Method and computer system for matching mobile device users for business and social networking

Claim 1

Apparatus for identifying and introducing mobile device users to one another, wherein a given mobile device user has been registered by submitting given profile data, comprising: at least one processor; code executable on the processor (a) for receiving a message from a first mobile device user that the first mobile device user desires to be introduced at least one other mobile device user; (b) for initiating a request to identify a current location of the first mobile device user, (c) for receiving data identifying the location of the first mobile device user; (d) for determining, based on the given profile data, whether a second mobile device user is within intellectual proximity to the first mobile device user, wherein intellectual proximity is determined at least in part by relative management stratum of the first and second mobile device users, wherein management stratum is afforded a first weight when each of the first and second mobile device users expresses a specific business networking intent objective, and a second weight, less than the first weight, when each of the first and second mobile device users expresses a non-specific business networking intent objective, (e) when the first and second mobile device users are in intellectual proximity, for issuing a mutual collaboration opportunity message to each the first and second mobile device users to determine whether the first and second mobile device users desire to be introduced to one another, the mutual collaboration opportunity message masking personally identifying information, and (f) upon the first and second mobile device users agreeing to be introduced, for establishing a direct private messaging session between the first and second mobile device users.

Claim 9

A method, operating in a server, for enabling mobile device users to meet one another, the mobile device users being within a given physical proximity during an overlapping time window, comprising: based on given profile data provided by each of first and second mobile device users, determining whether the first and second mobile devices users are within a given intellectual proximity, wherein intellectual proximity is determined by relative management stratum of the first and second mobile device users and how much time has elapsed since the respective first or second mobile device user first provides an indication that such mobile device user is available to receive a prospective introduction; when the first and second mobile device users are within a given intellectual proximity, issuing a mutual collaboration opportunity message to each the first and second mobile device users to determine whether the first and second mobile device users desire to be introduced to one another, the mutual collaboration opportunity message masking personally identifying information; and upon the first and second mobile device users agreeing to be introduced, establishing a direct private messaging session between the first and second mobile device users.

Claim 10

A method, operating in a server, for enabling mobile device users to meet one another, the mobile device users being within a given physical proximity during an overlapping time window, comprising: based on given profile data provided by each of first and second mobile device users, determining whether the first and second mobile devices users are within a given intellectual proximity, wherein intellectual proximity is determined by relative management stratum of the first and second mobile device users and how much time has elapsed since the respective first or second mobile device user first provides an indication that such mobile device user is available to receive a prospective introduction; when the first and second mobile device users are within a given intellectual proximity, issuing a mutual collaboration opportunity message to each the first and second mobile device users to determine whether the first and second mobile device users desire to be introduced to one another, the mutual collaboration opportunity message masking personally identifying information; and upon the first and second mobile device users agreeing to be introduced, establishing a direct private messaging session between the first and second mobile device users.