I 1111111111111111 lllll lllllll llll llll 111111111111111 lllll 111111111111111111
`
`US00RE42927E
`
`c19) United States
`(10)Patent Number:US RE42,927 E
`
`
`c12) Reissued Patent
`(45)Date of Reissued Patent:
`Nov. 15, 2011
`Want et al.
`
`(54)SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING
`AND U SING LOCATION SPECIFIC
`INFORMATION
`
`(75)Inventors: Roy Want, Los Altos, CA (US); Mark
`
`
`
`
`David Weiser, Palo Alto, CA (US);
`
`Anthony George LaMarca, Redwood
`
`
`
`City, CA (US); David Goldberg, Palo
`Alto, CA (US)
`DE
`
`
`
`(73)Assignee: Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
`
`
`
`1111997 Charuoo et al.
`
`5,684,859 A
`2/1998 Eldridge
`
`5,717,392 A
`3/ 1998 Spaur et al.
`
`5,732,074 A
`6/ 1998 Schaphorst
`
`5,767,795 A
`8/ 1998 T heimer et al.
`
`5,793,630 A
`2/1999 Naito et al.
`
`5,867,110 A
`(Continued)
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1996
`4 437 360
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/874,155
`
`(22)Filed:Sep.1, 2010
`
`Abowd et al., "Cyberguide: A mobile context-aware tour guide,"
`
`
`
`Wireless Networks,
`1997, 3(5):421-433.
`
`Related U.S. Patent Documents
`
`Reissue of:
`
`(64)Patent No.:
`6,122,520
`Issued:
`Sep.19, 2000
`Appl. No.:
`09/023,116
`Filed:
`Feb.13,1998
`
`(Continued)
`
`- Erika A Gary
`
`Primary Examiner
`
`
`
`
`(74)Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Fish & Richardson P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A location information system uses a positioning system,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`such as the civilian Navstar Global Positioning System
`(51)Int. Cl.
`
`
`
`(GPS), in combination with a distributed network. The loca­
`H04W 24100 (2009.01)
`
`
`
`tion information system includes a radio transceiver for com­
`
`
`
`(52)U.S. Cl. .................. 455/456.2; 455/456.1; 455/457;
`
`
`municating to the distributed network and a GPS receiving
`701/211
`
`
`
`
`system. The GPS receiving system receives a sign al from the
`
`
`(58)Field of Classification Search ........................ None
`
`
`
`
`GPS and converts it into a coordinate entry. The coordinate
`
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`entry is transmitted to the distributed network for retrieval of
`
`
`
`corresponding location specific information. The location
`
`
`
`specific information may reside on a web page. The coordi­
`
`
`nate entry may be incorporated into the web page address that
`
`
`
`
`supports the coordinate entry or linked to an existing web
`et al.
`5,243,652 A 9/1993 Teare
`
`
`
`
`
`page associated with the coordinate entry. The web page and
`
`5,519,760 A 5/1996 Borkowski
`
`et al.
`
`
`
`
`
`associated information is displayed. Bar code labels, infrared
`
`5,537,460 A 7 / 1996 Holliday, Jr.
`
`et al.
`
`5,539,395 A 7 / 1996
`
`Buss et al.
`
`
`beacons and other labeling systems may also be used in the
`
`5,559,520 A 9/ 1996 Barzegar
`
`et al.
`
`
`
`
`location information system in place of or in addition to the
`
`5,570,412 A 10/ 1996 LeBlanc
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GPS receiving system to supply location identification infor­
`
`5,598,572 A l/ 1997
`
`
`Tanikoshi et al.
`mation.
`
`5,628,050 A 5/1997 McGraw et al.
`
`
`5,636,245 A 6/ 1997
`
`Ernst et al.
`
`5,642,303 A 6/ 1997 Small
`
`et al.
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`26 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 1
`
`

`

`US RE42,927 E
`
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`8/1996
`1 950 6890
`5,870,686 A 2/1999 Monson
`
`EP
`7 /1997
`0 785 535
`
`5,872,526 A 2/1999 Tognazzini
`FR
`8/1996
`2 730 083
`
`
`5,883,580 A 3/1999 Briancon et al.
`FR
`6/1999
`2 772 911
`
`5,893,898 A 4/1999 Tanimoto
`JP
`6/1987
`62 142215
`
`
`5,898,680 A 4/1999 Johnstone et al.
`JP
`3/1996
`08-069436
`
`
`5,910,799 A 6/1999 Carpenter et al.
`JP
`2/1997
`09-054895
`
`5,938,721 A 8/1999 Dus sell et al.
`JP
`4/1997
`09-098474
`
`5,948,041 A 9/1999
`
`Abo et al.
`JP
`6/1997
`09-153125
`
`5,959,577 A 9/1999 Fan
`
`et al.
`JP
`7 /1997
`09-200850
`
`5,987,381 A 11/1999 Oshizawa
`12/1997
`JP
`9-319300
`
`6,014,090 A 1/2000
`
`Rosen et al.
`1/1998
`10-021259
`JP
`
`6,064,335 A 5/2000 Eschenbach
`
`WO 93/20546
`10/1993
`WO
`
`
`6,085,148 A 7/2000 Jamison et al.
`WO 97/07467
`2/1997
`WO
`
`6,091,956 A 7/2000 Hollenberg
`
`WO 98/54682
`12/1998
`WO
`
`6,091,957 A 7/2000 Larkins
`
`et al.
`WO 99/16036
`4/1999
`WO
`
`6,104,090 A 8/2000
`
`
`Unger et al. .................. 340/905
`Karmel
`
`6,111,541 A 8/2000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Kimoto eta!.
`
`6,115,611 A 9/2000
`
`Landgren
`
`6,115,754 A 9/2000
`
`Linsk
`
`6,138,142 A 10/2000
`Walker et al.
`
`6,199,014 Bl 3/2001
`
`Giniger et al.
`
`6,199,045 Bl 3/2001
`Hoflberg
`
`6,252,544 Bl 6/2001
`Ludwig
`
`6,256,498 Bl 7/2001
`Alumbaugh
`
`6,266,614 Bl 7/2001
`Karmel
`
`6,353,743 Bl 3/2002
`
`Huttunen et al.
`
`6,356,761 Bl 3/2002
`Gotou
`
`6,377,886 Bl 4/2002
`
`Jamison et al.
`
`6,401,032 Bl 6/2002
`
`Carpenter et al.
`
`6,477,581 Bl 11/2002
`Baker
`
`6,505,046 Bl 1/2003
`Owensby
`
`6,647,257 B2 11/2003
`Breed
`
`2008/0086240 Al 4/2008
`Breed
`
`2009/0030605 Al 1/2009
`
`"Frontiers in Electronic Media," Interactions, 1997, 4(4):32-64.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Maai3, "Location-Aware Mobile Applications based on Directory
`
`
`
`
`Services," MOBICOM97, 1997, Budapest, Hungary, pp. 23-33.
`
`
`Spohrer, "New Paradigm s for Using Computers (Abstract)," 1997;
`
`
`
`
`[ online ]; Retrieved from the Internet URL: http://www.almaden.ibm.
`
`
`corn/almaden/npuc97 / 1997 /spohrer.htrn; 1 page.
`Ayatsuka et al., "UbiquitousLinks: Hypermedia Links Embedded in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the Real World, Technical Report oflnformation Processing Society,
`
`
`96-HI-67," Information Processing Society of Japan, Jul. 11, 1996,
`96(62):23-30.
`Nagao et al., Walk Navi: A Location-Aware Interactive Navigation/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Guideline System and Software III, First edition, pp. 9-48, published
`
`by Kindai-Kagaku-Sya Co. Ltd., Dec. 10, 1995.
`
`
`Jim Spohrer, "New Paradigms for Using Computers", 1997; retrieved
`
`on Feb. 12, 1998 from http:/www.alrnaden.ibm.com/almaden/
`
`npuc97 /1997 /spohrer.htrn.
`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
`
`US RE42,927 E
`
`100
`
`r1
`
`200
`
`200
`
`305
`
`,-------------
`DISTRIBUTED
`1 -------------
`NETWORK
`
`------7
`I
`I
`
`120 -- - - -
`
`I
`I
`_J
`
`130
`
`110
`
`PREDETERMINED
`NOOE
`
`300
`
`FIG.1
`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 3
`
`

`

`-....J
`....
`
`0
`
`N
`
`('D .....
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`rJJ=­('D
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`�
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`I
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`I http://www.VWORLD.COM/COORDINATES/32.1
`
`/59.9
`
`FUNCTIONS
`
`OTHER
`
`TOOLBAR STOP RE-ENTER FORWARD BACKWARD
`
`''\
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`,r
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` N
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`��
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`
`\0N-....l�
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`r.,;_
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`
`FIG.2
`
`INVENTORY:
`
`FUTURE PURCHASES:
`
`STOCKS:
`
`\ ._
`
`DATA:
`
`BUSINESS
`
`-r-,.
`310
`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 4
`
`

`

`
`Sheet 3 of 7
`U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2011
`
`US RE42,927 E
`
`305
`
`DISTRIBUTED
`NETWORK
`
`320
`
`321
`
`SEATTLE
`
`□
`
`330
`
`130 □
`
`SAN FRANCISCO
`
`ROVING ACCESS
`TERMINALS
`
`340
`
`130 □
`
`341
`
`LA
`
`FIG.3
`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 5
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 7 US RE42,927 E
`
`EBEBEBEB �
`EB EB EB EB rY
`EBEBEBEB �
`EB EB EB EB tv
`
`0 0
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`FIG.4
`
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`140
`
`EE EE EE
`111EE EE �
`EB EB tiJ
`HHE EE EE �
`EBEB 0 0
`
`FIG.5
`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 6
`
`

`

`
`U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 7 US RE42,927 E
`
`lO
`•
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`-La...
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`0
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`
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`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2011 Sheet 6 of 7 US RE42,927
`E
`
`START
`
`RETRIM GPS
`SIGNAL
`
`S100
`
`S110
`
`DOWNLO>D
`S120
`COORDINATE
`[NTRY TO
`COMPUTER
`
`TRANSMIT
`S130
`COORDINATE
`ENTRY
`TO OISTRIBUTEO
`NETWORK
`
`S170
`DIRECTORY
`WHETHER
`DOES WEB PAGE
`YES
`PAGE ASSOCIATED
`RESIDE
`ON
`WITH COORDINATE
`PREDETERMINED
`NODE
`ON NODE
`RESIDES
`S200
`� - ---- -... YES
`NO
`TRANSMIT
`DIRECTORY
`S150
`TRAN9,UT
`NO INFORMAT
`ION
`PAGE TO
`WEB PAGE TO
`AVAILABLE
`COMPUTER
`COMPUTER
`5190 S210
`_ ..,.__ ___,'---�
`5160
`DISPLAY
`DIRECTORY
`PAGE ON
`COMPUTER
`S220
`USER LINK TO
`WEB PAGE VIA
`DIRECTORY
`PAGE
`S225- r----1----
`'\ 1 FETCH WEB :
`� PACE DIRECTORY i - -
`
`..-----'------
`
`-�
`�- D-IS..1...PI.A-
`l.l[SSAGE
`
`'1
`
`DISPLAY
`WEB PAGE
`
`STOP
`
`S250
`
`7
`
`I
`I
`L _________ _J
`
`FIG.7
`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Nov. 15, 2011 Sheet 7 of 7 US RE42,927
`E
`
`START
`
`BAR CODE OR
`INFRARED SCAN
`
`S300
`
`S310
`
`DOWNLOAD
`S320
`URL TO
`COMPUTER
`
`TRANSMIT
`S330
`URL TODISTRIBUTED
`NETWORK
`
`S370
`WHETHER
`DIRECTORY
`OOES WEB PAGE
`PAGE RESIDES YES
`RESIDE
`ON
`ON PREDETERMINED
`PREDETERMINED
`NOOE
`: S400
`NODE
`YES
`S35,.;..0 __ _.__No_ ........,s38o l
`TRANSMIT
`DIRECTORY
`T�SMIT
`NO INFORMATION
`PAGE TO
`WEB PAGE TO
`AVAILABLE
`COMPUTER
`COMPUTER
`s39o I S410
`S360
`DISPLAY
`DISPLAY
`MESSAGE
`DIRECTORY
`PAGE ON
`COMPUTER
`: S420
`I _--.__,__
`1
`USER LINK TO
`WEB PAGE VIA
`\ DIRECTORY
`PAGE
`S425-r----1----7
`1 FETCH WEB :
`\
`i PAGE DIRECTORY
`i -
`
`..-----4-i
`
`DISPLAY
`WEB PAGE
`
`STOP
`
`...----'----'--,.
`
`S450
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`I .-------1.---.
`I
`I
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`
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`
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`
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`_. I
`L _________ ..J
`
`FIG.8
`
`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 9
`
`

`

`
`
`US RE42,927 E
`
`2
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING
`
`web address may be very long which may result in a mistake
`
`AND USING LOC ATION SPECIFIC
`
`when entering the web address.
`INFORMATION
`Furthermore, when attempting to find location information
`
`
`
`
`
`about specific locations, a user may not know the "keywords"
`
`
`
`5 or other pertinent information in order to extract the desired
`
`
`
`Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the
`
`
`
`
`information relating to that location. For example, a person
`
`
`original patent but forms no part of this reissue specifica­
`
`
`
`may want information concerning local vegetation or wild­
`
`
`tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions
`
`
`
`
`life, but is unable to define an adequate search to find that
`made by reissue.
`
`specific information.
`10
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention provides a system and method that com­
`
`
`1.Field oflnvention
`
`
`
`
`bines a positioning system, for example, the Navstar Global
`
`
`
`The invention generally relates to obtaining information
`
`
`
`
`15 Positioning System (GPS), with a distributed network, such
`
`
`
`relating to a specific location using a positioning system.
`
`
`
`
`
`as the Internet, to provide real-time location specific infor­
`
`
`More particularly, the invention relates to a system and
`
`
`
`
`mation. That is, the positioning system provides a signal that
`
`
`
`
`
`method for obtaining location specific information about a
`
`
`
`
`
`is converted into a coordinate entry ( e.g., specific latitude and
`
`
`
`
`particular location using a distributed network in combina­
`
`
`
`
`
`longitude coordinates). The system and method of this inven-
`
`tion with the positioning system.
`
`
`
`20 tion then references the coordinate entry to a particular "web
`
`
`2.Description of Related Art
`
`
`page" associated with the coordinate entry.
`Many people travel throughout the world or even their own
`
`
`
`
`The location information system preferably comprises a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`local communities without realizing the wealth of informa­
`
`
`
`
`
`computer or personal digital assistant (PDA) and supports a
`
`
`tion concerning their surroundings. For example, people
`
`
`
`radio connection and a positioning system receiving system.
`
`
`
`
`
`travel in their own communities without knowing what build­
`
`
`25 The positioning system receiving system receives signals
`
`ings may be of historical significance or what shopping center
`
`
`from a set of positioning system transmitters, such as a set of
`
`
`may have a specific store or whether any store in the shopping
`
`satellites when using the GPS. The signals are converted into
`
`
`
`center sells a specific product.
`
`
`
`
`a coordinate entry by the positioning system receiving system
`
`
`In many instances, people rely on brochures or other lit­
`
`
`
`and transmitted via a transmission to a server on the distrib-
`
`
`erature in order to familiarize themselves with their surround­
`
`
`
`30 uted network. The coordinate entry may be combined with a
`
`
`
`ings. These brochures may include tourist/travel brochures,
`
`
`URL to make a unique URL that references a web page on a
`
`
`
`shopping mall directories/maps or other similar literature.
`
`
`
`predetermined server for a particular web page that describes
`
`
`
`However, these brochures are not very informative because
`
`that location. The coordinate entry may also, for example,
`
`
`
`
`they contain limited amounts of information. The amount of
`
`
`
`link to an existing web page on the distributed network asso-
`
`
`
`
`information is limited due to factors such as high distribution
`
`
`
`35 ciated with the coordinate entry. The web page and associated
`
`
`
`
`
`costs. Accordingly, relatively little money is available for
`
`
`
`
`information, such as historical information, local areas of
`
`
`
`
`research, writing and printing. Thus, much information that
`
`
`
`
`
`interest, shopping centers and the like, are transmitted to the
`
`
`
`would otherwise be informative to the public may not be
`
`location information system and displayed.
`
`included in these brochures.
`
`
`
`
`Printed label codes and other labeling systems can also be
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`This lack of information often results in ineffective adv er-40 used with the location information system. In one embodi­
`
`
`
`
`ti sing for businesses. The public is also unable to effectively
`
`
`
`ment, bar code labels may be provided on various stores,
`
`obtain adequate information about their surroundings. For
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`public buildings, exhibition centers, statutes and the like. The
`example, a business may not be able to provide the consumer
`
`
`
`
`
`
`computer or PDA is provided with a bar code scanner for
`
`
`
`
`
`with a list of products sold in a particular store. Similarly, a
`
`
`
`scanning the bar code on the bar code labels. The system then
`local historical building may not be able to provide the public
`
`
`
`
`
`
`45 decodes the bar code to obtain the coordinate entry or URL
`
`
`
`
`with effective information concerning the significance of the
`
`
`
`for the associated web page. The coordinate entry is provided
`
`
`
`
`
`historical site. Information concerning (i) local wildlife and
`
`
`
`
`
`to the distributed network, which either incorporates the coor­
`
`
`
`vegetation, (ii) locations of shopping centers, (iii) govern­
`
`
`dinate entry into a URL referencing a web page on a prede­
`
`
`
`ment information, and many other types of information may
`
`
`
`
`termined node which contains the location specific informa-
`
`also be limited or non-existent.
`
`
`
`
`50 tion or provides a "hyperlink" to a preexisting web page
`
`
`
`
`However, many entities, such as stores, historical sites,
`
`
`
`
`
`located on a separate node on the distributed network. Alter­
`
`
`
`
`and/or multi-national businesses now utilize distributed net­
`
`
`
`
`natively, infrared beacons may be used to provide the coor­
`
`
`
`works, such as the Internet and, more particularly, the World
`
`
`
`
`dinate entry or URL to the location information system via an
`
`
`
`Wide Web portion of the Internet, to provide the public with
`
`
`
`
`
`infrared detector. In this case, the location information system
`
`
`
`useful information. For example, information about a histori­
`
`
`
`
`55 receives the infrared signals from a short distance (up to
`
`
`cal site, such as a Civil War battlefield, may be disseminated
`
`
`
`
`approximately 25 feet). The location information system then
`
`
`via the World Wide Web and accessed though commercial
`
`
`
`
`decodes the signals into the coordinate entry or the URL. The
`
`
`
`
`Internet service providers (ISPs ). The World Wide Web also
`
`
`location information system then transmits the coordinate
`
`
`
`
`provides the public with countless amounts of other informa­
`
`
`entry or URL to the distributed network via a transmission,
`
`
`tion, such as business data, stock quotes or official govern­
`
`
`
`60 such as a radio transmission. A web page associated with the
`ment information.
`
`
`
`
`coordinate entry is then retrieved and displayed on the com­
`
`
`
`
`However, a user will not have access to the desired infor­
`puter or PDA.
`
`
`
`
`mation unless they manually input a web address or uniform
`The location information method preferably includes
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`resource locator (URL) associated with a particular web page.
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`receiving signals from the positioning system transmitters
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`In these cases, it may be difficult to retrieve the web page
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`65 and converting the signals to a coordinate entry. The coordi­
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`because the URL may be difficult to locate, even with the
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`nate entry is then transmitted to the distributed network. Web
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`sophisticated search engines currently available. Also, the
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`pages residing on the distributed network and having an asso-
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`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 10
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`US RE42,927 E
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
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`EMBODIMENTS
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`4
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`ciated coordinate entry are then retrieved based on the coor­location of the GPS satellites. This comparison is then used in
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`determining an accurate coordinate entry.
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`dinate entry transmitted to the distributed network. The web
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`FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a location information
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`pages are then displayed by the location information system.
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`system 100. As seen in FIG. 1, the location information sys­
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`These and other aspects and salient features of the inven­
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`tem 100 includes a computer or personal digital assistant
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`tion will be described in or are apparent from the following
`5
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`(PDA) 110, a GPS receiver 120 and a radio transmitter/re-
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`detailed description of preferred embodiments.
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`ceiver, e.g., transceiver 130. The GPS receiver 120 receives
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`signals from three or more GPS transmitters 200 and converts
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`the signals to a specific latitude and longitude (and in some
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`cases altitude) coordinate entry, as described above. The GPS
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`Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described
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`10
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`receiver 120 provides the coordinate entry to the computer
`in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
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`110 and the transceiver 130 transmits the coordinate entry,
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`FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the location information
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`preferably via a radio network, to a predetermined node 300
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`system of this invention;
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`or other node on a distributed network 305. Alternatively, the
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`FIG. 2 shows a web page supporting a coordinate entry;
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`15 coordinate entry is transmitted to the distributed network 305
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`FIG. 3 shows the location information system accessing
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`over a wired connection to the computer 110 (not shown).
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`several nodes on a distributed network;
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`Information associated with the coordinate entry defining a
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`FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the location informa­
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`specific location is then transmitted to the computer 110 via
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`tion system using bar code labels as the information source;
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`the transceiver 130 (i.e., by either a radio network or other
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`FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the location informa­
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`20 wireless or wire communication link) and displayed on the
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`tion system using infrared beacons as the information source;
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`display 140. Information about various locations is organized
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`FIG. 6 shows printed material being electronically
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`and stored on the distributed network 305 and is preferably
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`accessed using the location information system;
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`organized as "web pages." The web pages or pointers to them
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`FIG. 7 shows a flow chart outlining a method of accessing
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`are preferably stored on the predetermined node 300 of the
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`location information; and
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`25 distributed network 305. However, the web pages may also be
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`FIG. 8 shows another flow chart outlining a method of
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`stored at various other nodes on the distributed network 305
`accessing location information.
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`and may be associated with one or more coordinate entries
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`corresponding to physical locations. The web pages may
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`have, for example, an already existing URL, e.g., a propri-
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`30 etary pre-existing URL. Alternatively, coordinate informa­
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`tion may be incorporated into an existing URL to form a
`Distributed networks, such as the Internet and other private
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`unique URL. Further, the coordinate entry may also be the
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`and commercial distributed networks are a source of useful
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`entire URL of the web pages. A client, either local or remote,
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`information. This information varies from advertisements to
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`may access the web pages preferably via a server on the
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`educational information to business data. This information is
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`35 predetermined node 300 of the distributed network 305.
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`typically resident on a particular web page having a unique
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`In preferred embodiments, the location information system
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`URL or address that is provided on the World Wide Web, for
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`100 transmits, via the transceiver 130, the coordinate entries
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`example. For a user to obtain this information, the user either
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`directly to the predetermined node 300 of the distributed
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`enters into the computer a unique URL for retrieving the web
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`network 305 having the web pages associated with the coor-
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`page or certain keywords in order to search for the web page
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`40 dinate entries residing thereon. In this case, the web pages and
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`using well-known search engines.
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`the coordinate entries are stored on the same node of the
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`Positioning systems, such as the civilian service provided
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`distributed network 305. Alternatively, the web pages and the
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`by Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS), provide latitu­
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`coordinate entries may be stored on separate nodes of the
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`dinal and longitudinal information on the surface of the earth
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`to an accuracy of approximately 300 feet. The GPS
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`distributed may also network 305.
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`provide information concerning altitude. When combined
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`In embodiments, when the coordinate entry is provided on
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`45
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`with accurate location references, such as differential GPS, an
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`a separate node distinct from the node or nodes storing the
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`accuracy of better than three feet may be achieved. This
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`corresponding web pages, the location information system
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`information may be obtained using a positioning system
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`100 provides a reference page on the predetermined node 3 00
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`receiver and transmitter, as is well known in the art. For
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`of the distributed network 305. The reference page provides a
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`purposes of this application, the civilian service provided by 50
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`"hyperlink" to a web page or pages located on separate nodes.
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`Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) will be discussed
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`In the case when the web page is located on a separate node,
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`with reference to the instant invention. However, other posi­
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`a directory list of names of all web pages associated with
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`tioning systems such as LORAN and the like are also con­
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`coordinate entries may be stored on the predetermined node
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`templated for use with the present invention.
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`300.The directory page may then access the directory list in
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`In order for the GPS to properly provide
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`order to determine location identifi-whether the web page associated with a
`55
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`cation information (e.g., a coordinate entry),
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`particular coordinate the GPS com­ entry resides on another node of the
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`prises several transmitters, e.g., satellites, each having a clock distributed network 305. In embodiments, the computer 110
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`synchronized with respect to each other. The ground stations transmits the hyperlink string and receives the web pages via
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`communicate with GPS satellites and ensure that the clocks the transceiver 130. The corresponding web pages residing on
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`remain synchronized. The ground stations also track the GPS a separate node of the distributed network 305 may also be
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`satellites and transmit information so that each satellite directly accessed from the predetermined node 300 and
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`knows its position
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`downloaded at any given time. The GPS satellites to the computer 110 via the radio transceiver 130
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`broadcast "time stamped" sign als containing
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`without the use the satellites' of the hyperlinks. In embodiments, this may
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`positions to any GPS receiver that is within
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`be provided the communica­ by a common gateway interface script (CGI), as
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`web pages provide the below. The corresponding 65 discussed tion path and is tuned to the frequency of the GPS sign al. The
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`GPS receiver also includes a time clock. The GPS receiver user with specific information associated with the coordinate
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`then compares its time to the synchronized times and the entry representing that location.
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`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 11
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`

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`US RE42,927 E
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`5
`6
`The location information system 100 can also provide the
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`provide local access points for storing information about
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`user with a map of an area based on the coordinate entry. In
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`local points ofinterest. This also avoids the problem ofhaving
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`this case, the location information system 100 is provided
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`information "dragged" needlessly across the distributed net-
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`with a map database that is displayed on the display 140. The
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`work 305 and causing congestion within the distributed net­
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`user points to and clicks on a specific location on the map 5
`work 305.
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`using a mouse or other interactive device 150. The specific
`The nodes 320, 330 and 340 provide various sources of
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`location is associated with one or more coordinate entries or
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`information and are networked together so that a local node
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`a unique URL. The coordinate entries or URLs of interest are
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`320 in Seattle, for example, may access a remote node 330 in
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`then transmitted to the predetermined node 300 for retrieval
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`San Francisco. In preferred embodiments, the nodes 320, 330
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`of a web page associated with those coordinate entries or 10
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`and 340 include transceivers 321, 331 and 341, respectively,
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`URLs. Also, a directory page associated with several coordi­
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`for receiving and transmitting data to and from each indi-
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`nate entries or URLs may be retrieved from the distributed
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`vidual node 320, 330 and 340 and the computer 110 via the
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`network 305, as discussed above. As previously discussed,
`transceiver 130.
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`the directory page may list several web pages that are asso­
`It should be appreciated that the GPS receivers 120 need to
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`ciated with at least one coordinate entry and provide links to 15
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`receive signals from the GPS transmitters 200. Thus, if the
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`the associated web pages. The retrieved web pages may pro­
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`signals are blocked, the GPS receiver 120 may not be able to
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`vide location specific information or directions to specific
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`determine the coordinate entry. In order to avoid this problem,
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`locations of interest associated with the web pages.
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`other techniques for providing a coordinate entry may be used
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`The GPS receiver 120 of the location information system
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`by the location information system 100. These techniques
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`100 is preferably a PCMCIA Pathfinder™ Card (with asso-20
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`may include, for example, printed ID labels (e.g., bar codes,
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`ciated hardware and/or software) manufactured by Trimble
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`vericodes, and other similar labels), infrared beacons or RF
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`Navigation Ltd., S=yvale, Calif., for receiving information
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`from the GPS transmitters 200. This system is a fully inte­
`tags).
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`grated 8-channel parallel tracking PC card receiver that plugs
`FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the location information
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`into the computer 110. This system may also provide back-25
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`system 100 using bar code labels to obtain location informa­
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`ground maps on a display 140 of the computer 110. The GPS
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`tion. Other coding systems, such as the Vericode system,
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`receiver 120 may also provide satellite tracking capabilities
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`two-dimensional bar coding system and the like, are also
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`and other data collection functions.
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`contemplated for use with the present invention. In the
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`The radio transceiver 130 of the location information sys­
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`embodiment of FIG. 4, a bar code label 212 may be placed on
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`tem 100 is preferably a cellular modem radio. The radio
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`30 or in a building 210 or other location of interest. In preferred
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`transceiver 130 may work with a Ricochet™ Wireless Net­
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`embodiments, the bar code label 212 encodes either the same
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`work system manufactured by Metricom, Inc. The Rico­
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`longitudinal and latitudinal information that would be
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`chet™ Wireless Network is a wide-area wireless system
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`obtained from the GPS system or may directly encode a
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`using spread-spectrum packet switching data technology
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`unique URL. The computer 110 also has, in place of or in
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`operating in the 902-928 MHz RF spectrum. The radio trans­
`35
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`addition to the GPS receiver 120, a bar code scanner 160 for
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`ceiver 130 may also comprise other systems, such as a cellular
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`scanning and decoding the bar code label 212. The bar code
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`digital packet data (CDPD) type radio transceiver.
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`scanner 160 can be provided on a tether. The bar code scanner
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`FIG. 2 shows a web page 310 corresponding to a particular
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`160 reads the coordinate entry or unique URL from the bar
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`coordinate entry. In preferred embodiments, the coordinate
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`40 code label 212. The coordinate entry or unique URL is trans­
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`entry is referenced to a URL residing on the predetermined
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`mitted to the distributed network 305 via the transceiver 130
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`node 300. The web page 310 may have a unique or proprietary
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`and provided to the predetermined node 300, or to another
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`pre-existing URL, such as, for example, http://www.xerox­
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`.com, or may use the coordinate entry as part of the URL, such node of the distributed network 305, and processes the loca­
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`as, for example, http://www.vworl
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`tion specific d.com/coordinates/<lat>/ identification information as described above.
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`<long>/<alt>. The coordinate
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`The computer entry may alternately be refer-45 110 downloads the web page(s) associated
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`enced to the directory page
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`with the coordinate on the predetermined node 300 entry or unique URL for displaying on the
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`which links to an existing web page display 140. on a separate node of the
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`FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the location information
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`distributed network 305. The directory page may also have a
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`URL incorporating the coordinate
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`system 100 using as the entry such as, for example, location information source infrared
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`http://www. vworld. com/ coordinates/ <lat>/ <long>/ <alt>.
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`50 beacons. Infrared beacons 220 may be used in a manner
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`The web page 310 of FIG. 2 has a URL ofhttp://www.v­
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`similar to the bar code labeling system described above. How­
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`world.com/coordinates /<32.l>/<60.0>/<0>, where 32.1 is a
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`ever, the infrared beacons 220 may be read from a much
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`latitude coordinate, 60.0 is a longitude coordinate and O is an
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`greater distance, and preferably approximately at least 25
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`altitude. In this example, the web page 310 shows business
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`feet. The IrDa standard can also be used, but a range of only
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`data such as stock quotes, inventory/product information,
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`approximately one meter may be obtained due to the limita­
`55
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`future expansion plans and other business data. The web page
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`tions of such a system. The infrared beacons 220 are prefer-
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`310 may, of course, provide other information associated with
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`ably placed on or in a building 210 or other location of
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`a particular coordinate entry, such as historical site informa­
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`interest. An IrDa or other interface 170, which is well known
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`tion including local vegetation information or the like.
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`in the art, is provided on the computer 110 for sensing the
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`As shown in FIG. 3, the location information system 100 60
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`infrared beacons 220. The infrared beacons 220 transmit
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`can access several nodes on the distributed network 305 at
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`either the coordinate entry or the unique URL that would
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`different times. In preferred embodiments, the distributed
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`otherwise be obtained from the bar code label 212. The infor­
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`network 305 includes nodes 320, 330 and 340 that provide
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`mation received from the infrared beacons 220 is used in the
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`local access to the distributed network 300. The nodes 320,
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`same manner as the information received from the bar codes
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`330 and 340 provide a cost effective means for a user in the
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`212.Additionally, radio frequency beacons could be used in
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`local area to obtain access to the distributed network 305.
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`place of the infrared beacons 220 to further extend the read
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`Also, in preferred embodiments, the nodes 320, 330 and 340
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`distance. When using radio frequency beacons, the interface
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`IPR2020-00408
`Apple EX1021 Page 12
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`US RE42,927 E
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`7
`8
`170 is designed for