System and method of obtaining and using a vehicle identifier for providing information to an end user

• US 8,941,485 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2011
• Issued: 01/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gamba Group Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Gamba Group Ltd
• Inventors: Mendelson, Ehud
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US12/932,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20150018011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,422 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.18, 340/572.1, 340/988, 340/995.1, 342/357.06, 342/357.13, 342/463, 342/464, 342/465, 701/211, 701/467, 701/468, 235/380, 235/382, 379/201.04, 379/207.12
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/02 Indoor
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0226 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/20 Destination assistance within a business structure or complex
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings

Abstract

A precise navigation system utilizing a fleet of deployed RF beacons and an associated application. The RF beacons are installed in known locations about a predefined facility area. The RF beacons emit either a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi beacon signal. An RF beacon identifier is encoded into the beacon signal. The location of the beacon is determined by using the beacon identifier in conjunction with a beacon location index. The location can be used to determine a location of the receiving mobile device, initiating conveyance of information associated with merchants in the proximate area, assistance for parking, etc. The system can be employed to assist in emergency conditions, obtaining road sign information, and other applications where RF beacons can transmit specific location based services and information.

Claims

1. A method of deploying an infrastructure enabling indoor and outdoor navigation and local based services (LBS) in a facility area needing precise location accuracy, the method comprises steps of:

a. installing a plurality of RF beacons within the facility area, each RF beacon being installed in a known position within the area/facility, each RF beacon representing an associated waypoint, collectively, the plurality of RF beacons providing the infrastructure for indoor and outdoor navigation and LBS applications;

b. downloading a map of the facility area into a mobile device, wherein the facility area map includes an RF beacon location index comprising a known list of an identifier (ID) of each RF beacon and an associated location of each respective RF beacon in the facility area;

c. determining a current location of the mobile device from beacon signals received from RF beacons located in a proximity of the mobile device;

d. displaying the position on the facility area map on the mobile device display;

e. navigating between waypoints associated with each RF beacon by using the facility area map; and

f. initiating receipt of local content, LBS services, and applications according to the current determined by at least one of;

the location of the mobile device, the RF beacon identifier (ID), and pre define preference encoded into the mobile device, whereby the content is deliver by a 3^rd party over at least one of an Internet and cellular communication network, thus ensuring the system delivers appropriate content associated with a proximity of the mobile device to the associated RF beacon,

wherein the RF beacon transmits the beacon signal in accordance with at least one of a Bluetooth protocol and a Wi-Fi protocol.

2. A method of personalizing delivery of content items according to claim 1 comprising:

a. determining the current location of the mobile device by at least one of;

decoding information received from each RF beacon in a proximity of the mobile device to determine the RF beacon identifier and utilizing the RF beacon identifier in conjunction with the RF beacon location index,

utilizing a signal strength of the beacon signal, and

utilizing triangulation of multiple received RF beacon signals;

b. decoding, storing, and utilizing a /profile key to determine marketing segments and behavior of a user;

c. determining content based upon the current location of the mobile device and information provided through the profile key and delivering content to the user; and

e. receiving navigation to a selected waypoint on the facility area map, wherein the selected waypoint is associated with the content, and the navigation, selected waypoint, and facility area map are displayed on a display of the mobile device.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying the information over a background image, wherein said background image is at least one of:

a facility area map, a GPS map, and a floor plan downloaded to the mobile device said background image contains known waypoints associated with each known RF beacon.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of initiating at least one application function associated with the user of a Bluetooth enable device with a special indoor local base services application said the application may include the following elements:

a. a map and indoor navigation feature comprising a step of navigating from one waypoint to a second waypoint on the facility area map, wherein the facility area map is one of a local mall map and a local merchant map, and wherein the one of the local mall map and the local merchant map is one of pre-downloaded from the Internet prior to arrival at the facility area and downloaded at the facility area;

b. a directory feature comprising a directory of merchants associated with facility area map, wherein the directory is stored on the mobile device and introduces at least one of;

a step of displaying the directory,

a step of searching the directory, and

a step of displaying information associated with each merchant at a location on the facility area map depicting each merchants actual location;

a. a search and find feature comprising steps of searching for at least one of a merchant, a location, an item allow search and find store/place/item products that are on the said directory and the list of waypoints/ tags/beacons include on the load map;

c. a sales and specials feature comprising steps of providing marketing incentives including discounts, sales, and coupons, and at least one of;

presenting marketing incentives to the user on the display of the mobile device, and

directing the user to a location of an item within the merchant'"'"'s store that is associated with the marketing incentives, and

selecting an item and directing the user to a location of the selected item within the merchant'"'"'s store,

wherein the marketing incentives are associated with merchants located proximate the location of the mobile device;

d. a parking feature comprising a step of guiding the user to a vacant parking space;

e. a return to parking feature comprising a step of guiding the user to a location of a parked car;

f. an information feature comprising a step of providing information respective to at least one of an event, a restroom, an automated teller machine (ATM) location, a seating area, a children'"'"'s playground, a fountain, and a public phone;

f. an emergency feature comprising a step of providing assistance to a user in an emergency condition wherein the assistance includes at least one of;

alerting the user of the emergency condition,

providing navigation instructions to the user to guide the user out of the facility during an emergency condition;

g. Panic—

a panic feature comprising a step of emitting an emergency locating signal to identify the location of the mobile device, wherein the emergency locating signal is a cyclically transmitted unidirectional transmission.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining the location of the mobile device is accomplished exclusive of any aid from a global positioning satellite system (GPS).

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of providing the /mobile phone with application software for navigation, wherein the navigation is displayed upon at least one of the pre-loaded facility area maps and a facility floor plan.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of providing navigation and an associated facility area map for navigating within the facility, wherein the facility is selected from a group of facilities comprising:

a mall, a department store, a specialty store, a conference, a trade show, an amusement park, a stadium, an arena, a sporting facility, a university, a hospital, a school, a municipal building, a financial institution, a museum, a subway, a cruise ship, a train station, an airport, a down town center, a parking facility, and any place where a global positioning system (GPS) is ineffective for determining a location of the mobile device.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a parking feature, wherein said parking feature comprising at least one of:

a step of identifying available parking spaces and providing navigation to the user to the available parking spaces, and

a step of navigating the user to a parking space where the user'"'"'s car is currently parked.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising steps of:

providing navigation within one of;

a museum, a conference, and an exhibition center;

receiving at least one of audio and visually presented information to the mobile device, wherein the at least one of audio and visually presented information conveys information associated with one of an event, a conference, and a display at the one of;

a museum, a conference, and an exhibition center.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of providing navigation to real estate being offered for at least one of sale, rent, and leasing, wherein said real estate is located in an area in a proximity of the location of the mobile device.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of providing navigation to the user through the user'"'"'s mobile device, wherein the navigation includes information associated with an amusement park, wherein the amusement park information includes at least one of:

waypoints associated with exhibit locations,

waypoints associated with attraction locations,

waypoints associated with restroom locations,

waypoints associated with food service provider locations,

information pertaining to wait times for rides,

information pertaining to a schedule of events at the facility,

information pertaining to wait times for attractions at the facility, and

a method for reducing a wait times for accessing an attraction at the facility.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a feature for supporting the user during an emergency condition, the feature comprising at least one of the following:

a step of notifying a user of an emergency condition,

a step of providing navigation to the user directing the user from the location of the mobile device and along an emergency exit route to an exit door to safely exit the facility, and

a step of identifying and tracking a location of at least one of a user and first response team member.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a public transportation assistance feature providing at least one of:

a step of informing the user of a current location of at least one of a train, a bus, and a subway train along a route, wherein the location of the at least one of a train, a bus, and a subway train is identified upon said facility area map on a display of the mobile device; and

a step of providing navigation within the facility, wherein the facility is at least one of a train station, a subway station, and a bus terminal;

a step of providing waypoint information associated with at least one of a restroom location and a food service provider location within the facility, wherein the facility is at least one of a train station, a subway station, and a bus terminal;

a step of providing navigation to at least one of a restroom location and a food service provider location within the facility, wherein the facility is at least one of a train station, a subway station, and a bus terminal; and

a step of providing navigation to the user directing the user from the location of the mobile device and along an emergency exit route to an exit to safely exit the facility, wherein the facility is at least one of a train station, a subway station, and a bus terminal.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a roadway driving assistance feature and a step of:

installing infrastructure comprising a series of RF beacons along a roadway, each RF beacon being located proximate a road sign; and

providing at least one of;

a step of conveying information associated with a road sign to the user'"'"'s mobile device, wherein the road sign is located proximate the location of the user'"'"'s mobile device,

a step of conveying information associated with a road sign to a receiving device in communication with a vehicle computer, wherein the road sign is located proximate the location of the user'"'"'s mobile device and the receiving device receives at least one of a Bluetooth signal and a Wi-Fi signal,

steps of conveying information associated with a road sign indicating a speed limit to a receiving device in communication with a vehicle computer, wherein the road sign is located proximate the location of the user'"'"'s mobile device, informing the user to adjust a vehicle speed to remain in accordance with the indicated speed limit.

15. A business model method according to claim 1, further comprising steps of:

a. providing the location of the mobile device to a 3^rd party; and

b. triggering a location based service (LBS) based on at least one of the location of the mobile device, a user'"'"'s behavior habit, and a preference/profile provide by the user, wherein the location based service (LBS) includes at least one of;

navigation, area information, an advertising special, a sale, a promotional event, a coupon and emergency information.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said facility area is associated with a hospitality environment, wherein said hospitality environment is at least one of a cruise ship, a resort area, and a resort hotel, the method further comprising a employing hospitality environment infrastructure, wherein the infrastructure comprises a plurality of RF beacons installed at known locations about the hospitality environment;

and

at least one of;

a step of providing navigation about the hospitality environment, and

a step of providing navigation to at least one of a merchant location, an event location, a restroom location and a food service provider location within the hospitality environment, and

a step of providing navigation to the user directing the user from the location of the mobile device, along an emergency exit route with the hospitality environment, and to a safe location associated with the hospitality environment.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising steps of:

storing the RF beacon location index on the mobile device;

accessing the RF beacon location index to determine a location of the RF beacon associated with a received beacon signal;

utilizing the RF beacon location index and location of the RF beacon associated with a received beacon signal to determine the location of the mobile device.

18. The method according to claim 1, further comprising steps of:

installing the infrastructure of RF beacons inside one of a store and a department store; and

at least one of;

utilizing the infrastructure of RF beacons inside one of a store and a department store to provide navigation on the mobile device to direct the user to a location of at least one of a product, a deal, and a special within the one of the store and the department store,

conveying marketing information to the mobile device and displaying the marketing information on a display of the mobile device to notify the user thereof, and

activating a location based service application, wherein the location based service application is associated with the one of the store and the department store proximate the location of the mobile device.