LOCATION-BASED DISCOVERY OF NETWORK MEMBERS BY PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES FOR ALTERNATE CHANNEL COMMUNICATION

摘要

User mobile devices are equipped to discover each other through an ad hoc network, based on their location and proximity or based on mobile network reporting to one another. Locations may be reported through global positioning methods and cross-referenced by other users. Following discovery and consent, the mobile devices are connected to one another via various means, other than the ad hoc network, and utilize functions provided by services such as SMS, E-mail, chat/instant messaging, multimedia, or video. The users may be members of a common social network, and can thereby exchange social network attributes.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a computing device configured to communicate for exchanging personal information between a first user and a second user, the first user using a respective first mobile communications device and the second user using a respective second mobile communications device each connected to a mobile telecommunications provider network; the computing device in communication with the mobile telecommunications provider network, and configured to provide access to stored user profile information about the first user and the second user, respectively, including personal attribute information and a mobile communications device address; the computing device configured to receive information identifying locations of the first and second mobile communications devices; the computing device configured to determine proximity of the locations of the first and second mobile communications devices to one another and to send to the second mobile communications device an invitation to accept personal attribute information from, or share personal attribute information with, the first user, upon receipt of permission from the second user to receive personal attribute information about, or share personal attribute information with, the first user; and the computing device configured to connect the first user and the second user through a provider network for personal communication between the first user and the second user, the personal communication comprising one or more of SMS, E-mail, chat/instant messaging, multimedia, voice, or video; and wherein the computing device is configured to locate information about the second user from a social network file of the second user, and transmit this information to the first mobile communications device.