region;

displaying, in the message region, a transcript of messages sent between the first participant and a second participant in a message conversation;

detecting a location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the second participant;

in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period, wherein the predetermined location-sharing time period is scheduled to end at a first time;

detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that the message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period;

automatically extending the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at a second time that is after the first time based on the detection that the message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation during the extended location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation during the extended location-sharing time period;

further extending the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at a third time that is after the second time.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the extended predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the extended predetermined location-sharing time period;

forgoing further extending the predetermined location-sharing time period.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation comprises detecting at least one criteria selected from the group consisting of:

the first participant viewing at least a portion of the message conversation,

the second participant viewing at least a portion of the message conversation,

the first participant adding a message to the message conversation, and

the second participant adding a message to the message conversation.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

detecting a communication between the first and second participant outside of the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting a communication between the first and second participant outside of the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period;

extending the predetermined location-sharing time period.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

displaying an indication in the message conversation that the location of the first participant is being shared with the second participant.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the indication comprises a map-view.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the map-view is displayed behind an image of the first participant.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the map-view is displayed between two messages of the message conversation.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

updating the map view when the first participant location information changes.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the indication comprises one or more of a location-sharing status, the first time, the second time, a current address of the first participant, a travel time between the first participant and the second participant, and a distance between the first participant and the second participant.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein the indication is a shared-location affordance, the method further comprising:

detecting a selection of the shared-location affordance by the first participant; and

in response to detecting the selection of the shared-location affordance by the first participant;

ending the predetermined location-sharing time period.

36. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

determining that the predetermined location-sharing time period has ended; and

in accordance with a determination that the predetermined location-sharing time period has ended;

displaying an indication in the message conversation that the location of the first participant is not being shared with the second participant.

37. The method of claim 23, wherein extending the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at the second time that is after the first time comprises extending the predetermined location-sharing time period for an amount of time that is shorter than the predetermined location- sharing time period.

38. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

further in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

receiving second participant location information; and

displaying, on the display, the second participant location information.

39. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

further in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

transmitting a request for second participant location information.

40. The method of claim 23, wherein enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period comprises transmitting a location-sharing instruction to an external device, wherein the location-sharing instruction permits the external device to share first participant location information with the second participant.

41. The method of claim 23, wherein enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period comprises transmitting the first participant location information to an external device.

42. The method of claim 23, wherein first participant location information comprises a location of the electronic device.

43. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

determining whether the electronic device is representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

transmitting a location of the electronic device; and

in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is not representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

forgoing transmitting a location of the electronic device.

44. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

after the second time;

ceasing to enable the second participant to obtain the first participant location information;

detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the second time;

in accordance with a determination that less than a buffer time period has elapsed since the second time, re-enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information; and

in accordance with a determination that more than the buffer time period has elapsed since the second time, displaying the message conversation without re-enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information.

45. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

displaying, in the message region, messages sent between the first participant, the second participant, and a third participant in the message conversation;

detecting a location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the third participant; and

in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the third participant;

enabling the second and third participants to obtain the first participant location information during a second predetermined location-sharing time period.

24. A mobile electronic device of a first participant comprising:

a touch-sensitive surface;

a display;

one or more processors; and

memory storing one or more programs configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

displaying, on the display, a message region;

displaying, in the message region, a transcript of messages sent between the first participant and a second participant in a message conversation;

detecting a location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the second participant;

in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period, wherein the predetermined location-sharing time period is scheduled to end at a first time;

detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that the message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period;

automatically extending the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at a second time that is after the first time based on the detection that the message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant via the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period.

46. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation during the extended location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation during the extended location-sharing time period;

further extending the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at a third time that is after the second time.

47. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the extended predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the extended predetermined location-sharing time period;

forgoing further extending the predetermined location-sharing time period.

48. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation comprises detecting at least one criteria selected from the group consisting of:

the first participant viewing at least a portion of the message conversation,

the second participant viewing at least a portion of the message conversation,

the first participant adding a message to the message conversation, and

the second participant adding a message to the message conversation.

49. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

detecting a communication between the first and second participant outside of the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period; and

in response to detecting a communication between the first and second participant outside of the message conversation during the predetermined location-sharing time period;

extending the predetermined location-sharing time period.

50. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

displaying an indication in the message conversation that the location of the first participant is being shared with the second participant.

51. The mobile electronic device of claim 50, wherein the indication comprises a map- view.

52. The mobile electronic device of claim 51, wherein the map-view is displayed behind an image of the first participant.

53. The mobile electronic device of claim 51, wherein the map-view is displayed between two messages of the message conversation.

54. The mobile electronic device of claim 51, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

updating the map view when the first participant location information changes.

55. The mobile electronic device of claim 50, wherein the indication comprises one or more of a location-sharing status, the first time, the second time, a current address of the first participant, a travel time between the first participant and the second participant, and a distance between the first participant and the second participant.

56. The mobile electronic device of claim 50, wherein the indication is a shared-location affordance, and wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

detecting a selection of the shared-location affordance by the first participant; and

in response to detecting the selection of the shared-location affordance by the first participant;

ending the predetermined location-sharing time period.

57. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

determining that the predetermined location-sharing time period has ended; and

in accordance with a determination that the predetermined location-sharing time period has ended;

displaying an indication in the message conversation that the location of the first participant is not being shared with the second participant.

58. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein extending the predetermined location-sharing time period to end at the second time that is after the first time comprises extending the predetermined location-sharing time period for an amount of time that is shorter than the predetermined location-sharing time period.

59. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

further in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

receiving second participant location information; and

displaying, on the display, the second participant location information.

60. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

further in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant;

transmitting a request for second participant location information.

61. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein enabling the second participant to octain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period comprises transmitting a location-sharing instruction to an external device, wherein the location- sharing instruction permits the external device to share first participant location information with the second participant.

62. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information during a predetermined location-sharing time period comprises transmitting the first participant location information to an external device.

63. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein first participant location information comprises a location of the electronic device.

64. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

determining whether the electronic device is representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

transmitting a location of the electronic device; and

in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is not representative of the first participant'"'"'s location;

forgoing transmitting a location of the electronic device.

65. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

after the second time;

ceasing to enable the second participant to obtain the first participant location information;

detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation; and

in response to detecting that a message has been sent by one of the first participant and the second participant with the message conversation after the second time;

in accordance with a determination that less than a buffer time period has elapsed since the second time, re-enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information; and

in accordance with a determination that more than the buffer time period has elapsed since the second time, displaying the message conversation without re-enabling the second participant to obtain the first participant location information.

66. The mobile electronic device of claim 24, wherein the one or more programs further include instructions for:

displaying, in the message region, messages sent between the first participant, the second participant, and a third participant in the message conversation;

detecting a location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the third participant; and

in response to detecting the location-sharing request from the first participant to share first participant location information with the third participant;

enabling the second and third participants to obtain the first participant location information during a second predetermined location-sharing time period.