Patent ID: 7042364

Claim:
A proximity alert device comprising: an interface that receives a first identity code, wherein the first identity code is associated with a user associated with a second proximity alert device; a memory that stores the received first identity code, the stored first identity code being in a data structure associated with one or more persons about whom a user of the proximity alert device wishes to know a proximity; a receiver that wirelessly receives a second identity code and location information associated with a location of the second proximity alert device; and a processor that executes coded instructions that compare the received second identity code to the stored first identity code; wherein if the received second identity code matches the stored first identity code, and if the second proximity alert device comes within a predetermined distance of the proximity alert device, then the proximity alert device automatically outputs an alert and outputs said location information associated with a location of the second proximity alert device, wherein the alert comprises an identification of the user associated with the second proximity alert device.