System and method for providing location-based and time-based information to a user of a handheld device

• US 6,947,976 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2000
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vindigo, Inc. (Forside Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Devitt, Jason Anthony, Joerg, David Stcey, McAuliffe, Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Donaghue, Larry D.
• Application Number:
  US09/629,568
• Time in Patent Office: 1,877 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 455/456.1, 455/404.2, 455/415, 709/219, 709/238, 709/250
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A system for providing to a user of a handheld device at least one of location-based information and time-based information includes a server assembly including (1) a server application and a server data storage medium; (2) activity site information periodically updated in the server data storage medium and pertaining to at least one activity site, the activity site information being correspondingly updated in a device data storage medium of the handheld device using a communication link between the handheld device and the server assembly; and (3) a client application on the handheld device adapted to (a) obtain reference location information identifying a reference location; (b) access the activity site information from the device data storage medium; (c) determine a relationship between the activity site information and the reference location, the relationship being at least one of a geographic relationship and a temporal relationship; (d) select at least a portion of the activity site information based on the relationship; and (e) present the portion to the user with reference to the relationship.

Claims

1. A system for providing to a user of a handheld device at least one of location-based information and time-based information, comprising:

a) a server assembly comprising a server application and a server data storage medium;

b) activity site information periodically updated in said server data storage medium and pertaining to at least one activity site;

c) said activity site information being correspondingly updated in a device data storage medium of said handheld device using a communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly; and

d) a client application on said handheld device adapted to;

i) obtain reference location information identifying a reference location;

ii) access said activity site information from said device data storage medium;

iii) determine a relationship between said activity site information and said reference location, said relationship being at least one of a geographic relationship and a temporal relationship,

iv) select at least a portion of said activity site information based on said relationship;

v) present said portion of said activity site information to said user with reference to said relationship; and

vi) obtain a user contribution comprising at least one of;

a) a user annotation comprising a statement of said user pertaining to said activity site; and

b) a user addition comprising information pertaining to a user-added activity site.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a) said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly is a server-device communication link comprising a host computer assembly having;

i) a server-computer communication link to said server assembly,

ii) a computer-device communication link to said handheld device, and

iii) a computer application;

a) said server application is adapted to transmit said activity site information from said server data storage medium to said host computer using said server-computer communication link;

b) said computer application is adapted to transmit said activity site information to said handheld device using said computer-device communication link; and

c) said client application is adapted to store said activity site information in said device data storage medium.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said reference location information comprises at least one of:

a) a geographical-temporal location identifier provided by said user;

b) a geographical location of at least one of said user and said handheld device; and

c) a temporal location of at least one of said user and said handheld device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is further adapted to:

a) generate additional activity site information using at least one of said activity site information, said reference location information, said reference location, said geographic relationship, said temporal relationship, demographic information of said user, a preference of said user, a characteristic of said user, a characteristic of said handheld device, data stored in said server data storage medium, and data stored in said device data storage medium; and

b) present said additional activity site information to said user.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said client application is further adapted to:

a) obtain an additional activity site information request from said user; and

b) generate said additional activity site information in response to said additional activity site information request.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein:

a) said activity site information comprises an activity site location;

b) said additional activity site information comprises directions for traveling between said reference location and said activity site location; and

c) said additional activity site information request comprises a request for said directions.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein:

a) said activity site information comprises an activity site location; and

b) said additional activity site information comprises directions for traveling between said reference location and said activity site location.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said client application is further adapted to determine a route between said reference location and said activity site location.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said client application is adapted to present said directions in at least one of a textual format, a graphical format, and an audio format.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is further adapted to provide a provision means for said user to provide said reference location information to said client application.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said provision means comprises at least one of a menu, a list, a text input line, and a graphic.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said client application is adapted to provide a selection means for said user to select a geographical-temporal location identifier from at least one of a plurality of geographical location identifiers and a plurality of temporal location identifiers.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said reference location information comprises at least one of a time identifier, a global position identifier, a neighborhood identifier, an intersection identifier, a postal address identifier, a street identifier, a transit station identifier, a landmark identifier, and a building identifier.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said client application is adapted to:

a) provide a first street selection means for said user to select a first street identifier identifying a first street from a plurality of first street identifiers; and

b) provide an intersecting street selection means for said user to select an intersecting street identifier from a plurality of intersecting street identifiers each identifying a street intersecting said first street.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

a) said client is adapted to provide a neighborhood selection means for said user to select a neighborhood identifier identifying a neighborhood from a plurality of neighborhood identifiers; and

b) none of said plurality of first street identifiers identifies a street completely outside of said neighborhood.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said client is adapted to select a default first street identifier from said plurality of first street identifiers and a default intersecting street identifier from said plurality of intersecting street identifiers.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said neighborhood is characterized by an intersection of a street identified by said default first street identifier and a street identified by said default intersecting street identifier.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is adapted to determine at least one of a handheld device location of said handheld device and a user location of said user.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said client application is adapted to use at least one of a component of a global positioning system and a component of a time-keeping system.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is adapted to provide a user contribution means for said user to provide said user contribution to said client application.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said user contribution means comprises at least one of a menu, a list, a text input line, and a graphic.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is further adapted to store said user contribution in said device data storage medium.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said client application is further adapted to append said user contribution to said activity site information with reference to at least one of said activity site and said user-added activity site.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein said client application is further adapted to provide a viewing means for said user to selectively view said user contribution.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said client application is further adapted to notify said user, when said user is not viewing said user contribution, that said user contribution exists.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said client application is further adapted to transmit said user contribution to said server assembly using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said server application is further adapted to:

a) receive a plurality of user contributions from a plurality of handheld devices;

b) store said plurality of user contributions in said server data storage medium;

c) analyze said user contributions to obtain at least one analysis result; and

d) transmit said analysis result to at least one of;

i) at least one of said plurality of handheld devices, using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly, another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly, and a communication link between said server assembly and said at least one of said plurality of handheld devices; and

ii) at least one other handheld device not included in said plurality of handheld devices, using a communication link between said server assembly and said at least one other handheld device.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein said server application is further adapted to store said user contribution in said server data storage medium.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said server application is further adapted to append said user contribution to said activity site information with reference to at least one of said activity site and said user-added activity site.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein:

a) said server application is further adapted to transmit, to a second handheld device using a communication link between said server assembly and said second handheld device, said user contribution; and

b) further comprising on said second handheld device a second client application adapted to store said user contribution in a second device data storage medium of said second handheld device.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is further adapted to update on said handheld device at least one of:

a) at least a portion of said activity site information; and

b) at least a portion of said client application.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said client application is adapted to accomplish at least one of:

a) deleting said portion of said client application;

b) replacing said portion of said client application with replacement client application data;

c) appending supplemental client application data to said portion of said client application;

d) deleting said portion of said activity site information to be updated;

e) replacing said portion of said activity site information to be updated with replacement activity site information; and

f) appending supplemental activity site information to said portion of said activity site information to be updated.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein said client application is further adapted to:

a) receive a data structure from said server assembly using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly, said data structure comprising instructions for applying a modification to said client application; and

b) use said data structure to apply said modification to said client application.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein:

a) said server application is further adapted to;

i) receive a designation identifier from said handheld device using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly, said designation identifier identifying said portion of said client application to be updated, and

ii) use said designation identifier to select said data structure; and

b) said client application is further adapted to;

i) obtain said designation identifier from said user by providing a designation means for said user to provide said designation identifier to said client application, and

ii) transmit said designation identifier to said server assembly using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is further adapted to:

a) obtain a requested information identifier by providing an information request means for said user to provide a requested information identifier identifying said portion; and

b) use said requested information identifier to select said portion.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said client application is adapted to use at least one of:

a) a search engine adapted to search said activity site information, and

b) a sorting engine adapted to sort said activity site information.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein:

a) said client application is further adapted to transmit, to a second handheld device using a communication link between said handheld device and said second handheld device, transfer data comprising at least one of;

i) at least a portion of a user annotation comprising a statement of said user pertaining to said activity site,

ii) at least a portion of a user addition comprising information pertaining to a user-added activity site,

iii) at least a portion of said activity site information, and

iv) at least a portion of said client application;

b) said second handheld device being adapted to store said transfer data in a second device data storage medium of said second handheld device.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein said communication link between said handheld device and said second handheld device comprises at least one of an infrared port and a short range radio signal link.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein said transfer data cannot be updated on said second handheld device prior to a registration of a second user of said second handheld device.

40. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is adapted to use at least one of said reference location information, said reference location, said geographic relationship, said temporal relationship, demographic information of said user, a preference of said user, a characteristic of said user, a characteristic of said handheld device, data stored in said server data storage medium, and data stored in said device data storage medium to select said portion of said activity site information.

41. The system of claim 1, wherein said client application is further adapted to maintain on said handheld device at least one historical record pertaining to at least one of:

a) a request of said client application by said user,

b) a presentation of information by said client application to said user,

c) an interaction between said user and at least one of said client application and said handheld device,

d) an interaction between said client application and at least one of said handheld device and said server assembly, and

e) an interaction between said handheld device and said server assembly.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said historical record comprises at least one of a date stamp, a time stamp, a demographic tuple identifier, a session identifier, an event type identifier, a context integer identifier and a context string identifier.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein said client application is further adapted to use at least one of said historical record, said reference location information, said reference location, said geographic relationship, said temporal relationship, demographic information of said user, a preference of said user, a characteristic of said user, a characteristic of said handheld device, data stored in said server data storage medium, and data stored in said device data storage medium to present to said user at least one of an advertisement, a recommendation, a suggestion, and a warning.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein:

a) said client application is further adapted to transmit at least a portion of said historical record to said server assembly using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly; and

b) said server application is further adapted to store said portion of said historical record in said server data storage medium.

45. A system for providing to a user of a handheld device at least one of location-based information and time-based information, comprising:

a) a server assembly comprising a server data storage medium;

b) activity site information periodically updated in said server data storage medium and pertaining to at least one activity site;

c) a server application on said server assembly adapted to;

i) receive reference location from said handheld device using a communication link between said server assembly and said handheld device, said reference location information identifying a reference location,

ii) access said activity site information from said server data storage medium,

iii) determine a relationship between said activity site information and said reference location, said relationship being at least one of a geographic relationship and a temporal relationship,

iv) select at least a portion of said activity site information based on said relationship, and

v) transmit said portion to said handheld device using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly; and

d) a client application on said handheld device adapted to;

i) obtain said reference location information,

ii) transmit said reference location information to said server assembly using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly,

iii) receive said portion of said activity site information from said server assembly using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly, and

iv) present said portion of said activity site information to said user with reference to said relationship;

e) wherein client application is further adapted to obtain a user contribution comprising at least one of;

i) a user annotation comprising a statement of said user pertaining to said activity site; and

ii) a user addition comprising information pertaining to a user-added activity site.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein said reference location information comprises at least one of:

a) a geographical-temporal location identifier provided by said user;

b) a geographical location of at least one of said user and said handheld device; and

c) a temporal location of at least one of said user and said handheld device.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein said reference location information comprises at least one of a time identifier, a global position identifier, a neighborhood identifier, an intersection identifier, a postal address identifier, a street identifier, a transit station identifier, a landmark identifier, and a building identifier.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein said client application is adapted to provide a user contribution means for said user to provide said user contribution to said client application.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein said user contribution means comprises at least one of a menu, a list, a text input line, and a graphic.

50. The system of claim 45, wherein said client application is further adapted to transmit said user contribution to said server assembly using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein said server application is further adapted to:

a) receive a plurality of user contributions from a plurality of handheld devices;

b) store said plurality of user contributions in said server data storage medium;

c) analyze said user contributions to obtain at least one analysis result; and

d) transmit said analysis result to at least one of;

i) at least one of said plurality of handheld devices, using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly, another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly, and a communication link between said server assembly and said at least one of said plurality of handheld devices; and

ii) at least one other handheld device not included in said plurality of handheld devices, using a communication link between said server assembly and said at least one other handheld device.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein said server application is further adapted to store said user contribution in said server data storage medium.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein said server application is further adapted to append said user contribution to said activity site information with reference to at least one of said activity site and said user-added activity site.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein:

a) said server application is further adapted to transmit said user contribution to a second handheld device using a communication link between said server assembly and said second handheld device; and

b) further comprising on said second handheld device a second client application adapted to receive said user contribution from said server assembly using said communication link between said server assembly and said second handheld device.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein:

a) said server application is further adapted to transmit said user contribution to said handheld device using at least one of said communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly and another communication link between said handheld device and said server assembly; and

b) said client application is further adapted to provide a viewing means for said user to view said user contribution.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein said client application is further adapted to notify said user, when said user is not viewing said user contribution, that said user contribution exists.