Providing information to a computing device based on known location and user information

• US 20040186902A1
• Filed: 02/11/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wayport, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wayport, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stewart, Brett B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,417,763 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0254 based on statistics
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8033 location-dependent, e.g. business or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7435 Location dependent, e.g. Bussiness or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

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.

Claims

1. A method for providing geographic-based information, the method comprising:

determining a geographic location of a computing device;

transmitting information to the computing device, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon the geographic location of the computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the content includes weather information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving identification information indicating a user of the computing device; and

wherein the content of the information is dependent upon demographic information of the user of the computing device.

4. The method of claim 3,

wherein the demographic information indicates the content is desired by the user.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

the computing device transmitting information indicating a user of the computing device.

6. The method of claim 1,

wherein said determining the geographic location comprises receiving information regarding a geographic location of an access point communicating with the computing device.

7. The method of claim 6,

wherein the geographic location of the access point is determined by accessing a management information base (MIB), wherein the MIB comprises information including the geographic location of the access point.

8. The method of claim 7,

wherein the access point comprises a portion of the MIB, wherein the portion comprises information including the geographic location of the access point.

9. The method of claim 6,

wherein the geographic location of the access point is determined by its proximity to another geographic location.

10. The method of claim 1,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

11. A geographic-based network system, comprising:

a computing device;

a network;

an information provider coupled to the network, wherein the information provider is operable to transmit information to the computing device, wherein a content of said information is dependent upon a geographic location of the computing device.

12. The geographic-based network system of claim 11, wherein the computing device is configured to transmit information indicating a user of the computing device.

13. The geographic-based network system of claim 12,

wherein the content is dependent upon demographic information of the user of the computing device.

14. The geographic-based network system of claim 11, further comprising:

one or more access points of access points coupled to said network and arranged at geographic locations in a geographic region, wherein the geographic location of the computing device comprises a geographic location of a first access point communicating with the computing device.

15. The geographic-based network system of claim 14, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the network, wherein the memory includes the geographic location of the first access point.

16. The geographic-based network system of claim 11, wherein the content includes weather information.

17. The geographic-based network system of claim 11,

wherein the content is dependent upon a destination;

wherein the content includes itinerary information indicating a route from the geographic location of the computing device to the destination.

18. The geographic-based network system of claim 13, wherein the demographic information indicates the content is desired by the user.

19. The geographic-based network system of claim 14, wherein the geographic location of the first access point is determined by its proximity to another geographic location.

20. The geographic-based network system of claim 11,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

21. A method for providing geographic-based information, the method comprising:

determining a geographic location of a computing device;

receiving identification information indicating a user of the computing device; and

transmitting information to the computing device, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon the geographic location of the computing device and demographic information of the user of the computing device.

22. The method of claim 21,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

23. A method of providing geographic-based information, the method comprising:

receiving identification information indicating a user of a computing device;

receiving geographic location information of the computing device;

selecting information dependent upon the geographic location information and past transactions of the user of the computing device; and

transmitting the selected information to the computing device.

24. The method of claim 23,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

25. A geographic-based information system, comprising:

a computing device;

a network;

one or more information providers coupled to said network;

one or more access points coupled to said network and arranged at geographic locations in a geographic region, wherein a first access point of said one or more access points in proximity to said computing device is operable to communicate with the computing device, wherein a geographic location of said first access point is transmitted to at least one information provider;

wherein the at least one information provider selects information to provide to the computing device, wherein a content of the information is based on the geographic location of said first access point;

wherein said information is provided through said network and through said first access point to said computing device.

26. The geographic-based information system of claim 25, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the network which comprises geographic location information comprising geographic locations of each of at least a subset of the one or more access points.

27. The geographic-based information system of claim 25, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the network which comprises geographic location information comprising a local map of an area of each of at least a subset of the one or more access points.

28. The geographic-based information system of claim 25,

wherein the network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

29. The geographic-based information system of claim 25,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

30. A method of providing a geographic-based information in a geographic-based communication system, wherein the geographic-based communication system uses a geographic location of a first access point of one or more access points to service one or more users in a vicinity of the first access point, the method comprising:

a computing device establishing a connection with the first access point;

identifying a user of the computing device in response to said establishing;

determining the geographic location of the first access point;

providing the geographic location of the first access point to an information provider;

transmitting information to the computing device, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon the geographic location of the first access point.

31. The method of claim 30,

wherein said determining includes using a management information base (MIB), wherein the MIB comprises information including the geographic location of the first access point.

32. The method of claim 30,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

33. A method of providing a geographic-based information in a geographic-based communication system, wherein the geographic-based communication system uses a geographic location of a first access point of one or more access points to service one or more users in a vicinity of the first access point, the method comprising:

a computing device establishing a connection with the first access point, wherein said establishing includes identifying a user of the computing device;

determining the geographic location of the first access point;

providing the geographic location of the first access point to an information provider;

transmitting information to the computing device, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon the geographic location of the first access point.

34. The method of claim 33,

wherein said determining includes using a management information base (MIB), wherein the MIB comprises information including the geographic location of the first access point.

35. The method of claim 33,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

36. A method of providing geographic-based information, the method comprising:

receiving a geographic location of a computing device;

selecting information dependent upon the geographic location the computing device; and

transmitting the selected information to the computing device.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

receiving a destination;

wherein the selected information comprises an itinerary, wherein the itinerary indicates a route from the geographic location of the computing device to the destination.

38. The method of claim 36,

wherein the selected information includes weather information.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

receiving an identification information indicating a user of the computing device;

wherein said selecting information is dependent upon the identification information.

40. The method of claim 39,

wherein the identification information indicates a profile of the user;

wherein said selecting information is dependent on the profile of the user.

41. The method of claim 36,

wherein the selected information includes a map.

42. The method of claim 36,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

43. A method of providing a geographic-based information in a geographic-based communication system, wherein the geographic-based communication system uses a geographic location of a computing device a vicinity of a first access point of one or more access points, the method comprising:

the computing device establishing a connection with the first access point;

determining the geographic location of the computing device;

providing the geographic location of the computing to an information provider;

transmitting information to the computing device, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon the geographic location of the computing device.

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

receiving a destination;

wherein the content indicates a route from the geographic location of the computing device to the destination.

45. The method of claim 43,

wherein the content includes weather information.

46. The method of claim 43,

wherein said establishing includes identifying a user of the computing device;

wherein the content is dependent upon said identifying the user.

47. The method of claim 46,

wherein said identifying the user indicates a profile of the user;

wherein the content is dependent on the profile of the user.

48. The method of claim 46,

wherein said identifying the user indicates past transactions of the user;

wherein the content is dependent on the past transactions of the user.

49. The method of claim 46,

wherein said identifying the user indicates a profile of the user;

wherein the profile of the user indicates the content is desired by the user.

50. The method of claim 43, further comprising:

receiving an identification information indicating a user of the computing device.

51. The method of claim 50,

wherein the identification information indicates a profile of the user;

wherein the content is dependent on the profile of the user.

52. The method of claim 50,

wherein the identification information indicates past transactions of the user;

wherein the content is dependent on the past transactions of the user.

53. The method of claim 50,

wherein the identification information indicates a profile of the user;

wherein the profile of the user indicates the content is desired by the user.

54. The method of claim 43,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

55. The method of claim 43,

wherein the geographic location of the computing device comprises a geographic location of the first access point;

wherein the content is dependent upon the geographic location of the first access point.

56. The method of claim 55,

wherein said determining includes using a management information base (MIB), wherein the MIB comprises information including the geographic location of the first access point.

57. The method of claim 56,

wherein the access point includes a memory comprising information of the MIB,

wherein the memory comprises information including the geographic location of the access point.

58. The method of claim 57,

wherein said determining includes the computing device querying the first access point and the first access point responding to the querying with the geographic location of the computing device;

wherein said providing includes the computing device providing the geographic location of the computing device.

59. The method of claim 55,

wherein the geographic location of the first access point is determined by its proximity to another geographic location.

60. The method of claim 43,

wherein said transmitting includes the information provider transmitting the information through a network.

61. The method of claim 60,

wherein said transmitting includes transmitting the information through the first access point.

62. The method of claim 60,

wherein the network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

63. A method of using geographic locations of one or more access points to service one or more users who are in a vicinity of the one or more access points, the method comprising:

a computing device establishing a connection with one of the one or more access points;

providing a geographic location of said one of said one or more access points to an information provider after said establishing;

receiving information from the information provider, wherein the information is dependent upon the geographic location of said one of said one or more access points; and

transmitting the information to the portable computing device through said one of said one or more access points, wherein the information is transmitted to the computing device.

64. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

the information provider selecting said information based upon the known location of said one of said one or more access points, wherein said selecting is performed prior to said transmitting.

65. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

the computing device transmitting a message indicating presence of said computing device within a vicinity of said one of said one or more access points;

the information provider determining if a service is required upon detection of said message; and

the information provider initiating provision of said service in response to the information provider determining that a service is required.

66. The method of claim 63, wherein said information comprises travel information.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the travel information indicates a route from the geographic location of said one of said one or more access points to a destination.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein said information comprises a nearest location of a service provider relative to said one of said one or more access points.

69. The method of claim 63,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

70. A carrier medium for carrying signals in a geographic-based communications service system, wherein the carrier medium is operable to carry:

a geographic location of the computing device as indicated by a first access point in the geographic-based communications service system communicating with the computing device; and

information which is provided to the computing device, wherein the information is dependent upon the geographic location of the portable computing device.

71. The carrier medium of claim 70, wherein said information comprises promotion information;

wherein the promotion information comprises promotions of one or more providers of goods or services proximate to the geographic location of the computing device.

72. The carrier medium of claim 70, wherein the information comprises travel information.

73. The carrier medium of claim 72, wherein the travel information indicates a route from the geographic location of the computing device to a destination.

74. The carrier medium of claim 70, wherein the information comprises a nearest location of a service provider relative to the geographic location of the computing device.

75. The carrier medium of claim 70, wherein the carrier medium comprises an electrical transmission medium.

76. The carrier medium of claim 70, wherein the information comprises weather information.

77. The carrier medium of claim 70,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

78. A geographic-based information system, comprising:

one or more information providers operable to be coupled to a network, wherein at least one information provider is operable to receive a geographic location of a computing device;

wherein the at least one information provider provides information through the network to the computing device after receiving the geographic location of the computing device, wherein the at least one information provider selects said information dependent upon the geographic location of the computing device.

79. The geographic-based information system of claim 78,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

80. The geographic-based information system of claim 78,

wherein said information includes weather information.

81. The geographic-based information system of claim 78,

wherein said information includes travel information.

82. The geographic-based information system of claim 78,

wherein said information includes a nearest location of a service provider relative to the geographic location of the computing device.

83. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 78,

wherein the network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

84. A geographic-based information system, comprising:

a network;

one or more access points coupled to the network;

one or more information providers operable to be coupled to the network, wherein at least one information provider is operable to receive a geographic location of a first access point of one or more access points;

wherein the at least one information provider provides information through the network to a computing device after receiving the geographic location of the first access point, wherein the computing device is in a vicinity of the first access point, wherein the at least one information provider selects said information dependent upon the geographic location of the first access point.

85. The geographic-based information system of claim 84,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

86. The geographic-based information system of claim 84,

wherein said information includes weather information.

87. The geographic-based information system of claim 84,

wherein said information includes travel information.

88. The geographic-based information system of claim 84,

wherein said information includes a nearest location of a service provider relative to the geographic location of the first access point.

89. The geographic-based information system of claim 84, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the network which comprises geographic location information comprising a local map of an area of each of at least a subset of the one or more access points.

90. The geographic-based information system of claim 84, further comprising:

a memory coupled to the network which comprises geographic location information comprising geographic locations of each of at least a subset of the one or more access points.

91. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 84,

wherein the network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

92. A carrier medium comprising program instructions for providing information in a geographic-based communications service system, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving a geographic location of a computing device;

providing information through a network to the computing device, wherein said information is dependent upon the geographic location of the computing device.

93. The carrier medium of claim 92, wherein said information includes weather information.

94. The carrier medium of claim 92, wherein said information includes a nearest location of a service provider relative to the geographic location of the computing device.

95. The carrier medium of claim 92, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving identification information indicating a user of the computing device;

wherein said information is dependent upon the identification information.

96. The carrier medium of claim 92, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving identification information indicating a user of the computing device;

wherein said information is dependent upon a profile of the user of the computing device.

97. The carrier medium of claim 96, wherein the profile of the user indicates the information is desired by the user.

98. The carrier medium of claim 92, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving a destination;

wherein said information includes content indicating a route from the geographic location of the computing device to the destination.

99. The carrier medium of claim 92,

wherein said information includes a map.

100. The carrier medium of claim 92,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

101. A carrier medium comprising program instructions for providing information in a geographic-based communications service system, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving a geographic location of an access point;

providing information through a network to a computing device in a vicinity of the access point, wherein said information is dependent upon the geographic location of the access point.

102. The carrier medium of claim 101, wherein said information includes weather information.

103. The carrier medium of claim 101, wherein said information includes a nearest location of a service provider relative to the geographic location of the access point.

104. The carrier medium of claim 101, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving identification information indicating a user of the computing device;

wherein said information is dependent upon the identification information.

105. The carrier medium of claim 101, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving identification information indicating a user of the computing device;

wherein said information is dependent upon a profile of the user of the computing device.

106. The carrier medium of claim 105, wherein the profile of the user indicates the information is desired by the user.

107. The carrier medium of claim 101, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving a destination;

wherein said information includes content indicating a route from the geographic location of the access point to the destination.

108. The carrier medium of claim 101, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

receiving a destination;

wherein said information includes content indicating a route from the vicinity of the access point to the destination.

109. The carrier medium of claim 101,

wherein said information includes a map.

110. The carrier medium of claim 101,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

111. A geographic-based communications service system, comprising:

a computing device;

a network;

one or more access points coupled to the network and arranged at geographic locations in a geographic region, wherein a first access point in proximity to the computing device is operable to communicate with the computing device, wherein the first access point is operable to transmit information to the computing device, wherein a content of the information is dependent upon a geographic location of the first access point.

112. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111,

wherein the first access point transmits the geographic location to a memory associated with the computing device, thereby advising the computing device of its location.

113. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 112,

wherein the computing device is operable to transmit its geographic location.

114. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111,

wherein the geographic location is transmitted through the first access point to a memory associated with the computing device, thereby advising the computing device of its geographic location.

115. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 114,

wherein the computing device is operable to transmit its geographic location.

116. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111, further comprising:

one or more information providers coupled to the network;

wherein a first information provider is operable to receive the geographic location of the first access point;

wherein the first information provider selects the information to provide to the computing device based on the geographic location of the first access point.

wherein the first information provider is operable to provide the information through the network and to the first access point for transmission to the computing device.

117. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 116,

wherein the one or more information providers include one or more of car rental agencies, hotels, restaurants, airline reservation centers, banks, taxi services, and bus and train reservation offices.

118. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111, further comprising:

a plurality of information providers coupled to the network, wherein each of the information providers is operable to provide the information through the network and to the first access point for transmission to the computing device.

119. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111, further comprising:

a management information base for storing information including at least one of a topology of the network, a directory of elements coupled to the network, characteristics of individual ones of said elements, characteristics of connection links, and performance and trend statistics of the network;

wherein said management information base provides geographic location data to the first access point.

120. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111, further comprising:

a management information base for storing information including at least one of a geographic topology of the network and a directory of elements coupled to the network;

wherein said management information base provides geographic location data to the first access point.

121. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111,

wherein the network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

122. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111,

wherein said information comprises advertising related to goods or services;

wherein said advertising is based upon the known location of said first wireless access point.

123. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111,

wherein said information comprises travel information.

124. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 123,

wherein the travel information includes an itinerary indicating a route from the geographic location of the first access point to a destination.

125. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111,

wherein said information comprises a nearest location of a service provider relative to the first access point.

126. The geographic-based communications service system of claim 111,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

127. An information provider system for providing geographic-based information for a computing device, the system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores program instructions which are executable by the processor to;

receive a geographic location of a computing device;

select information dependent upon the geographic location of the computing device; and

transmit said information to a network.

128. The information provider system of claim 127, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive identity information of a user of the computing device;

wherein said information is dependent upon the identity information of the user.

129. The information provider system of claim 128,

wherein the identity information of the user indicates a profile of the user;

wherein said information is dependent upon the profile of the user.

130. The information provider system of claim 128,

wherein the identity information of the user indicates past transactions of the user;

wherein said information is dependent upon the past transactions of the user.

131. The information provider system of claim 127,

wherein the network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

132. The information provider system of claim 127,

wherein said information comprises advertising related to goods or services;

wherein said advertising is based upon the geographic location of the computing device.

133. The information provider system of claim 127,

wherein said information includes a promotion;

wherein the promotion is based upon the geographic location of the computing device.

134. The information provider system of claim 127,

wherein said information includes weather information.

135. The information provider system of claim 127,

wherein said information includes a ground map.

136. The information provider system of claim 127,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

137. The information provider system of claim 127, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive a destination;

wherein said information indicates a route from the geographic location of the computing device to the destination.

138. The information provider system of claim 127,

wherein the network is operable to transmit said information to the computing device.

139. An information provider system for providing geographic-based information for a computing device, the system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores program instructions which are executable by the processor to;

receive a geographic location of an access point;

select information dependent upon the geographic location of the access point; and

transmit said information to a network.

140. The information provider system of claim 139,

wherein the network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

141. The information provider system of claim 139,

wherein said information comprises advertising related to goods or services;

wherein said advertising is based upon the geographic location of the access point.

142. The information provider system of claim 139,

wherein said information includes a promotion;

wherein the promotion is based upon the geographic location of the access point.

143. The information provider system of claim 139, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive identity information of a user of a computing device communicating with the access point;

wherein said information is dependent upon the identity information of the user.

144. The information provider system of claim 143,

wherein the identity information of the user indicates a profile of the user;

wherein said information is dependent upon the profile of the user.

145. The information provider system of claim 143,

wherein the identity information of the user indicates past transactions of the user;

wherein said information is dependent upon the past transactions of the user.

146. The information provider system of claim 143,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

147. The information provider system of claim 139

wherein said information includes weather information.

148. The information provider system of claim 139,

wherein said information includes a ground map.

149. The information provider system of claim 139, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive a destination;

wherein said information indicates a route from the geographic location of the access point to the destination.

150. The information provider system of claim 139,

wherein the network is operable to transmit said information to the computing device.

151. An information provider system for providing geographic-based information for a computing device, the system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores program instructions which are executable by the processor to;

access a management information base (MIB) coupled to a network;

determine a geographic location of an access point from the MIB;

select information dependent upon the geographic location of the access point; and

transmit said information to the network.

152. The information provider system of claim 151,

wherein the network includes one or more of a local area network and a wide area network.

153. The information provider system of claim 151,

wherein said information comprises advertising related to goods or services;

wherein said advertising is based upon the geographic location of the access point.

154. The information provider system of claim 151,

wherein said information includes a promotion;

wherein the promotion is based upon the geographic location of the access point.

155. The information provider system of claim 151, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive identity information of a user of a computing device communicating with the access point;

wherein said information is dependent the upon identity information of the user.

156. The information provider system of claim 155,

wherein the identity information of the user indicates a profile of the user;

wherein said information is dependent upon the profile of the user.

157. The information provider system of claim 155,

wherein the identity information of the user indicates past transactions of the user;

wherein said information is dependent upon the past transactions of the user.

158. The information provider system of claim 155,

wherein the computing device is a portable computing device.

159. The information provider system of claim 151,

wherein said information includes weather information.

160. The information provider system of claim 151,

wherein said information includes a ground map.

161. The information provider system of claim 151, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

receive a destination;

wherein said information indicates a route from the geographic location of the access point to the destination.

162. The information provider system of claim 151,

wherein the network is operable to transmit said information to the computing device.

163. A method of providing location information of one or more mobile units comprised in a coverage area of an access point, the method comprising:

the access point scanning the coverage area;

each of a subset of the one or more mobile units responding with a response to said scanning, wherein the response includes an identification; and

determining the location of each of the subset.

164. The method of claim 163,

wherein said responding uses passive circuitry.

165. The method of claim 163,

wherein said responding uses active circuitry.

166. The method of claim 163,

wherein the access point is operable to be coupled to a network;

the method further comprising;

providing each of the locations, from said determining, to the network.

167. The method of claim 166, further comprising:

providing each of the identifications, from said responding, to the network.

168. The method of claim 163,

wherein each identification is different from another identification.

169. An access point operable to provide location information of one or more mobile units, wherein the access point is operable to be coupled to a network, wherein the access point is operable to scan a coverage area of the access point, wherein the access point is configured to receive responses comprising identification information from each of a subset of the one or more mobile units, wherein the access point is configured to determine the location of each of the subset, wherein the access point is operable to transmit the location and identification of each of the subset to the network.