Method, System, and Graphical User Interface for Identifying and Communicating with Meeting Spots

Abstract

One aspect of the invention involves a computer-implemented method in which a server computer sends to a plurality of client devices associated with computer users in an online discussion information corresponding to: a map, an icon for a meeting spot to be overlaid on the map, a plurality of icons representing at least some of the computer users in the online discussion, to be displayed at a same time as the map, and an icon to initiate online communications between a respective client device and a computer associated with the meeting spot. The server receives a request to initiate online communications between the computer associated with the meeting spot and at least one client device in the online discussion; and initiates online communications between the computer associated with the meeting spot and the at least one client device in the online discussion.

1 . A method, comprising:
 at a server computer:
 receiving meeting spot data that correspond to a plurality of meeting spots selected by a computer user, who is currently online and active, at a client device; and 
 sending information concerning other computer users, who are currently online and active, to the client device for display, wherein each of the other computer users has also currently selected two or more of the meeting spots selected by the computer user. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , including creating a meeting-spot-based user interest profile for the computer user based at least in part on the plurality of meeting spots selected by the computer user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , including receiving a request from the client device to initiate an online communication with one or more of the other computer users whose information is displayed at the client device. 
     
     
         4 . A method, comprising:
 at a client device:
 sending meeting spot data that correspond to a plurality of meeting spots selected by a computer user, who is currently online and active, to a server computer; and 
 receiving information from the server computer for display, wherein the information concerns other computer users who are currently online and active, wherein each of the other computer users has also currently selected two or more of the plurality of meeting spots selected by the computer user. 
   
     
     
         5 . A graphical user interface on a computer with a display, a memory, and one or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in the memory, the graphical user interface comprising:
 a plurality of icons representing meeting spots selected by a computer user, who is currently online and active, overlaid on a graphically displayed geographic map; and   a plurality of icons representing other computer users who are currently online and active, wherein each of the other computer users has also currently selected two or more of the meeting spots selected by the computer user.   
     
     
         6 . The graphical user interface of  claim 5 , wherein selecting an icon of the plurality of icons representing other computer users initiates an on online communication between the computer user and a respective other computer user that is represented by the selected icon. 
     
     
         7 . The graphical user interface of  claim 6 , wherein the online communication includes instant messaging, voice communication, and/or video chat. 
     
     
         8 . The graphical user interface of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of icons representing meeting spots are within a predetermined distance or estimated driving time from a location on the geographic map specified by the computer user. 
     
     
         9 . The graphical user interface of  claim 5 , wherein the geographic map is a street map, a satellite photograph, or a hybrid map showing street names superimposed on a satellite photograph. 
     
     
         10 . A server computer system, comprising:
 one or more processors;   memory; and   one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
 receiving meeting spot data that correspond to a plurality of meeting spots selected by a computer user at a client device, wherein the computer user is currently online and active; and 
 sending information concerning other computer users who are currently online and active to the client device for display, wherein each of the other computer users has also currently selected two or more of the meeting spots selected by the computer user.