Method for routing data packets using an IP address based in GEO position

• US 6,980,566 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2001
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lightwaves Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Lightwaves Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Melick, Bruce D., Snyder, David M., Baych, Leslie D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzlo, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILLS, DONALD L
• Application Number:
  US09/803,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20010036183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,755 Days
• Field of Search: 370/389, 370/392, 370/395.1, 370/395.52, 370/395.54, 370/471, 370/475
• US Class Current: 370/471
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/604 Address structures or formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/02 Topology update or discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/122 by minimising distances, e.g. by selecting a route with minimum of number of hops
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/35 involving non-standard use of addresses for implementing network functionalities, e.g. coding subscription information within the address or functional addressing, i.e. assigning an address to a function
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]

Abstract

Method of routing data over a network in which contact is made with a home network to determine the reported geo-position, using this geo-position to transmit data to the device over a path through a node in which the node reads the geo-position, accesses a list of possible recipients and their geo-positions, compares its location to the positions, selects a recipient based at least in part on the proximity of the recipient to the device, and transmits the data over the best path. Eventually, the device becomes the recipient. A geo-position may be transmitted as part of an IP address. The geo-position information can be generated from a GPS receiver. This method and/or IP address may be used in a method of doing business in which the geo-position is used to identify the source and location for delivery. This information may be incorporated into a purchase order or confirmation receipt.

Claims

1. A method of routing data stored on a first device over a telecommunications network to a second device wherein the transmission path is based in part on geographic position, the method comprising:

contacting a second device'"'"'s home network server over the transmission path between the first device and the second device'"'"'s home network server, wherein the second device geographic position is stored on the home network server and periodically updated as location of the second device changes;

sending a request from the first device for the second device geographic position to the home network server;

receiving at the first device, the second device geographic position from the home network server over the transmission path into memory;

transmitting the data and second device geographic position from the first device over the transmission path to a node having a node geographic position, wherein the node reads the second device geographic position, accesses a recipient geographic position for possible recipients, accesses the node geographic position, compares the node geographic position with the second device geographic position and selects a recipient based at least in part on the geographic proximity of the recipient to the second device; and

transmitting the data from the node to the recipient over the transmission path.

2. The method of routing data stored on a first device over a telecommunications network to a second device wherein the transmission path is based in part on geographic position of claim 1 wherein the transmission path is wired.

3. The method of routing data stored on a first device over a telecommunications network to a second device wherein the transmission path is based in part on geographic position of claim 1 wherein the transmission path is wireless.

4. The method of routing data stored on a first device over a telecommunications network to a second device wherein the transmission path is based in part on geographic position of claim 1 wherein the transmission path includes wireless and wired portions.

5. The method of routing data stored on a first device over a telecommunications network to a second device wherein the transmission path is based in part on geographic position of claim 1 wherein the second device geographic position is transmitted as at least a part of an internet protocol address.

6. The method of routing data stored on a first device over a telecommunications network to a second device wherein the transmission path is based in part on geographic position of claim 1 wherein the second device geographic position is supplemented with a device identifier and wherein the device identifier identifies the second device in a manner independent from the geographic position of the second device.

7. The method of routing data stored on a first device over a telecommunications network to a second device wherein the transmission path is based in part on geographic position of claim 1 wherein the second device is the recipient.