APPARATUS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING AND RECEIVING VENUE LEVEL TRANSMISSIONS AND SERVICES

• US 20100080163A1
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jain, Pankaj, Rothrock, George A., Seliverstov, Pavel A., Rahate, Pankaj V., Wadhwani, Anil K., Khare, Nilabh, Newman, Reynaldo W., Mukkavilli, Krishna K., Krishnamoorthi, Raghuraman, Deshpande, Manoj M., Fan, Michael M., Agrawal, Avneesh, Ling, Fuyun, Nanda, Sanjiv, Jayaram, Ranjith S., Kannan, Prasanna, Burdo, Rinat, Shah, Devarshi P., Guo, Jiming, Chari, Murali R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,635,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2385 Channel allocation H04N21/266 takes precedence; Bandwidth allocation H04N21/24 takes precedence ; allocation of channels according to the instantaneous demands of the users in time-division multiplex systems H04J3/1682; admission control, resource allocation in open networks H04L12/5692; arrangements for maintenance or administration in data switching networks involving bandwidth and capacity management H04L41/0896; negotiating bandwidth in wireless networks H04W28/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services

Abstract

A venue-cast system and method for providing and receiving venue level transmissions and services, including discovery of a venue specific transmission by receiving an overhead signal from a non-venue network, extracting information for receiving the venue specific transmission from the overhead signal, and tuning to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information. The venue level transmission may be provided and received in a manner that does not prevent an access terminal from receiving a local area or wide area transmission.

Claims

1. A method for discovery of a venue specific transmission, comprising:

receiving an overhead signal from a non-venue network;

extracting information for receiving the venue specific transmission from the overhead signal; and

tuning to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the overhead signal is received from a BCMCS network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the overhead signal is received from a mobile broadcast network having a coverage area in which the venue is located.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving the venue specific transmission during a first time slot in a mobile broadcast transmission.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a transmission from the non-venue network during a second time slot that overlaps and extends beyond the first time slot.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving the transmission from the non-venue network only on a reserved portion of the frequency band during the first time slot.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the overhead signal is received on a frequency band, the method further comprising:

receiving the venue specific transmission on at least a portion of the frequency band.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information for receiving the venue specific transmission includes information about the type of venue specific transmission and an energy ratio for the venue specific transmission.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a second overhead signal from a venue transmitter on the frequency band, wherein further identification information for the venue specific transmission is included within the second overhead signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the overhead signal from the non-venue transmitter is received during a first time slot and the overhead signal from the venue transmitter is received during a second time slot reserved for venue transmission overhead information.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a pilot positioning channel signal, wherein a first portion of the pilot positioning channel signal is received from the non-venue network and a second portion of the pilot positioning channel signal is received from a venue transmitter.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a third portion of the pilot positioning channel is reserved portion of the frequency band that is reserved for transmissions from the non-venue network during an inactive state.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing information regarding the geographic boundary for the venue transmission;

monitoring a current location; and

when the current location is within the geographic boundary for the venue transmission, searching for the venue transmission.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving user input to search for a venue specific transmission; and

searching for service relating to venue specific transmission in response to receiving the user input.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the extracted includes at least one of a frequency on which the venue transmission is transmitted, a venue identifier, a type of venue transmission, and information on obtaining a service guide for the venue transmission.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting the availability of a supplemental service guide.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

requesting the supplemental service guide via one of a unicast, a scheduled multicast, and a scheduled broadcast.

18. An apparatus for receiving a venue specific transmission, comprising:

means for receiving an overhead signal from a non-venue network;

means for extracting information for receiving the venue specific transmission from the overhead signal; and

means for tuning to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information.

19. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing a computer to receive an overhead signal from a non-venue network;

code for causing a computer to extract information for receiving a venue specific transmission from the overhead signal; and

code for causing a computer to tune to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information.

20. An apparatus for receiving a venue specific transmission, comprising:

a receiver for receiving an overhead signal from a non-venue network;

a processor for extracting information for receiving the venue specific transmission from the overhead signal; and

a communications component for tuning to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the overhead signal is received from a BCMCS network.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the overhead signal is received from a mobile broadcast network having a coverage area in which the venue is located.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the venue specific transmission during a first time slot in a mobile broadcast transmission.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a transmission from the non-venue network during a second time slot that overlaps and extends beyond the first time slot.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the receive receives at least a portion of the non-venue network transmission and the venue specific transmission on a frequency band, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive the transmission from the non-venue network only on a reserved portion of the frequency band during the first time slot.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the overhead signal is received on a frequency band, and the receiver is configured to receive the venue specific transmission on at least a portion of the frequency band.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the information for receiving the venue specific transmission includes information about the type of venue specific transmission and an energy ratio for the venue specific transmission.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a second overhead signal from a venue transmitter on the frequency band, wherein further identification information for the venue specific transmission is included within the second overhead signal.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the overhead signal from the non-venue transmitter is received during a first time slot and the overhead signal from the venue transmitter is received during a second time slot reserved for venue transmission overhead information.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a pilot positioning channel signal, wherein a first portion of the pilot positioning channel signal is received from the non-venue network and a second portion of the pilot positioning channel signal is received from a venue transmitter.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein a third portion of the pilot positioning channel is reserved portion of the frequency band that is reserved for transmissions from the non-venue network during an inactive state.

32. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

memory storing information regarding the geographic boundary for the venue transmission;

a location determination component configured to monitor a current location of the apparatus; and

a service detection component configured to search for the venue specific transmission when the current location is within the geographic boundary for the venue specific transmission.

33. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

a user interface to receive user input to search for a venue transmission; and

a service detection component configured to search for service relating to venue transmission in response to receiving the user input.

34. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the extracted information includes at least one of a frequency on which the venue transmission is transmitted, a venue identifier, a type of venue transmission, and information on obtaining a service guide for the venue transmission.

35. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

a service guide component for detecting the availability of a supplemental service guide.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the service guide component is further configured to request the supplemental service guide via one of a unicast, a scheduled multicast, and a scheduled broadcast.

37. A method of receiving venue specific content at a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving information regarding the availability of a venue transmission;

extracting information for receiving the venue transmission;

receiving the venue transmission;

decoding the content of the venue transmission; and

providing the decoded content for presentation at the mobile device.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving a service guide containing information for accessing the venue transmission.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

receiving a version identifier of the service guide.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

receiving a second service guide containing information for accessing a transmission from a non-venue transmission.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

detecting the availability of the venue transmission; and

accessing parameters for switching between the venue transmission and the non-venue transmission.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

switching between receiving the venue transmission and receiving the non-venue transmission.

43. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving a combined transmission of local area content and venue specific content;

decoding the local area content; and

decoding the venue specific content.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the combined local area content and venue specific content includes the venue specific content superposed on a transmission of local area content, the method further comprising:

performing successive interference cancellation.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein successive interference cancellation includes:

determining the strength of the signal for the local area transmission;

determining the strength of the signal for the venue specific content; and

cancelling the local area transmission from the combined transmission, after decoding the local area transmission, in order to decode the venue specific content.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the venue specific content is gray coded with a local area transmission.

47. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

performing channel estimation for the venue specific content.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising:

designating a channel as interference; and

performing interference cancellation on the combined transmission to cancel the channel designated as interference in comparison to the venue content.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

descrambling the designated channel.

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

performing IFFT processing on the designated channel.

51. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving a first combination of a local area signal and the venue transmission signal at a first antenna;

receiving a second combination of the local area signal and the venue transmission signal at a second antenna;

decoding the local area signal; and

decoding the venue transmission signal.

56. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

57. The method of claim 37, wherein the venue specific content includes an associated defined geographic boundary, the method further comprising:

detecting the presence of venue specific content upon entering the defined geographic boundary; and

decoding the venue specific content from the transmission.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

determining a service provided at the venue based on the venue specific content.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the service includes at least one of a video, audio, and data broadcast stream, the method further comprising:

storing the broadcast stream at the mobile device.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the service includes an application, the method further comprising:

downloading the application.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

acquiring a venue directory transmission, the directory including a plurality of available venue related applications.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the directory includes metadata relating to each of the plurality of venue related applications, the method further comprising:

determining an application of interest based on the corresponding metadata.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein the application is downloaded automatically upon detection of the application.

64. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

receiving user input to download the application, and downloading the application after receiving the user input.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

detecting that the mobile device is outside the venue;

displaying a prompt to delete the venue related application, after detecting that the mobile device is outside the venue;

receiving a user input to delete the application; and

deleting the venue related application.

66. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

detecting that the mobile device is outside the venue;

determining the amount of time that the mobile device is outside the venue; and

if the amount of time outside of the venue is more than a predetermined amount, displaying a prompt to delete the venue related application;

receiving a user input to delete the application; and

deleting the venue related application.

67. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

determining if the application exists at the mobile device, and downloading the application only if the application does not exist at the mobile device.

68. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

detecting that the mobile device is outside the venue; and

deleting the venue related application.

69. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

detecting that the mobile device is outside the venue;

determining the amount of time that the mobile device is outside the venue; and

if the amount of time outside of the venue is more than a predetermined amount, deleting the venue related application.

70. The method of claim 60, wherein the venue content further includes real-time venue related data, the method further comprising:

using the real-time venue related data in the downloaded application.

71. The method of claim 70, further comprising:

integrating real-time venue related content with non-real time venue related data.

72. The method of claim 37, wherein the venue content includes a plurality of slots, each slot including a pilot pattern, the method further comprising:

performing pilot interference cancellation in order to decode the venue content.

73. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

receiving a service guide for the venue specific content.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the venue transmission is received from a venue transmission system and the service guide is received from one of the venue transmission system, a macro-network, and a website.

75. The method of claim 73, further comprising:

receiving a service guide for a local area transmission; and

combining information from the venue service guide with information from the local area service guide to form an integrated service guide.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

performing a switch between a channel for the local area transmission and a channel for the venue transmission using information from the integrated service guide.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising:

storing current parameters for obtaining the venue transmission channel and the local area transmission channel.

78. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

presenting the integrated service guide information in a display.

52. The method of 51, further comprising:

estimating a local channel and a venue channel for the first combination; and

estimating a local and a venue channel for the second combination.

53. The method of 52, further comprising:

spatially canceling the local channel as interference to decode the venue channel.

54. The method of 53, further comprising:

spatially canceling the venue channel as interference to decode the local channel.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

alternately performing successive interference cancellation.

79. A method of transmitting venue specific content, the method comprising:

receiving venue specific content from a venue content provider;

receiving information regarding a local area transmission; and

transmitting the venue specific content in combination with the local area transmission at a venue transmitter.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the venue specific content is transmitted in a manner that does not prevent an access terminal from receiving the local area transmission.

81. The method of claim 79, further comprising:

transmitting the venue specific content on a shared frequency band with the local area transmission.

82. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

transmitting the venue specific content using time, frequency sharing with the local area transmission.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising:

transmitting the venue specific content during a reserved time slot.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

turning the venue transmitter off during the non-reserved time slots.

85. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

transmitting the venue specific content only on a portion of the frequency band during the reserved time slot.

86. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

transmitting a venue specific transition symbol prior to transmitting the venue specific content.

87. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

transmitting information regarding the venue specific content transmission in an Overhead Information Symbol (OIS).

88. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

transmitting information regarding the venue specific content transmission in a Positioning Pilot Channel (PPC), wherein the PPC includes information regarding the type of venue specific content transmission and an energy ratio of the venue specific content transmission.

89. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving information regarding a local area transmission from a macro-network via at least one of a satellite backhaul, an over-the-air backhaul, and an IP interface.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising:

coordinating the insertion of the venue specific content based on the information from the macro-network.

91. The method of claim 80, further comprising:

superposition coding the venue specific content onto the local area transmission.

92. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

superposition coding the venue specific content onto the local area transmission.

93. The method of claim 92, further comprising:

determining if the local area transmission includes an empty slot; and

if the local area transmission includes an empty slot, superposing the venue specific content at the empty slot.

94. The method of claim 92, further comprising:

providing a single-slot power backoff via an exciter at the venue transmitter.

95. The method of claim 93, further comprising:

setting a timing offset in the exciter for beginning and ending the venue specific content transmission.

96. The method of claim 92, further comprising:

determining a power for the venue specific content transmission relative to the local area transmission such that the venue specific content transmission causes only a predetermined maximum degradation to the local area transmission.

97. The method of claim 96, further comprising:

receiving information regarding a local area transmission via at least one of a satellite backhaul, an over-the-air backhaul, and an IP interface.

98. The method of claim 97, further comprising:

decoding the local area transmission; and

performing joint encoding for a combined signal including content from the local area transmission and the venue specific content.

99. The method of claim 81, further comprising:

gray coding the venue specific content onto the local area transmission.

100. The method of claim 80, further comprising:

transmitting the venue specific content in a first combined signal from a first transmitting antenna; and

transmitting the venue specific content in a second combined signal from a second transmitting antenna.

101. The method of claim 100, further comprising:

scaling the signal from the local area transmission;

inserting a first delay into the signal for the venue specific content prior to combining with the local area signal to create the first combined signal; and

inserting a second delay into the signal for the venue specific content prior to combining with the local area signal to create the second combined signal.

102. The method of claim 82, further comprising:

transmitting the local area transmission from a first transmitting antenna; and

transmitting a combined signal from a second transmitting antenna, wherein the combined signal includes the local area transmission content and the venue specific content.

103. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

transmitting a pilot pattern on a plurality of slots reserved for venue specific content.

104. The method of claim 103, further comprising:

transmitting a pilot pattern on each slot reserved for venue specific content.

105. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

transmitting first venue specific content relating to a first venue to a first venue coverage area during the reserved slot;

transmitting second venue specific content relating to a second venue to a second venue coverage area during the reserved slot, wherein the first and second venue coverage areas are geographically non-overlapping and wherein the first and second transmissions share at least a portion of a frequency band.

106. A method of transmitting venue specific content to a venue coverage area, the method comprising:

receiving venue specific content from a content provider; and

transmitting the venue specific content to a venue coverage area via a static Broadcast Multicast Service (BCMCS).

107. The method of claim 106, further comprising:

transmitting venue specific content from the BCMCS to one of a Base Station Controller (BSC), a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN), and a Broadband Service Node (BSN).

108. The method of claim 107, further comprising:

transmitting the venue specific content from the BSC, PDSN, or BSN to a Base Transceiver System (BTS) with a coverage area at least partially overlapping the venue coverage area; and

transmitting the venue specific content from the BTS to the venue coverage area.

109. The method of claim 108, further comprising:

transmitting signaling information regarding the venue specific content to a PDSN; and

coordinating service authentication for the venue specific content transmission at the PDSN.

110. The method of claim 106, further comprising:

transmitting an identifier for the venue specific content transmission, the identifier including a venue identifier and information regarding a channel on which the venue specific content is transmitted.

111. A method of wirelessly transmitting venue specific content, the method comprising:

receiving venue specific content from a content provider;

providing overhead information to enable an access terminal to access the venue-specific content; and

transmitting the venue specific content to a plurality of access terminals within a boundary of the venue.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein the venue specific content includes at least one of a map of mobile attractions within the venue, information regarding wait times for attractions in the venue, information regarding congestion in the venue, and clues for a scavenger hunt relating to the venue.

113. The method of claim 112, wherein the venue specific content includes a plurality of clues for a scavenger hunt, and further comprising:

associating a defined geographic boundary with each of the plurality of clues, the geographic boundary being within the venue.

114. The method of claim 113, further comprising:

limiting the ability to decode the venue specific content to a receiver located within the defined geographic boundary.

115. The method of claim 112, wherein the venue content includes an offer, wherein the offer relates to an attraction within the venue.

116. The method of claim 115, wherein the attraction includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a ride, a restaurant, a vendor, and a performance.

117. The method of claim 115, wherein the venue specific content is an offer related to an attraction within the venue, the method further comprising:

receiving an indication of the time the offer is received at a first mobile device; and

receiving an indication of the time the offer is redeemed via the first mobile device.

118. The method of claim 115, further comprising:

associating a defined geographic boundary with the offer, the geographic boundary being within the venue; and

limiting the ability to decode the venue content to receivers within the defined geographic boundary.

119. The method of claim 118, further comprising:

defining the defined geographic boundary around an area including at least one selected from a group consisting of a closed attraction, a congested attraction, a congested area of the venue, and an area of the venue near an entrance.

120. The method of claim 118, further comprising:

selecting the defined geographic area based on at least one selected from a group consisting of a determination of congestion in a portion of the venue and a determination of a less-trafficked portion of the venue.

121. The method of claim 118, wherein the venue specific content comprises a plurality of offers relating to a first attraction within the venue, the method further comprising:

associating a plurality of defined geographic boundaries with each of the plurality of offers, respectively, the geographic boundaries being within the venue; and

limiting the ability to decode each of the venue specific contents to receivers within the respective defined geographic boundaries.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein the plurality of offers increase in value based on the distance of their respective defined geographic boundary from the first attraction.

123. The method of claim 111, wherein the venue specific content includes a map of the venue, the method further comprising:

transmitting real-time information to be applied to the map of the venue.

124. The method of claim 111, wherein the venue is a shopping center and wherein the venue specific content includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a merchandise offer, a movie trailer, real time information regarding sale items, product demonstrations, product documentaries, coupons, a map of the shopping center, product or vendor advertisements, information regarding food options, shopping center facility information, and shopping center services information.

125. The method of claim 111, wherein the venue specific content includes a visit planning application.

126. The method of claim 111, wherein the venue is an airport and the information transmitted includes flight information.

127. The method of claim 111, wherein the venue specific content includes a plurality of targeted contents, the method further comprising:

associating a plurality of defined geographic boundaries with each of the plurality of targeted contents, respectively; and

limiting the ability to decode each of the venue specific contents to receivers within the respective defined geographic boundaries.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the plurality of targeted contents include traffic information relating to their respective defined geographic boundaries.

129. The method of claim 127, wherein the plurality of targeted contents include at least one of advertisements, offers, and information relating to an attraction located within their respective defined geographic boundaries.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein the attraction includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a store, a restaurant, a performance, a merchandise vendor, and an entertainment venue.

131. The method of claim 111, further comprising:

transmitting venue specific content for storage at an access terminal.

132. The method of claim 131, wherein the venue specific content includes at least one of exclusive venue or performance related content, an application, a game, and a coupon.

133. The method of claim 132, wherein the venue is a performance venue and the venue specific content for storage is exclusive performance related content.

134. The method of claim 111, further comprising:

associating conditional access information with the venue content.

135. The method of claim 134, further comprising:

transmitting a key needed to obtain conditional access to the venue content at entrances to the venue, such that access terminals passing through the entrance may receive the transmission.

136. The method of claim 134, wherein the conditional access information limits access to the venue content based on at least one of a geographic location of a receiver and a subscription of a receiver.

137. The method of claim 111, further comprising:

billing for receipt of the combined venue and wide or local area transmission.

138. The method of claim 111, further comprising:

receiving a signal identifying the location of an item within the venue; and

including the location of the item in the venue specific content.

139. The method of claim 138, wherein the signal is one of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) signal and a WiFi signal.

140. The method of claim 139, wherein the item is a mobile attraction within the venue.

141. The method of claim 140, wherein the mobile attraction is at least one of a costumed character, a performer, a parade, a mobile kiosk, and a mobile food vendor.

142. The method of claim 111, further comprising:

receiving a selection from an access terminal in the venue;

based on the selection, selecting one of a plurality of user interfaces; and

transmitting the selected user interface themed to the access terminal.

143. The method of claim 111, further comprising:

broadcasting to a mobile device a venue specific offer for an attraction within the venue; and

associating a defined geographic boundary to the offer, wherein the offer can only be decoded if the mobile device is located within the defined geographic boundary.

144. The method of claim 143, further comprising:

monitoring a congestion level at a first area within the venue; and

if the congestion level is above a predetermined amount, broadcasting the offer for a venue attraction outside the first area; and

defining the geographic boundary associated with the offer to include the first area.

145. The method of claim 111, further comprising:

transmitting a visit planning application;

transmitting information regarding a plurality of attractions within the venue, the information including at least one of an age limit for the attractions, a popularity for the attractions, a location for the attractions; and

transmitting wait times for the plurality of attractions,

wherein the visit planning application creates a list of attractions to visit based on user input, and an amount of time to visit the attraction.

146. A method of encouraging distribution of visitors at a venue through broadcast information:

broadcasting to a mobile device a venue specific offer for an attraction within the venue;

associating a defined geographic boundary to the offer, wherein the offer can only be decoded if the mobile device is located within the defined geographic boundary.

147. The method of claim 146, further comprising:

monitoring a congestion level at a first area within the venue; and

if the congestion level is above a predetermined amount, broadcasting the offer for a venue attraction outside the first area; and

defining the geographic boundary associated with the offer to include the first area.

148. The method of claim 146, further comprising:

defining the geographic boundary associated with the offer to include the entrance of the venue, wherein the offer relates to a venue attraction at a distance from the entrance.

149. The method of claim 146, further comprising:

monitoring the availability of a first attraction; and

if the first attraction becomes unavailable, broadcasting the offer for another venue attraction; and

defining the geographic boundary associated with the offer to include the first attraction.

150. The method of claim 146, further comprising:

monitoring a wait time at a first attraction;

if the wait time is above a predetermined amount, broadcasting the offer for a second venue attraction; and

defining the geographic boundary associated with the offer to include the first attraction.

151. A method of planning a visit to a venue through the reception of a venue specific transmission at a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving a venue transmission of information regarding the availability of a plurality of attractions at the venue;

receiving a venue transmission with the wait time for each of the plurality of attractions at the venue;

creating a list of available attractions;

determining a first location of the mobile device within the venue;

receive a user input identifying desired attractions within the list of available attractions;

removing all attractions from the list, if the attraction was not identified as a desired attraction;

determining the time required to reach each desired attraction from the first location of the mobile device;

determining a total visit time for each desired attraction by adding the time to reach the desired attraction to the received wait time;

selecting a first attraction having the minimum total visit time; and

displaying the selected attraction.

152. The method of claim 151, further comprising:

receiving age limit information regarding each of the plurality of attractions;

receiving an input of the mobile device user'"'"'s age; and

removing all attractions from the list that have an age limit higher than the mobile device user'"'"'s age.

153. The method of claim 151, further comprising:

removing the first attraction from the list;

determining the time required to visit each of the attractions remaining on the list from the location of the first attraction;

determining a total visit time for each attraction by adding the time required to visit an attraction with the wait time for the attraction;

determining a second attraction having a minimum total wait time; and

displaying the second attraction.

154. A method of indicating that a venue dedicated mobile device is outside the venue, the method comprising:

storing a defined first geographic area in the mobile device, the geographic area being within the venue;

determining the geographic location of the mobile device;

determining if the mobile device is located within the defined first area; and

signaling an alarm, if the mobile device is determined to be within the defined first area.

155. The method of claim 154, wherein the defined first area includes an exit of the venue.

156. The method of claim 154, wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes determining the location in terms of latitude and longitude.

157. The method of claim 155, wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes using GPS.

158. The method of claim 154, wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes:

receiving a venue signal transmission;

determining the strength of the venue signal transmission; and

wherein the first defined geographic area is defined based on signal strength of the venue transmission signal.

159. A method of indicating that a venue dedicated mobile device is outside the venue, the method comprising:

storing a defined central point of the venue;

storing a defined periphery of the venue;

determining the geographic location of the mobile device;

determining if the mobile device is located between the central point and the defined periphery; and

signaling an alarm, if the mobile device is determined to not be between the central point and the defined periphery.

160. The method of claim 159, wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes determining the location in terms of latitude and longitude.

161. The method of claim 160, wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes using GPS.

162. The method of claim 159, wherein determining the location of the mobile device includes:

receiving a venue signal transmission;

determining the strength of the venue signal transmission; and

wherein the periphery is defined based on signal strength of the venue transmission signal