(12) United States Patent
`Chan et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006381603Bl
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCESSING
`LOCAL INFORMATION BY USING
`REFERENCING POSITION SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Jawe Chan; Ting-Mao Chang, both of
`San Jose, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Position IQ, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/253,931
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 22, 1999
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ G06F 17/30
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................. 707/10; 707/3; 707/5;
`707/102; 701/201; 701/207; 701/213; 705/26;
`705/27; 709/203
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 707/3, 10, 102,
`707/5; 705/26, 27; 701/201, 207, 213; 709/203
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,751,246 A * 5/1998 Hertel ................... 342/357.07
`5,802,492 A * 9/1998 DeLorme et al. ........... 455/456
`5,839,088 A * 11/1998 Hancock et al. ............ 701/213
`5,867,799 A
`2/1999 Lang et al.
`.................... 707/1
`5,870,741 A * 2/1999 Kawabe et al. ................ 707/5
`5,948,040 A * 9/1999 DeLorme et al. ........... 701/201
`
`5,950,173 A * 9/1999 Perkowski ................... 705/26
`6,002,853 A * 12/1999 de Hond ................ 395/200.49
`6,055,516 A * 4/2000 Johnson et al. ............... 705/27
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Jean R. Homere
`(74) Attorney, Agent,
`or Firm---Skjerven Morrill
`MacPherson, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A system and method for accessing local information in a
`database. The database is organized with merchandise infor(cid:173)
`mation including identifier of information provider, identi(cid:173)
`fier information, position information, and description infor(cid:173)
`mation. The position information is position coordinates of
`a Global Position System that provides an accurate and fast
`location search capability of the database. The user of an
`end-user computer system is able to search the database by
`sending a query to a remote server computer system. The
`query includes searching geographic area and searching
`criteria. After receiving the query, the server computer
`system 10 then queries the database and receives informa(cid:173)
`tion from the database query. The server computer 10 returns
`the search result to the user's computer system. The returned
`search result includes the identifier of the information
`provider, identifier of the information, description of infor(cid:173)
`mation that matches the searching criteria, and position
`coordinates. The position coordinates may be further uti(cid:173)
`lized by other Global Position System applications, for
`example route search and navigation.
`
`102 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`11!111!1
`F==-------i;=::;;:::=;:;=.;~=;=='..,.,,,_.,....,_,...---,-.,----,.---,-,----.:,----==-.:~ I Yamaha AND Piano
`ll9lliia Y..iew
`I 2000 - 3000
`
`Iools
`
`lmport Map Ctrl+I
`.Unload Maps
`Save Trace
`
`8boutGPS ...
`
`Merchandise Criteria:
`
`Merchandise Price:
`
`Position : (if not from GPS)
`
`Range (if not Default):
`!CITY
`
`~ ABC GPS
`
`~EJJ~ 1:41 AM
`
`61d
`
`61a
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 1 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`14
`
`12
`
`PROGRAM
`MEMORY
`
`11
`
`13
`
`FIG. 1
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`0---22
`
`"" Q) ~m
`
`c:,
`
`(!) ~CJ I
`
`21 D
`
`c:,
`
`(D ~CJ I
`
`28 - -D
`
`23
`
`........
`---------------------------~
`
`29
`
`FIG. 2
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 2 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`34
`
`33
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`37
`
`36
`
`38
`
`32
`
`35
`
`FIG. 3
`
`(START)
`+
`RECEIVING
`POSITION
`+
`RECEIVING
`SEARCHING AREA v42
`CONSTRAINT
`
`v41
`
`'
`
`v43
`
`RECEIVING
`BOOLEAN SEARCH
`EXPRESSION
`+
`RECEIVING PRICE v44
`RANGE
`
`I
`
`FIG. 4
`
`+
`RECEIVING QUERY
`AND SEND TO
`DATABASE
`t
`SEARCH
`DATABASE
`
`V
`
`45
`
`46
`. /
`
`'
`
`. /
`
`47
`
`RETURN SEARCH
`RESULT
`+
`PRESENT SEARCH V 48
`RESULTS
`+
`( END )
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 3 of 26
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`Q
`O'I
`i,-
`~
`~
`O'I
`r.,J.
`
`e
`
`"'"" ~
`0 ....,
`~ .....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`
`~ ~=
`> "Cl :;
`
`N
`C
`C
`N
`
`~ = .....
`~ .....
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`[
`
`11
`
`II
`II
`
`+ : current position
`II
`II
`
`II
`II
`
`I ~
`JI'"'~ [
`
`11
`
`1~~~ 1:41 AM I
`
`FIG. 5
`
`II
`
`:!!!-~/\\ S,\ \ 'lL'. CCbe«'/1~
`
`11
`
`n
`
`4 JJ
`
`51 rP
`
`~53
`
`f'-52
`
`f'-55
`
`I
`54
`
`Position : (if not from GPS)
`
`Merchandise Price:
`
`I Submit I
`I CITY
`I
`I 2000 -3000
`I Yamaha AND Piano
`L2J ~ Merchandise Criteria:
`
`Range (if not Default):
`
`E~it
`About GPS ...
`
`n/.
`
`Save Trace
`Unload Maps
`Import Map Ctrl+I
`
`Iools Options
`
`m Y..iew
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 4 of 26
`
`

`

`i,-
`~
`~
`Q
`O'I
`J-'
`~
`~
`O'I
`rJ'J.
`e
`
`"""' ~
`0 ....,
`~ ....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`,i;;..
`
`~ ~=
`~ :;
`
`N
`C
`C
`N
`
`~ = .....
`~ .....
`~
`•
`r:JJ.
`d •
`
`61d
`
`l~fl~~ 1:41 AM I
`61 c \
`
`b
`
`61
`
`+ : current position
`
`.... ljl~IComputerUS~YamahaPtno [29@
`IIYamahaPiano II 2498 I
`IIYamahaPiano II 238911 r60
`II Merchandise ii Price I
`
`I ® l!GoodGuy
`[ill]IFry's
`I Index II Merchant
`I Submit I
`!CITY
`Range (if not Default):
`
`,11
`
`•
`
`11
`
`I cne~,,-~
`
`\ \ ~ \ v ri
`
`<:!"' 'I-.. /
`
`11
`
`I ;1 ~
`
`~133 Start II~ ABC GPS
`
`E~it
`About GPS ...
`
`FIG. 6
`
`61a
`
`Position : _(!f not from GPS}
`
`I 2000 -3000
`Merchandise Price:
`I Yamaha AND Piano
`U lad .... ------
`I ? 111 X II Merchandise Criteria:
`
`r.~
`
`p ions
`
`-
`
`oo s
`T 1 0 t·
`
`Save Trace
`Unload Maps
`lmport Map Ctrl+I
`
`-
`
`1ew
`V.
`
`-
`
`•
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 5 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`714
`
`712
`
`822
`
`c:, ©
`
`710-.......
`
`711
`
`FIG. 7
`
`826./" D
`
`c:, © ~C I I
`
`821 D
`
`c:, © ~C I I
`
`828 1 - - - - - -1
`
`D
`
`823
`
`................
`----------------------------~
`829
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 6 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`934
`
`933
`
`KEYBOARD
`
`937
`
`936
`
`938
`
`DISPLAY
`
`932
`
`935
`
`FIG. 9
`
`( START) •
`•
`
`RECEIVING
`POSITION
`
`RECEIVING
`SEARCHING AREA
`CONSTRAINT
`+
`RECEIVING
`BOOLEAN SEARCH
`EXPRESSION
`l
`RECEIVING
`EVENT SEARCH
`CRITERIA
`I
`
`v101
`
`..r102
`
`..r103
`
`v104
`
`FIG. 10
`
`•
`
`/
`
`105
`
`/
`
`106
`
`107
`. /
`
`RECEIVING QUERY
`AND SEND TO
`EVENT DATABASE
`+
`SEARCH EVENT
`DATABASE
`+
`RETURN SEARCH
`RESULT
`+
`108
`PRESENT SEARCH I/
`RESULTS
`+
`C END J
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 7 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`111
`
`New Ave.
`Second St.
`
`Knight Ln.
`
`First St.
`
`Grand St.
`
`Event Search Criteria:
`Event search criteria1 AND event search criteria 2
`
`114
`
`Time Criteria:
`115
`- - - - - - } , ;
`J
`jrime Criteria
`- i - - - - - v
`Position : (if not from GPS)
`112
`.....-........... _
`____.__ ---!~
`Range (if not Default):
`113
`J
`jc1TY
`I Summit
`{> : current position
`
`FIG. 11
`
`122
`
`New Ave.
`Second St.
`
`Knight Ln.
`
`Event Criteria:
`Event search criteria1 AND event search criteria 2
`Time Criteria:
`!Time Criteria
`Position : (if not from GPS)
`
`®
`
`First St.
`
`Grand St.
`
`Range {if not Default}:
`ICITY
`121al Summit I 121b
`121d
`121c
`(
`(
`~
`T.(
`Index EventSgonsorlD Event ID ____l!lliL
`Event1 ID Time1
`1 Event1 Sponsor
`2 Event2 Sponsor
`Event2 ID Time2
`Event3 ID Time3
`3 Event3 Sponsor
`
`{> : current position
`
`FIG. 12
`
`' 121
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 8 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`1314
`
`1312
`
`1311
`
`1313
`
`FIG. 13
`
`1426
`
`= (I)
`
`1423
`
`~ [ ] I
`
`...
`····························~
`
`1428 1------t
`
`D
`
`1429
`
`FIG. 14
`
`1422
`
`~ [ ] I
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 9 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`1534
`
`1533
`
`1537
`
`MODEM
`
`1536
`
`1538
`
`PROGRAM
`MEMORY
`
`DISPLAY
`
`1532
`
`1535
`
`FIG. 15
`
`C START)
`t
`RECEIVING
`POSITION
`
`'
`'
`
`RECEIVING
`SEARCHING AREA
`CONSTRAINT
`
`RECEIVING
`BOOLEAN SEARCH
`EXPRESSION
`t
`RECEIVING
`PERSON SEARCH
`CRITERIA
`
`I
`
`_.,,.-151
`
`/162
`
`/163
`
`v164
`
`FIG. 16
`
`•
`
`V 165
`
`V 166
`
`RECEIVING QUERY
`AND SEND 1'10
`PERSON DATABASE
`t
`SEARCH
`PERSON
`DATABASE
`t
`RETURN SEAFlCH V 167
`RESULT
`
`•
`
`PRESENT SEAIRCH V 168
`RESULTS
`t
`C END )
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 10 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 10 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`171
`
`New Ave.
`Second St.
`
`Knight Ln.
`
`Personal Search Criteria:
`!Person Search Criteria
`
`174
`I
`
`First St.
`
`Grand St.
`
`Position : (if not from GPS)
`
`Range (if not Default):
`
`- 1 ----------y
`-ic-,r .... v __ ....._ ____________ y
`
`172
`
`173
`
`I Summit I
`<} : current position
`
`FIG. 17
`
`182
`
`Personal Search Criteria:
`!Person Search Criteria
`
`New Ave.
`Second St.
`
`Knight Ln.
`
`Position : (if not from GPS)
`
`®
`
`First St.
`
`Grand St.
`
`i
`
`Range (if not Default):
`jc1TY
`181al Summit I 181b
`181c
`;
`(
`',
`Index Person Descri~tion Person ID
`Person1 ID
`1
`Person1
`2
`Person21D
`Person2
`Person3
`Person31D
`3
`
`<} : current position
`
`FIG. 18
`
`' 181
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 11 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`(START)
`
`•
`
`PROVIDING INFORMATION
`FROM A PLURALITY OF
`INFORMATION PROVIDER
`COMPUTERS
`+
`STORING PROVIDED
`MERCHANDISE
`INFORMATION IN A
`DATABASE
`
`•
`
`COUPLING DATABASE TO
`A SERVER COMPUTER
`
`t
`RECEIVING A SEARCHING
`GEOGRAPHY AREA THAT
`DERIVES FROM A
`POSITION FROM A USER
`I
`
`FIG. 19
`
`+
`RECEIVING A
`MERCHANDISE
`CRITERIA FROM A USER
`
`t
`TRANSMITIING
`SEARCHING CRITERIA TO
`SERVER COMPUTER
`
`•
`
`SEARCHING DATA
`
`•
`
`RETURNING FOUND
`INFORMATION
`
`• C END )
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 12 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`C START)
`+
`PROVIDING INFORMATION
`FROM A PLURALITY OF
`INFORMATION PROVIDER
`COMPUTERS
`
`•
`
`STORING PROVIDED
`EVENT INFORMATION IN A
`DATABASE
`
`•
`
`COUPLING DATABASE TO
`A SERVER COMPUTER
`
`+
`RECEIVING A SEARCHING
`GEOGRAPHY AREA THAT
`DERIVES FROM A
`POSITION FROM A USER
`I
`
`•
`
`RECEIVING AN EVENT
`CRITERIA FROM A USER
`
`•
`
`TRANSMITIING
`SEARCHING CRITERIA TO
`SERVER COMPUTER
`
`•
`
`SEARCHING DATA
`
`+
`
`RETURNING FOUND
`INFORMATION
`
`•
`C END )
`
`FIG. 20
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 13 of 26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`C START)
`
`•
`
`PROVIDING INFORMATION
`FROM A PLURALITY OF
`INFORMATION PROVIDER
`COMPUTERS
`
`+
`STORING PROVIDED
`PERSON INFORMATION IN
`A DATABASE
`
`•
`
`COUPLING DATABASE TO
`A SERVER COMPUTER
`
`•
`
`RECEIVING A SEARCHING
`GEOGRAPHY AREA THAT
`DERIVES FROM A
`POSITION FROM A USER
`I
`
`FIG. 21
`
`+
`RECEIVING A PERSON
`INFORMATION
`CRITERIA FROM A USER
`
`•
`
`TRANSMITIING
`SEARCHING CRITERIA TO
`SERVER COMPUTER
`
`+
`
`SEARCHING DATA
`
`•
`
`RETURNING FOUND
`INFORMATION
`
`+
`( END )
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 14 of 26
`
`

`

`US 6,381,603 Bl
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCESSING
`LOCAL INFORMATION BY USING
`REFERENCING POSITION SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`in the computer or could be downloaded from a remote site
`through a wireless connection. The program runs on the
`computer and could use the current position coordinates to
`search a built-in database for the closest gas stations,
`5 hospitals, or restaurants. The built-in database is stored in a
`memory device of the computer, for example, flash memory
`or a CD-ROM. It has the disadvantages that information
`might be out dated and the searching area is not selectable.
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to a local information access system
`and method that stores and retrieves information located at
`or close to a location.
`2. Description of Prior Art
`The Internet is a revolutionary technology to access
`information. Through the Internet, users can access infor(cid:173)
`mation from around the world with the click of a mouse
`button. They can access information related to a company on
`the other side of earth at their home. The Internet is a
`powerful and convenient media to provide or receive infor(cid:173)
`mation. Companies are promoting their product information
`and services or making direct sales online. To access
`information, the user either needs to know the web site 20
`address of the information or use a search engine to search
`for the information. The user needs to provide the search
`engine some key words that relate to the information.
`However, the amount of information on the Internet is
`explosively growing. The user could receive thousand of 25
`related pieces of information from a search engine. In many
`cases, the user only needs the local information instead of
`global information.
`The prior art used to deal with the explosive global
`information problem categorizes the information. Most of 30
`the search engines on the Internet categorize the information
`by the information characteristics. For example, Yahoo Inc.
`categorizes their database into automobile, travel, computer,
`political, stock quotes, etc. The user could choose the
`category to do the search. This approach might reduce the 35
`quantity of information returned from a search. However, it
`is still too much information and contains the global infor(cid:173)
`mation within that category.
`Some of the companies on the Internet further categorize
`their information by the geographic areas, for example 40
`countries or cities. With the geographic area category, the
`user could search the information only in a predefined area,
`which usually is a government district, for example ZIP code
`area, city, county, state, and country, etc. One example is the
`Sidewalk WEB site of Microsoft Corp. The WEB site 45
`provides a utility to locate the stores by Boolean search
`criteria and an area, which could be a ZIP code, a city, a
`county, a state, and a country. After it finds the stores, it
`returns a map and shows the store location by making a mark
`on the returned map. It has the disadvantage that the 50
`searching area is predefined, meaning that the user could not
`choose as they wish, for example to cross city limits or to
`narrow down to a shopping mall. Another disadvantage is
`the information returned is limited to store location without
`any merchandise information to help shopping. There are no
`driving directions to the shopping location except the map.
`Also, the information may not be up to date, for example, the
`store may have moved.
`Another prior art system is found in most of the Global
`Position System (GPS) applications. The current Global
`Position System is more popular in Europe and Japan than
`in the United States. The Global Position System receiver
`receives the signals from several satellites and then deter(cid:173)
`mines its current position. The Global Position System
`receiver usually has a built-in small computer. The computer
`has a display that could display a simplified map and show
`the current position on the map. The map is either pre-stored
`
`10
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A convenient and flexible local information searching
`system is provided, which quickly builds and retrieves the
`information corresponding to a location. The preferred
`embodiment of this invention utilizes the Internet as media
`15 to distribute and build up the information and a database
`with position coordinates of a Global Position System to
`search the information.
`There are two users of this system: one is the information
`provider and the other is the information consumer. The
`information provider provides information stored in the
`database of this invention. The information consumer
`retrieves information from the database of this invention and
`utilizes the information for a variety purposes. The typical
`user of this invention is equipped with a computer with a
`modem. The user computer dials up an Internet Service
`Provider (ISP) through the modem and phone connection to
`access to the Internet.
`The server computer system of this invention is provided
`to serve two types of users. The preferred server computer
`system in the embodiment is equipped with a computer, a
`networking device to an Internet Service Provider with a
`high-speed data communication link. The Internet Service
`Provider then connects to the user's computer system
`through another Internet Service Provider that serves the
`user computer system. The server computer system also
`couples to a database for storing and querying information
`in the database.
`In the preferred embodiment, the information provider
`uses a computer to communicate with the server computer
`via the Internet and update their information in the database
`as frequently as they need. Therefore, the information in the
`database would be up to date because the information is
`updated upon the information provider's demand. The pro(cid:173)
`vided information is comprised of the identifier of the
`information provider, the location related to the information,
`and other information descriptions. The location could be an
`address or the position coordinates of the Global Position
`System. If the location is an address, the server computer
`system converts the address into the related position coor(cid:173)
`dinates of the Global Position System. The server computer
`system, then, stores the information and the position coor(cid:173)
`dinates into the database.
`An information consumer uses the computer to commu-
`55 nicate with the server computer system via the Internet and
`for querying the database. The query is for searching the
`information that is located in a user-specified area and
`matching searching criteria. The searching area in the query
`is derived from a position and searching area constraint
`60 input by the user. In the preferred embodiment, Global
`Position System (GPS) coordinates are used to describe the
`position. The user chooses the searching area constraint and
`a position to decide the area in which he or she would like
`to do the information search. If the user does not specify a
`65 searching area constraint, the preferred embodiment of this
`invention then takes a default searching area constraint. The
`position could be stored in a memory of the user's computer
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 15 of 26
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`US 6,381,603 Bl
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`10
`
`4
`FIG. 6 shows a graphical user interface to display the
`search results.
`FIG. 7 shows a server computer system with event
`database.
`FIG. 8 shows end-user computers communicating with
`the server computer in a variety of ways.
`FIG. 9 shows an end-user computer system.
`FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of the event inquiry process.
`FIG. 11 shows a graphical user interface for the user to
`input the query.
`FIG. 12 shows a graphical user interface to display the
`event search results.
`FIG. 13 shows a server computer system with personnel
`database.
`FIG. 14 shows end-user computers communicating with
`the server computer in a variety of ways.
`FIG. 15 shows an end-user computer system.
`FIG. 16 shows a flow chart of the personnel information
`inquiry process.
`FIG. 17 shows a graphical user interface for the user to
`input the query.
`FIG. 18 shows a graphical user interface to display the
`personnel search results.
`FIG. 19 shows a merchandise price search method flow
`chart.
`FIG. 20 shows an event information search method flow
`30 chart
`FIG. 21 shows a person information search method flow
`chart
`
`3
`and the user uses the stored position to query the system of
`this invention. If a GPS receiver is connected with the user's
`computer, the computer could periodically update the posi(cid:173)
`tion by receiving information from the GPS receiver. The
`searching area could be close to the user's current position 5
`in real time. It is especially convenient if the user is driving
`a vehicle. The user could certainly manually enter a GPS
`position in the query if the user does not have a GPS receiver
`or wants to query information outside of the user's current
`position.
`The local computer could be a hand held computer or
`some portable computer. The user could install a miniature
`computer with a GPS receiver on a car and access the
`Internet through a cellular phone or some wireless connec(cid:173)
`tion to the system of this invention. The information 15
`retrieved by the present invention would be quickly changed
`corresponding to the new position identified by GPS
`receiver.
`The information in the database of the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of this invention contains the GPS position coordinate 20
`information. With this information, the system of this inven(cid:173)
`tion could do an accurate search and also return search
`results with the information position coordinates for use
`with navigation and routing applications. In the preferred
`embodiment, the search results include a map that is marked 25
`with the found information according to their position on the
`map. The returned information position coordinates will be
`used for determining the best route and real time navigation
`when incorporated with a GPS receiver.
`Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the
`/system and method for accessing local information
`described above, several objects and advantages of the
`present invention are:
`(a) to provide an efficient system and method for a local 35
`information provider to distribute their information to a
`local information consumer,
`(b) to provide a convenient and fast local information
`searching system and method which could find infor(cid:173)
`mation in a user specified searching area, and match 40
`user specified criteria,
`( c) to provide a fast and accurate local information search
`by utilizing the Global Position System coordinates,
`( d) to provide a flexible, local information searching
`system and method with highly adjustable searching 45
`area, for example, crossing city boundaries or even
`narrowed down to a shopping mall area,
`(e) to provide a system and method to couple an infor(cid:173)
`mation search with Global Position System Navigation 50
`to further help an information consumer drive to the
`found information position, and
`(f) to provide a system and method to couple an infor(cid:173)
`mation search with a best route to a position of found
`information, and best route could takes both traffic and 55
`distance in to consideration.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a server computer system
`10 for storing and retrieving merchandise data in accordance
`with the invention. Computer system 10 comprises a pro(cid:173)
`cessor 11, program memory 12, a communication device 13,
`and a merchandise database 14. The communication device
`13 might be a modem or a high-speed leased line router. In
`the embodiment of FIG. 1, system 10 is an information
`sever, and processor 11 is in data communication with the
`various end-user computer system via the Internet.
`However, in other embodiments, the invention could be
`implemented with a processor having multiple modems to
`receive calls directly from end-user computer systems and
`establish the data communication via the modems and public
`phone lines.
`FIG. 2 shows end-user computers communicating with
`the server computer in a variety of ways. End-user computer
`system 21 connects to server computer system 22 via
`modem 23 and modem 24 through phone line 25. Another
`example shows end-user computer system 26 connected to
`server computer system 22 through the Internet 27. End-user
`computer system 28 connects to server computer system 22
`through radio frequency link 29.
`An example of a suitable computer system 10 is one
`operating in accordance with the Sun MicroSystems Solaris
`60 operating system. Processor 11 may be any general-purpose
`processor having a CPU, RAM, ROM, and 1/0 circuitry.
`To explain further, one aspect of the invention is the use
`of computer system 10 to access merchandise database 14 to
`provide a user with merchandise information within a given
`65 area. In the example of this description, database 14 is a
`centralized database system and stores the data about mer(cid:173)
`chandise information in the worldwide area. However, in
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a server computer system.
`FIG. 2 shows end-user computers communicating with
`the server computer in a variety of ways.
`FIG. 3 shows an end-user computer system.
`FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of the merchandise inquiry
`process.
`FIG. 5 shows a graphical user interface for the user to
`input the query.
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 16 of 26
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`US 6,381,603 Bl
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`5
`other embodiments, database 14 might be implemented as a
`distributed database system, which stores the information in
`several computer systems and might be located in different
`areas. Each distributed database might store data about
`merchandise information in a local area, such as a particular 5
`state or country.
`Database 14 of the embodiment is implemented in a
`relational database manner. Each piece of merchandise
`information is organized as a record in the database to
`describe a piece of merchandise, having a field for each 10
`merchandise information record to describe the merchandise
`and for searching of records of merchandise information
`describing that merchandise. Another field in each merchan(cid:173)
`dise information record in a position field. The position field
`has position coordinates of the merchandise. The position
`coordinates include the latitude and longitude of Global
`Position System coordinates. It could also contain the alti(cid:173)
`tude coordinate of the Global Position System when it is
`necessary. The database 14 could also be arranged in an
`object-oriented manner for attribute searching.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an end-user computer
`system 30 for retrieving merchandise information in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the invention. Computer system 30 comprises a
`processor 31, program memory 32, a mouse 33 and key(cid:173)
`board 34 for user input, a display 35, a modem 36, Global
`Position System receiver 37, and Internet Service Provider
`(ISP) 38. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, system 30 is an
`end-user computer system, and processor 11 is in data
`communication with an Internet Service Provider 38 first
`and then the Internet Service Provider transmits the data to 30
`the computer system in FIG. 1 via the Internet. However, in
`other embodiments, the invention could be implemented
`with a processor having a modem call directly to the
`computer systems in FIG. 1 and establish the data commu(cid:173)
`nication link via the modems. Or, the invention could be
`implemented such that the end-user computer system in
`FIG. 2 and server computer system in FIG. 1 is in a local
`area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).
`In the embodiment of FIG. 2, Global Position System
`receiver 37 is a positioning instrument, and is used as a
`current position coordinate input device for computer sys(cid:173)
`tem 30. However, in other embodiments, the user of com(cid:173)
`puter system 30 could input the position coordinates from
`another input device, for example from a keyboard 34, if the
`user knows his or her current position or would like to search
`merchandise information at another location.
`An example of a suitable end-user computer system 30 is
`one operating in accordance with the Microsoft WINDOWS
`operating system. Processor 11 may be any general-purpose
`processor having a CPU, RAM, ROM, and 1/0 circuitry.
`Other input devices instead of, or in addition to, mouse 33
`and keyboard 34 could be used, such as trackballs, touch
`pads, graphic tablet, or joysticks. The processor 11 is pro(cid:173)
`grammed to execute a process to help the user and take the 55
`user's input.
`FIG. 4 illustrates the merchandise information inquiry
`process in a preferred embodiment, executed by processor
`31. The process is interactive, with processor 31 responding
`to input by the user via a trackball device (mouse) 33 or 60
`keyboard 34. As is common with today's personal computer
`systems, mouse 33 is used to point a cursor at an icon,
`button, or other graphical prompt and to click on that prompt
`to initiate processor activity.
`FIG. 5 illustrates the graphical user interface used
`between step 41 to step 43 to receive input from the user.
`The graphical user interface is a form displayed on display
`
`6
`35. There are several input boxes and buttons on the
`graphical user interface to accept input from the user. On the
`graphical user interface, a cursor 51 indicates where the user
`enters input. The user uses mouse 33 to control the move(cid:173)
`ment of the cursor 51 on the graphical user interface.
`Box 52 accepts input for a position. The position is a
`location in an area where the user would like to search for
`merchandise. The position is the position coordinates of the
`Global Position System. The position coordinates include at
`least longitude and latitude. Altitude is optional for the user.
`If the user doesn't know the position coordinates of the
`searching area, he or she could type in an address in Box 52.
`Most of the time, the user may be interested in the area that
`is the user's current position. The user could choose the
`15 current position as the focal point by leaving Box 52 empty.
`The current position is stored in program memory 32. It
`could be an address or position coordinates. By default, the
`current position is chosen unless the user inputs other
`address or coordinates in the Box 52. If end-user computer
`20 system 30 contains a Global Positioning System receiver 37,
`processor 31 could also continuously update the current
`position coordinates with the reading from Global Position(cid:173)
`ing System receiver 37. In step 41, processor 31 then
`receives the position from Box 52 if the position is given. Or,
`25 processor 31 receives the current position from program
`memory 32.
`Box 53 accepts input for a searching area constraint. The
`searching area constraint and the position in Box 43 together
`define a geographic area in which the user would like to
`search for merchandise. There are many ways to specify the
`searching area constraint. The searching area constraint
`could be a distance. The distance describes a circular area
`that is centered at the position specified by Box 52. The
`searching area constraint could be a keyword "ZIP", which
`35 is a zip code area in which the position in Box 52 is located.
`It could be a keyword "CITY", which is a city area in which
`the position in Box 52 is located. Or, it could be "STATE",
`which is a state area in which the position in Box 52 is
`located. Or, it could be any term to represent a government
`40 district. In step 42, processor 31 receives the searching area
`constraint from Box 53. In FIG. 5, a "CITY" searching area
`constraint is selected.
`Box 54 accepts input for search criteria. The search
`criteria is a single keyword or a Boolean search expression,
`which combines several keywords with Boolean operations.
`For example, the user would like to search for a Yamaha
`piano. The user could use "Yamaha AND piano", where
`AND is the Boolean operation and "Yamaha" and "piano"
`are keywords. In step 43, the user inputs search criteria in
`Box 54, then, processor 31 receives the search criteria from
`Box 54.
`Box 55 accepts input for price range. In the example, a
`price range between 2000 to 300 dollars is chosen. The price
`range is to set a range on the price of merchandise for which
`user is searching. Therefore, all of the merchandise found is
`within the price range. In step 44, processor 31 receives the
`price range in Box 55.
`In step 45, processor 31 organizes the received input,
`position, searching area constraint, search criteria, and price
`range, as a query and sends it to a Internet Service Provider
`38 via modem 36 and phone line. Then, the Internet Service
`Provider further transmits the query to computer system 10.
`After receiving the query, processor 11 then queries database
`65 14.
`In step 46, database 14 receives the query and searches the
`data in the database against the searching area. Received
`
`45
`
`50
`
`Unified Patents
`Exhibit 1010
`Page 17 of 26
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`US 6,381,603 Bl
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`15
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`7
`search criteria and received price range further qualify the
`search results. Only the search results that are located in the
`searching area, match the search criteria, and are within the
`price range are returned to processor 11. Each of the search
`results includes the merchandise description, merchandise 5
`price, and merchandise location. Processor 11 further que(cid:173)
`ries a map database,