US6542750B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for selectively connecting mobile users based on physical proximity
Assignee: Google LLC
•
Filing: 2001-06-08
•
Granted: 2003-04-01
•
Expires: 2021-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for selectively 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. Proximately located TUs within a predefined group may be connected when an initiating TU requests a group connection. A predetermined number of group TUs located within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU may be connected together with the initating TU in a single telecommunications connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey R. Hendrey
- 👤 Hirohisa A. Tanaka
- 👤 Philip J. Koopman, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W76/00; H04W76/40; G; G08; G08B; G08B1/00; G08B1/08; G08B2001/085; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72448; H04M1/72457; H04W4/00; H04W4/02; H04W4/06; H04W4/08; H04W8/00; H04W8/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for selectively connecting telecommunications units, wherein at least one TU is a mobile telecommunications unit, comprising the steps of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a user input indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and at least one group member TU within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and responsive to more than a predetermined number of group member TUs being within the predetermined distance to the initiating TU, selecting the predetermined number of group member TUs that are closest to the initiating TU.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for selectively connecting telecommunications units, wherein at least one TU is a mobile telecommunications unit, comprising the steps of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a user input indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and at least one group member TU within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and responsive to more than a predetermined number of group member TUs being within the predetermined distance to the initiating TU, selecting the predetermined number of group member TUs that are closest to the initiating TU.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the connection is created between the initiating TU and every group member TU within the predetermined distance of the initiating TU.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: (iv) receiving from the initiating TU, a user input indicating a specific group for which the group connection is to be initiated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: (iv) displaying a message on a display of the initiating TU when no group member TUs are within the predetermined distance of the initiating TU.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein, in step (iii), when less than a predetermined number of group member TUs are within the predetermined distance, iteratively enlarging the predetermined distance until the predetermined number of group member TUs are within the enlarged predetermined distance to the initiating TU.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of: (iv) when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within the enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: (iv) when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within the predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein, in step (iii), when there are more than a predetermined number of group member TUs within the predetermined distance from the initiating TU, the predetermined number of group member TUs are selected such that the distance spread of all TUs in the connection is minimized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein each TU is a mobile telecommunications unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein distance is determined based on street map information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein group member TUs are selected based on estimated ground travel time to a geographic location.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
146 words
A system for selectively connecting telecommunications units, wherein at least one TU is a mobile telecommunications unit, comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the steps of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a control message indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member in a group corresponding to the group connection; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and a predetermined number of group member TUs within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and responsive to more than a predetermined number of group member TUs being within the predetermined distance to the initiating TU, selecting the predetermined number of group member TUs that are closest to the initiating TU.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
146 words
A system for selectively connecting telecommunications units, wherein at least one TU is a mobile telecommunications unit, comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the steps of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a control message indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member in a group corresponding to the group connection; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and a predetermined number of group member TUs within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and responsive to more than a predetermined number of group member TUs being within the predetermined distance to the initiating TU, selecting the predetermined number of group member TUs that are closest to the initiating TU.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the connection is created between the initiating TU and every group member TU within the predetermined distance of the initiating TU.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the system to perform the step of: (iv) receiving from the initiating TU, a control message indicating a specific group for which the group connection is to be initiated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the system to perform the step of: (iv) when no group member TUs are within the predetermined distance of the initiating TU, displaying a message on a display of the initiating TU.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein, in step (iii), when less than a predetermined number of group member TUs are within the predetermined distance, iteratively enlarging the predetermined distance until the predetermined number of group member TUs are within the enlarged predetermined distance to the initiating TU.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the system to perform the step of: (iv) when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within the enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the system to perform the step of: (v) when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within the predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein, in step (iii), when there are more than a predetermined number of group member TUs within the predetermined distance from the initiating TU, the predetermined number of group member TUs are selected such that the distance spread of all TUs in the connection is minimized.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein each TU is a mobile telecommunications unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein distance is determined based on street map information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 12 , wherein group member TUs are selected based on estimated ground travel time to a geographic location.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to selectively connect telecommunications units, wherein at least one telecommunication unit is a mobile telecommunications unit, wherein the computing device selectively connects telecommunication units by performing the operations of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a control message indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and a predetermined number of group member TUs within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and responsive to more than a predetermined number of group member TUs being within the predetermined distance to the initiating TU, selecting the predetermined number of group member TUs that are closest to the initiating TU.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
146 words
A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to selectively connect telecommunications units, wherein at least one telecommunication unit is a mobile telecommunications unit, wherein the computing device selectively connects telecommunication units by performing the operations of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a control message indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and a predetermined number of group member TUs within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and responsive to more than a predetermined number of group member TUs being within the predetermined distance to the initiating TU, selecting the predetermined number of group member TUs that are closest to the initiating TU.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the connection is created between the initiating TU and every group member TU within the predetermined distance of the initiating TU.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the computing device to perform the step of: (iv) receiving from the initiating TU, a user input indicating a specific group for which the group connection is to be initiated.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the computing device to perform the step of: (iv) displaying a message on a display of the initiating TU when no group member TUs are within the predetermined distance of the initiating TU.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein, in step (iii), when less than a predetermined number of group member TUs are within the predetermined distance, iteratively enlarging the predetermined distance until the predetermined number of group member TUs are within the enlarged predetermined distance to the initiating TU.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer readable medium of claim 27 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the computing device to perform the step of: (iv) when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within the enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the computer readable instructions further cause the computing device to perform the step of: (iv) when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within the predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein, in step (iii), when there are more than a predetermined number of group member TUs within the predetermined distance from the initiating TU, the predetermined number of group member TUs are selected such that the distance spread of all TUs in the connection is minimized.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein each TU is a mobile telecommunications unit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein distance is determined based on street map information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein group member TUs are selected based on estimated ground travel time to a geographic location.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for selectively connecting telecommunications units, wherein at least one TU is a mobile telecommunications unit, comprising the steps of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a user input indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and at least one group member TU within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within an enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for selectively connecting telecommunications units, wherein at least one TU is a mobile telecommunications unit, comprising the steps of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a user input indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and at least one group member TU within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within an enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for selectively connecting telecommunications units, wherein at least one TU is a mobile telecommunications unit, comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the steps of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a control message indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member in a group corresponding to the group connection; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and a predetermined number of group member TUs within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within an enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for selectively connecting telecommunications units, wherein at least one TU is a mobile telecommunications unit, comprising: a processor; memory for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform the steps of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a control message indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member in a group corresponding to the group connection; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and a predetermined number of group member TUs within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within an enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
142 words
A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to selectively connect telecommunications units, wherein at least one telecommunication unit is a mobile telecommunications unit, wherein the computing device selectively connects telecommunication units by performing the operations of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a control message indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and a predetermined number of group member TUs within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within an enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
142 words
A computer readable medium for storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a computing device to selectively connect telecommunications units, wherein at least one telecommunication unit is a mobile telecommunications unit, wherein the computing device selectively connects telecommunication units by performing the operations of: (i) receiving from an initiating telecommunications unit (TU), a control message indicating that a group connection is to be initiated; (ii) determining the distance from the initiating TU to each TU associated with each group member; and (iii) creating a telecommunications connection between the initiating TU and a predetermined number of group member TUs within a predetermined distance of the initiating TU, and when a group member TU disconnects from the connection before the initiating TU, adding to the connection a new group member TU within an enlarged predetermined distance from the initiating TU.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5043736B1
Cited
US5043736A
Cited
US5761648A
Cited
US6047327A
Cited
US5774802A
Cited
WO1997041654A1
Cited
US5963864A
Cited
US6018699A
Cited
US5953400A
Cited
US5873040A
Cited
US5884272A
Cited
US5852775A
Cited
US6061561A
Cited
US5974393A
Cited
US6055434A
Cited
US6060995A
Cited
US6052122A
Cited
US6061681A
Cited
WO1999005597A1
Cited
US6067356A
Cited
WO1999033199A1
Cited
US6119014A
Cited
US5982281A
Cited
US6073138A
Cited
WO1999066757A1
Cited
US6067045A
Cited
WO2000022860A1
Cited
US6292672B1
Cited
US6208866B1
Cited
US20010027111A1
Cited
US6377793B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-31 | 2006-09-30 | 2007-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | 2011-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-31 | 2014-09-30 | 2015-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |