Method and apparatus for geographic-based communications service
First Claim
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1. A system comprising:
- a wireless access point operable to communicate with a portable computing device in a wireless fashion, wherein the portable computing device is configured to transmit identification information indicating a user of the portable computing device, and wherein the access point is configured to detect the portable computing device and, after detection of the portable computing device, the wireless access point is further operable to receive the identification information transmitted by the portable computing device and transmit one or more advertisements of goods or services to the portable computing device in the wireless fashion, wherein the one or more advertisements includes an identification of a location relative to the wireless access point of a provider of the advertised goods or services, and wherein the one or more advertisements is dependent upon a known location of the wireless access point and the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit; and
a network, wherein one or more information providers are coupled to the network, and the network is operable to transmit the known location of the wireless access point and the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit to a first information provider of the one or more information providers, and wherein the network is operable to transmit the one or more advertisements to the wireless access point for wireless transmission to the portable computing device, wherein the one or more advertisements has been selected by the first information provider based on the known location of the wireless access point and the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit.
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Abstract
A geographic-based communications service system has a mobile unit for transmitting/receiving information, and access points connected to a network. The access points are arranged in a known geographic locations and transmit and receive information from the mobile unit. When one of the access points detects the presence of the mobile unit, it sends a signal to the network indicating the location of the mobile unit and the information requested by the mobile unit. Based on the signal received from the access point, the network communicates with information providers connected to the network and provides data to the mobile unit through the access point corresponding to the location of the mobile unit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a wireless access point operable to communicate with a portable computing device in a wireless fashion, wherein the portable computing device is configured to transmit identification information indicating a user of the portable computing device, and wherein the access point is configured to detect the portable computing device and, after detection of the portable computing device, the wireless access point is further operable to receive the identification information transmitted by the portable computing device and transmit one or more advertisements of goods or services to the portable computing device in the wireless fashion, wherein the one or more advertisements includes an identification of a location relative to the wireless access point of a provider of the advertised goods or services, and wherein the one or more advertisements is dependent upon a known location of the wireless access point and the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit; and a network, wherein one or more information providers are coupled to the network, and the network is operable to transmit the known location of the wireless access point and the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit to a first information provider of the one or more information providers, and wherein the network is operable to transmit the one or more advertisements to the wireless access point for wireless transmission to the portable computing device, wherein the one or more advertisements has been selected by the first information provider based on the known location of the wireless access point and the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request for information from a portable computing device; transmitting a known location of a wireless access point wirelessly communicating with the portable computing device and identification information indicating a user of the portable computing device, wherein the wireless access point is coupled to a network; and transmitting one or more advertisements of goods or services to the portable computing device, wherein the one or more advertisements includes an identification of a location relative to the wireless access point of a provider of the advertised goods or services, wherein the one or more advertisements is dependent upon the known location of the wireless access point and the identification information indicating the user of the mobile unit based on information stored at an information provider of the one or more advertisements. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A wireless communication device comprising:
a mobile unit comprising a wireless receiver and transmitter configured to receive and transmit information over a wireless communication link, wherein the wireless receiver and transmitter is operable to communicate with a wireless access point coupled to a network, and wherein the mobile unit is further configured to transmit identification information indicating a user of the portable computing device and receive information from the network and present content of the information to a user of the wireless communication device, wherein the content of the information is dependent upon a known location of the wireless access point wirelessly communicating with the wireless receiver and transmitter, and wherein the content of the information comprises one or more advertisements of goods or services and wherein the information includes an identification of a location relative to the wireless access point of a provider of the advertised goods or services, and wherein the one or more advertisements are dependent upon the known location of the wireless access point and identification information indicating the user of the portable computing device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification