Method and system for communicating with users of wireless devices when approaching a predetermined destination
First Claim
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1. A method, for communicating with a user of a wireless communication device, comprising:
- determining that the wireless communication device is separated from a known location of a selected entity by a pre-determined distance, in a determination act, wherein the predetermined distance is a positive, non-zero, value;
sending, in response to the determination act, a proximity alert to the wireless communication device while it is en route to and approaching the selected entity, prior to the wireless communication device arriving at the selected entity, wherein the proximity alert indicates that the wireless communication device is separated from the known location of the selected entity by the predetermined distance;
receiving, from the wireless communication device, while it is en route to and approaching the selected entity, and in response to the proximity alert sent to the wireless communication device, an express authorization communication authorizing sending of an alert to the selected entity advising the selected entity of the impending arrival of the wireless communication device to the selected entity; and
sending an alert to the selected entity only in response to;
the determination act; and
receiving the express authorization communication from the wireless communication device, while the wireless communication device is en route to and approaching the selected entity, thereby giving the user an option to not send an alert to the selected entity.
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Abstract
Using cell phones or other wireless devices to notify users of those devices of impending arrival at a selected customer location. The current location of the wireless device is determined and compared with the known location of the destination. When the wireless device is within a predetermined distance or at a predetermined estimated arrival time from the selected destination, an alert is sent to the wireless device and, if authorized, an alert also is sent to the destination. In response to the impending arrival, the destination may provide information for the user concerning offerings at that destination.
40 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, for communicating with a user of a wireless communication device, comprising:
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determining that the wireless communication device is separated from a known location of a selected entity by a pre-determined distance, in a determination act, wherein the predetermined distance is a positive, non-zero, value; sending, in response to the determination act, a proximity alert to the wireless communication device while it is en route to and approaching the selected entity, prior to the wireless communication device arriving at the selected entity, wherein the proximity alert indicates that the wireless communication device is separated from the known location of the selected entity by the predetermined distance; receiving, from the wireless communication device, while it is en route to and approaching the selected entity, and in response to the proximity alert sent to the wireless communication device, an express authorization communication authorizing sending of an alert to the selected entity advising the selected entity of the impending arrival of the wireless communication device to the selected entity; and sending an alert to the selected entity only in response to; the determination act; and receiving the express authorization communication from the wireless communication device, while the wireless communication device is en route to and approaching the selected entity, thereby giving the user an option to not send an alert to the selected entity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, for communicating with a user of a wireless communication device, containing instructions, executable by a processor to perform a method comprising:
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determining that the wireless communication device is separated from a known location of a selected entity, in a determination act, by less than a pre-determined distance, wherein the predetermined distance is a positive, non-zero, value; sending, in response to the determination act, a proximity alert to the wireless communication device while it is en route to and approaching the selected entity, prior to the wireless communication device arriving at the selected entity, wherein the proximity alert indicates that the wireless communication device is separated from the known location of the selected entity by the predetermined distance; receiving, from the wireless communication device, while it is en route to and approaching the selected entity, and in response to the proximity alert sent to the wireless communication device, an express authorization communication authorizing sending of an alert to the selected entity advising the selected entity of the impending arrival of the wireless communication device to the selected entity; and sending an alert to the selected entity only in response to; the determination act; and receiving the express authorization communication from the wireless communication device, while the wireless communication device is en route to and approaching the selected entity, thereby giving the user an option to not send an alert to the selected entity. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system, for communicating with a user of a wireless communication device, comprising:
a computing device programmed to; compare, in a comparison act, a present location of the wireless communication device and a known location of an entity selected by the user of the wireless communication device to determine whether the wireless device is separated by a predetermined distance from the known location of the selected entity, wherein the predetermined distance is a positive, non-zero, value; determine, in response to the comparison act, that the wireless communication device is separated from known location of the selected entity by the predetermined distance, in a determination act; produce a proximity alert when the present location is within the predetermine distance of the known location of the selected entity, the proximity alert indicating that the wireless communication device is within the predetermined distance; send, in response to the determination act, the proximity alert to the wireless communication device while it is en route to and approaching the selected entity, prior to the wireless communication device arriving at the selected entity, wherein the proximity alert indicates that the wireless communication device is separated from the known location of the selected entity by the predetermined distance; receive, from the wireless communication device, while it is en route to and approaching the selected entity, and in response to the proximity alert sent to the wireless communication device, an express authorization communication authorizing sending of an alert to the selected entity advising the selected entity of the impending arrival of the wireless communication device to the selected entity; and send an alert to the selected entity only in response to; the determination act; and receiving the express authorization communication from the wireless communication device, while the wireless communication device is en route to and approaching the selected entity, thereby giving the user an option to not send an alert to the selected entity. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification