Determining and Presenting Communication Device Proximity Information

• US 20100262361A1
• Filed: 06/22/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Matz, William
• Granted Patent: US 8,117,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/201
• 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 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

A location and mapping application takes device information and produces location information for display on a communication-enabled computing device (e.g., a personal digital assistant or wireless phone). A current location of a wireless device may be provided with an announcement of an incoming call or message and may be in the form of a street address or a map. Location information for a wired (or fixed-location) device may be provided in the form of a map. Location information for nearby wireless and wired devices may also be provided. Location information may be updated for wireless devices that are moving.

Claims

1. A method for providing proximity information associated with a first communications device, the method comprising:

during connection of a call between the first communication device and a second communications device, receiving a request for the proximity information associated with the first communications device; and

in response to the request;

determining a first location of the first communications device,

generating a map of an area surrounding the first location of the first communications device, the map comprising the first location of the first communications device, and

providing the map to the second communications device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the map comprises a second location of the second communications device and driving directions to the first communications device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the driving directions comprise a highlighted route on the map between the second location of the second communications device and the first location of the first communications device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a third location of a third communications device located nearest the second communications device; and

providing the third location of the third communications device on the map.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

determining information identifying a user associated with the third communications device; and

providing the information to the second communications device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting an updated first location of the first communications device; and

based on the first location and updated first location of the first communications device, determining a direction the first communications device is moving and a speed at which the first communications device is moving.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing an updated map showing the first communications device as the first communications device moves from the first location to the updated first location.

8. A system for providing proximity information, the system comprising:

memory for storing a program containing code for providing the proximity information; and

a processor functionally coupled to the memory, the processor being responsive to computer-executable instructions contained in the program and configured to;

receive a request from a first communications device for the proximity information associated with a second communications device located nearest the first communications device, and

in response to the request;

determine a first location of the second communications device located nearest the first communications device and information identifying a user associated with the second communications device, and

provide the first location of the second communications device located nearest the first communications device and the information to the first communications device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to:

generate a map of an area surrounding the first location of the second communications device located nearest the first communications device, the map comprising the first location of the second communications device; and

provide the map to the first communications device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the map comprises a second location of the first communications device and driving directions to the second communications device located nearest the first communications device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the driving directions comprise a highlighted route on the map between the second location of the first communications device and the first location of the second communications device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to:

request an updated first location of the second communications device; and

based on the first location and updated first location of the second communications device, determine a direction the second communications device is moving and a speed at which the second communications device is moving.

13. A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

during connection of a call between a first communication device and a second communications device, receive a request for the proximity information associated with the first communications device; and

in response to the request;

determine a first location of the first communications device,

generate a first map of an area surrounding the first location of the first communications device, the first map comprising the first location of the first communications device, and

provide the first map to the second communications device.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the first map comprises a second location of the second communications device and driving directions to the first communications device.

15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the driving directions comprise a highlighted route on the first map between the second location of the second communications device and the first location of the first communications device.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the computer to:

determine a third location of a third communications device located nearest the second communications device; and

provide the third location of the third communications device on the first map.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the computer to:

determine information identifying a user associated with the third communications device; and

provide the information to the second communications device.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the computer to:

request an updated first location of the first communications device; and

based on the first location and updated first location of the first communications device, determine a direction the first communications device is moving and a speed at which the first communications device is moving.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the computer to provide an updated first map showing the first communications device as the first communications device moves from the first location to the updated first location.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the first map is provided to the second communications device during a first period of time, and wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the computer to:

determine a third location of a third communications device located nearest the second communications device; and

provide the third location of the third communications device on a second map during a second period of time.