System and method for exchange of geographic location and user profiles over a wireless network

• US 20050202817A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Workday Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Loc-Aid Technologies Incorporated (TechnoCom Corporation)
• Inventors: Sudit, Isaias
• Granted Patent: US 7,206,568 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/433
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method for identifying a physical location of a first automatic location identification (ALI) equipped wireless device by determining a geographic area based upon the identified physical location. In a next step, a server identifies at least a second ALI equipped wireless device located within the determined geographic area, and causes an identifier that identifies the second wireless device to be sent to the first wireless device. A user also can select the geographic region from a menu of regions. In either case, the user of the first ALI equipped wireless device can initiate communication with a user of the second wireless device, for instance using text messaging or by placing a voice call.

Claims

1. A method for sharing user profile information utilizing a wireless device comprising:

identifying a physical location of a first automatic location identification (ALI) equipped wireless device;

determining a geographic area based upon the identified physical location;

identifying at least a second ALI equipped wireless device located within the determined geographic area; and

propagating an identifier that identifies the at least second wireless device to the first wireless device.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a first profile associated with a user of said first wireless device from the first wireless device.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of propagating an identifier further comprises the steps of:

identifying a physical location of the at least second wireless device;

receiving from the at least second wireless device a second profile associated with a user of said second wireless device; and

comparing the first and second profiles.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of receiving a user selection from the first wireless device responsive to the propagated identifier;

said selection causing said second profile to be displayed at said first wireless device.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a message from the first wireless device responsive to the propagated indicator; and

propagating the message to the second wireless device.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving from at least one of the first and the at least second wireless devices an availability indicator that indicates when users associated with the respective devices are available to be contacted by other users.

7. A method for sharing user geographic information comprising:

identifying a physical location of a first automatic location identification (ALI) equipped wireless device;

determining a geographic area based upon the identified physical location;

identifying at least one specific location within the geographic area;

identifying a number of at least second ALI equipped wireless devices located at the specific location; and

providing the information regarding said identified at least second wireless devices to the first wireless device.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing a proximity indicator that indicates the proximity of the identified specific location to the physical location of the first wireless device.

9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of providing profiles associated with each of said at least second wireless devices located at the specific location to the first wireless device.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a message from the first wireless device responsive to at least one of the provided profiles; and

propagating the message to at least one of the wireless devices located at the specific location.

11. A system for sharing user profile information across a wireless network comprising:

at least a first automatic location identification equipped wireless device;

at least a second automatic location identification equipped wireless device;

a server, said server in communication with said first wireless device and said at least second wireless device for determining a physical location of said first wireless device and said at least second wireless device, determining a geographic area based upon the physical location of said first wireless device, identifying each said at least second wireless device located within the determined geographic area, causing an identifier that identifies said at least second wireless device to be sent to the first wireless device.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a database associated with said server, a respective profile associated with a user of said first wireless device and a respective user of each of said at least second wireless devices being stored at said database.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising a database, said database including a respective profile of a user associated with said first and second wireless devices, said database being stored in said respective first and second wireless devices.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said server transmits said profile associated with at least said second wireless device to said first wireless device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said profile includes contact information known to said first wireless device, said second wireless device operating on said contact information to transmit a message to said at least second wireless device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said contact information is hidden from a user associated with said first wireless device.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein said server identifies at least one specific location within the geographic area and identifies a number of at least second wireless devices located at the specific location, and providing information regarding the identified number of at least second wireless devices to the first wireless device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said server determines the distance from the specific location to the physical location and communicates the distance to said first wireless device for display on said wireless device.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said first profile includes information known to said first wireless device, said wireless device operating on said information to transmit a message to said at least second wireless device and said server providing profiles associated with said at least second wireless devices located at the specific location to said first wireless device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said first wireless device sends a message to said second wireless device responsive to at least one of the profiles.

21. The system of claim 11, wherein said first wireless device is a cellular telephone.