US5898680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for providing location-specific data to a user
Assignee: WorldSpace Inc
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Filing: 1996-11-05
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Granted: 1999-04-27
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Expires: 2016-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An FDMA/TDM satellite-based digital broadcast system is used to provide digital maps and other types of data to users at remote locations. User selection of the desired data is achieved by monitoring the TDM downlink channels of the broadcast system in accordance with a predetermined schedule or until a specific identification code is detected. The user terminals are equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers which allow the positions of the users to be determined. Based on the user positions, the user terminals are able to convert general data to location-specific data tailored to the needs of the user. The general data may comprise a digital map covering a wide geographic area, and the location-specific data may comprise a map covering a portion of the geographic region where the user is located.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Johnstone
- 👤 S. Joseph Campanella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/11; H04B10/118; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/18523; H04H; H04H40/00; H04H40/18; H04H40/27; H04H40/90; H04H60/00; H04H60/09; H04H60/14; H04H60/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for providing location-specific data to a user, comprising: a broadcast station for transmitting general data potentially usable by a plurality of users located at different geographic positions; a relay satellite for relaying said general data from said broadcast station to said plurality of users; and a receiver terminal provided for each of said users, said receiver terminal comprising a broadcast receiver for receiving said general data from said relay satellite, a position determination unit for determining the geographic position of the user, and a processor for converting said general data to location-specific data based on the geographic position of said user as determined by said position determination unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for providing location-specific data to a user, comprising: a broadcast station for transmitting general data potentially usable by a plurality of users located at different geographic positions; a relay satellite for relaying said general data from said broadcast station to said plurality of users; and a receiver terminal provided for each of said users, said receiver terminal comprising a broadcast receiver for receiving said general data from said relay satellite, a position determination unit for determining the geographic position of the user, and a processor for converting said general data to location-specific data based on the geographic position of said user as determined by said position determination unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said position determination unit comprises a geolocation radio receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receiver terminal further comprises an output device for visually presenting said location-specific data to said user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said general data transmitted by said broadcast station is encrypted, and wherein said receiver terminal is adapted to decrypt said data using a decryption key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said receiver terminal further comprises an input device for receiving said decryption key from an external source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said external source comprises a magnetically encoded card and said input device comprises a magnetic card reader.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said general data comprises map data for a geographic region, and wherein said location-specific data comprises map data for a portion of said geographic region where said user is located.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
A receiver terminal for providing location-specific data to a user, comprising: a broadcast receiver for receiving general data transmitted by a broadcast station; a position determination unit for determining the geographic position of the receiver terminal; and a processor for converting said general data to location-specific data based on the geographic position of the receiver terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A receiver terminal for providing location-specific data to a user, comprising: a broadcast receiver for receiving general data transmitted by a broadcast station; a position determination unit for determining the geographic position of the receiver terminal; and a processor for converting said general data to location-specific data based on the geographic position of the receiver terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A receiver terminal as claimed in claim 8, wherein said position determination unit comprises a geolocation radio receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A receiver terminal as claimed in claim 8, wherein said receiver terminal further comprises an output device for visually presenting said location-specific data to said user.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A receiver terminal as claimed in claim 8, wherein said general data transmitted by said broadcast station is encrypted, and wherein said receiver terminal is adapted to decrypt said image data using a decryption key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A receiver terminal as claimed in claim 11, wherein said receiver terminal further comprises an input device for receiving said decryption key from an external source.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A receiver terminal as claimed in claim 12, wherein said external source comprises a magnetically encoded card and said input device comprises a magnetic card reader.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A receiver terminal as claimed in claim 8, wherein said general data comprises map data for a geographic region, and wherein said location-specific data comprises map data for a portion of said geographic region where said user is located.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for providing location-specific data to a user, comprising: transmitting general data potentially usable by a plurality of users located at different geographic positions; receiving said general data at one of said user locations; determining the geographic position of said user; and converting said general data to location-specific data based on the geographic position of said user.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for providing location-specific data to a user, comprising: transmitting general data potentially usable by a plurality of users located at different geographic positions; receiving said general data at one of said user locations; determining the geographic position of said user; and converting said general data to location-specific data based on the geographic position of said user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of relaying said transmitted general data through a satellite.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the step of determining the geographic position of said user comprises receiving geolocation radio signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step of displaying said location-specific data to said user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said transmitted general data is encrypted, and wherein said method further comprises the step of decrypting said data at said user location.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said general data comprises map data for a geographic region, and wherein said location-specific data comprises map data for a portion of said geographic region where said user is located.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-04-26 | 2002-10-26 | 2003-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-26 | 2006-10-26 | 2007-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-26 | 2010-10-26 | 2011-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |