Techniques for sharing position data between first and second devices
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of sharing position data between a first device associated with a first user and a second device associated with a second user, the position data including first position data indicating a first location associated with the first device and second position data indicating a second location associated with the second device, the computer-implemented method comprising:
- receiving, from the first device, a first request to set up a relationship between the first and second users;
transmitting a second request to the second device, the second request inviting the second user to accept the relationship;
receiving a message from the second device indicating acceptance of the relationship;
establishing the relationship responsive to the acceptance;
receiving first position data from the first device and second position data from the second device, each in the form of GPS coordinates; and
transmitting the first position data to the second device and the second position data to the first device;
wherein the second user is one of a plurality individuals identified in a list, each of the individuals being associated with a corresponding mobile device;
wherein the method further comprisesidentifying a geographic location based upon the GPS coordinates for each of the first and the second devices, andcausing the first device to display positions for a subset of the individuals who are in the list based upon the geographic location; and
wherein the method further comprises causing one of the first and second devices to display to the first or second user an option to request voice communication with the other of the first or second users, and, responsive to selection by the first or second user of said option, initiating the voice communication over a cellular network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for exchanging GPS or other position data between wireless devices for purposes of group activities, child location monitoring, work group coordination, dispatching of employees etc. Cell phones and other wireless devices with GPS receivers have loaded therein a Buddy Watch application and a TalkControl application. The Buddy Watch application communicates with the GPS receiver and other wireless devices operated by buddies registered in the users phone as part of buddy groups or individually. GPS position data and historical GPS position data can be exchanged between cell phones of buddies and instant buddies such as tow truck drivers via a buddy watch server. Emergency monitoring services can be set up with notifications to programmable individuals in case an individual does not respond. Positions and tracks can be displayed. TalkControl simplifies and automates the process of joining talk groups for walkie talkie services such as that provided by Nextel.
2692 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of sharing position data between a first device associated with a first user and a second device associated with a second user, the position data including first position data indicating a first location associated with the first device and second position data indicating a second location associated with the second device, the computer-implemented method comprising:
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receiving, from the first device, a first request to set up a relationship between the first and second users; transmitting a second request to the second device, the second request inviting the second user to accept the relationship; receiving a message from the second device indicating acceptance of the relationship; establishing the relationship responsive to the acceptance; receiving first position data from the first device and second position data from the second device, each in the form of GPS coordinates; and transmitting the first position data to the second device and the second position data to the first device; wherein the second user is one of a plurality individuals identified in a list, each of the individuals being associated with a corresponding mobile device; wherein the method further comprises identifying a geographic location based upon the GPS coordinates for each of the first and the second devices, and causing the first device to display positions for a subset of the individuals who are in the list based upon the geographic location; and wherein the method further comprises causing one of the first and second devices to display to the first or second user an option to request voice communication with the other of the first or second users, and, responsive to selection by the first or second user of said option, initiating the voice communication over a cellular network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for sharing position data between a first device associated with a first user and a second device associated with a second user, the position data including first position data indicating a first location associated with the first device and second position data indicating a second location associated with the second device, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving, from the first device, a first request to set up a position-sharing relationship between the first and second users; means for transmitting a second request to the second device, the second request inviting the second user to accept the position-sharing relationship; means for receiving a message from the second device indicating acceptance of the position-sharing relationship; means for establishing the position-sharing relationship responsive to the acceptance; means for receiving first position data from the first device and second position data from the second device, each in the form of GPS coordinates; and means for transmitting the first position data to the second device and the second position data to the first device; wherein the second user is one of a plurality of individuals identified in a list, each of the individuals being associated with a corresponding mobile device; and wherein the apparatus further comprises means for identifying a geographic location based on GPS coordinates for each of the first and the second devices, and means for causing the first device to display positions for a subset of the individuals who are in the list based on the geographic location; means for causing one of the first and second devices to display to the first or second user an option to request voice communication with the other of the first or second users; and means for, responsive to selection by the first or second user of said option, initiating the voice communication over a cellular network.
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12. An apparatus for sharing position data between a first device associated with a first user and a second device associated with a second user, the position data including first position data indicating a first location associated with the first device and second position data indicating a second location associated with the second device, the apparatus comprising instructions stored on non-transitory machine-readable media, said instructions when executed causing at least one processor to:
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receive, from the first device, a first request to set up a position-sharing relationship between the first and second users; transmit a second request to the second device, the second request inviting the second user to accept the position-sharing relationship; receive a message from the second device indicating acceptance of the position-sharing relationship; establish the position-sharing relationship responsive to the acceptance; receive first position data from the first device and second position data from the second device, each in the form of GPS coordinates; and transmit the first position data to the second device and the second position data to the first device; wherein the second user is one of a plurality of individuals in a list, each of the individuals being associated with a corresponding mobile device, including the second device; and wherein the instructions further comprise instructions stored on the non-transitory machine-readable media that when executed cause the at least one processor to identify a geographic location based on GPS coordinates for each of the first and the second devices, and cause the first device to display positions for a subset of the individuals who are in the list based on the geographic location; and wherein the instructions further comprise instructions stored on the non-transitory machine-readable media that when executed cause one of the first and second devices to display to the first or second user an option to request voice communication with the other of the first or second users, and, responsive to selection by the first or second user of said option, cause initiation of the voice communication over a cellular network. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification