Transmitting content to a mobile computing device

• US 7,873,372 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Creemer, David Z.
• Primary Examiner(s): Afshar; Kamran
• Application Number:
  US12/420,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20090275347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-456, 455/414.1, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/556.2, 701200-213, 34035706-35709, 340/450
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• 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: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A method and system for targeting content (e.g., a service or an advertisement) according to location-based information derived from a mobile wireless transceiver device. Position information as a function of time is used to calculate a rate of travel and a direction of travel. This information can be used to identify a likely mode of transportation. Geographical information can be used to further refine the mode of transportation. Thus, in addition to the position of the wireless transceiver devices, factors such as the rate of travel, the direction of travel and the likely mode of transportation are also considered to more precisely identify the appropriate service. Moreover, a potential destination can be predicted, allowing further refinement of the targeted service.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a memory configured to store historical position data for a mobile computing device;

a processor configured to receive current position data of the mobile computing device and to transmit content based on the historical position data and the current position data;

wherein the processor is further configured to select content to be displayed on the mobile computing device based on rate of travel data for the mobile computing device.

2. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising a receiver coupled to the processor adapted to receive position data.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein content is stored in memory and retrieved by the processor based on the current position data and the historical position data.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor generates content based on the current position data and the historical position data.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the content comprises an advertisement.

6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is part of the mobile computing device.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is a server computer remote from the mobile computing device.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to select the content based on the historical position data.

9. A computer system, comprising:

a memory configured to store user-specific data for a user of a mobile computing device;

a processor configured to receive current position data of the mobile computing device and to transmit content based on the user-specific data and the current position data;

wherein the processor is further configured to select the content based on rate of travel data for the mobile computing device.

10. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising a receiver coupled to the processor adapted to receive position data.

11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein content is stored in memory and retrieved by the processor based on the current position data and the user-specific data.

12. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the processor generates content based on the current position data and the user-specific data.

13. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the user-specific data comprises address book data.

14. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to select a service based on the user-specific data.

15. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to predict a destination of the mobile computing device and to transmit content to the mobile computing device based on the predicted destination.

16. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the content comprises an advertisement.

17. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the memory is configured to store user preferences, wherein the processor is configured to transmit content to the mobile computing device based on at least one of the user preferences.

18. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the computer system is a server computer remote from the mobile computing device.

19. A computer system associated with a service provider, comprising:

a server computer configured to determine that a mobile computing device is in the vicinity of the service provider using a communication link to the mobile computing device, wherein the server computer is configured to transmit content to the mobile computing device relating to a service provider;

wherein the server computer is further configured to receive calendar date information for the mobile computing device and select the content based at least in part on the calendar date information.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the service provider is a commercial business.

21. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the communication link is a wireless communication link.

22. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the server computer is configured to receive direction-based information for the mobile computing device and to transmit the content based on both the determination that the mobile computing device is in the vicinity of the service provider and on the direction-based information for the mobile computing device.

23. The computer system of claim 22, wherein the direction-based information comprises a direction of travel of the mobile computing device.

24. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the server computer is configured to receive rate of travel information for the mobile computing device and to transmit the content based further on the rate of travel information for the mobile computing device.

25. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the server computer is configured to generate the content.

26. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the server computer is configured to store user profile information for a user of the mobile computing device.

27. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the content comprises an advertisement.