Displaying the location of individuals on an interactive map display on a mobile communication device

Abstract

Embodiments of a location-based social network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of mobile communication devices over a wireless network. Each mobile device is a location-aware mobile communication device. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more other users of mobile communication devices coupled to the mobile communication device over the network. The user can build a database of friends among the one or more other users whose location can be displayed on each respective mobile communication device. A privacy function allows a user to define who among his or her network of friends can view the location information of the user on their mobile communication devices. Messaging and alert functions using the communications capability of the mobile device can incorporate the location information resulting in interaction among users based on user identity as well as relative position to one another.