System And Method For Maintaining Associations Within A Social Network For A User

Abstract

A system and method for maintaining associations within a social network for a user are provided. A device proximate a user device is identified. It is determined whether the identified device is associated with an entity having a pre-established association with a user of the user device within the social network. The user is associated with the entity within the social network if the identified device is not associated with an entity having a pre-established association with the user if a determination is made that the user is to be associated with the entity. The user-entity association is maintained within the social network based upon whether the entity and the user device remain proximate.

1 . A method of operating a server device for maintaining associations within a social network for a user, the server device adapted to perform the method comprising:
 receiving a first geographic location of a first device and a second geographic location of a second device, wherein the first device is a stationary device associated with an establishment and a first user corresponding to an automated user, the second device is a cellular device associated with a second user, and the first user and the second user are members of a social network and are not already friends within the social network;   performing a first comparison of the first geographic location and the second geographic location;   determining, based on the first comparison, that the first device and the second device are in geographical proximity;   identifying the second user as a transient friend of the first user, based on the first device and the second device being in geographical proximity; and   removing the identification of the second user as a transient friend of the first user when the first device and the second device are no longer in geographical proximity.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 adding the second user as the transient friend of the first user within the social network; and 
 sending a message to the second device after adding the second user as the transient friend of the first user. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the message is an advertisement. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the message is a recommendation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 performing a second comparison of the first geographic location and the second geographic location; 
 determining, based on the second comparison, that the first device and the second device are no longer in geographical proximity; and 
 identifying the second user for possible removal as the transient friend of the first user. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 waiting an amount of time if the second device and the first device are no longer in geographical proximity; 
 performing, after waiting the amount of time, a third comparison of the first geographic location and the second geographic location; 
 determining, based on the third comparison, that the first device and the second device are no longer in geographical proximity; and 
 removing the second user as the transient friend of the first user within the social network. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the establishment is a business establishment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the establishment is a public facility. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first geographic location is received based on manual operator input. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first geographic location is determined based on an IP address of the first device. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 a communication interface communicatively coupling the system to devices via a communication network; and   a control system associated with the communication interface and adapted to:
 receive a first geographic location of a first device and a second geographic location of a second device, wherein the first device is a stationary device associated with an establishment and a first user corresponding to an automated user, the second device is a cellular device associated with a second user, and the first user and the second user are members of a social network and are not already friends within the social network; 
   perform a first comparison of the first geographic location and the second geographic location;   determine, based on the first comparison, that the first device and the second device are in geographical proximity;   identify the second user as a transient friend of the first user, based on the first device and the second device being in geographical proximity; and   remove the identification of the second user as a transient friend of the first user when the first device and the second device are no longer in geographical proximity.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the control system is further adapted to add the second user as the transient friend of the first user within the social network; and   the communication interface is further adapted to send a message to the second device after the second user is added as the transient friend of the first user.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the message is an advertisement. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the message is a recommendation. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control system is further adapted to:
 perform a second comparison of the first geographic location and the second geographic location;   determine, based on the second comparison, that the first device and the second device are no longer in geographical proximity; and   identify the second user for possible removal as the transient friend of the first user.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the control system is further adapted to:
 wait an amount of time if the second device and the first device are no longer in geographical proximity;   perform, after waiting the amount of time, a third comparison of the first geographic location and the second geographic location;   determine, based on the third comparison, that the first device and the second device are no longer in geographical proximity; and   remove the second user as the transient friend of the first user within the social network.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the establishment is at least one of a business establishment and a public facility. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first geographic location is received based on manual operator input. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first geographic location is determined based on an IP address of the first device. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising software with instructions for operating a server device for:
 receiving a first geographic location of a first device and a second geographic location of a second device, wherein the first device is a stationary device associated with an establishment and a first user corresponding to an automated user, the second device is a cellular device associated with a second user, and the first user and the second user are members of a social network and are not already friends within the social network;   performing a first comparison of the first geographic location and the second geographic location;   determining, based on the first comparison, that the first device and the second device are in geographical proximity;   identifying the second user as a transient friend of the first user, based on the first device and the second device being in geographical proximity; and   removing the identification of the second user as a transient friend of the first user when the first device and the second device are no longer in geographical proximity.