System and method for wireless communication between previously known and unknown users

• US 20050174975A1
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pinterest, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vicinity Messaging Corporation
• Inventors: Mgrdechian, Richard, Lee, Man-Ho Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,545,784 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include improved communication system and methods. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a wireless communication method comprising, on a first wireless device, receiving one or more wireless device identifications associated with one or more other wireless devices, and transmitting at least one of the one or more wireless device identifications from the first wireless device to a remote computer system, and on the remote computer system, receiving the at least one wireless device identification, and accessing information associated with the at least one wireless device identification. Embodiments of the present invention may be used for electronic dating, social networking and other communication applications.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method comprising:

on a first wireless device,

receiving in the first wireless device one or more wireless device identifications associated with one or more other wireless devices; and

transmitting at least one of the one or more wireless device identifications from the first wireless device to a remote computer system;

on the remote computer system,

receiving the at least one wireless device identification; and

accessing information associated with the at least one wireless device identification.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, on the first wireless device, transmitting a wireless identification request.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting the information associated with the at least one wireless device identification from the remote computer system to the first wireless device.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising receiving on the first wireless device the information associated with the at least one wireless device identification.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the information is profile information.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the remote computer system transmits a list of mutual acquaintances to the first wireless device.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the profile information includes text, audio, video, images, Blogs, website links or items or services for sale.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the one or more wireless device identifications are unique identifications.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the unique identifications include a Bluetooth identification or an RFID.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first wireless device and the one or more other wireless devices are coupled together using a first local wireless protocol, and wherein the first wireless device and the remote computer system are coupled together over a second wireless network.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more other wireless devices is a wireless ID tag.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising sending a message.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the message is an email message, a text message, an instant message or voicemail.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein a user specifies a location for receiving the message.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the message is sent from the first wireless device to at least one of the one or more other wireless devices.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the message is sent from the remote computer system to at least one of the one or more other wireless device.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the message is sent from the first wireless device to the remote computer system.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the message is an advertisement.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the remote computer system filters the message based on the information associated with the at least one wireless device identification.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising transmitting a wireless device identification of the first wireless device to the remote computer system, wherein the remote computer system filters the message based on information associated with the wireless device identification of the first wireless device.

21. A communication method comprising:

receiving in a first wireless device one or more wireless device identifications associated with one or more other wireless devices;

transmitting at least one of the one or more wireless device identifications from the first wireless device to a remote computer system; and

receiving information associated with the one or more wireless device identifications from the remote computer system in the first wireless device.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising transmitting an identification request from the first wireless device.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the one or more wireless device identifications are unique device identifications associated with the one or more wireless devices.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the information associated with the one or more wireless device identifications is profile information.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the one or more wireless device identifications are received using a first wireless protocol, and wherein the one or more wireless device identifications are transmitted from the first wireless device over a second wireless network.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the first wireless protocol is a Bluetooth protocol, an 802.11 protocol, Zigbee or a directional ultrasonic beam, and the second wireless network is a wireless phone network.

27. The method of claim 21 further comprising accessing a first wireless device identification associated with the first wireless device and transmitting the first wireless device identification from the first wireless device to the remote computer system.

28. The method of claim 21 wherein the first wireless device includes a local software application for generating the identification requests and communicating with the remote computer.

29. A computer system coupled to a network, the computer system including software for performing a method comprising:

storing a plurality of wireless device identifications;

storing information for a plurality of users;

associating the wireless device identifications with the information;

receiving one or more wireless device identifications from a wireless device;

accessing the information associated with the one or more wireless device identifications; and

transmitting the information associated with the one or more wireless device identifications to the wireless device.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the wireless device identifications and information are stored in a database accessible over the Internet.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the wireless device identifications are unique.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the information is profile information.

33. The method of claim 29 wherein accessing the information comprises generating a query to a database using the one or more wireless device identifications and retrieving information associated with the one or more wireless device identifications in response to the query.

34. The method of claim 29 further comprising receiving a correspondence instruction from the wireless device, and in accordance therewith, sending a message to at least one of the plurality of users.

35. The method of claim 29 further comprising storing filter parameters, the filter parameters being used to filter a message.

36. The method of claim 29 further comprising a positional database for extending the range of the wireless device.

37. A wireless device comprising:

a power supply;

an antenna; and

an RF circuit coupled to the power supply for receiving power and coupled to the antenna for receiving and transmitting data, wherein the RF circuitry includes a device identification, and wherein the RF circuitry is isolated from user inputs and outputs.

38. The wireless device of claim 37 wherein the wireless device receives an identification request through the antenna, and in accordance therewith, transmits the device identification.

39. The wireless device of claim 37 wherein the wireless device is embedded in a watch, a broach, a pendant, a necklace, a ring, an earring, an article of clothing, a clothing label, a wallet or a key-chain.

40. The wireless device of claim 37 wherein the wireless device is integrated into a credit-card form-factor.