Systems And Methods For Creating And Providing Location-Based Content

• US 20150018015A1
• Filed: 08/27/2014
• Published: 01/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TravelStorysGPS, LLC
• Original Assignee: TravelStorysGPS, LLC
• Inventors: Clark, Story, Quissek, Madeleine
• Granted Patent: US 8,965,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• 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 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/185 by embedding added-value information into content, e.g. geo-tagging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications

Abstract

A software product comprises instructions stored on non-transitory computer-readable media. The instructions, when executed by a computer, perform steps for providing a guided tour to a user via a mobile computing device. The steps include the step of playing a first data file on the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is at a first location, and the step of playing a second data file on the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is at a second location. A media file locally stored on the mobile computing device is automatically played after the playback of the first data file and before the playback of the second data file. The user is provided with an option to make a donation to an organization associated with the first location when the mobile computing device is at the first location.

Claims

1. A communications system, comprising:

a content providing device having a first processor in data communication with a first input device, a first output device, a first networking device, and a first non-transitory computer memory having a first program;

a user computing device having a second processor in data communication with a second input device, a second output device, a second networking device, a global positioning system, a short messaging service component, and a second non-transitory computer memory having a second program and a media file;

wherein the first non-transitory computer memory includes a first data file associated with a first location and a second data file associated with a second location;

wherein the first program and the second program collectively include instructions for;

(1) causing the content providing device to transmit the first data file to the user computing device when the user computing device is proximate the first location;

(2) causing the content providing device to transmit the second data file to the user computing device when the user computing device is proximate the second location;

wherein the second program includes instructions for;

(1) allowing a user of the user computing device to make a donation to an organization associated with the first location when the user computing device is at the first location; and

(2) automatically causing playback of the media file on the second output device after the first data file has been played on the second output device and before the second data file is played on the second output device.

2. The communications system of claim 1 wherein the second program activates the short messaging service component to enable the user to make the donation.

3. The communications system of claim 1 wherein the media file is one of a music file and a video file.

4. The communications system of claim 1, wherein:

the first non-transitory computer memory includes a third data file associated with a third location;

a network associated with the user computing device does not include data coverage at the third location; and

the first program and the second program collectively include instructions for causing the content providing device to transmit the third data file to the user computing device before the user computing device is proximate the third location.

5. The communications system of claim 4 wherein the second program includes instructions for purging the third data file from the second non-transitory computer memory after it has been played on the second output device.

6. The communications system of claim 4 further comprising a second user computing device;

and wherein;

the first non-transitory computer memory includes a fourth data file associated with the second location;

the content providing device transmits the fourth data file to the second user computing device when the second user computing device is proximate the second location, the fourth data file being distinct from the second data file.

7. The communications system of claim 6 wherein at least one of the user computing device and the second user computing device is a cell phone.

8. The communication system of claim 7 wherein the first data file comprises at least two of audio, video, and text.

9. The communications system of claim 8 wherein:

the first non-transitory computer memory includes a fourth data file associated with a fourth location;

the content providing device transmits the fourth data file to the second user computing device when the second user computing device is proximate the fourth location; and

the second user computing device transmits the fourth data file to the user computing device over a Bluetooth network.

10. A software product comprising instructions, stored on non-transitory computer-readable media, wherein the instructions, when executed by a computer, perform steps for providing a guided tour to a user via a mobile computing device, comprising:

playing a first data file on the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is at a first location;

playing a second data file on the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is at a second location;

playing a media file locally stored on the mobile computing device after the playback of the first data file and before the playback of the second data file; and

providing the user with an option to make a donation to an organization associated with the first location when the mobile computing device is at the first location.

11. The software product of claim 10 wherein each of the first data file and the second data file are automatically downloaded onto the mobile computing device before the commencement of the tour.

12. The software product of claim 10 wherein the first data file is automatically downloaded onto the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device is proximate the first location.

13. The software product of claim 12 wherein the first data file includes at least one of audio, video, and text.

14. The software product of claim 13 wherein the first data file is transmitted via a Bluetooth emitter from the mobile computing device to a second mobile computing device.

15. The software product of claim 10 wherein the playback of the first data file is triggered by a signal from a Bluetooth beacon at the first location.

16. A communications system, comprising:

a content providing device having a first processor in data communication with a first input device, a first output device, a first networking device, and a first non-transitory computer memory having a first program;

a user computing device having a second processor in data communication with a second input device, a second output device, a second networking device, a global positioning system, a short messaging service component, and a second non-transitory computer memory having a second program and a media file; and

wherein;

the first non-transitory computer memory includes a first data file geo-tagged to a first location and a second data file geo-tagged to a second location;

the first program and the second program collectively include instructions for;

(1) causing the content providing device to transmit the first data file to the user computing device when the user computing device is proximate the first location;

(2) causing the content providing device to transmit the second data file to the user computing device when the user computing device is proximate the second location; and

the second program includes instructions for;

(1) allowing a user of the user computing device to make a donation to an organization associated with the first location when the user computing device is at the first location; and

(2) setting an accuracy threshold and a recency threshold based on a mode of travel of the user.

17. The communications system of claim 16 wherein the content providing device comprises a server and the user computing device is one of a cell phone and a tablet.

18. The communications system of claim 17 further comprising a second user computing device for a second user;

and wherein the first data file is not transmitted to the second user computing device when the second computing device is proximate the first location if the first data file contains graphic content and the second user is a child.

19. The communications system of claim 16 wherein:

the second location is an airport; and

the second program further includes instructions for displaying a status of a flight of the user.

20. The communications system of claim 19 wherein the mode of travel comprises a walking mode and a driving mode, and wherein a value of the accuracy threshold for the walking mode is less than the value of the accuracy threshold for the driving mode.