Patent Publication Number: US-2016234651-A1

Title: System and method for social introductions

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People often attend social gatherings with the hope of meeting new people and making new friends. However, making an initial introduction can be intimidating and many social interactions to meet new people and friends may never take place. Moreover, at a venue, there may be people who are interested in meeting others, and people who are simply there to have an enjoyable time with their friends and would prefer not interact with new people. It would be helpful if there was a system for discerning between these two groups of people. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a network topology for implementing embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a service for implementing aspects of the present technology. 
         FIG. 3  is an example of a venue including patrons and support staff, and sensors for implementing aspects of the present technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart for venues to subscribe to the service of the present technology. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart for users to subscribe to the service of the present technology. 
         FIG. 6  is illustration of a display of a computing device for a user to subscribe to the service of the present technology. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating operation of an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a display of a computing device of a user showing a map of a venue and the location of other users at the venue. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view illustration of a venue including sensors locating a position of a computing device or user. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view illustration of a venue including sensors locating a position of a computing device according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view illustration of a venue including a sensor locating a position of a computing device according to a further alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing an enlarged view of a section of a map of the venue and location of users within that section of the map. 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing an enlarged view of a section of a map of the venue and a real time, updated location of users within that section of the map. 
         FIG. 14  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing a profile of a second user which has been selected by a first user. 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing a text message received by a second user from the first user, and soft buttons providing the second user with options for response. 
         FIG. 16  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing a location of the first user to the second user. 
         FIG. 17  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing a text message response from the second user to the first user. 
         FIG. 18  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing text messages according to an alternative use scenario of the present technology. 
         FIG. 19  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing text messages according to a further alternative use scenario of the present technology. 
         FIG. 20  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing a text message according to a further alternative use scenario of the present technology. 
         FIG. 21  is an illustration of a display of a computing device showing a map of an outdoor venue and positions of users at the venue. 
         FIG. 22  is an illustration of a display of a computing device including the positions of users with no map. 
         FIG. 23  is block diagram of a sample computing device for implementing embodiments of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 23 , which in general relate to a system and method for discreet social introductions at or involving a venue. It is understood that the present technology may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the present system is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents of these embodiments, which are included within the scope and spirit of the present system as defined by the appended claims. 
     In general, the present technology allows two (or more) people who have no prior knowledge each other, or contact information for each other, to send private and discreet communications to each other via their computing devices such as their mobile phones. In one example, the present technology allows a first user to view the location of other users at a venue on a map displayed on the first user&#39;s computing device. Users&#39; positions are displayed on the map and updated in real time as users move around the venue. When the first user wishes to introduce him or herself to a second user, the first user locates the second user on the map. Various tools may be provided to allow the first user to correlate the second user in real world space with the correct indication of the second user on the displayed map. 
     Positions of users in the real world space may be indicated by location tags that are displayed on the map. Once the first user has identified the second user on the map (by locating the second user&#39;s location tag), the user may select the location tag for the second user on the map. When the second user subscribed to the service, the second user may have provided a mobile telephone number for receiving text messages. Once the first user selects the second user&#39;s location tag, the system may open a messaging software application on the first user&#39;s device with a text message addressed to the second user&#39;s mobile telephone number. The first user may then send a text message to the second user to introduce him or herself and start a dialog. Thus, embodiments enable a first user to discreetly contact one or more second users, for example using a cellular phone or other computing device, without knowing beforehand any contact information for the one or more second users. 
     Once the second user receives the text message, the second user is provided with a few options. The second user may respond to the first user. The second user may look at the first user&#39;s profile. The second user may find the first user on the map of his/her computing device, so as to identify the position of the first user in real world space. The second user may view subscribing friends that the first and second users share in common. Or the second user may block incoming texts from the first user. Other use scenarios are contemplated. 
       FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a sample network topology  100  for implementing embodiments of the present technology. Network topology  100  includes a plurality of computing devices  102 - 1 ,  102 - 2 ,  102 - 3 , . . . ,  102 - n  (referred to at times below as computing devices  102 ) capable of connecting to a service provider  104  via a network  108 . The computing devices  102  may be any of a variety of computing devices, including for example a desktop computer, gaming console, laptop computer, tablet, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile telephone, automobiles, cameras and smart appliances (including for example an electronic cash register at a bar, restaurant or other venue). Other computing devices are contemplated. 
     Some of the computing devices  102  may be operated by administrators (or others) associated with a venue. These computing devices may be used to set up and run the services of the present technology that are to be provided at the venue. The venue computing devices may be stationary (such as a desktop computer) or mobile (such as a laptop or tablet). Others of the computing devices  102  may be operated by end users (referred to herein as a “user” or “users”) that use the service to gain introductions to other users at a venue. These users may have computing devices  102  that are mobile (such as a laptop computer, tablet, PDA or mobile telephone). Users may also use computing devices  102  that are stationary in embodiments. Further details of a given computing device  102  are described below with respect to  FIG. 23 . 
     Where a computing device  102  is a mobile telephone (such as computing device  102 - 1 ), the computing device  102  may connect to the service provider  104  via a broadband mobile communications network. In examples, such the broadband mobile network may include base stations  112  (one of which is shown) for transferring data and software between mobile telephone  102 - 1  and a mobile network backbone  114 . Backbone  114  may in turn have a network connection to network  108 . 
     In embodiments, the network  108  may comprise the Internet, though other networks including, but not limited to, a LAN or WAN are contemplated. Computing devices  102  may be connected to each other by peer-to-peer connections  118  in addition to, or instead of, their connection to network  108 , as indicated by dashed lines  118 . Although only one connection  118  is shown, each computing device  102  may be connected to each other computing device  102  via a peer-to-peer connection  118 . Other topologies  100  are contemplated. 
     As explained below, when subscribing to the service provider  104 , users may create a social profile that is used by the service. Users may create that social profile for the service. Alternatively, users may already have a social profile that they have created and stored with a third-party social platform  120 . Third-party social platform  120  may be social media websites such as Facebook®, Twitter®, etc. Alternatively or additionally, third-party social platform  120  may be dating websites such as Match.com®, eHarmony®, PlentyOfFish®, Zoosk®, Singlesnet®, etc. In embodiments, users may link or incorporate their profiles from the third-party social platform  120  to the service provider  104  for use as their profiles for the service provider  104 . While one such third-party social platform is shown, there may be many that a user uses in conjunction with the present technology. 
     In embodiments, the venues may use computing devices  102  to connect with the service provider  104  to set up the service of the present technology within their venues. The service provider  104  may be remote from a venue, but in alternative embodiments, the service provider  104  may be resident within or integrated as part of one or more of the venues, and administered by the one or more venues. In such embodiments, an administrator (or other) associated with the venue may set up and run the service provider  104  within the venue to provide the features of the present technology within that venue. In this embodiment, multiple venues may each set up and run their own service provider  104 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the service provider  104  may provide a collection of services which computing devices  102  may invoke and utilize. In embodiments, the service provider  104  may be an entity, brick and mortar or virtual, which provides administrative services and support services with respect to the system of the present technology to users and venues. The service  104  may additionally or alternatively act as a central repository for the storage of data and software. For example, venue maps and user profile data may be stored with the service provider  104 . Additionally, a software platform, referred to herein as the connection software platform, may be run from the service provider  104 . Alternatively or additionally, portions of the connections software platform may be downloaded from service provider  104  to client devices  102  and run on the client devices  102 . 
     The service provider  104  may host one or more servers  124 , which may for example include a web server, a media server for organizing and distributing selected media, and/or an ftp server supporting file transfer and/or other types of servers. One or more of these servers may be omitted in further embodiments. Servers  124  may also run or download the connection software platform  126 . As explained below, the connection software platform (or just connection software)  126  may allow users to selectively locate another user at a venue, and then to privately and discreetly contact that other user. The different functions of servers  124  may be supported on different servers or otherwise combined in further embodiments. Further details of a given server  124  are described below with respect to  FIG. 23 . 
     Computing devices  102  may invoke a user login and registration service  128 , which is used to subscribe and thereafter authenticate a user on a device  102  with the service provider  104 . During login, login service  128  obtains an alias (or other identifier associated with the user) and a password from the user. In order to gain access to the services on service provider  104 , the alias and password may be authenticated by comparing the entered credentials to venue accounts  132  or user accounts  136  in a database  130 . Database  130  may be located on the same server as user login service  128  or may be distributed on a different server or a collection of different servers. User login and registration service  128  may be omitted in further embodiments. In such embodiments, any user may connect to the service provider  104  and use the connection software without having to be authenticated. 
     The service database  130  may include venue accounts  132  and user accounts  136 . Venue accounts  132  may include login and registration information for venues that make use of service provider  104  and the services according to the present technology. As explained below, a venue may for example be a restaurant, bar or other establishment where users of the service according to the present technology may gather. Using a computing device  102 , a venue may subscribe to the service by creating an account with the service provider  104  which is saved within the service database  130 . In addition to account information, venue accounts  132  may include maps  134  showing one or more views of a given venue. Maps  134  are explained in greater detail below, but in general may be a top view showing the positions of walls and fixtures within a venue. The maps  134  may be created by the venue or other at the venue&#39;s request, and then uploaded to service provider  104  and saved in venue accounts  132 . 
     User accounts  136  may include login and registration information for users that make use of service provider  104  and the services according to the present technology. User accounts  136  may further include user profiles  138 , either created by a user when subscribing to the service according to the present technology, or imported from (or linked to) a third-party social platform  120  ( FIG. 1 ). User accounts  136  may further include contact information for users such as mobile telephone numbers, email address or other contact information. Further details of setting up the login, registration and user profile are explained below. As explained below, in alternative embodiments, a user may simply connect to the service provider  104 , and use the services of the present technology to locate others at a venue, without subscribing or providing profile information. 
     User accounts  136  may further include a friends list, which may be a list of people a user has indicated him or herself to be friendly with or otherwise associated with. In embodiments, a user&#39;s friends list may be imported from (or linked to) a third-party social platform  120 . The friends list of different users may be cross-referenced in service database  130  to identify one or more friends that two or more users may share in common. In embodiments, at least portions of venue accounts  132  and/or user accounts  136  to be stored locally on a computing device  102  operated by a user, or administrator (or other) at a venue. 
     Service provider  104  may further include a mail message service  140  which permits computing devices  102  to send mail messages to each other. Mail messages may be sent using short message service (SMS) protocols, but other protocols may be used including without limitation multimedia service (MMS), instant messaging (IM) and email protocols. Message service  140  may permit mail messages to be sent to one or more computing devices  102  from the service provider  104 , from a venue, or from another user. The mail messages may be sent via the network  108  and the broadband communications system including base stations  112  and backbone  114 . In further embodiments, mail messages may be sent between computing devices  102  using only the broadband communications system (omitting service provider  104  from the loop). In still further embodiments, mail messages can be sent directly between computing devices  102  using peer-to-peer networks  118  which may be established between computing devices  102 . Mail messages may be sent and exchanged between computing devices  102  using a variety of other technologies in further embodiments. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a venue  150  including a plurality of users  152  (only some of which are referenced in  FIG. 3 ). In this example, the venue  150  may be a restaurant, bar or lounge. The layout is by way of example only, and will vary from venue to venue. It is also understood that venue  150  may be a wide variety of other establishments and locales, both indoor and outdoor. In general, a venue  150  may be a place where people gather together, possibly for a social function, or otherwise happen to be together. Some other examples of a venue  150  may include the location of a party (hosted at a commercial establishment or a person&#39;s home), schools, campuses, libraries, stores, offices, airports and other transportation terminals, airplanes, trains, boats, parks, amphitheaters and stadiums. Other venues  150  are contemplated. In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , women are indicated with a graphical icon having a first color, men are indicated with a graphical icon having a second color, and venue staff (men or women) are indicated with a graphical icon having a third color. It may be otherwise in further embodiments. 
     In embodiments, a venue  150  may be a place that is susceptible to mapping. That is, a venue  150  may be a place having defined boundaries (such as walls) and/or fixtures, which can be rendered on a map of the venue  150 . Where a venue has been mapped, it is contemplated that the boundaries and/or fixtures may move, at which point an administrator (or another) associated with the venue may upload a layout of the venue as modified. 
     In further embodiments, a venue need not be susceptible to mapping. For example, a venue may be a large outdoor or indoor space or street either having no discernible boundaries, or boundaries which are spaced apart to the point of providing little guidance when attempting to correlate the position of people within the venue to its boundaries. This embodiment where a venue may have no boundaries is explained in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 22 . 
     The venue  150  shown in  FIG. 3  has a generally rectangular shape. However, it is understood that a venue  150  may have a wide variety of symmetrical, asymmetrical, convoluted and other shapes in further embodiments. As explained below, a venue  150  may be outfitted with sensors  154  which serve to track and identify the location of users  152  within the venue. In embodiments, the venue includes a sufficient number of sensors so as to detect and locate the positions of all users  152  in the venue, regardless of its shape. In further embodiments, a venue may have sensors that detect and locate the positions of users in some areas of the venue. Furthermore, some sensors  154  can operate through walls and a single sensor may be used for the venue regardless of its shape. 
     As explained below, sensors  154  may operate according to a variety of technologies. However, in one example, sensors  154  may be line of sight infrared (IR) sensors which may identify a particular user  152  (and in particular the mobile computing device  102  carried by that particular user  152 ) by triangulation. In such embodiments, the venue  150  may be outfitted with a number of sensors  154  so that each location in the venue  150  which may have users is visible to at least two sensors. As explained below, sensors  154  need not be line of sight sensors and each location in a venue  150  need not be visible to at least two sensors. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart describing steps in an embodiment whereby a venue may subscribe to the service of the present technology to allow users to locate and contact each other at the venue. In order to subscribe, an administrator (or other) associated with a venue may use a computing device  102  to contact the service provider  104  with a service access request which is received by the service provider  104  in step  202 . In embodiments, this access request may be made using a web browser to access a webserver of the service provider  104 . Upon prompting from the service provider  104 , a user may provide registration information, which is received at the service provider  104  in step  204 . This information may include an ID and password for the venue, as well as a name of the venue. 
     In step  208 , the venue may upload a map of the venue to service provider  104 . As explained below, when users use the service of the present technology at that venue, a user may access and view the map of that venue on his or her computing device  102 . The map is displayed together with location tags, one for each subscribing user. The location tags on the map represent the real time positions of subscribing users in the venue. 
     The map may be any of a variety of renderings of the venue including for example computer-generated drawings, line drawings, blueprints, color renderings, photographs, etc. Where computer-generated, the map may be uploaded as a digital file and stored in venue accounts  132 . Where not computer-generated, the rendered map may first be digitally encoded and then uploaded. In embodiments, the map may be a top view looking down on the floor of the venue. In further embodiments, side views (parallel to the floor) may alternatively or additionally be provided. Where a venue has multiple rooms on a single level, these rooms may be shown on a single map, or on multiple maps that are uploaded. Venues may also have more than one floor or level. A different map may be provided for each floor or level (where there are different levels that do not overlap, such as in a stadium, a single map or multiple maps may be provided). As explained below, the present technology may be used to identify and contact others at venues which are not mapped. For these embodiments, no map is uploaded and step  208  may be skipped. 
     The map may be registered to the real world space shown in the map using the known location of the sensors, or some other registration point or points. These registration point or points may also be uploaded in step  208  so that the location tags (described below) displayed on the map may accurately reflect the positions of the users in the venue. That is, one or more points on the map may be correlated to the corresponding positions of one or more users in the real world space of the venue. Using these registration point or points, the map may be registered to the reference frame of the real world space. Once the map is registered to the real world space, the positions of the location tags on the map may be displayed as an accurate reflection of the positions of the users in the real world space. Thus, for example, where a user is in the middle of a room in the real world space, the location tag for that user may be displayed in the middle of the same room on the map. 
     It is conceivable that the map may be registered to the real world space of the venue by methods other than registration point(s) in further embodiments. In one further embodiment, optical sensors, such as sensors  154  or other sensors, may be able to correlate real world walls and/or fixtures with walls or fixtures shown on the map. In such embodiments, no predefined registration points need be uploaded with the map. 
     Referring again to the flowchart of  FIG. 4 , a venue may choose to upload messages that are to be sent to subscribing users via the message service  140  of service provider  104 . For example, the venue may upload advertisements for discounts, specials, events or a variety of other messages. The venue may also define a frequency and a maximum number of times the same message is sent to a given user. These messages may be received in the service provider  104  in step  210 . The venue may upload messages in step  210  when they subscribe, and thereafter as well. 
     Once a venue has provided login and other information described above, the service provider  104  may save this information in the venue accounts  132  in the service database  130  in step  212 . 
     Aspects of the present technology, such as identifying locations of users on the map, and allowing discreet and private contact between those users, are implemented by the connection software  126 , explained in greater detail below. The connection software may be accessed and run from the service provider  104 , from a venue  150 , from a user&#39;s computing device  102 , or combinations thereof. 
     For example, in one embodiment, the connection software may remain mostly or entirely on one or more servers within the service provider  104 . Users may use their computing devices  102  to access the service provider  104 . One or more servers may then respond by providing the services of the present technology to locate and discreetly contact others. 
     As noted, the service provider  104  may be remote from, or integrated as part of, a venue  150  in different embodiments. Where the service provider  104  is remote from a venue  150 , the connection software  126  may remain resident on servers in the service provider  104  as described above. Alternatively, portions or all of the connection software  126  may be embodied in a downloadable application, downloaded from the remote service provider  104  to a computing device  102  of a venue  150 . For such embodiments, the connection software  126  may be downloaded to the venue in step  214  (assuming the service provider  104  is remote from the venue  150 ). Thereafter, users may use their computing devices  102  to access the computing device  102  at the venue to interact with the connection software and receive the services of the present technology to locate and discreetly contact others. 
     Portions or all of the connection software may alternatively or additionally be embodied in a downloadable application, downloaded from the service provider  104  (or venue  150 ) onto users&#39; computing devices  102 . In this embodiment, the connection software  126  may run entirely from a user&#39;s computing device  102 , or run from the user&#39;s computing device while also accessing and receiving information/data from the service provider  104 . 
     Each user  152  wishing to avail themselves of the connection software  126  may have their own, associated computing device  102 . In embodiments, the connection software  126  is used to identify and track the position of each subscribing computing device  102  and its associated user, in real time, as the users move in and around a venue  150 . Tracked computing devices may be mobile, but they may be stationary in further embodiments. As noted above, stationary computing devices  102  may more often be used by a venue by an administrator (or other) of the venue to subscribe and interact with the service provider  104 , and to upload messages and a map of the venue. 
     In accordance with embodiments of the present technology, users  152  may subscribe to the service provider  104  to access the features of the present technology. An embodiment for subscribing to the service provider  104  will now be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 . In order to subscribe, a user may contact the service provider  104  with a service access request which is received by the service provider  104  in step  222 . In embodiments, a venue  150  may offer incentives, such as free or discounted food or drinks, to subscribe to the service. This access request may be made by a user using a web browser to access a webpage of the service provider  104 . In further embodiments, a user may send a predefined text to a predefined telephone number associated with the service provider  104 . With regard to the steps described below, it is understood that a user may perform these steps via a browser interacting with a webserver of servers  124  of service provider  104 , or via text or other mail messages supported by a server  124  of service provider  104 . 
     Upon prompting from the service provider  104 , a user may provide registration and profile data, which is received at the service provider  104  in step  224 . One example of this is shown in the illustration of  FIG. 6 . Using a computing device  102  (mobile or stationary), the user is prompted by the service provider  104  to provide login and profile information. For example, a user may be prompted to enter a user ID, or alias,  152 . This alias (“Balthazar66” in the example of  FIG. 6 ) may be different for each user. The user may also be requested to select a password, and an avatar  154  (from a drop-down menu of avatars or an uploaded avatar of the user&#39;s own creation). The user may also manually provide contact information such as a mobile telephone number or email. Alternatively, a user&#39;s contact information such as a mobile telephone number may automatically be uploaded to the service provider  104  upon the user contacting the service provider. 
     The user may also be prompted to add profile information, such as for example a photo  156 , and/or a variety of textual descriptive material  158 . This descriptive material  158  may for example include an “about me” section and/or a “likes/dislikes” section. Other information may be included as part of the descriptive material  158 , such as for example specifics about the type of person the user might be interested in meeting (gender, age, personality, physical features, etc.). As noted above, as an alternative to the user entering profile information, the user may download this information from (or link to) an account the user has on a third-party social platform  120 . Thus, when a first user accesses the profile of a second user as explained below, the second user&#39;s profile from the third-party social platform  120  may be shown to the first user. 
     Referring again to the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , once a user has provided login and profile information, the service provider  104  may assign a unique ID in step  228  linked to the user or the computing device used to subscribe to the service. In step  230 , the service provider  104  may save the login information (alias and password), contact information, profile data and assigned ID to user accounts  136  in the service database  130 . Once subscribed, a user may use the connection software  126  to identify the location and access the profiles of specific users at a venue. 
     As noted above, the connection software  126  may remain resident on the service provider  104  in embodiments. In further embodiments, once subscribed, components or all of the connection software  126  may be downloaded to and run by a subscribing user from the computing device  102  used for the subscription process in step  234 . 
     The subscription steps described above with respect to the flowchart of  FIG. 5  may be performed when a user has arrived at a venue  150 . Alternatively, the subscription steps of  FIG. 5  may be performed remotely from and prior to a user&#39;s arrival at a venue  150 . In embodiments, a user need only set up a single account, which may then be used at all venues  150  that subscribe to the service according to the present technology. In further embodiments, a user may set up a different account for each venue that subscribes to the service according to the present technology. 
     The subscription steps set forth above allow a user to access the features of the connection software  126 , and also allow other users to find that user and view that user&#39;s profile. However, in a further embodiment, a user may access the features of the connection software without ever going through the subscription steps of  FIG. 5 . In such an embodiment, a user may simply access the connection software  126 , for example by sending a text to or accessing a webpage of the service provider  104  from his or her computing device. Thereafter, that user may be able to access a map including location tags of other users on his or her computing device  102  so as to be able to discreetly locate and contact one or more of those other users with his or her computing device  102  as described herein. Such a user is considered a subscribing user, but the user is not enrolled, has provided no profile information and has no logon credentials. 
     In an embodiment, contact information such as a mobile telephone number may be uploaded to the service provider for a non-enrolled user, upon the non-enrolled user accessing the connection software. In this instance, other users may be able to discreetly locate the non-enrolled user on their computing devices  102 , but would not be able to view profile information for the non-enrolled user. In further embodiments, no contact information is uploaded for non-enrolled users. In this instance, other users may (or may not) be able to discreetly locate the non-enrolled user on their computing devices  102 , but would not be able to contact the non-enrolled user. 
     Once subscribed, a user may use the connection software  126 . Once subscribed, a user&#39;s location and identity (alias and profile) may also be broadcast or otherwise made available when that user arrives a venue  150 . An example of the operation of embodiments of the present technology will now be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 7  and the illustrations of  FIGS. 8-22 . In step  240 , a user may access the connection software  126 , which may be resident on his or her computing device  102 , a computing device of a venue  150 , or at service provider  104 . 
     In embodiments, a user accesses the connection software  126  when the user arrives at a particular venue  150 . In such embodiments, connection software  126  may then automatically download the map and location tags for that venue  150  in step  244 . As an alternative, it is conceivable that a user may access the connection software  126  remote from any venue  150 , for example while they are at home or work. When a user accesses the connection software remote from a particular venue  150 , the connection software  126  may present the user with a list of venues from which the user may choose. Once a user chooses a venue, a map of the venue, together with location tags for users at that venue, may be displayed to the user. A user may choose to do this to get a real time indication of what users are at what venues  150 , and to possibly locate his or her friends. It is possible that a user may select a second venue and view the map and location tags for the second venue, while the user is at a first venue. 
     The map may be downloaded with location tags, or location tags may be displayed on the map after the map has been downloaded (step  246 ).  FIG. 8  is an illustration of a map  160  of the venue  150  shown in  FIG. 3 . The map  160  is displayed on a subscribing user&#39;s computing device  102 , which in this example may be a mobile telephone, but which could alternatively be any of the computing devices discussed above. 
     As seen in  FIG. 8 , the map  160  includes boundaries (i.e., walls) and fixtures (i.e., a bar  164  and tables  166 ) which correlate to the real world boundaries and fixtures for the venue  150  shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  also shows a number of users comprised of men, women and support staff for the venue. The locations of these users may be indicated in real time on the map  160  in  FIG. 8  with location tags  162  (some of which are numbered in  FIG. 8 ). 
     In embodiments, location tags  162  are positioned on map  160  by first determining the real world positions of subscribing users in the venue  150 , and then correlating those positions to the proper positions on the rendered map.  FIGS. 9-11  illustrate a few methods for determining the real-world positions of subscribing users in the venue  150 .  FIGS. 9-11  illustrate positional determination for a single-user  152   b , but it is understood that the same operations may be performed to determine the positions of all such users. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 9 , in one example, each of the sensors  154  may include both a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter may emit an outbound signal which is received in the computing device  102  of user  152   b . That signal may be reflected back to the receiver of the respective sensors  154 , or the device  102  may otherwise respond with a signal back to the receiver of the respective sensors  154 . These signals may be optical or electromagnetic, such as IR, in nature. Using the outbound and return signals received in any given sensor  154 , the distance of the computing device  102 , and by association the user  152   b , from that given sensor may be determined. Thereafter, using the measurements from any two or more sensors  154  and various methods such as for example triangulation, the position of the user  152   b  may be determined in two dimensional space (along x and y axes), or three dimensional space (along x, y and z axes, with the z axis being into and out of the page of  FIG. 9 ). 
     In further embodiments, the sensors  154  may comprise a light source and an image capture device such as a depth camera and, possibly, an RGB camera. In such an example, the light source may emit a light, which reflects off of the user  152   b  and/or the user&#39;s computing device  102 , and is received back at the camera. Using known techniques such as time-of-flight, structured light, stereo image, or the like, the feedback from a single sensor  154  may be sufficient to determine the position of the user  152   b  in two dimensional x, y space, or three dimensional x, y, z space. The feedback from more than one sensor  154  may be used with these techniques to assist and/or confirm the position of the user  152   b.    
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example where sensors  154  include only a receiver for receiving a signal emitted by the computing device  102  of the user  152   b . Again, that signal maybe optical or electromagnetic in nature. The signal emitted from the computing device  154  may be received in the respective sensors  154  to allow determination of the distances between the computing device  102  and the respective sensors  154 . Thereafter, using the measurements from any two or more sensors  154  and various methods such as for example triangulation, the position of the computing device  102 , and by association the user  152   b , may be determined in two dimensional space (along x and y axes), or three dimensional space (along x, y and z axes). 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example where a single sensor  154  includes a transceiver for emitting and/or receiving a signal  155  from computing devices  102  within range of the sensor  154 . The range may for example be the range of a WAN including the sensor  154 . A sensor for use in this embodiment may for example be the Cisco 2700 Series Wireless Location Appliance from Cisco Systems, Inc., San Jose, Calif. Such a sensor, and other such sensors, are able to identify the location and an associated identity of wireless devices, for example as described in Chapter 13 (and other chapters) of the publication titled, “Enterprise Mobility 4.1 Design Guide,” by Cisco Systems, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. (revised Dec. 9, 2008), which publication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     It is understood that a wide variety of other technologies may be used by sensors  154  to enable the determination of the position of the device  102  and/or user  152   b  of that device  102  in the venue  150 . Although GPS may have disadvantages as far as accuracy and working indoors, GPS may be used in further embodiments. As noted above, in embodiments, there may be as few as a single sensor  154  used in a venue  150 , depending on the technology used by that sensor  154 . There may be many more than four sensors used in further embodiments, depending in part on the technology used by the sensors  154  and, possibly, the size and shape of the venue  150 . 
     Data from the sensors  154  may be uploaded to the service provider  104 , which then determines the position of user  152   b  based on the received data. Instead of uploading to service provider  104 , this data may be sent to a computing device  102  within venue  150 , or to users&#39; computing devices  102 , which then determine the position of user users  152   b  based on the received data. Once the real world position of the user  152   b  is known in the venue  150 , that position may be correlated to the map  160  using the registration point(s) uploaded by the venue  150  with the map  160 , or other registration techniques. Once the position of the user  152   b  is known on the map  160 , a location tag  162   b  for that user may be displayed on the map  160  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In embodiments, it is contemplated that the service provider  104  be integrated together with the sensor  154  at or near (e.g., within wireless network range) a venue  150 . Thus, a venue may have a single component which provides all of the services of the present technology to the venue  150  and users  152  at the venue  150 . More than one venue may share such a single component in further embodiments. 
     As noted, the above-described processes may be performed for all subscribing users (enrolled and, possibly, non-enrolled users) so that the locations of all such users in the venue  150  may be represented by location tags  162  on the map  160 . It may be that people at a venue do not wish to be identified and do not wish to be part of the system of the present technology. Accordingly, in embodiments, only subscribing users (enrolled and non-enrolled users who have subscribed to the service provided by service provider  104 ) are shown on the map  160  with location tags  162 . However, it is conceivable that subscribing users and people who have not subscribed may be shown with location tags  162  on map  160 . 
     Moreover, it may be that, at times, a subscribing user does not wish to broadcast their presence at a venue. For such instances, the connection software may offer users the option to disable its functionality for that user. The user may still be a subscriber, but his or her presence is not broadcast in this instance, and no location tag would show up for that user. When a user&#39;s functionality is disabled so that they do not show up on the map, that user may, or may not, be able to use the connection software to view profiles and locate other users in different embodiments. 
     Along with identifying a position of a user, the computing devices of subscribing users may also transmit the identity of the computing device. Using this and the stored login and registration data for all subscribing users, the connection software  126  knows not only the position of subscribing users  152  in the venue  150 , but the identity and associated contact information (e.g., cellular telephone) of such subscribing users  152 . 
       FIG. 8  is a high level map view of the venue  160  including location tags  162  displayed on a computing device  102 . It may be too crowded if avatars and/or aliases are also displayed for each user on the computing device  102 . Accordingly, in the view shown in  FIG. 8 , the location tags may be shown simply as dots (or any of a variety of other shapes). It is conceivable that the high level view of  FIG. 8  include more detail, such as aliases and/or avatars in further embodiments. The connection software may also apply some predefined rules, such that if the spacing between location tags  162  is above some threshold, then the location tags may be displayed as avatars and/or with aliases. 
     The location tags  162  may be color coded to provide some information about the respective users  152 , for example a first color indicating women, a second color indicating men and a third color indicating venue staff. Users or developers of the connection software  126  may define that different colors for the location tags represent different demographics in further embodiments (different age groups, single versus in a relationship, etc.). Referring to the flowchart of  FIG. 7 , a user has the ability to filter the location tags  162  shown in the view of  FIG. 8 . If the user elects to filter the results (step  247 ), the resulting location tags are filtered in step  249 . A user may have the ability to filter the results may any of a wide variety of categories which may be captured in user social profiles. In addition to man/woman, single/relationship and age, the categories which may be filtered further include but are not limited to: looking to meet someone/not looking to meet someone, hair color, size, weight, friends-of-friends only, finances and income level, local/visiting from somewhere else, have a car/don&#39;t have a car, here alone/here with friends, nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliation, employed/unemployed, children/no children, hobbies, omnivore/vegetarian/vegan and education level. Other categories are contemplated. 
     Where a category is one or the other (e.g., man/woman, single/relationship and age, looking to meet someone/not looking to meet someone, local/visiting from somewhere else, have a car/don&#39;t have a car, here alone/here with friends, employed/unemployed, children/no children), one color dot may be used for one and another color may be used for the other. Alternatively, a user may ask to see only a certain one selection in a category. In that instance, only those location tags satisfying that category may be shown. Alternatively, all location tags may be show, but location tags satisfying that category may be shown in a different color than the rest of the location tags. For categories which divide among more than two classifications, each may be represented by a different color on the map  160 . 
     A user interface may be displayed to a user providing either a list of possible categories which can be applied as filters. Alternatively, a text box may be provided to receive an open text search to be applied as a filter. Once the filter is received, user profiles may be scanned. In embodiments, user profiles may include a number of fields corresponding to the different filtering possibilities. These different fields may be searched and user that satisfy the filter may be identified on the map of the venue, for example by a distinct color. Instead of or in addition to searching fields, an unstructured key word search may be performed of user profiles to identify users that satisfy the requested filter. 
     Thus, as one of any number of examples, a user may have requested to filter the map  160  to show those who are in a relationship and those who are not. The different classifications may be represented by different colors in  FIG. 8 . As further examples, a user may filter the results to show the user&#39;s friends in the venue  150 . The user may enter this filter in the user interface, and then the user&#39;s friends may appear as a distinct color on the map  160 , or the only location tags shown on the map  160 . A user may further filter the results to show a single person in the venue  150 . The user may enter the name (or other identifying feature) in the user interface, and then that person may appear as a distinct color on the map  160 , or the only location tag shown on the map  160 . 
     In accordance with embodiments explained below, a first user may want to introduce him or herself to a specific second user that he/she has seen at the venue  150 . However, as an alternative, a first user may simply wish to review a list of profiles for users  152  that are currently at a venue  150 . In step  248 , the connection software  126  determines whether a user has selected an option to view a list of profiles. This option may be presented on a graphical user interface generated by the connection software  126  on a user&#39;s computing device  102 . 
     If the option to view a list of profiles is selected in step  248 , the profiles of subscribing users then at the venue (or possibly recently at the venue) may be displayed to the user in step  252 . The user may then peruse the profiles to possibly find friends or find someone to whom they would like to introduce him or herself as explained below. If a user finds a friend or someone else he or she would like to meet from perusing the profiles, the user may select another option on the user interface which shows the user where that selected user is in the venue. This feature is shown in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 16 . 
     The above steps for perusing profiles may be performed by a user while at a venue. However, a user may be remote from a venue, for example at home or work, when a user performs these steps for perusing profiles. A user can select a venue and look at the profiles of users then at the venue, or who have recently been at the venue. 
     Instead of (or in addition to) perusing a list of profiles, a first user may see someone at the venue  150  that he or she would like an introduction to. As one example, in  FIG. 3 , the user  152   a  may want to introduce himself to the user  152   b . The user  152   b  may be sufficiently separated from others shown on map  160  so that the user  152   a  may clearly correlate a location tag  162  on the map  160  on his computing device  102  with the user  152   b . However, that may not be the case, for example where the user  152   b  is near to others shown on the map. In step  254 , user may choose to zoom in on the map to gain better resolution. The user  152   a  may select an area of the map for enlargement, and that enlarged area may be displayed to the user  152   a  in step  256 . 
     An example of a zoomed in view of map  160  is shown in  FIG. 12 . The magnification is large enough now that the location tags  162  may be shown to the user  152   a  as the avatars that the users  152  have selected for themselves. Aliases may also be shown in further embodiments. Some users may not have selected avatars, and can still be shown as dots (or other shapes). The user  152   a  may now have enough correlation to clearly identify which location tag  162  on the display correlates to the user  152  that he is interested in meeting. 
     However, to gain still further clarity, the user  152   a  may track and correlate movements of users  152  with the movement of location tags  162  over time. As noted above, the positions of location tags  162  may be updated in real time or near real time, as users  162  move around. As such, referring to  FIG. 13 , if the user  152   a  sees the user  152   b  move (for example away from the bar  164 ), and the user also sees that the location tag  162   b  moves away from the bar on the map, the user can further be assured of the correlation between user  152   b  and the location tag  162   b . In further embodiments, a venue may have video cameras set up to capture different views of the venue. A user may have an option to receive the video feed from one or more different cameras to accurately locate the real world position of other users for correlation to a location tag  162  on the map  160 . 
     Once the user  152   a  has identified the location tag  162   b  of the user they are interested in meeting, the user  152   a  may select that location tag. In embodiments, each location tag may be hyperlinked to a profile page for the associated user. A user may select a specific location tag using a selection device such as for example a finger touching a selected location tag (for displays which are touch sensitive) or positioning a cursor over a selected location tag and selecting it with a mouse, keyboard or other input selection device. 
     Referring again to the flowchart of  FIG. 7 , the location of users are associated with their information stored in database  130  (or elsewhere). If the connection software  126  receives a selection of a location tag  162  in step  260  the software  126  may display a profile page for the user associated with the selected location tag. An example of a profile page  168  is shown in  FIG. 14 . The profile page may include the information provided by the user  152   b  for his or her profile. In this case, the profile page  168  for the user  152   b  is for a woman having an alias “WitchyWoman.” The profile page  168  may further include a photo that the user  152   b  has provided. In addition to providing a likeness of the user  152   b , the photo can serve to further confirm to user  152   a  that this is in fact the profile for the person they are interested in meeting. The profile page may further include textual descriptive material  158  as described above. 
     The user  152   a  can peruse this information. If the user  152   a  decides not to follow through with the introduction, the user  152   a  can return to a display of location tags  160  in step  246  and as shown in  FIG. 8 . On the other hand, if the user  152   a  would like to move forward with meeting the user  152   b , the user  152   a  can then send a mail message from his computing device  102  to the computing device  102  of the user  152   b  in step  270 . The profile page  168  may include a “text me” button  170 , though the button may have different labels in further embodiments. Of note, despite that the user  152   b  is potentially in a crowd of people and other users, and despite that the users  152   a  and  152   b  do not know each other or have prior contact information for each other, the user  152   a  is able to send a message to the user  152   b , and only the user  152   b . As explained below, the user  152   a  could alternatively send to multiple recipients, but the recipients list is controlled by the user  152   a.    
     If the user  152   a  elects to send a text message in step  270 , the user may select the button  170 , at which point a messaging application is opened in step  272  on the computing device  102  of the user  152   a . The messaging application may be a text messaging application and may for example open an SMS dialog box for the user  152   a  to add any message that he would like to send to the computing device  102  of the user  152   b.    
     As noted above, the user  152   a  may not know the user  152   b  and may have no contact information for the user  152   b  (though in further embodiments, the user  152   a  may know and have contact information for the user  152   b ). When a request is received to send a communication to user  152   b , contact information for user  152   b  is retrieved from the database, and the message is automatically addressed to the computing device  102  of the user  152   b . For example, if sending a text message, the message is automatically addressed to the mobile telephone number received for the user  152   b  in setting up her profile. In further embodiments, the messaging application may be an email application, in which case the message may be automatically addressed to an email address provided by the user  152   b  in setting up her profile. In further embodiments, the contact information provided by user  152   b  may instead by an account on a social networking website, such as Facebook® or Twitter®. In such event, the user  152   a  may post a note to the account user  152   b  has on that social networking website. 
     In embodiments where the user  152   a  is sending a text or email, the user  152   a  may be able to see the telephone number, email address or other contact information of user  152   b . However, for security or other reasons, users may not wish to give out their contact information such as mobile telephone number or email address in the use of the present system. Accordingly, in the above-described scenario, in further embodiments, the user  152   a  is not able to see or identify the telephone number, email address or other contact information of the user  152   b . In embodiments, users may configure their profiles as to whether other users are able to see, or not see, contact information. 
     For additional security, in further embodiments, the message to be sent by the user  152   a  may in fact be addressed to a proxy address (proxy telephone number or proxy email address) for example at the service provider  104 . In this instance, after the user  152   a  creates and sends the message, the message may be sent to the service provider  104 , which may then resolve the proxy address to the correct address, and then forward the message to the user  152   b . Thus, the user  152   a  is able to send a message to the user  152   b , but does not in fact have the actual contact information for the user  152   b . It is conceivable that proxy addresses not be used, and messages be sent directly to the actual contact information in further embodiments. In further embodiments, a venue  150  may give out computing devices  102  to users for temporary use while at the venue. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the computing device  102  of the user  152   b , and shows a message page  172  with the message  174  received from the user  152   a . For example, the user  152   a  may send a message, “Hi WitchyWoman. Would you and your friend like to have dinner with us?” The message  174  shown is by way of example, and as indicated above, may be any message that the user  152   a  wishes to send. The message page  172  may also have a number of buttons for possible actions that the user  152   b  may take in response to the received message  174 . For example, the message page  172  may also include a “check my profile” button  176 , though the button  176  may have different labels in further embodiments. The connection software  126  has the identification information of the user that sent a message, and if the user  152   b  selects the button  176 , the profile page for the user  152   a  may be displayed to the user  152   b.    
     The message page  172  may further include a “show where I am” button  178 , though the button  178  may have different labels in further embodiments. Again, the connection software  126  has identification information of the user that sent a message, including where that user  152   a  is in the venue  150 . If the user  152   b  selects the button  178 , a map of the venue  150  may be displayed to the user  152   b  with the location tag  162   a  of the user  152   a  highlighted as shown in  FIG. 16 . In this instance, the location tag  162   a  may be highlighted in a variety of different ways. 
     The message page  172  may further include a reply button  180 . The user  152   b  may select the reply button  180 , to initiate a dialogue with the user  152   a  (step  276 ) and they can thereafter exchange messages using the messaging applications on their respective computing devices  102  as shown for example in  FIG. 17 . For example, user  152   b  may reply to the message from user  152   a , “Sounds great. We&#39;ll be over in few.” This reply is by way of example and can be any reply the user  152   b  chooses to make. A reply made by the user  152   b  may be to a proxy address in service provider  104 , which may be resolved into the real contact address for user  152   a  by the service provider  104 . Alternatively, the reply may be directly to the real contact address for the user  152   a.    
     Referring again to  FIG. 15 , the message page  172  may further include a “view friends in common” button  182 , though the button  182  may have different labels in further embodiments. As noted above, the service provider  104  may store friends of the different users, and may cross-reference users&#39; friends lists to identify friends in common. Thus, if the user  152   b  selects button  182 , the connection software  126  may display a new page including any friends that users  152   a  and  152   b  share in common. User  152   b  can at that point contact a mutual friend to inquire about user  152   a . The connection software  126  may also provide this as an option to the user  152   a  before the user  152   a  elects to contact the user  152   b.    
     The message page  172  may further include a “block” button  184 , though the button  184  may have different labels in further embodiments. If the user  152   b  selects button  184 , a message may be sent to the service provider  104  to block all communications from user  152   a  to user  152   b . The service provider  104  may store this as a rule in association with the account data of user  152   a  and/or user  152   b . Thereafter, if user  152   a  attempts to send a message to user  152   b , the message is not sent to user  152   b . User  152   a  may or may not receive notification of a blocked message in different embodiments of the present technology. 
     In a further embodiment, instead of simply blocking a user  152   a  from contacting the user  152   b , the user  152   b  may set a rule so that the user  152   b  does not even show up on the map  160  of the user  152   a , even when the user  152   b  is present in the venue  150  and shows up on the map  160  of other user computing devices  102 . In such an embodiment, once a second user  152   b  chooses to block a first user  152   a , a further user interface screen may be displayed giving the user  152   b  the option to disappear from view on the computing device  102  of the first user  152   a . If this option is selected, a rule may be created and saved such that, when displaying all location tags for a venue on the computing device  102  of user  152   a , a location tag for the user  152   b  does not show up, even if the user  152   b  is at the venue and would otherwise have a displayed location tag on the map  160  shown on the computing device of user  152   a.    
     A check for this rule may be performed prior to step  246  in  FIG. 7  for a given user  152   a . Thus, even though it is determined that a user  152   b  is present at a venue, if that user  152   b  has set a disappearing rule with respect to user  152   a , then the location tag for user  152   b  is not displayed on the device of user  152   a  when the location tags for other users is displayed in step  246 . 
     In the above scenario, the user  152   b  is able to disappear from view from a user  152   a  after contact by the user  152   a . However, in further embodiments, a user  152   b  (or any user) can set a “disappearing rule” so that he/she disappears from view on the computing device of any other user  152 , multiple users  152  or defined group of users  152  designated in the disappearing rule. This is true whether the user(s), from whose device(s) user  152   b  is to disappear, initially tried to contact user  152   b , or have never tried to contact user  152   b . A user interface may be provided which allows the user to set one or more disappearing rules governing whose computing devices they will be visible on as location tags, and whose computing devices they will be made to disappear from (which includes never appearing in the first place). 
     In addition to adding disappearing rules to individual users on an ad hoc basis, disappearing rules may be set with respect to entire demographic groups, so that the user setting the disappearing rule does not show up on the devices of anyone in that demographic group. As a few non-limiting examples, a user  152   b  may set a disappearing rule that he or she does not show on computing devices belonging to:
         men, or women,   certain age groups,   people who are single, or who are married,   people having (or do not have) a certain hair color, size or weight,   people who are friends, or who are not friends,   people who have a specified income level,   people who are local, or who are visiting from somewhere else,   people who have a car, or don&#39;t have a car,   people who are here alone, or who are here with friends,   people who are (or who are not) of a certain nationality, ethnicity, religious affiliation,   people who are employed, or who are unemployed,   people who have children, or who do not have children.
 
These examples are non-limiting, and a user  152   b  may set a disappearing rule to disappear from view from the computing devices of other demographic groups in further embodiments. This demographic information may be available in the user profiles of the users of the present system.
       

     In embodiments, a disappearing rule may have a temporal duration. Thus, the rule dictates that the user  152   b  will disappear from the device of user  152   a  just for that day or night, or some specified period of time (minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, etc.), or permanently. When a user  152   b  sets a disappearing rule so as to disappear from view on the device of a user  152   a , the user  152   a  may, or may not, disappear from view on the device of the user  152   b . Disappearing rules may be applied regardless of venue. That is, whichever venue users  152   a  and  152   b  happen to be at, if there is a disappearing rule as described above, user  152   b  would not show up on the map  160  of user  152   a.    
     Returning to the user interface shown in  FIG. 15 , the user  152   b  may select one or more of the options described above. The buttons  176 ,  178 ,  180 ,  182  and  184  are merely examples of options which may be provided to the user  152   b  on message page  172 . It is understood that one or more of these buttons may be omitted, rearranged in a different order, or supplemented with other options in further embodiments. As noted, in further embodiments, a button may be provided for setting a disappearing rule. 
     In embodiments described above, a first user may identify a second user and use the map  160  to initiate a dialog, while at the venue. However, it is conceivable that the same process takes place while the first user is remote from a venue (or remote from all venues, for example at home). While remote, the first user may pull up a list of maps as described above, peruse the maps to see who is at what venues, select a user from a map at a given venue, and then initiate the dialogue with the selected user as described above. It is not required that the first and second users be at the same venue at the same time in order to initiate a dialogue according to the present technology. 
     In general, the connection software  126 , as implemented by one or more servers at the service provider  104 , and/or computing devices  102  of the venue or users, provides a variety of functions. These functions include, but are not limited to:
         allowing venues and users to sign-up for and subscribe to receive the services;   storing and downloading maps of different venues;   receiving data from sensors at a venue and determining the location and identity of computing devices and/or users from that data;   registering the determined location of computing devices and/or users on the map of the venue;   allowing users to select one or more location tags from a displayed map; and   displaying profile information for a user associated with a selected location tag, and   initiating a discreet dialog with the user associated with a selected location tag.       

     Using this functionality, embodiments of the present technology enhance social interactions by allowing new introductions to be made in a discreet and private manner. A first user has the ability to identify a second user that he or she would like to send a message to. Thereafter, even though the first and second users have no pre-knowledge of each other&#39;s identity or contact information, the first user is able to send a private message specifically to the second user, and the second user alone. In further embodiments, instead of not knowing a message recipient, the present technology may be used by friends who know each other to locate and contact each other at a venue. 
     In still further embodiments, the present technology may be used by the venue  150  to send out an announcement to a select group or all subscribers, or periodic announcements to a select group or all subscribers. The announcements may relate to discounts, specials, events, etc., and may be targeted for specific demographics based on information in user profiles. Additionally, the venue may keep track of users&#39; ordering preferences, for example storing the data in the service database  130  of service provider  104 . Thus, a venue can target messages to specific users. For example, if some users have shown a preference for a specific type of alcohol, and the venue is going to have a special featuring that alcohol, the venue can target messages to those specific users in advance. 
     Embodiments of the present technology described above provide merely some examples, and a wide variety of other use scenarios are contemplated for the present technology. Continuing with an example where venue  150  is a bar or restaurant, a first user may see a bartender or waiter (for whom profiles have also been created in the database), find them on the map  160  (i.e., location tag  152   c  in  FIGS. 8 and 12 ), and send them a message. 
     An example of this message exchange is shown in  FIG. 18 , where a user is able to order dinner and/or drinks from a waiter without having to leave his or her seat. In this example, the patron may send a message, “Hi Jason. Can we order two Spinach Salads, the Cheese Plate, the Onion Soup and a bottle of the La Crema Chardonnay?” To which, the staff person may reply, “No Problem. I&#39;ll put the food order in. Should be ready in about 15 minutes. Wine is coming right up.” This exchange is by way of example only and can be any exchange the patron and staff person care to provide. 
     As a further embodiment, a user may provide his or her credit card information to the service provider  104 , for example as part of the user&#39;s profile information. When the user thereafter orders food or beverage (either as shown in  FIG. 18  or by the user approaching a waiter), the waiter can identify that user, and can automatically charge the ordered food/beverage to that user&#39;s credit card. This can also be used in a store, when a user wishes to purchase goods. A user can identify an item to be purchased, for example by its SKU number, and enter that number in his or her computing device. Thereafter, the store can identify where that user is, access their credit card number, and charge the card to complete the purchase. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a further use scenario. In this embodiment, a user such as user  152   a  may contact a staff person  162   c  to indicate that the user  152   a  wishes to send a coupon  186  for a specified dollar amount or for one or more food items/beverages to a specified user that the user  152   a  identified using the map  160  and location tags  162 . The coupon may be charged to the credit card of the user  152   a . Thereafter, the venue  160  may send a coupon  186  to the specified user, redeemable at that venue. The coupon may for example set forth, “Balthazar66 has bought you a drink. Redeem at the JMS Lounge at your Convenience.” The coupon could include a wide variety of text in further examples. The user  152   a  may thereafter follow up with a message as shown in  FIG. 19  and as described above, for example, “I hope you enjoy the cocktail. If you like, write back or stop by.” The message may be any of a variety of other messages in further examples. If the user  152   a  is blocked from contacting the specified user, the message from the user  152   a  may be blocked, and, possibly, the coupon  186  would be blocked as well. 
     Referring to a further use scenario shown in  FIG. 20 , students at a school may have profiles and be subscribed to the system according to the present technology. Teachers and school administrators may thereafter track the whereabouts of different students. Thus, where one or more students are not in their class at the appointed time (or otherwise wish to send a message to students), the teachers and/or school administrators can find out where they are, and send them a message to get class. For example, a teach or administrator may send a message, “Hi Marlee and Sam. What are you doing in the Lunch Room? You are scheduled to be in Algebra for first period. Can you please report to class?” This is by way of example only. This use scenario may be generalized to other scenarios so that a first user may locate and contact a second user, for example to keep the second user on schedule and at the right place at the right time. 
     In  FIG. 20 , the message generated was sent to two recipients (Marlee and Sam). In embodiments described above, a first user is able to locate and send a message to a second user. However, in any of the above-described embodiments, a first user may locate and send a message to two or more other users. That is, the message would be sent to multiple recipients at the same time. In an example, a user may have the option of selecting multiple location tags  162 , so that each would be a recipient of a given message. 
     As noted above, any of a wide variety of venues may be mapped and used in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 8  illustrates an indoor venue.  FIG. 21  illustrates a further embodiment where the venue  150  is an outdoor venue, such as for example a park. In this embodiment, a map  160  of the park may be created and uploaded to service provider  104 , and thereafter users may access the map  160 , together with location tags  162  of other subscribing users in the outdoor venue  150 . As shown, sensors  154  may be positioned in the outdoor venue to identify the location of users in the outdoor venue. As noted above, GPS can be used as an alternative to the sensors  154 . 
     In embodiments described above, a venue generates a map which then aids users in correlating other users in the real-world space of the venue with location tags shown on the map. However, in a further embodiment, it is conceivable that the present technology operate without a map. One such embodiment is shown in  FIG. 22 . This embodiment illustrates a computing device of a user such as user  152   a , and a number of other users who have subscribed to the service. Using sensors  154  or other technologies, the location tags  162  of other users relative to the location tag  162   a  of the user  152   a  may be shown on the computing device  102  of the user  152   a . The user  152   a  may locate a second user, correlate the position of the second user with a location tag  162  on the computing device  102 , and thereafter introduce themselves to the second user as described above. Thus, for example, a first user may be walking down a street (which is outfitted with sensors  154  or other technologies) and introduce themselves to a second user that they see. 
     Records of use of the present technology may be stored in service provider  104 . These records may be kept confidential or made public. Where public, the connection software  126  may provide an option on a user interface for users to view these public records. The public records may show for example how often given users have used the system to contact others. The public records may also show for example how often given users have been contacted by others via the system. Information provided by different users  152  may also be collected and mined by the venue  150  and/or service provider  104 , for example for the purposes of targeted advertising. 
     The present system may also have further tie-ins to one or more of the third party social platforms  120  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, as noted above, initial contacts and subsequent dialogue between users may be hosted on Facebook®, Twitter® or other social platforms. These social platforms  120  may also be integrated into the present system so that exchanged texts between first and second users also use content from these third-party social platforms. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates details of a computing environment  300 , which may be a sample computing device  102 , or server as described herein, for implementing aspects of the present technology. Components of computing environment  300  may include, but are not limited to, a processor  302 , a system memory  304 , storage media  306 , various system interfaces and a system bus  308  that couples various system components. The system bus  308  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. 
     The computing environment  300  further includes computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available tangible media that can be accessed by the computing environment  300  and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. Computer readable media does not include transitory, modulated or other transmitted data signals that are not contained in a tangible media. The system memory  304  includes computer readable media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as ROM  310  and RAM  312 . RAM  312  may contain an operating system  313  for computing environment  300 . The computer readable media may also include storage media  306 , such as hard drives, optical drives and flash drives. 
     The computing environment  300  may include a variety of interfaces for the input and output of data and information. Input interface  316  may receive data from different sources including touch (in the case of a touch sensitive screen, a mouse  324  and/or keyboard  322 . 
     A video interface  330  may be provided for interfacing with a touchscreen  331  and/or monitor  332 . A peripheral interface  336  may be provided for supporting peripheral devices, including for example a printer  338 . 
     The computing environment  300  may operate in a networked environment via a network interface  340  using logical connections to one or more remote computers  344 ,  346 . The logical connection to computer  344  may be a local area connection (LAN)  348 , and the logical connection to computer  346  may be via the Internet  350 . Other types of networked connections are possible, including broadband communications as described above. 
     It is understood that the above description of computing environment  300  is by way of example only, and may include a wide variety of other components in addition to or instead of those described above. 
     In summary, one example, the present technology relates to a method of enabling a first user to contact a second user at a venue, comprising: (a) displaying location tags on a computing device of the first user, the location tags representing positions of users in the venue; (b) receiving a selection by the first user of a location tag, the selected location tag correlated to a position of the second user in the venue; and (c) opening a message for sending by the first user after receipt of selection of the second user in said step (b), the message addressed for receipt by the second user. 
     In another example, the present technology relates to a system of enabling introductions, comprising: a digitally encoded map of a venue; and a processor on a computing device, the processor executing an connection software to cause the computing device to display the digitally encoded map and a location tag correlating to a location of a user at the venue, the processor further causing information regarding the user to be displayed on the computing device upon receipt of a selection of the location tag. 
     In a further example, the present technology relates to a computer readable medium for programming a processor to perform a method of enabling introduction of a first user to a second user, the method comprising: (a) displaying a map of a venue on a first computing device of the first user; (b) displaying location tags on the first computing device, the location tags representing users in the venue, and the location tags showing positions of users in the venue; (c) receiving a selection by the first user of a location tag based on the first user determining the selected location tag correlates to the second user; and (d) displaying information to the first user for the user represented by the selected location tag. 
     The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.