US6085148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated touring information systems and methods
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-10-22
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Granted: 2000-07-04
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Expires: 2017-10-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically disseminating information corresponding to a location includes a location identification device for providing a current location, a presentation device for presenting the information to a user, a controller operably connected to control the presentation device, and a storage device operably connected to the controller for storing the information and predefined location data linking the location to the information. In one embodiment, the controller may includes a processor programmed to receive the current location from the location identification device and compare the current location with the predefined location data. The apparatus may further include a memory device containing data structures including the current location data corresponding to a current location, the predefined location data, a comparison module for reading the current location data and comparing the current location data with the predefined location data, and a presentation module for controlling the output of the information to the presentation device from the storage device.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott R. Jamison
- 👤 Derek R. DeVries
- 👤 Richard L. Jamison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:30
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/123; G08G1/133; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for automatically selecting and presenting, proximate a location, information corresponding to the location, the apparatus comprising: a location identification device for providing current location data identifying to the apparatus a current location of the apparatus, wherein the location identification device is disposed to be movable by a user; a presentation device connected to be movable with the location identification device to present the information to a user; a controller operably connected to control the presentation device in accordance with the current location data; and a storage device connected to be movable with the location identification device to store the information and predefined location data linking the location to the information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for automatically selecting and presenting, proximate a location, information corresponding to the location, the apparatus comprising: a location identification device for providing current location data identifying to the apparatus a current location of the apparatus, wherein the location identification device is disposed to be movable by a user; a presentation device connected to be movable with the location identification device to present the information to a user; a controller operably connected to control the presentation device in accordance with the current location data; and a storage device connected to be movable with the location identification device to store the information and predefined location data linking the location to the information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a processor programmed to receive the current location data and compare the current location data with the predefined location data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a processor programmed to control output of the information from the storage device to the presentation device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a memory device storing a tolerance corresponding to a triggering distance within which the controller will activate the presentation device; and a processor operably connected to the memory device for calculating a difference between the current location data and the predefined location data and comparing the difference to the tolerance to determine when the apparatus is within the triggering distance of the location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor is programmed to iterate, wherein iterating comprises receiving the current location data, calculating the difference, and comparing the difference to the tolerance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is further programmed to control output of the information from the storage device to the presentation device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage device is selected from a linear electromagnetic medium, rotating electromagnetic medium, rotating laser readable medium, and a solid-state memory device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information is structured in a format selected from an analog audio signal, a digital audio signal, an analog video signal, a digital video signal, a multimedia signal, and a character code signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the presentation device is selected from an audio speaker, a visual display, and a multimedia output device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the location identification device comprises a receiver for receiving a signal from which the current location data is calculated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the receiver comprises a global positioning system receiver, and the signal reflects a plurality of global positioning signals broadcast from a plurality of global positioning stations.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the receiver further comprises a local broadcast signal receiver for receiving a locally broadcast signal corresponding to the location, and a selector for selectively activating the global positioning system receiver and the local broadcast signal receiver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the location identification device is selected from an image recognition device, a motion sensor, and a bar code reader.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user input device operably connected to the controller for receiving user inputs to control selection of portions of the information for presentation on the presentation device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller comprises a processor programmed to process the user inputs to control the presentation device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
A memory device containing data structures used by a controller to control presentation of information by a presentation device receiving the information from a storage device, the data structures comprising: current location data corresponding to a current location of the presentation device; predefined location data bound to the information from the storage device to match each packet of information from the storage device to a corresponding predefined location; a comparison module for reading the current location data and comparing the current location data with the predefined location data; and a presentation module for controlling output of the information to the presentation device from the storage device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
A memory device containing data structures used by a controller to control presentation of information by a presentation device receiving the information from a storage device, the data structures comprising: current location data corresponding to a current location of the presentation device; predefined location data bound to the information from the storage device to match each packet of information from the storage device to a corresponding predefined location; a comparison module for reading the current location data and comparing the current location data with the predefined location data; and a presentation module for controlling output of the information to the presentation device from the storage device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The memory device of claim 16, wherein the data structures further comprise a driver for driving the presentation device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The memory device of claim 16, wherein the data structures further comprise a tolerance corresponding to a triggering distance within which the controller will activate the presentation device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of disseminating information, corresponding to a location, to a user positioned proximate the location, the method comprising: providing an apparatus comprising a controller operably connected to a storage device and a presentation device, the controller comprising a processor programmed to receive inputs from a location identification device, and to control output of the information from the storage device to the presentation device, wherein the location identification device is disposed to be movable by a user, and wherein the storage and presentation devices are connected to be movable with the location identification device; storing, in the storage device, the information and predefined location data corresponding thereto; providing to the processor, from the location identification device, current location data corresponding to a current location; comparing, by the processor, the current location data with the predefined location data to provide a proximity comparison reflecting whether the apparatus located at the current location is proximate the location; and controlling output of the information from the storage device to the presentation device in accordance with the proximity comparison.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of disseminating information, corresponding to a location, to a user positioned proximate the location, the method comprising: providing an apparatus comprising a controller operably connected to a storage device and a presentation device, the controller comprising a processor programmed to receive inputs from a location identification device, and to control output of the information from the storage device to the presentation device, wherein the location identification device is disposed to be movable by a user, and wherein the storage and presentation devices are connected to be movable with the location identification device; storing, in the storage device, the information and predefined location data corresponding thereto; providing to the processor, from the location identification device, current location data corresponding to a current location; comparing, by the processor, the current location data with the predefined location data to provide a proximity comparison reflecting whether the apparatus located at the current location is proximate the location; and controlling output of the information from the storage device to the presentation device in accordance with the proximity comparison.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising providing, before the comparing step, a tolerance corresponding to a maximum distance from the location, within which maximum distance the proximity comparison is determined to satisfy the tolerance.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising selecting a storage volume containing a plurality of information segments corresponding to a plurality of locations, and wherein the location and information are selected from the plurality of locations and information segments, respectively.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising automatically selecting the information from the storage volume in accordance with a user moving toward an arbitrarily selected location of the plurality of locations.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19, wherein selecting a storage volume is selectable between manual and automatic execution thereof.
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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) | 2003-07-04 | 2004-01-03 | 2004-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-04 | 2008-01-03 | 2008-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-04 | 2012-01-03 | 2012-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |