`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US 20020115453Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Poulin et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0115453 A1
`Aug. 22, 2002
`( 43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION
`BASED WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
`SERVICES
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/269,506, filed on Feb.
`16, 2001.
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Ronald Leon Poulin, Victoria (CA);
`Kevin Thomas Buckham, Victoria
`(CA); Anthony Luigi Melli, Vietoria
`(CA)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MARSH, FISCHMANN & BREYFOGLE LLP
`3151 SOUTH VAUGHN WAY
`SUITE 411
`AURORA, CO 80014 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/077,572
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 15,2002
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl? ....................................................... H04Q 7/20
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................... 455/456; 455/457; 455/435
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Location based wireless services and service center that
`provides map-serving, wireless device tracking, navigation,
`messaging, business, entertainment, and meeting services
`based on the location of wireless devices. The wireless
`service center comprises a processing system coupled to an
`interface system. The processing system is configured to
`provide the map-serving, wireless device tracking, naviga(cid:173)
`tion, messaging, business, entertainment, and meeting ser(cid:173)
`vices based on the location of wireless devices. The interface
`system is configured to exchange service related information
`and messaging between the processing system and the
`wireless devices using the communication services.
`
`Start
`200
`
`)
`
`+
`
`Activation request message received in interface
`system and provided to processing system
`201.
`
`+
`
`Processing system processes activation request
`message to activate communication service for
`wireless device
`202
`
`Processing system determines location of
`wireless device
`203
`
`+
`•
`
`Processing system generates response message
`for wireless device that includes one of the
`service area infonmation, venue information, and
`subscriber information
`204
`
`(
`
`t
`
`End
`205
`
`)
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 22, 2002 Sheet 2 of 7
`
`US 2002/0115453 Al
`
`Stari
`200
`
`,,
`
`)
`
`Activation request message received in interface
`system and provided to processing system
`201.
`,,.
`-
`Processing system processes activation request
`message to activate communication service for
`wireless device
`202
`,,.
`Processing system determines location of
`wireless device
`203
`
`,,.
`Processing system generates response message
`for wireless device that includes one of the
`seNice area information, venue information, and
`subscriber information
`204
`
`)
`
`1
`
`End
`205
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`Location Based Service Center 1 00
`
`Processing System 101
`
`Service
`Area
`DB
`301
`
`Subscriber
`DB
`303
`
`IVR
`309
`
`Service Manager
`304
`
`Interface System ·1 05
`
`IP
`Interface
`.aQQ
`
`SMS
`Interface
`306
`
`Wireless
`Interface
`307
`
`FIG. 3
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`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 22, 2002 Sheet 4 of 7
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`US 2002/0115453 Al
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`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`Patent Application Publication Aug. 22, 2002 Sheet 5 of 7
`
`US 2002/0115453 Al
`
`Internet
`user device
`405
`
`Internet
`401
`
`LBSC
`100
`
`Subscriber
`Database
`303
`
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`
`FIG. S
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`Wireless
`Device
`1Ql
`
`Wireless
`Network
`400
`
`SeNice
`Manager
`304
`
`Subscriber
`Database
`303
`
`LFE
`402
`
`Service
`Area DB
`.aQ1
`
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`
`Profile Info.
`
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`
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`
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`I
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`Wireless
`Device
`102
`
`Wireless
`Network
`400
`
`Service
`Manager
`304
`
`Subscriber
`Database
`303
`
`Call
`
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`
`LFE
`402
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`
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`301
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`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`US 2002/0115453 A1
`
`Aug. 22, 2002
`
`1
`
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION BASED
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
`§119 to prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
`60/269,506 filed Feb. 16, 2001, the entirety of which is
`hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The invention is related to the field of wireless
`communication services, and in particular, to a method and
`system for providing location based wireless communica(cid:173)
`tion services for grouping and linking proximately located
`wireless subscribers.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] The development of wireless communication ser(cid:173)
`vices has taken on critical importance with the dramatic rise
`in consumer usage. With the proliferation of the Internet,
`new types of services, such as web browsing, PUSH tech(cid:173)
`nologies, and email, have joined the array of already existing
`services. One example of a new variety of wireless services
`is location based services.
`
`[0004] Location based services focus on the problem of
`providing value-added services to subscribers based on the
`location of a wireless device within a wireless network.
`According to one type of location based wireless service,
`subscribers obtain information on businesses located in the
`vicinity of the wireless device. As subscribers move
`throughout the wireless network with their wireless device,
`they may enter requests for location information related to
`particular types of businesses. The requests for the location
`of the wireless device are processed in the Gateway Mobile
`Location Center or another network platform to determine
`the location area, cell identity with geographical coordinates
`or the like, of the requesting wireless device. The device
`location information is provided to a relational database that
`identifies businesses located within or near the location of
`the wireless device and provides the business location
`information to the wireless device. In some cases, the
`service provider may use information provided by the sub(cid:173)
`scriber to provide the business location information to the
`device. For example, a subscriber could specify certain
`preferred business, such as a preferred hotel chain. When the
`location request is received, the subscriber information is
`used to retrieve and provide information about the preferred
`hotels matching the subscriber's information.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0005]
`In view of the foregoing, a primary object of the
`present invention is to provide a location based service
`center that provides a suite of location based wireless
`communication services. Another object of the present
`invention is to permit wireless subscribers to define one or
`more groups that the subscriber may receive certain infor(cid:173)
`mation on, such as location and status of subscribers within
`a group. Another object of the present invention is to provide
`business, entertainment, and meeting services based on the
`location of wireless devices relative to one or more of a
`plurality of pre-defined service areas.
`
`[0006]
`In carrying out the above objects, and other objects,
`features, and advantages of the present invention, a first
`example of a communication service is provided, which
`permits subscribers to define and maintain lists of wireless
`devices for which a subscriber may request location and
`status information. For example, the present service may be
`utilized in an employment environment to permit employers
`to track progress and manage workloads by providing an
`overall picture of employee location and permitting employ(cid:173)
`ees to provide job status information back to employers as
`work progresses. In another example, the present service
`may be utilized in a social environment to permit friends,
`family, and any other desired grouping, e.g. members of a
`club, members of a church group etc., to obtain location and
`status information from other members of the group. As
`referred to herein, the subscriber status is an indication of a
`present state of the subject subscriber that is provided by the
`subject subscriber's wireless device, which in turn receives
`the status indication from
`the subject subscriber. For
`example, when the present service is used in an employment
`environment, subscriber status may include without limita(cid:173)
`tion, "arrived,""off-duty,""en-route," etc. When the present
`service is used in other environments, such as a social or
`family environment, the subscriber status may include with(cid:173)
`out limitation, "in school,""at work,""do not disturb,""call
`me,""bored ... ," etc.
`
`[0007]
`In this regard, for example, the service may permit
`subscribers to obtain the location and status of other sub(cid:173)
`scribers using secure web-based map display. Alternatively,
`subscribers may obtain other subscriber location and status
`information using a web browser provided on the subscrib(cid:173)
`er's wireless device. Various refinements exist of the fea(cid:173)
`tures noted in relation to the subject communication service
`of the present invention. Further features may also be
`incorporated as well. These refinements and additional fea(cid:173)
`tures may exist individually or in any combination. Thus,
`according to one feature, subscribers may exchange com(cid:173)
`munications with other subscribers in their group via text
`messages provided over the web-based map display or their
`wireless device. This in turn provides numerous other fea(cid:173)
`tures and advantages such as permitting subscribers to
`provide navigation information to other subscribers as well
`as various other communications for employment related
`and/or social interaction.
`
`[0008]
`In another example of a communication service,
`subscribers are provided with business, entertainment, and
`meeting services based on the location of a wireless device
`relative to one of a plurality of pre-defined service areas. In
`this case, the location of the wireless device is provided
`based on pre-defined service areas that are independent of a
`communication network. Further, in this regard, the service
`may also provide information about other subscribers who
`are proximately located to a requesting subscriber and link
`proximately located subscribers for business or social inter(cid:173)
`action.
`
`[0009] Specifically, upon registering for the service; sub(cid:173)
`scribers provide user information that is used to generate and
`store a subscriber profile. Upon activation of the service, a
`subscriber is provided with information about a pre-defined
`service area that the subscriber is located in or proximately
`located to. The subscriber is also provided with information
`about locations, events, attractions, and/or points of interest
`located in the service area. In some examples of the inven-
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`US 2002/0115453 Al
`
`Aug. 22, 2002
`
`2
`
`tion, the subscriber is also provided with information about
`other active subscribers proximately located to the sub(cid:173)
`scriber or the same service area. The information about the
`other active subscribers could be the profile information for
`the other active subscribers or could be location information
`for the other active subscribers. It should be noted that this
`service differs from the above-described service, in that the
`subscribers may not be previously known to each other, such
`as is the case in the groupings of the previous service, but
`rather are linked only through subscription to the service and
`location in one of the service areas.
`
`[0010]
`In the context of the present invention, the pre(cid:173)
`defined service areas are defined as villages. The informa(cid:173)
`tion about the pre-defined service areas or villages is defined
`as service area information. The information about loca(cid:173)
`tions, events, attractions, and/or points of interest located in
`a pre-defined service area is defined as venue information.
`The information about other subscribers proximately located
`to a requesting subscriber or service area is defined as
`subscriber information.
`
`[0011] Various refinements exist of the features noted in
`relation to the subject communication service of the present
`invention. Further features may also be incorporated as well.
`These refinements and additional features may exist indi(cid:173)
`vidually or in any combination. Thus, according to one
`feature, the venue information provided to the subscriber
`could be customized for the subscriber based on either the
`subscriber's profile, the location of the requesting wireless
`device, the time of day, or the season that a subscriber is
`located in a particular service area. According to another
`feature, the subscriber information may be customized based
`on the subscriber profile to match subscribers with similar
`profile information (e.g. interests or age groups) for business
`or social interaction. According to yet another feature,
`subscribers may be provided with contact information for
`other proximately located subscribers having interesting
`profile information or who are located at or near the same
`venue event or attraction of interest.
`
`[0012] The present location based wireless services are
`provided by one or more location based wireless service
`centers, comprising a processing system coupled to an
`interface system. The processing system is preferably con(cid:173)
`figured to provide map-serving, tracking, navigation, mes(cid:173)
`saging and other features of the present communication
`services. For example with regard to the above-described
`business, entertainment, and meeting services, the process(cid:173)
`ing system may process service activation request messages
`from wireless devices to activate the service. Responsive to
`activating the service, the processing system may automati(cid:173)
`cally determine the location of a requesting device relative
`to one of the plurality of pre-defined service areas (villages)
`and generate a response message for the requesting device
`that causes the device to display at least one of the service
`area information (information on the villages), the venue
`information (information on events attractions within a
`village), and/or the subscriber information (information on
`other subscribers located in a village or proximate to the
`village). The interface system is configured to receive the
`service activation request messages for the processing sys(cid:173)
`tem and provide the response messages to the wireless
`devices.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0013] The same reference number represents the same
`element on all drawings.
`[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a location based
`service center according to the present invention;
`[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
`operation of the location based service center according to
`the present invention;
`[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a device architec(cid:173)
`ture for the location based service center according to the
`present invention;
`[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a network archi(cid:173)
`tecture for the location based service center according to the
`present invention;
`[0018] FIG. 5 is a message sequence chart illustrating
`another example of the operation of the location based
`service center;
`[0019] FIG. 6 is another message sequence chart illustrat(cid:173)
`ing another example of the operation of the location based
`service center; and
`
`[0020] FIG. 7 is another message sequence chart illustrat(cid:173)
`ing another example of the operation of the location based
`service center.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0021] The present location based wireless services and
`location based service center provide subscribers with a
`variety of information based on the location of wireless
`devices. In one embodiment of a communication service, the
`location based service center permits subscribers to obtain
`other subscriber locations and other subscriber status using
`secure web-based map display. Alternatively, subscribers
`may obtain other subscriber locations and status using a web
`browser provided on the subscriber's wireless device. As
`referred to herein, the subscriber status is an indication of a
`present state of the subject subscriber that is provided by the
`subject subscriber's wireless device, which in turn receives
`the status indication from subject subscriber. For example,
`when the present service is used in an employment envi(cid:173)
`ronment, subscriber status may include without limitation,
`"arrived,""off-duty,""en-route," etc. When the present ser(cid:173)
`vice is used in other environments, such as a social or family
`environment, the subscriber status may include without
`limitation, "in school,"" at work,"" do not disturb,""call
`me,""bored ... ," etc.
`
`[0022]
`In this regard, the communication service permits
`subscribers to define groups of wireless devices for which a
`subscriber may request location and status information. In
`other words, a subscriber may create and maintain a list(s)
`of wireless devices for which the subscriber may request
`permission and is authorized to obtain location and status
`updates. For example, the present service may be utilized to
`permit employers to track progress and manage workloads
`by providing an overall picture of employee location, per(cid:173)
`mitting employees to provide their current status, and per(cid:173)
`mitting employers and employees to communicate via short
`message service or otherwise. In another example, the
`present service may be utilized in a social environment to
`permit friends, family, and any other desired grouping, e.g.
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`US 2002/0115453 Al
`
`Aug. 22, 2002
`
`3
`
`members of a club, members of a church group etc., to
`obtain location and status information from other members
`of the group and to communicate with other members using
`short messages.
`
`[0023] The communication service also permits subscrib(cid:173)
`ers to maintain a profile that defines permission on when,
`where, and how other authorized subscribers (members of
`the group) may obtain an individual subscriber's own loca(cid:173)
`tion and status information. For example, permission may be
`granted according to a time of day, day of the week, e.g.
`Monday-Friday from 4:00PM-1:00AM or always. Permis(cid:173)
`sion may also be granted within a specified geography, e.g.
`city, county, country or arbitrary subscriber defined area.
`
`[0024] As an override to existing rules contained in the
`subscriber's profile, the communication service also permits
`the subscriber to globally turn ON or turn OFF permission
`to be located and statused. The communication service may
`also permit subscribers to send short text messages to one or
`more of the located wireless devices. Through the web based
`browser subscribers are also provided with basic manage(cid:173)
`ment access to the service. For example, a subscriber may
`manage his/her profile information to change defined per(cid:173)
`missions or modify group listings to add or remove sub(cid:173)
`scribers from a group. In another example, the subscriber
`may also calendar events for future notifications to members
`of the subscriber's group. For example, a subscriber may
`calendar a future event that triggers at the event time a short
`message to subscriber's within the group, e.g. "It is Grand(cid:173)
`mother's birthday tomorrow--don't be late for dinner." In
`another example, proximity triggers may be set so that a
`short message or other alert is sent to a subscriber's wireless
`device or a notification is provided within the Internet
`session. For example, a notification of close proximity of
`subscribers within a group, or a notification that a wireless
`device enters/exits a specified geographic zone or area may
`be provided.
`
`[0025]
`In another embodiment of a communication ser(cid:173)
`vice, the location based service center may provide sub(cid:173)
`scribers with a variety of information based on the location
`of the subscriber's wireless device relative to one of a
`plurality of service areas that are pre-defined independent of
`a communication network. The pre-defined service areas are
`defined herein as villages. The villages are pre-defined based
`on criterion independent of a communication network. For
`example, villages may be defined based on events, activities,
`and locations (the venue items) within a specific geographic
`area. Thus, a village could be any area that includes at least
`one venue item. Examples of villages could include without
`limitation, a city, a national park, a town, or a portion of the
`city, town or national park. To clarify, one example of a
`village could be an old town portion of a city that includes
`the major sights, bars, restaurants, and nightlife. Another
`example of a village could be the historical section of the
`city that includes one or more historical points of interest. In
`other words, a city or geographic area may include one or
`more villages arbitrarily defined independent of the com(cid:173)
`munication network serving the village area. The venue
`items could be any, location, event, attraction or point of
`interest. Some examples of venue items could include with(cid:173)
`out limitation, merchant locations, historical attractions, and
`establishments such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants, shops
`etc.
`
`[0026] Advantageously, customers may subscribe to the
`service using their wireless device or an Internet connection
`with a web site. Typically the web site is hosted by the
`service provider, but may be hosted and operated by a third
`party vendor. During subscription, subscribers are prompted
`for and provide user information. Similar to the above
`embodiment, in this embodiment the user information is
`stored in a profile and is defined herein as profile inform a(cid:173)
`tion. The profile information is used by the location based
`service center to create a subscriber profile. It will also be
`appreciated that the same subscriber profile may be utilized
`to provide any of the communication services described
`herein. In this embodiment, the profile information could be
`any information useful in personalizing the service, identi(cid:173)
`fying and providing venue information and/or subscriber
`information. For example, the subscriber profile may be
`utilized to suggest villages that are proximate to the sub(cid:173)
`scriber and that the system determines may be of interest to
`the subscriber based on the subscriber's profile information.
`
`[0027] Subscribers are given the option of whether or not
`their profile information is provided to other subscribers.
`Thus, the profile information provided by the subscribers
`could vary as a function of how an individual subscriber
`desires to use the service. For example, a subscriber who
`desires to use the service to meet other people with similar
`interests (typically requiring the subscribers profile to be
`provided to other active subscribers) may provide a first set
`of profile information tailored for that purpose.
`
`[0028] Other subscribers who only desire to use the ser(cid:173)
`vice to retrieve the service area and venue information,
`which typically does not require subscriber profile informa(cid:173)
`tion be provided to other subscribers, may provide a second
`set of profile information tailored for that purpose. The
`location based service center manages the subscriber pro(cid:173)
`files, and in some cases, uses the profiles to provide different
`service area, venue, and subscriber information to an active
`subscriber.
`
`[0029] The present service 1s designed to provide fun
`finding meeting areas and venues where subscribers can
`spontaneously meet, or plan to meet, with other subscribers.
`The service may also serve as an introductory meeting
`service for subscribers interested in a casual date or
`impromptu meeting. Subscribers use their wireless devices
`such as telephones, personal data assistants, and notebook
`computers to obtain the service area information, venue
`information, and subscriber information. Active subscribers
`may also communicate with other active subscribers using
`their wireless devices by sending short messages or placing
`voice calls. It should be noted that the contact information
`for other active subscribers is provided as part of the
`subscriber information, which subscribers have consented
`too, so that subscribers can feel comfortable sending a short
`message or placing a voice call to other active subscribers,
`which they may not previously have known. Advanta(cid:173)
`geously, the present service provides subscribers with access
`to information on villages that they are located in or pro xi(cid:173)
`mately located too as well as events, attractions and other
`subscribers located in or near the same village.
`
`[0030] The present service is activated by a service acti(cid:173)
`vation request message provided by a subscriber's wireless
`device. The service activation request message could be a
`special function button on the wireless device that provides
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`
`
`US 2002/0115453 Al
`
`Aug. 22, 2002
`
`4
`
`a unique service activation signal to the location based
`service center. The service activation request message could
`also be the call signaling generated when a subscriber calls
`a service activation number. The service activation request
`may also be provided over the Internet using an Internet
`service provided to the subscriber's wireless device.
`
`[0031]
`In one example of the invention, once activated, the
`service is provided to subscribers for a pre-determined
`period of time. At the expiration of the pre-determined time
`period, the service center queries the subscriber's wireless
`device to determine if the subscriber desires to continue
`using the service or sign-off. The service center processes a
`response message from the wireless device to either sign-off
`the subscriber, or continues providing the service, depending
`on the indication provided by the subscriber. Subscribers are
`also permitted to request sign-off at any time during the
`predetermined time period as a matter of choice.
`
`[0032]
`In another example of the present invention, the
`service period ends once the service area information, venue
`information, and subscriber information is provided to the
`requesting device. To reactivate the service requires another
`service activation request message from the subscriber's
`wireless device.
`
`[0033] Upon activation of the service, subscribers are
`provided with information on at least one village that the
`subscriber is located in, or proximate too. The information
`includes at least a description of the village, including the
`village name, as well as venue information about the venue
`items located within the village. In some examples of the
`present service, the venue items are customized for the
`subscriber based on the available venue items within a
`village that match the subscriber's profile information. For
`example, a subscriber who indicates in the profile informa(cid:173)
`tion a desired type of activity would receive information
`related to the availability of that activity within the village
`the subscriber is located in upon service activation. In
`another example of the service, the venue items are provided
`to the subscriber based on the available venue items and the
`time of day the service is activated. For example, if the
`service is activated around the noon hour of the day the
`venue items provided to the subscriber could include a list
`of lunch locations within a village. In yet another example
`of the present service, the venue items are provided based on
`the season that a subscriber is located in a specific village.
`For example, different venue items could be provided during
`the summer, winter, spring, and fall months as a function of
`when a subscriber is located in a village and the activities
`available in that village. Additionally, the venue items could
`be updated during the course of the service period to provide
`venue items to an active subscriber based on the time of day.
`For example, if a venue item is closed or unavailable when
`a subscriber activates the service, but later becomes avail(cid:173)
`able, updated venue information is provided to the sub(cid:173)
`scriber.
`
`[0034]
`In yet another example of the service, information
`on other active subscribers proximately located too or in the
`same village is also provided to the subscriber upon service
`activation. The information on the other active subscribers
`could include the number of other active subscribers cur(cid:173)
`rently in or near the same village as the subscriber. The
`information may also include profile information on the
`other active subscribers. Additionally, the profile inform a-
`
`tion on the other active subscribers could be selectively
`provided based on a requesting subscriber's own profile
`information to permit social and/or business interaction
`between active subscribers who share similar interests or are
`in the same age group. Additionally, the subscriber infor(cid:173)
`mation is updated during the service period to provide
`information on newly activating subscribers proximately
`located to or in the same village as an active subscriber.
`Location Based Service Center-FIG. 1
`[0035] FIG. 1 depicts a location based service center
`("LBSC") 100 according to the present invention and a
`plurality of wireless devices 102-104. The LBSC 100 com(cid:173)
`prises a processing system 101 coupled to an interface
`system 105. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
`LBSC 101 could reside in a proprietary network or a public
`network, such as a data or telephony network, as a matter of
`design choice.
`[0036] The processing system 101 could be any processor
`or group of processors configured to provide map-serving,
`wireless device tracking, navigation, messaging, and other
`features of the present communication services. For
`example, the processing system 101 may access other net(cid:173)
`work components such as location finding equipment to
`determine the location of the wireless devices 102-104. In
`this regard, the processing system 101 may process service
`activation request messages from subscribers using the
`wireless devices, 102-104, to automatically determine the
`location of the requesting wireless device, e.g. 102, relative
`to one of the above-described villages, and generate a
`response message that includes at least one of the service
`area information, the venue information, and the subscriber
`information based on the location of the requesting device
`102 relative to one