Method and apparatus for a wireless telecommunication system that provides location-based messages

• US 6,611,687 B1
• Filed: 11/15/1999
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Clark, Doug, DiPatri, Nicholas James, Holmes, Michael Andrew, Matsuevich, Alex, Robinson, Mathew John
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thanh Cong
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARRY, ANDREW T
• Application Number:
  US09/440,046
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 701/202, 701/117, 701/209, 701/207, 701/208, 701/211, 701/213, 455/456, 455/457, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 455/456.5
• 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

Abstract

A wireless telecommunication system receives information from a wireless mobile unit and determines that the wireless mobile unit is within a designated region. Information specific to the designated region is received at a centrally located location-based message server. As the traveler enters the designated region, the wireless mobile unit then receives information specific to the designated region such as information relating to traffic problems or desired locations within the region. Alternatively, a problem is identified and designated as relating to a particular region, and wireless mobile units within the designated region are then identified so that information relating to the problem can be output thereto. As such, information specific to a region occupied to a traveler is received.

Claims

1. A location-based messaging method in a wireless communication network, comprising:

receiving information sent from a wireless mobile unit;

determining that the wireless mobile unit has entered a designated region based upon the received information;

outputting information relating to the designated region for the wireless mobile unit upon determining that the wireless mobile unit has entered the designated region; and

storing map information for the designated region, wherein the output information includes map information.

2. The location-based messaging method of claim 1, wherein the output information further includes traffic information.

3. The location-based messaging method of claim 1, wherein the output information further includes information relating to a problem within the designated region.

4. The location-based messaging method of claim 3, wherein the problem relates to a road closure within the designated region.

5. The location-based method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information relating to the designated region from an external source, wherein information relating to the received information is output to the wireless mobile unit.

6. The location-based messaging method of claim 5, wherein the information received is traffic information for the designated region.

7. The location-based messaging method of claim 5, wherein the information received is information indicative of a problem within the designated region.

8. A location-based messaging method in a wireless communication network, comprising:

receiving information sent from a wireless mobile unit;

determining that the wireless mobile unit has entered a designated region based upon the received information;

outputting information relating to the designated region for the wireless mobile unit upon determining that the wireless mobile unit has entered the designated region;

receiving information relating to the designated region from an external source, wherein information relating to the received information is output to the wireless mobile unit; and

storing map information for the designated region, wherein when the received information is indicative of a traffic problem within the designated region, an alternate route of travel is output to the wireless mobile unit.

9. The location-based messaging method of claim 8, wherein the designated region is a cell.

10. The location-based messaging method of claim 8, wherein the designated region is a sector of a cell.

11. The location-based messaging method of claim 8, further comprising:

in response to receiving information sent from the wireless terminal, determining a location of the wireless mobile unit.

12. The location-based messaging method of claim 8, wherein the information received from the wireless mobile unit includes a signal requesting specific information.

13. The location-based messaging method of claim 12, wherein the signal requests traffic information.

14. The location-based messaging method of claim 12, wherein the signal requests information relating to a particular road within the designated region.

15. The location-based messaging method of claim 12, wherein the signal requests information relating to a particular exit within the designated region.

16. The location-based messaging method of claim 12, wherein the signal requests information relating to stores within the designated region and wherein the output information includes locations of stores within the designated region.

17. The location-based messaging method of claim 16, wherein the stores are restaurants.

18. The location-based messaging method of claim 12, wherein the signal request information relating to fuel sources.

19. The location-based messaging method of claim 8, wherein the output information includes locations of fuel sources within the designated regions.

20. The location-based messaging method of claim 19, wherein the fuel sources are gas stations.

21. The location-based messaging method of claim 18, wherein the fuel sources are gas stations.

22. The location-based messaging method of claim 8, wherein the output information includes information relating to regions neighboring the designated region.

23. The location-based messaging method of claim 8, further comprising, prestoring information relating to a user of the wireless mobile unit, wherein the information is output upon the wireless mobile unit entering a region designated based upon the prestored information.

24. The location-based messaging method of claim 23, wherein the prestored information includes shopping information and the output information includes information relating to stores within the designated region.

25. The location-based messaging method of claim 23, wherein the prestored information includes a user profile and the output information includes information of a region including stores matching the user profile.

26. A location-based messaging method in a wireless communication network, comprising:

receiving information relating to a problem in a designated region of the wireless communication network;

identifying a wireless mobile unit located within the designated region;

outputting information, related to the problem within the designated region, for the wireless mobile unit located in the designated region; and

storing map information for the designated region, wherein the output information includes map information and wherein the output information is output to the wireless mobile unit.

27. The location-based messaging method of claim 26, wherein the received information relates to a traffic problem.

28. The location-based messaging method of claim 26, wherein a plurality of wireless mobile units within the designated region are identified and information is output to each of the designated region are identified and information is output to each of the identified wireless mobile units.

29. The location-based messaging method of claim 26, wherein the output information is traffic information.

30. The location-based messaging method of claim 26, wherein the problem relates to a road closure within the designated region.

31. The location-based messaging method of claim 26, wherein the designated region is a cell.

32. The location-based messaging method of claim 26, wherein the designated region is a sector of a cell.

33. The location-based messaging method of claim 26, wherein wireless mobile units located within the designated region or within a region neighboring the designated region are identified, and information is output to all identified wireless mobile units.

34. The location-based messaging method of claim 33, wherein the designated region is a cell.

35. The location-based messaging method of claim 33, wherein the designated region is a sector of a cell.

36. A location-based messaging method in a wireless communication network, comprising:

receiving information relating to a problem in a designated region of the wireless communication network;

identifying a wireless mobile unit located within the designated region;

outputting information, related to the problem within the designated region, for the wireless mobile unit located in the designated region; and

storing map information for the designated region, wherein when the received information is indicative of a traffic problem within the designated region, an alternate route of travel is output to the wireless mobile unit and wherein the output information is output to the wireless mobile unit.

37. A location-based messaging apparatus, comprising:

a controller adapted to receive information from a wireless mobile unit;

adapted to determine that the wireless mobile unit has entered a designated region based upon the received information; and

adapted to output information relating to the designated region for the wireless mobile unit, upon determining that the wireless mobile unit has entered the designated region; and

a memory, adapted to store map information for the designated region, wherein the output information includes map information.

38. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 37, wherein the output information relates to a problem within the designated region.

39. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 38, wherein the problem relates to a road closure within the designated region.

40. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 37, wherein the controller is further adapted to receive information relating to the designated region from an external source, and wherein information relating to the received information is output to the wireless mobile unit.

41. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 40, wherein the output information relates to a problem within the designated region.

42. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 40, wherein the information received is information indicative of a problem within the designated region.

43. A location-based apparatus, comprising:

a controller adapted to receive information from a wireless mobile unit;

adapted to determine that the wireless mobile unit has entered a designated region based upon the received information; and

adapted to output information relating to the designated region for the wireless mobile unit, upon determining that the wireless mobile unit has entered the designated region; and

a memory, adapted to store map information for the designated region, wherein when the received information is indicative of a traffic problem within the designated region, the controller is adapted to determine an alternate route of travel for output to the wireless mobile unit, wherein the controller is adapted to receive information relating to the designated region from an external source, and wherein information relating to the received information is output to the wireless mobile unit.

44. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 43, wherein the controller is adapted to determine a location of the wireless mobile unit in response to receiving the wireless mobile unit information, and is adapted to use the determined location in determining that the wireless mobile unit has entered the designated region.

45. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 43, wherein the received information relates to a traffic problem.

46. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 43, wherein the controller is further adapted to identify a plurality of wireless mobile units within the designated region and is adapted to output information to each of the identified wireless mobile units.

47. The location-based messaging apparatus of claim 43, wherein the problem relates to a road closure within the designated region.

48. A location-based messaging apparatus, comprising:

a controller, adapted to receive information relating to a problem in a designated region of the wireless communication network;

adapted to identify a wireless mobile unit located within the designated region; and

, adapted to output information, related to the problem within the designated region, for the wireless mobile unit; and

a memory, adapted to store map information for the designated region, wherein the output information includes map information.

49. A location-based apparatus in a wireless communication network, comprising:

a controller, adapted to receive information relating to a problem in a designated region of the wireless communication network;

adapted to identify a wireless mobile unit located within the designated region; and

, adapted to output information, related to the problem within the designated region, for the wireless mobile unit; and

a memory, adapted to store map information for the designated region, wherein when the received information is indicative of a traffic problem within the designated region, the controller is adapted to determine an alternate route of travel for output to the wireless mobile unit.