Locating device resources on a global scale
First Claim
1. A method for learning the physical location of a resource in communication with a network, the method comprising:
- (a) assigning to the resource a global resource locator (GRL) tag, the GRL tag including at least a description of the physical location of the resource, the description of the physical location including coordinates for the resource and at least one character, separate from the coordinates, indicating a coordinate system;
(b) communicating the GRL tag over the network; and
,(c) extracting the description of the physical location from the GRL tag.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A physical location is learned for a resource communicating with a network. A global resource locator (GRL) tag is assigned to the resource. The GRL tag includes at least a description of the physical location of the resource. The GRL tag is communicated over the network. A client receives the GRL tag and extracts the description of the location of the resource. The GRL tag may include a coordinate system and coordinates for the resource identifying the location of the resource. The GRL tag may also include a descriptive label of the resource. The GRL tag is either stored on the resource or in a list of resources on a server. GRL tags may be searched by applying user selected search criteria to the GRL tag. An example of user selected search criteria is a comparison of the location of the user to the location of the resource.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for learning the physical location of a resource in communication with a network, the method comprising:
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(a) assigning to the resource a global resource locator (GRL) tag, the GRL tag including at least a description of the physical location of the resource, the description of the physical location including coordinates for the resource and at least one character, separate from the coordinates, indicating a coordinate system; (b) communicating the GRL tag over the network; and
,(c) extracting the description of the physical location from the GRL tag.
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2. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning the GRL tag includes storing the GRL tag on the resource.
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3. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning the GRL tag includes storing the GRL tag in a list of resources on a server.
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4. The method of claim 1 wherein assigning the GRL tag includes providing a descriptive label of the resource in the GRL tag.
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5. The method of claim 1 further including applying user selected search criteria to the GRL tag.
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6. The method of claim 5 wherein the user selected search criteria includes a comparison of a location of the user to the location of the resource.
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7. A system for learning the physical location of a resource in communication with a network, the system comprising:
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(a) a network resource; (b) a client device; (c) a network for providing communication between the network resource and the client device; (d) a tag assignor configured to assign to the resource a global resource locator (GRL) tag, the GRL tag including at least a description of the physical location of the resource, the description of the physical location including coordinates for the resource and at least one character, separate from the coordinates, indicating a coordinate system; and
,(e) executable code, accessible by the client, configured to extract the description of the physical location from the GRL tag for the client.
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8. The system of claim 7 wherein the tag assignor includes means for storing the GRL tag on the resource.
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9. The system of claim 7 wherein the tag assignor includes:
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(a) a server; (b) a list of resources stored on the server; and
,(c) means for storing the GRL tag in the list of resources.
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10. The system of claim 7 wherein the tag assignor includes means for providing a descriptive label of the resource in the GRL tag.
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11. The system of claim 7 wherein the executable code is further configured to apply user selected search criteria to the GRL tag.
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12. The system of claim 11 wherein the user selected search criteria includes a comparison of a location of the user to the location of the resource.
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13. A program storage device readable by a computer, tangibly embodying a program, applet, or instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps for learning the physical location of a resource in communication with a network, the method steps comprising:
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(a) receiving a GRL tag communicated over the network, the GRL tag including at least a description of the physical location of the resource, the description of the physical location including coordinates for the resource and at least one character, separate from the coordinates, indicating a coordinate system; and
,(b) extracting the description of the physical location from the GRL tag.
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14. The program storage device of claim 13 wherein the method steps further include applying user selected search criteria to the GRL tag.
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15. The program storage device of claim 14 wherein the user selected search criteria includes a comparison of a location of the user to the location of the resource.
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16. The program storage device of claim 14 wherein method steps further include displaying to the user resource meeting the user selected search criteria.
Specification