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 message is received via a first mobile device. The message is sent from a second mobile device. The message contains unobfuscated visual content. The un-obfuscated visual content is displayed on a screen of the first mobile device. A detection is made via the first mobile device that a first user of the first mobile device made one or more engagements with the first mobile device. Based on the detecting, a determination is made that the first user is attempting to screenshot the un-obfuscated visual content via the first mobile device. In response to the determining, the un-obfuscated visual content displayed on the screen of the first mobile device is obfuscated.

Abstract: Via a radio component of a mobile computing device of a first user, electronic invitations are sent to a plurality of second users to participate in a group event at a target venue. Acceptances are received from the second users to join the group event. Thereafter, an electronic chat room is generated for the first user and the plurality of second users. Via a screen of the mobile computing device of the first user, a first electronic notification is received and displayed that a selected one of the second users has arrived at a target venue. Via the screen of the mobile computing device, a second electronic notification is received and displayed that the selected one of the second users has left the target venue. After each of the first user and the plurality of second users has left the target venue, the electronic chat room is automatically terminated.

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 message is received via a first mobile device. The message is sent from a second mobile device. The message contains unobfuscated visual content. The un-obfuscated visual content is displayed on a screen of the first mobile device. A detection is made via the first mobile device that a first user of the first mobile device made one or more engagements with the first mobile device. Based on the detecting, a determination is made that the first user is attempting to screenshot the un-obfuscated visual content via the first mobile device. In response to the determining, the un-obfuscated visual content displayed on the screen of the first mobile device is obfuscated.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves preventing unauthorized recording of visual content displayed on an electronic device. Via a mobile computing device, it is detected that a user is attempting to digitally record visual content being displayed on a screen of the mobile computing device. Via the mobile computing device, at least one of the following actions is performed in response to the detecting: obfuscating the visual content; restarting the mobile computing device before the visual content is recorded; playing a loud audio signal via the mobile computing device before the visual content is recorded; and temporarily disabling a screenshot function of the mobile computing 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: The present disclosure involves preventing unauthorized recording of visual content displayed on an electronic device. Via a mobile computing device, it is detected that a user is attempting to digitally record visual content being displayed on a screen of the mobile computing device. Via the mobile computing device, at least one of the following actions is performed in response to the detecting: obfuscating the visual content; restarting the mobile computing device before the visual content is recorded; playing a loud audio signal via the mobile computing device before the visual content is recorded; and temporarily disabling a screenshot function of the mobile computing device.

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 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: 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 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 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 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.