Patent US6385622B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6385622B2
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System and methods for remotely accessing a selected group of items of interest from a database
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2001-03-23
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Granted: 2002-05-07
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Expires: 2021-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A user can access a common database from a remote communications port, at any qualified location, to generate a map or other positional information which locates selected items of interest, e.g., businesses, stores, architectural sites, and the like. The database contains information representing the items of interest, including, for each of the items of interest, positional coordinates, a geographic vicinity, and a selected category. The positional coordinates discretely locate the vicinity, while the vicinity specifies the exact locations of the items of interest in the selected category. For example, a user in New York can select the display of sporting shops in the area surrounding Chicago O'Hara International Airport selectively. A user can also access a port and display locations of items of interest within the same vicinity as the user and relative to the user's position. The database can be modified from qualified remote locations to change, or add to, the information therein. An advertisement can be tagged to the display or print out as an association with the selected items of interest.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Lincoln Bouve
- 👤 William T. Semple
- 👤 Steven W. Oxman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/02; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/24; G06F16/245; G06F16/2457; G06F16/24575; G06F16/29; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/953; G06F16/9537; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/32; G06Q20/322; G06Q20/3224; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0251; G06Q30/0261; G07; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/201; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/12; H04L67/50; H04L67/52; H04L67/75; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04W4/029; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/912; Y10S707/918; Y10S707/919; Y10S707/922; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945; Y10S707/99948
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
System for remotely determining the position of a selected category of items of interest in a selected geographic vicinity from a database, the system comprising (A) a database for storing information about a plurality of items of interest, the information including, for each of the items of interest, a geographical position and at least one associated category, (B) a communications link for communicating between a user of the system and the database, (C) an information controller for transmitting a portion of the information in the database to the user via the link upon receipt of a request signal representative of a selected category and geographic vicinity, the transmitted portion of the information including identification of geographic position for at least one of the items of interest within the selected category and geographic vicinity, and (D) a port for remotely accessing the portion of information via the link, the port generating the request signal in response to inputs by the user which are representative of the selected category and geographic vicinity, the port having a user interface for accepting the inputs and for indicating to the user the position at least one of the items of interest in the selected category and geographic vicinity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
System for remotely determining the position of a selected category of items of interest in a selected geographic vicinity from a database, the system comprising (A) a database for storing information about a plurality of items of interest, the information including, for each of the items of interest, a geographical position and at least one associated category, (B) a communications link for communicating between a user of the system and the database, (C) an information controller for transmitting a portion of the information in the database to the user via the link upon receipt of a request signal representative of a selected category and geographic vicinity, the transmitted portion of the information including identification of geographic position for at least one of the items of interest within the selected category and geographic vicinity, and (D) a port for remotely accessing the portion of information via the link, the port generating the request signal in response to inputs by the user which are representative of the selected category and geographic vicinity, the port having a user interface for accepting the inputs and for indicating to the user the position at least one of the items of interest in the selected category and geographic vicinity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the link comprises a telephone link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the link comprises a satellite link.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the link comprises a radio-frequency link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the link comprises an infra-red link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the link comprises an Internet link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the database is selected from the group consisting of a personal computer, mainframe, work-station, mini-computer, and a digital data processor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a phone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
System of claim 8 , wherein the communications link comprises a cellular communications link.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 1 , wherein the port comprises an audible speaker.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 1 , wherein the port comprises a personal computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 11 , wherein the communications link comprises the Internet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the geographic vicinity comprises spatial detail of the items of interest.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the geographic vicinity comprises a map of the items of interest in the selected category and geographic vicinity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the port interprets the inputs by the user and formulates the inputs into the request signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the database interprets certain of the inputs at the port as items or interest and for transposing such inputs into a selected category automatically.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
System of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ports, each of the plurality of ports having a user interface for accessing at least part of the information from the database in response to user inputs at the user interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of information comprises additional detail for at least one of the items of interest.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
System according to claim 18 , wherein the additional detail comprises video.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 19 , wherein the communications link comprises the Internet.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 19 , wherein the communications link comprises cellular communications.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 18 , wherein the additional detail comprises prerecorded music.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 22 , wherein the communications link comprises the Internet.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 22 , wherein the communications link comprises cellular communications.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 18 , wherein the additional detail comprises digital pictures.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 25 , wherein the communications link comprises the Internet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 25 , wherein the communications link comprises cellular communications.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
System according to claim 18 , wherein the additional detail comprises an advertisement.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 28 , wherein the communications link comprises the Internet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
System of claim 28 , wherein the communications link comprises cellular communications.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the information comprises an advertisement associated with at least one of the items of interest.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
System according to claim 1 , wherein the information comprises a plurality of geographic vicinities, the port hierarchically selecting any of the vicinities via the user interface.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
109 words
Database for storing information about a plurality of items of interest, the information including, for each of the items of interest, a geographic position and at least one associated category, comprising (A) a communications link for communicating between the database and a plurality of remote ports, and (B) an information controller for transmitting a portion of the information to at least one of the ports via the link upon receipt of a request signal representative of a selected category and geographic vicinity, the transmitted portion of the information including identification of a position for at least one of the items of interest within the selected category and geographic vicinity.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
109 words
Database for storing information about a plurality of items of interest, the information including, for each of the items of interest, a geographic position and at least one associated category, comprising (A) a communications link for communicating between the database and a plurality of remote ports, and (B) an information controller for transmitting a portion of the information to at least one of the ports via the link upon receipt of a request signal representative of a selected category and geographic vicinity, the transmitted portion of the information including identification of a position for at least one of the items of interest within the selected category and geographic vicinity.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the link comprises a telephone link.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the link comprises a satellite link.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the link comprises a radio-frequency link.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the link comprises an infra-red link.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the link comprises an Internet link.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the link comprises a coaxial cable link.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the link comprises a television link.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
Database according to claim 33 , further comprising at least one port for generating the request signal in response to user inputs, the port being selected from the group of phones and computers.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the identification at least one of the items of interest comprises spatial detail of the one item of interest.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the portion of information comprises a map of the items of interest in the selected category and geographic vicinity.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the information comprises additional detail for at least one of the items of interest.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the information comprises an advertisement associated with at least one of the items of interest.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
Database according to claim 33 , wherein the information comprises a plurality of geographic vicinities, a user at any of the remote ports hierarchically accessing the vicinities through user inputs at the remote port.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
123 words
Remote access port for remotely accessing a selected category of items of interest in a selected geographic vicinity from a remote database, the database being of the type which stores information about a plurality of items of interest, the information including, for each of the items of interest, a geographical location and at least one associated category, the remote access port generating a request signal representative of a selected category and a selected geographic vicinity of the items of interest in response to inputs by the user, the remote access port having a user interface for accepting the inputs and for indicating to the user the position of at least one of the items of interest within the selected category and geographic vicinity.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
123 words
Remote access port for remotely accessing a selected category of items of interest in a selected geographic vicinity from a remote database, the database being of the type which stores information about a plurality of items of interest, the information including, for each of the items of interest, a geographical location and at least one associated category, the remote access port generating a request signal representative of a selected category and a selected geographic vicinity of the items of interest in response to inputs by the user, the remote access port having a user interface for accepting the inputs and for indicating to the user the position of at least one of the items of interest within the selected category and geographic vicinity.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the user interface comprises a television.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the user interface comprises a telephone.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the user interface comprises a facsimile.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the user interface comprises an audible speaker.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the user interface comprises a personal computer.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the user interface comprises a phone connected to the database via a communications link, the link comprising a cellular communications link.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the port interprets certain of the inputs as items or interest and transposes such inputs into a selected category automatically.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the information comprises additional detail for at least one of the items of interest.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the information comprises an advertisement associated with at least one of the items of interest.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
31 words
Remote access port according to claim 47 , wherein the information comprises a plurality of geographic vicinities, a user at the port hierarchically selecting any of the vicinities via user inputs.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for remotely determining the position of each of a selected category of items of interest in a selected geographic vicinity from a database, comprising the steps of: (i) storing information about a plurality of items of interest in the database, the information including, for each of the items of interest, a geographic location and at least one associated category; (ii) accessing the database from a remote port and over a communication link; (iii) communicating, from the remote port, information representative of a selected category and a selected geographic vicinity to the database; and (iv) transmitting a portion of the information from the database and to the user over the link, the information including, at least, identification of the position for one or more of the items of interest within the selected geographic vicinity.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for remotely determining the position of each of a selected category of items of interest in a selected geographic vicinity from a database, comprising the steps of: (i) storing information about a plurality of items of interest in the database, the information including, for each of the items of interest, a geographic location and at least one associated category; (ii) accessing the database from a remote port and over a communication link; (iii) communicating, from the remote port, information representative of a selected category and a selected geographic vicinity to the database; and (iv) transmitting a portion of the information from the database and to the user over the link, the information including, at least, identification of the position for one or more of the items of interest within the selected geographic vicinity.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 58 , wherein the steps of communicating further comprises communicating over a cellular communications link.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 59 , wherein the step of accessing comprises accessing the database through a phone.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 58 , wherein the step of communicating further comprises communicating over the Internet.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 58 , wherein the step of transmitting a portion of the information further comprises the step of communicating over a cellular communications link.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 58 , wherein the step of transmitting a portion of the information further comprises the step of communicating over the Internet.
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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) | 2005-05-06 | 2005-11-05 | 2006-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-06 | 2009-11-05 | 2010-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-06 | 2013-11-05 | 2014-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |