SYSTEM, METHOD AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR LOCATION BASED SERVICES, ASSET MANAGEMENT AND TRACKING

• US 20100130233A1
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Published: 05/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lance Parker IP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Lansing Arthur Parker, II
• Inventors: Parker, Lansing Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 8,494,560 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.300
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72421 with automatic activation of emergency service functions, e.g. upon sensing an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/125 Protection against power exhaustion attacks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/126 Anti-theft arrangements, e.g. protection against subscriber identity module [SIM] cloning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/30 Security of mobile devices; Security of mobile applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system for location based services utilizing a mobile device includes a software module configured to operate in a background mode on the mobile device. The software module is further configured to determine a geographical location of the mobile device and transmit the geographical location at predetermined intervals. A services platform is in communication with the mobile device for receiving the geographical location. The services platform includes at least one location based service module for facilitating at least one location based service on the mobile device. A plurality of back end databases is in communication with the services platform where the services platform integrates data from the back end databases with data from a location database. A secure website is included where an owner of the mobile device can view the geographical location of the mobile device and geographical locations of other mobile devices and have the ability to view friends/family/business associates on their mobile device.

Claims

1. A system for location based services utilizing a mobile device, the system comprising:

a software module configured to operate in a background mode on the mobile device, said software module further configured to determine a geographical location of the mobile device and transmit said geographical location at predetermined intervals;

a services platform in communication with the mobile device receiving said geographical location;

a location database where said services platform stores said geographical location; and

a secure website where an owner of the mobile device can view said geographical location of the mobile device thereby aiding said owner in locating a lost or stolen mobile device.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said software module is further configured to suspend transmitting said geographical location when it is determined that said geographical location is unchanged from a previous geographical location to generally reduce bandwidth, and server and database processing requirements, and resume transmitting said geographical location when it is determined that said geographical location is changed from said previous geographical location.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said software module is further configured to detect a change in identity of the mobile device and transmit said change in identity and a current geographical location upon said detection. (This is the SIM card switch by a thief?)

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said software module is further configured to detect a battery depletion in the mobile device, detect attempts to tamper with the mobile device and transmit a current geographical location upon said detection of battery depletion or said detection of attempts to tamper.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said software module is further configured to activate at least one feature of the mobile device upon receiving instructions from said owner using said secure website.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said owner can further view geographical locations of other mobile devices hosting said software module in use by individuals allowing said viewing by said owner.

7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said services platform comprises at least one location based service module for facilitating at least one location based service on the mobile device.

8. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of back end databases in communication with said services platform where said services platform integrates data from said back end databases with data from said location database.

9. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said at least one location based service module comprises a functionality to allow said owner to open a dialog with another user based on said geographical location.

10. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said at least one location based service module comprises a functionality to allow said owner to receive information based on said geographical location.

11. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said at least one location based service module comprises a functionality to allow said owner to locate another user based on said geographical location.

12. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said at least one location based service module comprises a functionality to allow said owner to render payment for goods or services based on said geographical location.

13. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said at least one location based service module comprises a functionality to allow said owner to receive informational alerts based on said geographical location.

14. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said at least one location based service module comprises a functionality to compare a location of an alleged financial transaction of said owner to said geographical location.

15. The system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a commerce website where said owner can locate or be alerted of buyers and sellers based on said geographical location.

16. A system for location based services utilizing a mobile device, the system comprising:

means for determining and transmitting a geographical location of the mobile device;

means for communicating with the mobile device to receive said geographical location;

means for storing said geographical location; and

means for an owner of the mobile device to view said geographical location.

17. The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising means for facilitating at least one location based service on the mobile device.

18. The system as recited in claim 17, further comprising means for integrating data from said storing means.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, further comprising means for facilitating commerce based on said geographical location.

20. A method for location based services utilizing a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a geographical location of the mobile device;

transmitting said geographical location to a services platform for storage in a location database; and

viewing said geographical location of the mobile device thereby aiding an owner in locating a lost or stolen mobile device.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein said step of transmitting further comprises suspending transmitting of said geographical location when it is determined that said geographical location is unchanged from a previous geographical location to generally reduce bandwidth, and server and database processing requirements, and resuming transmitting of said geographical location when it is determined that said geographical location is changed from said previous geographical location.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of detecting a change in identity of the mobile device and transmitting said change in identity and a current geographical location upon said detection.

23. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of detecting a battery depletion in the mobile device, detecting attempts to tamper with the mobile device and transmitting a current geographical location upon said detection of battery depletion or said detection of attempts to tamper.

24. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of activating at least one feature of the mobile device upon receiving instructions from said owner using a secure website.

25. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of viewing geographical locations of other mobile devices of individuals allowing said viewing.

26. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising the step of interacting with at least one location based service associated with said services platform where said services platform integrates data from back end databases with data from said location database.

27. The method as recited in claim 26, further comprising the step of opening a dialog with another user using said at least one location based service.

28. The method as recited in claim 26, further comprising the step of receiving information based on said geographical location from said at least one location based service.

29. The method as recited in claim 26, further comprising the step of locating another user using said at least one location based service.

30. The method as recited in claim 26, further comprising the step of rendering payment for goods or services using said at least one location based service.

31. The method as recited in claim 26, further comprising the step of receiving informational alerts from said at least one location based service.

32. The method as recited in claim 26, further comprising the step of receiving from said at least one location based service a result of a comparison of a location of an alleged financial transaction of said owner to said geographical location.

33. The method as recited in claim 26, further comprising the step of using a commerce website where said owner can locate or be alerted of buyers and sellers based on said geographical location.

34. A method for location based services utilizing a mobile device, the method comprising:

steps for determining a geographical location of the mobile device;

steps for transmitting said geographical location to a services platform; and

steps for viewing said geographical location of the mobile device and other mobile devices.

35. The method as recited in claim 34, further comprising steps for detecting changes in the mobile device.

36. The method as recited in claim 34, further comprising steps for activating at least one feature of the mobile device.

37. The method as recited in claim 34, further comprising steps for interacting with at least one location based service.

38. The method as recited in claim 37, further comprising steps for using a commerce website.

39. A computer program product for location based services utilizing a mobile device, the computer program product comprising:

computer code for determining a geographical location of the mobile device and transmitting said geographical location to a services platform for storage in a location database, said computer code suspending transmitting of said geographical location when it is determined that said geographical location is unchanged from a previous geographical location to generally reduce bandwidth, and server and database processing requirements, and resuming transmitting of said geographical location when it is determined that said geographical location is changed from said previous geographical location;

computer code for detecting changes in the mobile device and transmitting said geographical location upon said detecting;

computer code for activating at least one feature of the mobile device;

computer code for interacting with at least one location based service;

computer code for viewing said geographical location of the mobile device and other mobile devices; and

a computer-readable medium storing said computer code.

40. A system for location based services utilizing a mobile device, the system comprising:

a software module configured to operate in a background mode on the mobile device, said software module further configured to determine a geographical location of the mobile device and transmit said geographical location at predetermined intervals, said software module further configured to suspend transmitting said geographical location when it is determined that said geographical location is unchanged from a previous geographical location to generally reduce bandwidth, and server and database processing requirements, and resume transmitting said geographical location when it is determined that said geographical location is changed from said previous geographical location;

a services platform in communication with the mobile device receiving said geographical location, said services platform comprising at least one location based service module for facilitating at least one location based service on the mobile device;

a location database where said services platform stores said geographical location;

a plurality of back end databases in communication with said services platform where said services platform integrates data from said back end databases with data from said location database;

a secure website where an owner of the mobile device can view said geographical location of the mobile device and geographical locations of other mobile devices hosting said software module in use by individuals allowing said viewing by said owner; and

a commerce website where said owner can locate buyers and sellers based on said geographical location.