Distributed network system which transmits information to users based on past transactions of the users
First Claim
1. A distributed communications service system, comprising:
- a mobile unit, wherein said mobile unit is configured to transmit identification information indicating a user of the mobile unit;
a network;
a plurality of distributed access points coupled to said network, wherein each of said plurality of access points is configured to detect said mobile unit, wherein each of said plurality of access points is also configured to receive the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit, wherein, after detection of said mobile unit by a first access point of said plurality of access points in proximity to said mobile unit, and after receipt of the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit, one or more past transactions of the user of the mobile unit are identified, and said first access point transmits information to said mobile unit that is dependent upon the past transactions of the user of the mobile unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A distributed communications service system, comprising:
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a mobile unit, wherein said mobile unit is configured to transmit identification information indicating a user of the mobile unit;
a network;
a plurality of distributed access points coupled to said network, wherein each of said plurality of access points is configured to detect said mobile unit, wherein each of said plurality of access points is also configured to receive the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit, wherein, after detection of said mobile unit by a first access point of said plurality of access points in proximity to said mobile unit, and after receipt of the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit, one or more past transactions of the user of the mobile unit are identified, and said first access point transmits information to said mobile unit that is dependent upon the past transactions of the user of the mobile unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41, 44, 45)
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13. A distributed communications service system, comprising:
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a mobile unit, wherein said mobile unit is configured to transmit identification information indicating a user of the mobile unit;
a network;
at least one information provider coupled to the network;
a plurality of access points coupled to said network and distributed in a region, wherein each of said plurality of access points is configured to detect said mobile unit, wherein each of said plurality of access points is also configured to receive the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit, wherein, after detection of said mobile unit by a first access point of said plurality of access points in proximity to said mobile unit, and after receipt of the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit, the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit is transmitted to the at least one information provider;
wherein the at least one information provider identifies past transactions of the user of the mobile unit, where the at least one information provider provides information through said network and through said first access point to said mobile unit, wherein the at least one information provider provides said information dependent upon the past transactions of the user of the mobile unit.
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23. A method of using a network access points (APs) to service mobile users who are in a vicinity of the APs, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting the presence of a portable computing device in the vicinity of one of said APs, wherein the portable computing device is carried by a user;
(b) providing identification information indicating the user of the portable computing device in response to said detecting;
(c) an information provider transmitting information to the portable computing device through said one of said APs, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon past transactions of the user of the portable computing device.
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36. A method of providing advertising to users of mobile units, the method comprising:
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detecting the presence of a mobile unit in the vicinity of an access point;
determining past transactions of a user of the mobile unit;
transmitting advertising information to the mobile unit in response to said detecting, wherein the advertising information is dependent upon the past transactions of the user of the mobile unit.
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38. A method of providing advertising to users of mobile units, the method comprising:
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detecting the presence of a mobile unit in the vicinity of an access point;
providing past transactions of a user of the mobile unit to a provider in response to said detecting;
the provider transmitting advertising information to the mobile unit, wherein the advertising information is dependent upon the past transactions of the user of the mobile unit.
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39. A distributed communications service system, comprising:
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a mobile unit, wherein said mobile unit is configured to transmit identification information indicating a user of the mobile unit;
a network;
one or more service providers coupled to the network; and
a plurality of access points coupled to said network and distributed in a region, wherein each of said plurality of access points is configured to detect said mobile unit, wherein, after detection of said mobile unit by a first access point in proximity to said mobile unit, information is transmitted to a first service provider, said information including identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit;
wherein said first service provider is operable to perform a service in response to said information, wherein said service is performed based on the past transactions of the user of the mobile unit.
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42. A distributed communications service system, comprising:
a plurality of access points operable to be coupled to a network and distributed in a region, wherein each of the plurality of access points is configured to detect a mobile unit, wherein each of the plurality of access points is also configured to receive identification information indicating a user of the mobile unit, wherein, after detection of said mobile unit by a first access point of the plurality of access points in proximity to the mobile unit, and after receipt of the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit, the first access point transmits information to the mobile unit, wherein the information is dependent upon past transactions of the user of the mobile unit.
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43. A distributed communications service system, comprising:
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a plurality of information providers operable to be coupled to a network, wherein at least one information provider is operable to receive identification information indicating a user of a mobile unit;
wherein the at least one information provider provides information through the network to the mobile unit in response to receiving the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit, wherein the at least one information provider provides said information dependent upon past transactions of the user of the mobile unit.
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Specification