Methods of Providing Messages Using Location Criteria and Related Systems and Computer Program Products

• US 20090104893A1
• Filed: 12/30/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Silver, Edward Michael, Adamczyk, Maria
• Granted Patent: US 7,941,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/412.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• 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 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/184 Messaging devices, e.g. message centre
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

Methods of providing messages for a user can include accepting entry of a message for the user, and accepting entry of a location criteria associated with the message. Physical location information for a wireless communications device associated with the user can be obtained, and the message for the user can be transmitted when the physical location information for the wireless communications device matches the location criteria associated with the message. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Claims

1. A method of providing messages for a user, the method comprising:

accepting entry of a message for the user;

accepting entry of a location criteria associated with the message;

obtaining physical location information for a wireless communications device associated with the user; and

transmitting the message for the user when the physical location information for the wireless communications device matches the location criteria associated with the message.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the location criteria identifies a physical address.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the location criteria identifies one of a plurality of physical addresses associated with the user.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

accepting entry of a second message for the user;

accepting entry of a second location criteria associated with the second message wherein the second location criteria is different than the first location criteria; and

transmitting the second message for the user when the physical location information for the wireless communications device matches the second location criteria associated with the second message.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein obtaining physical location information for the wireless communications device associated with the user comprises polling for the physical location information.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein obtaining physical location information for the wireless communications device associated with the user comprises accepting physical location information.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the physical location information is provided responsive to movement of the wireless communications device.

8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the physical location information is provided periodically from a database of mobile terminals and locations.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein transmitting the message for the user comprises transmitting the message to the wireless communications device.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein transmitting the message for the user comprises transmitting the message to an electronic device other than the wireless communications device at a location identified by the physical location information.

11. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

after transmitting the message to the other electronic device, awaiting receipt of confirmation from the other electronic device for a predetermined period of time; and

after exceeding the predetermined period of time without receiving confirmation from the other electronic device, retransmitting the message to the wireless communications device.

12. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

accepting entry of a time criteria associated with the message for the user;

wherein transmitting the message for the user comprises transmitting the message for the user when both the physical location information for the wireless communications device matches the location criteria associated with the message and the time matches the time criteria associated with the message for the user.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein the time criteria comprises a date.

14. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

accepting entry of a deadline criteria associated with the message for the user; and

transmitting the message for the user when the deadline criteria has been satisfied even though the location criteria has not been satisfied.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the deadline criteria comprises a date and a time.

16. A messaging service system comprising:

a data input system that accepts entry of a message for a user, that accepts entry of a location criteria associated with the message, and that obtains physical location information for a wireless communications device associated with the user; and

a transmitter that transmits the message for the user when the physical location information for the wireless communications device matches the location criteria associated with the message.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the location criteria identifies a physical address.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the location criteria identifies one of a plurality of physical addresses associated with the user.

19. A system according to claim 16 wherein the data input system further accepts entry of a second message for the user and accepts entry of a second location criteria associated with the second message wherein the second location criteria is different than the first location criteria, and wherein the transmitter transmits the second message for the user when the physical location information for the wireless communications device matches the second location criteria associated with the second message.

20. A computer program product for providing messages for a user, comprising:

a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code comprising;

computer readable program code configured to accept entry of a message for the user;

computer readable program code configured to accept entry of a location criteria associated with the message;

computer readable program code configured to obtain physical location information for a wireless communications device associated with the user; and

computer readable program code configured to transmit the message for the user when the physical location information for the wireless communications device matches the location criteria associated with the message.