throbber
111111
`
`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
`
`·-···-
`
`- - - · - · - · -
`
`-
`
`- -
`
`----
`
`~
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`~ -a -....
`~ ..... .... 0 =
`~
`~
`N
`~N
`
`I")
`
`N c c
`
`N
`
`'Jl =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`
`~
`0 ......,
`-..J
`
`Cj
`'Jl
`
`N c c
`~ c
`'"""'
`'"""' Ul
`~
`Ul
`~ >
`'"""'
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Aug. 22, 2002 Sheet 4 of 7
`
`US 2002/0115453 Al
`
`::J -~ N I
`Q)>O
`-go
`=<D~
`2
`
`(j)
`
`.....
`Q)
`(/)
`
`::::> -~ CVJI
`~5;~
`-go
`2
`
`'-
`Q)
`(/) (j)
`
`••••
`
`; - - -
`
`WNI
`LLO
`-l-.:1"
`
`u
`(/) CVJI
`~0
`(/)-.:!"
`
`I
`
`Q) (/) 01
`"'0~
`(/) ro co
`c
`.Q
`-ro
`u
`0
`_J
`
`Q)
`
`.....
`Q)
`i:
`Q)
`0
`Q)
`u
`-~
`
`zo1
`
`C/)0
`rn-.:1"
`~
`Q)
`
`~
`
`.::.::
`......
`0
`$
`(i)
`
`~ /
`
`\
`
`'-
`Q)
`(/) Q)
`:::J -~"<!"I
`~5;~
`-go
`2
`
`"'t
`(!)
`u:::
`
`~~I
`'-O
`2-.:t
`c -
`
`.... .~
`Q) >
`(]) l!")l
`c
`'-OO
`$,_'<;!"
`E ffi
`
`Q)
`
`::::l
`
`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
`
`Internet Sign on mess.
`
`Connection
`
`Profile info.
`
`Profile info. Req.
`
`Profile info.
`
`I Register user I
`
`....
`
`Registration Complete
`
`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
`
`Call
`
`Profile Info.
`
`Profile Request
`
`Registration~ complete
`
`Profile Info.
`
`_ ...
`
`I Register user I
`I
`Location Request
`
`Service info. req.
`
`.....
`Location Response
`
`SeNice & venue info.
`
`SeNice info. resp.
`
`FIG. 6
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`""C
`~ .....
`~ = .....
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`~
`0' -....
`.... 0 =
`~
`~
`N
`~N
`
`I")
`
`~ .....
`
`N c c
`
`N
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`0'1
`0 ......,
`-..J
`
`Cj
`'JJ.
`
`N c c
`~ c
`'""""
`'"""" Ul
`~
`Ul
`
`~ >
`
`'""""
`
`Ruiz Food Products, Inc.
`Exhibit 1005
`
`

`

`Wireless
`Device
`102
`
`Wireless
`Network
`400
`
`Service
`Manager
`304
`
`Subscriber
`Database
`303
`
`Call
`
`Location Request
`
`LFE
`402
`
`-..
`
`Location Response
`
`Service info req.
`
`Service into. resp.
`
`Profile Request .. ....
`
`Profile Response
`
`Service area: venue, and
`subscri9er Info.
`
`~
`
`1
`Updated profile info.
`I
`•
`~--------------------L------~~-------------
`r
`
`Service Deactivation message
`
`Service deactivation response
`
`I Deactivat~ service I
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Service
`Area DB
`301
`
`_ ...
`
`I")
`
`~ ......
`
`""C
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`~ 't:l -....
`.... 0 =
`~ -....
`~ ...... .... 0 =
`~
`~
`N
`~N
`N
`Q
`Q
`N
`
`I")
`
`'Jl =(cid:173)~
`~ ......
`.....:]
`0
`~
`.....:]
`
`c
`
`'Jl
`N
`Q
`Q
`
`N -Q
`
`I--'
`I--'
`Ul
`~
`Ul
`
`~ > I--'
`
`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

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket