Systems and methods of networking enhancements using location based services

#The invention generally relates to location based services and, in particular, to systems and methods for enhancing social networking systems using location based services.

#Faced with an increasingly difficult challenge in growing both average revenue per user (ARPU) and numbers of subscribers, content providers such as, for example, social networking systems, and network carriers, are trying to develop a host of new products, services, and business models based on services. One such service is location-based services, which provide information specific to a location including actual locations of a user. It is expected that location based services will generate additional business for the content provider and network carriers, from both the mobile user and service providers.

#For the mobile user as well as the service provider (and network carriers) and content provider, location-based services offer many opportunities. For example, location-based services can increase revenue of the service provider, e.g., content providers, while improving services to end users, e.g., mobile users. Some examples of location-based services that can be provided to the mobile user include: Providing the nearest business or service, such as an ATM or restaurant; Providing weather reports which are germane to the location where the user is using the mobile device; and/or Providing advertisements to end users, e.g., recipients, etc.

#The present invention is described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

#FIG. 1 shows an illustrative environment for implementing processes in accordance with the invention;

#FIG. 2 shows a representative location map in accordance with aspects of the invention;

#The invention generally relates to location based services and, in particular, to systems and methods for enhancing social networking systems (e.g., interest groups, etc.) using location based services. The present invention uses location based services and location, e.g., geo-boundaries, to offer a richer social networking experience for subscribers using mobile devices. More specifically, the present invention provides location information to one or more subscribers of one or more social networking systems. In embodiments, the location information is of a third party that has also subscribed to one or more of the social networking systems, in order to inform subscribers that the third party is within a certain defined location/area (e.g., geo-boundary). This allows users/subscribers/third parties (hereinafter referred to as “subscribers”) of social networking systems to locate other subscribers. This, in turn, can advantageously expedite in-person (i.e., face-to-face) introductions and/or interactions.

#Social networking systems allow people to socialize using the Internet. Typically, these social networking systems introduce or maintain relationships amongst subscribers with similar interests. The current limitation with these social networking systems is to keep continuity amongst its subscribers once a subscriber is away from their personal computer. Some advances have been made by offering SMS alerts to keep the subscribers updated on new information of other subscribers, and using light weight web versions of the sites accessible by mobile devices. However, these advances have their limitations, i.e., they do not provide location information of subscribers, in order to expedite in-person (i.e., face-to-face) introductions and/or interactions. The present invention thus extends these “mobile capabilities” by leveraging location based services offered by mobile telephone providers or other service providers.

#As subscribers start adopting mobile devices that support richer media types, the subscriber can take the full social networking experience with them everywhere. This invention also takes advantage of the location capabilities of the next generation devices to enhance that experience by allowing subscribers to connect based on their location and the location of other subscribers. Advantageously, it is also possible to provide real time location information to a subscriber of a social networking system.