Ascertaining the proximity of selected mobile phone users

摘要

A mobile phone user ("Prox Caller") sends out a call ("Prox Call") 4 to individuals or groups of people ("Prox Friends"), such as friends, colleagues or acquaintances, to find out if they are near by. If the Prox Friends have activated Prox Response on their mobile phones 5, the mobile phone service provider will check which Prox Friends are within the range specified by the Prox Caller 6 and send the Prox Responses along with approximate distances to the Prox Caller 8. The Prox Responses are stored and can be viewed by the Prox Caller showing the Prox Friends in range who have responded 10.