Patent ID: 8176135

Claim:
A user communication system for communicating among users of mobile communication devices, said user communication system comprising: an electronic apparatus including at least one processor configured to execute non-transitory computer program code to provide communication between users of mobile communication devices, the computer program code including at least: computer program code for obtaining a message from a first mobile communication device to be delivered to a plurality of other mobile communication devices; computer program code for acquiring status information of the first mobile communication device, the status information including at least position information associated with the first mobile communication device; computer program code for determining whether the plurality of other mobile communication devices or users thereof are authorized to obtain the status information of the first mobile communication device; and computer program code for initiating sending of the message along with the status information to each of the plurality of other mobile communication devices, provided that said computer program code for determining determines that the plurality of other mobile communication devices or users thereof are authorized to receive the status information of the first mobile communication device, wherein the message is from a user of the first mobile communication device, and wherein the message is distinct from the status information.