SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR LOCATION-BASED SOCIAL NETWORKS

摘要

Global Positioning System (GPS) data and/or functionality of various users' mobile devices may be used to enable the users to share with their friends or contacts their current location in real time or near real time. There may be an individual graphical marker for each user that is presented on a map corresponding to the current location of the user's device. The graphical marker may represent an online social network identity of the user. This interactive graphical marker is presented at a location on the map corresponding to the current physical location of the user's device based on the associated GPS data and/or other location data. If the location of the device moves, this is shown on the map by the associated graphical marker making corresponding movements on the map. A user may set a beacon on the map at a location at which an event is to occur and connections or friends of the user will be sent information indicative of the location on the map and associated GPS directions. The user can select any associated graphical marker on the map and receive information or video chat and/or messaging services related to the user whose online social network identity is represented by the graphical marker.

主权项

1. A method performed by at least one machine for facilitating location-based social networks, the method comprising:
electronically receiving, by at least one communications component of the at least one machine for facilitating location-based social networks, information regarding a current physical location of a device of at least one member of an online social network; electronically presenting, by at least one processor of the at least one machine for facilitating location-based social networks, a map on a graphical user interface; electronically presenting on the map presented on the graphical user interface, by at least one processor of the at least one machine for facilitating location-based social networks, an interactive graphical marker at a location on the map corresponding to the current physical location of the device based on the received information regarding the current physical location of the device, the interactive graphical marker representative of an online social network identity of the at least one member; electronically receiving, by at least one processor of the at least one machine for facilitating location-based social networks, an indication that a user has selected the interactive marker on the map presented on the graphical user interface; and in response to the receiving the indication that the user has selected the interactive marker, electronically providing to the user, by at least one processor of the at least one machine for facilitating location-based social networks, information associated with the at least one member of the online social network.