Computerized apparatus and methods for location-based service provision

• US 10,686,784 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2018
• Issued: 06/16/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Original Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Inventors: Gazdzinski, Mark J., Gazdzinski, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehrmanesh, Amir
• Application Number:
  US16/105,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20190075109A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/06 using voice
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00193 : Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00314 : Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00225 : Vending machine or POS (Point Of Sale) apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00322 : Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 : for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 : for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 : the containers being a postal pick-up locker
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 : the arrangements being full-front touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 : the reader being an RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• 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

Computerized apparatus useful within vehicles for causing provision of location-based services to users via a portable wireless computerized device. In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a global positioning system (GPS) based receiver capable of providing location data to the computerized apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of operating a computerized network apparatus utilizing a client-server architecture to automatically enable provision of one or more services to each of a plurality of users each having respective wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities with application computer programs operative to run thereon, the computerized network apparatus comprising at least one computer program operative to be executed thereon, and one or more network interfaces configured to communicate data with at least one data network, the method comprising:

utilizing the at least one computer program to conduct authentication processes with the respective wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities, the authentication processes each comprising;

(i) using the computerized network apparatus to authenticate said application computer program of the respective wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities; and

(ii) using said computerized network apparatus to enable authentication of said computerized network apparatus by said application computer program of the respective wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities, the authentication processes each conducted as part of one or more secure data communication sessions established according to at least one of;

(a) a transport layer security (TLS) protocol;

or (b) a secure sockets layer security (SSL) protocol, at least one of the (i) using the computerized network apparatus to authenticate said application computer program of the respective wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities, or (ii) using said computerized network apparatus to enable authentication of said computerized network apparatus by said application computer program, comprising use of a challenge-based approach utilizing at least one random data value;

utilizing the at least one computer program to receive, via the at least one data network interface, respective data enabling identification of respective user-specific accounts directly or indirectly accessible by the computerized network apparatus, the respective data enabling identification of respective user-specific accounts having been transmitted to the computerized network apparatus by the respective application computer programs operative to run on the respective wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities, the respective transmissions each in response to a user voice or speech input via a speech processing input function of the respective wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities;

utilizing the at least one computer program to cause accessing of data within the respective user-specific accounts, the accessed data enabling communication with respective ones of computerized processes of third party service providers for provision of the respective user-specific services, the accessing data within the respective user-specific accounts based at least in part on the respective data enabling identification of the respective user-specific accounts;

utilizing the at least one computer program to receive, via the at least one network interface, respective location-related data, the respective location-related data;

(i) obtained by respective ones of the wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities using the respective application computer program thereof, and (ii) relating to a geographic destination location for the user or at least one chattel thereof;

utilizing the at least one computer program to generate a plurality of data messages for transmission to respective ones of the computerized processes of the third party service providers, the data messages each comprising at least a portion of the respective location-related data; and

utilizing the at least one computer program to cause transmission of the data messages to the respective ones of the computerized processes of the third party service providers via at least the at least one network interface, the provision of the respective data messages enabling subsequent movement of a transportation modality of the respective third party service providers to the respective destinations;

wherein;

said automatically enabling provision of one or more user-specific services to each of a plurality of users comprises the computerized network apparatus acting as an automated network proxy for each of the computerized processes of the third party service providers without the respective users having to establish separate communication sessions with the respective computerized processes of the third party service providers directly;

said enabling provision of the one or more services further comprises enabling movement of the transportation modality of the respective third party service providers to the respective destinations by virtue of possessing the respective location-related data; and

the respective location-related data obtained by respective ones of the wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities comprises location-related data obtained by utilizing the respective application computer program to access a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the respective wireless-enabled passenger transportation modalities.

2. A method of configuring a mobile computerized apparatus so as to enable obtaining user-specific location-based services via the mobile computerized apparatus, the method comprising:

configuring an application layer software process on the mobile computerized apparatus such that the application layer software process can execute thereon, the application layer software process comprising a speech input function, the speech input function enabling a user to utilize one or more spoken words, the speech input function further configured to cause conversion of the one or more spoken words to data, the data for use by a data network computerized server apparatus in performance of one or more functions relating to a user-specific location-based service, the application layer software process configured to, when executed by the mobile computerized apparatus;

receive, from the user and via the speech input function, the one or more spoken words;

based at least on the receiving the one or more spoken words, automatically;

cause correlation of the received one or more spoken words to an identity of the user;

establish a secure data communication session between the mobile computerized apparatus and the data network computerized server apparatus to enable provision of the user-specific location-based service, the data network computerized server apparatus configured to act as an automated proxy of a plurality of third party service provider entities, the secure data communication session comprising at least a challenge-based authentication procedure;

access, via the computerized apparatus, data comprising;

(i) location-related data, the location-related data (a) obtained via a GPS (Global Positioning System)-based receiver of the mobile computerized apparatus, and (b) relating to a destination for provision of the user-specific location-based service; and

(ii) data enabling identification of at least one account accessible by the data network computerized server apparatus and associated with the user or the mobile computerized apparatus;

generate one or more data messages, the generated one or more data messages comprising the accessed data; and

cause transmission of the generated one or more data messages to the data network computerized server apparatus via the secure data communication session;

and wherein the application layer software process is further configured to, when executed;

receive one or more data messages via the secure data communication session, the received one or more data messages generated by the data network computerized server apparatus based at least in part on the generated and transmitted one or more data messages, the received one or more data messages including data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by at least one of the plurality of third party service provider entities; and

cause generation of an audible response for the user at the computerized apparatus, the audible response relating to the user-specific location-based service; and

enabling the user to access the speech input function of the application layer software process while operating the mobile computerized apparatus.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising enabling transmission of biometric data relating to the user obtained by the computerized apparatus, the biometric data enabling a network computerized process to authenticate the user prior to at least one of a performance of the user-specific location-based service or a payment therefor, the biometric data relating to the user obtained by the computerized apparatus comprising at least one of:

(i) data generated from a scan of the user'"'"'s fingerprint or retina;

(ii) data relating to a facial recognition software scan;

or (iii) data comprising a voiceprint of the user.

4. A mobile computerized apparatus configured for obtaining location-based services particular to a specific user, the mobile computerized apparatus comprising:

digital processing apparatus;

GPS (Global Positioning System)-based receiver apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus; and

storage apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the storage apparatus comprising an application layer software process configured to execute on the mobile computerized apparatus, the application layer software process comprising a speech input function, the speech input function enabling a user to utilize one or more spoken words as input, the speech input function further configured to cause conversion of the one or more spoken words to data, the data for use by a data network computerized server apparatus in performance of one or more functions relating to the location-based services, the application layer software process configured to, when executed on the mobile computerized apparatus;

receive, from the user and via the speech input function, the one or more spoken words;

based at least on the receiving the one or more spoken words;

automatically

cause transmission of the data relating from the conversion of the one or more spoken words to the data network computerized server apparatus to enable access of previously stored voice data of the specific user

to enable correlation of the received one or more spoken words to the specific user, the correlation based at least in part on the accessed previously stored voice data and the data relating from the conversion of the one or more spoken words,

the correlation enabling access to data relating to at least one account of the specific user by the data network computerized server apparatus;

establish a secure data communication session between the computerized apparatus and the data network computerized server apparatus to enable provision of the service, the data network computerized server apparatus configured to act as an automated proxy of a plurality of third party service provider entities, the secure data communication session comprising at least a challenge-based authentication procedure;

access, via the mobile computerized apparatus, location-related data, the location-related data (a) obtained via the GPS (Global Positioning System)-based receiver apparatus, and (b) relating to a destination for provision of the user-specific location-based service;

generate one or more data messages, the generated one or more data messages comprising the accessed location-related data; and

cause transmission of the generated one or more data messages to the data network computerized server apparatus via the secure data communication session;

and wherein the application layer software process is further configured to, when executed;

receive one or more data messages via the secure data communication session, the received one or more data messages generated by the data network computerized server apparatus based at least in part on the generated and transmitted one or more data messages, the received one or more data messages including data relating to provision of the location-based service by at least one of the plurality of third party service provider entities.

5. A method of obtaining user-specific location-based services via a computerized apparatus, the apparatus configured to provide the user-specific location-based services via a data communication session, the method comprising:

receiving, from a user, data relating to an input to the computerized apparatus via a user interface thereof, the input relating at least in part to a user-specific location-based service request;

based at least on the receiving the data relating to the input, automatically;

establishing a secure data communication session between the computerized apparatus and a data network computerized server apparatus to enable provision of the user-specific service;

generating via the computerized apparatus one or more data messages, the one or more data messages comprising;

(i) location-related data, the location-related data (a) obtained via a GPS (Global Positioning System)-based receiver of the computerized apparatus, and (b) relating to a destination or place for provision of the user-specific location-based service;

(ii) data relating to the user input; and

(iii) data enabling identification of at least one user-specific account directly or indirectly accessible by the data network computerized server apparatus and associated with the user; and

causing transmission of generated one or more data messages to the data network computerized server apparatus via the secure data communication session;

receiving one or more data messages at the computerized apparatus via the secure data communication session, the received one or more data messages generated by the data network computerized server apparatus based at least in part on the generated and transmitted one or more data messages, the received one or more data messages including data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by a third party service provider entity;

said receiving at the computerized apparatus one or more data messages comprising data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service comprises receiving the one or more data messages comprising data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service from the data network computerized server apparatus via the secure data communication session, the data network computerized server apparatus acting as an automated network proxy for a computerized process of the third party; and

dynamically generating via a computerized process a response for the user at the computerized apparatus based at least in part on the one or more data messages including data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider entity.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the generating the response further comprises generating a response comprising image data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider, the image data enabling the user to authenticate at least one aspect of the provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said using said computerized apparatus to authenticate said data network computerized server apparatus as part of said establishing the secure data communication session comprises at least using a challenge-based authentication protocol utilizing at least one random data value, and the establishing the secure data communication session comprises establishing according to at least one of:

(i) a transport layer security (TLS) protocol;

or (ii) a secure sockets layer security (SSL) protocol.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the automatically establishing a secure data communication session, generating via the computerized apparatus one or more data messages, and causing transmission utilizes at least one pre-formatted package of data packets, the method further comprises encapsulating the data packets according to at least one security protocol.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising receiving one or more data messages at the computerized apparatus via the secure data communication session, the received one or more data messages generated by the data network computerized server apparatus based at least in part on the generated and transmitted one or more data messages, the received one or more data messages including at least one data structure relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by a third party service provider entity, the at least one data structure comprising data enabling authentication of at least one aspect of the third party service provider or the user-specific service by the user prior to performance of the user-specific service.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein said provision of the user-specific location-based service further comprises movement of a transportation modality to a destination, the destination identified via data present in the generated and transmitted one or more data messages.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the user-specific location-based service comprises a time-limited rental of a tangible object or space.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the dynamically generating the response further comprises providing image data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider, the image data enabling the user to authenticate at least one aspect of the provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider.

13. A method of arranging for provision of a user-specific location-based service via a computerized apparatus, the apparatus configured to arrange for the provision of the user-specific location-based service via a data communication session, the method comprising:

receiving, from a user, data relating to an input to the computerized apparatus via a user interface thereof, the input relating at least in part to a user-specific location-based service request;

based at least on the receiving the data relating to the input, automatically;

establishing a secure data communication session between the computerized apparatus and a data network computerized server apparatus to enable provision of the user-specific service;

generating via the computerized apparatus one or more data messages, the one or more data messages comprising;

(i) location-related data, the location-related data (a) obtained via a GPS (Global Positioning System)-based receiver of the computerized apparatus, and (b) relating to a place for provision of the user-specific location-based service;

(ii) data relating to the user input; and

(iii) data enabling identification of at least one user-specific account directly or indirectly accessible by the data network computerized server apparatus and associated with the user; and

causing transmission of generated one or more data messages to the data network computerized server apparatus via the secure data communication session;

receiving one or more data messages at the computerized apparatus via the secure data communication session, the received one or more data messages generated by the data network computerized server apparatus based at least in part on the generated and transmitted one or more data messages, the received one or more data messages including data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by a third party service provider entity;

said receiving at the computerized apparatus one or more data messages comprising data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service comprises receiving the one or more data messages comprising data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service from the data network computerized server apparatus via the secure data communication session, the data network computerized server apparatus acting as an automated network proxy for a computerized process of the third party; and

dynamically generating via a computerized process a response for the user at the computerized apparatus based at least in part on the one or more data messages including data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider entity.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the user-specific location-based service comprises a time-limited rental of a tangible object or space.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the dynamically generating the response further comprises providing image data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider, the image data enabling the user to authenticate at least one aspect of the provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider.