Systems and methods for user-initiated location-based services through messaging

• US 9,020,542 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2006
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: McConnell, James T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Batista, Marcos
• Application Number:
  US11/562,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20080119200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,080 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 370/316
• US Class Current: 455/466
• 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 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

Systems and methods for user-initiated location-based services through messaging. Using a messaging client running on a communication device, a user transmits location information via a text and/or instant message to a recipient. The location information may be obtained from a GPS program or other location determining program accessible or installed on the user'"'"'s communication device. A network identifier such as a URL is created based on the location information and is appended into the message. When the recipient selects the network identifier, electronic content such as a graphic map including the sender'"'"'s location is displayed on the recipient'"'"'s communication device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a user-initiated text message over a network from a first node that is destined for a second node, the user-initiated text message containing location information corresponding to a dynamic geographic location of the first node, wherein the dynamic geographic location is determined by the first node when the text message is initiated by the user;

automatically generating a network identifier associated with the location information, wherein generating a network identifier associated with the location information comprises generating a uniform resource locator (URL);

delivering the user-initiated text message including the network identifier to the second node;

generating electronic content that is associated with a navigation map that indicates the dynamic geographic location of the first node based on the location information, wherein generating electronic content based on the location information comprises generating a browser supported map showing the dynamic geographic location of the first node based on information specified in the uniform resource locator, wherein the browser supported map further comprises location-based advertising, landmarks, and business locations; and

outputting the electronic content to the second node when the network identifier is selected by an operator at the second node.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the location information comprises geographical coordinates that indicate the dynamic geographic location of the first node.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the geographical coordinates are supplied by a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver in communication with the first node.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the location information comprises timing information.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising determining a location of the first node based on the timing information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the browser supported map further includes user controls that allow a viewer to perform one or more of the following:

zoom in, zoom out, pan, or obtain directions to one or more features on the map.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-initiated text message received from the first node was automatically generated by the first node at the start of a messaging session.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-initiated text message received from the first node was generated in response to the user selecting a “

send location”

feature provided by an interface at the first node.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the dynamic geographic location of the first node shown on the browser supported map comprises an icon including at least one of a name, a telephone number, and an instant messaging ID associated with the first node.

10. A messaging system comprising:

a messaging client processor configured to receive an electronic message from a first user system operated by a first user, the electronic message including location information corresponding to a dynamic geographic location of the first user system, wherein the dynamic geographic location is determined by the first user system when the electronic message is sent by the first user;

a network identifier processor communicatively coupled to the message client processor and configured to automatically generate a network identifier based at least in part on the location information, wherein the network identifier comprises a uniform resource locator;

a communication processor communicatively coupled to the network identifier processor and configured to forward the electronic message to a second user system operated by a second user as specified by the first user, the electronic message including the network identifier; and

a content generating processor communicatively coupled to the communication processor and configured to generate electronic content that is associated with a navigation map that indicates the dynamic geographic location of the first user system based on information provided in the network identifier in response to the second user selecting the network identifier, wherein generating electronic content based on the location information comprises generating browser supported content that displays the navigation map showing the dynamic geographic location of the first user system based on information specified in the network identifier, wherein the browser supported content further comprises location-based advertising, landmarks, and business locations.

11. The messaging system according to claim 10, wherein the content generating processor comprises computer readable code stored in an electronic storage medium configured to cause a processor to generate electronic content based on one or more input fields specified in the network identifier.

12. The messaging system according to claim 10, wherein the content generating processor is configured to generate content for the first user based on an instruction from the second user and to provide that content to a communication device of the first user.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the browser supported content further includes user controls that allow a viewer to perform one or more of the following:

zoom in, zoom out, pan, or obtain directions to one or more features on the navigation map.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the electronic message received from the first user system was automatically generated by the first user system at the start of a messaging session.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the electronic message received from the first user system was generated in response to the first user selecting a “

send location”

feature provided by an interface at the first user system.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the dynamic geographic location of the first user system shown on the browser supported map comprises an icon including at least one of a name, a telephone number, and an instant messaging ID associated with the first user system.

17. A method comprising:

determining a dynamic geographic location of a first network node;

automatically generating a network identifier based on the dynamic geographic location;

sending an electronic message to a second network node, the electronic message including the network identifier, wherein the dynamic geographic location of the first network node is determined and the network identifier is generated when the electronic message is sent; and

providing electronic content that is associated with a navigation map that indicates the dynamic geographic location of the first network node based on information in the network identifier in response to a request sent to a service provider, wherein generating a network identifier comprises generating a URL, wherein providing electronic content associated with navigation map comprises generating browser supported content that displays the navigation map showing the dynamic geographic location of the first network node based on information specified in the URL, wherein the browser supported content further comprises location-based advertising, landmarks, and business locations.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein determining the dynamic geographic location of the first network node comprises determining one or more geographic coordinates that indicate the dynamic geographic location of the first network node.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein providing electronic content comprises outputting the navigation map to a second network node.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein determining the dynamic geographic location of the first network node comprises receiving location information from a GPS device in communication with the first network node.