Methods and system for providing location-based communication services

• US 9,705,996 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2015
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AOL Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Oh, Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Ngo, Chuong A
• Application Number:
  US14/868,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20160021200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• 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 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for providing location-based communication services, such as location-based chat sessions and location based-data feeds. Access to a chat session or data feed may be provided to a user of a mobile device when the current location of the mobile device is determined to be within a predetermined geographic region. In one implementation, the chat session or data feed relates to content provided by members of a group or social network. In other implementations, the content related to chat session or data feed is provided by members of the general public.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising the following operations performed by one or more processors:

determining, based on a session initiator parameter, a geographic region;

determining whether a mobile device of a user is located within the geographic region;

providing, to the mobile device of the user, a notification to join a group electronic communication session when the mobile device of the user is within the geographic region, wherein the communication session is with one or other members of a predefined communication group and the one or other members have respective mobile devices that are also within the geographic region;

determining whether the user is a member of the predefined communication group; and

establishing, when a response to the notification is made by the user and based on a determination that the user is a member of the predefined communication group, communication between the mobile device of the user and the respective mobile devices of one or more other members of the predefined communication group to enable the mobile device of the user to participate in the group electronic communication session.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether there is permission for the user to participate in the group electronic communication session.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the group electronic communication session includes at least one of a chat session, text messaging, and instant messaging.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the session initiator parameter comprises at least one of GPS data, latitude-longitude coordinates, and physical address.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the session initiator parameter includes a location corresponding to a mobile device of a session initiator.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing the notification to join the group electronic communication session includes transmitting an anonymous call-sign.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

denying access to the group electronic communication session when the mobile device of the user fails to provide proper identification information.

8. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

a memory device that stores a set of instructions; and

at least one processor that executes the set of instructions to;

determine, based on a session initiator parameter, a geographic region;

determine whether a mobile device of a user is located within the geographic region;

provide, to the mobile device of the user, a notification to join a group electronic communication session when the mobile device of the user is within the geographic region, wherein the communication session is with one or other members of a predefined communication group and the one or other members having respective mobile devices that are also within the geographic region;

determine whether the user is a member of the predefined communication group; and

establish, when a response to the notification is made by the user and based on a determination that the user is a member of the predefined communication group, communication between the mobile device of the user and the respective mobile devices of one or more other members of the predefined communication group to enable the mobile device of the user to participate in the group electronic communication session.

9. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor further executes the set of instructions to:

determine whether there is permission for the user to participate in the group electronic communication session.

10. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electronic communication session includes at least one of a chat session, text messaging, and instant messaging.

11. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the session initiator parameter comprises at least one of GPS data, latitude-longitude coordinates, and physical address.

12. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the session initiator parameter includes a location corresponding to a mobile device of a session initiator.

13. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein providing the notification to join the group electronic communication session includes transmitting an anonymous call-sign.

14. The electronic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one processor further executes the set of instructions to:

deny access to the group electronic communication session when the mobile device of the user fails to provide proper identification information.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with a set of instructions that when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

determining, based on a session initiator parameter, a geographic region;

determining whether a mobile device of a user is located within the geographic region;

providing, to the mobile device of the user, a notification to join a group electronic communication session when the mobile device of the user is within the geographic region, wherein the communication session is with one or other members of a predefined communication group and the one or other members have respective mobile devices that are also within the geographic region;

determining whether the user is a member of the predefined communication group; and

establishing, when a response to the notification is made by the user and based on a determination that the user is a member of the predefined communication group, communication between the mobile device of the user and the respective mobile devices of one or more other members of the predefined communication group to enable the mobile device of the user to participate in the group electronic communication session.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the electronic communication session includes at least one of a chat session, text messaging, and instant messaging.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the session initiator parameter comprises at least one of GPS data, latitude-longitude coordinates, and physical address.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the session initiator parameter includes a location corresponding to a mobile device of a session initiator.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein providing the notification to join the group electronic communication session includes transmitting an anonymous call-sign.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the set of instructions further cause the at least one processor to:

deny access to the group electronic communication session when the second mobile device fails to provide proper identification information.