Method for providing location-based services in a wireless network, such as varying levels of services
First Claim
1. A system for providing location-based services among a network of base stations configured for exchanging wireless communications with mobile phones, the system comprising:
- a database storing at least first and second lists of wireless service subscribers, including personal profiles associated with each subscriber, wherein each personal profile is associated with one subscriber and includes permissions for other mobile phones to have access to, or be denied access to, location-based information or services associated with the one subscriber; and
a server computer coupled to communicate with the base stations and coupled to access the first and second lists and the personal profiles in the database, wherein the server computer is configured to;
provide a basic level of location-based services, for a basic fee, to the first list of wireless service subscribers;
provide a premium level of location-based services, for a fee greater than the basic fee, to the second list of wireless service subscribers, wherein the premium level of location-based services includes allowing wireless service subscribers in the second list to access Internet sites providing content not available to subscribers on the first list of subscribers at the basic fee;
provide instant messaging (“
IM”
) functionality to at least the subscribers in the second list of subscribers; and
provide location information regarding the location of a wireless device owned by at least the one subscriber to a third party computer after receiving permission from the at least one subscriber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and associated systems provide location-based services to multiple mobile devices in a wireless telecommunications network. The method includes partitioning wireless service subscribers to location-based services into first and second sets, based at least in part on consideration received, wherein wireless service subscribers in the second set receive access to premium content or services. The location-based services may be integrated other applications, including applications hosted by subscribers. The system may determine that a subscriber-friend is not a subscriber to certain location-based services and provide solicitation messages to the subscriber-friend, or a user who may request location information with respect to the subscriber-friend.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A system for providing location-based services among a network of base stations configured for exchanging wireless communications with mobile phones, the system comprising:
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a database storing at least first and second lists of wireless service subscribers, including personal profiles associated with each subscriber, wherein each personal profile is associated with one subscriber and includes permissions for other mobile phones to have access to, or be denied access to, location-based information or services associated with the one subscriber; and
a server computer coupled to communicate with the base stations and coupled to access the first and second lists and the personal profiles in the database, wherein the server computer is configured to;
provide a basic level of location-based services, for a basic fee, to the first list of wireless service subscribers;
provide a premium level of location-based services, for a fee greater than the basic fee, to the second list of wireless service subscribers, wherein the premium level of location-based services includes allowing wireless service subscribers in the second list to access Internet sites providing content not available to subscribers on the first list of subscribers at the basic fee;
provide instant messaging (“
IM”
) functionality to at least the subscribers in the second list of subscribers; and
provide location information regarding the location of a wireless device owned by at least the one subscriber to a third party computer after receiving permission from the at least one subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of providing location-based services to multiple mobile devices in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:
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partitioning wireless service subscribers to location-based services into first and second sets, wherein the second set is defined at least in part on consideration received from at least some of the wireless service subscribers in the second set, wherein the location-based services are provided by the wireless telecommunications network; and
providing the wireless service subscribers in the second set access to premium content or premium services not available to wireless service subscribers in the first set, wherein the premium content or premium services are associated with the location-based services provided by the wireless telecommunications network. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing location-based services to multiple mobile devices in a wireless telecommunications network, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a first computer, location-based information from mobile devices associated with subscribers communicating with the wireless telecommunications network, wherein the location-based information is related to at least one subscriber, is associated with at least one meeting for the at least one subscriber, or includes geographic directions related to the at least one subscriber, and wherein the first computer is configured to provide location-based services to at least some of the subscribers communicating with the wireless network; and
providing the location-based information to at least a second computer, wherein the second computer is configured to execute a user application program and provide corresponding application program output to the at least one subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for use in a wireless telecommunication network, the apparatus comprising:
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means for providing location-based services, wherein the means for providing location-based services includes means for determining a location of a friend; and
,means, coupled to the means for determining, for providing an instant message to the friend or a user based on the locating.
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16. In a system for providing location-based telecommunications services, a method comprising:
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providing a request to the system to determine a location of a friend, wherein the request is provided by a mobile device whose user has subscribed to location-based services provided by the system, and wherein the friend is not a subscriber to the location-based services; and
receiving an electronic message at the user'"'"'s mobile device that the friend is not a subscriber to the location-based services, and wherein the electronic message solicits the user to encourage the friend to become a subscriber to the location-based services. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. In a system for providing location-based services, a method comprising:
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receiving a request at the system to determine a location of a friend, wherein the request is provided by a mobile device whose user has subscribed to location-based services provided by the system, and wherein the friend is not a subscriber to the location-based services; and
providing an electronic message to a mobile device associated with the friend, wherein the electronic message solicits the friend to become a subscriber to the location-based services. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 28)
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25. A computer-readable medium whose contents store instructions for at least one telecommunications server to execute a method, wherein the telecommunications server is coupled to a system for providing location-based services to at least one telecommunication mobile device associated with a subscriber, the method comprising:
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at the telecommunications server, receiving from the telecommunications mobile device a request to locate a desired type of business;
at the telecommunications server, automatically determining a location of the telecommunications mobile device and providing a response to the requesting telecommunications mobile device, wherein the response includes a location of a select business, and wherein the select business is of the desired type; and
receiving compensation from the select business based on the provided response. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification