Abstract: Via a graphical user interface on a first mobile computing device of a first user, the first user is prompted to upload a first electronic photograph representing an appearance of the first user who is a participant of a virtual social network. Via the graphical user interface, the first electronic photograph uploaded by the first user is received. From a second user who is also a participant of the virtual social network, an electronic voucher is received. The electronic voucher is redeemable for a merchandise item that is offered by a physical venue, the physical venue corresponds to the virtual social network. A screen is generated that contains both the electronic voucher and the first electronic photograph. An electronic scan of the electronic voucher is detected. An electronic transaction is completed, in which the merchandise item is redeemed in response to the electronic scan of the electronic voucher.

Abstract: A method of selecting, displaying, and purchasing favorite drinks of a user within a location-based virtual social networking context is disclosed. A mobile computing device of a first user is used to perform a digital check-in to a venue that is within a physical proximity of the first user. After the digital check-in, a digital menu that contains a list of drinks available at the venue is accessed. The digital menu is displayed to the first user via a screen of the mobile computing device. In response to selection from the first user, one or more drinks from the digital menu are designated as preferred drinks of the first user. The first user's preference of the one or more drinks is electronically communicated to another electronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method. A request is received from a user to participate in an electronic social network. In response to the receiving of the request, a user is prompted to upload a digital picture that is representative of the user. An uploaded digital picture is uploaded in response to the prompting. The uploaded digital picture of the user is scanned for human faces. The user is prompted to upload a different digital picture that is representative of the user if the scanning indicates that the uploaded digital picture contains no human faces. The user is prompted to identify the human face belonging to the user if the scanning indicates that the uploaded digital picture contains a plurality of human faces.

Abstract: A hosted virtual social network includes a plurality of users that each have a digital profile. The users are each within a predetermined distance of a venue. The users communicate with other users of the virtual social network via their respective mobile computing devices. The users include a first user and a second user. From a mobile computing device of the first user, a request is received to make a digital profile of the first user appear invisible on a mobile computing device of the second user. In response to this request the digital profile of the first user is hidden from the mobile computing device of the second user. The hiding is performed without notifying the second user and without affecting a display of the digital profile of the first user on mobile computing devices of remaining users of the plurality of users of the virtual social network.

Abstract: Via a graphical user interface on a first mobile computing device of a first user, the first user is prompted to upload a first electronic photograph representing an appearance of the first user who is a participant of a virtual social network. Via the graphical user interface, the first electronic photograph uploaded by the first user is received. From a second user who is also a participant of the virtual social network, an electronic voucher is received. The electronic voucher is redeemable for a merchandise item that is offered by a physical venue, the physical venue corresponds to the virtual social network. A screen is generated that contains both the electronic voucher and the first electronic photograph. An electronic scan of the electronic voucher is detected. An electronic transaction is completed, in which the merchandise item is redeemed in response to the electronic scan of the electronic voucher.

Abstract: A hosted virtual social network includes a plurality of users that each have a digital profile. The users are each within a predetermined distance of a venue. The users communicate with other users of the virtual social network via their respective mobile computing devices. The users include a first user and a second user. From a mobile computing device of the first user, a request is received to make a digital profile of the first user appear invisible on a mobile computing device of the second user. In response to this request the digital profile of the first user is hidden from the mobile computing device of the second user. The hiding is performed without notifying the second user and without affecting a display of the digital profile of the first user on mobile computing devices of remaining users of the plurality of users of the virtual social network.

Abstract: A first mobile computing device of a first user receives a request to participate in a location-based virtual social network. A radio component of the first mobile computing device detects venues within proximity of the first mobile computing device. Each venue includes a host of a respective virtual social network. One of the venues is selected by the user for participation in the virtual social network. A wireless connection with the virtual social network is established at the selected venue. Electronic communications with second users are conducted at the selected venue. The second users are also participants of the virtual social network. A departure of the first user from the selected venue is detected. In response to the detected departure, electronic records pertaining to the conducted electronic communications with the one or more second users are erased from the first mobile computing device.

Abstract: A user's need to purchase a service or a good is communicated to a commercial network. The commercial network includes a plurality of merchant members that offer services or goods for sale. A plurality of electronic channels of communication is established between the mobile computing device and respective electronic devices of a subset of the plurality of merchant members. Offers for the service or good needed by the user are received from the merchant members through the electronic channels of communication. The user accepts one of the offers from a selected merchant. Thereafter, the electronic channels of communication between the mobile computing device and the respective electronic devices of the rest of the merchant members are automatically terminated. Meanwhile, the electronic channel of communication between the mobile computing device and the electronic device of the selected merchant is maintained.

Abstract: A method of selecting, displaying, and purchasing favorite drinks of a user within a location-based virtual social networking context is disclosed. A mobile computing device of a first user is used to perform a digital check-in to a venue that is within a physical proximity of the first user. After the digital check-in, a digital menu that contains a list of drinks available at the venue is accessed. The digital menu is displayed to the first user via a screen of the mobile computing device. In response to selection from the first user, one or more drinks from the digital menu are designated as preferred drinks of the first user. The first user's preference of the one or more drinks is electronically communicated to another electronic device.

Abstract: A first mobile computing device of a first user receives a request to participate in a location-based virtual social network. A radio component of the first mobile computing device detects venues within proximity of the first mobile computing device. Each venue includes a host of a respective virtual social network. One of the venues is selected by the user for participation in the virtual social network. A wireless connection with the virtual social network is established at the selected venue. Electronic communications with second users are conducted at the selected venue. The second users are also participants of the virtual social network. A departure of the first user from the selected venue is detected. In response to the detected departure, electronic records pertaining to the conducted electronic communications with the one or more second users are erased from the first mobile computing device.

Abstract: A method of selecting favorite users from an electronic virtual social network is disclosed. A mobile computing device of a first user is used to perform a digital check-in to a venue within a predefined proximity of the first user. Other users have already digitally checked into the venue. On a screen of the mobile computing device of the first user, respective digital profiles of a first subset of the other users are displayed. In response to input from the first user, one or more second users who are within the first subset of the other users are designated as favorite users. On the screen of the mobile computing device of the first user, respective digital profiles of a second subset of the other users are displayed. The second subset of the other users includes the designated favorite user and users who are not within the first subset.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method. A request is received from a user to participate in an electronic social network. In response to the receiving of the request, a user is prompted to upload a digital picture that is representative of the user. An uploaded digital picture is uploaded in response to the prompting. The uploaded digital picture of the user is scanned for human faces. The user is prompted to upload a different digital picture that is representative of the user if the scanning indicates that the uploaded digital picture contains no human faces. The user is prompted to identify the human face belonging to the user if the scanning indicates that the uploaded digital picture contains a plurality of human faces.