SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCALIZED WIRELESS NOTIFICATION

• US 20130079034A1
• Filed: 11/19/2012
• Published: 03/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Taylor, Kirk S., Chen, Liren, Steenstra, Jack B., Hoefel, Guilherme K., Zhang, Yang, Mao, Zhiheng, Gopalan, Santosh
• Granted Patent: US 8,838,064 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/005 Transmission of information for alerting of incoming communication

Abstract

Implementations relate to systems and methods for localized notification that provide localized information to one or more mobile devices in a wireless communication system that are located in one or more geographical regions. The wireless communication system includes a localized notification server that responds to geographically-targeted broadcast requests and localized service or information requests. The localized notification server localizes components of the wireless communication system into sets of localized components that provide wireless communication service to mobile devices in the specific geographical regions.

In response to a request to broadcast to a target geographical region, the localized notification server identifies a set of localized components associated with the target geographical region. The localized notification server then broadcasts information to mobile devices actively serviced by the set of localized components.

Claims

1. A system for performing localized notification, comprising:

a server having a memory and a processor, the server configured to;

determine one or more localized components that provide wireless communication service in a geographical region, wherein the localized components are selected from a plurality of components of at least one wireless communication system; and

associate the geographical region with the localized components.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to:

associate the geographical region with one or more requestors authorized to broadcast localized information via the localized components associated with the geographical region.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to:

receive a request to broadcast localized information to a target geographical region;

determine a set of localized components that provide the wireless communication service to the target geographical region; and

wirelessly broadcast, using a first communication channel, the localized information to a plurality of mobile devices in the target geographical region via the set of localized components.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the server is further configured to:

receive acknowledgements of receipt of the localized information from one or more of the mobile devices in the target geographical region;

ascertain a set of unresponsive mobile devices that have not provided an acknowledgement of receipt of the localized information within a period of time; and

wirelessly broadcast the localized information to the set of unresponsive mobile devices via the set of localized components.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the server is further configured to:

wirelessly broadcast the localized information to the set of unresponsive mobile devices using a second communication channel different from the first communication channel.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the broadcast request includes a preferred communication channel, and wherein the server is further configured to:

dynamically select the second communication channel based on at least one of the first communication channel, a preferred communication channel, a communication capability of the set of localized components, and attributes of the set of unresponsive mobile devices.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the server is further configured to define the geographical region prior to receiving the broadcast request.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the server is further configured to dynamically define the geographical region based on the broadcast request subsequent to receiving the broadcast request.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein the first communication channel comprises one of a cell broadcast channel, an Internet Protocol multicast group, and a voice broadcast channel.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein the localized information comprises filter attributes for the localized information, the filter attributes including at least one of a priority level of the localized information, a category of the localized information, a display time, and a time to live.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein

the geographical region is defined by at least one of a ZIP code, a state, a county, a municipality, a campus, a street-delimited geographical area, a polygonal geographical area, a circular geographical area, a semi-circular geographical area, a geographical area serviced by a telephone area code, and a wireless communication service area serviced by one or more of the localized components.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein

the localized components include at least one of a cellular site, a cellular tower, a cellular sector, a base transceiver station, and a wireless access point.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to:

receive a localized request from a requesting mobile device via at least one of the localized components;

determine a current geographical region of the requesting mobile device based on the at least one localized component;

generate and transmit a service request based on the localized request and the current geographical region;

receive a response to the service request;

generate the localized information based on the response; and

wirelessly transmit the localized information to the requesting mobile device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein

the localized request comprises user information stored in the requesting mobile device, and

the server is further configured to generate the service request based on the stored user information.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the server is further configured to:

determine at least one service provider located in the current geographical region;

generate the service request based on the localized request; and

transmit the service request to the service provider.

16. A method for performing localized notification, comprising:

determining one or more localized components that provide wireless communication service in a geographical region, wherein the localized components are selected from a plurality of components of at least one wireless communication system; and

associating the geographical region with the localized components.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

associating the geographical region with one or more requestors authorized to broadcast localized information via the localized components associated with the geographical region.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a request to broadcast localized information to a target geographical region;

determining a set of localized components that provide the wireless communication service to the target geographical region; and

wirelessly broadcasting, using a first communication channel, the localized information to a plurality of mobile devices in the target geographical region via the set of localized components.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving acknowledgements of receipt of the localized information from one or more of the mobile devices in the target geographical region;

ascertaining a set of unresponsive mobile devices that have not provided an acknowledgement of receipt of the localized information within a period of time; and

wirelessly broadcasting, via the set of localized components, the localized information to the set of unresponsive mobile devices using a second communication channel different from the first communication channel.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

dynamically selecting the second communication channel based on at least one of the first communication channel, a preferred communication channel, a communication capability of the set of localized components, and attributes of the set of unresponsive mobile devices,

wherein the broadcast request includes the preferred communication channel.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a localized request from a requesting mobile device via at least one of the localized components;

determining a current geographical region of the requesting mobile device based on the at least one localized component;

generating and transmitting a service request based on the localized request and the current geographical region;

receiving a response to the service request;

generating the localized information based on the response; and

wirelessly transmitting the localized information to the requesting mobile device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein generating and transmitting a service request further comprises:

generating the service request based on user information stored in the requesting mobile device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein generating and transmitting a service request further comprises:

determining at least one service provider located in the current geographical region;

generating the service request based on the localized request; and

transmitting the service request to the service provider.

24. An apparatus for performing localized notification, comprising:

means for determining one or more localized components that provide wireless communication service in a geographical region, wherein the localized components are selected from a plurality of components of at least one wireless communication system; and

means for associating the geographical region with the localized components.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for associating the geographical region associates the geographical region with one or more requestors authorized to broadcast localized information via the localized components associated with the geographical region.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

means for receiving a request to broadcast localized information to a target geographical region, wherein the means for determining a set of localized components determines localized components that provide the wireless communication service to the target geographical region; and

means for wirelessly broadcasting, using a first communication channel, the localized information to a plurality of mobile devices in the target geographical region via the set of localized components.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

means for receiving acknowledgements of receipt of the localized information from one or more of the mobile devices in the target geographical region; and

means for ascertaining a set of unresponsive mobile devices that have not provided an acknowledgement of receipt of the localized information within a period of time,

wherein the means for wirelessly broadcasting broadcasts, via the set of localized components, the localized information to the set of unresponsive mobile devices using a second communication channel different from the first communication channel.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

means for dynamically selecting the second communication channel based on at least one of the first communication channel, a preferred communication channel, a communication capability of the set of localized components, and attributes of the set of unresponsive mobile devices,

wherein the broadcast request includes the preferred communication channel.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

means for receiving a localized request from a requesting mobile device via at least one of the localized components;

means for determining a current geographical region of the requesting mobile device based on the at least one localized component;

means for generating and transmitting a service request based on the localized request and the current geographical region;

means for receiving a response to the service request;

means for generating the localized information based on the response; and

means for wirelessly transmitting the localized information to the requesting mobile device.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the means for generating and transmitting a service request generates the service request based on user information stored in the requesting mobile device.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the means for generating and transmitting a service request further comprises:

means for determining at least one service provider located in the current geographical region;

means for generating the service request based on the localized request; and

means for transmitting the service request to the service provider.

32. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that causes a server to perform localized notification when executed by the server, comprising;

at least one instruction for causing the server to determine one or more localized components that provide wireless communication service in a geographical region, wherein the localized components are selected from a plurality of components of at least one wireless communication system; and

at least one instruction for causing the server to associate the geographical region with the localized components.

33. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for causing the server to associate the geographical region with one or more requestors authorized to broadcast localized information via the localized components associated with the geographical region.

34. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for causing the server to receive a request to broadcast localized information to a target geographical region;

at least one instruction for causing the server to determine a set of localized components that provide the wireless communication service to the target geographical region; and

at least one instruction for causing the server to wirelessly broadcast, using a first communication channel, the localized information to a plurality of mobile devices in the target geographical region via the set of localized components.

35. The computer program product of claim 34, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for causing the server to receive acknowledgements of receipt of the localized information from one or more of the mobile devices in the target geographical region;

at least one instruction for causing the server to ascertain a set of unresponsive mobile devices that have not provided an acknowledgement of receipt of the localized information within a period of time; and

at least one instruction for causing the server to wirelessly broadcast, via the set of localized components, the localized information to the set of unresponsive mobile devices using a second communication channel different from the first communication channel.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for causing the server to dynamically select the second communication channel based on the first communication channel, a preferred communication channel, a communication capability of the set of localized components, or attributes of the set of unresponsive mobile devices,

wherein the broadcast request includes the preferred communication channel.

37. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for causing the server to receive a localized request from a requesting mobile device via at least one of the localized components;

at least one instruction for causing the server to determine a current geographical region of the requesting mobile device based on the at least one localized component;

at least one instruction for causing the server to generate and transmit a service request based on the localized request and the current geographical region;

at least one instruction for causing the server to receive a response to the service request;

at least one instruction for causing the server to generate the localized information based on the response; and

at least one instruction for causing the server to wirelessly transmit the localized information to the requesting mobile device.

38. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein the at least one instruction for causing the server to generate and transmit a service request further comprises:

at least one instruction for causing the server to generate the service request based on user information stored in the requesting mobile device.

39. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein the at least one instruction for causing the server to generate and transmit a service request further comprises:

at least one instruction for causing the server to determine at least one service provider located in the current geographical region;

at least one instruction for causing the server to generate the service request based on the localized request; and

at least one instruction for causing the server to transmit the service request to the service provider.

40. A mobile device, comprising:

a wireless interface configured to communicate with a localized component of a wireless communication system, wherein the localized component is associated with at least one geographical region; and

a processor configured to receive localized information content via the wireless interface and present the localized information content, wherein the processor is further configured to;

receive a localized request, the request being localized to the geographical region, and transmit the localized request to the localized component via the wireless interface;

receive the localized information content responsive to the localized request, the localized information content associated with the geographical region; and

present the localized information content.

41. The mobile device of claim 40, wherein the geographical region is defined by a ZIP code, a state, a county, a municipality, a campus, a street-delimited geographical area, a polygonal geographical area, a circular geographical area, a semi-circular geographical area, a geographical area serviced by a telephone area code, or a wireless communication service area serviced by the localized component.

42. The mobile device of claim 40, wherein the localized component includes at least a cellular site, a cellular tower, a cellular sector, a base transceiver station, or a wireless access point.

43. The mobile device of claim 40, wherein the memory further stores user information and the processor is further configured to transmit the stored user information with the localized request.

44. The mobile device of claim 40, further comprising:

a sensor for acquiring contextual data associated with the localized request, wherein the localized request comprises the contextual data.

45. A method for performing localized notification, comprising:

wirelessly receiving, by a mobile device in a geographical region, localized information content from a localized component of a wireless communication system, wherein the localized component is associated with the geographical region;

presenting, by the mobile device, the localized information content;

receiving a request by the mobile device, wherein the request is localized to the geographical region;

transmitting the request to the localized component, the request being localized to the geographical region based on the localized component;

receiving the localized information content responsive to the localized request, wherein the localized information content is generated based on the geographical region; and

presenting the localized information content by the mobile device.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

requesting an acknowledgement of receipt of the localized information content from a user of the mobile device;

receiving the acknowledgement from the user; and

wirelessly transmitting the acknowledgement.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

acquiring contextual data associated with the localized request, wherein the localized request comprises the contextual data.

48. An apparatus for performing localized notification, comprising:

means for wirelessly receiving, by a mobile device in a geographical region, localized information content from a localized component of a wireless communication system, wherein the localized component is associated with the geographical region;

means for presenting, by the mobile device, the localized information content;

means for receiving a request by the mobile device, wherein the request is localized to the geographical region;

means for transmitting the request to the localized component, the request being localized to the geographical region based on the localized component;

means for receiving the localized information content responsive to the localized request, wherein the localized information content is generated based on the geographical region; and

means for presenting the localized information content by the mobile device.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising:

means for requesting an acknowledgement of receipt of the localized information content from a user of the mobile device;

means for receiving the acknowledgement from the user; and

means for wirelessly transmitting the acknowledgement.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, further comprising:

means for acquiring contextual data associated with the localized request, wherein the localized request comprises the contextual data

51. A computer program product, comprising:

computer-readable medium storing instructions that causes a mobile device in a geographical region to perform localized notification when executed by the mobile device, comprising;

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to wirelessly receive localized information content from a localized component of a wireless communication system, wherein the localized component is associated with the geographical region;

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to present the localized information content;

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to receive a request by the mobile device, the request being localized to the geographical region;

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to transmit the request to the localized component, wherein the request is localized to the geographical region based on the localized component;

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to receive the localized information content responsive to the localized request, wherein the localized information content is generated based on the geographical region; and

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to present the localized information content by the mobile device.

52. The computer program product of claim 51, further comprising:

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to request an acknowledgement of receipt of the localized information content from a user of the mobile device;

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to receive the acknowledgement from the user; and

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to wirelessly transmit the acknowledgement.

53. The computer program product of claim 51, further comprising:

at least one instruction for causing the mobile device to acquire contextual data associated with the localized request, wherein the localized request comprises the contextual data.