Location-aware services

• US 7,330,112 B1
• Filed: 09/09/2004
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James A. Roskind
• Original Assignee: Aaron T. Emigh, James A. Roskind
• Inventors: Emigh, Aaron T., Roskind, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tai
• Application Number:
  US10/937,920
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13, 340/539.16, 340/933, 340/941, 340/429, 340/438, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572
• US Class Current: 340/539.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• 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 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

In some embodiments, a technique for providing location-based functionality comprises providing functionality, wherein the functionality uses information provided by a location-aware device.

Claims

1. A method for logging encountered items encountered by a mobile device, comprising:

automatically detecting an item;

wherein detecting the item occurs in an uncontrolled environment;

extracting an identity;

wherein the identity is associated with the item;

logging an encounter;

wherein the encounter includes the identity; and

deleting the encounter after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, wherein the encounter is not marked as relevant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the item is a license plate.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the identity is contained in a watch list.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising alerting a user, if it is determined that the identity is contained in the watch list.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting an alert, if it is determined that the identity is contained on the watch list.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising marking an entry as relevant.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the item includes receiving information associated with an RFID tag.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein extracting the identity includes analyzing an image.