Apparatus and method for identifying and surveying subscribers

• US 20090138325A1
• Filed: 01/08/2002
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Theis, Ronald L. A., Britt, Joe Freeman JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,135,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0205 Location or geographical consideration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles

Abstract

A method for surveying and gathering user and status information from data processing devices coupled to a network. Data processing devices, such as cellular phones and handheld devices, may be coupled to a network manager through phone lines or RF networks. The network manager transmits survey inquiries and receives survey responses from users. The specific set of users may be selected based on user characteristics and/or device characteristics compiled by the network manger. Other status information, such as the location of each data processing device on the network and whether each data processing device on the network is active, may also be collected by the network manager. Collected information may then be distributed or made available to other data processing devices on the network.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

sending a request for a return signal into a wireless network to a plurality of users of said wireless network having data processing devices;

receiving from said wireless network respective return signals from each of said plurality of users, each of said return signals containing information describing its respective user;

receiving from said wireless network an inquiry generated by a first user of said wireless network, said inquiry having predetermined responses associated therewith, and receiving from said wireless network an attribute provided by said first user as a criteria for identifying recipients of said inquiry;

automatically selecting a group of users from said plurality of users, each user of said group of users having said attribute, said selecting including analyzing said respective information of each of said plurality of users, said attribute being identifiable from said respective information of each of said selected group of users;

forwarding said inquiry into said wireless network to said group of users;

receiving from said wireless network responses from one or more users in said group of users; and

forwarding said responses into said network to said first user.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein said attribute is a specific geographical location.

3. The method as in claim 1 wherein said attribute is a specific distance from said first user.

4. The method as in claim 1 wherein said attribute include a specific age.

5. The method as in claim 1 where in said attribute is a specific occupation.

6. The method as in claim 1 wherein said attribute is a specific sex.

7. The method as in claim 1 where in said information includes a home address of its respective user.

8. The method as in claim 1 wherein said attribute is being listed in said first user'"'"'s buddy list and wherein said method further comprises:

receiving from said wireless network a signal from said first user, said signal identifying users of said wireless network who are on said first user'"'"'s buddy list;

adding to said respective information of each of those of said plurality of users who are on said first user'"'"'s buddy list that he/she has been included in said fir user'"'"'s buddy list.

9. The method as in claim 1 wherein said attribute is being listed in said first user'"'"'s address book and wherein said method further comprises;

10-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A method comprising:

collecting current geographical location data for a plurality of users on a wireless network;

transmitting said current geographical location data to a wireless device; and

associating current geographical location data for each user with a corresponding user record in an application executed on said wireless device.

17. The method as in claim 16 further comprising:

displaying said geographical location data within each of said corresponding user records.

18. The method as in claim 16 further comprising:

refraining from transmitting said geographical location data for one or more users responsive to a request from said one or more of said users to refrain from transmitting said current geographical location data.

19. The method as in claim 16 further comprising:

transmitting said geographical location data to a specified set of wireless devices responsive to a request from one or more of said users to only transmit said current geographical location data to said specified set of wireless devices.

20. The method as in claim 16 wherein said application is an address book application.