System for location based triggers for mobile devices

• US 10,499,215 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2019
• Issued: 12/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dyfan, LLC
• Original Assignee: Dyfan, LLC
• Inventors: Andrews, Scott Sturges, Fuchs, Axel
• Primary Examiner(s): Manoharan, Muthuswamy G
• Application Number:
  US16/243,049
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Various systems are provided comprising: a building including one or more facilities each including at least one broadcast short-range communications unit having a fixed location, an application/computer code configured for execution by at least one of a plurality of mobile devices, and at least one server, that, together, are configured to cooperate to trigger one or more mobile device actions including causing to be output visual information, based on particular location-relevant information that is, in turn, based on at least one value.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a building including a plurality of building portions, the building including;

a first broadcast short-range communications unit having a first fixed location and configured to;

generate one or more first broadcast messages including at least one first identifier which is separate from an address part of the one or more first broadcast messages,

broadcast, via a first wireless communications protocol, the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier, for intended receipt by a plurality of mobile devices in a communication range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit, and

re-broadcast, via the first wireless communications protocol, the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier, for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in the communication range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit, and

a second broadcast short-range communications unit having a second fixed location and configured to;

generate one or more second broadcast messages including at least one second identifier which is separate from an address part of the one or more second broadcast messages,

broadcast, via the first wireless communications protocol, the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier, for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in a communication range of the second broadcast short-range communications unit, and

re-broadcast, via the first wireless communications protocol, the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier, for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in the communication range of the second broadcast short-range communications unit;

first instructions, when executed by at least one of the plurality of mobile devices, configured to cause the at least one mobile device to;

allow receipt, from the first broadcast short-range communications unit and via the first wireless communications protocol, of the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier,

allow receipt, from the second broadcast short-range communications unit and via the first wireless communications protocol, of the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier,

cause to be sent, from the at least one mobile device and via a second wireless communications protocol and an Internet Protocol over the Internet at least in part, a first message, and

cause to be sent, from the at least one mobile device and via the second wireless communications protocol and the Internet Protocol over the Internet at least in part, a second message, where the first wireless communications protocol and the second wireless communications protocol are different and a first range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit and the second broadcast short-range communications unit when using the first wireless communications protocol is shorter than a second range of the at least one mobile device when using the second wireless communications protocol, and further where the first message and the second message are not required to be communicated through the first broadcast short-range communications unit nor the second broadcast short-range communications unit; and

second instructions, when executed by at least one server, configured to cause the at least one server to;

allow receipt, from the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the first message,

after the receipt, from the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the first message;

cause retrieval of first location-relevant information,

cause to be sent, to the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, the first location-relevant information,

allow receipt, from the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the second message,

after the receipt, from the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the second message;

cause retrieval of second location-relevant information, and

cause to be sent, to the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, the second location-relevant information;

the first instructions, when executed by the at least one mobile device, further configured to cause the at least one mobile device to;

allow receipt, via the second wireless communications protocol and the Internet Protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the first location-relevant information,

allow receipt, via the second wireless communications protocol and the Internet Protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the second location-relevant information,

after the receipt, via the second wireless communications protocol, of the first location-relevant information;

cause to be output, via a display of the at least one mobile device, first visual information based on the first location-relevant information,

after the receipt, via the second wireless communications protocol, of the second location-relevant information; and

after the first visual information is caused to be output based on the first location-relevant information;

cause to be output, via the display of the at least one mobile device, second visual information based on the second location-relevant information, and

cause the at least one mobile device to operate such that the first visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the first message through the first broadcast short-range communications unit after the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages, and the second visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the second message through the second broadcast short-range communications unit after the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that:

the first message is caused to be sent in response to a receipt of first user input and the second message is caused to be sent in response to a receipt of second user input;

the first location-relevant information is retrieved and sent in response to the receipt of the first message, and the second location-relevant information is retrieved and sent in response to the receipt of the second message; and

the first visual information is caused to be output in response to the receipt of the first location-relevant information, and the second visual information is caused to be output in response to the receipt of the second location-relevant information.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is configured such that:

the receipt of the first user input and the causation of the output of the first visual information, both occur before the receipt of the second user input and the causation of the output of the second visual information;

the first visual information is caused to be output in response to the first user input, based on the receipt, from the first broadcast short-range communications unit and via the first wireless communications protocol, of the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier; and

the second visual information is caused to be output in response to the second user input, based on the receipt, from the second broadcast short-range communications unit and via the first wireless communications protocol, of the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the system is configured such that:

the first visual information is caused to be output in response to the first user input that is received after the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier, without any other user input being received between a receipt of the first user input and the first visual information being caused to be output; and

the second visual information is caused to be output in response to the second user input that is received after the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier, without any other user input being received between a receipt of the second user input and the second visual information being caused to be output.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the first visual information includes a first plurality of images, and the second visual information includes a second plurality of images.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system is configured such that each of the first plurality of images and each of the second plurality of images, each depict a different product.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the system is configured such that each of the first plurality of images and each of the second plurality of images, each depict a different brand.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the system is configured such that the first visual information is an entirety of all visual information included with the first location-relevant information.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the first visual information and the second visual information are caused to be output in connection with a visual information distribution feature, and the visual information distribution feature is activated in response to activation user input.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that a user location in the building is displayed via a map, that is presented in addition to at least one of the first visual information or the second visual information.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is configured such that the user location in the building is displayed via the map, utilizing a global positioning system (GPS).

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is configured such that the user location in the building is displayed via the map simultaneously with at least one of the first visual information or the second visual information.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages each include:

a first identifier field with at least one third identifier that is the same for each of the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages, and a second identifier field with at least one of the at least one first identifier or the at least one second identifier.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier and the at least one second identifier are different, so that the second location-relevant information is caused to be output as the at least one mobile device is moved among the plurality of the portions of the building.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured such that the first wireless communications protocol is configured for communicating on a Bluetooth network and the second wireless communications protocol is configured for communicating on a WiFi or cellular network.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier and the at least one third identifier reside in a payload of the one or more first broadcast messages.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier, the at least one second identifier, and the at least one third identifier, are each not specified by the first wireless protocol, which includes a Bluetooth protocol.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier, the at least one second identifier, and the at least one third identifier, are each not specified by the first wireless protocol, which includes an 802.15.x protocol, and the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages is accompanied by a separate header, where the address part and the separate header are specified by the 802.15.x protocol.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier, the at least one second identifier, and the at least one third identifier, are each not specified by the first wireless protocol, and the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages includes a networking address that is specified by the first wireless protocol.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier, the at least one second identifier, and the at least one third identifier, are each not required by the first wireless protocol.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages and the address part of the one or more second broadcast messages, are capable of being different.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages and the address part of the one or more second broadcast messages, are identical.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages and the address part of the one or more second broadcast messages are identical networking addresses that are specified by the first wireless protocol.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the address part includes an address, and the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages each further includes at least one header separate from the address, the at least one header including at least one additional identifier.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the system is configured such that the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages each include:

a first identifier field with at least one third identifier that is the same, and a second identifier field with at least one of the at least one first identifier or the at least one second identifier.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the system is configured such that the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages each further includes at least two additional identifiers separate from:

the at least one first identifier, the address, the at least one header, and the at least one additional identifier.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the system is configured such that the at least two additional identifiers, the address, the at least one header, and the at least one additional identifier of each of the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages are identical.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the system is configured such that the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages each further includes at least three additional identifiers separate from:

the at least one first identifier, the address, the at least one header, and the at least one additional identifier.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the system is configured such that the at least three additional identifiers, the address, the at least one header, and the at least one additional identifier of each of the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages are identical.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the system is configured such that the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages each further includes at least four additional identifiers separate from:

the at least one first identifier, the address, the at least one header, and the at least one additional identifier.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the system is configured such that the at least four additional identifiers, the address, the at least one header, and the at least one additional identifier of each of the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages are identical.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the address part includes an address header utilized by the first wireless communications protocol, and the one or more first broadcast messages each further includes at least one additional header that is separate from the address header and that is not specified by the first wireless communications protocol, where the at least one first identifier is also not specified by the first wireless communications protocol.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier and the at least one second identifier are not, by themselves, descriptive of any location.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier and the at least one second identifier are each accompanied by a same address that is separate from the at least one first identifier and the at least one second identifier.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier and the at least one second identifier are each accompanied by different addresses that are separate from the at least one first identifier and the at least one second identifier.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured such that the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages each include a same address that is separate from the at least one first identifier and the at least one second identifier, and the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages also each include different addresses that are separate from the at least one first identifier, the at least one second identifier, and the same address.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more first broadcast messages each include:

a networking address in the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages;

a first wireless protocol header that is separate from the address part and that is specified by the first wireless protocol; and

a plurality of message portions that are each not specified by the first wireless protocol including;

a particular identifier,

the at least one first identifier, and

a third identifier that is the same for the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the plurality of message portions further include a fourth identifier that is the same for the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the plurality of message portions further include a fifth identifier that is different from that of the one or more second broadcast messages.

40. The system of claim 37, wherein the plurality of message portions is capable of including a fourth identifier that is the same for the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the plurality of message portions is capable of including a fifth identifier that is different from that of the one or more second broadcast messages.

42. The system of claim 37, wherein the first wireless protocol includes a Bluetooth protocol.

43. The system of claim 37, wherein the networking address, the first wireless protocol header, and the particular identifier are the same for the one or more first broadcast messages and the one or more second broadcast messages.

44. The system of claim 37, wherein the system is configured such that the at least one first identifier and the at least one second identifier are not, by themselves, descriptive of any location.

45. The system of claim 37, wherein the system is configured such that:

the first message is caused to be sent in response to a receipt of first user input and the second message is caused to be sent in response to a receipt of second user input;

the first location-relevant information is retrieved and sent in response to the receipt of the first message, and the second location-relevant information is retrieved and sent in response to the receipt of the second message; and

the first visual information is caused to be output in response to the receipt of the first location-relevant information, and the second visual information is caused to be output in response to the receipt of the second location-relevant information;

the first visual information is caused to be output in response to the first user input that is received after the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier, without any other user input being received between a receipt of the first user input and the first visual information being caused to be output;

the second visual information is caused to be output in response to the second user input that is received after the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier, without any other user input being received between a receipt of the second user input and the second visual information being caused to be output; and

the first visual information includes a first plurality of images, and the second visual information includes a second plurality of images.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the system is configured such that each of the first plurality of images and each of the second plurality of images, each depict a different product or brand.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the system is configured such that the first visual information is an entirety of all visual information included with the first location-relevant information.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein the system is configured such that the first visual information and the second visual information are caused to be output in connection with a visual information distribution feature, and the visual information distribution feature is activated in response to activation user input.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein the system is configured such that a user location in the building is displayed via a map, that is presented in addition to at least one of the first visual information or the second visual information.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the system is configured such that the user location in the building is displayed via the map, utilizing a global positioning system (GPS).

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the system is configured such that the user location in the building is displayed via the map simultaneously with at least one of the first visual information or the second visual information.

52. The system of claim 37, wherein at least one of:

a location of the at least one mobile device is capable of being identified by cooperating with a plurality of wireless components utilizing received signal strength measurements;

the second wireless communications protocol includes a WiFi wireless communications protocol;

the second wireless communications protocol includes a cellular wireless communications protocol;

the networking address is an advertisement address;

the networking address is an access address;

the networking address is a broadcast address;

the networking address is included in another header;

the networking address is a proxy address;

the plurality of message portions include a plurality of fields;

the address part includes an address portion;

the address part includes a header;

the address part is a header;

the address part is a header;

the address part is a header identifying the destination of at least one message;

the address part is a header identifying a message destination;

the address part is a header identifying at least one message as a broadcast message;

the address part indicates a broadcast instead of a destination;

the first message includes the at least one first identifier;

the first message includes the at least one first identifier, and the at least one first identifier takes the same form in connection with the one or more first broadcast messages and the first message;

the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages includes a signal that results from the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages, includes the at least one first identifier;

the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages includes an address part, a plurality of fields, and the at least one first identifier;

of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages includes at least one signal received at a processor of the at least one mobile device, where the at least one signal is received at the processor in response to a receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages at a network interface of the at least one mobile device;

the at least one first identifier is separate from the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages, by residing in a payload of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the at least one first identifier is separate from the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages, by being a separate component of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the at least one first identifier is separate from the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages, by not being included in the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages and the address part of the one or more second broadcast messages are different portions, but include the same address;

the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages and the address part of the one or more second broadcast messages are different portions, but include the same address;

the address part of the one or more first broadcast messages and the address part of the one or more second broadcast messages are the same portion of different messages;

the first message is received at a network interface of the at least one server;

the at least one first identifier includes an address;

the at least one first identifier includes an identifier;

the first and second messages are caused to be sent before receipt of an indication of user input;

the first and second messages are caused to be sent after receipt of an indication of user input;

the first and second messages are caused to be sent in response to receipt of an indication of user input;

the first message includes the at least one first identifier;

the first message is based on the at least one first identifier;

the first message is independent of the at least one first identifier;

the first message is used in retrieving the first location-relevant information by being used to locate the first location-relevant information;

the first message is caused to be sent over the Internet at least in part, such that the first message travels along a path that includes a first part that includes at least a portion of the Internet, and a second part that includes at least a portion of another network that is separate from the Internet;

the first message is caused to be sent over the Internet at least in part, such that the first message travels along a path that includes only the Internet;

the first and second broadcast short-range communications units are short-range by virtue of, when using the first wireless communications protocol, the first range is shorter than the second range of the at least one mobile device when using the second wireless communications protocol;

the first and second broadcast short-range communications units are short-range as compared to the second range of the at least one mobile device when using the second wireless communications protocol;

the one or more first broadcast messages are received and the first message is caused to be sent via the same network I/O unit;

the one or more first broadcast messages are received and the first message is caused to be sent via different network I/O units;

the first broadcast short-range communications unit is configured to automatically generate the one or more first broadcast messages for an unsolicited broadcast thereof;

the Internet protocol includes a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet protocol;

the plurality of building portions of the building include one or more spaces;

the plurality of building portions of the building include one or more spaces or areas therein;

the plurality of building portions of the building include one or more departments;

the plurality of building portions of the building include one or more departments inside the building;

the building is associated with a single brand;

the building, including the building portions, are associated with a single brand;

the building is a single store;

the plurality of building portions of the building include one or more facilities;

the plurality of building portions of the building include a plurality of facilities, including two or more distinct venues or stores, each built, installed, or established to serve a particular purpose, brand or company;

the building includes a retail space;

the building includes an arena;

the building includes a sports venue;

the building includes an open-air building;

the building includes a roof;

the building includes a retail space in a shopping mall;

the at least one first identifier is subdivided into a plurality of data locations;

the first visual information, the second visual information, the first location-relevant information, the second location-relevant information, and the causing to be output, are mobile device-independent;

the first broadcast short-range communications unit includes a dedicated unit;

the first broadcast short-range communications unit includes a network information outlet;

the first broadcast short-range communications unit includes a dedicated short-range communications roadside unit;

the first broadcast short-range communications unit is capable of only transmitting;

the first broadcast short-range communications unit is capable of transmitting and receiving;

the first range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit is that mandated by a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol;

the first fixed location results from an installation of the first broadcast short-range communications unit at the first fixed location;

the first fixed location results from an installation of the first broadcast short-range communications unit, which is initially portable, at the first fixed location;

the second fixed location results from an installation of the second broadcast short-range communications unit at the second fixed location;

the second fixed location results from an installation of the second broadcast short-range communications unit, which is initially portable, at the second fixed location;

the first wireless communications protocol includes a Bluetooth protocol;

the second visual information, the second visual information, the second location-relevant information, the second location-relevant information, and the causing to be output, are mobile device-independent;

the second broadcast short-range communications unit includes a dedicated unit;

the second broadcast short-range communications unit includes a network information outlet;

the second broadcast short-range communications unit includes a dedicated short-range communications roadside unit;

the second broadcast short-range communications unit is capable of only transmitting;

the second broadcast short-range communications unit is capable of transmitting and receiving;

the first range of the second broadcast short-range communications unit is that mandated by a Bluetooth wireless communications protocol;

the second fixed location results from an installation of the second broadcast short-range communications unit at the second fixed location;

the second wireless communications protocol includes a Bluetooth protocol;

the causing to be output is carried out, at least in part, by the at least one mobile device and is caused, at least in part, by the first instructions;

the causing to be output is carried out, at least in part, by the at least one mobile device and is supported, at least in part, by the first instructions;

the causing to be output is based on the first location-relevant information, by outputting at least a portion of the first location-relevant information;

the causing to be output is based on the first location-relevant information, by causing output of the first visual information so as to include at least a portion of the first location-relevant information;

the causing to be output is based on the second location-relevant information, by outputting at least a portion of the second location-relevant information;

the causing to be output is based on the second location-relevant information, by causing output of the second visual information so as to include at least a portion of the second location-relevant information;

the causing to be output is based on the first location-relevant information and the second location-relevant information, by causing output of the first visual information and the second visual information, so as to include different portions of a set of location-relevant information;

the first instructions is part of an application;

the first location-relevant information includes first particular information that is relevant to the first fixed location;

the first location-relevant information includes first particular information that is relevant to a brand located at a location;

the first location-relevant information includes first particular information that is relevant to a product located at a location;

the first location-relevant information is associated with the at least one first identifier, by being retrieved based on the at least one first identifier;

the first location-relevant information is associated with the at least one first identifier, so as to be retrieved from memory on the at least one mobile device based on the at least one first identifier;

the first location-relevant information is associated with the at least one first identifier, so as to be retrieved from memory on the at least one server based on the at least one first identifier;

the first visual information is caused to be output based on the first location-relevant information, by including at least a portion of the first location-relevant information;

the first visual information is caused to be output based on the first location-relevant information, by being triggered in response to the receipt of the first location-relevant information;

the one or more first broadcast messages and the first message are of a different format;

the one or more first broadcast messages and the first message are identical;

the one or more first broadcast messages and the first message are the same in at least one aspect;

the one or more first broadcast messages and the first message are different in at least one aspect;

the first visual information is derived from the first location-relevant information;

the first visual information is based on the first location-relevant information;

the first visual information includes at least a portion of the first location-relevant information;

the first location-relevant information and the second location-relevant information caused to be sent together;

the first and second messages are caused to be sent together;

the first and second messages are caused to be sent separately;

the first and second messages are received together;

the first and second messages are received separately;

the first location-relevant information and the second location-relevant information are caused to be sent separately;

the first location-relevant information and the second location-relevant information are caused to be sent together;

the first location-relevant information and the second location-relevant information are caused to be retrieved separately;

the first location-relevant information and the second location-relevant information are caused to be retrieved together;

the first location-relevant information and the second location-relevant information are received separately;

the first location-relevant information and the second location-relevant information are received together;

the second location-relevant information includes second particular information that is relevant to the second fixed location;

the second location-relevant information includes second particular information that is relevant to a brand located at a location;

the second location-relevant information includes second particular information that is relevant to a product located at a location;

the second location-relevant information is associated with the at least one second identifier, by being retrieved based on the at least one second identifier;

the second location-relevant information is associated with the at least one second identifier, so as to be retrieved from memory on the at least one mobile device based on the at least one second identifier;

the second location-relevant information is associated with the at least one second identifier, so as to be retrieved from memory on the at least one server based on the at least one second identifier;

the second visual information is caused to be output based on the second location-relevant information, by including at least a portion of the second location-relevant information;

the second visual information is caused to be output based on the second location-relevant information, by being triggered in response to the receipt of the second location-relevant information;

the one or more second broadcast messages and the second message;

the one or more second broadcast messages and the second message are identical;

the one or more second broadcast messages and the second message are the same in at least one aspect;

the one or more second broadcast messages and the second message are different in at least one aspect;

the second visual information is derived from the second location-relevant information;

the second visual information is based on the second location-relevant information;

the second visual information includes at least a portion of the second location-relevant information;

the output of the first visual information is caused after the receipt of the first location-relevant information, by being caused in response to the receipt of the first location-relevant information;

the output of the first visual information is caused in response to the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages, by retrieving the first location-relevant information from memory on the at least one mobile device in response to the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the one or more first broadcast messages are broadcasted and re-broadcasted for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in the communication range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit, where the one or more first broadcast messages are broadcasted and re-broadcasted for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices at the same time;

the one or more first broadcast messages are broadcasted and re-broadcasted for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in the communication range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit, where the one or more first broadcast messages are broadcasted and re-broadcasted for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices at different times;

the causation of the output of the first visual information is triggered based on a location of the at least one mobile device;

the causation of the output of the first visual information is triggered based on the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the causation of the output of the first visual information and the second visual information is conditioned on receipt of an indication of user input;

the first visual information is caused to be output after requiring communication of the first message with the at least one server after the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the second visual information is caused to be output after requiring communication of the second message with the at least one server after the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages;

the first visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the first message with the at least one server after the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the second visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the second message with the at least one server after the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages;

the first visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the first message with the first broadcast short-range communications unit after the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages, by not requiring the communication of the first message, but allowing the communication of the first message;

the first visual information is caused to be output by requiring communication of the first message with the first broadcast short-range communications unit before the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the second visual information is caused to be output by requiring communication of the second message with the second broadcast short-range communications unit before the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages;

the first visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the first message with the first broadcast short-range communications unit before the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages;

the second visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the second message with the second broadcast short-range communications unit before the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages;

the output of the second visual information is caused in response to the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages, by retrieving the second location-relevant information from memory on the at least one mobile device in response to the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages;

the one or more second broadcast messages are broadcasted and re-broadcasted for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in the communication range of the second broadcast short-range communications unit, where the one or more second broadcast messages are broadcasted and re-broadcasted for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices at the same time;

the one or more second broadcast messages are broadcasted and re-broadcasted for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in the communication range of the second broadcast short-range communications unit, where the one or more second broadcast messages are broadcasted and re-broadcasted for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices at different times;

the causation of the output of the second visual information is triggered based on a location of the at least one mobile device;

the causation of the output of the second visual information is triggered based on the receipt of the indication of the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages;

the causation of the output of the second visual information and the second visual information is conditioned on receipt of an indication of user input;

the first visual information is automatically caused to be output, and the second visual information is automatically caused to be output;

the system does not include the at least one server;

the system comprises the at least one server;

the second instructions includes additional instructions other than the first instructions;

the second instructions includes additional instructions separate from the first instructions;

the at least one server includes a proxy server;

or

the system further comprises the at least one mobile device.

53. A system, comprising:

a building including a plurality of building portions, the building including;

a first broadcast short-range communications unit having a first fixed location and configured to;

generate one or more first broadcast messages including at least one first identifier which is separate from an address part of the one or more first broadcast messages,

broadcast, via a first wireless communications protocol, the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier, for intended receipt by a plurality of mobile devices in a communication range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit, and

re-broadcast, via the first wireless communications protocol, the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier, for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in the communication range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit, and

a second broadcast short-range communications unit having a second fixed location and configured to;

generate one or more second broadcast messages including at least one second identifier which is separate from an address part of the one or more second broadcast messages,

broadcast, via the first wireless communications protocol, the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier, for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in a communication range of the second broadcast short-range communications unit, and

re-broadcast, via the first wireless communications protocol, the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier, for intended receipt by the plurality of mobile devices in the communication range of the second broadcast short-range communications unit;

first instructions means, when executed by at least one of the plurality of mobile devices, configured to cause the at least one mobile device to;

allow receipt, from the first broadcast short-range communications unit and via the first wireless communications protocol, of the one or more first broadcast messages including the at least one first identifier,

allow receipt, from the second broadcast short-range communications unit and via the first wireless communications protocol, of the one or more second broadcast messages including the at least one second identifier,

cause to be sent, from the at least one mobile device and via a second wireless communications protocol and an Internet Protocol over the Internet at least in part, a first message, and

cause to be sent, from the at least one mobile device and via the second wireless communications protocol and the Internet Protocol over the Internet at least in part, a second message, where the first wireless communications protocol and the second wireless communications protocol are different and a first range of the first broadcast short-range communications unit and the second broadcast short-range communications unit when using the first wireless communications protocol is shorter than a second range of the at least one mobile device when using the second wireless communications protocol, and further where the first message and the second message are not required to be communicated through the first broadcast short-range communications unit nor the second broadcast short-range communications unit; and

second instructions means, when executed by at least one server, configured to cause the at least one server to;

allow receipt, from the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the first message,

after the receipt, from the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the first message;

cause retrieval of first location-relevant information,

cause to be sent, to the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, the first location-relevant information,

allow receipt, from the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the second message,

after the receipt, from the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the second message;

cause retrieval of second location-relevant information, and

cause to be sent, to the at least one mobile device and via the Internet protocol over the Internet at least in part, the second location-relevant information;

the first instructions means, when executed by the at least one mobile device, further configured to cause the at least one mobile device to;

allow receipt, via the second wireless communications protocol and the Internet Protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the first location-relevant information,

allow receipt, via the second wireless communications protocol and the Internet Protocol over the Internet at least in part, of the second location-relevant information,

after the receipt, via the second wireless communications protocol, of the first location-relevant information;

cause to be output, via a display of the at least one mobile device, first visual information based on the first location-relevant information,

after the receipt, via the second wireless communications protocol, of the second location-relevant information; and

after the first visual information is caused to be output based on the first location-relevant information;

cause to be output, via the display of the at least one mobile device, second visual information based on the second location-relevant information, and

cause the at least one mobile device to operate such that the first visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the first message through the first broadcast short-range communications unit after the receipt of the one or more first broadcast messages, and the second visual information is caused to be output without requiring communication of the second message through the second broadcast short-range communications unit after the receipt of the one or more second broadcast messages.