APPARATUS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING SPOT LOCATION IDENTIFICATION

• US 20150382144A1
• Filed: 06/30/2014
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: LOPEZ, Antonia J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,467,809 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds

Abstract

An approach is provided for identifying the location of a seat in a dark venue. A location identification platform determines the location of a user'"'"'s seat. The location identification platform then displays the route to a seat for the user which is used to help the user find their seat.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a location associated with a device, wherein the location is based on a communication site for the device, an assigned location of the device, or combination thereof;

determining that the device is not in a vicinity of the location;

receiving a request for the location from the device; and

activating a location beacon to indicate the location, wherein the location beacon is a physical beacon, a virtual beacon, or a combination thereof.

2. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting a navigation aid for directing a user of the device to the location beacon.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein presenting the navigation aid includes at least one of:

activating an intermediate path beacon;

pulsing a device buzzer and/or light indicator;

presenting a routing information;

modulating between an active state and an inactive state of the location beacon; and

selecting a substitute location beacon.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising initiating the activating of the location beacon based on at least one of:

determining that the communication site is different from the location;

determining that the device has departed the location; and

receiving a notification that the device has departed the location.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein the location includes a locking device to prevent other persons from using the location, further comprising:

activating the locking device based on a positive determination that the device is not in the vicinity of the location; and

deactivating the locking device based on a negative determination that the device is not in the vicinity of the location.

6. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a schedule for the location; and

associating the location to a device based on the schedule.

7. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the device is a subscriber; and

determining the location beacon based on the subscriber.

8. A method of claim 1, wherein the location beacon includes a light emitting diode (LED) with different colors and/or lighting patterns, a displayed symbol, a virtual beacon within a navigation application, a wireless beacon, or combination thereof.

9. An apparatus comprising a processor configured to:

receive a location associated with a device, wherein the location is based on a communication site for the device, an assigned location of the device, or combination thereof;

determine that the device is not in a vicinity of the location;

receive a request for the location from the device; and

activate a location beacon to indicate the location, wherein the location beacon is a physical beacon, a virtual beacon, or a combination thereof.

10. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is further configured to:

present a navigation aid for directing a user of the device to the location beacon.

11. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further configured to present the navigation aid includes at least one of:

activating an intermediate path beacon;

pulsing a device buzzer and/or light indicator;

presenting a routing information;

modulating between an active state and an inactive state of the location beacon; and

selecting a substitute location beacon.

12. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is further configured to initiate the activating of the location beacon based on at least one of:

determining that the communication site is different from the location;

determining that the device has departed the location; and

receiving a notification that the device has departed the location.

13. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the location includes a locking device to prevent other persons from using the location and the apparatus is further configured to:

activate the locking device based on a positive determination that the device is not in the vicinity of the location; and

deactivate the locking device based on a negative determination that the device is not in the vicinity of the location.

14. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is further configured to:

receive a schedule for the location; and

associate the location to a device based on the schedule.

15. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is further configured to:

determine the device is a subscriber; and

determine the location beacon based on the subscriber.

16. An apparatus of claim 9, wherein the location beacon includes a light emitting diode (LED) with different colors and/or lighting patterns, a displayed symbol, a virtual beacon within a navigation application, a wireless beacon, or combination thereof.

17. A system comprising:

a location identification platform configured to receive a location associated with a device, wherein the location is based on a communication site for the device, an assigned location of the device, or combination thereof;

to determine that the device is not in a vicinity of the location;

to receive a request for the location from the device; and

to activate a location beacon to indicate the location, wherein the location beacon is a physical beacon, a virtual beacon, or a combination thereof.

18. A system of claim 17, wherein the location identification platform is further configured:

to present navigation aid for directing a user of the device to the location beacon.

19. A system of claim 18, wherein the location identification platform is further configured to present the navigation aid including at least one of:

activating an intermediate path beacon;

pulsing a device buzzer and/or light indicator;

presenting a routing information;

modulating between an active state and an inactive state of the location beacon; and

selecting a substitute location beacon.

20. A system of claim 17, wherein the location identification platform is further configured to initiate the activating of the location beacon based on at least one of:

determining that the communication site is different from the location;

determining that the device has departed the location; and

receiving a notification that the device has departed the location.