US20250267117
2025-08-21
Electricity
H04L51/222
Techniques for live location sharing between mobile devices using an instant messaging (IM) program are detailed. A user can share their device's location with another user through this program, allowing the recipient to view the location on their device's IM interface. The sharing duration is adjustable by the user. The second device may choose whether to reciprocate by sharing its location back.
This approach enhances conventional IM programs by enabling users to share more than just text, such as real-time location data, which can improve user experience and facilitate activities like planning meetups. Privacy is respected as users control who sees their location and for how long.
A diagram illustrates communication between two mobile devices over a network using an IM program. Users can enable location sharing, allowing one device to access the other's real-time location via a server or direct connection. The shared location is displayed on a virtual map in the IM program, with markers indicating the devices' positions.
The IM program's user interface includes settings for initiating and managing live location sharing. Users can select time frames for sharing or set proximity-based conditions. The interface displays maps with markers showing both users' real-time locations, providing transparency about what each user sees.
The interaction between mobile devices and servers involves communication channels based on phone numbers and account identifiers. Devices submit requests to servers to facilitate location sharing, exchanging mapping packets containing relevant information like phone numbers and sharing durations.