Presence-based Location and/or Proximity Awareness

• US 20080028063A1
• Filed: 07/28/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Holmes, John S., Seshagiri, Panchapagesan
• Granted Patent: US 7,823,073 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Various embodiments utilize a presence-based network to provide a suite of services that build upon the presence-based or instant messaging foundation. In at least some embodiments, the presence-based network is utilized to implement a number of location-aware applications. In at least some embodiments, as part of a user'"'"'s presence information, their particular location is ascertained and made available to others on the presence-based network. Location can be a physical location or a logical location. Their particular physical location can be visually represented to others by, for example, displaying a map that indicates the user'"'"'s location.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, via a presence-based network, location information associated with individuals who are logged onto the presence-based network; and

visually representing, on a computing device, locations associated with one or more individuals who are logged onto the presence-based network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least some of the individuals are buddies who appear on an instant messaging buddy list.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said locations comprise physical locations.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said locations comprise logical locations.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of visually representing comprises displaying a map with indicia which indicates the location of one or more individuals.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising visually representing one or more named locations on the map.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of visually representing comprises displaying an address associated with one or more individuals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of visually representing comprises visually representing locations for multiple individuals who are near a user.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said act of visually representing comprises doing so responsive to at least one user-defined parameter that defines nearness.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving, via the presence-based network, presence information associated with a place or location.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising tagging one or more communications from the computing device with a location associated with the computing device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said acts of receiving and visually representing are performed by an instant messaging application.

13. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, via a presence-based network, location information associated with multiple users of the presence-based network;

maintaining said location information; and

notifying one or more users of the presence-based network of the locations of other users of the presence-based network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the act of receiving is performed, at least in part, responsive to a user being logged into the presence-based network.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the location information pertains to a physical location.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein at least some of said other users comprise buddies that appear on a buddy list of said one or more users.

17. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, via a presence-based network, location information associated with logical locations of individuals who use the presence-based network; and

visually representing, on a computing device, one or more individuals associated with a logical location.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said act of visually representing is performed responsive to user-defined criteria that describes a logical location.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of receiving location information further comprises receiving location information associated with physical locations of said individuals.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said visually representing comprises visually representing one or more physical locations associated with said one or more individuals, respectively.