US 6,609,005 B1
`(10) Patent No:
`a2) United States Patent
`Chern
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`
`US006609005B1
`
`asses
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING
`THE LOCATION OF A WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WIRING A
`UNIVERSAL, RESOURCE LOCATOR
`j
`5
`:
`Inventor: Vincent Chern, San Diego, CA (US)
`(75)
`.
`.
`.
`(73) Assignee: Leap Wireless International, Inc., San
`Diego, CA (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U'S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`6,147,642 A * 11/2000 Perry et al. 0... 342/357.15
`
`6,150,980 A * 11/2000 Krasner oo... 342/357.1
`Fico ‘ . ree otean sal
`4ssia1a
`,167,,
`ennedy,
`él al:
`/
`6,181,927 Bl
`1/2001 Welling, Jr. etal.
`6,208,866 B1
`3/2001 Rouhollahzadeh et al.
`6216129 B1
`4/2001 Tldering ACen
`er a
`6,223,291 BL
`4/2001 Publetal.
`6,292,743 BL *
`9/2001 Pu et al ccccsssssseeseeee 455/456
`6,321,091 B1 * 11/2001 Holland veces: 455/456
`
`............. 370/353
`6,334,056 B1 * 12/2001 Holmes et al.
`6,374,177 Bl *
`4/2002 Lec ct al. w.cccccceeee 701/200
`6/2002 Rennardet al
`. 342/357.1
`6,405,123 B1 *
`
`1/2003 Stefan et al. oe. 701/210
`6,507,785 B1 *
`Al
`6/2001 Maenpaaet al.
`2001/0005839
`
`. 8/2001_Himmelet al.2001/0011248 A1
`
`2001/0013037 A1
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/537,952
`8/2001 Matsumoto
`(22)
`Filed:
`Mar. 28, 2000
`2001/0014911 Al
`8/2001 Doi et al.
`(SL) Unt, C1? oc cecccccceeesssssesseeesssssssneeeeseeeeee HO04Q 7/20
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`62) USSD. crosscsescecvoereceves 455/457; 455/456, 455/566;
`1066867 A2
`1/2001
`EP
`342/457.01; 701/200
`1066868 A2
`1/2001
`EP
`(58) Field of Search .........0.0:ceceee 455/422, 456,
`1086732 Al
`3/2001
`EP
`455/457, 12.1, 575; 342/357.01, 357.02,
`1087323 Al
`3/2001
`EP
`357.06, 357.09; 701/200, 213
`* cited by examiner
`
`(56)
`
`Primary Examiner—Edward F. Urban
`References Cited
`Assistant Examiner—Gesesse Tilahun
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Reed Smith LLP
`ES. RATENT DOCUMENTS
`Eo
`5,587,715 A*12/1996 Lewis vecccecseecsseeee 455/12.1
`>
`*
`4/1997 Loomis et al.
`67)
`ABSTRACT
`5,625,668
`oo. 379/58
`
`5,712,899 A *
`1/1998 Pace, II ..
`« 455/331
` A system and method for displaying the current street
`Eo
`5,796,365 A
`8/1998 Lewis
`....
`weve 342/357
`:
`.
`.
`et
`Eg
`
`5.841.306 A*11/1998 Krasner sscecscssscssssssses 342/357 address on the display ofa mobile wireless communications
`device. The longitude and latitude of the device is deter-
`5,848,396 A
`12/1998 Gerace
`5,852,775 A
`12/1998 Hidary
`mined by a system such as GPS and triangulation. This
`5,872,539 A *
`2/1999 Mullen ......
`vane 342/357
`information is appended to the URL of a Webserver, and a
`
`6/1999 Wortham ...
`were 455/457
`5,913,170 A *
`browser contained within the wireless device navigates to
`9/1999 Fan et al... 342/357.13
`5,959,577 A *
`the server. The server performs reverse geocode processing
`5,991,735 A
`11/1999 Gerace
`on the longitude and latitude to compute the corresponding
`eres “ .
`iHeee Hen-YenezKel CEIAD, see 155)
`street address.‘Ihe street addressis then sent to the wireless
`6,055,510 A
`4/2000 Hemrick ot al.
`device for.display:
`6,113,494 A
`9/2000. Lennert
`A
`6,134,532
`10/2000 Lazarusetal.
`
`17 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`U
`
`
`WEB SERVER
`
`RECEIVES REQUEST
`
`FROM REQUEST
`
`——
`LONGITUDE DATA
`PARSELATITUDE AND
`
`
`
`REVERSE GEOCCDE
`LONGITUDE
`LA THE LATITUD= AND
`
`
`SEND STREET
`
`ADDRESS TO THE
`
`MOBILE UNIT
`
`
`DISPLAY STREET
`MO3ILE UNIT
`
`CY
`ADDRESS ON
`
`
` Google Exhibit 1057
`
`Google Exhibit 1057
`Google v. Mullen
`Google v. Mullen
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 6,609,005 BI
`
`Vo
`
`/
`
`—.
`
`BASE STATION
`100
`112
`120
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`104
`
` SPEAKER
`
`TRANSCEIVER
`122
`
`106
`
`DISPLAY
`108
`
`MEMORY
`114
`
`KEYPAD
`110
`
`MICROPHONE
`
`116
`118
`
`POWER SOURCE
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 6,609,005 B1
`
`
`
` 0000000 i“
`
`SERVER 136
`
`DATA
`— BASE
`138
`
`
`
`
`WIRELESS
`
`
`NETWORK
`
`140
`
`
`134
`
`HANDS FREE
`UNIT
`132
`
`POS DET
`
`WIRELESS
`HANDSET
`130
`
`fig. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of6
`
`US 6,609,005 B1
`
`USER REQUESTS FEATURE |
`
`202
`
`204
` YES
`FEATURE
`
`REQUIRES
`POSITION
`
`?
`
`
`212
`
`ACQUIRE POSITION
`
`Yo_-229
`
`SEND POSITION DATA
`TO HANDSET
`
`214
`
`SEND REQUEST TO SERVER
`
`206
`
`SERVER LOOKS UP DATA/INFORMATION
`AND RETURNS TO HANDSET
`
`208
`
`PROVIDE INFORMATION TO USER
`
`210
`
`
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of6
`
`US 6,609,005 B1
`
`Dial Number
`858-555-1212
`
`Connecting...
`858-555-1212
`
`Figure 4
`
`OK
`111.1141, 222.222
`
`Service:
`Where am |
`
`You are at:
`
`Figure 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 of6
`
`US 6,609,005 B1
`
`
`LAUNCH WIRELESS
`
`
`
`
`SELECT WEB SERVICE
`OR TELEPHONE NUMBER
`
`TO BE DIALED
`
`256
`
`258
`
`BROWSER
`
`
`252
`
`254
`
`260
`
`262
`
`264
`
`266
`
`URL WEB ADDRESS
`
`WEB
`
`SERVICE
`
`SELECTED?
`
`
` TERMINATE BROWSER
`
`AND DIAL
`
`PHONE NUMBER
` Yes
`
`
`ACQUIRE LOCAL
`INFORMATION
`
`EXTRACT URL FROM
`SERVICE REQUEST
`
`APPENDLOCAL
`INFORMATION TO URL
`
`~
`
`BROWSER GOES TO
`
`Figure 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 19, 2003
`
`US 6,609,005 BI
`
`
`
`FIG. 7
`
`You are at:
`200 - 300 blockof
`Market Street, La
`Jolla, CA. 92037
`
`WEB SERVER
`RECEIVES REQUEST
`
`PARSE LATITUDE AND
`LONGITUDE DATA
`FROM REQUEST
`
`REVERSE GEOCODE
`THE LATITUDE AND
`LONGITUDE
`
`SEND STREET
`ADDRESSTO THE
`MOBILE UNIT
`
`DISPLAY STREET
`ADDRESS ON
`MOBILE UNIT
`
`
`
`Service:
`Wher am |
`
`OK
`
`OK
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`

`US 6,609,005 B1
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING
`THE LOCATION OF A WIRELESS
`COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WIRING A
`UNIVERSAL RESOURCE LOCATOR
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates generally to wireless com-
`munications and, more particularly, relates to a system and
`method for displaying the location of a wireless communi-
`calions device.
`2. Related Art
`
`The advent of wireless personal communications devices
`has revolutionized the telecommunications industry.
`Cellular, personal communications services (“PCS”) and
`other services provide wireless personal communications to
`businesses and individuals at home, in the office, on the
`road, and to any other location the wireless network can
`reach. Wireless telephone subscribers no longer must use
`public telephones along the road or wait until returning to
`the homeoroffice to check messagesor to return important
`business calls. Instead, wireless subscribers can carry out
`day-to-day business from the privacy of an automobile, from
`a remote job site, while walking along the airport concourse,
`and anywhereelse that a personal communications signalis
`accessible.
`
`Thus, it is no surprise that since the introduction of the
`cellular telephoneservice, the number of wireless telephone
`subscribers has increased steadily. Today, there are a stag-
`gering number of wireless telephone subscribers whose
`ranks are growing rapidly. In fact, many households have
`multiple wireless telephones in addition to their conven-
`tional land line services.
`
`With a market of this size, there is fierce competition
`among hardware manufacturers and service providers. In an
`attempt to lure customers, most providers offer handsets
`with desirable features or altribules such as smallsize, light
`weight, longer battery life, speed dial, and the like. Many
`recent additions to the marketplace include multi-functional
`handsets that even provide pocket organizer functionsinte-
`grated into the wireless handset. Most manufacturers,
`however, are still scrambling to add new features to their
`communications devices to snare a portion of this booming
`market.
`
`One way in which new features are added to wireless
`communication devices is byintcgrating the devices into the
`Web. Such integration allows the countless services avail-
`able through the Web to be extended to wireless communi-
`cations devices. Traditional web pages, however, usually
`contain too much information to be presented on the typi-
`cally smaller display of a wireless communication device,
`such as a digital cellular telephone. To address this problem,
`new Web based programming languages such as the Hand-
`held Device Markup Language (“HDML?”) have been devel-
`oped to serve the wireless market. In serving the wireless
`market, HDML has evolved and is sometimes called the
`Wireless Markup Language (“WML”). This language,
`which will be referred to herein as HDML/WML,is part of
`a larger standard called the Wireless Application Protocol
`(“WAP”). WAP is a result of continuous work to define an
`industry wide standard for developing applications over
`wircless networks. The WAP forum was formed to create a
`
`global wireless protocol specification that works across
`differing wireless network technology types for adoption by
`appropriate industry standards bodics.
`
`2
`HDML/WMLis a markup language intended for use in
`specifying content and userinterfaces for narrow bandwidth
`(“narrowband”) devices, including cellular phones, pagers,
`and personaldigital assistants (“PDA”). HDML/WMLwas
`designed with the limitations and constraints of these
`narrowband, small screen devices specifically in mind.
`Some of these constraints include a smaller display and
`limited user input facilities, a narrowband network connec-
`tion and limited memory and computational resources.
`Though HDMLsyntax is similar to HTML (Hypertext
`Markup Language) syntax, HDMLis not a true markup
`language. It is a set of commandsor statements that specifies
`how a narrowband device interacts with a user. HDML
`
`applications display information on the handset display and
`specify howthe handset responds to user input. The text
`presentation and layoutarea is tailored to the smaller display
`area typical to a narrowband device. A “card and deck”
`organizational structure is used whereby all information is
`organized into a collection of screen sized cards, each of
`whichspecifies a single interaction between the handset and
`user. A deck contains one or more cards. HDML supports
`several types of cards, including entry cards, which display
`a message andallow the user to enter a string of text; choice
`cards, which display multiple options from which the user
`can choose one; and display cards, which display informa-
`tion only. Inter-card navigation and linking is supported for
`managing navigation between cards and decks. String
`parameterization and state management allow the use of
`state models to add parameters to decks.
`Today, HDML/WMLoffers an efficient means of provid-
`ing content and services from the Web infrastructure to
`wireless handheld devices such as cellular phones, pagers,
`and PDAs. Another useful feature associated with some
`
`10
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`20
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`35
`
`wireless communication devices is the Global Positioning
`System (“GPS”). A GPS receiver in or associated with the
`wireless device communicates with a constellation of GPS
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`satellites to determine the precise location of the device in
`terms of globallatitude and longitude. This information may
`also be obtained using other systems such as a triangulation
`system. However obtained, location in terms of latitude and
`longitude is typically not helpfulto the operator of a wireless
`communication device.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention uses the cxisting infrastructure of a
`wireless HDML/WMLbrowser to send latitude and longi-
`tude information from a wireless handset to a remote Web
`server. The Web server processes the latitude and longitude
`and returns the handset location for display in a format that
`is understandable and usable by the handset operator.
`In one embodiment of the invention, a method for dis-
`playing the location of a wireless handset is provided. The
`method comprises the steps of receiving a request from a
`user of the handsetto display the handset location; acquiring
`the handset location; sending the handset location from the
`handset to a Web server; processing the handset location to
`generate a street address; sending the street address from the
`server to the handset; and displaying the street address on a
`display of the handset.
`In another cmbodiment of the invention, a method for
`displaying the street address of a mobile phoneis provided.
`First, a request is received from a user of the handset to
`display the mobile phone location. Next, the current latitude
`and longitude of the mobile phone is acquired and appended
`to the URT. address of a Web server. A Web browser
`
`contained within the phoneis navigated to the URL address,
`
`

`

`US 6,609,005 B1
`
`3
`and the server at the address parses the latitude and longitude
`from the URL address and performs reverse geocoding on
`the parsed latitude and longitude to generate the street
`address of the mobile phone. The street address is sent from
`the server to the mobile phone and displayed on the mobile
`phone.
`In an additional embodiment of the invention, a method
`for presenting the current street address of a wireless com-
`munications device on a display of the device is provided.
`The current latitude and longitude of the device is acquired
`and sent to a Web server. The Web server reverse geocodes
`the latitude and longitude to generate the street address of
`the device, and sendsthe street address from the serverto the
`device for display.
`In a further cmbodiment of the invention, a method for
`using an Internet browser to display the street address of a
`wireless handset incorporating the browser or to dial a
`telephone numberis provided. An inputis first received from
`a user of the wireless handset. The input comprises either a
`location request or a telephone numberto be dialed. If the
`input is a telephone number, the browser is terminated and
`the telephone numberis dialed. If the input is a location
`request, the current latitude and longitude of the handset is
`acquired, and the browseris navigated to a reverse geocod-
`ing Web server. The server performs reverse geocoding on
`the latitude and longitude to generate the street address of
`the handset and sends the street address to the handset for
`
`display.
`In a still further embodiment of the invention, a wireless
`communications system comprises a wireless handset and a
`Webserver. The handset includes a transceiver for sending
`and receiving communications across a wireless communi-
`cation network and an Internet browser configured to accept
`a user request for the current location of the handset. The
`request includes the URL address of the Web server. A
`position determination unit associated with the handset
`determines the current latitude and longitude of the handset.
`The Webserver is in communication with the handset over
`
`the network and receives the latitude and longitude from the
`Internet browser.
`It performs reverse geocoding on the
`latitude and longitude to generate the street address of the
`handset, and sends the street address to the handset for
`display.
`These and other aspects and embodiments of the present
`invention will be apparent
`in the following description,
`claims and drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention is described with reference to the
`accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals
`refer to like parts.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication
`device.
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless communication
`system according to the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for requesting infor-
`mation across a wireless network according to the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of a handset display depicting a
`sample set of HDML/WMLintertace cards for dialing a
`telephone number.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram of a handset display depicting a set of
`HDML/WMLinterface cards for sending local information
`from a wireless handset to a Web server.
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for sending information
`across a wireless network to a Web server according to the
`present invention.
`
`4
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for receiving latitude
`and longitude information embodied in an information
`request and returning a street address in response to the
`request.
`FIG. 8 is a diagram of a handset display depicting a set of
`HDML/WMLinterface cards for recciving the strect address
`of a wireless communications device.
`
`10
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`1. Introduction and Overview
`
`The present invention provides a system and method for
`displaying the currentlocation of a wireless communications
`device. In response to a request for current location, the
`wireless device acquires its current location, typically in
`longitude andlatitude format, and sendsit to a remote server
`capable of performing reverse geocoding on the longitude
`and latitude information. The server performs reverse geoc-
`oding and generates the correspondingstreet address, which
`is sent to
`
`2. Example Environment
`
`Before describing the invention in detail, an example
`environmentin which the invention can be implemented will
`be described. One example environment is a handset or
`communication device operating within a wireless commu-
`nication networksuchas, for example,a cellular, GSM, PCS
`or radio communication network. One example wireless
`communication device (handset) 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1.
`Wireless communication devices embodying the present
`invention, however, can be implementedin various configu-
`rations and architectures. Implementationof the inventionis
`not dependent on any particular device architecture or
`communication network.
`
`Handset 100 includes processor 104, speaker 106, display
`108, keypad 110, transceiver 122, memory 114, microphone
`116, power source 118 and antenna 120. Handset 100 is
`typically a mobile unit such as a handheld cellular phone or
`an integrated vehicle phone. It is configured to communicate
`with other communications devices such as base station 112.
`
`Basestation 112 is located within a geographic area known
`as a “cell” and handles communicationsfor all mobile units
`within the cell.
`
`Processor 104 directs the overall operation of handset
`100. A computer program orset of instructions is typically
`coded or otherwise implemented on the processor to enable
`the processor to carry out the device operation. As will be
`described in more detail below, an Internet or World Wide
`Web (“Web”) browser maybe coded into the processor and
`uscd as the operating system for handsct 100. Memory 114
`interfaces with processor 104 and may store program code
`and provide storage space for data useful in executing the
`program code and carrying out handset functions. Memory
`114 may be implemented as Read Only Memory (“ROM”),
`Random Access Memory (“RAM”) or as any other conve-
`nient memory format. The features and functionality of the
`invention described below may be implemented using
`hardware, software or a combination of hardware and soft-
`ware. If implemented as software, the software may run on
`processor 104 or be stored in memory 114,
`Transceiver 122 includes a
`transmitter
`
`transmits
`
`that
`
`voice and data information via antenna 120 to a recipicnt
`communication device (such as base station 112), and a
`receiver that receives voice and data information from a
`transmitting communication device (such as base station
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`US 6,609,005 B1
`
`5
`112). User interface features include speaker 106, display
`108, keypad 110 and microphone 116. Microphone 116
`accepts voice or other audio information from the user and
`converts this information into electrical signals that can be
`transmitted by transceiver 122. Likewise, speaker 106 con-
`verts electrical signals received by transceiver 122 into
`audio information that can be heard by a user of device 100.
`Display 108 displays information such as call information,
`keypad entry information, signal presence and strength
`information, battery life information, and other useful infor-
`mation. Display 108 preferably takes the form of a liquid
`crystal display (“LCD”), which has low power consumption
`characteristics, but could also be implemented as a light
`emitting diode (“LED”) display or any other appropriate
`visual indicator. Keypad 110 typically includes an alphanu-
`meric keypad and special function keys. It may be backlit to
`permit viewing of the keys in low light or dark conditions.
`A flip panel (not shown) may conceal all or a portion of
`keypad 110.
`Power source 118 provides power to device 100. It may
`be implemented with rechargeable batteries, such as NiCad
`or NiMHrechargeable batteries, or with any other suitable
`power source,
`
`3. Wireless Services Through a Web Server
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless commu-
`nication system according to the present
`invention. The
`communication system provides information to a wireless
`handset based on the location of the device. It includes a
`
`wireless handset 130 and a hands-free unit 132 incorporating,
`a position determination system 134. Handset 130 can be
`implemented in a configuration similar to that of handset
`100 of FIG. 1, or in any other device configuration that is
`capable of communicating with remote locations via a
`wireless communication medium. In the description below,
`“handset” refers to any communication device capable of
`communicating with other devices via a wireless medium.
`Hands-free unit 132 is optionally provided to allow the
`user of handset 130 to communicate in a hands-free mode.
`Hands-free unit 132 may include a microphone and speaker
`to provide handset 130 with speakerphone-like capabilities.
`Such capabilities are particularly desirable where handset
`130 is utilized in an automobile or other mobile situation. In
`
`one implementation, hands-free unit 132 is configured
`according to conventional industry standards for a “hands-
`free kit”.
`
`As mentioned above, hands-free unit 132 is preferably
`equipped with a position determination system 134 that
`determines the location of hands-free unit 132 and handset
`130. Position determination system 134 could also be
`directly incorporated into handsct 130. System 134 deter-
`mines location in terms of parameters such as latitude,
`longitude, height, speed of travel, and other useful location
`or position parameters.
`In one implementation, position
`determination system 134 uses the Global Positioning Sys-
`tem (“GPS”) or differential GPS, the operation of which is
`well knownto those of ordinary skill in the art. Alternative
`position determination systems, such as triangulation
`systems, may also be used.
`Handsct 130 preferably includes both a voice and data
`interface, particularly where position determination system
`134 is incorporated in hands-free unit 132. The voice
`interface provides hands-free operation and spcakerphonc-
`like capabilities. The data interface allows location infor-
`mation obtained by system 134 to be provided to handset
`130 for transmission over wireless nctwork 140.
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`6
`Handset 130 communicates with other entities via wire-
`less network 140. Network 140 is typically comprised of a
`plurality of base stations that provide relay points for
`communication. Network 140 may be a cellular, PCS, GSM,
`or anyother wireless communication network. In addition to
`conventional communication with other wired or wireless
`communication devices, as shown in FIG. 2, network 140
`permits communication between handset 130 and data
`server(s) 136. When a user requests information, handset
`130 provides the location of the handset to server 136 across
`wireless network 140. Server 136 retrieves relevant infor-
`
`mation from an associated database 138 and conveys the
`information to handset 130 over wireless network 140. The
`information may be displayed on the handset display or
`audibly rendered via speech synthesis or prerecordedscripts.
`Although the type of information stored in database 138 is
`virtually limitless, several example applications are pro-
`vided for illustrative purposes.
`In one example application, driving directions to a des-
`tination address are provided to handset 130. The handset
`user requests driving directions to the destination, and the
`handset relays the request
`to server 136 over wireless
`network 140. At the time of the request, the handset location
`is also provided to server 136 to provide a starting point for
`the directions. Using the handset location and the destination
`address, server 136 calculates a route and compiles driving
`directions. The driving directions are transmitted to handset
`130 over network 140 and are displayed or audibly rendered
`to the user. In addition to textual driving directions, a map
`showing the route maybe displayed on the handset display.
`Options such as the shortest possible route, interstate route,
`safest route, most scenic route, etc. may be provided. The
`user’s choice of options will dictate the route calculation.
`The options may be stored locally and prompts or scripts
`generated in the memory of handset 130. Alternatively, the
`options, prompts and scripts may be stored at server 136 and
`provided to the user via network 1490.
`Another example application locates particular types of
`businessesor services in the user’s location. Restaurants, gas
`stations, hotels and other businesses or services near the
`user’s location can be identified and provided to the user.
`Again, the user requests the business or service type vocally
`or via keypad entry. The request is communicated to server
`136 over wireless network 140, along with the user’s current
`location as determined by the position determination system
`134. Server 136, based on the handset location and user
`request, retrieves and returns relevant information to handset
`130 over network 140.
`
`Parameter limits or filters may be implemented to refine
`the request and selections returned. The user may set a
`location filter, for example, that requires returned selections
`be within a certain maximum numberof miles of the user’s
`
`current location. If the user is seeking a restaurant, the user
`may request or be prompted to select parameters that refine
`the search results. These parameters may include cuisine
`type (e.g., Italian, French, American,etc.), restaurant type
`(e.g., fast food, casual dining, formal, etc.), price range and
`so on. Additionally, for restaurants, gas stations, motels and
`other businesses, the user may identify a preferred national
`or regional chain. Alternatively, the user may have a pref-
`erences profile stored in the Web server 136 that contains
`this information.
`
`As noted above, the search may be refined (the query
`narrowed) on the uscr’s owninitiative or bascd on system
`prompts. If the user simply requests a nearby restaurant, for
`example, server 136 may prompt the user with questions
`about parameters such as
`those described above.
`
`

`

`US 6,609,005 B1
`
`7
`to conserve bandwidth over network 140,
`Alternatively,
`prompts can be stored locally and made by handset 130 (or
`hands-free unit 132) before the request is sent to server 136.
`In this embodiment, updated scripts and/or prompts may be
`downloaded from server 136 to handset 130. Preferably,
`memory-intensive data such as establishment
`locations,
`driving directions, etc. are stored in database 138 to mini-
`mize the amount of memory required in handset 130. The
`precise distribution of data storage among these devices will
`be influenced by factors such as available bandwidth,
`memory costs and airtime costs.
`A method for requesting information across network 140
`is illustrated in FIG. 3. In step 202, a user initiates a request
`for information. In step 204, the system determines whether
`the request requires the handset location or position. If
`position information is required, the method proceeds from
`step 204 to step 212, where system 134 acquires the position
`of handset 130. If system 134is situated in hands-free unit
`132, unit 132 provides the position data to handset 130 for
`transmission to server 136 over wireless network 140 (step
`214). If position information is not required, the method
`proceeds from step 204 directly to step 206.
`In step 206, handset 130 sends the request to server 136
`via wireless network 140. The request includes any position
`data acquired in steps 212-214.
`‘The present
`invention
`provides a novel method for sending the local information
`included in the request using an IIDML/WMLbrowserthat
`will be described in more detail below. In step 208, server
`136 retrieves the data or information requested from data-
`base 138 and communicates the data to handsct 130 over
`
`network 1490. In step 210, the data is displayed or provided
`to the user.
`
`As described above, scripts or prompts may be provided
`to the user to refine the information request.If the scripts or
`prompts are stored in database 138 (as opposed to local
`storage in handset 130), they are retrieved by server 136 in
`step 208 and provided to the user in step 210. The user’s
`answers to the prompts are sent by handset 130 to server
`136, which uses the refined information to retrieve addi-
`tional data or information from database 138, or to further
`refine the user’s query. This potentially repetitive process is
`illustrated in FIG. 3 by flowline 222 and the repetition of
`steps 202, 206 and 208.
`
`4. Sending Local Handset Information to a Web
`Server
`
`8
`user launches the wireless browser. Al some point during
`browser operation,
`the user provides the browser with a
`telephone numberto be dialed. The telephone numberto be
`dialed will be referred to as the NUMBERinput field. The
`NUMBERfield may be acquired in a variety of ways. A user
`may directly input the numberto be dialed into the handset
`keypad, or may input a unique identifier that enables the
`number to be retrieved from memory. Alternatively,
`the
`number to be dialed may be acquired via an alphabetical
`search of a database of contacts maintained in the handset
`
`the web
`memory. Once the NUMBERfield is acquired,
`browserdisplays the numberon the handset display and asks
`for affirmation from the uscr that the displayed numberis the
`number that should be dialed. The user may affirm the
`displayed number by selecting an “OK”option, pressing an
`“OK” button or the like. Once the user has affirmed the
`numberto be dialed, the browser executes a “Call” function
`using the telephone number as the variable input. At this
`point, the handset ends the browser application and initiates
`the dialing process.
`As noted above, HDML/WMLusesa “card and deck”
`organizational structure whereby all information is orga-
`nized into a collection of screen sized cards, each of which
`specifies a single interaction between the handset and user.
`FIG. 4 depicts a sequence of HDML/WMLuserinterface
`cards 230 and 235 as displayed to the user during the dialing
`process described above. First interface card 230 displays
`the numberthat the user wantsto dial (“858-555-1212”) and
`requests affirmation from the user (“OK”). Second interface
`card 235 displays the status of handset 100 during the
`conncction process as well as the telephone numberthat the
`handset is attempting to connect with. An example of an
`HDML/WMLcodesection associated with card 230 is set
`forth below:
`
`<HDML VERSION=3.0>
`<DISPLAY>
`<ACTION TYPE=ACCEPT LABEL=OK TASK=CALL
`NUMBER=858-555-1212>
`Dial Number
`<BR>858-555-1212
`</DISPLAY>
`</HDML>
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`40
`
`45
`
`The first line of code defines the header of the HDML
`deck. All HDMLdecks must begin with an <HDML> tag
`As noted above, the present invention provides a novel
`and end with an </HDML->tag(line 6). The second line of
`method for sending local handset
`information to a Web
`code defines the header of the display card. Like HDML
`server using a wireless browser. A browser, as is well known
`decks, cards require beginning (<DISPLAY>) and ending
`to those of ordinary skill in the art, is a software application
`tags (</DISPLAY>). The third line of code definesan action,
`that
`is uscd to locate and display Web pages.
`In onc
`which specifies what the handset should do when the user
`implementation, an HDML/WMLbrowseris used as the
`presses a specified function key. The TYPE=ACCEPTpor-
`handset operating system and handset functions are accessed
`tion identifies the function key, in this case the ACCEPTkey,
`55
`through the browser. The browser presentsalist of options
`and the LABEL=OKportion instructs the browser to apply
`to the user such as, for example, accessing a phonelist,
`an “OK”label to the ACCEPTkey,thereby inviting the user
`accessing an inbox, and so on. In accordance with the
`to press the ACCEPTkey in order to proceed. The TASK=
`present invention, one of the presented options is use of a
`CALLspecifies what the handset should do when the user
`Web service that requires local
`information from the
`presses the ACCEPTkey,in this case, switch the handset to
`handset, such as the location of the handset. The local
`voice modeandcall the number specified in the NUMBER
`information is sent to a Web server by the browser by
`option, which is NUMBER=858-555-1212.
`modifying the phone dialing process such that
`the local
`Lines 4 and 5 provide the text that is displayed on the
`information is sent as part of the URL (Uniform Resource
`handset display (card 230). “Dial Number”is displayed in a
`Locator).
`first text linc, and “858-555