Geographic-based communication service system with more precise determination of a user's known geographic location
First Claim
1. A geographic-based communications service system, comprising:
- a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate in a wireless manner;
a network;
a plurality of wireless access points coupled to said network and arranged at known geographic locations, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the at least one access point is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a first geographic area of the first access point, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine a geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A geographic based communications service system that includes a network and a plurality of access points connected to the network and arranged at known locations in a geographic region. One or more service providers or information providers may be connected to the network to provide services or information on the network. Content provided by the service providers may be based on the known geographic location of the user of a portable computing device (PCD). The known geographic location may be determined with a high degree of precision, using one or more access points and one of several different techniques. In one embodiment, the geographic location of the PCD may be determined within a radius of ten feet. Access points may be configured to determine the bearing of a signal received from a PCD, as well as the strength of the signal transmitted by the PCD. Access points may also be configured to send and receive signals with time stamps. These time stamps may be used to calculate signal travel time, thereby allowing a determination of the distance between an access point and a PCD. Each access point may include location circuitry. The location circuitry may include both analog and digital circuitry configured to perform the various methods used to determine the precise geographic location.
981 Citations
109 Claims
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1. A geographic-based communications service system, comprising:
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a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate in a wireless manner;
a network;
a plurality of wireless access points coupled to said network and arranged at known geographic locations, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the at least one access point is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a first geographic area of the first access point, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine a geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the geographic location of the portable computing device using the known geographic location of the at least one access point and the relative geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the at least one access point.
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3. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine an approximate distance of the portable computing device relative to the at least one access point.
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4. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine an approximate bearing of the portable computing device relative to the at least one access point.
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5. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine an approximate bearing and distance of the portable computing device relative to the at least one access point.
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6. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors using the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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7. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located or proximate to.
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8. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is operable to provide information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device to a service provider;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide geographic-based services to a user of the portable computing device based on the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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9. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors using the geographic location of the portable computing device;
wherein the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device includes information regarding the one or more vendors.
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10. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 8, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a first vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located or proximate to;
wherein the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device includes information regarding the first vendor location.
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11. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 8, wherein the user of the portable computing device is physically located proximate to a first vendor;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide information to the portable computing device, wherein the information corresponds to the first vendor.
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12. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 11, wherein the information comprises advertising of the first vendor.
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14. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is operable to provide information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device to a service provider;
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wherein the service provider is operable to determine a proximity of the at least one access point to one or more vendors using the geographic location of the portable computing device;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide geographic-based services to a user of the portable computing device based on said determined proximity.
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15. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the geographic location of the portable computing device includes a latitude and longitude of the location of the portable computing device.
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16. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a memory which stores map information of the first geographic area of the at least one access point;
wherein a proximity of the portable computing device to a vendor is determined using the map information and the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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17. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point includes location circuitry;
wherein the location circuitry is operable to determine the geographic location of the portable computing device in the second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area.
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18. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the geographic location of the portable computing device using at least one of:
- signal strength of a signal from the portable computing device, time stamps of data packets transmitted between the portable computing device and the at least one access point, and triangulation techniques.
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19. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is configured to measure the signal strength of a signal received from said portable computing device, wherein said signal strength is useable in determining a distance from the at least one access point to the portable computing device, wherein said signal strength is used in determining the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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20. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one access point and the portable computing device is configured to transmit and receive data packets, wherein each of said data packets includes a time stamp;
wherein one or more of the at least one access point and the portable computing device is configured to determine a distance between the at least one access point and the portable computing device based on at least a first time stamp and a second time stamp, wherein said first time stamp is included in a data packet transmitted by the at least one access point and said second time stamp is included in a data packet transmitted by the portable computing device.
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21. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of access points includes a first access point and a second access point, wherein said first access point and said access point are configured to determine the geographic location of said portable computing device using triangulation techniques.
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22. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of access points is configured for detecting said portable computing device responsive to said portable computing device entering said first geographic area.
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23. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is configured to transmit the geographic location of said portable computing device to a memory associated with said portable computing device, thereby advising said portable computing device of its location.
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24. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is configured to provide directions to a specified location responsive to a query from said portable computing device, said directions to said specified location based at least in part upon the geographic location of said portable computing device.
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25. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is configured to determine a direction of motion of said portable computing device based on two or more determinations of the geographic location of said portable computing device.
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26. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is configured to transmit information to said portable computing device, wherein said information is dependent upon the geographic location of said portable computing device.
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27. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one access point is configured to transmit information to said portable computing device, wherein said information is dependent upon the geographic location of said portable computing device and demographic information of the user of said portable computing device.
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28. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein a perimeter of said second smaller geographic area is within 10 feet of said portable computing device.
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29. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein a perimeter of said second smaller geographic area is within 5 feet of said portable computing device.
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30. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said second smaller geographic area comprises a concentric ring region centered around the at least one access point.
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31. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 1, wherein the geographic location of the portable computing device is useable to determine a proximity of the portable computing device to a vendor;
wherein targeted advertising of the vendor is provided to the portable computing device in response to the proximity of the portable computing device to the vendor.
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13. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim
wherein the user of the portable computing device is physically located at or proximate to a first vendor location of a first vendor; -
wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the first vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide information to the portable computing device, wherein the information corresponds to the first vendor.
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32. A geographic-based communications service system, comprising:
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a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate in a wireless manner;
a network;
a plurality of wireless access points coupled to said network and arranged at known geographic locations, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine a relative geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the known geographic location of the at least one access point, wherein the at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner in a first geographic area of the at least one access point, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine the geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
wherein the service provider is operable to provide geographic-based services to a user of the portable computing device based on the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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40. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 39, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors using the geographic location of the portable computing device;
wherein the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device includes information regarding the one or more vendors.
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41. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 39, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a first vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located or proximate to;
wherein the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device includes information regarding the first vendor location.
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42. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 39, wherein the user of the portable computing device is physically located proximate to a first vendor;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide information to the portable computing device, wherein the information corresponds to the first vendor.
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43. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 42, wherein the information comprises advertising of the first vendor.
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44. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 39,
wherein the user of the portable computing device is physically located at or proximate to a first vendor location of a first vendor; -
wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the first vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide information to the portable computing device, wherein the information corresponds to the first vendor.
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45. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 32, wherein the at least one access point stores map information of the first geographic area of the at least one access point,
wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the proximity of the portable computing device to a vendor using the map information and the geographic location of the portable computing device. -
46. The geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 32, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the geographic location of the portable computing device using at least one of:
- signal strength of a signal from the portable computing device, time stamps of data packets transmitted between the portable computing device and the at least one access point, and triangulation techniques.
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47. A method for providing a geographic-based communications service in a network system, wherein the network system includes a plurality of wireless access points coupled to a network and arranged at known geographic locations, the method comprising:
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a portable computing device communicating in a wireless manner with a first access point, wherein the first access point is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a first geographic area of the first access point; and
determining a geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72)
wherein said determining includes: determining a relative geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the first access point; and
determining the geographic location of the portable computing device using the known geographic location of the first access point and the relative geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the first access point.
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53. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising:
providing geographic-based services to a user of the portable computing device based on information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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54. The method as recited in claim 53, further comprising:
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determining a proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors using the geographic location of the portable computing device;
wherein the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device includes information regarding the one or more vendors.
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55. The method as recited in claim 53, further comprising:
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determining a first vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located or proximate to;
wherein the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device includes information regarding the first vendor location.
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56. The method as recited in claim 53, wherein the user of the portable computing device is physically located proximate to a first vendor;
wherein said providing provides information to the portable computing device, wherein the information corresponds to the first vendor.
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57. The method as recited in claim 56, wherein the information comprises advertising of the first vendor.
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58. The method as recited in claim 53,
wherein the user of the portable computing device is physically located at or proximate to a first vendor location of a first vendor; - the method further comprising;
determining the first vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located;
wherein said providing geographic-based services comprises providing information to the portable computing device, wherein the information corresponds to the first vendor.
- the method further comprising;
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59. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein the geographic location of the portable computing device includes a latitude and longitude of the location of the portable computing device.
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60. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising:
determining a proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors, wherein said determining a proximity uses the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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61. The method as recited in claim 60, wherein the first access point determines the proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors.
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62. The method as recited in claim 60,
wherein said determining the proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors includes using map information of the first geographic area of the at least one access point and the geographic location of the portable computing device. -
63. The method as recited in claim 47,
wherein said determining a geographic location of the portable computing device includes using at least one of: - signal strength of a signal from the portable computing device, time stamps of data packets transmitted between the portable computing device and the at least one access point, and triangulation techniques.
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64. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising:
transmitting the geographic location of the portable computing device to a memory associated with said portable computing device, thereby advising the portable computing device of its location.
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65. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising:
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receiving a query from the portable computing device regarding directions to a specified location; and
providing the directions to the specified location, wherein the directions to the specified location are based at least in part upon the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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66. he method as recited in claim 47, further comprising:
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performing two or more determinations of the geographic location of the portable computing device; and
determining a direction of motion of the portable computing device based on the two or more determinations of the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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67. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising:
providing information to the portable computing device, wherein said information is dependent upon the geographic location of said portable computing device.
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68. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising:
providing information to the portable computing device, wherein said information is dependent upon the geographic location of said portable computing device and demographic information of the user of said portable computing device.
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69. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein a perimeter of said second smaller geographic area is within 10 feet of said portable computing device.
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70. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein a perimeter of said second smaller geographic area is within 5 feet of said portable computing device.
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71. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein said second smaller geographic area comprises a concentric ring region centered around the first access point.
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72. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising:
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determining a proximity of the portable computing device to a vendor using the geographic location of the portable computing device;
providing targeted advertising of the vendor to the portable computing device in response to determining the proximity of the portable computing device to the vendor.
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73. A shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system, comprising:
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a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate in a wireless manner;
a network;
a plurality of wireless access points coupled to said network and arranged at known geographic locations in the shopping mall, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the at least one access point is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a first geographic area of the first access point, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine a geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area;
wherein a proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors in the shopping mall is operable to be determined using the geographic location of the portable computing device. - View Dependent Claims (74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105)
wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the geographic location of the portable computing device using the known geographic location of the at least one access point and the relative geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the at least one access point.
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75. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine an approximate distance of the portable computing device relative to the at least one access point.
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76. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine an approximate bearing of the portable computing device relative to the at least one access point.
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77. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine an approximate bearing and distance of the portable computing device relative to the at least one access point.
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78. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors using the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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79. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein a vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located or proximate to is operable to be determined.
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80. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is operable to provide information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device to a service provider;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide geographic-based services to a user of the portable computing device based on the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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81. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 80, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a proximity of the portable computing device to one or more vendors using the geographic location of the portable computing device;
wherein the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device includes information regarding the one or more vendors.
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82. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 80, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine a first vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located or proximate to;
wherein the information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device includes information regarding the first vendor location.
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83. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 80, wherein the user of the portable computing device is physically located proximate to a first vendor;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide information to the portable computing device, wherein the information corresponds to the first vendor.
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84. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 83, wherein the information comprises advertising of the first vendor.
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85. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 80,
wherein the user of the portable computing device is physically located at or proximate to a first vendor location of a first vendor; -
wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the first vendor location of a plurality of possible vendor locations in which the portable computing device is located;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide information to the portable computing device, wherein the information corresponds to the first vendor.
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86. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is operable to provide information regarding the geographic location of the portable computing device to a service provider;
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wherein the service provider is operable to determine a proximity of the at least one access point to one or more vendors using the geographic location of the portable computing device;
wherein the service provider is operable to provide geographic-based services to a user of the portable computing device based on said determined proximity.
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87. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the geographic location of the portable computing device includes a latitude and longitude of the location of the portable computing device.
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88. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, further comprising a memory which stores map information of the first geographic area of the at least one access point;
wherein a proximity of the portable computing device to a vendor is determined using the map information and the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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89. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point includes location circuitry;
wherein the location circuitry is operable to determine the geographic location of the portable computing device in the second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area.
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90. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is operable to determine the geographic location of the portable computing device using at least one of:
- signal strength of a signal from the portable computing device, time stamps of data packets transmitted between the portable computing device and the at least one access point, and triangulation techniques.
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91. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, herein the at least one access point is configured to measure the signal strength of a signal received from said portable computing device, wherein said signal strength is useable in determining a distance from the at least one access point to the portable computing device, wherein said signal strength is used in determining the geographic location of the portable computing device.
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92. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein one or more of the at least one access point and the portable computing device is configured to transmit and receive data packets, wherein each of said data packets includes a time stamp;
wherein one or more of the at least one access point and the portable computing device is configured to determine a distance between the at least one access point and the portable computing device based on at least a first time stamp and a second time stamp, wherein said first time stamp is included in a data packet transmitted by the at least one access point and said second time stamp is included in a data packet transmitted by the portable computing device.
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93. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein said plurality of access points includes a first access point and a second access point, wherein said first access point and said access point are configured to determine the geographic location of said portable computing device using triangulation techniques.
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94. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein each of said plurality of access points is configured for detecting said portable computing device responsive to said portable computing device entering said first geographic area.
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95. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is configured to transmit the geographic location of said portable computing device to a memory associated with said portable computing device, thereby advising said portable computing device of its location.
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96. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is configured to provide directions to a specified location responsive to a query from said portable computing device, said directions to said specified location based at least in part upon the geographic location of said portable computing device.
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97. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is configured to determine a direction of motion of said portable computing device based on two or more determinations of the geographic location of said portable computing device.
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98. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is configured to transmit information to said portable computing device, wherein said information is dependent upon the geographic location of said portable computing device.
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99. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the at least one access point is configured to transmit information to said portable computing device, wherein said information is dependent upon the geographic location of said portable computing device and demographic information of the user of said portable computing device.
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100. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein a perimeter of said second smaller geographic area is within 10 feet of said portable computing device.
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101. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein a perimeter of said second smaller geographic area is within 5 feet of said portable computing device.
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102. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein said second smaller geographic area comprises a concentric ring region centered around the at least one access point.
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103. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the geographic location of the portable computing device is useable to determine a proximity of the portable computing device to a vendor;
wherein advertising of the vendor is provided to the portable computing device in response to the proximity of the portable computing device to the vendor.
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104. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73, wherein the geographic location of the portable computing device is useable to determine a proximity of the portable computing device to a vendor;
wherein the access point is operable to provide advertising of the vendor to the portable computing device in response to the proximity of the portable computing device to the vendor.
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105. The shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system as recited in claim 73,
wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate using wireless Ethernet; wherein the at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device using wireless Ethernet.
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106. A shopping mall-based geographic-based communications service system, comprising:
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a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate in a wireless manner;
a network;
a plurality of wireless access points coupled to said network and arranged at known geographic locations in the shopping mall, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the at least one access point is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a first geographic area of the first access point, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine a geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area.
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107. An airport-based geographic-based communications service system, comprising:
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a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate in a wireless manner;
a network;
a plurality of wireless access points coupled to said network and arranged at known geographic locations in the airport, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the at least one access point is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a first geographic area of the first access point, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine a geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area.
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108. A geographic-based communications service system, comprising:
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a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate in a wireless manner;
a network;
a plurality of wireless access points coupled to said network and arranged at known geographic locations in a mass-transit station, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner, wherein the at least one access point is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a first geographic area of the first access point, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine a geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area.
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109. A geographic-based communications service system, comprising:
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a portable computing device, wherein said portable computing device is configured to communicate in a wireless manner;
a network;
a plurality of wireless access points coupled to said network and arranged at known geographic locations, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate with the portable computing device in a wireless manner using wireless Ethernet, wherein the at least one access point is operable to communicate with the portable computing device in a first geographic area of the first access point using wireless Ethernet, wherein the at least one access point is further configured to determine a geographic location of the portable computing device in a second smaller geographic area within the first geographic area.
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Specification