INFORMATION PORTAL

• US 20110320528A1
• Filed: 02/01/2011
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Captivate, LLC
• Original Assignee: Gannett Satellite Information Network Incorporated (Gannett Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Newville, Todd A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,295,857 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0224 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• 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 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A communication system for providing high-speed wireless access to mobile processing systems a stationary transceiver defining an information portal in its immediate vicinity. A local server in communication with this stationary transceiver is configured to respond to a mobile processing-system present within the information portal.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a stationary transceiver defining an information portal in a vicinity thereof;

a local server in communication with said transceiver, said local server being configured to respond to a mobile processing-system present within said information portal.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said local server is configured to identify a mobile processing-system present within said information portal.

3. The communication system of claim 2, wherein said local server is configured to perform a function on the basis of the identity of said mobile processing-system, said function being selected from the group consisting of:

providing selected data to said mobile processing-system;

permitting building access to a portion of said building;

controlling an elevator in said building; and

providing interactive access to a network.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said local server is configured to establish a communication link between said mobile processing-system in said information portal and a selected location.

5. The communication system of claim 4, wherein said communication link comprises a link selected from the group consisting of an audio link, a video link, and a two-way communication link.

6. The communication system of claim 2, further comprising an access control unit in communication with said local server, said access control unit being controlled by said local server on the basis of the identity of said mobile processing-system.

7. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said stationary transceiver is selected from the group consisting of a radio transceiver, an optical transceiver, an infrared transceiver, and an acoustic transceiver.

8. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said stationary transceiver is disposed at a location selected from the group consisting of an elevator, a building lobby, and a vehicle.

9. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said local server and said stationary transceiver are in communication across a local area network.

10. The communication system of claim 1, wherein said local server and said stationary transceiver are in wireless communication across a local area network.

11. The communication system of claim 1, further comprising a fulfillment server in communication with said local server, said fulfillment server having access to a wide area network.

12. The communication system of claim 11, wherein said local server comprises a cache for temporary accumulation of information from said fulfillment server to be relayed to said mobile processing system.

13. The communication system of claim 11, wherein said wide area network comprises a global computer network.

14. The communication system of claim 11, wherein said fulfillment server includes a user-interface for enabling a user to cause said fulfillment server to collect selected information.

15. The communication system of claim 14, wherein said fulfillment server is configured to provide said selected information to said local server when said local server identifies, within said information portal, a mobile processing unit associated with said user.

16. The communication system of claim 14, wherein said fulfillment server includes a user-interface for enabling a user to cause said fulfillment server to detect an occurrence of a condition.

17. The communication system of claim 16, wherein said fulfillment server is configured to provide information indicative of an occurrence of said condition to said local server when said local server identifies, within said information portal, a mobile processing unit associated with said user.

18. The communication system of claim 16, wherein said fulfillment server is configured to provide interactive services to said mobile processing unit.

19. A communication system comprising:

a plurality of stationary transceivers, each configured for wireless communication with a mobile processing system present in a corresponding information portal; and

a server system in communication with each of said stationary receivers, said server system having a link to a global computer network and thereby providing said mobile processing system with wireless access to said global computer network.

20. A method for providing a mobile processing system with wireless access to a global computer network, said method comprising:

maintaining an information portal;

establishing wireless communication between said mobile processing system and a server system following entry of said mobile processing system into said information portal; and

providing a link between said server system and said global computer network.