Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of electronic information sharing with the aid of communication device such as, but not limiting to, a smart phone or a tablet, and more particularly relates to methods and system of sharing location based messages to interested subscribers in real time.

Background of the Invention

With the advent of the Internet, electronic information sharing has gained phenomenal momentum. Information sharing can be varied depending upon the area of interests including personal, thoughts, etc. Traditionally, they evolved in the form of emails, Bulletin boards, and like. And in recent times it has evolved in the form of social networking sites. The information shared through such mediums is typically leisure and have occasionally been timely.

Today's social networking sites (such as Facebook, Foursquare, Google+, etc.) focus on creating a close interaction between a network of individuals that trust each other (called "Friends" by Facebook and Foursquare, and "Circles" by Google+). With this, people in the network can easily exchange information including thoughts, messages, photos, etc. Current tools provided in these sites also provide facility for these individuals to come together to form a network for special interests, a cause or just as an ad-hoc association. A requirement of such sites or tools is that such network formation is by subscription and an approval / acceptance action from the operator may need to be taken by the site, the group owner, group member or the individual, as the case may be.

Another category of social applications (such as Twitter) allow subscribers to follow other subscribers, such as celebrities, where the subscriber being followed does not invite or approve the other subscribers following her/him, but typically publishes opinions/updates she/he wishes.

There is yet another category of social applications. Today's location based applications focus on marketing local businesses, shops, outlets, restaurants etc., either through direct advertisements, through customers announcing their association with them (foursquare) or through reviews (loopt, yelp!).

Individuals have often felt a need to know what is happening around (say within an area of interest) beyond just what friends are up to or what deals a subscriber can access in the neighbourhood. The sample of some interesting events that one would like to know about could be:

A favourite celebrity is spotted just a few minutes away;

· It's raining heavily and the subscriber needs to know if there is water logging on the road that subscriber's child takes to school;

It's better to keep away from the next neighbourhood where a gun-fight is going on;

• The subscriber needs to reach some place by a certain time and need to know if specific route has heavy traffic;

• The latest exhibition in the art gallery has exquisite collection of nature paintings that the subscriber would love to check out.

There are infinite possibilities about the kind of information that can be shared within the neighbourhood that are general in nature,, yet "hot" and useful. Many times people may miss out on such useful information or can't share it, simply because there are no avenues to disseminate or reach out, particularly to people who would be interested in having the information / message. Additionally, although various applications enable subscribers to be in touch even on the move, many tend to overlook the continuous sharing of information as most of the time they are not- so-important type posts. A Location-based messaging system, method, and computer program is known to the inventor and is disclosed in US Patent # 8190692 hereinafter referred as '692. This system includes a computer program provided for location-based messaging. The said program is capable of providing location information, destination information, travel speed information, etc., for contacts. Also, route of travel is determined between a current location of a user and point of interest such as, restaurants, bar, club, park etc. Location of the user is displayed on the map and is updated in real time. The points-of- interest may be filtered based on the distance from a current location, an estimated time of arrival from a current location, and a distance from a current route.

Yet another system and method is known to the inventor and is disclosed in US Patent # 8108414 titled Dynamic geosocial networking hereinafter referred to as '414. A method and system for establishing a social network defined by geographic location and range is disclosed therein. In accordance with the said disclosure, the user creates a personal profile and a preference profile using the client application, wherein the preference profile refers to the characteristics the user seeks in potential members of the geosocial network. The social networking server registers a location and range selected by the user for the geosocial network. The personal profile and the preference profile may also be stored on the communication device using the client application. The social networking server or the client application may determine the location and range by extracting information from the personal profile of the user. The communications device may employ Global Positioning System (GPS) to generate the information regarding location and range to be fed to the social networking server. The social networking server identifies potential members within the registered location and range by matching the personal profile of each of the potential members with the preference profile and/or the personal profile of the user, and/or from the profiles created by the friends or other relations of the user. The user may register a new location or select an existing location of social interest such as a city, campus, night club, etc., to create a geosocial network or to be part of an existing geosocial network. Yet another system is known to the inventor and is disclosed in US Patent Application # 20080086261 Al tilted Location-based social interaction network. The said system discloses systems that enable location-based information to be incorporated within a social networking environment. Also, invention describes Location Based Services (LBS) which can be used to alert interested parties that they are physically close to other persons of interest. LBS can also be used to help users create and/or edit their profiles by auto-entering location information into the profile. By entering this information into a user's profile, it is possible to locate candidates and potential persons of interest.

In light of the limitations in the prior art it has occurred to the inventor that a more comprehensive solution to share important location based messages in real time, without requiring to be in a network of the posting subscriber, is needed for proper dissemination of information.

Therefore, what is clearly needed is a method and system that can be used to receive and send specific types of messages within a particular area. Using the disclosure of the present invention, one can subscribe to specific types of messages posted by fellow citizens (whether a "friend" or not) within a particular -area (typically around the current location of the user) about specific information of the interest to the user. There will be no concept of "friend" and one can get all messages in and around the location that one defines and chooses. Based on the filters applied, only messages that will be interesting to the user will be sent and displayed to the user in real time.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods and system of a comprehensive solution to share important messages in real time, without requiring being in the network of the posting subscriber, for proper dissemination of information. The present invention relates to methods and system of sharing location based messages to interested subscribers. The present invention enables the subscribers, who have often felt a need to know what is happening around beyond just what friends are up to or what deals a subscriber can access in the neighbourhood. it is a feature an advantage of the present invention that the information, which is general in nature, yet "hot" and useful, can be shared in respect of the neighbourhood so that the subscriber doesn't miss out on such useful information, simply because there are no avenues to disseminate or reach out. Hence, one of the objects of the present invention is to enable the subscriber to receive and send specific types of messages within a particular area to subscribers who are interested in the messages. Using the disclosure of the present invention, one can subscribe to specific types of messages posted within a particular area about specific information of the interest to the user, in accordance with the present invention, there is no concept of "friend" and the subscriber can get all messages in and around the location that one defines and chooses.

It is a feature of the present invention to be able to use the methods and system of the invention through web based interface.

It is yet other object of the present invention, to send filtered messages, based on the subscriber .filter-sets that the subscriber generates.

It is yet another object of the present invention to minimize the number of adjacency checks to be given to the messages to be sent to the subscriber. Hence, the present invention discloses message filtration processes in order to enable a subscriber to receive messages in respect of desired location and subjects only.

It is a further object of the present invention to efficiently determine the list of subscribers to whom the message may have to be delivered. The present invention is a location based system for dissemination of messages, location filter- set being always the primary filter. In accordance with the present invention, the subscriber is enabled to select an Area around the point of interest or even select multiple Areas around the point of interest for e.g. spouse's office, child's school, travelling spouse's location, or parent's location in another country/city etc. In addition, a subscriber is also enabled to choose various filter-types such as, but not limiting to, keyword, category / sub-category, time, authenticity of the post, authenticity and popularity of the posting subscriber, etc.

It is yet another object of the present invention to enable the subscriber to choose a dynamic point of interest or a static point of interest.

The other additional objects, advantages, and or novel features of the present invention, which- can be more apparent to those skilled in the art, are set forth in following description of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a data processing environment and system including the Geography Division process and the Messages Filtration process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the concept of Element for performing the GDP process 125 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the concept of multi-level tree structure in the GDP process 125 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the concept of first level elements of surface of the earth in the GDP process 125 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the concept of MF process 120 of Fig. 1 for API based filter-set.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The inventor provides a unique method and system for sharing important messages and for proper dissemination of information where one can get all messages in and around the location that one defines and chooses wherein one can subscribe to specific types of messages posted by fellow citizens about the specific information of the interest of the user. The methods and system of the present invention are described in enabling detail below.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a data processing environment and system ("Environment") 100, including Geography Division process 125 conducted in parallel with a Messages Filtration process 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Environment 100 is provided for the purpose of dissemination of messages to the subscriber based on his / her subscription to the specific types of messages in and around the location. In a preferred embodiment, Environment 100 is web based wherein a web interface is used as administrator to manage the Environment 100, however this is not required in order to practice the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, the Environment 100 can be a distributed-split environment that involves either a single or multiple storage cum retrievable location combined with multiple processing locations connected together through a data network. Alternatively, the Environment 100 can be a single environment that involves single storing, retrieving and processing location.

Environment 100 has a Location Data Repository ("LDR") 101 accessible thereto. Repository 101 can be an optical storage drive, a disk drive, a magnetic drive, or any other suitable repository for storing various data. Static geographical data (SGD) 101a generated by the Geography division process 125 is compiled and stored in the LDR 101 for later access. In an embodiment, the LDR 101 is aided with a separate Location Processing Server 105. In an embodiment, the Location Processing Server (LPS) 105 and the LDR 101 are part of the CIS 102. In one embodiment LDR 101 is provided as a central data server enabled with appropriate database access software and SGD 101a is written to portable storage devices when generated by the Geography division process 125, and later input or copied from the portable storage devices into the repository 101. In this embodiment, repository 101 may be maintained at a remote location from the processing locations. In another embodiment, SGD 101a is automatically converted into a suitable data format and entered into a web based version of LDR 101, the data in which may be later uploaded into a main LDR 101 repository. There are many configuration possibilities. In yet another embodiment, LDR 101 is a segregated portion of a large single central information server ("CIS") 102 for data access and processing enabled with appropriate database access software. CIS 102 can be of any type of repository as was described with reference to repository 101. In an embodiment of the present invention, SGD 101a can be generated in parts as per requirement.

LDR 101, or such portion of CIS 102, comprises of various data including, but not limited to, SGD 101a. The additional description as to how the SGD 101a are provided is fully described hereunder in this embodiment.

In accordance with the present invention, messages are posted by the subscribers and then sent to other subscribers interested in the messages based on their registered choices. In this behalf, in an Environment 100, a Messages Repository (MR) 1 15 is accessible thereto. Repository 1 15 may be any type of repository as described with reference to repository 101 above. Likewise, MR 1 15 may be remote from but accessible to environment 100. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, MR 1 15 is a segregated portion of the CIS 102, however this not required for practicing the present invention. In an embodiment, the MR 115 is aided with a separate Message Processing Server (MPS) 130. In an embodiment, the MPS 130 and the MR 1 15 are part of the CIS 102. MR 1 15, or such portions of CIS 102, comprises of, but not limiting it to, Messages 1 15a, the list of subscribers, subscriber information / preferences, subscriber Filter- sets, message IDs and like. Messages 1 15a are filtered in accordance with the Message Filtration Process (MFP) 120 and then pushed into the Messages Bucket (MB) 135 provided for each subscriber. The Messages 115a are filtered based on the subscriber filter-sets that the subscriber generates and is then sent to the subscriber based on the subscriber preferences. It is pointed out that one of the objects of the present invention is also to provide only those messages which the subscriber is interested in receiving. MR 1 15, or such portions of CIS 102 also manages the user subscriptions. The additional description as to how Messages 1 15a are provided in accordance with the MFP 120 is fuily described hereunder in this embodiment.

The access to the repositories described herein is controlled by subscriber user id and password, and relevant subscriber information collected at the time of subscription is stored in the repositories described herein.

Geography Division Process

Geography Division Process (GDP) 125 is the process of dividing the geography into manageable parts and storing the generated SGD 101a into the LDR 101 or the CIS 102, as the case may be, for further access. As has been highlighted below, one of the objects of the present invention is to minimize the number of adjacency checks to be given to the Messages to be sent to the subscriber. If there are N messages being sent in a second and there are L number of logged in subscribers, the algorithm for checking adjacency has the order N*L. Since there could be thousands of messages potentially being filtered for millions of recipients every second, the computing power required could pose a significant challenge to "scale-up" if this is not handled efficiently. As was described with reference to Fig. 1 above, GDP 125 is used to minimize the number of adjacency checks for a given message. It is noted herein, and should be apparent so far in this specification, that there are numerous acronyms used to describe various data processes and types. For this reason and for the purpose of simplifying dissemination of the disclosure of the present invention certain acronyms that have already been introduced with complete names will from time to time be re-identified throughout this specification with the complete name with the acronym, in order that retention of meaning is simplified. In an embodiment of the present invention, the GDP 125 is implemented through computer processes; however it is not required for practicing the present invention.

SGD 101a created at earlier occasions are made available to a repository analogous to CIS 102, and or LDR 101 described with reference to Fig. 1. In accordance with the present invention, the earth's geography is divided in accordance with the GDP 125. In accordance with the present invention, a new concept called "Element" is introduced. Element is defined as an area between two latitudes and two longitudes. If the latitudes and longitudes are close enough and away from the poles, this area is approximately a quadrilateral. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the concept of Element for performing the GDP 125 of Fig. 1.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention Elements 205 are made available through an automated processing tool so that not much time is spent on retrieving the data. In another preferred embodiment, a computer program is used for such purposes. Each Element 205 can further be divided into sub-elements called child element 210. All child elements 210 are mutually exclusive and add up to the parent element 205. The parent element 205 is typically divided into 9 child elements 210. In accordance with the present invention, child elements 210 can be further created based on the requirement. Each element 205 including the child Element 210 carries directional information of the corners of the element 205 or 210 as the case may be. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each Element 205 carries the following data: · SW corner of the Element 210 (Lat, Long.)

• NE corner of the Element 210 (Lat., Long.)

In accordance with the present invention, each Element 205 or 210 is logically connected with parent and child references. Each child Element 210 can have its own children thus creating a multi-level tree structure. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the concept of multi-level tree structure in the GDP process 125 of Fig. 1. To simplify the nomenclature and for easy searches, each Element 305 is named with the index of the element the ancestral hierarchy from left to right, e.g. Element 27836 will be the ^' Element 310 as outlined in the figure.

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, surface of the earth is modeled as element tree with 9 first level elements. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the concept of first level elements of surface of the earth in the GDP 125 of Fig. 1. Each first level Element 405 is further divided into 9 elements to give the second level elements and so on. In accordance with the present invention, the criteria for determining the depth for a particular branch is based on the amount of activity expected within an Element 405, e.g. If an Element 405 covers heart of a metro city, that branch needs to have further child elements significantly small in size and hence should have all 9-10 levels. In contrast an Element 405 above large water body (e.g. Indian Ocean), can be large and does not need to be more than 2-3 levels (e.g. Element 8 in the Fig. 4 has very few areas covered by population. Hence the tree structure of element 8 will not be very deep. However, in accordance with the present invention, child Elements 210 or deeper levels can be further created, based on the requirement.

Each Element 205 or 210 (refer Fig. 2) as the case may be, has an "Observer" associated with each element in its parent hierarchy, which continuously monitors or "observers" the activities in the Element 205 or 210. The "Observer" is linked with the subscriber filter-sets of the subscribers and reports and processes the Messages 1 15a originating from that Element 210 or its parent Element 205 in accordance with the subscriber filter-sets of the subscribers.

Thus, the SGD 101a is generated in accordance with the GDP 125 and is implemented in the LDR 101, or LPS 105 or the CIS 102, as the case may be. In an embodiment of the present invention, the GDP 125 is performed separately and the generated SGD 101a is written to portable storage devices and later input or copied from portable storage devices into the repository 101. In an embodiment of the present invention, when a subscriber connects to the CIS 102 or the MR 105, for posting a Message 1 15a, his/ her location is identified by the LPS 105, LDR 101 or CIS 102, as the case may be, and the GDP 125 is implemented accordingly with the aid of computer processes and the said Message 115a is noticed by the "Observer" associated with such Element 205 or 210 and or the "Observers" of the parental hierarchy, and the subscriber filter-sets of the subscribers interested to receive the Message 115a are then applied so that the Message 115a is then sent to the interested subscriber.

Once the Messages 115a are posted from an Element 205 or 210, the "Observers" note the Message 1 15a and report the same also to the "Observers" of the parent hierarchy in respect of the Element 205 or 210, and then the Messages 115a are filtered in accordance with the MFP 120 and the message IDs of the Messages 115a from those elements are pushed to the Messages Bucket 135 for each subscriber. The additional description on the Subscriber filter-set and message IDs are provided in accordance with the MFP 120 is fully described hereunder in this embodiment.

Messages Filtration Process

MR 115, or such portions of CIS 102, comprises of Messages 115a posted by the subscriber along with all related information such as the name of the subscriber, the time, the category of the Message 115a, and like. The subscriber while posting a Message 115a is also enabled to click one or multiple photographs or videos and post the same along with the Message 115a ("Collectively referred to as "Messages"). The subscriber may also be able to record his message using voice mechanisms provided by the communication device rather than having to type the short message. It is one of the objects of the present invention to send messages to the subscriber in respect of the locations and the subject that the subscriber is interested in. It is yet another object of the present invention to efficiently determine the list of subscribers to whom the message may have to be delivered. In order to enable a subscriber to receive messages in respect of desired location only, the MF process 120 generally comprises of sub-processes of Gross Filtration 120a and Fine Filtration 120b. In accordance with the present invention, the Messages 115a are sent to the subscriber on the communication device either through an application programmed for this purpose or through desirable messaging formats such as Short Messaging Service (SMS), and like.

The purpose of the MF process 120 is also to short-list the subscribers into three categories based on location: 1. Subscribers to whom a particular message should definitely be delivered.

2. Subscribers who are definitely not eligible to receive a message.

3. Subscribers who may be potential candidates for the message delivery.

In Gross filtration 120a i.e. cases of steps 1 & 2 above, Messages 1 15a do not require any location based further processing and after applying the subscriber filter-types they are ready to be pushed to the MB 130 of the subscriber. Fine- filtering 120b is required only for subscribers who fall in case of category 3 above.

Since the present invention is a location based system for dissemination of messages, location filter is typically the primary filter. A subscriber at the time of subscription or at any later point is able to choose to get Messages 115a in respect of a) an Area around the Point of Interest (API) or b) an Area along a path (AP).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the default is around an API. In API mode, all Messages 1 15a that originate within a pre-determined area (such as but not limited to a square) of a pre-determined dimension (Area) around a certain location (Point of Interest) will pass the filter. In accordance with the present invention, the default POI is the subscriber's geographical location, however, this is not necessary to practice the present invention. The geographical location of the subscriber is determined with the aid of GPS or such other features of the communication device, in accordance with the present invention, the subscriber is also enabled to select an API on a map or even select multiple APIs for e.g. spouse's office, child's school, travelling spouse's location, or location of parents in another country/city etc. These are referred to as location filters. In addition to these selections that a subscriber makes, the subscriber can, for each Subscriber filter-set, also choose amongst various filter-types such as, but not limiting to, keyword, category / sub-category, time, authenticity of the post, authenticity and popularity of the posting subscriber, etc.

Alternately, the subscriber can choose directions from one point to another along a path (AP) and ask for any Messages 1 15a along that path. To enable filtration of messages in this choice, the embodiment of the invention enables to form an area by sweeping a square of a predetermined size along the path. Any messages originating within this swept area passes the filter.

As has been disclosed in this embodiment, the subscriber can create multiple Subscriber filter-sets. Each subscriber filter-set has a set of filter types in an AND combination. The subscriber filter-set determines the mode to send a message. The subscriber filter-set also has a mechanism to determine the duration between successive fetch of the messages from the MR 1 15 or CIS 102, as the case may be.

In accordance with the further embodiment of the present invention, in an API mode, a subscriber is further enabled to select "dynamic" API or a static API as one of the location filters for the subscriber filter-sets. In the dynamic API, the current location of the communication device is required so as to enable the subscriber to receive messages originating within the current API. This is determined using mechanisms such as but not limited to GPS based positioning of the communication device. In a dynamic API type of location filter, the POI shifts as the communication device moves. On the contrast, in a static API, the API does not change according to the current location of the communication device i.e. the POI remains static. In accordance with the present invention, in a dynamic API, the LPS 105, LDR 101 or CIS 102 updates the POI / location of the subscriber through the communication device on a real time basis with the help of GPS or any other appropriate link.

In accordance with the present invention, the communication device is enabled to connect to the CIS 102 or the LPS 105 or any other repositories or processors as the case may be, or the subscriber can specify the location in respect of which the Message 115a is posted or being posted. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location of the communication device or the specified location, as the case may be, is determined through latitudes and longitudes. As stated above, when a subscriber connects to the CIS 102 or the LPS 105, for posting a Message 1 15a, his/ her location is identified by the LPS 105, LDR 101 or CIS 102, as the case may be, or if the subscriber has specified the location in respect of which the post is being made, as the case may be, the GDP 125 is implemented accordingly with the aid of computer processes and the said Message 115a is noticed by the "Observer" associated with such element 205 or 210 or its parent hierarchy, and the Subscriber filter-sets of the subscribers interested to receive the Message 1 15a are then applied. Upon the subscriber posting a Message 115a within an element boundary, the MR 1 15 or the MPS 130 passes the Message 115a through the subscriber filter-sets, and then the message IDs of the Message 1 15a is pushed to the MB 135 of the interested subscriber. . It is one of the objects of the present invention to send messages to the subscriber in respect of the locations and the subject that the subscriber is interested in. Hence, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, for the purposes of MF process, Elements 205 or 210, as the case may be, of interest are determined as follows. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the MF process is typically conducted by computer processes, more particularly by the MR 1 15 or MPS 130 or the CIS 102: For API based filter-

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the diagonally opposite corners of the API (dynamic or static) ("corners") are computed. Upon initializing, the .LDR 101 LPS 105 or CIS 102 the Elements 205 or 210 corresponding to the corners of API are determined. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the concept of MF process 120 of Fig. 1 for API based filter-set. These corresponding elements have identified as Elements 501 that fall within the hatched line 505. Once the Elements 501 are traced, the common parent of the corner elements 501 is also traced. E.g. if the corner elements are, 82536 and 82576, then the common parent is 825. In accordance with the present invention, two empty lists - Green element list and Yellow element list - are prepared. The Green Element list comprising of the Green Elements 510 and the Yellow Element list comprising of Yellow Elements 520 comprise pairs of element and subscriber filter-sets. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for each first level child of the common parent (i.e. 8251, 8252.... 8259) the following is performed: a. The gap between the side of the elements 501 and the sides of the API is computed; b. Check which Elements 501 are completely within the API box. The pair of Green Element 510 and the subscriber filter-set is then added to the Green list. c. Check if the Elements 501 are completely outside the API. If the Elements 501 are completely outside the AP, then such Elements 501 are skipped i.e. Red Elements 515.

In accordance with the present invention, when a Message 1 15a is posted that relates in respect of the Green Element 510, no further location based filtration is necessary and Gross Filtration process 120a is said to be complete. The MPS 130, or the MR 1 15 or the CIS 102, then applies other subscriber filter-types such as category, keyword, time, and like. Once the Message 1 15a passes through these subscriber filter-types, the message ID of the Message 1 15a is pushed to the Message Bucket 130 of that subscriber. If, however, the Elements 501 are partially inside the API, Fine Filtration process 120b is required to be implemented and following steps are further executed, in accordance with the present invention:

• If it is an element 501 that does not have a child in the element tree structure (leaf element"), the element 501 and its subscriber filter-sets are added to the Yellow Element list.

• If an element 501 is not a leaf element i.e. has a child in the element tree structure, then steps a, b, & c above of the Gross Filtration process 120a are recursively repeated for all child elements as sub-process.

In accordance with the present invention, after performing Gross Filtration process 120a as a sub-process of Fine Filtration process 120b, the posted Message 115a that relates in respect of the Green element 510, are further passed through other subscriber filter-types such as category, keyword, time, and like. Once the Message 1 15a passes through these subscriber filter-types, the message ID of the Message 115a is pushed to the Messages Bucket 130 of that subscriber. The Gross filtration process 120a as a sub-process of Fine filtration process 120b can be implemented in a manner to cover the entire API (dynamic or static) of the subscriber and Messages pertaining to the API are sent to the subscriber based on the filter-types of the subscriber. In a case where element 501 does not have a child in the element tree structure (leaf element"), and yet the element 501 are partially inside the API (Yellow Elements 520), the Message 115a is passed to the Message Bucket 130', after applying other filter-types, and the location filter based on the location of the communication device, or the specified location, as the case may be, while posting the Message 115a. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location of origination of the Message 1 15a is determined based on the Latitudes and Longitudes of the communication device, or the specified location, as the case may be. In an aspect of the present invention, the Gross filtration process 120a and

Fine Filtration process 120b are implemented in advance and stored in the repositories in such a manner that only the process of determining the location of origination of the Message 1 15a based on the Latitudes and Longitudes of the communication device, or the specified location, as the case may be and applying the location filter for Yellow Elements, are implemented in real time. However, this is not required in order to practice the present invention.

As pointed out in this disclosure, the subscriber may also be provided with a keyword subscriber filter-type that the subscriber may choose. Any Messages 1 15a that comprises these keywords will pass the filter. The keyword based filter-type can be typically useful to find out stolen / abandoned vehicles. E.g. A subscriber may post "Looks like an abandoned Maruti Zen #MH12AJ2122". The owner and the law enforcement authorities who are subscribed to the keyword "MH12AJ2122" will get an Message 1 15a and will be able to know where it was found.

The subscriber may further be provided with a category / subcategory based filter-type. The subscriber, while posting a Message 1 15a is typically required to categorize the Message 115a or be assisted to select the category by the system. This, however, is not required in order to practice the invention. Similarly, a time based filter-type may also be provided for. In this filter-type, the subscriber can receive or retrieve Messages 1 15a only for the time that the subscriber has specified. For e.g. posts that have been posted in the past up to say 24 hours.

Unlike other social tools, there are no "friends" in accordance with the present invention, hence the present invention provides for a mechanism to develop trust on the Messages 1 15a. This trustworthiness may be implemented as a filter- type or can be displayed along with the Message 1 15a to the receiver. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber is enabled to react to the Message 115a received in the communication device including to indicate the authenticity of the Message 115a, response to the Message 115a including, but not limiting to Thank you, offensive, etc.

In accordance with the further embodiment, a score can be given to a post to build a trust. E.g. for the authenticity of the post

In an embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber is also enabled to reply to the posting subscriber of the Message 1 15a in public and or in private, when the Message 1 15a is received in the communication device. The reply message will be associated to the original message. It is to be noted that many additional configuration possibilities are possible, and the example provided hereinabove should not be seen as a limitation of the present invention. It is important to note that one of the objects of the present invention is to minimize the number of adjacency checks for a given Message 1 15a. Hence, in a case of dynamic API subscriber filter-set, on fetching onto the LPS 130 or CIS 102, or the MPS 135, the current location of the subscriber is determined with the aid of GPS or like. In accordance with the present invention, a certain predetermined shift in the POI of the subscriber within the API can be tolerated by the system. This tolerable limit is the tolerance zone of the API of the subscriber. However, in case the shift of the POI of the subscriber is beyond the tolerance zone, the system redefines the subscriber filter-sets so that the subscriber receives Messages 1 15a of interest to him / her in respect of the current API. The tolerance zone assigned to each API is defined at the time of registration of the filter set containing a dynamic location filter based on the minimum distance in each direction for latitude and longitude for each of the Yellow Elements associated to the API.

For path based filter-set:

For a path based filter, the communication device sends a list of points along the path to the LDR 101 or LPS 125 or CIS 102, as the case may be. In accordance with the present invention, the system creates a list of Elements 205 to which the points belong. If these Elements 205 are too small (less than 100m length and breadth i.e. level 9 or below), then their parent is considered. With all these Elements 205, the subscriber filter-sets are linked.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that as an integrated message dissemination process, the methods and apparatus of the present invention are flexible and useable in different embodiments and should therefore be afforded the broadest possible scope under examination. The methods and apparatus of the invention are limited only by the claims that follow