Method to provide ad hoc and password protected digital and voice networks

Abstract

A method and system includes the ability for individuals to set up an ad hoc digital and voice network easily and rapidly to allow users to coordinate their activities by eliminating the need for pre-entry of data into a web or identifying others by name, phone numbers or email. This method is especially useful for police, fire fighters, military, first responders or other emergency situations for coordinating different organizations at the scene of a disaster to elevate conventional communication problems either up and down the chain of command or cross communication between different emergency units. The method and system provides that the users are only required to enter a specific Server IP address and an ad hoc event name, a password and perhaps the name of the particular unit.

1 .- 58  (canceled) 
     
     
         59 . A method performed by one or more servers each having one or more processors, the method comprising executing operations on one or more processors of one or more servers, the operations comprising:
 obtaining first data provided by a first mobile device corresponding to a first user, the first data including a first identifier;   permitting the first mobile device corresponding to the first user to join a communication network, the permitting based on the inclusion of the first identifier in the first data;   obtaining second data provided by a second mobile device corresponding to a second user, the second data including the first identifier;   allowing the second mobile device corresponding to the second user to join the communication network, the allowing based on the inclusion of the first identifier in the second data;   receiving update information from the first mobile device; and   transmitting the update information received from the first mobile device to the second mobile device based on their membership in the communication network.   
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59  further comprising automatically transmitting update information received from the first mobile device to a plurality of mobile devices based on their membership in the communication network. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the received update information includes the first identifier, and the presence of the first identifier is confirmed in the received update information before transmitting the update information received from the first mobile device to the plurality of mobile devices. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the received update information includes the location of first mobile device. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 59  further wherein the received update information includes at least one of data messages, photographs, or videos. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the first identifier identifies a group of friends. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the first identifier identifies a group of family members. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 59  further comprising:
 receiving, from the first mobile device, a selection of a symbol associated with the second mobile device; 
 receiving, from the first mobile device after selection of the symbol, a message intended for the second mobile device; and 
 transmitting, to the second mobile device, the message. 
 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 59  further comprising transmitting an emergency alert to a plurality of mobile devices based on their membership in the communication network. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67  further comprising causing at least one of the plurality of mobile devices to perform a physical operation to draw the attention of those in the vicinity of the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 59  wherein allowing the second mobile device to join the communication network comprises receiving, from the first mobile device, an approval of the second mobile device. 
     
     
         70 . A system comprising one or more servers each having one or more processors, the processors configured to execute instructions to perform operations comprising:
 obtaining first data provided by a first mobile device corresponding to a first user, the first data including a first identifier;   permitting the first mobile device corresponding to the first user to join a communication network, the permitting based on the inclusion of the first identifier in the first data;   obtaining second data provided by a second mobile device corresponding to a second user, the second data including the first identifier;   allowing the second mobile device corresponding to the second user to join the communication network, the allowing based on the inclusion of the first identifier in the second data;   receiving update information from the first mobile device; and   transmitting the update information received from the first mobile device to the second mobile device based on their membership in the communication network.   
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the processors are further configured for automatically transmitting update information received from the first mobile device to a plurality of mobile devices based on their membership in the communication network. 
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 71  wherein the received update information includes the first identifier, and the processors are further configured for confirming the presence of the first identifier in the received update information before transmitting the update information received from the first mobile device to the plurality of mobile devices. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the received update information includes the location of first mobile device. 
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the received update information includes at least one of data messages, photographs, or videos. 
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the first identifier identifies a group of friends. 
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the first identifier identifies a group of family members. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the processors are further configured for:
 receiving, from the first mobile device, a selection of a symbol associated with the second mobile device; 
 receiving, from the first mobile device after selection of the symbol, a message intended for the second mobile device; and 
 transmitting, to the second mobile device, the message. 
 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the processors are further configured for transmitting an emergency alert to a plurality of mobile devices based on their membership in the communication network. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 78  further wherein the processors are further configured for causing at least one of the plurality of mobile devices to perform a physical operation to draw the attention of those in the vicinity of the at least one of the plurality of mobile devices. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 70  wherein the processors are further configured for receiving, from the first mobile device, an approval of the second mobile device, prior to allowing the second mobile device to join the communication network.