Position Identification Method and System

• US 20090100185A1
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Artax LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Networks In Motion Incorporated (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Sheha, Michael A., Sheha, Angie, Petilli, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 8,090,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4541 Directories for service discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for collecting and maintaining an up-to-date database of points of interests, whereby agents of the points of interests, such as owners or operators of hotels or restaurants, can register their point of interest onto the database by uploading their contact information and physical address. Subsequently, on a periodic basis, the agents of the points of interests may log into the system and update their information, such as operating hours. The collected data is then made accessible to the general public and can be searched through using a variety of search criteria.

Claims

1. A method for authorizing a user to update location information associated with at least one network address, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving e-mail communication from the user, the e-mail communication comprising the user'"'"'s e-mail address;

matching the user'"'"'s e-mail address with a publicly-listed e-mail address associated with the at least one network address;

replying to the user'"'"'s e-mail address to confirm the user'"'"'s identity;

if the user'"'"'s identity is confirmed, providing a unique password to the user for accessing a designated website to update location information associated with the at least one network address.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprises the steps of:

establishing communication with the user via an Internet connection, wherein the user initiates the communication by log on the designated website;

receiving from the user, over the Internet connection, the unique password;

receiving from the user, over the Internet connection, location information associated with the at least one network address; and

updating a database containing location information associated with the at least one network address.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one network address is one of an IP address and a domain name.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one network address is listed in a public directory including the publicly-listed e-mail address.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the public directory is an ARIN WHOIS database.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique password is provided to the user by e-mail or using an embedded URL.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one network address identifies a gateway device through which at least one end device connects to the Internet.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprises the step of determining an approximate position of the at least one end device in response to the location information associated with the at least one network address.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one network address is a static routable IP address of the gateway device and each of the at least one end device is identifiable by a non-routable IP address.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprises the step of sending the location information associated with the at least one network address to the at least one end device.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the at least one end device is a wireless device with Internet access.

12. A method for authorizing a user to update location information associated with at least one network address, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing telephone call with the user;

identifying a telephone number associated with the telephone call;

matching the telephone number with a publicly-listed telephone number associated with the at least one network address; and

providing a unique password to the user for accessing a designated website to update location information associated with the at least one network address.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprises the steps of:

establishing communication with the user via an Internet connection, wherein the user initiates the communication by log on the designated website;

receiving from the user, over the Internet connection, the unique password;

receiving from the user, over the Internet connection, location information associated with the at least one network address; and

updating a database containing location information associated with the at least one network address.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one network address is one of an IP address and a domain name.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one network address is listed in a public directory including the publicly-listed phone number.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the public directory is an ARIN WHOIS database.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the unique password is provided to the user by e-mail or using an embedded URL.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one network address identifies a gateway device through which at least one end device connects to the Internet.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprises the step of determining an approximate position of the at least one end device in response to the location information associated with the at least one network address.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one network address is a static routable IP address of the gateway device and each of the at least one end device is identifiable by a non-routable IP address.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprises the step of sending the location information associated with the at least one network address to the at least one end device.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the at least one end device is a wireless device with Internet access.

23. A gateway device adapted to provide Internet connection for at least one end device, the gateway device comprising:

a location updating module adapted to allow a user to update location information associated with the gateway device;

a storage in communication with the location updating module, the storage adapted to store the location information associated with the gateway device; and

a network module in communication with the storage, the network module adapted to transmit location information to the at least one end device.

24. The gateway device of claim 23, wherein the location information associated with the gateway device can be used to estimate the approximate location of the at least one end device.

26. The LNS of claim 24 further adapted to perform the step of providing the location information associated with the network address to the first client device upon request.

28. The LNS of claim 26, wherein the first client device has a routable IP address and the second client device has a non-routable IP address.

25. A location name server (LNS) for providing location information to a first client device in communication with the LNS, the first client device having a network address, the LNS adapted to perform the steps comprising:

receiving the network address associated with the first client device from the first client device;

sending a password to the first client device;

receiving a request from the first client device to update location information associated with the network address;

authenticating the first client device using the password; and

updating the location information associated with the network address in response to the request.

27. The LNS of claim 25 further adapted to perform the step of providing the location information associated with the work address to a second client device, the second client device adapted to communicate with the LNS through the first network device.