Location based information system

• US 8,060,117 B1
• Filed: 10/07/2010
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tendler Cellular of Texas LLC (Tendler Cellular Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Tendler Cellular of Texas LLC (Tendler Cellular Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tendler, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): WASHINGTON, ERIKA ALISE
• Application Number:
  US12/924,899
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information

Abstract

A wireless device-based system provides location-based services by determining the location of the wireless device and arranges for the service and the payment therefor.

Claims

1. In a wireless device based system, a system for delivery of a requestable location-based service to be charged to the wireless device user, comprising:

a GPS receiver for receiving GPS signals and a GPS antenna, said GPS receiver and said GPS antenna adapted to be used with a wireless device, said wireless device adapted to be activated to place a call to an entity that arranges for delivery of said location-based service, said wireless device adapted to be operated on a wireless network and having a number associated therewith, said wireless device having a transmitter responsive to GPS signals for transmitting to said entity via said wireless network a signal useful in determining the geophysical location of said wireless device and said number, said entity arranging for delivery of said location-based service responsive to said transmitted signal and arranging for charging of said user regardless of charging method at least in part for the requesting of the location-based service or for the requested service, said charging based on said transmitted number.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless device has a switch that causes said transmitter to transmit said signal useful in determining the geophysical location of said wireless phone.

3. The system of claim 1, and further including a separate switch that upon activation causes a separate signal to be transmitted by said transmitter indicative of the location-based service requested.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the requestable services and for which the user is in part charged are taken from the group consisting of emergency services, towing services, geophysical locations providing services and tracking services.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said entity includes an office for arranging for the provision of the location-based service.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said entity includes the owner of said wireless network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said entity includes a towing company.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said entity includes a tracking company.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said tracking company includes a vehicle tracking company.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said location-based service includes location-based information and wherein said location-based information includes an indication to a third party of the location of said wireless device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said third party is the party providing the location-based information.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said location-based service includes location-based information and wherein said location-based information includes roadside assistance.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said location-based service includes location-based information and wherein said location-based information includes indicating to an individual using said wireless device, the location of said wireless device.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the location of said wireless device is transmitted to said wireless device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said location-based service includes location-based information and wherein said location-based information includes the location of a location-based service.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said location-based information is provided by a location-based service provider closest to the location of said wireless device.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the closest location-based service provider is geographically closest.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the closest location-based service provider is closest in terms of transit time from the location of said wireless device to the location of the location-based service provider.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said location-based service includes location-based information and wherein said location-based information includes a location-based emergency service.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the information includes information related to gas stations.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the information includes information related to movie theaters.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the information includes information related to drugstores.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the location-based information includes providing a service to the user of the wireless device.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein said location-based service includes location-based information and wherein said location-based information includes concierge information.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said concierge information alerts the user of said wireless device to the location of a service provider.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the concierge information alerts the user of the wireless device to the location of the wireless device.

27. In a wireless device based system, a system for delivery of a requestable location-based service to be charged to the wireless device user, comprising:

a GPS receiver adapted to be used with a wireless device, said wireless device adapted to be activated to place a call to an entity that arranges for delivery of said location-based service, said device adapted to be operated by a user on a wireless network and having a number associated therewith, said wireless device having a transmitter for transmitting to said entity via said wireless network a signal based on GPS location useful in determining the geophysical location of said wireless device and said number, said entity arranging for delivery of said location-based service responsive to said transmitted signal and for arranging charging said user regardless of charging method at least in part for the requested location-based service or the arranging therefor, said charging being based on said number.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said wireless device has a switch that causes said transmitter to transmit said signal useful in determining the geophysical location of said wireless phone.

29. The system of claim 27, and further including a separate switch that upon activation causes a separate signal to be transmitted by said transmitter indicative of the location-based service requested by the user.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein the services requestable by the activation of said switch are taken from the group consisting of emergency services, towing services, geophysical location-providing services and tracking services.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein said entity includes an office for arranging for the provision of the location-based service.

32. The system of claim 27, wherein said entity includes a towing company.

33. The system of claim 27, wherein said entity includes a tracking company.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said tracking company includes a vehicle tracking company.