(12) United States Patent
`Hancock et al.
`
`US006202023B1
`(16) Patent N6.=
`US 6,202,023 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`(54) INTERNET BASED GEOGRAPHIC
`LOCATION REFERENCING SYSTEM AND
`METHOD
`
`(75) Inventors: S. Lee Hancock, Newport Beach, CA
`(US); Peter H. Dana, Georgetown, TX
`(Us); Scott D- Morrison, Mission
`Viejo, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: G02 Systems, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer-
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/257,462
`(22) Filed
`Feb 25 1999
`'
`l
`’
`Related US, Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/188,153, ?led on
`N9V~ 4, 1998, HQW Pat NO- 6,047,236, Whlch 15 a Contlnu-
`anonofapphcanonNo' O8/7O1’586’?1ed°nAug'22’ 1996’
`
`now Pat. No. 5,839,088.
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ............................ .. G06F 17/30,
`
`7
`
`.
`
`.
`
`(52) US. Cl. ......................... .. 701/201- 701/208- 701/213
`’
`’
`(58) Field Of Search ................................... .. 701/201, 208,
`
`’
`
`’
`
`70’9/203. 455/456 457’
`’
`’
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`Us PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1987 Akama et al- -
`4,677,561
`11/1990 Bow/e ct a1~ -
`4,974,170
`5,155,689 * 10/1992 Wortham ............................ .. 455/456
`5,289,195
`2/1994 Inoue.
`5,296,861
`3/1994 Knight.
`5,311,434
`5/1994 Tamai.
`5,323,322
`6/1994 Mueller et al. .
`
`h 1310
`n
`
`511mm
`
`1,10
`,5
`—a— +
`A
`
`5mm
`
`5,345,244
`5,355,140
`5,359,332
`5,396,254
`5,406,491
`5,418,538
`
`9/1994 Gildea et al. .
`10/1994 Slavin er a1. .
`10/1994 Allison et al. .
`3/1995 Toshiyuki.
`4/1995 Lima.
`5/1995 Lau '
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`9-166450 * 6/1997 (JP) .
`W0 97/07467
`2/1997 (W0) -
`W0 98/59506
`12/1998 (W0) -
`
`Primary Examiner—Michael J. Zanelli
`(74) Attorney’ Agent’ Or F ir m—LyOn & Lyon LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`A system and method for automatically providing services
`over a computer network, such as the Internet, for users in
`a mobile environment based on their geographic location. A
`client computer system is equipped with a local storage
`device, a wireless transceiver, an input device, an output
`device and an automatic location identifying (ALI) device.
`An application program is installed on the client computer
`system that prompts the user to input information. The
`apphcatron program blllldS a data packet compr1smg loca
`tion information and user information and stores the data
`packet on the local Client Storage device‘ The Client Com_
`puter system connects with a server coupled to a computer
`network Such as the Internet Upon Come/“10m the Client
`automatically transmits the electronic data packet to the
`Server- The Primary Server maintains a database that Contains
`a lIST Of enhanced SGI'VICGS. The information In the data
`packet is used to formulate a database query. The result of
`the database query is an address of a particular enhanced
`server that matches the client’s request. A speci?c universal
`resource locator (URL) that contains the‘ address of ‘the
`enhanced server 15 transmltted to the chent. The chent
`computer system launches a web browser and connects to
`the enhanced server. Upon connection relevant data custom
`iZed for the clienfs location is automatically displayed
`without additional input from the user.
`
`23 Claims, 27 Drawing Sheets
`
`/l315
`
`“
`1:.
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`H m lllllllll IE
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`|||||l|l|
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`
`INTERNET
`
`\\
`\\\\\\\
`\\
`
`130a
`
`1
`
`.
`
`\ 11111111T1111111111
`
`PORTABLE
`COMPUTING ‘
`DEVICE
`
`130a
`
`puauc
`SWITCHED
`NETWORK
`
`1312
`
`1l1lllHllllllllll
`
`1111
`
`‘
`
`BASE STATION
`
`MOBTLE SWITCHING OFFICE
`
`Starbucks Corporation, et al. – Ex. 1003
`U.S. Patent No. 9,454,748
`
`

`

`US 6,202,023 B1
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,422,814
`5,424,951
`5,436,632
`5,450,344
`5,452,217
`5,471,392
`5,477,458
`
`6/1995
`6/1995
`7/1995
`9/1995
`9/1995
`11/1995
`12/1995
`
`Sprague et a1. .
`Nobe et a1. .
`Sheynblat .
`W00 et a1. .
`Kishi et a1. .
`
`Yamashita .
`
`Loomis .
`
`5,543,789
`5,732,074
`5,802,492
`5,839,088
`5,938,721
`6,009,363
`
`*
`
`8/1996
`3/1998
`9/1998
`11/1998
`8/1999
`12/1999
`
`Behr et a1. ......................... .. 340/995
`Spaur et a1.
`370/313
`DeLorme et a1. ................. .. 455/456
`Hancock et a1. .
`
`Dussell et a1. ..................... .. 701/211
`
`Beckett et a1. ...................... .. 701/33
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`EXPLODED V/EW
`/N F/G. 2
`
`Fig. 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`hdar.13,2001
`
`Sheet 2 0f 27
`SheetZ 0f27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 0f 27
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`US 6,202,023 B1
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`MANUAL
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`K“
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
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`100
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`

`

`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`Mar. 13, 2001
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`Sheet 6 0f 27
`Sheet6 0f27
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`US 6,202,023 B1
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`

`US. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`hdar.13,2001
`
`Sheet 7 0f 27
`Sheet7 0f27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`
`
`AZ?
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`CA.
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 0127
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`AK,ANC,ANCHORAGE,149W54,61N13
`AK,FBK,FAIRBANKS,147W43,64N51
`AK,JUN,JUNEAU,134W24,58N18
`AL,ANN,ANNISTON,085W50,33N39
`AL,BES,BESSEMER,086W58,33N24
`AL,BlR,BlRMINGHAM,086W48.33N31
`AL,DEC,DECATUR,086W59,34N36
`AL,DOT,DOTHAN,085W24,31N13
`AL,FLO,FLORENCE,087W41,34N48
`AL,GAD,GADSDEN,086WO1,34NO1
`AL,HUN,HUNTSVILLE,086W35,34N44
`AL,MOB,MOBILE,088WO3,30N41
`AL,MON,MONTGOMERY.O86W19,32N23
`AL,PHE,PHEN|X CITY,085WOO,32N28
`AL,PRI,PRICHARD,088W05,30N44
`AL,SEL,SELMA,087WO1,32N25
`AL,TUS,TUSCALOOSA,087W34,33N12
`AR,EDO,EL DORAD0,092W40,33N12
`AR,FAY,FAYETTEVILLE,096W10,36NO4
`AR,FTS,FORT SMITH,094W25,35N23
`AR.HOS,HOT SPRINGS NAT PA,093W03,34N31
`AR.JON,JONESBOR0,090W42,35N50
`AR,LRK,LITTLE ROCK,092W17,34N45
`AR,NLR,NORTH LITTLE ROCK,092W16,34N46
`AR,PIB,PINE BLUFF,092W01,34N13
`AR,WME,WEST MEMPHIS,OQOW11,35N09
`AZ,FLA,FLAGSTAFF,111W39,35N12
`AZ,GCN,GRAND CANYON,112W8,36N59
`AZ,GLD,GLENDALE,112W11,33N32
`AZ,MES,MESA,111W50,33N25
`AZ,PHO,PHOENIX,112WO4,33N27
`AZ,SCO,SCOTFSDALE,111W56,33N29
`AZ,TEM,TEMPE,111W56,33N25
`AZ,TUC,TUCSON,110W58,32N13
`AZ,YMA,YUMA,114W37,32N43
`CA,ALA,ALAMEDA,122W15,37N46
`CA,ALH,ALHAMBRA,118W06,34N08
`CA,ALT,ALTADENA,118WO8,34N11
`CA,ANA,ANAHEIM,117W55,33N50
`CA,ANT,ANTIOCH,121W48,38NO1
`CA,ARA,ACAD|A,118W12,34N08
`CA,ARD,ARDEN,121W23,38N36
`CA,ARE,ARCADE,118WO1,34N08
`CA,AZU,AZUSA,117W52.34NO8
`CA,BAK,BAKERSFIELD,119WO1,35N23
`CA,BAP,BALDWIN PARK,117W58,34N04
`CA,BBK,BURBANK,118W19,34N11
`CA,BEF,BELLFLOWER,118W09,33N53
`CABEGBELL GARDENS.118W10,33NSB
`CA,BEL,BELL,118W11,33N59
`CA,BEV,BEVERLY HILLS,118W25,34NO4
`
`Fig. 8A
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`CABMTBELMONTJ22W16,37N31
`CA,BRK,BERKELEY,122W16,37N52
`CABUPBUENA PARK,117W60,32N52
`CA,BUR,BURL|NGAME,112W21,37N35
`CA,CAM,CAMPBELL,121W57,37N17
`CA,CAR,CARMICHAEL,121W19,38N38
`CA,CAR,CARSON,118W17,33N48
`CA,CAV,CASTRO VALLEY,122WO4,37N42
`CA,CH|,CHINO,117W41,34NO1
`CA,CHV,CHULA VISTA,117W05,32N39
`CA.C|H.CITRUS HEIGHTS,121W17,38N42
`CA.CLA,CLAREMONT,117W43,34N06
`CA,COL,COLTON,117W19,34NO4
`CA,CMP,COMPTON,118W13,33N54
`CA,COM,COSTA MESA,117W55,33N38
`CA,CON,CONCORD,122W02,37N59
`CA,COV,COVINA,117W52,34N05
`CA,CRN,CORONA,117W34,33N53
`CA,CRO,CORONADO,117W10,32N41
`CA,CUC,CULVER CIW,118W25,34N01
`CA,CYP,CYPRESS,118W02.33N50
`CADACDALY CIW,122W28,37N42
`CA,DAV,DAVIS,121W44,38N32
`CA,DOW,DOWNEY.118W08,33N56
`CA,ECA,EL CAJON.116W58,32N48
`CA,ECE,EL CERRITO,122W19,37N55
`CA,ELA,EAST LOS ANGELES,118W09,34NO1
`CA.EMT,EL MONTE,122WOO,37N59
`CA,ESC,ESCONDIDO,‘I17W05,33NO7
`CA,EUR,EUREKA,124W09,40N47
`CA,FA|,FA|RFIELD,122WO3,38N15
`CA,FLO,FLORENCE,118W15,33N58
`CA,FON,FONTANA,117W26,34N06
`CA,FOV,FOUNTAIN VALLEY,117W58,33N42
`CA,FRE,FREMONT,121W57,37N32
`CA,FRS,FRESNO,‘I19W47,36N44
`CA,FUL,FULLERTON,117W56,33N53
`CA,GAG,GARDEN GROVE,117W55,33N47
`CA,GAR,GARDENA,118W1818,33N53
`CA,GLD,GLENDALE,118W15,34N09
`CA.GLE,GLENDORA,117W52,34N08
`CA,HAH,HAC|ENDA HEIGHTS,117W58,33N58
`CA,HAW‘HAWTHORNE,118W21,33N55
`CA,HAY,HAYWARD,122W05,37N4O
`CA,H|C,H|LLCREST CENTER,118W57,35N23
`CA,HOL,HOLLYWOOD,118W21,34N06
`CA,HUB,HUNTINGTON BEACH,118W05,33N4O
`CA,HUP,HUNTINGTON PARK,118W14,33N59
`CAJMBJMPERIAL BEACH,117W08,32N35
`CA,1NG,INGLEWOOD,118W21,33N58
`C/‘x,l_/\W,LOS ANGELES,118W15,34NO4
`
`Fig. 88
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`AK,ALASKA
`AL,ALABAMA
`AR,ARKANSAS
`AZ,ARIZONA
`CA,CALIFORNIA
`CO,COLORADO
`CT,CONNECTICUT
`DC,DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
`DE,DELAWARE
`FL,FLORIDA
`GA,GEORGIA
`HLHAWAII
`IA,IOWA
`ID,IDAHO
`IL,ILLINO|S
`IN,INDIANA
`KS,KANSAS
`KY,KENTUCKY
`LA,LOUISIANA
`MA,MASSACHUSETI'S
`MD,MARYLAND
`ME,MAINE
`MLMICHIGAN
`MN,MINNESOTA
`MO,MISSOURI
`MS,MISSISSIPPI
`MT,MONTANA
`NC,NORTI—I CAROLINA
`ND,NORTH DAKOTA
`NE,NEBRASKA
`NH,NEW HAMPSHIRE
`NJ,NEW JERSEY
`NM,NEW MEXICO
`N\/,NEVADA
`NY,NEW YORK
`OH,OHIO
`OK,OKLAHOMA
`OR,OREGON
`PAPENNSYLVANIA
`RLRHODE ISLAND
`SC,SOUTH CAROLINA
`SD,SOUTH DAKOTA
`TN,TENNESSEE
`TX,TEXAS
`UT,UTAI-I
`\/A,\/IRG|NIA
`VTVERMONT
`WA,WASHINCTON
`WLWISCONSIN
`\NVNVEST VIRGINIA
`WYNVYOMING
`
`Fig. 9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 0127
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`US.CA.NWB.MAC2,117W52.360,33N391549,MCDONALDS #2
`US.CA.NWB.BK2,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #2
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO.117W52.459,33N39.881,ARCO
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC2,117W52.513,33N39.679,DEL TACO #2
`USACANWBCHVRNJ17W52.557,33N39.7O1,CHEVRON
`US.CA.NWB.JACK1,117W54.800,33N37.895,JACK-lN-THE-BOX #1
`US.CA.NWB.MAC1,117W54.837,33N36.987,MCDONALDS #1
`US.CA.NWB.TACO,117W55.280,33N38.278,TACO BELL
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC1,117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #1
`US.CA.NWB.MAC3,117W52.360,33N39.549,MCDONALDS #3
`US.CA.NWB.BK1,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #1
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO,117W52.459,33N39.681,ARCO #1
`US.CA.NWB.DLTCB,117W52.513,33N39.679,DEL TACO #3
`US.CA.NWB.CHVRN1,117W52.557,33N39.701,CHEVRON #2
`US.CA.NWB.JACK2,117W54.800,33N37.895,JACK-lN-THE-BOX #2
`US.CA.NWB.MAC4.117W54.837,33N36.987,MCDONALDS #4
`US.CA.NWB.TACO1,117W55.280,33N38.278,TACO BELL #1
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC4,117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #4
`US.CA.NWB.MAC5,117W52.360,33N39.549,MCDONALDS #5
`US.CA.NWB.BK3,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #3
`US.CA.NWB.ARCO2.117W53.129,33N40.871,ARCO #2
`US.CA.I\WB.DLTC5,117W52.825,33N39.811,DEL TACO #5
`US.CA.I\WB.CHVRN3,117W52.247,33N39.642,CHEVRON #3
`US.CA.I\WB.JACK3,117W53.74,33N38.25,JACK—|N—THE—BOX #3
`US.CA.I\WB.MAC6,17W53.157,33N37.1,MCDONALDS #6
`US.CA.I\WB.TACOZ,117W54.872,33N38.657.TACO BELL #2
`US.CA.I\WB.DLTCB,117W55.144,33N39.975,DEL TACO #6
`US.CA.I\WB.MAC7,117W52.360,33N39.549.MCDONALDS #7
`US.CA.I\WB.BK4,117W52.425,33N39.647,BURGER KING #4
`US.CA.I\WB.ARCOS,117W51.824,33N39.47.ARCO #3
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC7,117W52.851,33N39.487,DEL TACO #7
`US.CA.I\WB.CHVRN4,117W52.557,33N39.701,CHEVRON #4
`US.CA.NWB.JACK4,117W54.800,33N37.895,JACK-IN-THE—BOX #4
`US.CA.NWB.MAC8,‘I17W54.837,33N36.987,MCDONALDS #8
`US.CA,I\WB.TACOB,117W55.28,33N38.278.TACO BELL #3
`US.CA.NWB.DLTC8,117W55.354,33N38.204,DEL TACO #8
`
`
`
`US.CA.NWB.TEXCO,117W52.360,33N39.549,TEXACO
`US.CA.NWB.GULF,117W52.425,33N39.647,GULF OIL
`US.CA.NWB.ARBY,117W52.459,33N39.681,ARBY'S
`US.CA.NWB.DENNY,117W52.513,33N39.679,DENNY’S
`US.CA.NWB.PZHUT,117W52.557,33N39,701,P|ZZA HUT
`US.CA.NWB.PZINN.117W54.800,33N37.895,PIZZA INN
`US.CA.NWB.PENNY,117W54.837,33N36.987,J.C. PENNY’S
`US.CA.NWB.KFC1,117W55.280,33N38.278,KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN
`USCANWBPZAPZAJ17W55.354,33N38,204,LIL’ CAESAERS
`US.CA.NWB.SUB,117W52.360,33N39,549,8UBWAY
`US.CAINWB.WNDY,117W52.425,33N391647,WENDY'S
`USCANWBWELLSJ17W52459.33N39.681,WELL'S FARGO
`
`Fig. 10A
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`US.CA.NWB.STAR,117W52.513,33N39.679,DEL STAR ATM
`US.CA.NWB.MAIL,117W52.557,33N39.701,MAILBOX
`US.CA.NWB.GMC,117W54.800,33N37.895,GENERAL MOTORS DEALER
`US,CA.NWB.FORD,117W52.837,33N36.987,FORD DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.MBZ,117W55.280,33N38.278,MERCEDES BENZ DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.LEXUS,117W55.354,33N38.204,LEXUS DEALER
`US.CA.NWB.S711,117W52.360,33N39.549,7-11
`US.CA.NWB.CIRK,117W52.425,33N39.647,C|RCLE K STORE
`US.CA.NWB.BOFA,117W52.459,33N39.681,BANK OF AMERICA
`US.CA.NWB,ANW,117W52.513,33N39.679,A AND W RESTAURANT
`
`US.CA.SAN.MAC2,117W52.360,33N49.549,MCDONALDS #2
`US.CA.SAN.BK2,117W52.425,33N49.647,BURGER KING #2
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO,117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC2,117W52.513,33N49.679,DEL TACO #2
`US.CA.SAN.CH\/RN,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON
`US.CA.SAN.JACK1,117W54.800,33N47.895,JACK—IN—THE—BOX #1
`US.CA,SAN.MAC1,117W54.837,33N46.987,MCDONALDS #1
`US.CA.SAN.TACO,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC1,117W55.280,33N48.204,DEL TACO #1
`US.CA.SAN.MAC3,117W52.360,33N49.549,MCDONALDS #
`US.CA.SAN.BK1,117W52.425,33N49.647,BURGER KING #1
`US.CA.SAN.ARCO1,117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO #1
`US.CA.SAN.DLTCB,117W52.513,33N49.679,DEL TACO #3
`USACA.SAN.CHVRN1,117W52.557,33N49.7O1,CHEVRON #2
`US.CA.SAN.JACK2,117W54.800,33N47.895,JACK-IN-THE-BOX #2
`US.CA.SAN.MAC4,117W54.837,33N46.987,MCDONALDS #4
`US.CA.SAN.TACO1,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL #1
`US.CA.SAN.DLTC4,117W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #4
`US.CA.SAN.MAC5,117W52.360,33N49.549,MCDONALDS #5
`US.CA.SAN.BK3,117W52.425,33N49.647,BURGER KING #3
`USVCA.SAN.ARCOZ,117W52.459,33N49.681,ARCO #2
`US.CA.SA\I,DLTC5,117W52.513,33N49.679,DEL TACO #5
`US.CA.SA’\I.CHVRN3,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON #3
`US.CA.SA\I,JACK3,117W54.800,33N47.895,JACK—|N—THE—BOX #3
`US.CA.SA\I.MAC6,117W54.837,33N46.987,MCDONALDS #6
`US.CA.SAN,TACOZ,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL #2
`US.CA.SA\I.DLTC6,117W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #6
`US.CA.SA\I.MAC7,117W52.360,33N49.549,MCDONALDS #7
`US.CA.SA’\I.BK4,117W52.425,33N49.647,EURGER KING #4
`US.CA.SAI‘I.ARCOB,117W52.459,33N491681,ARCO #3
`US.CA.SA\I.DLTC7,117W52.513,33N49.647,DEL TACO #7
`US.CA,SA\I.CHVRN4,117W52.557,33N49.701,CHEVRON #4
`US.CA,SAN.JACK4,117W54.800,33N47.895,JACK-IN«THE-BOX #4
`US.CA.SAN.MAC8,117W54.837,33N46.987,MCDONALDS #8
`US.CA.SA\I.TACOS,117W55.280,33N48.278,TACO BELL #3
`USCASANDLTCBA17W55.354,33N48.204,DEL TACO #8
`
`US.CA.YSvI,WWNA,11QWBQ.23,37N32.20,WAWONA LODGE
`USCAYSv1.TL|‘-\1E,119W21.54,37N52,32,TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
`
`
`
`Fig. 103
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`US.CA,YSM.HFDM,119W31.56,37N44.84,HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.HCI-IY,119W47.37,37N56.78,HETCH HETCY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.BDGP,119W39.72,37N40.25,BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.MRPG,119W36.13,37N30.77,MARIPOSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.SENT,119W37.96,37N30.12,SOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.NENT,119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.WENT,119W46.21,37N40.64,WEST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.EENT,119W15.57,37N54.38,EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.WWLF,119W38.73,37N52.35,WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.GCRP,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.YSMF,119W37.12,37N45.34,YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`US.CA.YSM.GGG1,119W39.23,37N32.20,WAWONA LODGE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG2,119W21.54,37N52.32,TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
`US.CA.YSM.GGG3,119W31.56,37N44.84,HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.GGG4,119W47.37,37N56.78,HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.GGG5,119W39.72,37N40.25,BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.GGG6,119W36.13,37N30.77,MARIPOSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG7,119W37.96,37N30.12,SOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG8,119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG9,119W46.21,37N40.64.WEST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG10,119W15.57,37N54.38,EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.GGG11,119W38‘73,37N52.35,WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.GGG12,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.GGG13,119W37.12,37N45.34,YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`US.CA.YSM.G1,119W39.23,37N32.20,WAWONA LODGE
`US.CA.YSM.G2,119W21.54,37N52.32,TUOLUMNE MEADOWS
`US.CA.YSM.G3,119W31.56.37N44.84,HALF DOME
`US.CA.YSM.G4,119W47.37,37N56.78,HETCH HETCI-IY RESERVOIR
`US.CA.YSM.G5,119W39.72,37N40.25,BADGER PASS
`US.CA.YSM.G6,119W36.13,37N30.77,MARIPOSA GROVE
`US.CA.YSM.G7,119W37.96,37N30.12,SOUTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G8,119W52.54,37N48.69,NORTH ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G9,119W46.21,37N40.64,WEST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G10,119W15.57,37N54.38,EAST ENTRANCE
`US.CA.YSM.G11,119W38.73,37N52.35,WHITE WOLF
`US.CA.YSM.G12,119W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`US.CA.YSM.G13,119W37.12,37N45.34,YOSEMITE FALLS
`
`USCAYSBI-IFDMJ19W31.56‘37N44,84,I—IALF DOME
`US.CA.YSB.YSI\.IF,119W37.12,37N45.34,YOSEI\IITE FALLS
`US.CA.YSB.GGG1,119W34.23,37N44.73,AIIWAHNEE HOTEL
`US‘CAYSBGCRPJ19W34.30,37N43.67,GLACIER POINT
`
`Fig. 100
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`AD,ANDORRA
`AE,UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
`AF,AFGHANISTAN
`AG,ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
`ALANGUILLA
`AL,ALBANIA
`AM,ARMENIA
`AN,NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
`AO,ANGOLA
`AQ,ANTARCTICA
`AR,ARGENTINA
`AS,AMERICAN SAMOA
`AT,AUSTRIA
`AU,AUSTRALIA
`AW,ARUBA
`AZ,AZERBAIJAN
`BA,BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
`BB,BARBADOS
`BD,BANGLADESH
`BE,BELGIUM
`BEBURKINA FASO
`BG,BULGARIA
`BI-I,BAI-IRAIN
`BLBURUNDI
`BJ,BENIN
`BIVLBERMUDA
`BN,BRUNE| DARUSSALAM
`BO,BOLIV|A
`BR,BRAZIL
`
`BT,BI-IUTAN
`BV,BOUVET ISLAND
`BWBOTSWANA
`BY,BELARUS
`BZ,BELIZE
`CA,CANADA
`CC,COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS
`CF,CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
`CG,CONGO
`C>H,SWITZERLAND
`CLCOTE D'IVOIRE (IVORY COAST)
`CK,COOK ISLANDS
`CL,CI-IILE
`
`CO,COLOMBIA
`CR,COSTA RICA
`CS,CZECHOSLOVAKIA (FORMER)
`CU.CUBA
`CV,CAPE VERDE
`CXCHRISTMAS ISLAND
`
`Fig. 1 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`—\
`Eile ?elp
`G02 ADDRESS: YusTxAus 55.63.1705
`[DEGREESMINUTES:SECONDS]
`IATITIIDEI sons-4am
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`
`Fig. 12a
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 16 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`File ?elp
`
`G02 ADDRESS: CANWBMAU
`[DEGREESMXNUTESSECONDS]
`LATITUDEII 33:36:59.22N
`LONGITUDEZ[ 117;54:50.22vv
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`IENTER
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`COUNTRY:[US UNITED STATES
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`
`Fig. 12b
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`—I
`Help
`Eile
`J “5mm
`G02 ADDRESS1| MAC2
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`
`Fig. 12c
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 13,2001
`
`Sheet 18 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`1316
`
`1314 /
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`1 302
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`
`Fig 13
`
`1304
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 19 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`STORAGE
`
`WIRELESS
`TRANSCHVER
`
`CLIENT
`COMPUTER
`
`MAPPING
`
`Fig. 14
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 20 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`1510
`
`SERVER
`
`1510
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`
`
`
`AU
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`1502
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`BUlDERAND
`
`PARCER
`
`DATA
`STORAGE
`
`Fig. 15
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 21 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`1600
`
`DETERMINE CURRENT LOCATION
`
`1602
`
`
`
`DETERMINE DESIRED LOCATION
`AND OTHER DATABASE
`
`1604
`
`1606
`
`1608
`
`QUERY PARAMETERS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONVERT DESIRED LOCATION
`TO GRID COORDINATE
`SYSTEM IF NECESSARY
`
`
`
`
`
`STORE DESIRED LOCATION IN
`LOCAL CLIENT DATA STORAGE
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`1610
`
`CONNECT TO SERVER
`
`READ DATA PACKET
`
`1611
`
`FORMULATE DATABASE QUERY
`FROM INFORMATION IN DATA
`PACKET
`
`1618
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE DATA FROM QUERY
`
`SEND RESULTS TO CLIENT
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 22 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`1700
`
`1702
`
`DEFINE
`LOCATION
`
`1703
`
`SELECT CRITERIA
`FOR DATABASE
`QUERY
`
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`1705
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`
` LOCATION
`DATA IN G02
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`FORMAT?
`
`LOCATION INFORMATION:
`USE GPS LOCATION
`USE PROJECTED GPS LOCATION_MINS
`MANUAL LOCATION INPUT
`SAVED LOCATIONS
`HOME
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`SELECT LOCATIONS FROM:
`MAP
`WAY POINT TABLE
`
`
`4. OTHER SELECTION CRITERIA.
`
`MENU SELECTIONS:
`
`1.CATEGORY (i.e. RESTAURANTS,
`BANKS, ETC.)
`2. CATEGORY FEATURES (i.e. ONLY
`ESTABLISHMENTS THAT ACCEPT VISA)
`3. SEARCH RADIUS (2-5 MILES, ETC.)
`
`
`
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`
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`YES
`G02
`FORMAT
`
`1707
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`PACKET ON LOCAL
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`G02 APPLICATION
`
`Fig. 17
`
`DATA PACKET:
`
`
`
`1) CURRENT LOCATION
`2) SPEED
`3)BEARING
`4) INTENDED ROUTE TIME ESTIMATES
`5) INTENDED DESTINATION ROUTE
`ESTIMATES
`
`6) PREDEFINED USER PREFERENCES
`(PROFILE) (e.g. VACATION, BUSINESS
`TRIP, PREFERRED SERVICE STATION,
`BANK, ETC.)
`7) INTERIM USER PREFERENCES
`8) QUERY PARAMETERS
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 23 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`CONNECT TO SERVER
`
`1802
`
`1804
`
`
`
`EXISTING
`DATA
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`PACKET?
`
`
`YES
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`NO
`
`1806
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`OFFER TO DOWNLOAD (302
`APPLICATION SOFTWARE
`
`1810
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`READ DATA PACKET
`
`AND EXTRACT
`LOCATION AND
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`INFORMATION
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`OFFER
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`
`
`
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`1808
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`
`1814
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`/
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`DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL
`G02 APPLICATION SOFTWARE
`
`PROVIDE WEB PAGES TO PROMPT
`USER FOR LOCATION AND
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`
`1812
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`READ USER INPUT
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`LAUNCH G02
`APPLICATION SOFTWARE
`
`COVERT LOCATION DATA TO G02
`GRID DATA FORMAT IF NECESSARY
`
`
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`PERFORM DATABASE SEARCH
`
`
`
`SEND RELEVANT DATA TO CLIENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig. 18
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`hdar.13,2001
`
`Sheet24 0f27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`
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`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 25 0f 27
`
`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`2004
`
`SLEEP(X)
`
`SECONDS
`
`I
`
`2002
`
`LOCAHON
`
`DETERMINING
`CAPABHJTY?
`
`
`
`NO
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`
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`PROMPT FOR
`
`MANUAL LOCATION
` POLL LDID
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`INPUT?
`
`
`2008
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`
`2010
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`YES
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`N0
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`2025
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`NO
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`Fig. 20
`
`YES
`
`2014
`
`
`
`
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`
`FREQUENCY
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`2016
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`TRANSMR
`CURRENT
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`LOCARON
`
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`2018
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`UPDATED
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`LOCATION
`DATA
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
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`hdar.13,2001
`
`Sheet26 0f27
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`US 6,202,023 B1
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`

`

`US. Patent
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`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`Sheet 27 0f 27
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`US 6,202,023 B1
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`Fig. 22
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`

`

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

`

`US 6,202,023 B1
`
`3
`In a preferred embodiment, a client computer system is
`equipped with a local database, a wireless transceiver, an
`input device such as a keyboard, an output device such as a
`display and an automatic location identifying (ALI) device,
`such as a GPS receiver or the like. Note that the ALI device
`is an optional component of the present invention.
`The Client computer system connects with a server
`coupled to a computer network, such as the Internet. The
`server is enhanced in accordance with the present invention
`by automatically determining the location of the client. In
`one embodiment, the client automatically advises the server
`of its current location via a transmission of an electronic data
`packet or “handshake” upon connection. The server uses this
`information to perform a database query to retrieve infor-
`mation that is customized for the particular location.
`In particular, an application program is installed on the
`client computer system. The application program prompts
`the user to select a category of interest, a preference for
`specifying location information (i.e.