Patent US6542748B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6542748B2
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Method and system for automatically initiating a telecommunications connection based on distance
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 2001-06-08
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Granted: 2003-04-01
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Expires: 2021-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for connecting proximately located telecommunications units are disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. A user of a mobile telecommunications unit (MU) is connected to a TU when the MU is within a predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location meeting predefined criteria. The TU to which the MU is connected may be automated or manually operated. In some embodiments, multiple MUs are connected when they are within a predetermined proximity to each other and a predefined criteria is met.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey R. Hendrey
- 👤 Philip Koopman, Jr.
- 👤 Joseph D. King
- 👤 Hirohisa A. Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/535; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/02; H04W4/021; H04W4/20; H04W4/21; H04W76/00; H04W76/40; G; G08; G08B; G08B1/00; G08B1/08; G08B2001/085; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72448; H04M1/72457; H04W4/06; H04W4/08; H04W8/00; H04W8/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU) comprising the step of creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein automatic connections with the predetermined type of geographic location are suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU) comprising the step of creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein automatic connections with the predetermined type of geographic location are suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the TU is an automated recording playback device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating step is not performed when the MU is in a first mode wherein automatic connections are suppressed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the attribute is a list of geographic locations selected by the user.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU) comprising: creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a predetermined geographic location when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein the predetermined geographic location is selected based at least in part on an attribute associated with a user of the MU; and suppressing subsequent connections based on the predetermined geographic location after an initial, successful connection based on the predetermined geographic location.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU) comprising: creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a predetermined geographic location when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein the predetermined geographic location is selected based at least in part on an attribute associated with a user of the MU; and suppressing subsequent connections based on the predetermined geographic location after an initial, successful connection based on the predetermined geographic location.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for automatically connecting proximately located telecommunication units (TU), comprising the step of connecting a first TU to at least one other TU when the first and at least one other TUs are within a first predetermined distance of each other and are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for automatically connecting proximately located telecommunication units (TU), comprising the step of connecting a first TU to at least one other TU when the first and at least one other TUs are within a first predetermined distance of each other and are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one other TU is selected based at least in part on attribute information associated with each user of each TU.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein each TU is a mobile telecommunications unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer readable medium for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising stored computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform the step of creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein automatic connections with the predetermined type of geographic location are suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
A computer readable medium for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising stored computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform the step of creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein automatic connections with the predetermined type of geographic location are suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the TU is an automated recording playback device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the creating step is not performed when the MU is in a first mode wherein automatic connections are suppressed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the attribute is a list of geographic locations selected by the user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer readable medium for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising stored computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of: creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a predetermined geographic location when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein the predetermined geographic location is selected based at least in part on an attribute associated with a user of the MU; and suppressing subsequent connections based on the predetermined geographic location after an initial, successful connection based on the predetermined geographic location.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer readable medium for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising stored computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of: creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a predetermined geographic location when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein the predetermined geographic location is selected based at least in part on an attribute associated with a user of the MU; and suppressing subsequent connections based on the predetermined geographic location after an initial, successful connection based on the predetermined geographic location.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer readable medium for automatically connecting proximately located telecommunication units (TU), comprising stored computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform the step of connecting a first TU to at least one other TU when the first and at least one other TUs are within a first predetermined distance of each other and are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
A computer readable medium for automatically connecting proximately located telecommunication units (TU), comprising stored computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to perform the step of connecting a first TU to at least one other TU when the first and at least one other TUs are within a first predetermined distance of each other and are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one other TU is selected based at least in part on attribute information associated with each user of each TU.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer readable medium of claim 14 , wherein each TU is a mobile telecommunications unit.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the step of creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunication unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein automatic connections with the predetermined type of geographic location are suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the step of creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunication unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, wherein automatic connections with the predetermined type of geographic location are suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the TU is an automated recording playback device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the creating step is not performed when the MU is in a first mode wherein automatic connections are suppressed.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 17 , wherein the attribute is a list of geographic locations selected by the user.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the steps of: creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunication unit (TU) associated with a predetermined geographic location when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, where the predetermined geographic location is selected based at least in part on an attribute associated with a user of the MU; and suppressing subsequent connections based on the predetermined geographic location after an initial, successful connection based on the predetermined geographic location.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for automatically initiating a connection with a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the steps of: creating a connection between an MU and a telecommunication unit (TU) associated with a predetermined geographic location when the MU is within a predetermined distance of the predetermined geographic location, where the predetermined geographic location is selected based at least in part on an attribute associated with a user of the MU; and suppressing subsequent connections based on the predetermined geographic location after an initial, successful connection based on the predetermined geographic location.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
73 words
A system for automatically connecting proximately located telecommunication units (TU), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the step of connecting a first TU to at least one other TU when the first and at least one other TUs are within a first predetermined distance of each other and are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
73 words
A system for automatically connecting proximately located telecommunication units (TU), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the step of connecting a first TU to at least one other TU when the first and at least one other TUs are within a first predetermined distance of each other and are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the at least one other TU is selected based at least in part on attribute information associated with each user of each TU.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein each TU is a mobile telecommunications unit.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of transmitting data to a mobile telecommunication unit (MU), comprising: determining if the MU is within a predetermined distance of a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU; and responsive to the MU being within a predetermined distance of the TU, transmitting data to the MU, wherein the transmission of data to the MU is suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of transmitting data to a mobile telecommunication unit (MU), comprising: determining if the MU is within a predetermined distance of a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU; and responsive to the MU being within a predetermined distance of the TU, transmitting data to the MU, wherein the transmission of data to the MU is suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer readable medium in a system for transmitting data to a mobile telecommunication unit (MU), having instructions contained thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the system to perform the operations of: determining if the MU is within a predetermined distance of a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU; and responsive to the MU being within a predetermined distance of the TU, transmitting data to the MU, wherein the transmission of data to the MU is suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer readable medium in a system for transmitting data to a mobile telecommunication unit (MU), having instructions contained thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the system to perform the operations of: determining if the MU is within a predetermined distance of a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU; and responsive to the MU being within a predetermined distance of the TU, transmitting data to the MU, wherein the transmission of data to the MU is suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for transmitting data to a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the operations of: determining if the MU is within a predetermined distance of a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU; and responsive to the MU being within a predetermined distance of the TU, transmitting data to the MU, wherein the transmission of data to the MU is suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for transmitting data to a mobile telecommunications unit (MU), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the operations of: determining if the MU is within a predetermined distance of a telecommunications unit (TU) associated with a type of predetermined geographic location selected by a user of the MU; and responsive to the MU being within a predetermined distance of the TU, transmitting data to the MU, wherein the transmission of data to the MU is suppressed except during predefined time periods.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of automatically transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunication units (TUs), comprising: determining if a first TU and at least one other TU are within a first predetermined distance of each other; determining if the first TU and the at least one other TU are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location; and responsive to the first and second TUs being within a first predetermined distance of each other and within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location, transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of automatically transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunication units (TUs), comprising: determining if a first TU and at least one other TU are within a first predetermined distance of each other; determining if the first TU and the at least one other TU are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location; and responsive to the first and second TUs being within a first predetermined distance of each other and within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location, transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
122 words
A computer readable medium in a system for transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunication units (TUs), having instructions contained thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the system to perform the operations of: determining if a first TU and at least one other TU are within a first predetermined distance of each other; determining if the first TU and the at least one other TU are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location; and responsive to the first and second TUs being within a first predetermined distance of each other and within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location, transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
122 words
A computer readable medium in a system for transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunication units (TUs), having instructions contained thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the system to perform the operations of: determining if a first TU and at least one other TU are within a first predetermined distance of each other; determining if the first TU and the at least one other TU are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location; and responsive to the first and second TUs being within a first predetermined distance of each other and within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location, transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunications units (TUs), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the operations of: determining if a first TU and at least one other TU are within a first predetermined distance of each other; determining if the first TU and the at least one other TU are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location; and responsive to the first and second TUs being within a first predetermined distance of each other and within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location, transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
122 words
A system for transmitting data to at least one of a plurality of telecommunications units (TUs), comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the operations of: determining if a first TU and at least one other TU are within a first predetermined distance of each other; determining if the first TU and the at least one other TU are within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location; and responsive to the first and second TUs being within a first predetermined distance of each other and within a second predetermined distance of a predetermined geographic location, transmitting data to at least one of the first and second TUs.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-31 | 2014-09-30 | 2015-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |