Method and Apparatus for Geographic-Based Communications Service

• US 20080042900A1
• Filed: 10/25/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brett Stewart
• Original Assignee: Brett Stewart
• Inventors: Stewart, Brett
• Granted Patent: US 8,095,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/450
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0254 based on statistics
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8033 location-dependent, e.g. business or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7435 Location dependent, e.g. Bussiness or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

Abstract

A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an access point coupled to a network and arranged at locations in a geographic region, wherein the access point in proximity to a portable computing device is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless fashion, wherein the first access point is operable to receive identification information associated with the portable computing device from the portable computing device; and

a communication network coupled to the access point to receive the identification information, wherein the communication network is operable to identify demographic information of the user of the portable computing device and transmit information to the access point, wherein a content of said information is dependent upon a location of said portable computing device and the demographic information of the user of the portable computing device, and wherein said access point is operable to transmit said information to said portable computing device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said access point transmits said location to a memory associated with said portable computing device, thereby advising said portable computing device of its location.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the demographic information comprises one or more of memberships and associations of the user.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the demographic information includes one or more of requirements, preferences, and habits of the user.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the demographic information includes past transactions of the user.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of information providers coupled to said network, wherein each of said information providers is operable to provide said information through said network and through said first access point to said portable computing device based on the location of said portable computing device and the demographic information of the user of the portable computing device.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more information providers coupled to said network, wherein a first information provider of said one or more information providers is operable to provide said information through said communication network and through said first access point to said portable computing device, wherein said first information provider provides said information dependent upon the location of said first access point and the demographic information of the user of the portable computing device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said first information provider is operable to receive the location of said first access point and the identification information indicating the user of the portable computing device;

wherein said first information provider selects said information to provide to the portable computing device based on the location of said first access point and the demographic information of the user of the portable computing device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

10. A method comprising:

(a) detecting the presence of a portable computing device in the vicinity of an access point, wherein said access point communicates with the portable computing device in a wireless fashion;

(b) transmitting a location of said portable computing device to an information provider after said detecting;

(c) transmitting identification information indicating a user of the portable computing device to the information provider after said detecting; and

(d) transmitting information received from the information provider to the portable computing device through said access point, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon the location of said portable computing device and demographic information of the user of the portable computing device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

selecting said information based in part upon the location of said access point.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

identifying the demographic information of the user associated with said identification information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the demographic information include one or more of requirements, preferences, and habits of the user.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the demographic information include information extrapolated from the user'"'"'s past practices which indicate probable future actions consistent with the past practices.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

the portable computing device transmitting an inquiry requiring a response to said information provider;

wherein the information provider transmits said information in response to said inquiry.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a message indicating presence of said portable computing device within an area monitored by said access point;

determining if a service is required upon detection of said message; and

initiating provision of said service in response to determining that a service is required.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said information comprises a nearest location of a service provider relative to said one of said access point.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said information comprises advertising information;

wherein said access point is located in proximity to a first provider of goods or services;

wherein said advertising information comprise advertising of said first provider of goods or services.

19. A system comprising:

an access point coupled to a network and operable to be arranged at a location in a geographic region, wherein the access point is operable to communicate with a portable computing device in a wireless fashion when the access point is in proximity to the portable computing device, wherein the access point is operable to receive identification information associated with the portable computing device, wherein, after receipt of the identification information, demographic information of the user of the portable computing device is identified, and the access point is operable to transmit information to the portable computing device, wherein a content of said information is dependent upon a location of the portable computing device and the demographic information of the user of the portable computing device.

20. A method comprising:

(a) a portable computing device initiating wireless communication with a network, wherein the network is coupled to an access point in the vicinity of the portable computing device communicating with the portable computing device in a wireless fashion;

(b) transmitting, from the portable computing device over the network, a location of said portable computing device to an information provider coupled to the network;

(c) transmitting, from the portable computing device over the network, identification information indicating a user of the portable computing device to the information provider coupled to the network;

(d) receiving information from the information provider through said access point at the portable computing device, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon the location of said portable computing device and demographic information of the user of the portable computing device; and

(e) presenting the information to the user of the portable computing device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein presenting comprises displaying the information to the user of the portable computing device.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

the portable computing device transmitting an inquiry requiring a response to said information provider, wherein the information provider transmits said information in response to said inquiry.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein said information comprises a nearest location of a service provider relative to a location the location of the portable computing device.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said information comprises advertising information;

wherein said portable computing device is located in proximity to a first provider of goods or services;

wherein said advertising information comprise advertising of said first provider of goods or services.

25. A system comprising:

a portable computing device configured for wireless communication with a network through an access point in the vicinity of the portable computing device, wherein the portable computing device is suitable for communicating with the access point in a wireless fashion, and further wherein the portable computing device is configured to transmit from the portable computing device over the network a location of said portable computing device and identification information indicating a user of the portable computing device to an information provider coupled to the network, and further is configured to receive information from the information provider through said access point, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon the location of said portable computing device and demographic information of the user of the portable computing device, and further is configured to present the information to the user of the portable computing device.