Patent ID: 7953789

Claim:
A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of: creating profile information on a centralized server, said profile information including at least one topic of interest; transmitting a request to initiate processing of an information supply facility, said request to initiate processing being sent from a local server to a plurality of access points; repeatedly transmitting inquiry messages, said inquiry messages being repeatedly transmitted by each of said plurality of access points; receiving at one of said access points, a log-on request from a first handheld device, said log-on request indicating that said first handheld device is present within a communications zone of said access point; relaying said log-on request from said access point to said centralized server, said log-on request containing first user information and first password information; confirming, at said centralized server, that said first user information and said first password information within said log-on request are valid; querying said profile information to determine whether said profile information contains a topic of interest that is common to said first handheld device and to a second handheld device, said second handheld device also being present within said communications zone; and transmitting a first notice to said first handheld device via said access point, said first notice specifying said common topic of interest and said second user information, said second user information being associated with said second handheld device.