Location messaging method for delivering messages in a global virtual space

• US 7,373,383 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2002
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: King.com, Ltd (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Boss, Gregory J., McConnell, Kevin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, KHANH Q
• Application Number:
  US10/313,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20040111477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204, 709/219, 709/227, 709/245, 709/206, 709/224, 709/228, 707/501, 707/502, 707/201, 345/810, 455/566, 455/557
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• 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 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A location messaging system creates and delivers messages in a global virtual space, at the best time and location, in the optimal context. The recipient can be either generally or specifically targeted. The location message criteria can be formatted so that only a specific group of people see the message. Location messaging leaves “triggers” in a virtual location, that can be either action or time related. Using action triggers, the location message will not be delivered until the recipient performs the predetermined action. That action includes things like visiting a web page/site, opening or editing a document, scanning a badge through a badge reader, buying a product from a store, or combining physical aspects to these virtual actions. Using time triggers, the location message has the ability to increase or decrease delivery or importance levels automatically. The location message will not be displayed or delivered to the recipient until that individual activates the message; messages are activated by performing some action predetermined by the message sender or a sender specified time duration has elapsed. Location messages have physical attributes associated with them. This allows a sender to leave a message for a recipient that is displayed only when he accesses a specific document from a specific place.

Claims

1. A messaging method for delivering a location message, comprising:

creating a location message destined for destined to a recipient in response to an activation by a recipient, by;

determining a destination location for the location message;

creating the location message;

defining a trigger event for activation by the recipient, that causes the location message to be activated;

defining attributes for the location message, wherein the attributes include a contextual attribute that accounts for a recipient'"'"'s location and a time of activation of the location message by the recipient; and

transmitting the location message to the destination location for storage and delayed delivery of the location message to the recipient, wherein the delayed delivery is initiated in response to the satisfaction of the contextual attribute and upon activation of the trigger event by the recipient as defined by a sender;

wherein determining the destination location of the location message comprises determining if the message is intended for a virtual location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the message is intended for a virtual location, adding the virtual location to the location message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the destination location of the location message comprises determining if the message is intended for a physical location.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein if the message is intended for a virtual location, adding an address of the physical location to the location message.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the location message comprises defining 6 message type.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein defining the message type comprises defining any one or more of:

an e-mail, an instant message, a short messaging system, a voice mail, and a location message.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein creating the location message further comprises defining a message format.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the trigger event comprises determining if the trigger event comprises an action trigger.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the trigger event comprises determining if the trigger event comprises a time trigger.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the location message attributes comprises defining a response message type.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the response message type comprises any one or more of:

an e-moil, an instant message, a short messaging system, a voice mail, and a location message.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein defining the location message attributes comprises defining a response message format.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising changing the message type into another messaging type.

14. The Method of claim 13, wherein changing the message type based on a time frame.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein changing the message type based on a predetermined action performed by a message recipient.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising replying to the location message with a reply location message.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein replying to the location message comprises replying with a message of different type.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the location message when a recipient performs a predetermined action.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the location message when a time criterion is met.