METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COORDINATING GROUP TRAVEL AMONG MOBILE DEVICES

• US 20090276154A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Corporate Services Group Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: FLOWERS, James C., FRAGALE, Joseph, SAMUELS, Douglas E., SUBRAMANIAN, Sankar
• Application Number:
  US12/112,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20090276154A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3438 Rendez-vous, i.e. searching a destination where several users can meet, and the routes to this destination for these users; Ride sharing, i.e. searching a route such that at least two users can share a vehicle for at least part of the route

Abstract

An approach is provided for coordinating travel. A plurality of mobile devices is identified as a group, wherein each of the mobile devices is configured to obtain location information. A lead mobile device is designated among the group. Routing information or information about a common destination, specified by the lead mobile device, is transmitted to other mobile devices in the group.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying a plurality of mobile devices as a group, wherein each of the mobile devices is configured to obtain location information; and

transmitting routing information or information about a common destination to the mobile devices in the group.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

designating a lead mobile device among the group, wherein the common destination is specified by the lead mobile device.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the common destination information is transmitted by the lead mobile device to the other mobile devices.

4. A method according to claim 2, further comprising:

notifying the lead mobile device about location of the other mobile devices.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the routing information is transmitted intermittently to the other mobile devices as the lead mobile devices progresses along a route associated with the routing information or the common destination information.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the lead mobile device is alerted if anyone of the other mobile devices deviates from the route.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

establishing secure communications among the group for the transmission of the routing information or the common destination information.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the mobile devices is further configured to utilize a Global Positioning System (GPS) to obtain the location information relating to the routing information or the common destination information.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the mobile devices is further configured to independently route to the common destination.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the common destination information is transmitted to the mobile devices as an electronic mail or an instant communication message.

11. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

logging one or more attributes relating to a route to the common destination.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to identify a plurality of mobile devices as a group, wherein each of the mobile devices is configured to obtain location information; and

a communication interface configured to transmit routing information or information about a common destination to other mobile devices in the group.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to designate a lead mobile device among the group, wherein the common destination is specified by the lead mobile device.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the common destination information is transmitted by the lead mobile device to the other mobile devices.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the lead mobile device is notified about location of the other mobile devices.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the routing information is transmitted intermittently to the other mobile devices as the lead mobile devices progresses along a route associated with the routing information or the common destination information.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the lead mobile device is alerted if anyone of the other mobile devices deviates from the route.

18. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the transmission of the routing information or the common destination information is over a secure communications channel.

19. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each of the mobile devices is further configured to utilize a Global Positioning System (GPS) to obtain the location information relating to the routing information or the common destination information.

20. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein each of the mobile devices is further configured to independently route to the common destination.

21. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the common destination information is transmitted to the mobile devices as an electronic mail or an instant communication message.

22. An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising:

a database configured to log one or more attributes relating to a route to the common destination.

23. A system comprising:

a gateway configured to communicate over a wireless network that serves a plurality of mobile devices; and

an application server coupled to the gateway and configured to identify the plurality of the mobile devices as a group seeking to reach a common destination or follow a common route, the application server being further configured to designate a lead mobile device among the group,

wherein information about the common route or information about the common destination is transmitted to the mobile devices over the wireless network, each of the mobile devices being configured to obtain location information relating to the common route or the common destination.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein each of the mobile devices is further configured to utilize a Global Positioning System (GPS) to generate the location information.