Location-Based Alerting

• US 20080171559A1
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Workday Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zellner, Samuel, Tischer, Steven, Ruckart, John, Starr, Robert, Frank, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,251,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

One embodiment of the present is a method of using location information to transmit alerting information to a communications device. Such a method comprises receiving location information regarding a communications device; selecting alerting information based on the location of the communications device; and transmitting to the communications device information pertaining to the alerting information. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of using location information to transmit alerting information to a communications device comprising:

receiving the location information regarding the communications device;

selecting the alerting information based on the location of the communications device; and

transmitting to the communications device information pertaining to the alerting information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information transmitted is dependent on the operating rules of the communications device or user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a third party transmitting the alerting information is authenticated before the information is transmitted.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information transmitted includes at least one of sound, music, alert tone, video, image, or a theme.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitted information causes an alerting setting to be changed in the communications device to a new nonsilent setting.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

defining a geographic zone about which an alert is sent; and

sending the alert when communications device is detected to be inside the geographic zone.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining whether the location information matches a zone for which a feature may be adjusted.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitted information causes an alerting setting to be changed in the communications device to a new nonsilent setting.

8. A computer readable storage medium having a program of using location information to transmit alerting information to a communications device, the program when executed by a computer processor, causes the processor to perform:

receiving the location information regarding the communications device;

selecting the alerting information based on the location of the communications device; and

transmitting to the communications device information pertaining to the alerting information.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the information transmitted is dependent on operating rules of the communications device or user.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein a third party transmitting the alerting information is authenticated before the information is transmitted.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the information transmitted includes at least one of sound, music, alert tone, video, image, or a theme.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the transmitted information causes an alerting setting to be changed in the communications device to a new nonsilent setting.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 8, the program further comprising:

defining a geographic zone about which an alert is sent; and

sending the alert when communications device is detected to be inside the geographic zone.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, the program comprising:

determining whether the location information matches a zone for which a feature may be adjusted.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the information transmitted is dependent on operating rules of the communications device or user, the system further comprising:

a network-based interface for configuring the operating rules.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein a third party transmitting the alerting information is authenticated before the information is transmitted.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the information transmitted includes at least one of sound, music, alert tone, video, image, or a theme.

20. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a network-based user interface for defining a geographic zone about which an alert is sent, wherein the server sends the alert when communications device is detected to be inside the geographic zone.

15. A system for using location information to transmit alerting information to a communications device comprising:

a server configured to receive the location information regarding the communications device;

to select the alerting information based on the location of the communications device; and

to transmit information pertaining to the alerting information to a user.