US6169498B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method for communication location-specific messages
Assignee: Enterprise Systems Technologies SARL
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Filing: 1997-07-16
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Granted: 2001-01-02
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Expires: 2017-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for communicating location-specific messages includes storing a library of such messages within a portable device having a capability of randoly accessing the messages. Each location-specific message has a content that is related to a particular geographical location within a facility. At each of the geographical locations, there is a device-readable identification of an identifier for each location-specific message relating to that geographical location. In the preferred embodiment, the identifier is transmitted to the portable device wirelessly. Also in the preferred embodiment, the message library is contained on a recording medium that facilitates automated random access, such as a compact disk, and the portable device is a personal digital assistant (PDA). In an application of the method, map information may be prerecorded and supplemented or complemented with time-dependent information downloaded from a source. The fixed map information and the time-dependent information may then be accessed to locate a particular site specified by the time-dependent information. For example, the map information may include gate locations within an airport and the time-dependent information may include flight arrival and departure times.
Inventors
- 👤 Neal J. King
- 👤 William J. Beyda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:17
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of communicating location-specific messages comprising steps of: storing a library of location-specific messages within a portable device having capability of providing automated random access to said location-specific messages, each location-specific message having a content related to a particular geographical location of a plurality of geographical locations; establishing a correspondence between each location-specific message and an identifier of said each location-specific message, said correspondence being related to implementing random access; and at each of said geographical locations, providing a device-readable identification of at least one identifier that corresponds to a location-specific message having content related to said each geographical location, whereby said step of providing a device-readable identification includes wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of said at least one identifier.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of communicating location-specific messages comprising steps of: storing a library of location-specific messages within a portable device having capability of providing automated random access to said location-specific messages, each location-specific message having a content related to a particular geographical location of a plurality of geographical locations; establishing a correspondence between each location-specific message and an identifier of said each location-specific message, said correspondence being related to implementing random access; and at each of said geographical locations, providing a device-readable identification of at least one identifier that corresponds to a location-specific message having content related to said each geographical location, whereby said step of providing a device-readable identification includes wirelessly transmitting a signal indicative of said at least one identifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising steps of wirelessly receiving said signal at said portable device and displaying said at least one identifier in response to said wireless reception.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of storing said library of location-specific messages includes storing audible commentaries of said geographical locations.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said library includes multiple location-specific messages for at least some of said geographical locations, said multiple location-specific messages being distinguishable with respect to depths of said audible commentaries.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of storing said library includes recording said location-specific messages on a compact disk.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of storing map information in addition to said location-specific messages, said map information being indicative of orientations of said geographical locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of establishing said correspondence includes forming a one-to-one relationship between said identifiers and said location-specific messages, said identifiers being codes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of communicating location-specific messages comprising steps of: storing a library of location-specific messages within a portable device having capability of providing automated random access to said location-specific messages, each location-specific message having a content related to a particular geographical location of a plurality of geographical locations; establishing a correspondence between each location-specific message and an identifier of said each location-specific message, said correspondence being related to implementing random access; and at each of said geographical locations, providing a device-readable identification of at least one identifier that corresponds to a location-specific message having content related to said each geographical location, wherein said step of providing a device-readable identification includes attaching a barcode at each of said geographical locations, each barcode uniquely identifying only location-specific messages having content related to the geographical location within which said each barcode is attached.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of communicating location-specific messages comprising steps of: storing a library of location-specific messages within a portable device having capability of providing automated random access to said location-specific messages, each location-specific message having a content related to a particular geographical location of a plurality of geographical locations; establishing a correspondence between each location-specific message and an identifier of said each location-specific message, said correspondence being related to implementing random access; and at each of said geographical locations, providing a device-readable identification of at least one identifier that corresponds to a location-specific message having content related to said each geographical location, wherein said step of providing a device-readable identification includes attaching a barcode at each of said geographical locations, each barcode uniquely identifying only location-specific messages having content related to the geographical location within which said each barcode is attached.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of communicating location-specific messages comprising steps of: storing map information relating to a plurality of sites of a facility, said map information being stored in a portable device; downloading time-dependent information specific of said facility, said downloading being from a source to said portable device; and accessing each of said map information and said time-dependent information to locate a particular one of said sites specified in said time-dependent information, wherein said step of downloading said time-dependent information includes wirelessly receiving a plurality of time-dependent messages, each time-dependent message specifying at least one of said sites.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of communicating location-specific messages comprising steps of: storing map information relating to a plurality of sites of a facility, said map information being stored in a portable device; downloading time-dependent information specific of said facility, said downloading being from a source to said portable device; and accessing each of said map information and said time-dependent information to locate a particular one of said sites specified in said time-dependent information, wherein said step of downloading said time-dependent information includes wirelessly receiving a plurality of time-dependent messages, each time-dependent message specifying at least one of said sites.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said step of storing map information is a step of storing data indicative of terminals of an airport, said time-dependent information being data indicative of airline flights.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising a step of dynamically accessing navigation information as a complement to said stored map information, said dynamic access being dependent upon movement of said portable device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step of dynamically accessing said navigation information includes wirelessly receiving said navigation information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
100 words
A portable device for communicating location-specific messages comprising: memory having a stored library of location-specific messages, each location-specific message having a unique identifier and each having a content related to a particular geographical location of a plurality of geographi-cal locations; input means for reading a signal indicative of one of said identifiers; means responsive to said input of said one identifier for randomly accessing said memory to access said location-specific message unique to said one identifier; and output means for announcing said accessed location-specific message unique to said one identifier, wherein said input means includes a receiver of wireless transmissions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
100 words
A portable device for communicating location-specific messages comprising: memory having a stored library of location-specific messages, each location-specific message having a unique identifier and each having a content related to a particular geographical location of a plurality of geographi-cal locations; input means for reading a signal indicative of one of said identifiers; means responsive to said input of said one identifier for randomly accessing said memory to access said location-specific message unique to said one identifier; and output means for announcing said accessed location-specific message unique to said one identifier, wherein said input means includes a receiver of wireless transmissions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 13 further comprising a display connected to said input means to receive and display said one identifier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said location-specific messages are commentaries regarding said geographical locations.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
98 words
A portable device for communicating location-specific messages comprising: memory having a stored library of location-specific messages, each location-specific message having a unique identifier and each having a content related to a particular geographical location of a plurality of geographi-cal locations: input means for reading a signal indicative of one of said identifiers; means responsive to said input of said one identifier for randomly accessing said memory to access said location-specific message unique to said one identifier; and output means for announcing said accessed location-specific message unique to said one identifier, wherein said input means includes a barcode reader.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
98 words
A portable device for communicating location-specific messages comprising: memory having a stored library of location-specific messages, each location-specific message having a unique identifier and each having a content related to a particular geographical location of a plurality of geographi-cal locations: input means for reading a signal indicative of one of said identifiers; means responsive to said input of said one identifier for randomly accessing said memory to access said location-specific message unique to said one identifier; and output means for announcing said accessed location-specific message unique to said one identifier, wherein said input means includes a barcode reader.
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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) | 2004-01-02 | 2004-07-03 | 2005-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-02 | 2008-07-03 | 2009-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-02 | 2012-07-03 | 2013-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |