US6529159B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for distributing location-relevant information using a network
Assignee: Trimble Inc
•
Filing: 2000-03-08
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Granted: 2003-03-04
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Expires: 2020-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for distributing locating-relevant information includes providing a GPS position of a client to a server on a data network, and returning location-relevant information by the server based on the specified GPS position. Such location-relevant information include travel or tourist information (e.g., locations of tourist attractions, hotels, or restaurants). Commercial information such as discount coupons or advertising selected based on the Client's GPS position can also be provided. Financial or business transactions can be conducted using the GPS position for authentication or identification.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodric C. Fan
- 👤 Amin Mufti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009; G01S5/0018; G01S5/0027; G01S19/00; G01S19/01; G01S19/03; G01S19/07; G01S19/072; G01S19/38; G01S19/39; G01S19/40; G01S19/41; G01S5/0045; G01S5/0063; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G01S2205/00; G01S2205/001; G01S2205/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A locating system receiving positional information from a mobile unit via a data network, comprising a data processing station connected to a data network accessible by said mobile unit using a wireless communication network through a gateway bridging said data network and said wireless communication network, said data processing station having a database including location references, wherein when said data processing station receives said positional information, said data processing station computes a measured position for said mobile unit, stores said measured position of said mobile unit in said database, associates said measured position of said mobile unit with a location reference in said database, creates from said location reference a second location reference embedded therein a marker indicating said measured position of said mobile unit, and provides, through said data network, said second location reference for display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A locating system receiving positional information from a mobile unit via a data network, comprising a data processing station connected to a data network accessible by said mobile unit using a wireless communication network through a gateway bridging said data network and said wireless communication network, said data processing station having a database including location references, wherein when said data processing station receives said positional information, said data processing station computes a measured position for said mobile unit, stores said measured position of said mobile unit in said database, associates said measured position of said mobile unit with a location reference in said database, creates from said location reference a second location reference embedded therein a marker indicating said measured position of said mobile unit, and provides, through said data network, said second location reference for display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A locating system as in claim 1 , further comprising a monitor unit accessing said data processing station via said data network for said positional information of said mobile unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locating system of claim 1 , wherein said mobile unit transmits said positional information to said data processing station using an encryption.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locating system of claim 1 , wherein said positional information includes a time-stamp indicating the time when the positional information was received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A locating system of claim 2 , wherein said data processing station associates said measured position of said mobile unit with a location reference in said database.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A locating system of claim 1 further comprising a monitor unit, wherein said second location reference is provided to said monitor unit for display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A locating system of claim 6 , said monitor unit further including a display device, said monitor unit displaying graphically an elapsed time since its last transmission of said positional information to said data processing unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A locating system of claim 7 , wherein said monitor unit displays said elapsed time using a symbolic representation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A locating system of claim 1 , wherein said data processing unit receives correctional data from a differential correction data source, wherein said data processing station computes a corrected measured position of said mobile unit using said correctional and said positional information received from said mobile unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A locating system of claim 1 , wherein said mobile unit transmits said positional information to said processing data station at predetermined time intervals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A locating system of claim 1 , wherein said data processing station marks in said location reference a mobile unit that remains stationary over a predetermined time period with a symbol indicating an exceptional condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A locating system of claim 2 , wherein said data processing station verifies communication from a monitor unit by an authentication scheme.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A locating system of claim 1 , wherein said mobile unit is assigned a route, wherein said mobile unit transmits said positional information to said data processing station when said mobile unit deviates from said assigned route.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locating system of claim 1 , wherein said data network comprises a publicly shared network such as the Internet.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A locating system of claim 14 , wherein said data processing station receives said positional information from a plurality of mobile units, and wherein said data processing station compiles statistical data from said positional information received from said mobile units.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A locating system of claim 15 , wherein said statistics includes traffic condition statistics compiled from said positional information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A locating system of claim 15 , wherein said data processing station compiles statistics relating to vehicle usage and drivers habit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A locating system of claim 15 , wherein said statistics relates to traffic pattern on a particular route.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A locating system of claim 15 , wherein said data processing station compiles a travel history for a vehicle on which said mobile unit is placed to establish a report on said vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A locating system of claim 19 , wherein said data processing stations schedules vehicle maintenance according to travel history information provided by said positional information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A locating system of claim 14 , wherein said mobile unit automatically initiates a position update when a distance traveled since last update exceeds a pre-determined value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A locating system of claim 14 further comprises a monitor unit connected to said network, wherein said monitor unit causes said mobile unit to initiates a position update.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
A locating system of claim 14 further comprising: a monitor unit connected to said network; and a message exchange protocol implemented on said network to allow digital data message exchange between said monitor unit and said mobile unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
A locating system of claim 9 , wherein said data processing station further computes a distance of said mobile unit to a designated location.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A locating system in claim 14 , wherein said wireless communication comprises communicating using a cellular digital packet data (CDPD) protocol.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A locating system in claim 14 , wherein said wireless communication comprises communication via a cellular telephone modem.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A locating system in claim 14 , wherein said wireless communication comprises communication over a satellite data link.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
A locating system in claim 14 further comprises a monitor unit, wherein said monitor unit is installed on a moving vehicle and is connected to said data network through a wireless data communication link.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
A locating system in claim 14 fritter comprises a monitor unit connected to said data network, wherein said data processing station provides a monitor unit a key valid for a limited time to allow said monitor unit access to said data processing station for a limited time.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
81 words
A locating system of claim 28 , wherein (a) said database further comprises travel-related information and said mobile unit having a receiver for receiving wireless communication, (b) said mobile unit transmits to said data processing station a query for travel-related information and said positional information of said mobile unit; and (c) in response to said query, said data processing station retrieves said travel-related information from said database according to said positional information and transmits said travel-related information to said mobile unit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A locating system of claim 16 , wherein, said traffic condition statistics are organized by geographical areas.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
A locating system of claim 31 , wherein said data processing station causes said traffic condition statistics to be transmitted to said mobile unit in a form that can be played as an audio message.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
A locating system of claim 30 , wherein said data processing station provides, in response to said query, a location reference showing a route including the measured position of said mobile unit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
A locating system of claim 30 , wherein said data processing station provides said travel-related information in the form of a location reference relating to the positional information of said mobile unit, said data processing station providing on said location reference markers indicating locations of interest.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
66 words
A locating system of claim 14 , further comprising a monitor unit accessing said data processing station through said data network for said positional information and said location references associated with said mobile unit, wherein said monitor unit further comprises an Internet browser program and a plugin program interfaced with said Internet browser program, said plugin program is used for managing positional and location reference data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
69 words
A locating system of claim 35 , wherein said monitor unit further having an area location reference on which location of said mobile unit is marked, said Internet browser program downloads an updated location of said mobile unit, said plugin program compares said updated location with said area location reference to determine whether or not a new area location reference needs to be downloaded from said data processing station.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A locating system of claim 23 , wherein said digital data message is in the form of an electronic mail message.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A locating system as in claim 1 wherein said mobile unit is operated by firmware, said mobile unit being capable of receiving said firmware through a wireless communication link.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for locating a mobile unit, comprising: at a data processing station, receiving from said mobile unit over a data network through a gateway bridging said data network and a cellular network a set of positional data representing the position of said mobile unit; storing said positional data in a database for later retrieval; retrieving said positional data in said processing station and computing a measured position of said mobile unit; creating a location reference embedded therein a marker indicating said measured position of said mobile unit; and providing, through said data network, said location reference for display.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for locating a mobile unit, comprising: at a data processing station, receiving from said mobile unit over a data network through a gateway bridging said data network and a cellular network a set of positional data representing the position of said mobile unit; storing said positional data in a database for later retrieval; retrieving said positional data in said processing station and computing a measured position of said mobile unit; creating a location reference embedded therein a marker indicating said measured position of said mobile unit; and providing, through said data network, said location reference for display.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 39 , wherein said positional data allows a position of said mobile unit to be calculated.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 40 , further comprising: converting said positional data into a measured position for said mobile unit; and storing said measured position in said database.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as in claim 41 , fritter comprising: receiving differential correction data from a differential correction station, using said differential correction data and said positional data received from said mobile unit to calculate a corrected measured position of said mobile unit; and storing said corrected measured position of said mobile unit in said database.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 42 , wherein said differential correction data is retrieved from the Internet.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 39 , wherein said data network comprises the Internet.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 39 , wherein said mobile unit is operated by firmware, said mobile unit being capable of receiving said firmware through a wireless communication link.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for calculating a corrected measured position of a mobile unit at a data processing station, comprising: receiving from said mobile unit positional information of said mobile unit through a gateway bridging a data network and a wireless communication system; receiving differential correction data corresponding in time to said positional information from a differential correction station; sending said differential correction data to said mobile unit, so as to allow said mobile unit to calculate a corrected measured position; based on said positional information and said differential data.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for calculating a corrected measured position of a mobile unit at a data processing station, comprising: receiving from said mobile unit positional information of said mobile unit through a gateway bridging a data network and a wireless communication system; receiving differential correction data corresponding in time to said positional information from a differential correction station; sending said differential correction data to said mobile unit, so as to allow said mobile unit to calculate a corrected measured position; based on said positional information and said differential data.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 46 , wherein said mobile unit further calculates a distance between the corrected measured position of the mobile unit and a predetermined geographical position.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
110 words
A storage medium including a computer program for carrying out a method for locating a mobile unit, said method comprising: at a data processing station, receiving from said mobile unit over a data network through a gateway bridging said data network and a wireless communication system a set of positional data of said mobile unit; storing said positional data in a database for later retrieval; retrieving said positional data in said processing station and computing a measured position of said mobile unit; creating a location reference embedded therein a marker indicating said measured position of said mobile unit; and providing, through said data network, said second location reference for display.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
110 words
A storage medium including a computer program for carrying out a method for locating a mobile unit, said method comprising: at a data processing station, receiving from said mobile unit over a data network through a gateway bridging said data network and a wireless communication system a set of positional data of said mobile unit; storing said positional data in a database for later retrieval; retrieving said positional data in said processing station and computing a measured position of said mobile unit; creating a location reference embedded therein a marker indicating said measured position of said mobile unit; and providing, through said data network, said second location reference for display.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A storage medium as in claim 48 , wherein said positional data allowing a position of said mobile unit to be calculated.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
A storage medium as in claim 49 , wherein said method further comprises: converting said positional data into a measured position for said mobile unit; and storing said measured position in said database.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
57 words
A storage medium as in claim 50 , said method further comprising: receiving differential correction data from a differential correction station, using said differential correction data and positional data received from said mobile unit to calculate a corrected measured position of said mobile unit; and storing said corrected measured position of said mobile unit in said database.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
A storage medium as in claim 50 , wherein said differential correction data is retrieved from the Internet.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
A storage medium as in claim 48 , wherein said data network comprises the Internet.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
100 words
A storage medium including a computer program for carrying out a method for calculating a corrected measured position of a mobile unit at a data processing station, said method comprising: receiving from said mobile unit positional information of said mobile unit through a gateway bridging a data network and a wireless communication network; receiving differential correction data corresponding in time to said positional information from a differential correction station; sending said differential correction data to said mobile unit, so as to allow said mobile unit to calculate a corrected measured position; based on said positional information and said differential data.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
100 words
A storage medium including a computer program for carrying out a method for calculating a corrected measured position of a mobile unit at a data processing station, said method comprising: receiving from said mobile unit positional information of said mobile unit through a gateway bridging a data network and a wireless communication network; receiving differential correction data corresponding in time to said positional information from a differential correction station; sending said differential correction data to said mobile unit, so as to allow said mobile unit to calculate a corrected measured position; based on said positional information and said differential data.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
A storage medium as in claim 53 , wherein said mobile unit further calculates a distance between the corrected measured position of the mobile unit and a pre-determined geographical position.
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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) | 2006-03-03 | 2006-09-02 | 2007-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-03 | 2010-09-02 | 2011-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-03 | 2014-09-02 | 2015-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |