Method for transmission of location-specific information

• US 7,856,237 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2000
• Issued: 12/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Peter, Martin, Siewerth, Joerg, Peter, legal representative
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHAI MINH
• Application Number:
  US10/129,053
• Time in Patent Office: 3,856 Days
• Field of Search: 455/435.2, 455/456.3, 455/432, 455/500, 455/456.1, 455/455, 455/414, 455/7, 455/39, 455/414.2, 370/338, 370/66, 707/102, 707/100, 707/103
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

A method for transmission of location-specific information is described. Content transmitters are positioned at different locations and information which is specific for this location is stored in a content memory for each content transmitter. Each content transmitter transmits this location-specific information in a spatially narrowly bounded transmission area. On entering the transmission area, a mobile receiving unit receives the location-specific information, processes it further and causes it to be displayed.

Claims

1. A method for transmission of location-specific information by a plurality of content transmitters at different physical locations, wherein each of the plurality of content transmitters transmit information including content that is specific to a transmission perimeter surrounding each physical location, the method comprising the steps of:

each content transmitter transmitting (a) location-specific information in a spatially narrowly bounded transmission area, and (b) a content list relating to the location-specific information, the content transmitter transmitting the content list together with a readiness signal receivable by a mobile receiving unit on entering the transmission area of the content transmitter;

after receiving the content list from the content transmitter, the receiving unit sends transmitting an inquiry signal only if information in the content list matches predetermined desired information identified by the receiving unit;

after receiving the inquiry signal, the content transmitter transmitting location-specific information to the mobile receiving unit; and

the mobile receiving unit receiving the location-specific information, and filtering the content of the location-specific information to allow only certain content to be processed by the mobile receiving unit.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile receiving unit transmits an authorization signal which is checked by the content transmitter before transmission of the information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile receiving unit filters the received location-specific information as a function of prerequisites stored in the mobile receiving unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location-specific information is transmitted in encoded form by the content transmitter and is decoded by the mobile receiving unit via an appropriate key.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile receiving unit includes a mobile terminal with a short-range wire-free interface.

6. A content transmitter, comprising:

a content memory;

a short range transmitter for transmission of (a) location-specific information including content that is specific for an area surrounding the transmitter, and (b) a content list relating to the location-specific information;

a further transmitter for transmitting the content list together with a readiness signal to a receiving unit upon the mobile receiving unit entering a transmission area of the content transmitter;

a receiving section for receiving an inquiry signal from the receiving unit after sending the content list to the receiving unit if information in the content list received by the receiving unit matches predetermined desired information identified by the receiving unit; and

a device which selects and transmits to the receiving unit location-specific information from the content memory on receiving the inquiry signal from the receiving unit, the device having a filter which filters the content of the location-specific information as a function of the inquiry signal, before transmitting the location-specific information to the receiving unit.

7. The content transmitter of claim 6, further comprising a checking device which checks an authorization signal transmitted by a receiving unit before transmission of the location-specific information.

8. The content transmitter of claim 6, further comprising an encoder for encoding the transmitted location-specific information.

9. The content transmitter of claim 6, further comprising a voltage supply system which is independent of a main power supply system.

10. A receiving unit, comprising:

a short-range interface configured for;

reception of (a) location-specific information that are transmitted by a content transmitter, and (b) a readiness signal together with a content list relating to the location-specific information, said location-specific information containing data that is specific to an area surrounding the interface, the short-range interface receiving the content list together with a readiness signal from the content transmitter unit upon the receiving unit entering the transmission area of the content transmitter;

transmitting an inquiry signal to the content transmitter only if information in the content list received by the receiving unit matches predetermined desired information identified by the receiving unit;

reception of location-specific information from the content transmitter, the location-specific information being transmitted to the receiving unit in response to the inquiry signal from the receiving unit;

a device for further processing of received location-specific information;

a display device for displaying the location-specific information; and

a filter device included in the processing device which filters the received location-specific information.

11. The receiving unit of claim 10, further comprising a further transmitter for transmitting an inquiry signal on receiving the readiness signal for the content transmitter.

12. The receiving unit of claim 10, further comprising an input device for inputting filter data which the received location-specific information is filtered in the receiving unit and the selective inquiry signal is produced for transmission to the content transmitter.

13. The receiving unit of claim 10, wherein the receiving unit includes a mobile terminal.

14. An information transmission system for transmission of location-specific information, the information transmission system comprising:

a plurality of content transmitters positioned at different locations with each content transmitter transmitting (a) location-specific information including data that is specific for an area surrounding each content transmitter in a spatially narrowly bounded, separate transmission area, and (b) a content list relating to the location-specific information;

a receiving unit which on entering the transmission area of a content transmitter, receives the content list from the content transmitter and, after receiving the content list, sends an inquiry signal to the content transmitter only if information in the content list matches predetermined desired information identified by the receiving unit,

wherein in response to receiving the inquiry signal from the receiving unit, the content transmitter transmits location-specific information to the mobile receiving unit, and

wherein the receiving unit receives the location-specific information transmitted from the content transmitter, and further processes the location-specific information to filter the data of the received location-specific information and further causes the filtered location-specific information to be displayed.