Computerized methods for location-based service provision

• US 9,781,110 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2017
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Original Assignee: West View Research LLC
• Inventors: Gazdzinski, Mark J., Gazdzinski, Robert F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US15/470,775
• Publication Number:
  US 20170201517A1
• Time in Patent Office: 190 Days
• Field of Search: 235383, 235384
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/06 using voice
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10425 the interrogation device being arranged for interrogation of record carriers passing by the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/32 using wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00193 : Constructional details of apparatus in a franking system
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00314 : Communication within apparatus, personal computer [PC] system, or server, e.g. between printhead and central unit in a franking machine
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00225 : Vending machine or POS (Point Of Sale) apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00322 : Communication between components/modules/parts, e.g. printer, printhead, keyboard, conveyor or central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 : for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 : for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/13 : the containers being a postal pick-up locker
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/0235 : the arrangements being full-front touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/009 : the reader being an RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Computerized methods useful for causing provision of user-specific services via one or more data network apparatus and user mobile device. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving user-specific location data (e.g., relating to a destination of travel or shipping desired by the user) from the user'"'"'s mobile device via an electronic network proxy agent that acts as a proxy for multiple different users simultaneously, and automatically forwarding that received data to another computerized device to enable provision of the service relating to that user and location. In one variant, the user mobile device and the network proxy agent establish a secure session to facilitate transfer of the data to a network address or device specified in a secure user-specific account accessible to the proxy agent. In another variant, the mobile device interfaces with a kiosk at a point of departure to transfer the data.

Claims

1. A method of operating a data network computerized server apparatus to enable provision of one or more user-specific services to each of a plurality of users, the computerized server apparatus comprising at least one computer program operative to be executed thereon, and one or more data network interfaces configured to communicate data with one or more data networks, the method comprising:

utilizing the at least one computer program to receive, via the at least one data network interface, and sent from respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices, respective data enabling identification of respective user-specific accounts accessible by the data network computerized server apparatus;

utilizing the at least one computer program to receive, via the at least one network interface, and sent from the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices, respective data messages comprising location-related data, the respective location-related data (i) obtained by respective ones of mobile wireless-enabled user devices, and (ii) relating to a destination for provision of respective ones of the one or more user-specific services;

utilizing the at least one computer program to cause accessing of data within the respective user-specific accounts, the accessed data identifying respective ones of transportation modalities for provision of the respective user-specific services, the accessing data within the respective user-specific accounts based at least in part on the respective data enabling identification of the respective user-specific accounts;

utilizing the at least one computer program to generate a plurality of data messages for transmission to the respective ones of the transportation modalities, the data messages each comprising at least a portion of the respective location-related data; and

utilizing the at least one computer program to cause transmission of the plurality of data messages to the respective transportation modalities via at least the at least one network interface, the data messages each configured to at least enable provision of the respective user-specific service for the respective user at the respective destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said accessing of data within the respective user-specific accounts, the accessed data identifying respective ones of transportation modalities, comprises accessing data identifying respective ones of cars.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

said enabling provision of one or more user-specific services to each of a plurality of users comprises the computerized server apparatus acting as an automated network proxy for each of the transportation modalities without the respective users having to establish contact with the respective transportation modalities directly; and

said enabling provision of the one or more services further comprises enabling movement of the respective transportation modalities to the respective destinations by virtue of possessing the respective location-related data.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective location-related data obtained by respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices comprises location-related data obtained by utilizing a respective application computer program operative to run on the respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices to access a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective location-related data obtained by respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices comprises location-related data obtained by utilizing a respective application computer program operative to run on the respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices to communicate data with a respective computerized kiosk apparatus, the data communication with the respective computerized kiosk apparatus comprising access of an application computer program operative to run on the computerized kiosk apparatus and receive user inputs via the computerized kiosk apparatus.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective location-related data obtained by respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices comprises location-related data obtained by utilizing a respective application computer program operative to run on the respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices to communicate data with a respective network-based account of the respective user accessed via a respective computerized kiosk apparatus, the data communication with the network-based account comprising accessing a server apparatus using at least the respective application computer program.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices each comprise at least one application computer program configured for communication with a network server apparatus, and the method further comprises conducting respective authentication processes each comprising:

using the network server apparatus to authenticate said application computer program of the respective mobile wireless-enabled user device; and

using said network server apparatus to enable authentication of said network server apparatus by the respective one of said application computer programs.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising establishing respective sessions between the network server apparatus and the respective application computer programs so as to protect sensitive data relating to respective ones of the plurality of users or accounts during transmission between the network server apparatus and the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices, the sessions established according to at least one of:

(i) a transport layer security (TLS) protocol; and

/or (ii) a secure sockets layer security (SSL) protocol.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the network server apparatus comprises the data network computerized server apparatus, and the application computer program comprises a program rendered in at least a Java-based programming language.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said using the network server apparatus to authenticate said application computer programs of the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices comprises at least the network server apparatus using a challenge-based approach utilizing at least one random data value.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said using the network server apparatus to authenticate said application computer programs of the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices comprises at least the network server apparatus using a challenge-based approach utilizing at least one random data value.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

subsequently generating using the computerized server apparatus respective electronic mail or messages to respective ones of third parties, the respective third parties having been previously designated by the respective users via at least their respective accounts, the generated electronic mail or message comprising at least information relating to;

(i) at least one of a date and/or time the respective user-specific service is to performed, and (ii) information relating to the respective destination.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices each comprise at least one application computer program configured for communication with a network server apparatus, and the method further comprises further comprising:

establishing respective sessions between the network server apparatus and the respective application computer programs so as to protect sensitive data relating to respective ones of the plurality of users or accounts during transmission between the network server apparatus and the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices, the sessions utilizing at least one pre-formatted package of data packets necessary to enable a one-button transmit functionality, the data packets encapsulated according to at least one application layer security protocol.

14. A method of operating a computerized network apparatus to automatically enable provision of one or more services to each of a plurality of users each having respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices with application computer programs operative to run thereon, the computerized network apparatus comprising at least one computer program operative to be executed thereon, and one or more network interfaces configured to communicate data with at least one data network, the method comprising:

utilizing the at least one computer program to conduct authentication processes with the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices, the authentication processes each comprising;

(i) using the computerized network apparatus to authenticate said application computer program of the respective mobile wireless-enabled user device; and

(ii) using said computerized network apparatus to enable authentication of said computerized network apparatus by said application computer program of the respective mobile wireless-enabled user device, the authentication processes each conducted as part of one or more sessions established according to at least one of;

(a) a transport layer security (TLS) protocol; and

/or (b) a secure sockets layer security (SSL) protocol, at least one of the (i) using the computerized network apparatus to authenticate said application computer program of the respective mobile wireless-enabled user device, and/or (ii) using said computerized network apparatus to enable authentication of said computerized network apparatus by said application computer program, comprising use of a challenge-based approach utilizing at least one random data value;

utilizing the at least one computer program to receive, via the at least one data network interface, respective data enabling identification of respective user-specific accounts accessible by the computerized network apparatus, the respective data enabling identification of respective user-specific accounts having been transmitted to the computerized network apparatus by the respective application computer programs operative to run on the respective mobile wireless-enabled user devices, the respective transmissions each in response to a user touch-screen input via a soft function key (SFK) input function of the respective application computer program;

utilizing the at least one computer program to cause accessing of data within the respective user-specific accounts, the accessed data enabling communication with respective ones of transportation modalities for provision of the respective user-specific services, the accessing data within the respective user-specific accounts based at least in part on the respective data enabling identification of the respective user-specific accounts;

utilizing the at least one computer program to receive, via the at least one network interface, respective location-related data, the respective location-related data;

(i) obtained by respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices using the respective application computer program thereof, and (ii) relating to a geographic destination location for the user or at least one chattel thereof;

utilizing the at least one computer program to generate a plurality of data messages for transmission to respective ones of the transportation modalities, the data messages each comprising at least a portion of the respective location-related data; and

utilizing the at least one computer program to cause transmission of the data messages to the respective ones of the transportation modalities via at least the at least one network interface, the provision of the respective data messages enabling subsequent movement of the respective transportation modalities to the respective destinations.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the utilizing the at least one computer program to cause transmission of the data messages to the respective ones of the transportation modalities via at least the at least one network interface comprises utilizing at least one third-party wireless service provider for provision of the data messages to the respective transportation modalities, said transmission of the data messages each comprising transmission via a wireless interface utilizing an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexed) protocol, the OFDM protocol comprising transmission via a plurality of radio frequency carriers, and via a plurality of different time periods, so as to at least mitigate interference with other radio frequency communications devices within a same frequency band.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein:

said automatically enabling provision of one or more user-specific services to each of a plurality of users comprises the computerized network apparatus acting as an automated network proxy for each of the transportation modalities without the respective users having to establish contact with the respective transportation modalities directly; and

said enabling provision of the one or more services further comprises enabling movement of the respective transportation modalities to the respective destinations by virtue of possessing the respective location-related data.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the respective location-related data obtained by respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices comprises location-related data obtained by utilizing the respective application computer program to access a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver of the respective mobile wireless-enabled user device.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the respective location-related data obtained by respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices comprises location-related data obtained by utilizing the respective application computer program to communicate data with a respective computerized kiosk apparatus, the data communication with the respective computerized kiosk apparatus comprising access of an application computer program operative to run on the computerized kiosk apparatus and receive user speech inputs via the computerized kiosk apparatus.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the respective location-related data obtained by respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices comprises location-related data obtained by utilizing the respective application computer program operative to run on the respective ones of the mobile wireless-enabled user devices to communicate data with a respective network-based account of the respective user to obtain the location-related data, the location-related data having been provided to the network-based account via a respective computerized kiosk apparatus, the data communication with the network-based account comprising communicating data with a server apparatus using at least the respective application computer program.

20. A method of operating a mobile computerized apparatus of a user having an application computer program operative to run thereon, and a wireless data interface, the method to automatically enable provision of one or more user-specific services associated with a land vehicle, the one or more user-specific services being provided based at least on a user-specific account maintained at least in part in a secure network storage location, the method comprising:

establishing, via at least the application computer program, a secure data communications session between the mobile computerized apparatus and a network server apparatus, the secure data communications session established based at least on data provided to the network server apparatus by the mobile computerized apparatus and relating to the user-specific account, the network server apparatus configured to access the secure network storage location to access the user-specific account based at least in part on the data provided to the network server apparatus by the mobile computerized apparatus and relating to the user-specific account;

receiving at the mobile computerized apparatus, via at least the application computer program and the wireless data interface, data relating to a user-specified geographic location or address, the data relating to the user-specified geographic location or address having been obtained from the user via at least a computerized kiosk apparatus disposed at a point of travel departure for the user; and

automatically causing transmission of at least the data relating to the user-specified geographic location or address to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless data interface and the established data communications session;

wherein the transmitted data relating to the user-specified geographic location or address enables automatic forwarding by the network server apparatus to an electronic address previously designated within the user-specific account, the automatic forwarding to enable provision of the one or more user-specific services associated with the land vehicle; and

wherein the one or more user-specific services associated with the land vehicle comprise movement of the land vehicle to the user-specified geographic location or address.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the establishing, via at least the application computer program, the secure data communications session between the mobile computerized apparatus and the network server apparatus, comprises utilizing the application computer program to conduct an authentication process with the network server apparatus, the authentication process comprising:

(i) using the network server apparatus to authenticate said application computer program of the mobile computerized apparatus; and

(ii) using said network server apparatus to enable authentication of said network server apparatus by said application computer program, the authentication process conducted according to at least one of;

(a) a transport layer security (TLS) protocol; and

/or (b) a secure sockets layer security (SSL) protocol, at least one of the (i) using the network server apparatus to authenticate said application computer program, and/or (ii) using said network server apparatus to enable authentication of said network server apparatus by said application computer program, comprising use of a challenge-based approach utilizing at least one random data value.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the causing transmission of at least the data relating to the user-specified geographic location or address to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless data interface comprises causing transmission via an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexed) protocol, the OFDM protocol comprising transmission via a plurality of radio frequency carriers, and via a plurality of different time periods, so as to at least mitigate interference with other radio frequency communications devices within a same frequency band.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the application computer program comprises a computer program rendered in a Java-based programming language, and the method further comprises downloading the application computer to the mobile computerized apparatus.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising establishing a communications session between the mobile computerized apparatus and the computerized kiosk apparatus over at least a wireless interface of the computerized kiosk apparatus and the wireless data interface.

25. A method of providing a user-specific service to a user via at least a mobile computerized electronic apparatus such that the user does not need to know an address of a location where the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is presently located, the user-specific service being provided based at least on a user-specific account maintained at least in part in a secure network storage location, the mobile computerized electronic apparatus comprising at least:

a digital processing apparatus comprising at least one integrated circuit (IC);

a global positioning system (GPS)-based receiver apparatus configured to generate location-related data;

a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus; and

a storage device comprising at least one IC with at least one computer program stored thereon, the storage device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;

wherein the method comprises;

utilizing the at least one computer program to receive location-related data, the location-related data generated by the GPS-based receiver apparatus based on a then-current location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus;

utilizing the at least one computer program to automatically generate at least one electronic message for transmission to a network server apparatus, the at least one electronic message comprising at least a portion of the location-related data based on the then-current location; and

utilizing the at least one computer program to automatically cause transmission of the at least one electronic message to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless interface.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising establishing, via at least the at least one computer program, a secure data communications session between the mobile computerized electronic apparatus and the network server apparatus, the secure data communications session established based at least on data relating to the mobile computerized electronic apparatus and obtained via the user-specific account, the network server apparatus configured to access the secure network storage location to access the user-specific account based at least in part on the data provided to the network server apparatus by the user;

wherein the utilizing the at least one computer program to automatically cause transmission of the at least one electronic message to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless interface comprises automatically causing transmission of the at least one electronic message via the secure data communications session.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the establishing the secure data communications session between the mobile computerized electronic apparatus and the network server apparatus, comprises utilizing the at least one computer program to conduct an authentication process with the network server apparatus, the authentication process comprising at least one of:

(i) using the network server apparatus to authenticate said at least one computer program of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus; and

/or (ii) using said network server apparatus to enable authentication of said network server apparatus by said at least one computer program, the authentication process conducted according to at least one of;

(a) a transport layer security (TLS) protocol; and

/or (b) a secure sockets layer security (SSL) protocol, at least one of the (i) using the network server apparatus to authenticate said at least one computer program, and/or (ii) using said network server apparatus to enable authentication of said network server apparatus by said at least one computer program, comprising use of a challenge-based approach utilizing at least one random data value.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the network server apparatus is configured to act as a data communications proxy for a plurality of different mobile computerized electronic apparatus associated with different users;

wherein the user-specific service comprises a data transmission service, the data transmission service performed for the user at a location different than a current location of the user, the data transmission service comprising at least the utilizing the at least one computer program to automatically cause transmission of the at least one electronic message to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless interface; and

the at least one electronic message comprises a pre-formatted package of data packets encapsulated according to at least one application layer security protocol; and

wherein the causing transmission of the at least one electronic message via at least the wireless interface comprises causing transmission of the encapsulated data packets via a cellular wireless interface comprising at least one of a Third Generation Project Partnership (3GPP) compliant interface and/or an interface utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein:

the mobile computerized electronic apparatus further comprises a capacitive touch-screen input and display device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;

the at least one computer program is configured to generate one or more soft function keys on a display of the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the one or more soft function keys enabling the user to provide an operator input by way of one or more touches of one or more areas of the display corresponding to respective ones the one or more soft functions keys; and

the utilizing the at least one computer program to receive location-related data, the location-related data generated by the GPS-based receiver apparatus based on a then-current location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus, comprises causing the at least one computer program to receive location-related data in response to a user-generated request or input.

30. The method of claim 25, further comprising establishing, via at least the at least one computer program, a secure data communications session between the mobile computerized electronic apparatus and the network server apparatus, the secure data communications session established based at least on data relating to the mobile computerized electronic apparatus and obtained via the user-specific account, the network server apparatus configured to access the secure network storage location to access the user-specific account based at least in part on the data provided to the network server apparatus by the user, the establishing the secure data communications session between the mobile computerized electronic apparatus and the network server apparatus, comprises utilizing the at least one computer program to conduct an authentication process with the network server apparatus, the authentication process comprising at least one of:

(i) using the network server apparatus to authenticate said at least one computer program of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus; and

/or (ii) using said network server apparatus to enable authentication of said network server apparatus by said at least one computer program, the authentication process conducted according to at least one of;

(a) a transport layer security (TLS) protocol; and

/or (b) a secure sockets layer security (SSL) protocol, at least one of the (i) using the network server apparatus to authenticate said at least one computer program, and/or (ii) using said network server apparatus to enable authentication of said network server apparatus by said at least one computer program, comprising use of a challenge-based approach utilizing at least one random data value; and

wherein;

the utilizing the at least one computer program to automatically cause transmission of the at least one electronic message to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless interface comprises automatically causing transmission of the at least one electronic message via the secure data communications session;

the network server apparatus is configured to act as a data communications proxy for a plurality of different mobile computerized electronic apparatus associated with different users;

the user-specific service comprises a data transmission service, the data transmission service performed for the user at a location different than a current location of the user, the data transmission service comprising at least the utilizing the at least one computer program to automatically cause transmission of the at least one electronic message to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless interface, the causing transmission of the at least one electronic message via at least the wireless interface comprising causing transmission via a cellular wireless interface comprising at least one of a Third Generation Project Partnership (3GPP) compliant interface and/or an interface utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme;

the mobile computerized electronic apparatus further comprises a capacitive touch-screen input and display device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, and the at least one computer program is configured to generate one or more soft function keys on a display of the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the one or more soft function keys enabling the user to provide an operator input by way of one or more touches of one or more areas of the display corresponding to respective ones the one or more soft functions keys; and

the utilizing the at least one computer program to receive location-related data, the location-related data generated by the GPS-based receiver apparatus based on a then-current location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus, comprises causing the at least one computer program to receive location-related data in response to a user-generated request or input.