Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02677327 2013-02-05
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY LOCATING WEB-
BASED SOCIAL NETWORK MEMBERS
Paragraphs [0001-0016] Cancelled
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0017] The present invention relates generally to web-based social
networks, and more particularly to systems and methods for automatically
locating web-based social network members.
Description of Related Art
[0018] Deciding whether to contact a particular friend, classmate, or
coworker often hinges on where the person is located and what that person is
doing.
Such a decision typically has to be made in a limited amount of time with a
limited
amount of information. Further, when a person arrives at a particular
location, such
as a park or shopping mall, they often want to know if someone else they know
is
also at the same location. There is thus a need for systems and methods for
automatically locating web-based social network members.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00191 Systems and methods are provided for automatically locating
web-based social network members. An exemplary method includes receiving a
GPS identifier into a device, receiving a status into the device, associating
the
GPS identifier and the status, storing a copy of the associated GPS identifier
and
status in a contact file on the device, and sending the associated GPS
identifier
and status to a server comprising a web-based social network database. Another
exemplary method includes receiving across a network on a server comprising a
web-based social network database, an associated GPS identifier and status for
a
web-based social network member, updating contact content in a web-based
social network database record in the web-based social network database with
the associated GPS identifier and status for the web-based social network
member, and providing the contact content to a communications module for
sending across the network to a device having a contact file configured to
automatically store the contact content.
[00201 An exemplary system according to one embodiment comprises
a device with a GPS module configured to receive a GPS identifier, a status
entry
screen on the device configured to receive a status, a processing module on
the
device configured to associate the GPS identifier and the status, a contact
file on
the device configured to store a copy of the associated GPS identifier and
status,
and a communication module on the device configured to send the associated
GPS identifier and status to a server comprising a web-based social network
database.
[00211 Another exemplary system includes a server comprising a web-
based social network database, the server configured to receive across a
network
an associated GPS identifier and status for a web-based social network member,
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the web-based social network database including a web-based social
network database record for the web-based social network member, the web-
based social network database record configured to update contact content
with the associated GPS identifier, and the server further configured to
provide the contact content to a communications module for sending across
the network to a device having a contact file configured to automatically
store the contact content.
[0021a] Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a method of
sharing locations of users participating in a social networking service at a
geographic location, the method executed by a computer system and
comprising: receiving location information and status information from a
mobile device of a first user of the social networking service, the location
information representing a geographic location of the first user, the status
information manually provided by the first user on an input module of the
mobile device; associating the location information with the status
information of the first user in a database; and sending the status
information and the location information of the first user to a second user
for display.
[0021b] According to another aspect there is provided a computer
server for providing a social networking service, comprising: a database
module configured to store location information in association with status
information of a first user in a database responsive to receiving the location
information and the status information from a mobile device of the first user,
the location information representing a geographic location of the first user,
the status information manually provided by the first user on an input
module of the mobile device; and a communication module configured to:
receive the location information and the status information associated with
the first user from the mobile device; and send the location information and
the status information of the first user to a second user for display.
[0021c] According to yet another aspect there is provided a method
of sharing locations of users of a social networking service, the method
executed by a computer system and comprising: receiving location
information and entered information from a first user, the location
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infoimation representing a geographic location of a first user of the social
networking service from a mobile device of the first user, the entered
information manually provided by the first provider on an input module of
the mobile device; associating the location information with the entered
information of the first user in a database; receiving a request from a second
user for information associated with the geographic location; querying the
database to retrieve the entered information of the first user associated with
the location information of the geographic location responsive to receiving
the request; and sending the entered information of the first user retrieved
from the database to the second user for display on a computing device of
the second user.
[0021d] According to still yet another aspect there is provided a
method of sharing locations of users participating in a social networking
service at a geographic location, the method executed by a computer system
and comprising: receiving location information and status information from
a device of a first user of the social networking service, the location
information representing a geographic location of the first user, the status
information manually provided by the first user on an input module of the
device; associating the location information with the status information of
the first user in a database; and sending the status information and the
location information of the first user to a second user for display.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture for automatically
locating web-based social network members;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a screenshot for an exemplary status screen used
to transmit a status for a web-based social network member to a web-based
social network database;
f00241 FIG. 3 shows a screenshot of an exemplary web-based social
network database record;
f00251 FIG. 4 shows a screenshot of an exemplary contact content
screen; and
100261 FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for an exemplary method for
automatically locating a web-based social network member.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Systems and methods for automatically locating web-based
social network members are provided. According to one embodiment, a GPS
identifier is received on a GPS-enabled device that is used to query a web-
based
social network database. Contact content including an associated GPS
identifier
and status for other web-based social network members located at or near the
same location automatically appears on the GPS-enabled device. A further
exemplary system includes a GPS-enabled device configured to receive a GPS
identifier and a status representing a location and a current state for a web-
based
social network member, a processing module that associates the received GPS-
identifier and status, and a communications module that sends the associated
GPS-identifier and status to a server comprising a web-based social network
database. Contact content in a web-based social network database record in the
web-based social network database is updated to include the associated GPS
identifier and status for the web-based social network member.
[00281 FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture 100 for
automatically locating web-based social network members. Architecture 100
comprises a server 105, a network 140, and a GPS-enabled device 145. Server
105
comprises a server location application 110 and a web-based social network
database 135. Server location application 110 includes a query module 115, a
privacy settings module 120, a device user settings module 125 and a device
= specification and optimization module 130. GPS-enabled device 145 comprises
a
device display 150, and a device location application 155. The device location
application 155 includes a Global Positioning System ("GPS") module 160, a
processing module 165, a contact file 170, and a communication module 175.
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[0029] According to one method, a member of a web-based social
network having a GPS-enabled device 145 receives a GPS identifier into GPS
module 160. The GPS identifier may represent a current geographic location
(e.g.
street address) for the member of the web-based social network. For example, a
GPS identifier may be received into GPS module 160 of GPS-enabled device 145
that indicates 123 Main Street, College Town, CA 90210 is a current geographic
location for the member. Using a keypad, touch screen, or similar mechanism on
the GPS-enabled device 145, the member may enter a status, which is received
by
the GPS-enabled device 145. The status represents a current state for the
member
at or near the time the GPS identifier is received into GPS module 160. A
status
may include an arbitrary designation such as "at home," "at work," "at
doctor's
office," and/or another similar arbitrary designation. A processing module 165
associates the received GPS identifier with the received status. For example,
the
processing module 165 might associate the received GPS identifier of 123 Main
Street, College Town, CA 90210 with the received status of "at home." A copy
of
the associated GPS identifier and status is stored in contact file 170. A
communication module 175 sends the associated GPS identifier and status to
server 105, where it is received. The server 105 comprises a web-based social
network database 135. The web-based social network database 135 comprises a
social network database record 300 (FIG. 3) for each web-based social network
member. Contact content in the web-based social network database record 300 is
updated to include the associated GPS identifier and status. The updated web-
based social network database record may be queried by other members of the
web-based social network, subject to privacy settings, as described herein.
[0030] In an alternative method, instead of receiving a GPS identifier
into GPS module 160, a web-based social network member may manually enter a
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street address on a keypad or touchscreen of a GPS-enabled device 145 or a non
GPS-enabled device. The street address is received by the GPS-enabled device
145 or the non GPS-enabled device in a manner similar to the way a GPS
identifier is received by a GPS-enabled device 145. When a corresponding
status
is received by the GPS-enabled device 145 or the non GPS-enabled device,
processing module 165 associates the received street address with the received
status. Contact file 170 stores a copy of the associated street address and
status,
and communication module 175 sends the associated street address and status to
server 105.
[00311 In a further alternative method, the GPS identifier may include
information utilizing or originating from one or more of several different
types of
technologies that provide either fully or partially location-based
information,
including, without limitation, network-based triangulation as well as hybrid
approaches using various GPS networks.
[0032] In an exemplary system, processing module 165 is further
configured to check contact file 170 for a corresponding status if a GPS
identifier
is received into GPS module 160 without a corresponding status. If a
corresponding status is found, it will be displayed on device display 150. If
a
status corresponding to a received GPS identifier is not found in contact file
170,
communication module 175 sends the received GPS identifier to server 105
without the status. Query module 115 on server 105 queries web-based social
network database 135 for a status associated with the GPS identifier. If a
status
corresponding to the GPS identifier is found in the web-based social network
database 135, it is sent from server 105 to GPS-enabled device 145. Processing
module 165 associates the received GPS identifier with the status, and a copy
of
the associated GPS identifier and status is stored in contact file 170.
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[0033] In a further exemplary method, a received GPS identifier is sent
by communication module 175 to server 105, regardless of whether the received
GPS identifier has an associated status in contact file 170 and/or in web-
based
. social network database 135. In response, query module 115 on server 105
queries web-based social network database 135 for contact content of other
members of the web-based social network having a matching or near matching
GPS identifier in their web-based social network database records 300. If one
or
more other members of the web-based social network are determined to have a
matching or near matching GPS identifier included on their web-based social
network database records 300, contact content for those other members is sent
from server 105 to GPS-enabled device 145. As a result, the querying social
network member learns about the other social network members located nearby.
[0034] In yet a further exemplary method, a received GPS identifier
that does not have an associated status may be sent by communications module
175 to server 105, whereupon server 105 or an affiliated module may associate
the GPS identifier with a status.
[0035] According to some embodiments, a privacy settings module 120
forms part of server location application 110. Based on privacy settings
selected
by a member of a web-based social network, privacy settings module 120 is
configured to limit querying of certain associated GPS identifiers and
statuses in
web-based social network database 135. For example, in one embodiment, a
member of a web-based social network may select privacy settings to provide
their associated GPS identifier and status to only those people designated by
the
member as "friends" of the member.
[0036] The server location application 110 may comprise a device user
settings module 125 for controlling such functions as when the server 105
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communicates with the GPS-enabled device 145. For example, the device user
settings module 125 can be set to direct the server 105 to communicate with
the
GPS-enabled device 145 during standard working hours. The device user
settings module 125 can also be set to allow the server 105 to communicate
with
the GPS-enabled device 145 in response to certain changes in the web-based
social network database 135. For example, the device user settings module 125
can be set to allow the server 105 to communicate with the GPS-enabled device
145 when a particular member of the web-based social network updates her
associated GPS identifier and status in her web-based social network database
record 300.
[0037] A device specification and optimization module 130 on the
server location application 110 may be configured with specifications for a
wide
variety of GPS-enabled devices 145 communicating with the server 105. The
device specification and optimization module 130 recognizes the type of GPS- =
enabled devices 145 being used to communicate with the server 105 and formats
an associated GPS identifier and status to accommodate the specifications of
the
particular device 145. For example, the device specification and optimization
module 130 may automatically recognize that a member of a web-based social
network is using a BlackBerryTm device to communicate with the server 105.
Accordingly, the device specification and optimization module 130 will format
an associated GPS identifier and status sent to the device to accommodate the
device display 150 of the BlackBerryTm device.
[00381 It will readily be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art
that there are multiple possible combinations and locations for the herein
described component applications and modules. For example, web-based social
network database 135 may also function as part of server location application
110
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and/or server 105, or as a standalone application, separate from server
location
application 110 and/or server 105_ Further, a number of commonly known
communications mechanisms can be used for a GPS-enabled device 145 to
communicate with the server 105 across network 140. Network 140 may include
an Internet network and/or other wireless or wired networks such as mobile
device carrier networks. Further, GPS-enabled device 145 may also directly
communicate with other devices similar to GPS-enabled device 145. All of these
variations remain within the scope of claimed embodiments.
[00391 FIG. 2 shows a screenshot for an exemplary status screen 200.
Exemplary status screen 200 is used to send a received status of a web-based
social network member to a server comprising a web-based social network
database 135 (FIG. 1). The exemplary status screen 200 includes a status entry
box 205, instructions 210 and status selections 215. The status screen 200
typically appears on device display 150 (FIG. 1).
[0040] A status for a web-based social network member is received in
status entry box 205. According to one embodiment, the status may be received
via manual entry by a web-based social network member on a keypad or on a
touchscreen on a GPS-enabled device 130 (FIG. 1). In a further embodiment, a
status may be received from another device that is the same as or similar to
GPS-
enabled device 145.
[00411 In the exemplary status screen 200, instructions 210 instruct a
web-based social network member to select a status from seven arbitrary status
selections 215. These selections include, "[a]t home," "[a]t the library,"
"[a]t
work," "[alt dass," "[o]ut at a party," "sleeping," and/or "other." If the web-
based social network member selects a status of "other," they may be prompted
to type-in an arbitrary status to represent their current state. For example,
a web-
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based social network member selecting a status of "other" by entering
selection
"7" into status entry box 205 is prompted to type-in "Bar." According to one
embodiment, a GPS identifier received into GPS module 160 will be associated
by processing module 165 with the received status of "Bar." For example, a GPS
identifier received into GPS module 160 may be a street address of "123 Main
Street, College Town, CA, 90120." Accordingly, processing module 165 will
associate "123 Main Street, College Town, CA, 90120" with "Bar." A copy of the
associated GPS identifier and status (i.e. "Bar, 123 Main Street, College
Town,
CA, 90120") is stored in contact file 170, and communication module 175 sends
the associated GPS identifier and status to server 105.
[0042] It will readily be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art
that other status selections may be included in exemplary status screen 200
and
remain within the scope of embodiments claimed herein.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows a screenshot of an exemplary web-based social
network database record 300. The exemplary social network database record 300
is for John Smith of Harvard University. The social network database record
300
includes John Smith's contact content 305. According to various embodiments,
contact content includes some or all information in web-based social network
database 135. Contact content also includes expression content, such as
audio/video. Audio/video is any audio, video, audiovisual, pictorial,
photograph, image form, text file, and/or all variations and combinations
thereof.
100441 The contact content 305 shown in exemplary social network
database record 300 includes John Smith's associated GPS identifier and status
310. In the social network database record 300, John Smith's associated GPS
identifier and status 310 is "Bar, 123 Main Street, College Town, CA 90120."
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a screenshot of an exemplary contact content
screen 400. A contact content screen such as contact content screen 400 is
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displayed on the device display 150 (FIG. 1) of the GPS-enabled device 145
(FIG.
1). A social network database record such as social network database record
300
(FIG. 3) is one possible source of some or all of the contact content
appearing on a
contact content screen, such as exemplary contact content screen 400.
[00461 The contact content screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 is for John Smith
of Harvard University. The contact content screen 400 includes some or all of
John Smith's contact content 305, which includes an associated GPS identifier
and status 310 for John Smith.
[0047] According to some embodiments, some or all of the contact
content on the contact content screen 400 automatically populates a contact
file 170 (FIG. 1) on the GPS-en abled device 145, as described in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2008/0189292 filed on February 2, 2007,
entitled "System and Method for Automatic Population of a Contact File with
Contact Content and Expression Content".
[00481 According to further embodiments, after a GPS identifier is
received into GPS module 160 of GPS-enabled device 145, communication
module 175 sends the GPS identifier to server 105 (FIG. 1) to query web-based
social network database 135 for corresponding contact content. If one or more
other members of a web-based social network aie determined to have a matching
or near matching GPS identifier included in their web-based social network
database 'records 300, contact content as seen in exemplary contact content
screen
400 corresponding to those other members is sent from server 105 to GPS-
enabled device 145. As a result, the querying social network member learns
, about the other social network members located nearby.
[00491 FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for an exemplary method 500 for
automatically locating members of a web-based social network.
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[0050] At step 505, GPS-enabled device 145 (FIG. 1) receives a GPS
identifier into GPS module 160 (FIG. 1). In exemplary embodiments, a GPS
identifier represents a street address for a web-based social network member.
In
a further embodiment, a GPS identifier can be entered by a web-based social
network member using a keypad or touchscreen on a GPS-enabled device 145, or
on a keypad or touchscreen of a device that is not GPS-enabled.
[0051] At step 510, the GPS-enabled device 145 sends the GPS
identifier to server 105 (FIG. 1). According to various embodiments,
communication module 170 (FIG. 1) in GPS-enabled device 145 sends the GPS
identifier to the server 105.
[00521 At step 515, server 105 receives the GPS identifier across
network 140 (FIG. 1) from the GPS-enabled device 145. In some embodiments,
network 140 may include an Internet network and/or other wireless or wired
networks such as mobile device carrier networks.
[0053] At step 520, query module 115 (FIG. 1) on server 105 queries
web-based social network database 135 (FIG. 1) for contact content (including
an
associated GPS identifier and status) of other web-based social network
members
having a GPS identifier that is the same as, or closely related to the
received GPS
identifier.
[0054] At step 525, server 105 checks a privacy settings module 120
(FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, the privacy settings module 120 is
configured to limit contact content (including an associated GPS identifier
and
status) sent from server 105 to GPS-enabled device 145. In an alternative
embodiment, a privacy settings module 120 is configured to limit querying of
web-based social network database 135.
100551 At step 530, server 105 checks a device user settings module 125
(FIG. 1). According to some embodiments, device user settings module 125
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controls such functions as when server 105 communicates with GPS-enabled
device 145. In a further embodiment, device user settings module 145 is
configured to direct server 105 to communicate updated contact content
(including an associated GPS identifier and status) to the GPS-enabled device
145
in response to certain changes in web-based social network database 135.
[0056] At step 535, server 105 checks a device specification and
optimization module 130 (FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, the device
specification and optimization module 130 is configured with specifications
for a
wide variety of GPS-enabled devices 145 communicating with server 105. Device
specification and optimization module 130 recognizes the type of GPS-enabled
device 145 being used to communicate with the server 105 and formats contact
content to accommodate the specifications of the GPS-enabled device 145.
[00571 At step 540, contact content (including an associated GPS
identifier and status) for the other members of the web-based social network
having the same or a closely related GPS identifier is sent from server 105 to
GPS-enabled device 145. According to some embodiments, a number of
commonly known communications mechanisms are used for server 105 to
communicate across network 140 with GPS-enabled device 145.
[0058] At step 545, the GPS-enabled device 145 receives contact content
(including an associated GPS identifier and status) from the server 105.
[0059] At step 550, the contact content is automatically stored in
contact file 170 (FIG. 1). According to one embodiment, a contact file 170 is
a
component of the device location application 155 (FIG. 1) on the GPS-enabled
device 145.
[00601 At step 555, the contact content is displayed on device display
150 (FIG. 1) of GPS-enabled device 145.
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[0061] While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only,
and not limitation. For example, any of the elements associated with
automatically locating web-based social network members may employ any of
the desired functionality set forth hereinabove. Thus, the breadth and scope
of a
preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described
exemplary embodiments.
