Location determination for mobile devices for location-based services

• US 20050286421A1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: New Parking Incorporated
• Original Assignee: New Parking Incorporated
• Inventors: Janacek, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/877,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20050286421A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/15 Information service where the information is dependent on the location of the subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Information regarding a site-specific m-commerce transaction is used to determine the general location of a mobile device with which the m-commerce transaction is conducted. All that is required for location determination of the mobile device is a location identifier. During the transaction, the user specifies the location identifier. An m-commerce server retrieves predetermined and previously stored location information associated with the location identifier. The server identifies services associated with locations within a predetermined distance of the identified location and makes information regarding such services available to the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method for providing location-based services to a mobile communications device, the method comprising:

receiving signals from the mobile communications device which indicate an identifier of a location;

determining a position of the location;

determining that one or more services available to the mobile communications devices are associated with respective positions within a predetermined distance of the position of the location; and

sending information regarding the one or more services to the mobile communications device.