Patent ID: 8483724

Claim:
A method, for providing, to a first user, location-based information concerning a second user, comprising: determining by a processor, a present location of a first wireless device associated with the first user; identifying, by the processor, a predetermined location distinct from the present location of the first wireless device; determining, by the processor, whether a second wireless device associated with the second user is within a certain proximity of the predetermined location; communicating, by the processor to the first wireless device, in response to determining that the second wireless device is within the certain proximity of the predetermined location, an identity of the second user; receiving, in response to communicating the identify of the second user, from the first user, from the first wireless device, a query seeking location information for the second user; determining whether the first user is authorized to receive the location information related to the second user, including accessing a second-user-specified access list indicating which requestors are allowed to obtain location information of the second user; providing, if it is determined that the first user is authorized to receive the location information related to the second user, to the first wireless device, the location information; and if it is determined that the first user is not authorized to receive the location information related to the second user: determining whether the second user accepts location requests from unauthorized requestors, including accessing a second-user-specified user preference dictating whether the second user will entertain requests to release the location information of the second user from unauthorized requesters; and sending to the second user, in response to determining that the second user accepts location requests from unauthorized users, a location request for obtaining authorization to provide the location information to user of the first wireless device.