Earthcomber has been awarded a patent for a location-based search system that allows individuals to constantly sweep their surroundings for their personal interests. The patented method provides a means to notify a user about people, places and things nearby that match that person’s specific preferences. By law, advertisers cannot transmit messages to mobile consumers without their permission. Earthcomber’s method allows an advertiser’s message to reach the user if the user has stated an explicit preference for something that the advertiser offers, and if the advertiser is within the user’s specified range. The patent is also expected to provide a foundation for social networking on mobile devices. For example, mobile users can be alerted about friends nearby, or people with common characteristics. The company features the methodology in its free, location-based personal navigation suite for Palm OS, Windows Mobile Pocket PC, and Java-capable cell phones and PDAs.