Fake check-in entries posted on behalf of social network users
US8719794B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L51/222
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An approach is provided in a fake check-in event is received at a software application corresponding to a user of the software application. Fake check-ins are initiated on behalf of the user in response to the fake check-in event. The software application posts a set of fake check-in entries on behalf of the user while the user is away. The posted fake check-ins are visible by other users of the software application and are used to obfuscate others that the user is out-of-town. In one embodiment, check-in entries that are received from the user after fake check-ins have been initiated are cached. In this embodiment, a local check-in event is received when the user is within the user's geographical local area and the cached check-in entries are posted so that they are now visible by the other users of the software application.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.