METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION BASED ON A LOCATION

• US 20130065611A1
• Filed: 09/05/2012
• Published: 03/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: PARK, Kyong-ha, HONG, Hyun-su, ZHIDKOV, Sergey, CHEBAEV, Vladimir
• Granted Patent: US 9,268,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/18 using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing location information are provided. The method includes receiving data including reference sound information from at least one external device; receiving location information request data including sound information from the mobile device; detecting similar reference sound information to the sound information based on a comparison of the sound information to the reference sound information; determining location in formation of an external device that transmitted the similar reference sound information; and transmitting the determined location information to the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method of providing location information to a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving data including reference sound information from at least one external device;

receiving location information request data including sound information from the mobile device;

detecting similar reference sound information to the sound information based on a comparison of the sound information to the reference sound information;

determining location in formation of an external device that transmitted the similar reference sound information; and

transmitting the determined location information to the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one external device is located in a predetermined area based on most-recent location information of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference sound information is received from the at least one external device located in a predetermined area based on most-recent location information of the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information transmitted to the mobile device includes map information indicating a current location of the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving additional information from the at least one external device; and

transmitting the additional information to the mobile device,

wherein the additional information includes at least one of event information and coupon information.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the transmitting at least one of menu information related to the additional information and information related to the additional information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the similar reference sound information comprises:

comparing the sound information to the reference sound information having reception time information that is synchronized with time information indicating a time at which the sound information is received.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference sound information includes sound surrounding the at least one external device, and the sound information includes sound surrounding the mobile device.

9. A method of providing location information to a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving data including reference sound information from at least one external device;

receiving location information including sound information from a plurality of mobile devices;

comparing the sound information received from the plurality of mobile devices;

grouping mobile devices that have transmitted similar sound information, according to a result of the comparing the sound information;

detecting similar reference sound information based on a comparison of the reference sound information to the similar sound information grouped mobile devices;

determining location in formation of an external device that transmitted the similar reference sound information; and

transmitting the determined location information to each of the grouped mobile devices.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving additional information from the at least one external device; and

transmitting the additional information to each of the grouped mobile devices,

wherein the additional information includes at least one of event information and coupon information.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting at least one of menu information related to the additional information and information related to the additional information to each of the grouped mobile devices.

12. An apparatus for providing location information to a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

a communication unit for receiving data including reference sound information from at least one external device, receiving location information request data including sound information from the mobile device; and

a processor for detecting similar reference sound information to the sound information based on a comparison of the sound information to the reference sound information, and determining location information of an external device that transmitted the similar reference sound information,

wherein the communication unit transmits the determined location information to the mobile device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a storage unit for storing the data received from the at least one external device.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one external device is located in a predetermined area based on most-recent location information of the mobile device.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the reference sound information is received from the at least one external device located in a predetermined area based on most-recent location information of the mobile device.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the location information transmitted to the mobile device includes map information indicating a current location of the mobile device.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication unit receives additional information from the at least one external device, and transmits the additional information to the mobile device,

wherein the additional information includes at least one of event information and coupon information.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the communication unit transmits at least one of menu information related to the additional information and information related to the additional information.

19. An apparatus for providing location information to a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

a communication unit for receiving data including reference sound information from at least one external device, and receiving location information including sound information from a plurality of mobile devices; and

a processor for comparing the sound information received from the plurality of mobile devices, grouping mobile devices that have transmitted similar sound information, according to a result of the comparing the sound information, detecting similar reference sound information based on a comparison of the reference sound information to the similar sound information grouped mobile devices, and determining location in formation of an external device that transmitted the similar reference sound information,

wherein the communication unit transmits the determined location information to each of the grouped mobile devices.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a storage unit for storing the data received from the at least one external device.