Apparatus and method for determining and providing relative values of contacts associated with mobile devices within a location-based group

摘要

A method of increasing accuracy of location determination of mobile devices within a location-based subgroup starts with server receiving location data and proximity information from each of the mobile devices. Location data received from first mobile device includes first mobile device's fixed location. Proximity information received from first mobile device includes an identification of mobile devices within a proximity sensitivity radius of first mobile device's location. Server forms subgroup of mobile devices based on proximity information from each of the mobile devices. Subgroup may include first mobile device and mobile devices that have provided proximity information that identifies first mobile device are being within the proximity sensitivity radiuses of the mobile devices, respectively. Server may then refine the fixed location of the first mobile device, which includes identifying an intersection of the proximity sensor sensitivity of each of the mobile devices that are in subgroup. Other embodiments are described.

主权项

1. A method of determining and providing relative values of contacts associated with mobile devices within a location-based group comprising:
identifying, by a processor, preferred locations associated with refined fixed locations of a first mobile device included in a plurality of mobile devices, and each mobile device in an explicit subgroup, respectively, wherein the plurality of mobile devices includes the mobile devices included in the explicit subgroup, wherein the explicit subgroup includes the first mobile device; determining, by the processor, an availability value for each of the mobile devices in the explicit subgroup based on an identification of each of the mobile devices in the explicit subgroup and the refined fixed locations of each of the mobile devices in the explicit subgroup, wherein the availability values are numerical values that respectively rate availability of users of each of the mobile devices to respond to the first mobile device; generating, by the processor, a relative value for each of the mobile devices in the explicit subgroup using the availability values for each mobile device in the explicit subgroup and the actual distance between each mobile device in the explicit subgroup and the first mobile device, wherein the relative values are values that respectively rate response times for each of the mobile devices to the first mobile device; and transmitting, by the processor, the relative values to the first mobile device for display.