VWGoA - Ex. 1003
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. - Petitioner
`
`1
`
`

`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`Page 2
`
`......................... .. 340/995
`Behr et al.
`....................... .. 370/313
`Spaur et al.
`DeL0rme et al.
`................. .. 455/456
`Hancock et al.
`Dussell et al.
`Beckett et al.
`
`.
`..................... .. 701/211
`...................... .. 701/33
`
`8/1996
`3/1998
`9/1998
`11/1998
`8/1999
`12/1999
`
`**
`
`*
`
`5,543,789
`5,732,074
`5,802,492
`5,839,088
`5,938,721
`6,009,363
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,422,814
`5,424,951
`5,436,632
`5,450,344
`5,452,217
`5,471,392
`5,477,458
`
`6/1995
`6/1995
`7/1995
`9/1995
`9/1995
`11/1995
`12/1995
`
`.
`
`Sprague et al.
`Nobe et al.
`.
`Sheynblat .
`W00 et al.
`Kishi et al.
`Yamashita .
`Loomis .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0127
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`EXPLODED V/EW
`/N F/G. 2
`
`3
`
`
`

`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`
`
`U.S.Patent
`
`4
`
`

`
`U
`
`M
`
`t
`
`31
`
`10
`
`Mm$%288%wmmammwae9%zzo_2o_><z
`W.Km
`
`z9§éEz_:zo:_mEQZOEQE
`
`m.3R
`
`
`
`3.m$%Q<2625232%
`
`
`
`zocaoam88%32%
`
`R
`
`
`
`
`
`ZOEEQzo_E§8z_gzogumd
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`m.m.E
`
`mm
`
`SFm
`
`tzocézz
`
`mzo_z§Ez_m5_Ema
`
`ER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Wm“zom_%%8zo_z§Ez_zzogm232%
`
`5
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0127
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`MANUAL
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`57
`
`
`
`55
`
`IDENTITY FEATURE
`AND NAME
`
`CAPTURE POSITIONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`53
`
`
`
`
`
`57
`DETERMINE DISTRICT
`NAME
`
`
`
`
`54
`
`
`
`DISTRICT NAMES
`
`DISTRICT NAVIGATIONAL
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`
`I
`
`
`
`
`
`UNIQUE IN DISTRICT
`
`DISTRICT DATA FILE
`
`65
`
`
`
`
`
`
` CENTRAL , ------- *- 55
`REPOSITORY
`:E_—..— ————— ~-
`CLASSIFICATION L: ————— --
`
` MAKE REQUEST
`
`RECEIVE TRAVEL
`DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LOCAL
`
`STORAGE
`
`NAVIGATION
`UNIT
`
`
`77
`
`USER
`
`'
`
`75
`
`Fig. 4
`
`6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 0127
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`700
`
`702
`
`I06
`
`
`I.-.E.a
`
`
`
`FE!
`
`CB
`
`
`
`INPUT DEWCE
`
`OUTPUT DEWCE
`
`AP
`
`708
`
`704
`
`
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`GNVQQ
`
`saoau
`
`\
`
`u¢oEoo=2..
`
`1..
`
`
`
`U.S.Patent
`
`
`SCH”9.55\&rw.‘_Cv\._<>0w_
`
`Ex.....1§:<.....,.§\\xx.@..2.ao
`
`
`
`c3055->>.N/!ouaos<8_3.o.:_s.\.<DR\\I.1:/._,.__..
`§_m._.>.§_a>wemv
`
`kg\_A\:E..:oU
`.\x\\/:2»{$0-6.3__ouu=_>:a.v:_0::E333392:.no»I1:\o=H...ooo>50304}.QGE
`
`
`
`
`
`\l\‘Tmmxom<
`
`/:30.u\.,«one:u<10£./I...I\LT0z.\.320<305.2.;
`
`
`\_IE)it\al.ll\..4~.
`
`it»:E:
`
`oEo.u.
`
`\\E3;:1o»
`
`8
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 0127
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 0127
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`AK,ANC,ANCHORAGE,149W54,61N13
`AK,FBK,FA|RBANKS,147W43,64N51
`AK,JUN,JUNEAU,134W24,58N18
`AL,ANN,ANNlSTON,O85W50,33N39
`AL,BES,BESSEMER,O86W58,33N24
`AL,BlR,BlRMlNGHAM,O86W48,33N31
`AL,DEC,DECATUR,O86W59,34N36
`AL,DOT,DOTHAN,O85W24,31N13
`AL,FLO,FLORENCE,O8'/W41,34N48
`AL,GAD,GADSDEN,O86WO1,34NO1
`AL,HUN,HUNTSV|LLE,O86W35,34N44
`AL,MOB,MOBlLE,O88WO3,3ON41
`AL,MON,MONTGOMERY.O86W19,32N23
`AL,PHE,PHEN|X ClTY,O85WOO,32N28
`AL,PRl,PR|CHARD,O88WO5,3ON44
`AL,SEL,SELMA,O87WO1,32N25
`AL,TUS,TUSCALOOSA,O87W34,33N12
`AR,EDO,EL DORAD0,092W40,33N12
`AR,FAY,FAYETTEVlLLE,O96W10,36NO4
`AR,FTS,FORT SMlTH,O94W25,35N23
`AR,HOS,HOT SPRINGS NAT PA,O93W03,34N31
`/~\R,JON,JONESBOR0,09OW42,35N5O
`AR,LRK,LlTTLE ROCK,O92W17,34N45
`AR,NLR,NORTH LITTLE ROCK,O92W16,34N46
`AR,PlB,PlNE BLUFF,O92W01,34N13
`AR,WME,WEST MEMPHIS,O9OW11,35NO9
`AZ,FLA,FLAGSTAFF,‘| 1 1W39,35N12
`AZ,GCN,GRAND CANYON,112W8,36N59
`AZ,GLD,GLENDALE,112W11,33N32
`/\Z',MES,MESA,111W50,33N25
`AZ,PHO,PHOENlX,112WO4,33N27
`/\Z,SCO,SCO"lTSDALE,111W56,33N29
`AZ,TEM,TEMPE,111W56,33N25
`AZ,TUC,TUCSON,1 10W58,32N13
`AZ,YMA,YUMA,114W37,32N43
`CA,ALA,ALAMEDA,122W15,37N46
`CA,ALH,ALHAMBRA,118WO6,34NO8
`CA,ALT,ALTADENA,118WO8,34N11
`CA,ANA,ANAHElM,117W55,33N5O
`CA,ANT,ANTlOCH,121W48,38NO1
`CA,ARA,ACAD|A,118W12,34NO8
`CA,ARD,ARDEN,121W23,38N36
`CA,ARE,ARCADE,118WO1,34NO8
`CA,AZU,AZUSA,117W52,34NO8
`CA,BAK,BAKERSFlELD,119WO1,35N23
`CA,BAF’,BALDWlN PARK,117W58,34NO4
`CA,BBK,BURBANK,118W19,34N11
`C/—\,BEF,BELLFLOVVER,118WO9,33N53
`CA,BEG,BELL GARDENS,118W10,33N58
`CA,BEL,BELL,118W11,33N59
`CA,BEV,BEVERLY H|LLS,118VV25,34NO4
`
`Fig. 8/-\
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`CA,BMT,BELMONT,122W16,37N31
`CA,BRK,BERKELEY,122W16,37N52
`CA,BUP,BUENA PARK,117W60,32N52
`CA,BUR,BURL|NGAME,112W21,37N35
`CA,CAM,CAMPBELL,121W5'/,3"/N17
`CA,CAR,CARMlCHAEL,121W19,38N38
`CA,CAR,CARSON,1‘l8W17,33N48
`CA_CAV,CASTRO VALLEY,122WO4,37N42
`CA,CH|,CHINO,117W41,34NO1
`CA,CHV,CHULA VlSTA,117W05,32N39
`CA,C|H,ClTRUS HE|GHTS,121W17,38N42
`CA,CLA,CLAREMONT,117W43,34NO6
`CA,COL,COLTON,117W19,34NO4
`CA,CMP,COMPTON,118W13,33N54
`CA,COM,COSTA MESA,1‘I7W55,33N38
`CA,CON,CONCORD,122W02,37N59
`CA,COV,COV|NA,117W52,34NO5
`CA,CRN,CORONA,117W34,33N53
`C/\,CRO,CORONADO,117W10,32N41
`CA,CUC,CULVER ClTY,118W25,34NO1
`CA,CYP,CYPRESS,118WO2,33N5O
`CA,DAC,DALY C|TY,122W28,3'/N42
`Cf-\,DAV,DAVIS,121W44,38N32
`CA,DOW,DOWNEY,118WO8,33N56
`CA,ECA,EL C/—\JON,116W58,32N48
`CA,ECE,EL CERR|TO,122W19,37N55
`CA,ELA,EAST LOS ANGELES,118WO9,34NO1
`CA,EMT,EL MONTE,122WO0,37N59
`CA,ESC,ESCONDlDO,‘l17WO5,33NO7
`CA,EUR,EUREKA,124WO9,40N47
`CA,FAl,FA|RF|ELD,122WO3,38N15
`CA,FLO,FLORENCE,118W15,33N58
`C/—\,FON,FONTANA,117W26,34NO6
`CA,FOV,FOUNTA|N VALLEY,117W58,33N-42
`CA,FRE,FREMONT,121W57,37N32
`CA,FRS,FRESNO,1 19W47,36N44
`CA,FUL,FULLERTON_117W56,33N53
`CA,GAG,GARDEN GROVE,117W55,33N47
`CA,GAR,GARDENA,118W1818,33N53
`CA,GLD,GLENDALE,1‘l8W‘l5,34NO9
`CA.GLE,GLENDORA,1‘|7W52,34NO8
`CA,HAH,HAC|ENDA HE|GHTS,117W58,33N58
`CA,HAW,H/\WTHORNE,118W21,33N55
`CA,HAY,HAYWARD,122WO5,37N4O
`CA,H|C,H|LLCREST CENTER,‘1‘I8W57,35N23
`CA,HOL,HOLLYWOOD,118W21,34NO6
`CA,HUB,HUNTlNGTON BE/\CH,118W05,33N4O
`CA,HUP,|-IUNTINGTON PARK,118W14,33N59
`CA,lMB,|f\/IPERIAL BEACH,117WO8,32N35
`CA_|NG,|NGLEWOOD,118W21,33N58
`C/\,l_/\_7_,LOS ANGELES,118VV15,34NO<1
`
`Fig. 88
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`AK,ALASKA
`AL,ALABAMA
`AR,ARKANSAS
`AZ,AR|ZONA
`CA,CAL|I-"ORNIA
`CO,COLORADO
`CT,CONNECTICUT
`DC,DISTRlCT OF COLUMBIA
`DEDELAWARE
`FL,FLORIDA
`GA,GEORGIA
`HLHAWAII
`IA,lOWA
`ID,IDAHO
`IL,ILLINOIS
`lN,INDIANA
`KS,KANSAS
`KY,KENTUCKY
`LA,LOUISlANA
`MA,MASSACI-IUSETTS
`I\/IDMARYLAND
`ME,I\/IAINE
`MLMICHIGAN
`MN,MINNESOTA
`MO,I\/IISSOURI
`MSMISSISSIPPI
`MT,MONTANA
`NC,NORTH CAROLINA
`ND,NORTH DAKOTA
`NE,NEBRASKA
`NH,NEW HAMPSHIRE
`NJ,NEW JERSEY
`NM,NEW MEXICO
`NV,NEVADA
`NY,NEW YORK
`OH,OI-IIO
`OK,OKI_AI-IOMA
`OR,OREGON
`PAPENNSYLVANIA
`R|,RHODE ISLAND
`SC,SOUTH CAROLINA
`SD,SOUTH DAKOTA
`TN,TENNESSEE
`TX,TEXAS
`UT,UTAH
`\/A,VIRG|NIA
`VT,VERI\/IONT
`WA,WASHINGTON
`WLWISCONSIN
`\NV,V\/EST VIRGINIA
`WY,V\/YOMING
`
`Fig. 9
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 0127
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`US.CA.NWB.MAC2,117W52.360,33N39.549,MCDONALDS #2
`US.CA.NWB.BK2,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #2
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO.117W52.459,33N39.881_ARCO
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC2,1 17W52.513,33N39.679,DEL TACO #2
`US.CA.NWB.CHVRN,117W52.557,33N39.701,CHEVRON
`US.CA.NWB.JACK1,117W54.800,33N37.895,JACK-IN-THE-BOX #1
`US.CA.NWB.MAC1,117W54.837,33N36.987,MCDONALDS #1
`US.CA.NWB.TACO,117W55.280,33N38.278,TACO BELL
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC1,117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #1
`US.CA.NWB.MAC3,117W52.360,33N39.549,MCDONALDS #3
`US.CA.NWB.BK1,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #1
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO,117W52.459,33N39.681,ARCO #1
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC3,117W52.513,33N39.679,DEL TACO #3
`US.CA.NWB.CHVRN1,117W52.557,33N39.701,CHEVRON #2
`US.CA.NWB.JACK2,117W54.800,33N37.895,JACK—|N-THE—BOX #2
`US.CA.NWB.MAC4,117W54.837,33N36.987,MCDONALDS #4
`US.CA.NWB.TACO1,117W55.280,33N38.278,TACO BELL #1
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC4,117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #4
`US.CA.NWB.MAC5,117W52.360,33N39.549,I\/ICDONALDS #5
`US.CA.NWB.BK3,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #3
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO2,117W53.129,33N40.871,ARCO #2
`US.CA.I\WB.DLTC5,117W52.825,33N39.811,DEL TACO #5
`US.CA_I\.WB.CHVRN3,117W52.247,33N39.642,CI-IEVRON #3
`US.CA.I\.WB.JACK3,117W53.74,33N38.25,JACK-IN—THE—BOX #3
`US.CA.I\WB.MAC6,17W53.157,33N37.1,MCDONALDS #6
`US.CA.I\WB.TACO2,117W54.872,33N38.657,TACO BELL #2
`US.CA.I\WB.DLTC6,117W55.‘I44,33N39.975,DEL TACO #6
`US.CA.I\WB.MAC7,117W52.360,33N39.549,MCDONALDS #7
`US.CA.I\WB.BK4,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #4
`US.CA.I\WB.ARCO3,1‘I7W51.824,33N39.47,ARCO #3
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC7,117W52.851,33N39.487,DEL TACO #7
`US.CA.I\WB.CHVRN4,117W52.557,33N39.701,CHEVRON #4
`US.CA.NWB.JACK4,11'/W54.800,33N37.895,JACK-IN—THE-BOX #4
`US.CA.NWB.MAC8,‘I17W54.837,33N36.987,MCDONALDS #8
`US.CA,I\WB.TACO3,117W55.28,33N38.278,TACO BELL #3
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC8,117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #8
`
`US.CA.NWB.TEXCO,117W52.360,33N39.549,TEXACO
`US.CA.NWB.GULF,117W52.425,33N39.647,GULF OIL
`US.CA.NWB.ARBY,117W52_459,33N39.681,ARBY'S
`US.CA.NWB.DENNY,117W52.513,33N39.679,DENNY’S
`US.CA.NWB.PZHUT,117W52.557,33N39,701_P|ZZA HUT
`US.CA.NWB.PZINN,‘I17W54.800,33N37.895,PIZZA INN
`US.CA.NWB.PENNY,117W54.837,33N36.987,J.C. PENNY’S
`US.CA.NWB.KFC1,117W55.280,33N38.278,KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN
`US.CA.NWB.PZAPZA,117W55.354,33N38.204,LIL’ CAESAERS
`US.CA.NWB.SUB,117W52.360,33N39.549,SUBWAY
`US.CA.NWB.WNDY,117W52.425,33N39.647,WENDY'S
`US.CA.NWB.WELLS,117W52.459.33N39.681,WELL'S FARGO
`
`Fig. 10A
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`US.CA.NWB.STAR,117W52.513,33N39.679,DEL STAR ATM
`US.CA.NWB.MAIL,117W52.557,33N39.701,MAILBOX
`US.CA.NWB.GMC,117W54.800,33N37.895,GENERAL MOTORS DEALER
`US,CA.NWB.FORD,117W52.837,33N36.987,FORD DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.MBZ,117W55.280,33N38.278,MERCEDES BENZ DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.LEXUS,117W55.354,33N38.204,LEXUS DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.S711,117W52.360,33N39.549,7—11
`US.CA.NWB.C|RK,117W52.425,33N39.647,CIRCLE K STORE
`US.CA.NWB.BOFA,117W52.459,33N39.681,BANK OF AMERICA
`US.CA.NWB‘ANW,117W52.513,33N39.679,A AND W RESTAURANT
`
`US.CA.SAN.MAC2,117W52.360,33N49.549,MCDONALDS #2
`US.CA.SAN.BK2,117W52.425,33N49.647,BURGER KING #2
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO,117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC2,117W52.513,33N49.679,DEL TACO #2
`US.CA.SAN.CHVRN,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON
`US.CA.SAN.JACK1,117W54.800,33N47.895,.JACK—IN—THE—BOX #1
`US.CA.SAN.MAC1,117W54.837,33N46.987,MCDONALDS #1
`US.CA.SAN.TACO,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC1,117W55.280,33N48.204,DEL TACO #1
`US.CA.SAN.MAC3,117W52.360,33N49.549,MCDONALDS #
`US.CA.SAN.BK1,117W52.425,33N49.647,BURGER KING #1
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO1,117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO #1
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC3,117W52.513,33N49.679,DEL TACO #3
`US.CA.SAN.CHVRN1,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON #2
`US.CA.SAN.JACK2,117W54.800,33N47.895,JACK-IN-THE-BOX #2
`US.CA.SAN.MAC4,117W54.837,33N4E3.987,MCDONALDS #4
`US.CA.SAN.TACO1,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL #1
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC4,117W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #4
`US.CA.SAN.MAC5,117W52.360,33N49.549,MCDONALDS #5
`US.CA.SAN.BK3,117W52.425,33N49.647,BURGER KING #3
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO2,117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO #2
`US.CA.SA’\I.DLTC5,117W52.513,33N49.679,DEL TACO #5
`US.CA.SA’\I.CHVRN3,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON #3
`US.CA.SA’\I.JACK3,117W54.800,33N47.895,JACK-IN—THE—BOX #3
`US.CA.SA‘\I.I\/IAC6,117W54.837,33N46.987,MCDONALDS #6
`US.CA.SAN.TACO2,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL #2
`US.CA.SA‘\I.DLTC6,117W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #6
`US.CA.SA’\I.I\/IAC7,117W52.360,33N49.549,MCDONALDS #7
`US.CA.SA’\I.BK4,117W52.425,33N49.647,EURGER KING
`US.CA.SA:‘\’.ARCO3,117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO #3
`US.CA.SA\I.DLTC7,117W52.513,33N49.647,DEL TACO #7
`US.CA.SA\I.CI-IVRN4,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON #4
`US.CA.SAN.JACK4,117W54.800,33N47.895,JACK-IN~THE—BOX #4
`US.CA.SAN.I\/IAC8,117VV54.837,33N46.987,MCDONALDS #8
`US.CA.SA‘\I.TACO3,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL #3
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC3,117W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #8
`
`USCAYSvI.WWNA,119\/V39.23,37N32.20,WAWONA LODGE
`US.C/\.YS'/I.TLME,‘I 19W21.54,37N52.32,TUOLUIw1NE MEADOVVS
`
`Fig. 105
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`US.CA.YSM.HFDM,119W31.56,37N44.84,HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.HCHY,119W47.37,37N56.78,HETCH HETCY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.BDGP,119W39.72,37N40.25,BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.MRPG,119W36.13,37N30.77,MARIPOSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.SENT,119W37.96,37N30.12,SOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.NENT,119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.WENT,119W46.21,37N40.64,V‘/EST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.EENT,119W15.57,37N54.38,EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.WWLF,119W38.73,37N52.35,WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.GCRP,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.YSMF,119W37'.12,37N45.34,YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`US.CA.YSM.GGG1,119W39.23,37N32.20,WAWONA LODGE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG2,119W21.54,37N52.32,TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
`US.CA.YSM.GGG3,119W31.56,37N44.84,HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.GGG4,119W47.37,37N56.78,HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.GGG5,119W39.72,37N40.25,BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.GGG6,119W36.13,37N30.77,MAR|POSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG7,119W37.96,37N30.12,SOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG8,119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG9,119W46.21,37N40.64.WEST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG10,119W15.57,37N54.38,EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG11,119W38.73,37N52.35,WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.GGG12,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.GGG13,119W37.12,37N45.34,YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`US.CA.YSM.G1,119W39.23,37'N32.20,WAWONA LODGE
`US.CA.YSM.G2,119W21.54,37N52.32,TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
`US.CA.YSM.G3,119W31.56.37N44.84,HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.G4,119W47.37.37N56.78,HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.G5,119W39.72,37N40.25,BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.G6,119W36.13,3”/'N30.77,MAR|POSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.G7,119W37.96,37N30.12,SOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G8,119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G9,119W46.21,37N40.64,WEST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G‘IO,119W15.57,37N54.38,EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G11,119W38.73,37N52.35,WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.G12,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.G13,119W37.12,37N45.34,YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`US.CA.YSB.I-IFDM,119W31.56,37N44,84,HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSB.YSI~,‘|F,119‘-A/37.12,37N45.34,YOSEMITE FALLS
`US.CA.YSB.GGG1,11QW34.23,37N44.73,AHWAHNEE HOTEL
`LJS.CA.YSB.GCRP,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`
`Fig. 100
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`AD,ANDORRA
`AE,UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
`AF,AFGHANISTAN
`AG,ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
`AI,ANGUILLA
`AL,ALBANIA
`AM,ARMENIA
`AN,NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
`AO,ANGOLA
`AQ,ANTARCTlCA
`AR,ARGENT|NA
`AS,AMERICAN SAMOA
`AT,AUSTRIA
`AU,AUSTRALIA
`AW,ARUBA
`AZ,AZERBAIJAN
`BA,BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
`BBBARBADOS
`BDBANGLADESH
`BE,BELGIUM
`BF,BURK|NA FASO
`BG,BULGARIA
`BI-I,BAHRAIN
`BLBURUNDI
`BJ,BENIN
`BM,BERI\/IUDA
`BN,BRUNE| DARUSSALAM
`BO,BOLIV|A
`BR,BRAZ|L
`BS,BAI-IAMAS
`BT,BI-IUTAN
`BV,BOUVET ISLAND
`BWBOTSWANA
`BY_BELARUS
`BZ,BELIZE
`CA,CANADA
`CC,COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS
`CF,CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
`CG,CONGO
`
`C»H,S\/VITZERLAND
`CI,COTE D'IVOIRE (IVORY COAST)
`CK,COOK ISLANDS
`CL,CI-IILE
`CIWCAMEROON
`CN,CHINA
`CO,COLOMBIA
`CR,COSTA RICA
`CSCZECHOSLOVAKIA (FORMER)
`CU,CUBA
`CV,CAPE VERDE
`C)<,CI~IRISTMAS ISLAND
`
`Fig. 1 1
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`G02 ADDRESS: US TX AUS 55.653.17.62
`
`[DEGREES:M|NUTES:SECONDS]
`L/-\TlTUDE:| 30:13:43.5N
`
`I
`
`LONGITUDE:
`
`97:33:50.0W
`
`PROPRIETARY
`G02 LOCATION:
`
`.
`CW AUSAUSW
`ST TE:
`TXTEXAS
`A
`
`COUNTRY:
`
`US UNITED STATES
`
`0
`
`DOWN
`
`.
`Show/ng You the Way
`
`Fig. 12a
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 16 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`G02 ADDRESS: cA.NwB.MAc1
`
`TM
`
`LATITUDE:
`
`[DEGREESIMINUTESZSECONDS]
`33136I59.22N
`
`LONGITUDEZ
`
`117254I50.22W
`
`PROPRIETY
`G02 LOCATION:
`
`CITY: NW8 NEWPORT BEACH
`STATE: cA CALIFORNIA
`
`DOWN
`
`coummv: us UNITED STATES
`
`Fig. 12b
`
`showing you the Way
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`G02 ADDRESS: MAC2
`
`LATITUDE:
`
`[DEGREES:M|NUTES:SECONDS]
`33:39:32.94N
`
`LONGITUDE:
`
`117:52:21.6OW
`
`PROPRIETARY
`G02 LOCATION; MAC1 = MCDONALDS #2
`
`.
`
`.
`
`8
`
`TA
`TE: CA CALIFORNIA
`
`COUNTRY: us UNITED STATES
`
`Fig. 12c
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 18 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`5
`_
`LL
`L5
`(9
`z
`
`'2
`U)
`
`L”d1
`
`OE
`
`5
`F
`s
`U)LU
`(D
`<1:
`i
`
`(Y)
`‘_
`
`Q7
`LL
`
`
`
`I-
`
`%J
`n:
`UJ
`1-
`E
`
`8
`9
`
`T
`
`J
`
`
`
`E
`‘E
`
`13031111111111111EXAMPLEII
`
`1301
`
`
`
`
`PORTABLE
`
`COMPUTING
`
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`ALIEXAMPLE1
`
`SATELLITE
`
`(D
`5
`
`<r
`1—
`2
`
`%%
`EE
`
`§:=—§
`
`0°
`8
`
`OX
`ol-U0:
`
`DT'—'I—-
`
`(D2
`
`
`
`20
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 19 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`
`WIRELESS
`TRANSCHVER
`
`MAPPING
`STORAGE
`
`Fig. 14
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 20 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`1510
`
`SERVER
`
`1510
`
`
`
`
`AU
`DEWCE
`INTERFACE
`
`WEBBROWSER
`
`1502
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` ALIPOLL
`
`DATAPACKET
`BUHDERAND
`PARCER
`
`«dlllllllv
`
`DATA
`STORAGE
`
`Fig. 15
`
`22
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 21 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`I600
`
`DETERMINE CURRENT LOCATION
`
`1602
`
`1604
`
`1606
`
`1508
`
`1610
`
`1511
`
`1618
`
`
`
`
`DETERMINE DESIRED LOCATION
`AND OTHER DATABASE
`
`QUERY PARAMETERS
`
`
`
`CONVERT DESIRED LOCATION
`TO GRID COORDINATE
`SYSTEM IF NECESSARY
`
`
`
`
`
`STORE DESIRED LOCATION IN
`LOCAL CLIENT DATA STORAGE
`DEVICE
`
`CONNECT To SERVER
`
`READ DATA PACKET
`
`FORMULATE DATABASE QUERY
`FROM INFORMATION IN DATA
`PACKET
`
`RETRIEVE DATA FROM QUERY
`
`
`
`
`SEND RESULTS TO CLIENT
`
`23
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 22 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`1700
`
`1702
`
`DEFINE
`
`....... .. . ..
`
`LOCATION 1703
`FORMAT?
`
`LOCATION INFORMATION:
`USE GPS LOCATION
`USE PROJECTED GPS LOCATION_MINS
`MANUAL LOCATION INPUT
`SAVED LOCATIONS
`HOME
`OFFICE
`SELECT LOCATIONS FROM:
`MAP
`WAY POINT TABLE
`
`MENU SELECTIONS:
`
`1.CATEGORY (i.e. RESTAURANTS,
`BANKS, ETC.)
`2. CATEGORY FEATURES (i.e. ONLY
`ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ACCEPT VISA)
`3. SEARCH RADIUS (2-5 MILES, ETC.)
`4. OTHER SELECTION CRITERIA.
`
`
`
`SELECT CRITERIA
`FOR DATABASE
`QUERY
`
`1705
`
` LOCATION
`DATA IN GO2
`
`
`
`
`
`CONVERT TO
`YES
`GO2
`
`FORMAT
`
`
`
`1707
`
` DATA PACKET:
`CREATE DATA
`PACKET ON LOCAL
`1) CURRENT LOCATION
`
`DATABASE
`2) SPEED
`
`3)BEARING
`4) INTENDED ROUTE TIME ESTIMATES
`5) INTENDED DESTINATION ROUTE
`ESTIMATES
`
`8) QUERY PARAMETERS
`
`6) PREDEFINED USER PREFERENCES
`(PROFILE) (e.g. VACATION, BUSINESS
`TRIP, PREFERRED SERVICE STATION,
`BANK’ ETC.)
`7) INTERIM USER PREFERENCES
`
`GO2 APPLICATION
`
`Fig. 17
`
`24
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 23 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`CONNECT TO SERVER
`
`1802
`
`1804
`
`
`
`
`EXISTING
`DATA
`PACKET?
`
`
`YES
`
`N0
`
`1806
`
`OFFER TO DOWNLOAD G02
`APPLICATION SOFTWARE
`
`1810
`
`READ DATA PACKET
`
`AND EXTRACT
`LOCATION AND
`DATABASE QUERY
`INFORMATION
`
`
`OFFER
`
`ACCEPTED?
`
`
`
`
`1808
`
`NO
`
`1811
`
`1824
`
`YES
`
`PROVIDE WEB PAGES TO PROMPT
`USER FOR LOCATION AND
`DATABASE QUERY PARAMETERS
`
`DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL
`GO2 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
`
`1812
`
`READ USER INPUT
`
`
`
`1814
`
`COVERT LOCATION DATA TO G02
`GRID DATA FORMAT IF NECESSARY
`
`
`
`
`
`PERFORM DATABASE SEARCH
`
`1818
`
`
`
`SEND RELEVANT DATA TO CLIENT
`
`1820
`
`\
`
`LAUNCH G02
`APPLICATION SOFTWARE
`
`Fig. 18
`
`25
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 24 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`.3E0820._
`
`
`uwzocomdmszmz
`
`VQNFmom?
`
`82
`
`
`
`
`
`.Ez:<m<5mm.3mmmszwE0820N35.mv_z<m_
`
`
`
`GE_mE__>_3msaéIomfim.m22>EmoxmET:
`
`
`
`Ezms_Im:m_<5m:20
`
`
`
`<_~mEmozo_5m_._m_m$15.2,32
`
`
`
`38228>._._.om_m_n_mmm:mozO_._.<_2mO.._z_
`
`
`
`§_oo.$_z<mNoo.3E552om__n__omn_m<O._.
`
`E0820E552N8mmmoozoEm:
`
`
`
`m::oEEm:oz<zozomdmzzmzm_>
`
`E8Exo<n_<._.<o
`
`89
`
`if$>Em9.EmmEv_o<n_E<o
`
`2mm
`
`
`
`zocowdwE0820.~
`
`
`
`zo:<o9EMEB._
`
`”mm53oz_
`
`
`
`maoé.m
`
`mom_.
`
`
`
`zo_Es_m8z_m:_u_oEEm:E15__V
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`E>%_m©:2n_z<m_v_o<n_<._.<ommmméEimm
`
`01%
`
`NK:2§ooEzo_Eo:%_<N859mm
`
`
`
`n_z<EmzoOH._.zm_w._.mv_o<n_<._.<n_
`
`
`
`>56mw<mS<ommE::_>_~_o”_
`
`
`
`o:3Es,mmmaommmm;$522:zo:<o:&<N8
`
`
`
`
`
`«N9.
`
`E>$mE552N8mmmzommmm;
`
`mom;
`
`
`
`m:2moissimo9..#5E552N8E<_EoEn_<
`
`
`
`mzomzN8hzmmmpo><._n_m_o
`
`
`
`mmmm:OH_.z<>m._mmm_._._wmm_>>
`
`
`
`.zo:<o9Emmmso
`
`v
`
`_.
`_.m
`
`
`
`zo:<s_m8z_Em:Emzcfim$50.N
`
`
`
`N8oz_o3oz_E552moo
`
`m:<_EoEn_<mom#54$o3oz_
`
`mw$_8<
`
`
`
`
`
`GE.n__Emmm_z_w3m_.zoEa<>.3
`
`26
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 25 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`I
`
`2004
`
`2002
`
`LOCAHON
`
`DETERMINING
`
`
`CAPABHJTY?
`
`
`
`NO
`
`SLEEP(X)
`
`SECONDS
`
`
`
`
`
`POLLLWD
`
`
`PROMPTFOR
`MANUALLOCAHON
`
`INPUT?
`
`2008
`
`
`
`2010
`
`YES
`
`<——No
`
`ISTHEREA
`LOCAHON
`CHANGE?
`
`
`
`2012
`
`YES
`
`2014
`
`
`
`UPDATE
`
`
`FREQUENCY
`
`OPHONS?
`
`
`
`2016
`
`YES
`
`
`TRANSMW
`CURRENT
`
`G02
`
`LOCAHON
`
`
`
`2018
`
` RECHVE
`
`UPDATED
`LOCAHON
`
`
`DATA
`
`
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`2025
`
`2020
`
`
`
`UPDATECLENT
`
`INFORMAHON
`
`
`
`
`
`2024
`
`Go2SERVER
`
`<IIIIIIIII-»
`
`‘|
`
`PERSBTENT
`STORAGE
`
`Fig. 20
`
`27
`
`

`
`
`
`U.S.Patent
`I||:!lI[.|l[in‘!I
`
`
`
`_<_>_Zmammma
`
`20,202/09SU
`
`1B
`
`
`
`3_u>_»X_ZO_.O._.O
`
`024“ll:wwm“IINWmmW“IM“n
`flflmmo“nm.MMIIRmumn“M @mnnMFm.u>mx_zo54>Mmm_u>mx_zo
`InM.IIDIIa||T6ll0wawom“nL
`
`_.O._.m“l
`
`
`
`28
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 27 of 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`2202
`
`’/ 2201
`
`
`
`2204
`
`O O O O O O O O
`
`
`
`OOOOOOO
`
` PROCESSOR
`OOOOOOOOO
`OOOOOOOO
`COMMUNICATIONSBUS
`
`
`
`2 MA=~MEMoRv
`
`2206
`
`
`
`
`
`
`REMOVABLE
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`REMOVABLE
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`2222
`
`
`
`
`
`HARD DISK DRIVE '
`
`
`
`REMOVABLE STORAGE
`DRIVE
`
`INTERFACE
`
`INTERFACE
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`2224
`
`Fig. 22
`
`29
`
`

`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`1
`INTERNET BASED GEOGRAPHIC
`LOCATION REFERENCING SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/188,153, filed Nov. 4, 1998, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,236, which is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 08/701,586, filed Aug. 22, 1996,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,088. The above referenced patent
`and applications are incorporated herein by reference as if
`set forth in full.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a geographic location
`referencing system and to a system, method and computer
`program product for automatically providing informational
`services to users based on their geographical location.
`2. Related Art
`
`The Internet has revolutionized the way people acquire
`information. Seemingly limitless volumes of data are now
`instantly available to users from their homes, offices, schools
`and libraries. Portable devices of various types including
`portable computers, personal data assistants, wireless com-
`munication devices (i.e. cellular phones) and in-vehicle
`navigation and computer systems can or will be used to
`access the Internet from any location.
`Currently, services offered on the Internet do not cater to
`mobile users. In fact, it is often cumbersome to interact with
`current Internet services using portable devices due to the
`interactive nature of on-line sessions that generally require
`substantial user input. This can raise safety concerns, for
`example, in automotive Internet access devices. What is
`needed therefore,
`is a system and method that provides
`Internet services to mobile users with reduced user input
`requirements. In addition, what is needed is a system and
`method that provides Internet services to mobile users that
`are customized according to each user’s geographical loca-
`tion.
`
`is needed is a system and method for
`Further, what
`providing a geographic location referencing system that can
`be easily adapted to provide automated Internet services
`based on location. One such referencing system that can be
`used with the present invention is described in the above
`referenced related patent application, now U.S. Pat. No.
`5,839,088 (“the ’88 patent”), entitled “Geographic Location
`Referencing System and Method”. The ’88 patent and the
`present patent application are commonly owned.
`The ’88 patent describes a geographic location referenc-
`ing system that has an addressing scheme that allows a
`location to be uniquely addressed using proprietary names
`unique to a geographical area. The geographic location
`system is contrasted with prior systems that are not suitable
`for Internet related services. Such systems include geodetic
`latitude and longitude, Universal Transverse Mercator
`(UTM), Military Grid Reference System (MGRS), World
`Geographic Reference System (GEOREF), Maidenhead,
`Trimble Grid, Trimble Atlas, and Thomas Brothers Detail.
`These prior systems can generally be divided into two
`categories: global and local. The global systems, such as
`geodetic latitude and longitude, UTM, MGRS, GEOREF,
`Maidenhead, and Trimble Grid, use a scheme that subdi-
`vides the globe into areas of increasing resolution, until a
`particular location is properly identified. Thus each location
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`address is referenced to the global system, allowing for the
`easy comparison of two location addresses. However, the
`addresses tend to be complicated, cumbersome, and unre-
`lated to the real world, increasing the complexity of these
`systems.
`The local systems, such as Thomas Brothers paper map-
`ping systems, provide a technique that assigns location
`addresses based on association with a geographic region or
`physical map pages, with every location identified with only
`one region. The local systems are suitable for use in con-
`nection with a physical map. However, such local systems
`are difficult to use with respect to a more global or electronic
`system, as there is no simple way to convert a local address
`into a global address, and the local address is not recognized
`in the global systems.
`Location technology has been significantly impacted by
`the wide availability of Global Positioning Systems (GPS),
`which are operated by the United States Department of
`Defense to provide worldwide navigation, position location,
`and precision timing services. GPS comprises a global
`network of satellites that interact with a controller coupled
`to a GPS receiver, allowing the controller to precisely
`determine its location. This location is typically output from
`the GPS receiver as latitude and longitude numbers, which
`are cumbersome for users to understand and use. A GPS
`
`receiver is sometimes coupled with additional capability that
`allows the raw latitude/longitude numbers to be converted
`into a more useful and usable format. See, eg., Sprague et al.,
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,814; Inoue, U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,195; and
`Yamashita, U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,392. However, even with
`these enhancements, a problem with these systems is that
`they are still difficult to use by persons who are unskilled in
`the use of location referencing systems. Another problem is
`that these systems are unwieldy because they still retain their
`global character. Still another problem with these systems is
`that they are not readily adaptable for use with computer
`networks such as the Internet.
`
`Private commercial tracking systems in use today provide
`the ability to automatically track the location of,
`for
`example, a fleet of trucks, e.g. see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,155,689;
`5,299,132; 5,398,190; 5,454,027; 5,513,111; and 5,519,621.
`These patents are all related to a commercial vehicle locat-
`ing and communicating system that uses either a cellular
`network or a GPS system for tracking and locating vehicles.
`The problem with these proprietary systems is that they
`are very complex, expensive and limited to very specific
`functions. What is needed is a referencing system that can be
`used with a minimum amount of reading, scrolling, and
`searching, and with a limited number of keystrokes for data
`entry. In addition, what is needed is a user-friendly, truly
`local addressing system that is easily convertible to a known
`global system for wide-range concerns. Further, what is
`needed is a flexible system and method that can be used to
`automatically provide mobile users with relevant informa-
`tion customized for their current location. Additionally, what
`is needed is a system and method that caters to mobile
`Internet users by providing customized services based on
`geographic location.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a system and method for
`providing services over a computer network, such as the
`Internet, for users in mobile environments. Specifically, the
`system and method of the present invention provides users
`with information that is specific to the user’s geographic
`location.
`
`30
`
`

`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`3
`In a preferred embodiment, a client computer system is
`equipped with a local database, a wireless transceiver, an
`input device such as a keyboard, an output device such as a
`display and an automatic location identifying (ALI) device,
`such as a GPS receiver or the like. Note that the ALI device
`is an optional component of the present invention.
`The Client computer system connects with a server
`coupled to a computer network, such as the Internet. The
`server is enhanced in accordance with the present invention
`by automatically determining the location of the client. In
`one embodiment, the client automatically advises the server
`of its current location via a transmission of an electronic data
`packet or “handshake” upon connection. The server uses this
`information to perform a database query to retrieve infor-
`mation that is customized for the particular location.
`In particular, an application program is installed on the
`client computer system. The application program prompts
`the user to select a category of interest, a preference for
`specifying location information (i.e. via manual input, or
`automatically through an attached ALI device), and other
`user preferences. The application program then builds a data
`packet on the client storage device that contains such
`information.
`
`the client first connects with a
`In one embodiment,
`primary server. The primary server maintains a database that
`contains a list of registered servers that provide location
`specific services in accordance with the present invention.
`The primary server reads the data packet from the client and
`performs a database query to retrieve the address for a
`particular enhanced server that matches the client’s request.
`The client is then sent a specific universal resource locator
`(URL) that contains the address of the enhanced server.
`The client computer system then launches a web browser
`or the like, and connects with the URL. Upon connection,
`the client automatically displays relevant data that is cus-
`tomized for the user’s geographic location without addi-
`tional input from the user.
`For example, in one embodiment, a web site that provides
`geographical maps is implemented in accordance with the
`present invention. Thus, upon connection with the URL
`provided by the primary server, the client is automatically
`presented with a map of the current geographical area. This
`is accomplished automatically, without additional manual
`input from the user. This aspect of the present invention is
`especially useful
`in a mobile environment, such as an
`automobile, where data entry is not only cumbersome, but
`also dangerous.
`In another example, a user connects to a weather service,
`whereby the service automatically displays a weather report
`for the current area. Again, this is accomplished without
`requiring that the user manually enter data related to the
`current location.
`
`In another example, a user connects to a service that
`automatically provides information about restaurants, banks,
`or other points of interest that are located within a specified
`distance from the user’s current location.
`
`Current location data can be automatically provided by a
`variety of ways. For example, a GPS receiver can be used to
`determine the exact location of the user. In another example,
`a cellular telephone connection can be used for determining
`location information using triangulation or distance measur-
`ing techniques.
`it provides
`A feature of the present invention is that
`mobile users with customized information about their cur-
`rent location.
`
`An advantage of the present invention is that it provides
`mobile users with customized information about their cur-
`
`rent location with a minimal amount of manual data entry.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`Another advantage of the present invention is that the
`hierarchical structure of the grid referencing system used to
`describe location information allows for faster database
`searches so that customized information can be presented to
`users in real-time with minimal delays.
`Another advantage of the present invention is that the grid
`referencing system allows for information to be manually
`entered with a minimum amount of reading, scrolling, and
`searching and with a limited number of keystrokes for data
`entry.
`it
`invention is that
`Another advantage of the present
`promotes the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for
`tracking, managing and re-routing commuter traffic. The
`present invention facilitates the use of such systems due to
`the simplified methods for inputting location data, which is
`a frequent requirement of Intelligent Transport Systems.
`Another advantage of the present invention is that the grid
`referencing system promotes the use of voice recognition
`systems because location descriptions are limited to 26
`letters and 10 numbers. Accordingly, using the grid refer-
`encing system reduces the requirement for sophisticated
`voice recognition systems that
`typically require speech
`recognition of thousands of different sounds,
`languages,
`dialects and accents used with conventional street address-
`ing techniques.
`In a separate aspect of the present invention, location
`information is described using a universal location address
`that is defined by subdividing a geographic location into
`several
`independent districts, each with a name and a
`reference point. The reference point has a known locational
`address within a global referencing system. A coordinate
`system is placed on the district relative to the reference
`point, yielding a position indicator for locations within the
`district. Combining the district name and the position indi-
`cator defines the local location.
`
`In another separate aspect of the invention,