HK1136701A - Systems and methods for user-initiated location-based services through messaging - Google Patents

Description

System and method for user-initiated location-based services through messaging

Background

[0001] Location-based services are becoming increasingly popular because the united states government has made the timing signals of the NAVSTAR satellite constellation available for civilian use in the eighties of the twentieth century. Many automotive manufacturers now offer Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) based locator device options. These units are typically integrated into the dashboard console of the vehicle. Moreover, other companies make body assembly (aftermarket) GPS devices for installation in automobiles, boats, and other vehicles, and even hand-held devices for hiking, exploration, or other recreational use. Such GPS devices offer relatively high accuracy and universal availability and therefore offer an acceptable solution to relatively inexpensive and accurate positioning.

[0002] To meet the FCC enhanced 911(E911) requirements and to provide customers with a mechanism for accessing location information using their existing devices, Commercial Mobile Radio Service Providers (CMRSPs) have prompted their device manufacturers to integrate GPS receivers into phones, PDAs, and other communication devices supported by their networks. As a result, users can view map and location information directly on their phones, PDAs, and the like. The capabilities and accuracy of a device are limited by the local memory of the device. Moreover, the data used by the device is static and therefore quickly outdated.

Drawings

[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for effectuating user-initiated location-based services via messages in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a message-based map output to a user computing device including a sender's location, according to an example embodiment;

[0005] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for performing a user-initiated location-based service through messaging (messaging) from the perspective of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0006] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for providing user-initiated location-based services through messaging from the perspective of a provider in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0007] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating components of a system for providing user-initiated location-based services through messaging in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0008] FIG. 6 is an exemplary interface window of a messaging client in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

[0009] FIG. 7 is an exemplary interface window for displaying a content viewer plug-in for a location-based service in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

[0010] The following description is intended to convey a thorough understanding of the embodiments described by providing a number of specific embodiments and details relating to user-initiated location-based services through messaging. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and details, which are exemplary only.

[0011] As used herein, the term "messaging" is to be broadly interpreted to include sending messages, such as AOL instant messenger, yahoo messenger, etc., through an instant messaging client and sending messages, such as through a Short Message Service (SMS), using a mobile phone or other communication device. Thus, sending a message in the context of this disclosure and claims includes sending any type of message using a phone, PDA, computer, or other communication device.

[0012] Referring now to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for effectuating user-initiated location-based services by message, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The system includes a first user communication device 10, the first user communication device 10 communicating with a second user computer 20 via a communication network 15. In a preferred embodiment, the first user communication device may be a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, PDA, messaging device, or other portable communication device. In a preferred embodiment, the user communication device 10 may be equipped with a locator function, such as a GPS receiver operable to determine the instantaneous location of the first user communication device 10 from timing signals received from the GPS satellite constellation 5. In various other embodiments, the first user communication device 10 may not include the locator function itself, but rather may be capable of requesting location information from a locator device, such as a GPS device (not shown), in electronic communication with the first user communication device 10 or requesting location services available over the network 15 (e.g., location services utilizing wireless tower triangulation techniques). In various embodiments, the first user communication device 10 may be equipped with a software client, such as an instant messaging client. Alternatively or in combination, the first user communication device 10 may send the message using the SMS protocol.

[0013] In at least one example embodiment, the first user communication device 10 includes a send location function that may be configured to send the location of the device 10 in a message to a designated recipient upon request. This may be done during a messaging session, automatically upon starting a session, or as a way of starting a messaging session/sending a message. That is, if the first user communication device 10 is running a messaging client, the client may have a "send location" control for allowing the user to selectively cause the client to send the user's location. If the first user communications device is messaging using SMS then "send location" may be an available option when sending a text message. That is, the user may be prompted to "send location? Or alternatively the user may select "send location" from a list of available message attributes.

[0014] It should be understood that although the network 15 illustrated in fig. 1 is shown as a single network path between the first user communication device 10 and the second user computer 20 for ease of illustration purposes, the network 15 may actually comprise various combinations of radio (e.g., cellular), landline, and/or satellite-based PSTN or IP networks. For example, the first user access device 10 may broadcast an RF signal containing a message to a cellular tower. The tower may in turn pass the signal to a ground or satellite based network for delivery to the intended recipient. The recipient may interface with the network 15 using a DSL, cable, fiber optic, T1 or T3 landline, 802.11x, RF, IR, or other wireless connection, or using another connection protocol as is well known.

[0015] Further, while the second user communication device 20, i.e., the recipient terminal, is shown in the figure as a desktop computer, it should be understood that the device 20 may also be a mobile device, a laptop computer, or other network-enabled device configured to run a compatible messaging client or receive SMS-compliant messages.

[0016] In various embodiments, the message from the sender may include a network identifier generated based on the sender's location. In a preferred embodiment, the URL may be generated at the sender's device 10 or at an intermediate point on the network 15. The URL preferably contains data fields that allow a graphical map to be created and displayed on the browser client of the recipient device 20 upon selection by the recipient. In various embodiments, the graphical map may include an icon or other graphical representation of the location of the sender's device 10 and information corresponding to a geographic area surrounding the sender.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, a message-based map output 25 including a sender's location to a user computing device is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As discussed above, in various embodiments, when a sender sends a message to a recipient that includes the sender's location, a URL may be generated and appended to the message according to the location data. In various embodiments, the message may include a hypertext link with a tag such as "click here to see the sender's location" or "click here to access a map". In a preferred embodiment, selection of the provided link may invoke a content browser, such as an Internet content browser, which opens a window on the recipient's device displaying the map, such as the map output 25 described in the figure. In various embodiments, the map may provide a graphical image such as the name "Ed" and corresponding male icon shown in map output 25 of fig. 2. In various embodiments, the map may include the locations of businesses, assets, features, or other items in the area surrounding the sender's location. In various embodiments, the map output 25 may include user controls that allow the viewer to zoom in or out, pan, and even obtain directions to various features listed on the map, such as, for example, a driving direction.

[0018] With reference now to FIG. 3, a flowchart is provided of an exemplary method for performing a user-initiated location-based service by messaging from the perspective of a user in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The method starts at block 100. In block 105, the user captures his/her location. In various embodiments, a user may select control of his/her communication device that causes his device to obtain the current location of the device. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by obtaining location information from a GPS receiver in the user's device. Alternatively, the user's device may obtain location information from another GPS-enabled device in communication with the user's device. In block 110, the location information is sent in a message to the recipient. In various embodiments, the steps in blocks 105 and 110 may be combined into a single step. That is, when the user selects the "send location" function, the device may obtain its location and send the location in a message to the intended recipient.

[0019] In block 115, a network identifier may be created from the location captured in block 105. In various embodiments, if GPS is the source of location data, the data is typically in the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA)0183 format. Accordingly, in block 115, the GPS generated data may be reformatted into a URL. That is, with a mapping program that receives latitude and longitude inputs, a URL may be generated that causes a graphical map to be generated at the time of selection and that may contain an area that includes the sender's location information. In various embodiments, the URL may be generated at the sender's communication device and simply put into the message. In various other embodiments, the GPS information may be forwarded to an intermediate party along the network in its original NMEA 0183 format or after reformatting. The intermediary party may be a network-based map content provider. The intermediary may generate a URL based on the location information, attach the URL to the message, and deliver the message to the recipient over the network based on the sender's instructions. In various embodiments, the URL may contain additional information such as a map content provider (e.g., www.rmapcompany.com) and an identifier (e.g., a phone number) associated with the sender. This additional information may be automatically inserted into the message (from the local memory of the sender's device 10) or may be manually specified by the sender during the course of sending the message.

[0020] In block 120, the recipient receives the message. This may include receiving a new message notification if the message is an SMS-based message, or the message itself may appear in the user's messaging client if the sender and recipient are communicating through one or more well-known instant messaging clients. In various embodiments, the network identifier may be visible to the recipient in a portion of the message. In a preferred embodiment, the network identifier may be a URL. In block 125, the recipient selects a network identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the recipient selects a URL using his mouse, stylus, or other input device, invoking a browser client and transmitting this information in the URL to the service provider specified in the URL. In various embodiments, in block 130, the service provider may generate a graphical map display from the information in the URL and transmit the graphical map display to the recipient for output in a window of the browser client. In various embodiments, the graphical map may comprise a dynamic web page containing interactive elements (e.g., Java scripts). The graphical map may include a terrain and/or street map and preferably shows the sender's location as an icon or other identifiable character so that the recipient can pinpoint the sender's location with sufficient specificity. In various embodiments, the graphical map is a map similar to the map illustrated in fig. 2. The method ends at block 135.

[0021] Reference is now made to fig. 4, which is a flowchart of an exemplary method for providing user-initiated location-based services through messaging from the perspective of a provider in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Although the flow chart of fig. 3 details the steps from the service user's perspective, instead the flow chart is from the provider's perspective.

[0022] The method starts at block 200. In block 205, a message including location information may be received by a service provider. In various embodiments, the message includes raw GPS data that may not be compatible with the service provider based mapping program. Accordingly, in block 210, the location information in the received message may be reformatted into a format supported by the dynamic network-based drawing program. In block 215, a network identifier may be generated from the formatted location information and may be appended to the message. In a preferred embodiment, the system creates a URL from the location information so that when a URL is selected, a query can be made to generate a map from the location information in the received message. In some embodiments, the URL further includes an identifier of the network-based map provider and an identifier (e.g., a phone number) of the sender. In some embodiments, blocks 210 and 215 may be performed at the sender's device (e.g., utilizing software available at the sender's device) prior to sending the message to the service provider.

[0023] In block 220, the message is delivered to the recipient. As discussed above, this may include delivering an SMS-based message or just another message in an instant messaging session. In block 225, upon receiving a request from a recipient (e.g., a request including information from a URL), then electronic content may be created and output to the device that sent the request. In a preferred embodiment, this comprises outputting a graphical map containing the area around the location specified in the location information, and more preferably it comprises an icon or other visible character representing the location. The phone number or instant messaging ID of the sender associated with the location information may also be displayed on the graphical map in relation to the icon or other visible character. This may be provided based on the sender identification in the URL and may include retrieving display information (e.g., specific text, icons, etc.) specified by the sender. Information associated with items of interest in the area displayed by the graphical map may also be retrieved by the service provider and displayed on the graphical map with various icons. The graphical map may include a dynamic element that allows the recipient to exchange control information with the service provider to control the displayed area of the graphical map and/or the type of information displayed by the graphical map. The method stops at 230.

[0024] It should be understood that in the method of fig. 4, a service provider may perform one or all of the steps described therein. For example, in various embodiments, the sending user's communication device may generate a suitably formatted message including a URL for direct delivery to the recipient as an SMS message or instant message. In such embodiments, the service provider may generally provide functionality that allows the communication device to generate a URL, and may provide this content when the recipient selects the network identifier and provide the actual wireless connection to the network when a wireless connection is available. However, in other embodiments, the service provider may simply provide functionality that enables the sender to generate an application, plug-in, or software that includes location information, rather than a third party's message, such as a Geographic Information Service (GIS). When the recipient selects a network identifier from the delivered message, an internet content provider, such as Yahoo, Google, Mapquest, etc., may generate electronic content that includes a graphical map. As is well known, wireless service providers typically provide only a portion of the services for which they are charged. For example, in sending text messages, the wireless provider may charge a fee for the data bytes sent or for each message. However, if the recipient is not one of the users of the provider, the provider does not receive revenue for delivering the message. Similarly, if the sender is utilizing an instant messaging client, the provider typically charges the data sent from and received by the user's device on a byte or time basis. It can therefore be concluded that a provider can provide services only to the extent that the provider can be involved in the movement of messages. Thus, in the context of block 220 in fig. 4, passing a message to a recipient may actually include passing a message from the provider's network to another network, such as the PSTN or internet backbone for handling the final delivery of the message.

[0025] Reference is now made to fig. 5, which illustrates a block diagram that illustrates components of a system 300 for providing user-initiated location-based services through messaging, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The system 300 may include a number of modules for performing various system functions. Each module may include a separate software program, a subroutine of a single program, hardware executing software, one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), components of an integrated device, or distributed components among one or more different devices. Further, the modules shown in fig. 5 are merely exemplary. Various embodiments may utilize additional or fewer modules and may even use different modules than those shown in the figures. These modules are intended to be examples of functions performed by systems in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0026] The system 300 shown in FIG. 5 includes a location identifier module 305, a network identifier module 310, a messaging client module 315, a content generator module 320, a control module 325, and a communication module 330. Control module 325 may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Digital Signal Processor (DSP), ASIC, a combination of hardware and software of a computer system, and may even represent a real-time kernel of a control program for facilitating user-initiated location-based services through messaging.

[0027] In various embodiments, the location identifier module 305 may be adapted to provide the location of the user's communication device upon request. As discussed herein, the location identifier module 305 may communicate with a GPS transceiver communicatively coupled to the user's communication device and may request location information from a locator device via one or more communication protocols. In various embodiments, the location identification module 305 may format the location information into an appropriate format for use with the system. In various other embodiments, the request for location information may specify a format.

[0028] The network identifier module 310 may obtain the information provided by the location identifier module 305 and convert the information into a network identifier, such as a URL, which, when selected, may cause the content provider to output the content in the form of a graphical map based on the location information obtained by the location identifier module 305. In various embodiments, the network identifier module 310 may attach the network identifier directly to a message destined for a specified recipient. The network identifier may access a data store that includes information such as an address of a mapping service provider and/or an identifier (e.g., a phone number or user ID) associated with the sending device.

[0029] In various embodiments, the messaging client module 315 may allow a user to send a message over a provider's network. The messaging client module 315 may be a plug-in, such as a known messaging capable client. Alternatively, the messaging client module 315 may be an SMS protocol supported by the user's communication device.

[0030] In various embodiments, the content generator module 320 may include a web-based content portal on an internet-based map content supply, such as in the preferred embodiment. In various embodiments, the messaging service provider may control the content generator module 320, while in various other embodiments, a third party may maintain the content generator module 320. In such embodiments where the module 320 is maintained by a third party, the network identifier module 310 may format the network identifier in a manner compatible with the third party's content generator module 320. In various embodiments, when a message recipient selects a network identifier included in the message, a content viewing client may be invoked and the recipient may be directed to a website associated with the identifier. In various embodiments, the identifier may function as a query to the content generator module 320, and the content generator module 320 may in response generate content from one or more fields specified in the identifier. However, in other embodiments, the content may have been created-this is after the network identifier was created-so that the identifier may be merely a network reference to static content, and therefore contain only the address of the content. In a preferred embodiment, the content generator module 320 may generate and output a graphical map to the recipient client application, the map including a visual indicator of the location containing the location information specified in the network identifier and the location of the sender within the area contained by the graphical map.

[0031] The communication module 330 may allow communication between networks such as between a radio (cellular) network and a landline network (PSTN, ATM, etc.). Accordingly, the communication module 330 may include network interfaces, gateways, routers, and/or other suitable hardware, as well as combinations of hardware and software. The communication module 330 may relay messages between users on the same provider network or may facilitate only a portion of the communication path between the sender and the recipient, such as the wireless portion only when the recipient is connected to a land-line based network or another provider's network.

[0032] Referring now to fig. 6, an exemplary interface window 400 of a messaging client is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. Window 400 in this figure illustrates an exemplary embodiment of sending a message via an instant messaging client. Such clients are well known. The messaging client may run on a computer, mobile phone, PDA, or other wired or wireless communication device. Interface window 400 includes a new message notification and a message requesting that the recipient click on link 410 in the message to view the sender's location. It should be appreciated that in various embodiments, the link 410 may not display a complete URL, but may be a word, a graphical image, or other object. It is well known in hypertext markup language (HTML) to encode any object into a particular URL in a manner that is transparent to the user. The exemplary URL410 shown in this figure illustrates how the URL itself may be decoded to contain one or more parameters or input fields (e.g., bounded by "+" symbols), thereby enabling it to function as a query to the target domain when the URL is selected.

[0033] FIG. 7 is an exemplary interface window 500 for displaying a content viewer plug-in for a location-based service in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments, if the recipient is using a computer to access the message, interface window 500 may be an internet browser. In various other embodiments, the interface window 500 may be a WAP, or other type of standardized or proprietary mobile device content browser that supports graphical images. In various embodiments, such as in the example of FIG. 6, the browser client interface window 500 may be automatically invoked when the recipient selects a network identifier (URL) included in the received message. In a preferred embodiment, the window 500 displays a graphical map 505. The graphical map 505 may preferably include an icon 510 or other identifier that shows the location of the message sender relative to other areas shown on the graphical map 505. This also displays other items of interest, such as businesses, landmarks, or other assets that are close to the sender. Also, in various embodiments, the recipient may access typical map functions through the interface window of the content viewer plug-in, such as zoom in and out, pan, get directions to/from one or more locations displayed on the map 505.

[0034] It should be understood that while the various embodiments discussed herein have been described in the context of sending messages from a mobile communication device to a computer device, the principles set forth herein are equally applicable to environments where a user sends a message from a non-mobile computer to another non-mobile computer or when only sending messages between two mobile devices.

[0035] It should also be understood that while in the preferred embodiment the location may be obtained from a GPS device, in various other embodiments different mechanisms may be used for location purposes. For example, various Commercial Mobile Radio Service Providers (CMRSPs) may use triangulation between transceiver towers, or even a single transceiver tower, or other non-satellite based methods for obtaining location information. In various embodiments, GPS type accuracy may not be required.

[0036] In the foregoing specification, various preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims (21)

1. One method comprises the following steps:

receiving a user-initiated text message from a first node over a network, the message destined for a second node, the message containing location information corresponding to the first node;

generating a network identifier associated with the location information; and

communicating the text message including the network identifier to the second node.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when the network identifier is selected by an operator at the second node, electronic content is generated from the location information and output to the second node.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information comprises geographic coordinates associated with the first node.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the geographic coordinates are provided by a GPS receiver in communication with the first node.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information comprises timing information.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining a location of the first node from the timing information.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein generating a network identifier associated with the location information comprises generating a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein generating the electronic content from the location information comprises generating browser-supported content from information specified in the uniform resource locator.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein generating browser-supported content comprises generating content selected from the group consisting of maps, location-based advertisements, landmarks, and combinations thereof.

10. A messaging system, comprising:

a message input interface adapted to receive an electronic message from a first user, the electronic message including location information corresponding to the first user;

a network identifier generation module communicatively coupled to the message input module and adapted to generate a network identifier based at least in part on the location information; and

a communication module communicatively coupled to the network identifier generation module and adapted to forward the electronic message to a second user designated by the first user, the electronic message including the network identifier.

11. The messaging system of claim 10, further comprising a content generation module that generates electronic content from information specified in the network identifier in response to a second user selecting the network identifier.

12. The messaging system of claim 11, wherein the content generation module comprises computer readable code stored in an electronic storage medium adapted to cause a processor to generate electronic content based on one or more input fields specified in the network identifier.

13. The messaging system of claim 11, wherein the network identifier comprises a URL.

14. The messaging system of claim 11, wherein the content generation module is adapted to generate a navigation map including a geographic location specified by the location information.

15. The messaging system of claim 11 wherein the content generation module is adapted to generate content for the first user and provide the content to the communication device of the first user in accordance with instructions from the second user.

16. A method, comprising:

determining a location of a first network node;

generating a network identifier from the location; and

sending an electronic message to a second network node, the electronic message including the network identifier.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the location of the first network node comprises determining geographic coordinates of the first network node.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising presenting electronic content according to the information in the network identifier in response to a request sent to a service provider.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein generating a network identifier comprises generating a URL.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein presenting electronic content comprises generating a graphical map including a location of the first network node and outputting the graphical map to the second network node.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein determining the location of the first network node comprises receiving location information from a GPS device in communication with the first network node.