Who, what, where, when information supply facility

• US 20040064566A1
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Published: 04/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Striemer, Bryan Lester
• Granted Patent: US 7,953,789 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

Disclosed is an Information Supply Facility. The Information Supply Facility utilizes a personal/hand held device that transparently interacts (via various access points) with a centralized server. The server collects identification and location information about the personal device and makes a determination as to whether the person associated with the device should be notified regarding the proximity of other individuals and/or regarding one or more topics of interest to the particular person. The collected information along with certain profile information is stored in a database where it can be made available to third parties (e.g., governmental entities) for tracking and notification purposes.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

creating profile information on a centralized server, said profile information including at least one topic of interest;

transmitting a request to initiate processing of an information supply facility, said request to initiate processing being sent from a local server to a plurality of access points;

repeatedly transmitting inquiry messages, said inquiry messages being repeatedly transmitted by each of said plurality of access points;

receiving at one of said access points, a log-on request from a first handheld device, said log-on request indicating that said first handheld device is present within a communications zone of said access point;

relaying said log-on request from said access point to said centralized server, said log-on request containing first user information and first password information;

confirming, at said centralized server, that said first user information and said first password information within said log-on request are valid;

querying said profile information to determine whether said profile information contains a topic of interest that is common to said first handheld device and to a second handheld device, said second handheld device also being present within said communications zone; and

transmitting a first notice to said first handheld device via said access point, said first notice specifying said common topic of interest and said second user information, said second user information being associated with said second handheld device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting a second notice to said second handheld device via said access point, said second notice specifying said common topic of interest and said first user information.

3. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting a request to initiate processing of an information supply facility, said request to initiate processing being sent from a local server to a plurality of access points;

repeatedly transmitting inquiry messages, said inquiry messages being repeatedly transmitted by each of said plurality of access points;

receiving at one of said access points a log-on request from a handheld device, said handheld device being associated with a user, said log-on request indicating that said handheld device is present within a communications zone of said access point;

relaying said log-on request from said access point to said centralized server, said log-on request containing user information, password information, and access point information;

confirming, at said centralized server, that said user information and said password information within said log-on request are valid;

grouping said access point information with said user information and a current date and time, and storing such grouped information on said centralized server as profile information;

querying said profile information based upon a specified access point and upon a specified time and date; and

transmitting a notice to said user, said notice containing information about said specified access point and said specified time and date.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said transmitting step further comprises sending said notice to at least one of said handheld device and an Email address for said user.

5. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an indication that a first handheld device is present within a communications zone;

transmitting information about said indication to a server;

querying previously created profile information to determine whether said profile information contains a topic of interest that is common to said first handheld device and to a second handheld device, said second handheld device also being present within said communications zone; and

transmitting a first notice to said first handheld device, said first notice specifying said common topic of interest and said second user information, said second user information being associated with said second handheld device.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 further comprising the step of transmitting a second notice to said second handheld device, said second notice specifying said common topic of interest and said first user information.

7. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an indication that a handheld device is present within a communications zone;

transmitting information about said indication to a server, said information containing information about said communications zone and about a user associated with said handheld device;

grouping said information and a current date and time, and storing such grouped information on as profile information;

querying said profile information based upon a specified communications zone information and upon a specified time and date; and

transmitting a notice to said user, said notice containing information about said specified access point and said specified time and date.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said transmitting step further comprises sending said notice to at least one of said handheld device and an Email address for said user.

9. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a server an indication that a first handheld device is present within a communications zone;

querying previously created profile information to determine whether said profile information contains a topic of interest that is common to said first handheld device and to a second handheld device, said second handheld device also being present within said communications zone; and

transmitting a first notice to said first handheld device, said first notice specifying said common topic of interest and said second user information, said second user information being associated with said second handheld device.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9 further comprising the step of transmitting a second notice to said second handheld device, said second notice specifying said common topic of interest and said first user information.

11. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at a server an indication that a handheld device is present within a communications zone, said information containing information about said communications zone and about a user associated with said handheld device;

grouping said information and a current date and time, and storing such grouped information on as profile information;

querying said profile information based upon a specified communications zone information and upon a specified time and date; and

transmitting a notice to said user, said notice containing information about said specified access point and said specified time and date.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said transmitting step further comprises sending said notice to at least one of said handheld device and an Email address for said user.

13. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at an access point an indication that a first handheld device is present within a communications zone for said access point, said first handheld device being associated with a first user;

transmitting said indication to a server, said indication including first user information; and

receiving a first notice from said server, said first notice specifying a common topic of interest between said first user and a second user, said first notice also specifying second user information, said second user information being associated with a second handheld device that is also within said communications zone.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 further comprising the step of transmitting a second notice to said second handheld device, said second notice specifying said common topic of interest and said first user information.

15. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving at an access point an indication that a handheld device is present within a communications zone of said access point;

transmitting information about said indication to a server, said information containing information about said communications zone and about a user associated with said handheld device;

receiving a notice, said notice containing information about a specific access point and a specific time and date; and

transmitting said notice to said handheld device.

16. A computer-implemented method, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting, by a first handheld device, an indication that said first handheld device is present within a communications zone, said first handheld device being associated with a first user, said indication including first user information; and

receiving a notice from said server specifying a common topic of interest between said first user and a second user, said notice also specifying second user information, said second user information being associated with a second handheld device that is also within said communications zone.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16 wherein said second handheld device entered said communications zone prior to said first handheld device.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 16 wherein said second handheld device entered said communications zone after said first handheld device.

19. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

an information supply facility stored on said signal bearing media, said information supply facility being configured to perform the following steps,

creating profile information on a centralized server, said profile information including at least one topic of interest;

transmitting a request to initiate processing of an information supply facility, said request to initiate processing being sent from a local server to a plurality of access points;

repeatedly transmitting inquiry messages, said inquiry messages being repeatedly transmitted by each of said plurality of access points;

receiving at one of said access points, a log-on request from a first handheld device, said log-on request indicating that said first handheld device is present within a communications zone of said access point;

relaying said log-on request from said access point to said centralized server, said log-on request containing first user information and first password information;

confirming, at said centralized server, that said first user information and said first password information within said log-on request are valid;

querying said profile information to determine whether said profile information contains a topic of interest that is common to said first handheld device and to a second handheld device, said second handheld device also being present within said communications zone; and

transmitting a first notice to said first handheld device via said access point, said first notice specifying said common topic of interest and said second user information, said second user information being associated with said second handheld device.

20. The program product of claim 19 wherein said information supply facility is further configured to perform the step of transmitting a second notice to said second handheld device via said access point, said second notice specifying said common topic of interest and said first user information.

21. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

an information supply facility stored on said signal bearing media, said information supply facility being configured to perform the following steps,

transmitting a request to initiate processing of an information supply facility, said request to initiate processing being sent from a local server to a plurality of access points;

repeatedly transmitting inquiry messages, said inquiry messages being repeatedly transmitted by each of said plurality of access points;

receiving at one of said access points a log-on request from a handheld device, said handheld device being associated with a user, said log-on request indicating that said handheld device is present within a communications zone of said access point;

relaying said log-on request from said access point to said centralized server, said log-on request containing user information, password information, and access point information;

confirming, at said centralized server, that said user information and said password information within said log-on request are valid;

grouping said access point information with said user information and a current date and time, and storing such grouped information on said centralized server as profile information;

querying said profile information based upon a specified access point and upon a specified time and date; and

transmitting a notice to said user, said notice containing information about said specified access point and said specified time and date.

22. The program product of claim 21 wherein said transmitting step of said information supply facility further comprises sending said notice to at least one of said handheld device and an Email address for said user.

23. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

an information supply facility stored on said signal bearing media, said information supply facility being configured to perform the following steps,

receiving an indication that a first handheld device is present within a communications zone;

transmitting information about said indication to a server;

querying previously created profile information to determine whether said profile information contains a topic of interest that is common to said first handheld device and to a second handheld device, said second handheld device also being present within said communications zone; and

transmitting a first notice to said first handheld device, said first notice specifying said common topic of interest and said second user information, said second user information being associated with said second handheld device.

24. The program product of claim 23 wherein said information supply facility is further configured to perform the step of transmitting a second notice to said second handheld device, said second notice specifying said common topic of interest and said first user information.

25. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

an information supply facility stored on said signal bearing media, said information supply facility program being configured to perform the following steps,

receiving an indication that a handheld device is present within a communications zone;

transmitting information about said indication to a server, said information containing information about said communications zone and about a user associated with said handheld device;

grouping said information and a current date and time, and storing such grouped information on as profile information;

querying said profile information based upon a specified communications zone information and upon a specified time and date; and

transmitting a notice to said user, said notice containing information about said specified access point and said specified time and date.

26. The program product of claim 25 wherein said transmitting step of said information supply facility further comprises sending said notice to at least one of said handheld device and an Email address for said user.

27. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

a server stored on said signal bearing media, said server being configured to perform the following steps,

receiving an indication that a first handheld device is present within a communications zone;

querying previously created profile information to determine whether said profile information contains a topic of interest that is common to said first handheld device and to a second handheld device, said second handheld device also being present within said communications zone; and

transmitting a first notice to said first handheld device, said first notice specifying said common topic of interest and said second user information, said second user information being associated with said second handheld device.

28. The program product of claim 27 wherein said server is further configured to perform the step of transmitting a second notice to said second handheld device, said second notice specifying said common topic of interest and said first user information.

29. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

a server stored on said signal bearing media, said server being configured to perform the following steps,

receiving an indication that a handheld device is present within a communications zone, said information containing information about said communications zone and about a user associated with said handheld device;

grouping said information and a current date and time, and storing such grouped information on as profile information;

querying said profile information based upon a specified communications zone information and upon a specified time and date; and

transmitting a notice to said user, said notice containing information about said specified access point and said specified time and date.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said transmitting step of said server further comprises sending said notice to at least one of said handheld device and an Email address for said user.

31. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

an access point program stored on said signal bearing media, said access point program being configured to perform the following steps,

receiving an indication that a first handheld device is present within a communications zone for said access point, said first handheld device being associated with a first user;

transmitting said indication to a server, said indication including first user information; and

receiving a first notice from said server, said first notice specifying a common topic of interest between said first user and a second user, said first notice also specifying second user information, said second user information being associated with a second handheld device that is also within said communications zone.

32. The program product of claim 31 wherein said access point program is further configure to perform the step of transmitting a second notice to said second handheld device, said second notice specifying said common topic of interest and said first user information.

33. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

an access point program stored on said signal bearing media, said access point program being configured to perform the following steps,

receiving an indication that a handheld device is present within a communications zone of said access point;

transmitting information about said indication to a server, said information containing information about said communications zone and about a user associated with said handheld device;

receiving a notice, said notice containing information about a specific access point and a specific time and date; and

transmitting said notice to said handheld device.

34. A program product, said program product comprising:

signal bearing media; and

a handheld device program, said handheld device program being configured to perform the following steps,

transmit an indication that said first handheld device is present within a communications zone, said first handheld device being associated with a first user, said indication including first user information; and

receive a notice from said server specifying a common topic of interest between said first user and a second user, said notice also specifying second user information, said second user information being associated with a second handheld device that is also within said communications zone.

35. The program product of claim 34 wherein said second handheld device entered said communications zone prior to said first handheld device.

36. The program product of claim 34 wherein said second handheld device entered said communications zone after said first handheld device.