Site information system and method

• US 20020047861A1
• Filed: 06/22/2001
• Published: 04/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anthony Lawrence Preman, David William Labrie
• Original Assignee: Anthony Lawrence Preman, David William Labrie
• Inventors: Preman, Anthony Lawrence, LaBrie, David William
• Application Number:
  US09/887,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20020047861A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0237 at kiosk
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising

Abstract

A site information system and method is disclosed. The site information system is configured to provide information relating to a specified site to users of the specified site. The information system includes a communication network serving a service area within the site. A server is coupled to the communications network. The server includes a database of information relating to specific locations within the site, including a geoencoded map of the site and including information relating to the site. The information system also includes a terminal device including a processor and a display. The terminal device is in communications with the communications network and is configured to access information relating to the site from the server by a user of the site. Further still, the information system includes a user interface provided on the display of the terminal device. The user interface includes user selectable options and is configured to selectively provide site user information to a site user including access to the database of information on the server.

Claims

1. An information system providing information relating to a specified site, to users of the specified site, comprising:

a communications network serving a service area within the site;

a server coupled to the communications network, the server including a database of information relating to specific locations within the site, including a geoencoded map of the site, and including information relating to the site;

a terminal device including a processor and a display, the terminal device in communications with the communications network and configured to access information relating to the site from the server by a user of the site; and

a user interface provided on the display of the terminal device, the user interface including user selectable options and configured to selectively provide site user information to a site user, including access to the database of information on the server.

2. The information system of claim 1, wherein the specified site is a resort.

3. The information system of claim 1, wherein the specified site is a ski resort.

4. The information system of claim 1, wherein the specified site is an airport.

5. The information system of claim 1, wherein the specified site is a convention center.

6. The information system of claim 1, wherein the specified site is an amusement park.

7. The information system of claim 1, wherein the specified site is a campus.

8. The information system of claim 1, wherein the specified site is a cruise ship.

9. The information system of claim 1, wherein the terminal device is a handheld computer including a radio frequency transceiver.

10. The information system of claim 9, wherein the communications network includes at least one RF transceiver coupled thereto and configured to provide communications with the handheld computer.

11. The information system of claim 10, wherein the RF transceiver of the handheld computer and the RF transceiver of the communications network are configured to use IEEE 802.11 standards.

13. The information system of claim 12, wherein the specified site is a resort.

14. The information system of claim 12, wherein the specified site is a ski resort.

15. The information system of claim 12, wherein the specified site is an airport.

16. The information system of claim 12, wherein the specified site is a convention center.

17. The information system of claim 12, wherein the specified site is an amusement park.

18. The information system of claim 12, wherein the specified site is a campus.

19. The information system of claim 12, wherein the specified site is a cruise ship.

20. The information system of claim 12, wherein the terminal device is a handheld computer including a radio frequency transceiver.

21. The information system of claim 20, wherein the communications network includes at least one RF transceiver coupled thereto and configured to provide communications with the handheld computer.

22. The information system of claim 21, wherein the RF transceiver of the handheld computer and the RF transceiver of the communications network are configured to use IEEE 802.11 standards.

24. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the request for information is transmitted over a wireless communications link with the communications network

25. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the results of the database search for the requested information are transmitted over a wireless communications link with the communications network.

26. The method of providing information of claim 23 further comprising:

receiving a global positioning system (GPS) signal; and

generating a location based on the GPS signal.

27. The method of providing information of claim 23 further comprising:

downloading an application to a handheld computing device from an access device.

28. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the communications network includes:

a server coupled to the communications network, the server including a database of information relating to locations within the site, information relating to the site and information relating to users of the site.

29. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the requested information relates to a ski resort.

30. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the requested information relates to an airport.

31. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the requested information relates to a convention center.

32. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the requested information relates to an amusement park.

33. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the requested information relates to a campus.

34. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the requested information relates to a cruise ship.

35. The method of providing information of claim 23, wherein the requested information relates to a an off-site location.

36. The method of providing information of claim 26, wherein the terminal device is a handheld computer including a radio frequency transceiver.

37. The method of providing information of claim 36, wherein the communications network includes at least one RF transceiver coupled thereto and configured to provide communications with the handheld computer.

38. The method of providing information of claim 37, wherein the RF transceiver of the handheld computer and the RF transceiver of the communications network are configured to use IEEE 802.11 standards.

39. The method of providing information of claim 23, further comprising:

debiting a user account according to usage of the communications network.

40. The method of providing information of claim 23, further comprising:

debiting a user account for usage of the terminal device.

41. The method of providing information of claim 23, further comprising:

purchasing goods or services using a terminal device.

12. An information system providing information relating to a specified site, to users of the specified site, comprising:

a communications network serving a service area within the site;

a server coupled to the communications network, the server including a database of information relating to locations within the site, information relating to the site and information relating to users of the site;

a navigation database external to the communications network and in communication with the communications network, the navigation database including information relating to locations outside of the specified site;

a terminal device including a processor and a display, the terminal device in communications with the communications network and configured to access information from the server; and

a user interface provided on the display of the terminal device, the user interface including user selectable options and configured to selectively provide site user information to a site user.

23. A method of providing information to users of a specified site, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request for information relating to the site from a terminal device over a communication network specifically serving the site;

searching a database for the requested information relating to the site;

generating a result of the requested information; and

transmitting the resulting information to the terminal device used by a user of the site that initiated the request for information.