SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SOCIAL NETWORKING UTILIZING A VEHICULAR ASSEMBLY

• US 20120046864A1
• Filed: 11/01/2011
• Published: 02/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: Boadin Technology LLC (Oso IP, LLC)
• Inventors: Zilka, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 8,255,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/533
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication

Abstract

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for social networking utilizing a vehicular assembly. In operation, a vehicular assembly is utilized to communicate with a mobile device. Information about social contacts is received, utilizing the mobile device. Further, the information about social contacts is displayed, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

Claims

1. A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium, comprising:

computer code for communicating with a mobile device, utilizing a vehicular assembly;

computer code for receiving information about social contacts, utilizing the mobile device; and

computer code for displaying the information about social contacts, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly is wired.

3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the communication between the mobile device and the vehicular assembly is wireless.

4. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the information includes a status of the social contacts.

5. The computer program product of claim 4, wherein the status includes at least one of available and unavailable.

6. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the information includes which of a plurality of contacts is in at least one location.

7. The computer program product of claim 6, wherein the at least one location includes a vehicle.

8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein a location of the vehicle is displayed on a map.

9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is displayed as a vehicle icon.

10. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is displayed on a map with identifiers identifying each of the plurality of contacts.

11. The computer program product of claim 5, wherein the at least one location includes a point-of-interest.

12. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the information includes an icon associated with at least one of the social contacts.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, and further comprising computer code for providing communication with the at least one social contact, in response to selection of the icon.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the communication includes voice communication.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the communication includes textual communication.

16. The computer program product of claim 12, and further comprising computer code for providing additional information to at least one social contact, in response to selection of the icon.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the additional information includes at least one of destination information, an estimated time of arrival, and a message from the at least one social contact.

18. The computer program product of claim 12, and further comprising computer code for providing driving directions to a location of the at least one social contact, in response to selection of the icon.

19. The computer program product of claim 12, and further comprising computer code for displaying at least one point-of-interest between a current location and a location of at least one social contact, in response to selection of the icon.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein driving directions are provided to the point-of-interest if requested.

21. The computer program product of claim 12, and further comprising computer code for providing instant communication options, in response to selection of the icon.

22. A method, comprising:

communicating with a mobile device, utilizing a vehicular assembly;

receiving information about social contacts, utilizing the mobile device; and

displaying the information about social contacts, utilizing the vehicular assembly.

23. A vehicular assembly system, comprising:

an interface for communicating with a mobile device capable of receiving information about social contacts; and

a display for displaying the information about social contacts.