Method for distributing location-relevant information using a network

• US 6,664,922 B1
• Filed: 08/02/1999
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: At Road Incorporated
• Inventors: Fan, Rodric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blum, Theodore M.
• Application Number:
  US09/365,671
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.09, 342/357.1, 701/213
• US Class Current: 342/357.64
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/07 providing data for correcting measured positioning data, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS] or ionosphere corrections
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/071 DGPS corrections
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/41 Differential correction, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0063 of measured values, i.e. measurement on base station and position calculation on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles

Abstract

A method for distributing locating-relevant information includes providing a GPS position of a client to a server on a data network, and returning location-relevant information by the server based on the specified GPS position. Such location-relevant information include travel or tourist information (e.g., locations of tourist attractions, hotels, or restaurants). Commercial information such as discount coupons or advertising selected based on the Client'"'"'s GPS position can also be provided. Financial or business transactions can be conducted using the GPS position for authentication or identification.

Claims

1. A method for distributing location-relevant information over a data network to a client, comprising:

at a server, receiving from said client over said data network a GPS position of said client according to a predetermined updating policy, and receiving a query for information;

obtaining a measured GPS position by applying corrective factors to said GPS position received from said client;

obtaining from a data source at said server responsive information to said query, using said measured GPS position; and

returning to said client said responsive information as said location-relevant information.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said client communicates over a wireless link with a gateway of said data network.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said client comprises an Internet browser application program.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said location-relevant information includes advertising of local interest to said client.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said location-relevant information include a coupon accepted by a business in the local vicinity of said client.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein said location-relevant information includes an address of a local point of interest.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein said server selects location-relevant information from a non-location specific information database using said GPS position.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined updating policy provides scheduled updates of said GPS position.

9. A method as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined updating policy provides an update of said GPS position whenever a current position of said client deviates from a defined route by greater than a predetermined amount.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined updating policy provides an update of said GPS position when an operator of said client issues an update request.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined updating policy provides an update when a distance traveled by said client since the last update exceeds a predetermined value.

12. A storage medium as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined updating policy provides an update when a distance traveled by said client since the last update exceeds a predetermined value.

14. A method as in claim 9, wherein said GPS position is attached to said digital instrument as a code word formed using said GPS position.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said code word is formed using an encryption process.

13. A method for conducting a business or financial transaction, comprising:

receiving from a first party GPS position of said first party in conjunction with a digital instrument transmitted over a data network, said digital instrument being a component of said business or financial transaction; and

accepting said digital instrument by a second party to complete said transaction, said digital instrument being accepted on a basis that said GPS position constitutes a significant representation by said first party.

16. A method as claim 13, further comprising using said GPS position received from said first party to authenticate said digital instrument.

17. A method as in claim 13, further comprising using said GPS position received from said first party to identify said first party.

18. A method as in claim 13, wherein said GPS position is provided in said transaction to establish the location at which said transaction is deemed to have taken place.

19. A storage medium including a program for carrying out a method for distributing location-relevant information over a data network to a client, said method comprising:

at a server, receiving from said client over said data network a GPS position of said client according to a predetermined updating policy and receiving a query for information;

obtaining a measured GPS position by applying corrective factors to said GPS position received from said client;

obtaining from a data source at said server responsive information to said query, using said measured GPS position; and

returning to said client said responsive information as said location-relevant information.

20. A storage medium as in claim 19, wherein said client communicates over a wireless link with a gateway of said data network.

21. A storage medium as in claim 20, wherein said client comprises an Internet browser application program.

22. A storage medium as in claim 19, wherein said location-relevant information includes advertising of local interest to said client.

23. A storage medium as in claim 19, wherein said location-relevant information include a coupon accepted by a business in the local vicinity of said client.

24. A storage medium as in claim 19, wherein said location-relevant information includes an address of a local point of interest.

25. A storage medium as in claim 19, wherein said server selects location-relevant information from a non-location specific information database using said GPS position.

26. A storage medium as in claim 19, wherein said predetermined updating policy provides scheduled updates of said GPS position.

27. A storage medium as in claim 19, wherein said predetermined updating policy provides an update of said GPS position whenever a current position of said client deviates from a defined route by greater than a predetermined amount.

28. A storage medium as in claim 19, wherein said predetermined updating policy provides an update of said GPS position when an operator of said client issues an update request.

29. A storage medium including a program for carrying out method for conducting a business or financial transaction, said method comprising:

receiving from a first party a GPS position of said first party in conjunction with a digital instrument transmitted over a data network, said digital instrument being a component of said business or financial transaction; and

accepting said digital instrument by a second party to complete said transaction, said digital instrument being accepted on a basis that said GPS position constitutes a significant representation by said first party.

30. A storage medium as in claim 29, wherein said GPS position is attached as a code word formed using said GPS position.

31. A storage medium as in claim 30, wherein said code word is formed using an encryption process.

32. A storage medium as in claim 29, said method further comprising using said GPS position received from said first party to authenticate said digital instrument.

33. A storage medium as in claim 29, said method further comprising using said GPS position received from said first party to identify said first party.

34. A storage medium as in claim 29, wherein said GPS position is provided in said transaction to establish the location at which said transaction is deemed to have taken place.