Location messaging system and method for delivering messages in a global virtual space

• US 20040111477A1
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: King.com, Ltd (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Boss, Gregory J., McConnell, Kevin C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,373,383 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A location messaging system creates and delivers messages in a global virtual space, at the best time and location, in the optimal context. The recipient can be either generally or specifically targeted. The location message criteria can be formatted so that only a specific group of people see the message. Location messaging leaves “triggers” in a virtual location, that can be either action or time related. Using action triggers, the location message will not be delivered until the recipient performs the predetermined action. That action includes things like visiting a web page/site, opening or editing a document, scanning a badge through a badge reader, buying a product from a store, or combining physical aspects to these virtual actions. Using time triggers, the location message has the ability to increase or decrease delivery or importance levels automatically. The location message will not be displayed or delivered to the recipient until that individual activates the message; messages are activated by performing some action predetermined by the message sender or a sender specified time duration has elapsed. Location messages have physical attributes associated with them. This allows a sender to leave a message for a recipient that is displayed only when he accesses a specific document from a specific place.

Claims

1. A messaging method for delivering a location message, comprising:

creating a location message by;

determining a destination location of the location message;

creating the location message;

defining a trigger event by a recipient, that causes the location message to be activated; and

defining attributes for the location message; and

transmitting the location message to a destination location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the destination location of the location message comprises determining if the message is intended for a virtual location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein if the message is intended for a virtual location, adding the virtual location to the location message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the destination location of the location message comprises determining if the message is intended for a physical location.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein if the message is intended for a virtual location, adding an address of the physical location to the location message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the location message comprises defining a message type.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein defining the message type comprises defining any one or more of:

an e-mail, an instant message, a short messaging system, a voice mail, and a location message.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein creating the location message further comprises defining a message format.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the trigger event comprises determining if the trigger event comprises an action trigger.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the trigger event comprises determining if the trigger event comprises a time trigger.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the location message attributes comprises defining a response message type.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the response message type comprises any one or more of:

an e-mail, an instant message, a short messaging system, a voice mail, and a location message.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the location message attributes comprises defining a response message format.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising changing the message type into another messaging type.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein changing the message type based on a time frame.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein changing the message type based on a predetermined action performed by a message recipient.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising replying to the location message with a reply location message.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein replying to the location message comprises replying with a message of different type.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the location message when a recipient performs a predetermined action.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the location message when a time criterion is met.

21. A computer program product having instruction codes for delivering a location message, comprising:

a first set of instruction codes for creating a location message by;

determining a destination location of the location message;

creating the location message;

defining a trigger event by a recipient, that causes the location message to be activated; and

defining attributes for the location message; and

a second set of instruction codes for transmitting the location message to a destination location.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of instruction codes determines if the message is intended for a virtual location;

and

wherein if the message is intended for a virtual location, the first set of instruction codes adds the virtual location to the location message.

23. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of instruction codes determines if the message is intended for a physical location;

and

wherein if the message is intended for a virtual location, the first set of instruction codes adds an address of the physical location to the location message.

24. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of instruction codes defines a message type.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the first set of instruction codes defines a message format.

26. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of instruction codes determines if the trigger event comprises an action trigger.

27. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of instruction codes determines if the trigger event comprises a time trigger.

28. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the first set of instruction codes defines a response message type and format.

29. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising a third set of instruction codes for replying to the location message with a reply location message.

30. The computer program product of claim 29, further comprising a fourth set of instruction codes for activating the location message when any one or more of the following events transpires:

a recipient performs a predetermined action, and a time criterion is met.

31. A system for delivering a location message, comprising:

means for creating a location message by;

determining a destination location of the location message;

creating the location message;

defining a trigger event by a recipient, that causes the location message to be activated; and

defining attributes for the location message; and

means for transmitting the location message to a destination location.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the creating means determines if the message is intended for a virtual location;

and wherein if the message is intended for a virtual location, the creating means adds the virtual location to the location message.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the creating means determines if the message is intended for a physical location;

and

wherein if the message is intended for a virtual location, the creating means adds an address of the physical location to the location message.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the creating means defines a message type.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the creating means defines a message format.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein the creating means determines if the trigger event comprises an action trigger.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the creating means determines if the trigger event comprises a time trigger.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein the creating means defines a response message type and format.

39. The system of claim 31, further comprising means for replying to the location message with a reply location message.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising means for activating the location message when any one or more of the following events transpires:

a recipient performs a predetermined action, and a time criterion is met.