Method and system for providing directions to a mobile phone user

• US 20050048956A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Das, Pradeep K., Spencer, David W.
• Application Number:
  US10/654,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20050048956A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method and system for providing services to a mobile phone user, who needs directions to a desired destination. When the user calls a call center, the call center obtains the location of the mobile phone user from the communications network using a triangulation method. Based on the user'"'"'s location, the operator at the call center verbally responds to the user with appropriate directions. Advantageously, the service is provided to the brand loyal customers who wish to locate a specific retail establishment such as a gas station or restaurant.

Claims

1. A method of providing directions to a user of a mobile phone who makes an inquiry concerning a destination in a telephone call at a calling location, said method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one call center to process the telephone call;

estimating the calling location of the mobile phone, in response to the inquiry, based on a plurality of reference locations relative to the calling location of the mobile phone;

determining the direction to the destination based on the estimated location of the mobile phone; and

conveying information to the user indicative of the determined direction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the estimating step is carried out using a triangulation method.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is conveyed to the user verbally.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the direction is determined based on a mapping location database.

5. A system for providing directions to a user of a mobile phone who makes an inquiry concerning a destination in a telephone call at a calling location, said system comprising:

at least one call center to process the telephone call;

means, in response to the inquiry, for obtaining the calling location of the mobile phone, based on a plurality of reference locations relative to the location of the mobile phone; and

a software for determining the direction to the destination based on the estimated location of the mobile phone so as to convey information to the user indicative of the determined direction.