WO2006035422A2

WO2006035422A2 - System and method for user initiated location based services

Info

Publication number: WO2006035422A2
Application number: PCT/IL2005/000982
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ilan Cohen; Shmuel Orenbuch; Ehud Sharar
Original assignee: Callmacom Substance Services Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-09-27
Filing date: 2005-09-14
Publication date: 2006-04-06
Also published as: IL164308A0; WO2006035422A3

Abstract

A communication network system and method comprising one or more client devices, one or more remotely based server devices, and one or more signs, the signs comprising location information, and the server devices comprising signs data structure and signs application.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION BASED SERVICES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and system for location based services, in general and to a method and system for location based services associated with identification information located on signs, in particular.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART Users of mobile devices are presently offered with enhanced services such as services provided based on the location of the mobile device subscriber. Such services are known as Location Based Services. These services offer a plurality of services and information based upon the geographical location of the subscriber. Thus, a user requiring information or other services provides a request to the mobile service designated server through his mobile device. The receiving server identifies the location of the user through various means. Present means for identifying the location of the user employed in Location Based Services include cellular triangulation or similar software and hardware based algorithms that allow for triangulation, and Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) systems. The location based server presently known will receive an indication as to the location of the user through one of these mentioned means for identifying the location of the user, without said user agreement as to the location determination. Thus, the geographical location of even unwilling users of the triangulation systems is automatically determined by providers of such services. In some countries automatic triangulation or determination of geographical location of a user cannot be performed without first obtaining the user's agreement. In cellular triangulation the cellular network is in possession of the strength of signal of the transmitting device therefore it is possible to triangulate the location of the user of the mobile device. Location Based Services typically provide information about local restaurants, gas stations, theaters, direction information and the like. Presently used Location Based Services technology is costly and requires significant resources to implement; therefore it is only rarely offered at present. In addition, such systems depend on the reception of the user's mobile device and the coverage of the mobile network or the availability of satellites at any given location. In many areas cellular coverage is poor and will not allow for triangulation. Likewise, in some areas the geographical topography will hinder the ability of GPS receivers to properly receive the required signals in order to generate an accurate location message. Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a method and system allowing the provision of Location Based Services without the need to purchase a GPS receiver, or where cellular networks do not offer triangulation services or in locations with poor cellular coverage or difficult topography for GPS reception. There is also a need in the art to provide an efficient and not costly method and system for providing Location Based Services to users of mobile device subscribed to mobile networks.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method and system for location based services associated with identification information provided by signs, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel method and system for location based services associated with identification information which is an extension number of switched network, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention, there is thus provided a communication network system comprising a client device, a remotely based server device, and one or more signs, the sign comprising location information. The location information is the information associated in the server device with a particular geographical location; the client device is configured to send the location information to the server device; and the server device comprising a signs data structure and a signs application. The information associated with a location comprises a telephone number or an address of a data or voice communication network node or server or client. The information associated with a location comprises an extension number. The information associated with a location comprises a code comprising numerals or letters or a combination thereof. The sign can be located in the vicinity associated with the client device. The server device further comprises an information application, a maintenance data structure and maintenance application. The server device further comprises a statistics data structure, statistics application, a client data structure and a client data structure application. The client device is mobile device or a cellular phone. The sign is marked on a map, such as a physical map or on a digitally encoded map. The sign is marked on a graphical user interface shown on the client device. The graphical user interface depicts the sign on a map shown on said GUI and selecting the sign by a user generates a communication response with the server.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided, within a communication network based system having one or more client devices and remotely to client devices one or more server devices a method for providing information, the method comprising the steps of receiving a message from a user indicating a location at which the user is located; and providing the user with information associated with said location. The message can be a call or a data message. The data message can be any one of the following: e-mail; SMS, multimedia message, an IRC message, generated by the at least one client device in response to a user's request. The call is generated by a telecommunication device connecting to a communications network. The telecommunication device is a cellular device or a telephone or a data device and the communications network is a public switched telephone network or a mobile communications network or a data network or a combination thereof. Indicating a location comprises a number, or at least one letter, or a symbol, or a combination thereof, or an extension number which is located on a sign. The sign is located in the vicinity associated with the information to be provided to the user. The sign can be printed on a map, such as a physical map. The sign can alternatively be shown on a display depicting a graphic user interface, which is preferably said client device. The method further comprising the step of generating a message to said server device by said client device by selecting said sign on said graphic user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for location based services associated with signs according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a location based server used within a system for location based services based associated with signs according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 illustrates the preferred applications of the location based server according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a method for providing location based services associated with signs according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a client device showing signs indicating locations information within a moving map according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel method and a system which provides a user with information based on the user's location. Such location is provided by the user to a location identifier server (LIS) based on location identification information posted on a sign in the vicinity of the user. In response the LIS provides the user with information associated with the location identification information. The identification information can also be an extension of a switched network, such as of a cellular network, a data network, a telephone network a PBX, IVR and the like. The information can include information about the location and other information services such as information about the surrounding of the sign, information about activities associated with the location in which the sign is posted and the like.

The present invention provides a communication network system, said network comprises a plurality of client devices, one or more remotely based LIS device, and a plurality of signs, each sign is located in a place of interest or in a geographically or a topographically challenged site. The communication network can carry data or voice or a combination thereof, which can accommodate fixed or mobile devices or a combination thereof. The sign comprises information indicating to the client which message is to be sent to the LIS in order to receive the information services based on his location. Thus, a sign can include, for a non- limiting example a cellular number and an extension number which the user of the client device is to dial. According to the invention the vicinity location of the client device (e.g. a cellular phone) is determined by an indication provided by the user via the client device to the LIS of the message, such as an extension number or a code number and the like. The LIS provides the client device with audio or video or other visual information or a combination thereof associated with the indication provided by the user. A better understanding of the invention is provided in view of the depiction of the Figs below. Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for location based services based on signs according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. System 10 comprises a client device 12, a location identifier server 14 and signs 16, 18. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a plurality of client devices, cellular or mobile networks, signs and LISs can be employed in the context of the present invention. System 10 provides person 20 using client device 12 to communicate with server 14 (LIS). Client device 12 can be a cellular phone or another mobile device that is able to establish communication with a remote server 14 via a mobile communication system such as indicated by cellular antenna tower 22. According to some preferred embodiments of the present invention device 12 can comprise a video display unit (not shown) as well as an audio emitting device. The video display unit provides that visual information relating to the information provided by server 14 can be viewed by user 20. Server 14 is connected to the communication network 23 by conduit 24 which can be a cable or other connecting means. Server 14 can be located remotely to communication system 23 or the operator of communication system 23. According to other embodiments of the present invention device 12 can communicate with server 14 using internet protocol (IP) and data communication network such as the Internet. Alternatively, device can communicate with server 14 by using a public system telecommunication network (PSTN). System 10 identifies the vicinity of person 20 by input data provided by the client device of person 20. Accordingly, person 20 may dial a phone number and extension or other number indicated on signs 16 or 18. Sign 16 is located on tree 26 and sign 18 is located in the vicinity of site 28 comprising elevation 30 and historical building 32. Tree 26 and site 28 are located in a nature resort in the country side. Person 20 touring the country side wishes to be provided with further information referring to tree 26 and site 28 is invited to do so by sign 16 and 18. Accordingly, person 20 can initiate a phone call to a phone number indicated on sign 16 or 18. The phone numbers on signs 16 and 18 are different from each other; alternatively they provide the same phone number with different extension numbers or different code numbers. Thus, sign 16 and 18 comprise an indication that provides the location identifier server 14 to determine the vicinity of person 20 who wishes to receive information regarding to tree 26 and site 28. Hence, upon dialing phone number indicated on sign 16 or 18 a communication path with server 14 is formed. In case the indicating phone number from sign 16 was dialed the information related to tree 26 provided by server 14 can comprise botanical facts and historical facts related to tree 26. Alternatively, if the indicating phone number from sign 18 was dialed the information related to site 28 can comprise topography information related to elevation 30 and historical facts related to building 32. Furthermore, the information provided by server 14 can relate to further information regarding to other aspects of tree 26 and site 28 (e.g. archeology, geography and topology information), information regarding to other relating sites to either tree 26 or building 32, information concerning distances from close by interesting sites, tour planning of the area as well as commercial information relating to restaurants, motels and museums. Other information can be offered by invitation to enter specific web sites that may be approached either through server 14 or from device 12. The further information provided to user 20 can be directed automatically after providing the first initial information regarding tree 26 and site 28. Alternatively, the further information is provided to client device 12 of person 20 after requested by person 20. Thus, server 14 provides client deice 12 a menu offering said further information. Accordingly, person 20 is required to indicate whether she is interested in receiving and if so the type of further information requested.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a location based server used within a system for location based services associated with signs according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Server 14 comprises a set of logically inter related data structures and modules designed to attain the objectives of the present invention. Server 14 preferably comprises a signs data structure 40, an information data structure 42, a communication handler 44, a memory device 46, a communication device 46, a client's data structure 50 and application 52. Server 14 as depicted in view of Fig. 1 receives communication from user's device 12 processes said request and handles the exchange of information with the user's device. In one embodiment of the present invention server 14 comprises an IVR application to handle requests from users. In another embodiment of the present invention, server 14 comprises an application to handle requests provided by one or more modules located on servers of mobile or other service providers associated with requests of users for information. In the preferred embodiment, server 14 can communicate concurrently with a plurality of users located in different geographical locations. Server 14 further comprises a central processing unit (not shown), one or more memory devices 46, and can further comprise a plurality of input devices and a plurality of output devices (not shown). Signs data structure 40 comprises a data structure of the identification information of the signs entered into the system that users can see when on location covered by the present invention system. Signs data structure 40 comprises data that can be arranged in records or like arrangements that associate each site with a sign viewed by a user of a client device. Thus, identification information which is unique to each sign correlates to a particular geographical site or location or the vicinity thereof. For example, in accordance to the embodiment depicted in view of Fig. 1 signs data structure 40 may comprise data comprising the telephone number and extension number dialed by user 20 (e.g. number and extension number of signs 16, 18) or a coded number entered or selected by a user during operation of the system of the present invention as well as the identification of the location of tree 26 and site 28 or the like. Signs data structure 40 comprises further links to other data structures associated with the signs and data associated with the communication with the users by server 14, as well as links to data structures comprising client information 50. Signs data structure 40 can also comprise data associated with usage and the signs such as, counting the number of requests for information received from users regarding each site, data registering the date and time of day said requests were performed by users in connection with each sign. Information data structure 42 comprises information associated to sites included in the associated signs data structure 40 as well as different sites placed in the vicinity of signs and other types of information associated with said signs. Such data can include information about services located in the vicinity of the signs, historical facts, religious information about the site associated with the site, other activities which the user may perform in the vicinity of the signs, other local services available in the vicinity of the signs, such as restaurants, hotels, direction information and the like. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the initial message with information provided to client device by server 14 in reply to the first communication message from client device may be referred as "basic information". The basic information can comprise instructions how to use the system, how to select options and how the user is billed. Other basic information can include basic factual details about the attractions of the site or the specific information associated with the site itself (e.g. the name of the variety of tree 26, the history associated with building 32 and the like). Each sign has particular identification information depicted thereon. Thus, a user approaching the sign will be able to dial a specific number to access the system of the present information and to deliver to the system a message comprising the identification of the sign (such as extension number, coded number, automatic message generated by the mobile device of the user and the like). Upon receiving said sign identification information by server 14 the server 14 identifies the location associated with said sign. Thus, for example, when the user calls the access number and dials extension number 002 the system recognizes through a simple sign data structure access that the sign is located in geographical location X and assumes that the user is located there. As noted above, information data structure 42 can comprise additionally to the basic information additional information regarding each sign such as further factual information regarding to other aspects of the site and other sites in the vicinity of the first site. Information data structure 42 can comprise information such as tour planning of other sites in the vicinity of the first site and suggestions to leisure activities in the area of the first site and information direction to other signs. Client data structure 50 comprises information associated with clients registered in the system of the present invention that may be recognized by server 14. Thus, the data may comprise name of client, credit card number, client's children age group, and client's fields of interest (e.g. history, archeology, and botany), client's previous requests and more. According to other embodiments client data structure 50 can be positioned in a remote location from server 14, such as in the mobile service provider of the client. Alternatively, according to other preferred embodiments client data structure 50 may not comprise credit number information but mat provided with the access to remote data structures for credit card data structure services for billing. In further embodiments of the present invention the services provided by server 14 can be free of charge in view of users such as person 20. In yet another embodiment the billing can be performed by the mobile service provider of the user. In yet anther embodiment the system of the present invention does not include a client's data structure and all communication is performed directly with mobile service providers. In the latter embodiment the client's data structure can be replaced by a service provider data structure which includes information about the usage of the system by said mobile service provider for tracking, metering, reporting and billing purposes. Server 14 also comprises communication device 48 and a communication handler 44. Communication device 48 and communication handler 44 enable server 14 to communicate with remote client device via a communication network, or to connect to a service provider via network 23. In an alterative embodiment the server 14 is part of the mobile service provider servers and communications with users is performed by the mobile service provider servers. Referring now to Fig. 3 application 52 comprises various modules that facilitate the functioning of system 10. The modules depicted in fig. 3 are a set of logically inter related computer programs which allow the provisions of various information services to the users of the present invention. The modules depicted in fig. 3 can be implemented in an IVR application hosted by a server 14 or by a different server associated with server 14. The modules shown in fig. 3 Are shown as different modules for the purpose of illustrating the various capabilities of the present invention, however persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more modules can comprise the modules depicted herein and that any one of the said modules can be added or eliminated from the system without departing from the spirit of the invention and its objectives. In the present example, application 52 comprises a basic information module 60, a further information module 62, a statistics module 64, a maintenance module 66, a signs module 76 and client module 78. Signs module 76 is a module designed to determine the location of the client device 12 and the sign which a message from client device 12 is referring to. Sign module 76 is provided with the identification information received from client device 12 through communication network 23 and by accessing to signs data structure 40 determines the site (e.g. tree 26) referred by sign (e.g. sign 16). Such determination can be accomplished by a simple look up operation on the signs data structure 40 of Fig. 2. Basic information module 60 is operative in building and providing user 20 with basic information referring to the geographical site or the vicinity thereof referred by the respective sign identification information. Further information module 62 comprises a number of components such as a further information component 68, a vicinity information component 70, a leisure information component 72 and a tour plan component 74. Further information module 62 and its respective components may be activated by a request received from client device 12 or provided automatically in continuation to the basic information provided to client device as is activated by an IVR or web based access applications. Further information component 68 can provide a client device with further information regarding to the same site of which the basic information was forwarded to the client device. The further information is forwarded to client device from information data structure 42. According to other embodiments further information component 68 can provide upon request received from client device different types of further information. For example further information can refer to the history of a site, to the nature surroundings characteristics of said site and other types of information described above and below. Alternatively, according to other embodiments upon a request received from client device 12 the further information is provided to a client device eliminating the need to provide basic information. Vicinity information component 70 provides a user's 20 client device 12 with information about other sites placed in the vicinity of the first site (i.e. the site referred to by the identification information forwarded by user in the vicinity of sign), or direction information which can include how to reach an attraction in the vicinity of the respective sign, or how to reach another sign, thus enabling the system to provide routing information to the user. The vicinity information is forwarded to a client device from information data structure 42 via network 23. All communications with client devices is can be sent by communication device 48, through the operation of the communication handler 44 via the communication network 23. Leisure information component 72 enables forwarding leisure information to a client 20 via client device 12. The types of leisure information could relate to hotels, restaurants, recreation parks for children, picnic zones, museums, religious sites and the like. The information forwarded to a client can be provided from information data structure 42. Alternatively, leisure information can be received from remote data structures comprising leisure information and forwarded to a client. Tour plan information component 74 enables to suggest a tour plan to client referring to a first site as a starting point, alternatively, referring to the fields of interest of client and to the continued directions the user is to take in order to complete or proceed with a chosen route or tour. Thus, tour plan information component 74 can suggest the tour plan for the rest of the day, subject to the fact that signs data structure 40 provides the relevant information, such as the time of day and date of the current dealt request by the user. The tour planning by tour plan information component 74 can take into account data received from client data structure 50. Thus, tour plan information component 74 can take into account fields of interest of client, history of requests and tour planning, client's children age group and the like. The information for planning a tour by tour plan information component 74 is received from information data structure 42. Alternatively, according to other embodiments the information for tour planning can be received from remote data structures from server 14. The tour plan component 74 can also provide tour plans based on personalization information provided to the tour plan component 42 directly from the user's client device 12 or from the mobile service operator having such information previously stored in association with the user's profile. Statistics application 64 is able to process the data received and stored in signs data structure 40 and the other data structures described here above and like data structures and modules. Statistics application 64 processes data received from client devices or mobile device operators such as time of day, date of request, number of requests, signs used, billing, metering and the like and stores the information in signs data structure 40 or in a specific statistics data structure (not shown) for later use by the mobile device operators, the user or administrators of the system. Statistics application 64 also enables a user such as an administrator (not shown) of location identifier server 14 to view the number of requests received and data concerned to incoming requests. The administrator can be provided with said information through a local or remote output device (not shown) connected to server 14. The administrator can be provided with said information by request forwarded by an input device (not shown) that may be remote from server 14. For example statistics module 64 can provide the popularity of specific signs (i.e. and sites referred to by said signs), time of year specific sites are more popular and other information. Said information provides valuable commercial information for leisure sites and advertising possibilities comprised in the information provided to client devices. Maintenance module 66 provides information to an administrator (not shown) presenting the functioning of the location based information provider system according to the present invention. Maintenance application 66 verifies the appropriate functioning of the system according to the present invention by checking the information stored in signs data structure. For example, if a normal daily rate of requests forwarded to server 14 ranges between 200-230 requests a day and two following days present an average number of requests of 75 the maintenance application 66 will initiate an alarm or a message to an administrator or to an output device of the system. Maintenance application 66 provides the capability to maintenance the system. Thus, a dramatic change in the number of request can generate a requirement to check whether the sign was vandalized or other problem of the system. Client application 78 handles the client data structure 50. Thus, processing incoming details of clients received from client devices and providing client data structure 50 with clients' details.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a method for providing location base services based on signs according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention a sign (e.g. sign 16, 18) comprises identifying information that enables server 14 to recognize the site associated with said sign. In step 100 the user of the present invention identifies information on the sign associated with the site. The information may be written on a standing sign posted in the vicinity of a site (e.g. tree 26 and site 28). Alternatively, the sign can be on a printed road map or site map, or on a graphical display presented on a graphical user interface. A sign displayed on a map presented on a graphical user interface (GUI) may be part of a client device. Said client device having a GUI can communicate with the data communication network 23 through an appropriate selection by the user of the appropriate command on the client device 12. Such client device having a GUI will be depicted in view of Fig. 5 below. Once the sign information is identified by the user, the user initiates a call to the number identified on the sign and upon receiving a prompt generate a message to be sent to the server 14 by selecting the appropriate option (step 102). The message can be the selection of an extension number, the dialing of said extension number, the entering of a coded number, a voice command and the like. In an alternative embodiment, a client device can generate an e-mail or a short message service message (SMS), or a multimedia message, or a chat (IRC) message, or a data message, or the like to be sent to the server 14 upon the request of the user (step 102). The client device can be a mobile device such as a cellular phone which is subscribed to a mobile wireless system alternatively the client device can communicate via a data communication network. In one alternative embodiment the client device is attached to a speaker device to allow more than one user to receive the information provided by the system of the present invention. Thus, according to this specific embodiment a group of people, say in a car, can receive information while driving. The initial message generated by a user (e.g. person 20 from Fig. 1) comprises the identifying information for identifying the site associated with said sign. Additionally, the message can comprise further request for information. The message is transmitted the suitable communication network 23 that communicates with the client device (e.g. client device 12 from Fig. 1). In step 104 the message generated by the client device 12 is received by the location identifier server 14. In step 106 the location identifying server 14 identifies the sign identifying information as is described above. The identification of the location of the site associated with the sign is performed by server 14 by using signs data structure 40 and signs module 76. In step 108 the server 14 generates a message comprising information to be sent to the user requesting such information. Thus, for example, the user may respond to IVR audio instructions and use keys in the client device 12 to generate DTMF tones responding to the IVR menus presented to the user. In one example, the user selects a request for basic information. The server 14 generates a message comprising basic information to be played to the user. Likewise, the message generated by server 14 can comprise further information as depicted above in view of Figs 2 and 3. In an alternative embodiment, the server 14 can generate a message to be sent and displayed to the user 20. Such message will can be auditory, visual or a combination thereof. The message can for example include a picture of a historical event and a recording of the sounds of the site in previous times. Likewise, the message can comprise an audio recording of a narrator explaining to the user what he is seeing and what he should be looking at. Other various messages can be construed by the server 14 in response to requests made by the user in association with the sign selected. Such can include the information about the vicinity of the sign, leisure information, direction finding information, tour plan information and such information described above. The message can include wav files, gif or animated files, video or any form of multimedia. In advanced features of the present invention the message can comprise video clips, such as for a non-limiting example a narrator describing the information to be delivered to the user. In other embodiments of the invention, the system provides the user with metering and usage information. In step 110 the server 14 sends the information to be played or displayed to the user's client device 12 via network 23. In yet another alternative embodiment the user can be offered to store the message sent to him or to replay the message a number of times. In the context of the present invention, an audio file or recording is played to a user. The audio recording describes to the user, the basic or further ot other information sought, such as where is located, what is the importance of the place or vicinity, the important facts about the site, the historical facts relating to the site and other information as is mentioned in the text above. Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a client device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The client device is a mobile device or a mobile phone 130 having a GUI 142. GUI 142 displays a map 144 comprising signs 132, 134, 136, 138. Each of signs 132, 134, 136, 138 comprises a unique identifying information that may be a number, a letter or a combination thereof. A user (not shown) can choose to learn about a site associated with one or more of signs 132, 134, 136, 138. In the present example, GUI 142 is a touch screen. When the user selects a sign by tapping with a pointing device on the screen of the mobile phone or device 130 a message is sent to the server 14 indicating said user is requesting information about the site associated with said sign. The location identifier server can respond by generating the information requested and sending such information via a web based application, or directly via the mobile device communications protocol. Alternatively, the server 14 may send an e-mail message with the information requested. As noted above, the information provided by server 14 can be audio, video or a combination thereof. According to other embodiments a user can identify the signs and use the mobile telephone network service to provide the sign identification number. The number or letters identifying the sign may be provided by using the push buttons 140. Accordingly, in response to the message generated by a user, server 14 will provide information and provide possibilities for additional services. In an alternative to the present embodiment the mobile device or phone does not have a GUI, rather a simple display or no display at all. In accordance with such an embodiment the mobile device will include a speaker and the use of the device will be through access to an IVR or like system for receiving auditory menu selections and the user responding thereto. Thus, in accordance with one non- limiting example of the present embodiment, the user will call a predetermined number and receive oral instructions how to access the system and report the geographical location, so as to obtain services associated with the system of the present invention.

The reader's attention is directed to all documents and papers that are filed concurrently with the present specification and which are or will become open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of such papers and documents are incorporated by reference herein. All the features disclosed in the specification, including the appending claims, abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Although the present application has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments and versions of those embodiments are possible and will not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The same spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.

Claims

CLAIMS I/We claim:

1. A communication network system comprising at least one client device, at least one remotely based server device, and at least one sign, the sign comprising location information, the location information is information associated in the at least one server device with an at least one geographical location, and the at least one server device comprising at least one signs data structure and at least one signs application.

2. The network of claim 1 wherein the information associated with a location comprises a telephone number or an address of a data or voice communication network node or server or client.

3. The network of claim 1 wherein the information associated with a location comprises an extension number.

4. The network of claim 1 wherein the information associated with a location comprises a code comprising numerals or letters or a combination thereof.

5. The network of claim 1 wherein the at least one sign is located in the vicinity associated with the at least one client device.

6. The network of claim 1 wherein the at least one server device further comprises an information application.

7. The network of claim 1 wherein the at least one server device further comprises a maintenance data structure and maintenance application.

8. The network of claim 1 wherein the at least one server device further comprises a statistics data structure and statistics application.

9. The network of claim 1 wherein the at least one server device further comprises a client data structure and a client data structure application.

10. The network of claim 1 wherein the client device is mobile device or a cellular phone.

11. The network of claim 1 wherein the at least one sign is marked on a map.

12. The network of claim 1 wherein the at least one sign is marked on a graphical user interface shown on the at least one client device.

13. The network of claim 12 wherein the graphical user interface depicts at least one sign on a map and selecting the at least one sign generates a communication response with the at least one server.

14. Within a communication network based system having at least one client device and remotely to said at least one client device at least one server device a method for providing information, the method comprising the steps of, receiving a message from a user indicating a location at which the user is located; and providing the user with information associated with said location.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of the user generating a message comprising information location depicted on at least one sign.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the message is a call.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the message is a data message.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the data message is any one of the following: e-mail; SMS, multimedia message, an IRC message, generated by the at least one client device in response to a user's request.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the call is generated by a telecommunication device connecting to a communications network.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the telecommunication device is a cellular device or a telephone or a data device and the communications network is a public switched telephone network or a mobile communications network or a data network or a combination thereof.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein indicating a location comprises a number, or at least one letter, or a symbol, or a combination thereof.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein indicating a location comprises an extension number.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the extension number is located on a sign.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the sign is located in the vicinity associated with the information to be provided to the user.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the sign is printed on a map.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the sign is shown on a graphic user interface.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the sign is shown on a graphic user interface on said at least one client device.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of generating a message to said at least server device by said at least one client device by selecting said at least one sign on said graphic user interface.

29. The method as substantially described in association with the figures and description above. 0. The system as substantially described in association with the figures and description above.