Computer-implemented method, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and mobile device providing location-based services promoting subscriber privacy and saftey

Abstract

A system-implemented solution provides a user of the mobile device with location-based services that enable the user to generate and selectively share its real-time location information with various types of parties (e.g., private and public). A global position system (GPS) component of the mobile device and / or other location determination component is utilized for determining (and potentially recording) the real-time location of the user as the user moves along a path of travel with the mobile device in their possession. Thus, the system-implemented solution enables the user to generate and share different aspects of their real-time location information with different types and / or groups of recipients of such real-time location information. Selective sharing of different aspects of the user's real-time location information allows the user to generate and share their real-time location information in a manner that is beneficial to the user in regard to safety, privacy, confidentiality, and other preferences.

Description

COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD, NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER- READABLE MEDIUM, AND MOBILE DEVICE PROVIDING LOCATION-BASED SERVICES PROMOTING SUBSCRIBER PRIVACY AND SAFTEYCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This PCT application claims priority from co-pending United States Provisional Patent Application having Serial No. 63 / 524,054, filed 29-June 2023, entitled “MOBIE HUNTING APP,” having common applicants herewith and being incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The disclosures made herein relate generally to computer program products (e.g., applications in the form of a computer-implemented method, non-transitory computer-readable medium, or the like) configured for execution on a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, or other type of mobile device) and, more particularly, to computer program products operable for providing a user of the mobile device with location-based services that enable the user to generate and selectively share its real-time location information with various types of parties (e.g., private and public) in a manner that is beneficial to the to the user in regard to safety, privacy, confidentiality, and other preferences.BACKGROUND

[0003] There are many instances where a person (or group of people) are engaged in an activity where it is beneficial and / or desirable to share their location in a real-time manner with other individuals. Examples of activities where it may be beneficial and / or desirable to share a person’slocation in a real-time manner with other people include hunting, fishing, cycling, running, hiking, commuting, and other outdoor activities where the person traverses a path that is not known to such other people. In many instances, the person’s real-time location (precise and / or general) during an outing may be known to the person themselves until they are engaged in such outing. Sharing of real-time location information may be performed for any number of reasons including, but not limited to, keeping others informed of the person’s general whereabouts, keeping other’s informed of the person’s whereabouts in case of an emergency, allowing others to follow a path of travel taken by the person, and allowing others to meet the person at a particular location.

[0004] Although it may be desirable for the person to share their location in a real-time manner with other people, it is not without the potential for causing undesirable outcomes. In one example, the person may subject themselves to physical harm by a stranger who uses the person’s real-time location to track and intercept the person during their outing. In another example, the person may expose their residence or office (or other real estate (e.g., office) or personal property(e.g., vehicle)) to burglary or damage in view of the person’s residence or office being known or found to be unattended during the person’s outing by a stranger with whom the person has shared their real-time location. In yet another example, the person may undesirably reveal the location of a private destination to a stranger with whom the person has shared their real-time location.

[0005] Therefore, a computer program product operable (e.g., on a mobile device and / or a server) for providing a user of the mobile device with location-based services that enable the user to generate and selectively share its real-time location information with various types of parties (e.g., private and public) in a manner that is beneficial to the to the user in regard to safety, privacy, confidentiality, and other preferences is advantageous, desirable and useful.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] Embodiments of the disclosure made herein are directed to a system-implemented solution for enabling a person to generate and selectively share information regarding their current location in a real-time manner. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosures made herein are directed to a computer program product operable (e.g., on a mobile device and / or a server) for providing a user of the mobile device with location-based services that enable the user to generate and selectively share its real-time location information with various types of parties (e.g., private and public). A global position system (GPS) component of the mobile device and / or other location determination component available via the mobile device (e.g., location determination application) is utilized for determining (and potentially recording) the real-time location of the user as the user moves along a path of travel with the mobile device in their possession. In this regard, embodiments of the disclosure made herein enable the user to generate and share different aspects of their real-time location information with different types and / or groups of recipients of such real-time location information. Accordingly, selective sharing of different aspects of the user’s real-time location information is advantageous as it allows the user to generate and share their real-time location information in a manner that is beneficial to the user in regard to safety, privacy, confidentiality, and other preferences.

[0007] In one embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having tangibly embodied thereon and accessible therefrom processor-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one data processor, causes the at least one data processor to facilitate a method of imparting functionality for the benefit of a mobile device and user thereof. The method includes receiving, from a mobile device of a subscriber to an on-line platform service (i.e., a user), location information enabling a visual rendering of a current path oftravel of the mobile device to be derived as a function of the location information. The method includes generating, as a function of the location information, a broadcasted location identifier characterizing a geographic region within which the mobile device is currently located. The method includes a process for enabling, through the on-line platform service, access to the broadcasted location identifier by a plurality of other subscribers to the on-line platform service. The method includes receiving, from the subscriber, contact information for a person the subscriber designates as one of one or more trusted contacts of the person. The method includes transmitting, for reception by the person, a communication enabling the person to accept being one of the one or more trusted contacts. The method includes a receiving, from the person, a communication indicating acceptance of being one of the one or more trusted contacts. The method includes enabling, in response to receiving the communication indicating the acceptance, access to at least one of the location information and the visual rendering of the current path of travel of the mobile device by the person.

[0008] In another embodiment of the disclosures made herein, a non-transitory computer- readable medium having tangibly embodied thereon and accessible therefrom processorexecutable instructions that, when executed by at least one data processor, causes the at least one data processor to facilitate a method of imparting functionality for the benefit of a mobile device and user thereof. The method includes receiving, from a user of a mobile device, a command to activate a tracking mode of location information generation. The method includes, in response to the receiving, generating a plurality of instances of a first type of location information. Such instances of the first type of location information enables a visual rendering of a current path of travel of the mobile device to be derived as a function thereof. Each of the instances of the first type of location information defines a respective geographical position of the mobile device at acorresponding point in time. The method includes after generating the first type of location information is initiated and in response to receiving a respective notification indicating that visual evidence of an object being track has been identified, generating a respective instance of a second type of location information. The method includes enabling tracking information to be outputted via the mobile device. Such tracking information includes a first portion generated as a function of a plurality of the instances of the first type of location information and a second portion generated as a function of a plurality of instances of the second type of location information.

[0009] In some embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium is embodied as a computer program product executed on a mobile device in the form of a wireless communication device (e.g., a smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer).

[0010] In some embodiments, the location information includes location information generated by a location determination apparatus of the mobile device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on a visual display at a location on a map.

[0012] In some embodiments, the broadcasted location identifier is an icon depicting the subscriber’s mobile device and enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the icon to be depicted on a map accessible by the other subscribers to the on-line platform service.

[0013] In some embodiments, the enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed at a fixed location on a map at a location remote from a location on the map where the mobile device is currently located and enabling the map to be accessible by the other subscribers.

[0014] In some embodiments, the enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on a map and enabling the map to be accessible by the other subscribers.

[0015] In some embodiments, the enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on a map and enabling the map to be accessible by the other subscribers.

[0016] In some embodiments, the enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the subscriber to designate a point of interest on a map, enabling the subscriber to designate a boundary relative to the point of interest within which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on the map, and enabling the map to be accessible by the other subscribers

[0017] In some embodiments, the contact information includes: designation of the person being one of an emergency type of trusted contact and a non-emergency type of trusted contact; in response to the contact being the emergency type of trusted contact, the enabling the person to access the at least one of the real-time location information and the visual rendering includes enabling the person the access without approval of the subscriber after the acceptance; and in response to the contact being the non-emergency type of trusted contact, the enabling the person to access the at least one of the real-time location information and the visual rendering includes enabling the person the access with approval of the subscriber after the acceptance.

[0018] In some embodiments, the generation of the instances of the first type of location information is performed automatically by a location determination component of the mobile device and the generation of each respective instance of the second type of location informationbeing performed in response to receiving the respective notification indicating that visual evidence of an object being track has been identified includes receiving a signal corresponding to a respective one of the instances of the second type of location information that is outputted in response to a respective manual signal-initiating input provided on the mobile device by the user thereof.[00191 In some embodiments, the enabling tracking information to be outputted includes generating a first path of travel as a function of a plurality of the instances the first type of positional information, generating a second (i.e., derived and / or estimated) path of travel as a function of a plurality of instances of the second type of positional information, and enabling the first and second paths of travel to be displayed on a visual display of the mobile device.

[0020] In some embodiments, the object being tracked is a hunted animal, the visual evidence is blood, and generation of instances of the first type of location information is performed in response to receiving the command to activate the tracking mode.

[0021] In some embodiments, the generation of the instances of the first type of location information is performed automatically by a location determination component of the mobile device and the generation of each respective instance of the second type of location information being performed in response to receiving the respective notification indicating that visual evidence an object being track has been identified includes receiving a signal corresponding to a respective one of the instances of the second type of location information that is outputted in response to a respective manual signal-initiating input by the user of the mobile device.

[0022] In some embodiments, the location information may be location generated by a location determination component (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) component) of the mobile device.

[0023] These and other objects, embodiments, advantages and / or distinctions of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification, associated drawings and appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a subscriber system in accordance with a one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein.

[0025] FIG. 2A is a flow diagram showing trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein.

[0026] FIG. 2B is a map showing subscribers broadcast location identifier and real-time location information in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein.

[0027] FIG. 3A is a flow diagram showing object tracking functionality in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein.

[0028] FIG. 3B is a map showing a path of travel of a mobile device and an estimated path of travel of an object being tracked by a user of the mobile device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing tracking assistance enablement functionality in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example network operating environment for mobile devices utilized in methodologies in accordance with the disclosures made herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the following detailed description, numerous details, examples, and embodiments are set forth and described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention may be practiced without some of the specific details and examples discussed.

[0032] Some embodiments provide an application that provides steps and / or processes of methodologies in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. Although not limited thereto, exemplary embodiments of such an application might be implemented as applets, or “apps” that execute on mobile devices (i.e., portable computing devices that offer wireless communication), such as smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, navigational devices, and the like. Some other exemplary embodiments of such an application might be implemented as an application that is hosted on (i.e., runs on) one or more servers. Still other exemplary embodiments of the application might include a first portion that is hosted on one or more servers and a second portion that runs on one or more mobile devices for enabling interaction between the one or more servers and the one or more mobile devices.

[0033] An on-line platform system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein is shown in FIG. 1 and referred to herein as the on-line platform system 100. The on-line platform system 100 includes a communication network 102, a server 104, and subscriber mobile devices 106. The server 104 (or plurality of servers 104) communicate with the subscriber mobile devices 106 (i.e., clients) via the communication network 102. Architecture and communication aspects of systems comprising servers, clients , and communications networks are well known in the art and a skilled person will be aware of and understand operability of such a system.

[0034] The server 104 has running thereon (i.e., hosts) a server application 108 and each of the subscriber mobile devices 106 has running thereon a device application 110. For example, the server application 108 the device application 110 may each be separately embodied as functionalities in the form of one or more sets of instructions accessible from memory (e.g., non- transitory computer readable media) and executable by one or more processors. Functionality provided by the server application 108 and functionality of the device application 110 jointly define an overall system-managed functionality and associated content of an on-line platform service. This system-managed functionality and / or associated content brings together subscribers to form an on-line community that is attracted to and finds interest in the overall functionality and content of the on-line platform service. Although the functionality and content of the on-line platform service may be associated with nearly any type of activity or interest, exemplary activities and interests include but are not limited to outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, cycling, running, hiking, commuting, caravanning, and missing person tracking.

[0035] Subscribers to the on-line platform service access the system-managed functionality and associated content via the device application 110 of a respective one of the mobile devices 104. In some embodiments, the device application 110 solely serves as an interface to functionality and associated content provided by the server application 108. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the server application 108 comprises functionality processes 108A, subscriber profiles 108B, and content 108C. As is well known in the art, examples of information defining a subscriber profile includes name, user / screen name, contact information, interests, preferences, emergency contacts (e.g., friends, family, other subscribers), non-emergency contacts (e.g., other subscribers), and the like. In some other embodiments, the device application 110 may provide for resident functionality that is independent of or is supported by functionality of the server application 108.For example, the device application 1 10 may enlist functionalities and content of the mobile device 106 (e.g., GPS functionality, resident communications functionalities, contact list(s), navigation functionalities, and the like).

[0036] Emergency contacts 112 (i.e., non-subscriber) and emergency (e.g., 911) service systems 114, although not directly pail of the on-line platform system 100, may provide functional interaction (e.g., data and / or voice communication) directly with the subscriber mobile devices, through the communication network 102, or both. The emergency contacts 112 and the emergency service systems 114 may communicate or otherwise provide functional interaction with the server application 102 through the communication network 102. For example, as disclosed below in greater detail, each subscriber may communicate via their mobile device 106 with one or more of the emergency contacts 112 for maintaining safety and may communicate via their mobile device 106 with one or more of the emergency contacts 112 and / or one or more of the emergency service systems 114 to enlist emergency services. As also disclosed below in greater detail, each subscriber may communicate via their mobile device 106 with one or more other subscribers who are not also an emergency contact (i.e., a non-emergency contact) for maintaining safety and / or seeking assistance in non-emergency situations.

[0037] A key aspect of the disclosures made herein are functionalities for enhancing safety and privacy of subscribers. For example, a notable exemplary community for an on-line platform service is hunters. Due to the very nature of the sport of hunting, hunters benefit from both measure that enhance safety and privacy. Having ready access to emergency contacts and emergency services is key to a hunter’s safety in the case of an emergency. Relatedly, concealing a hunter’s location has several implications relating to privacy and safety. One such implication is maintaining a hunter’ s tree stand or other hunting location unknown to other persons to preventother hunter’s from knowingly encroaching upon the hunter’s preferred hunting location(s). Another such implication is maintaining a hunter’s campsite location unknown to other persons to prevent undesired / uninvited visitors to the campsite such as when the hunter is away at a hunting (e.g., tree stand) location or even when the hunter is present.

[0038] FIG. 2A shows trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein. In some embodiments, the trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 may be hosted on a server with which mobile devices may communicate. The trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 may be a functional methodology element of a non-transitory computer readable medium embodying an on-line platform service. The trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 beneficially provides respective functionalities for enhancing safety and privacy of subscribers.

[0039] The underlying operability of the trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 is to enable access to a subscriber’s location to be selectively controlled and, more specifically, to enable the precision of a subscriber’s location to be selectively controlled. For some parties, it is desired and beneficial for a subscriber’ s location as provided to a trusted contact to be highly precise (i.e., defining their current position with a high degree of precision). It is disclosed herein that a trusted contact may be of the emergency type (e.g., a friend or family member with intimate knowledge of the personal and / or private life of the subscriber) and / or may be of the non-emergency type of trusted contact (e.g., a person with a casual or tangential connection to the subscriber such as, for example, a second subscriber that the subscriber has previously communicated with and / or had in-person interactions with). In contrast, other contacts(i.e., non-trusted contacts who are all other subscribers that are not of the trusted type) are not ableto obtain the subscriber’s location with a level of geographic resolution that is highly precise. For example, such other subscribers are only able to access a location of the subscriber that estimates or approximates the actual current location of the subscriber. In some preferred embodiments, such other subscribers are only able to access a location of the subscriber that knowingly and intentionally conceals the actual current location of the subscriber.[00401 To this end, embodiments of the trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 include a method for imparting such functionality. The trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 includes receiving 202 a subscriber’s real-time location information. Location information is information that characterizes one or more geographic points of location of a mobile device presumed to be in the possession of the subscriber. Real-time refers to such information being generated and communicated in actual or near real time relative to a corresponding position of the subscriber’s mobile device. For example, a global positioning system (GPS) component and Wi-Fi component of the subscriber’s mobile device as well as triangulation via mobile (communication) networks each enables real-time location information corresponding to the subscriber’s mobile device to be generated and may be transmitted for reception by a remote data computing systems such as the server 104 depicted in FIG. 1 and / or used locally on the subscriber’s mobile device. The real-time location information may be generated automatically such as for a given change in distance by the mobile device and / or for a given period of time between instance being generated. Advantageously, real-time location information as provided for by these components and techniques allows a mobile device’s location and path of travel to be determined with a relatively high degree of precision. For example, GPS- enabled smartphones are typically accurate to within a 4.9 m (16 ft.) radius under open sky.[https: / / www.gps.gov / citing to https: / / www.ion.org / publications / abstract.cfm?articleID=l 3079].

[0041] For non-trusted contacts, the trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 includes generating 204 a broadcast location identifier and enables 206 access to the broadcast location identifier. The broadcast location identifier is an identifier of the subscriber’s mobile device that can be freely provided (i.e., broadcast) to non-trusted contacts (e.g., other subscribers of the online platform service that the subscriber has not designated as being of an emergency contact). By enabling access to the broadcast location to non-trusted contacts, the non-trusted contacts are able to ascertain the general whereabouts of the subscriber (e.g., broadcast location identifier 250 on the map 251 in FIG. 2B), but not the precise (or real-time) whereabouts of the subscriber (e.g., campsite 252, path of travel 253 (vehicle to campsite) and real-time position 254 in FIG. 2B). Thus, via trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality, the subscriber’s precise location advantageously remains concealed from non-trusted contacts.

[0042] In some embodiments, enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier (e.g., an icon or other type off visual depiction) to be displayed at a location on a map via a visual display of a mobile device. In some embodiments, enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed at a fixed location on a map at a location remote from a location on the map where the mobile device is currently located. In some embodiments, enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on a map. In some embodiments, enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on a map. In some embodiments, enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the subscriber to designate a point of interest on a map and enabling the subscriber to designate aboundary relative to the point of interest within which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on the map. In some embodiments, enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes determining a plurality of locations on the map at which the broadcasted location identifier may be located and enabling the subscriber to select a chosen one of the locations. In view of the disclosures made herein, a skilled person will appreciate other approaches for enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier.

[0043] For trusted contacts within the on-line platform service (i.e., other subscribers to the on-line platform service), the trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 includes accessing 208 contact information for each trusted contact. For example, a subscriber may provide contact information for certain trusted (e.g., emergency) contacts at the time of setting up an on-line service platform account and / or any time thereafter. In some embodiments, the subscriber may designate another subscriber as being a trusted contact (i.e., one of a plurality of trusted contacts). The trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 includes transmitting 210 a trusted contact invitation communication for reception by the trusted contact using provided contact information for the trusted contact. The trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 includes receiving 212 a trusted contact invitation reply for each trusted contact replying to the trusted contact invitation communication transmitted for their reception. In response to a given trusted contact accepting the trusted contact invitation, the trusted contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 includes enabling 214 access to the subscriber’s real-time location information.

[0044] Enabling access to the subscriber’s real-time location information may include transmitting information for reception by the trusted contact. For example, a visual rendering (e.g., a map) showing the subscriber’s current location and / or last known path of travel as derived fromthe subscriber’s real-time location information may be transmitted for reception by all or some of the subscriber’s trusted contacts (e.g., only those trusted contacts designated as being emergency contacts). Alternatively or additionally, raw or processed real-time location information may be transmitted for reception by a digital computing device (e.g., a mobile device) of a trusted contact for enabling one or more forms of processed information (e.g., a visual rendering such as a map with the subscriber’s current location and / or last known path of travel ) to be derived from the realtime location information and presented to the trusted contact (e.g., displayed on a visual display of a digital computing device of the trusted contact). In some embodiments (e.g., for on-line platform service sessions after initial account creation and use), the trusted contact invitation process 208-214 may be performed after (e.g., in a sequential manner) the broadcast location identifier process 204-206. In some embodiments, the trusted contact invitation process (208-214) may be performed before (e.g., in a sequential manner) the broadcast location identifier process (204, 206).

[0045] Contact information for trusted contacts may include designation of such contact (i.e., a person) being one of an emergency type of trusted contact and a non-emergency type of trusted contact. In response to the trusted contact being the emergency type of trusted contact, enabling the trusted contact to access the real-time location information and / or the visual rendering includes enabling the trusted contact such access without approval of the subscriber after acceptance of the trusted contact invitation (i.e., such enablement is system-implemented in response to acceptance of the trusted contact invitation). In response to the trusted contact being the non-emergency type of trusted contact, enabling the trusted contact to access the real-time location information and / or the visual rendering includes enabling the person such access with approval of the subscriber after such acceptance (e.g., performing the trusted contact invitation process). Access provided inresponse to the approval may automatically terminate after a specified duration of time since the approval and upon a subsequent system-mandated action of the subscriber (e.g., confirming completion of an activity that involved the non-emergency trusted contact (e.g., retrieving an animal being tracked).

[0046] FIG. 3A shows object tracking functionality 300 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein. In some embodiments, the object tracking functionality 300 may be hosted on a server with which mobile devices may communicate where the object tracking functionality 300 may be a functional methodology of a non-transitory computer readable medium embodying an on-line platform service. In other embodiments, the object tracking functionality 300 may be hosted on a plurality of instance s of mobile device where the object tracking functionality 300 is a functional element of a non-transitory computer readable medium embodying an application or other form of computer program product. The object tracking functionality 300 beneficially provides respective functionalities for tracking an object (i.e., the tracked object) by a primary person. One such functionality is providing the primary person tracking information having a plurality of different types of information that synergistically complement each other. Another such functionality is enabling the primary person to enlist one or more trusted contacts in the vicinity to assist in tracking the object.

[0047] The object tracking functionality 300 includes receiving 302, from a mobile device of a user (e.g., an online platform service subscriber), a command to activate a tracking mode of location information generation. The object tracking functionality 300 includes, in response to the receiving 302, generating 304 a plurality of instances of a first type of location information. Each of the instances of the first type of location information defines a respective geographical position of the mobile device at a corresponding point in time. Such instances of the first type of locationinformation enables a visual rendering of a current path of travel of the mobile device to be derived as a function of the first type of location information. In preferred embodiments, the first type of location information is real-time location information that is generated using a resident location determination components of the mobile device (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component and / or Wi-Fi component of the user’s mobile device) and / or using triangulation via mobile (communication) networks. The first type of location information may be generated automatically (e.g., by a location determination component of the mobile device) such as for a given change in distance by the mobile device and / or for a given period of time between instance being generated. Accordingly, generation of the first type of location information is system- mandated (i.e., mandated by operability of components of the mobile device).

[0048] The object tracking functionality 300 includes deriving 306 a mobile device path of travel (i.e., a first path of travel) using the first type of location information and then displaying 308 the mobile device path of travel on the user’s mobile device (e.g., first path of travel on FIG. 3B (e.g., segment 350A is campsite 254 to tree stand 351; segment 350B is tree stand 351 to animal location when shot 352; segment 35OC is tracking path)) and real-time location 354 (animal location when shot on FIG. 3B). Because the first type of location information is real-time location information, the path of travel is periodically updating to reflect recent movement of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the path of travel is present on a map of the area over which the mobile device is travelling to aid in guiding the user. Beneficially, the user (e.g., a hunter) may use the mobile device path of travel (e.g., displayed on a visual display of the mobile device of the user) to guide the direction of search and thereby avoid unknowingly searching the same area multiple times. Preferably, the path of travel of the user’s mobile device is defined by visual markers of each instance of location information that has been generated (e.g., virtual markersdropped by the mobile device). In preferred embodiments, the path of travel of the user’s mobile device is presented on a map of the associated geographical search area for the object being tracked. Accordingly, the mobile device path of travel is a first type of tracking information.

[0049] After generating 304 the first type of location information is initiated, the object tracking functionality 300 includes receiving 310 an evidence identification notification indicating that visual evidence of the tracked object has been identified and, thereafter, generating 312 a respective instance of a second type of location information. The evidence identification notification includes information designating the location of the mobile device when the evidence identification notification was transmitted from the mobile device and the second type of location information is a record of such information designating the location 352 (virtual evidence markers 356 FIG. 3B) of the mobile device when the evidence identification notification was transmitted from the mobile device. Each evidence identification notification is instantiated by a user of the mobile device at (or near) the geographic location of the identified instance of visual evidence. For example, the generation of each respective instance of the second type of location information may be performed in response to receiving a respective notification indicating that visual evidence of an object being track has been identified includes receiving a signal corresponding to a respective one of the instances of the second type of location information that is outputted in response to a respective manual signal-initiating input by the user of the mobile device.

[0050] After two or more instances of visual evidence have been received, the object tracking functionality 300 includes deriving 314 an estimated path of travel of the tracked object (i.e., a second path of travel 358 on FIG. 3B ) and then displaying 316 the estimated path of travel of the tracked object on the user’s mobile device in relative geographical position with respect to the mobile device path of travel (e.g., second path of travel 358 and visual evidence markers 356 onFIG. 3B). Various techniques for generating the estimated path of travel of the tracked object (i.e., a line derived from a plurality of points) are well known. Examples of such techniques include the slope formula, the line of best fit method, and the regression line method. Thus, the object tracking functionality 300 includes enabling tracking information to be outputted via a mobile device. Such tracking information includes a first portion (i.e., the first path of travel) generated as a function of a plurality of the instances of the first type of location information and a second portion (i.e., the estimated second path of travel) generated as a function of a plurality of instances of the second type of location information. Preferably, the first and second paths of travel are presented on a map of the associated geographical search area for the object being tracked.

[0051] It is well known that a person tracking an object, particularly alone, is greatly benefited by the assistance of one or more additional persons. In some cases, the one or more additional persons enlisted to assist with such tracking reduces the time required for locating with the tracked object. In other cases, the one or more additional persons are valuable in subsequently transporting the tracked object once it is located. For example, in the case of a hunter, the hunter is often seeking to locate an animal subject to a shot (i.e., a tracked object) generally wants find the animal in sufficient time to enable harvesting of the animal. In many instances, the animal may not have been taken down by the shot and has moved from the location at which the shot made impact with the animal. Additionally, when pail of a community of hunters where each hunter is a subscriber to an on-line platform system enabling hunter locations to be viewed, the hunter only wants to reveal his or her current real-time location to other hunters in the area when necessary, and then only when sufficiently away from their tree stand or blind location where the shot was taken.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows non-emergency contact real-time location enablement functionality 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosures made herein. Such non-emergency contact real-time location enablement functionality is useful for soliciting tracking assistance by a person (e.g., a hunter) that is a subscriber to an on-line platform system from other persons (e.g., other hunters) that are each a subscriber to the on-line platform system and that are in a nearby area to the person requiring such assistance. In preferred embodiments, the nonemergency contact real-time location enablement functionality 400 is ancillary functionality to the object tracking functionality 300 disclosed above. Advantageously, the non-emergency real-time location contact enablement functionality allows for the person to selectively grant and revoke access to the hunter’s real-time location information or the other persons that are in the nearby area.

[0053] The non-emergency contact real-time location enablement functionality 400 includes accessing 408 contact information for each non-emergency contact. In some embodiments, the person, as a subscriber to an on-line platform service, may select one or more non-emergency contacts from a plurality of available other subscribers to the on-line platform service (e.g., of those identified as being currently active on the on-line platform service and in a nearby location). The non-emergency contact real-time location enablement functionality 400 includes transmitting 410 a non-emergency contact invitation communication for reception by the non-emergency contact using provided contact information for the non-emergency contact. The non-emergency contact real-time location enablement functionality 200 includes receiving 412 a non-emergency contact invitation reply for each non-emergency contact replying to the non-emergency contact invitation communication transmitted for their reception. In response to a given non-emergency contact accepting the non-emergency contact invitation, the non-emergency contact real-time location enablement functionality 400 includes enabling 414 access to the person’s real-time location information. Enabling access to the person’s real-time location information may includetransmitting information for reception by the non-emergency contact. For example, an image of a map with the person’s current location and / or last known path of travel as derived from the person’s real-time location information may be transmitted for reception by all or some of the selected non-emergency contacts. Alternatively or additionally, raw or processed real-time location information may be transmitted for reception by a digital computing device (e.g., a mobile device) of a non-emergency contact for enabling one or more forms of processed information (e.g., a map with the person’s current location and / or last known path of travel ) to be derived from the real-time location information and presented to the non-emergency contact (e.g., displayed on a visual display of a digital computing device (e.g., a mobile device) of the non-emergency contact). Advantageously, the non-emergency contact real-time location enablement functionality 400 includes enabling the person to selectively disable access to the person’s real-time location information for subsequently concealing the person’s path of travel and current location.

[0054] In some embodiments, the non-emergency contact real-time location enablement functionality 400 includes enabling the person to access the non-emergency contact’s path of travel. For example, the non-emergency contact’s path of travel may be provided on the visual display of the person’s mobile device in combination with person’s path of travel and the estimated path of travel of the tracked object on the user’s mobile device. Moreover a line of convergence may be derived as a function of location information used for deriving the person’s path of travel and the non-emergency contact’s path of travel. Beneficially, the line of convergence enables the person and the non-emergency contact to adjust their paths of travel to meet at a point of intersection between their respective paths of travel.

[0055] Turning now to a discussion of approaches for implementing embodiments of the disclosures made herein, functionalities, methods and processes (e.g., the functionalities 200, 300,400 disclosed above) in accordance with embodiments of the disclosures made herein can be implemented in any number of different types of data processing systems (e.g., a computer system) in addition to the specific physical implementation of a data processing system in the form of a smart phone. To this end, FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of a computer system 500 within which a set of instructions can execute for causing a device to perform or execute any one or more of the aspects and / or methodologies of the present disclosure. The components in FIG. 5 are examples only and do not limit the scope of use or functionality of any hardware, software, embedded logic component, or a combination of two or more such components implementing particular embodiments.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example network operating environment 500 for mobile devices (500a, 500b) useful with systems, methods, functionalities and non-transitory computer-readable medium as disclosed herein. The mobile devices 500a, 500b may, for example, communicate over one or more wired and / or wireless networks 510 in data communication. For example, a wireless network 512, e.g., a cellular network, can communicate with a wide area network (WAN) 514, such as the Internet, by use of a gateway 516. Likewise, an access point 518, such as an 802.11g wireless access point, can provide communication access to the wide area network 514. In some implementations, both voice and data communications can be established over the wireless network 512 and the access point 518. For example, the mobile devices 500a, 500b can place and receive phone calls (e.g., using VoIP protocols), send and receive e-mail messages (e.g., using POP3 protocol), and retrieve electronic documents and / or streams, such as web pages, photographs, and videos, over the wireless network 512, gateway 516, and wide area network 514 (e.g., using TCP / IP or UDP protocols). Likewise, the mobile devices 500a, 500b can place and receive phone calls, send and receive e-mail messages, and retrieve electronic documentsover the access point 518 and the wide area network 514. In some implementations, the mobile devices 500a, 500b can be physically connected to the access point 518 using one or more cables and the access point 518 can be a personal computer. In this configuration, the mobile devices can be referred to as a “tethered” device.

[0057] The mobile devices 500a, 500b can also establish communications by other means. For example, the mobile devices 500a, 500b can communicate with other wireless devices, e.g., other wireless devices, cell phones, etc., over the wireless network 512. Likewise, the mobile devices 500a, 500b can establish peer-to-peer communications 520, e.g., a personal area network, by use of one or more communication subsystems, such as an integrated Bluetooth™ communication device . A skilled person will understand that other communication protocols and topologies can also be implemented.

[0058] The mobile devices 500a, 500b can, for example, communicate with one or more services 530, 540, 550, and 560 and / or one or more content publishers 570 (e.g., including one or more on-line platform services) over the one or more wired and / or wireless networks 510. For example, a navigation service 530 can provide navigation information, e.g., map information, location information, route information, and other information, to the mobile devices 500a, 500b. In the example shown, users of the mobile devices 500a, 500b may invoke a map functionality as provided for via GPS or other location determination component thereof.

[0059] User devices 580 (e.g., of emergency contacts or more on-line platform subscribers) can, for example, communicate with the one or more services 530, 540, 550 and 560 and / or one or more content publishes 570 over the one or more wired and / or wireless networks 510 to access content and services as well as communicate with mobile devices 500a, 500b. The userdevices 580 can be, for example, a personal computer, a set top, a gaming device, a digital video recorder, a portable audio or video player, an in-vehicle navigation system, etc.

[0060] A messaging service 540 can, for example, provide e-mail and / or other messaging services. A media service 550 can, for example, provide access to media files, such as song files, movie files, video clips, and other media data. One or more other services 560 (e.g., including one or more on-line platform services) can also be utilized by the mobile devices 500a, 500b.

[0061] The mobile devices 500a, 500b can also access other data and content over the one or more wired and / or wireless networks 510. For example, content publishers, e.g., content publisher(s) 570, such as news sites, RSS feeds, web sites, blogs, social networking sites (i.e., an on-line platform service), developer networks, etc., can be accessed by the mobile devices 500a, 500b. Such access can be provided by invocation of a web browsing function or application (e.g., a browser).

[0062] The services 530, 540, 550, and 560 and / or one or more content publishers 570 may be embodied as functionalities in the form of one or more sets of instructions accessible from memory 596 (i.e., non-transitory computer readable media) and executable by one or more processors 597. The term "computer-readable medium" should be understood to include any structure that participates in providing data that can be read by an element of a computer system. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to, non-transitory media, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and / or static random access memory (SRAM). Transmission media include cables, wires, and fibers, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to processor.Common forms of machine-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, ahard disk, a magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical medium.

[0063] Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that can be referenced throughout the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0064] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the disclosures made herein.

[0065] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0066] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0067] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the ail, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description andillustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes can be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in all its aspects. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having tangibly embodied thereon and accessible therefrom processor-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one data processor, causes said at least one data processor to facilitate a method comprising: receiving, from a mobile device of a subscriber to an on-line platform service, location information enabling a visual rendering of a current path of travel of the mobile device to be derived as a function thereof; generating, as a function of the location information, a broadcasted location identifier characterizing a geographic region within which the mobile device is currently located; enabling, through the on-line platform service, access to the broadcasted location identifier by a plurality of other subscribers to the on-line platform service; receiving, from the subscriber, contact information for a person the subscriber designates as one of one or more trusted contacts thereof; transmitting, for reception by the person, a communication enabling the person to accept being one of the one or more trusted contacts; receiving, from the person, a communication indicating acceptance of being one of the one or more trusted contacts; and enabling, in response to receiving the communication indicating said acceptance, access to at least one of said location information and the visual rendering of the current path of travel of the mobile device by the person.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein the location information includes location information generated by a location determination apparatus of the mobile device.

3. The non-transitory computer- readable medium of claim 1 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on a visual display at a location on a map.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein: the broadcasted location identifier is an icon depicting the subscriber’s mobile device; and enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the icon to be depicted on a map accessible by said other subscribers to the on-line platform service.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed at a fixed location on a map at a location remote from a location on the map where the mobile device is currently located; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6 wherein said enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on the map includes: determining a plurality of locations on the map at which the broadcasted location identifier may be located; and enabling the subscriber to select a chosen one of said locations.

8. The non-transitory computer- readable medium of claim 1 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on the map at a fixed location.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a point of interest on a map; enabling the subscriber to designate a boundary relative to the point of interest within which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on the map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein: said contact information includes designation of the person being one of an emergency type of trusted contact and a non-emergency type of trusted contact; in response to the contact being the emergency type of trusted contact, said enabling the person to access the at least one of said real-time location information and the visual rendering includes enabling the person said access without approval of the subscriber after said acceptance; and in response to the contact being the non-emergency type of trusted contact, said enabling the person to access the at least one of said real-time location information and the visual rendering includes enabling the person said access with approval of the subscriber after said acceptance.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein said designation of the person being of the non-emergency type of trusted contact includes selecting of the person from among a plurality of said other subscribers.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein said access with approval terminates at least one of after a specified duration of time and upon subsequent system-mandated action of the subscriber.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13 wherein said designation of the person being of the non-cmcrgcncy type of trusted contact includes selecting of the person from among a plurality of said other subscribers.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein, in response to the contact information being the non-emergency type of trusted contact, said enabling the person to access the at least one of said real-time location information and the visual rendering includes at least one of enabling the subscriber to select a geographical location to be used as a beginning of the path of travel as provided to the person and enabling a geographical location of the mobile device at a time when said approval is provided to be used as the beginning of the path of travel as provided to the person.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, claim 11, or claim 15 wherein the real-time location information includes location information generated by a location determination apparatus of the mobile device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, claim 11, or claim 15 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on a visual display at a location on a map.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, claim 11, or claim 15 wherein: the broadcasted location identifier is an icon depicting the subscriber’s mobile device; and enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the icon to be depicted on a map accessible by said other subscribers.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, claim 11, or claim 15 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed at a fixed location on a map at a location remote from a location on the map where the mobile device is currently located; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , claim 11 , or claim 15 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 20 wherein said enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on the map includes: determining a plurality of locations on the map at which the broadcasted location identifier may be located; and enabling the subscriber to select a chosen one of said locations.

22. The non-transitory computer- readable medium of claim 1, claim 11, or claim 15 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on the map at a fixed location.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, claim 11, or claim 15 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a point of interest on a map; and enabling the subscriber to designate a boundary relative to the point of interest within which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on the map; enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on the map at a fixed location.

26. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having tangibly embodied thereon and accessible therefrom processor-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one data processor, causes said at least one data processor to facilitate a method comprising: receiving, from a user of a mobile device, a command to activate a tracking mode of location information generation; in response to said receiving, generating a plurality of instances of a first type of location information, wherein said instances of the first type of location information enables a visual rendering of a current path of travel of the mobile device to be derived as a function thereof, wherein each of the instances of the first type of location information defines a respective geographical position of the mobile device at a corresponding point in time after said initiating; after said initiating and in response to receiving a respective notification indicating that visual evidence of an object being track has been identified, generating a respective instance of a second type of location information; and enabling tracking information to be outputted via the mobile device, wherein said tracking information includes a first portion generated as a function of a plurality of the instances of the first type of location information and a second portion generated as a function of a plurality of instances of the second type of location information.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26 wherein: said generation of the instances of the first type of location information is performed automatically by a location determination component of the mobile device; andsaid generation of each respective instance of the second type of location information being performed in response to receiving the respective notification indicating that visual evidence of an object being track has been identified includes receiving a signal corresponding to a respective one of the instances of the second type of location information that is outputted in response to a respective manual signal-initiating input provided on the mobile device by the user thereof.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26 wherein said enabling tracking information to be outputted includes: generating a first path of travel as a function of a plurality of the instances the first type of positional information; generating a second path of travel as a function of a plurality of instances of the second type of positional information; and enabling the first and second paths of travel to be displayed on a visual display of the mobile device.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28 wherein: said generation of the instances of the first type of location information is performed automatically by a location determination component of the mobile device; and said generation of each respective instance of the second type of location information being performed in response to receiving the respective notification indicating that visual evidence of an object being track has been identified includes receiving a signal corresponding to a respective one of the instances of the second type of location information that is outputted in response to a respective manual signal-initiating input by the user of the mobile device.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein:the object being track is a hunted animal; said visual evidence is blood; and said initiating generation of instances of the first type of location information is performed in response to receiving the command to activate the tracking mode.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30 wherein: said generation of the instances of the first type of location information is performed automatically by a location determination component of the mobile device; and said generation of each respective instance of the second type of location information being performed in response to receiving the respective notification indicating that visual evidence of an object being track has been identified includes receiving a signal corresponding to a respective one of the instances of the second type of location information that is outputted in response to a respective manual signal-initiating input provided on the mobile device by the user thereof.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 30 wherein said enabling tracking information to be outputted includes: generating a first path of travel as a function of a plurality of the instances the first type of positional information; generating a second path of travel as a function of a plurality of instances of the second type of positional information; and enabling the first and second paths of travel to be displayed on a visual display of the mobile device.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32 wherein:said generation of the instances of the first type of location information is performed automatically by a location determination component of the mobile device; and said generation of each respective instance of the second type of location information being performed in response to receiving the respective notification indicating that visual evidence of an object being track has been identified includes receiving a signal corresponding to a respective one of the instances of the second type of location information that is outputted in response to a respective manual signal-initiating input by the user of the mobile device.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, further comprising receiving, from the user, contact information for a person designates as being one of one or more trusted contacts thereof, wherein the user is a subscriber to an on-line platform service and the person is one of a plurality of other subscribers to the on-line platform service; generating, as a function of the first type of location information, a broadcasted location identifier characterizing a geographic region within which the mobile device is currently located, enabling, via the on-line platform service, access to the broadcasted location identifier by each of said other subscribers; transmitting, for reception by the person, a communication enabling the person to accept being one of the one or more trusted contacts; receiving, from the person, a communication indicating acceptance of being one of the one or more trusted contacts; and enabling, in response to receiving the communication indicating said acceptance, access to at least a portion of said tracking information by the person.

35. The non-transitory computer- readable medium of claim 34 wherein said generation of the instances of the first type of location information is performed automatically by a location determination component of the mobile device.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on a visual display at a location on a map.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein: the broadcasted location identifier is an icon depicting the user’s mobile device; and enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the icon to be depicted on a map accessible by said other subscribers.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed at a fixed location on a map at a location remote from a location on the map where the mobile device is currently located; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the user to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 39 wherein said enabling the user to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on the map includes: determining a plurality of locations on the map at which the broadcasted location identifier may be located; and enabling the user to select a chosen one of said locations.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes:enabling the user to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on a map; determining a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on the map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on the map at a fixed location.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the user to designate a point of interest on a map; enabling the user to designate a boundary relative to the point of interest within which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on the map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said enabling access to at least a portion of said tracking information includes at least one of enabling the subscriber to select a geographical location to be used as a beginning of the path of travel as provided to the person and enabling a geographical location of the mobile device at a time when said approval is provided to be used as the beginning of the path of travel as provided to the person.

45. The non-transitory computer- readable medium of claim 44 wherein the real-time location information includes location information generated by a location determination apparatus of the mobile device.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on a visual display at a location on a map.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44 wherein:the broadcasted location identifier is an icon depicting the user’s mobile device; and enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the icon to be depicted on a map accessible by said other subscribers.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed at a fixed location on a map at a location remote from a location on the map where the mobile device is currently located; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the user to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 49 wherein said enabling the user to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on the map includes: determining a plurality of locations on the map at which the broadcasted location identifier may be located; and enabling the user to select a chosen one of said locations.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the user to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 51 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on the map at a fixed location.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the user to designate a point of interest on a map; and enabling the user to designate a boundary relative to the point of interest within which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on the map; enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 53 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on the map at a fixed location.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein: the object being track is a hunted animal; said visual evidence is blood; said initiating generation of instances of the first type of location information is performed in response to receiving the command to activate the tracking mode; generating a first path of travel as a function of a plurality of the instances the first type of positional information; and generating a second path of travel as a function of a plurality of instances of the second type of positional information; said tracking information includes the first and second paths of travel.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 55 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on a visual display at a location on a map.

57. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 55 wherein: the broadcasted location identifier is an icon depicting the subscriber’s mobile device; and enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes enabling the icon to be depicted on a map accessible by said other subscribers to the on-line platform service.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 55 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed at a fixed location on a map at a location remote from a location on the map where the mobile device is currently located; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

59. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 55 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

60. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 59 wherein said enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is displayed on the map includes: determining a plurality of locations on the map at which the broadcasted location identifier may be located; and enabling the subscriber to select a chosen one of said locations.

61. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 55 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a location at which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on a map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

62. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes causing the broadcasted location identifier to be displayed on the map at a fixed location.

63. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 wherein said enabling access to the broadcasted location identifier includes: enabling the subscriber to designate a point of interest on a map; enabling the subscriber to designate a boundary relative to the point of interest within which the broadcasted location identifier is inhibiting from being displayed on the map; and enabling the map to be accessible by said other subscribers.

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