US6668173B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instant message user location tracking system
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 2000-12-15
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Granted: 2003-12-23
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Expires: 2020-12-15
Abstract
Abstract In an Internet system having instant message capability each of the plurality of users is provided with a wired or wireless device. The wireless device transmits location data indicating its location or status update messages based on its location to an instant message server. In this invention a wireless device or server associates the location data with status update messages indicating the status and/or location of the users carrying the wireless devices in accordance with the received location information. The instant messages are then transmitted by the instant message server to other users of the instant message system.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Philip Greene
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W8/00; H04W8/02; H04W8/08; H04W8/14; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/04; H04W4/00; H04W4/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for updating status within a network that supports an instant messaging system for communicating instant messages amongst a plurality of wired or wireless devices, comprising: determining the position of a wireless device; associating the position with a location tag; and transmitting a status update message that contains the location tag via the instant messaging system to at least one other wired or wireless device over the network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for updating status within a network that supports an instant messaging system for communicating instant messages amongst a plurality of wired or wireless devices, comprising: determining the position of a wireless device; associating the position with a location tag; and transmitting a status update message that contains the location tag via the instant messaging system to at least one other wired or wireless device over the network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the position is determined by the wireless device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the position is determined using a network-assisted positioning method.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a client device associates the position with the location tag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the client device is the wireless device that associates the position with the location tag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a server associates the position with the location tag.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the server is a proxy server.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A network that supports an instant messaging system for communicating instant messages amongst a plurality of wired or wireless devices, comprising: a wireless device; a positioning device that determines the position of the wireless device, wherein the position is associated with a location tag; and a transmitter that sends a status update message that includes the location tag via the instant messaging system to at least one other wired or wireless device over the network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A network that supports an instant messaging system for communicating instant messages amongst a plurality of wired or wireless devices, comprising: a wireless device; a positioning device that determines the position of the wireless device, wherein the position is associated with a location tag; and a transmitter that sends a status update message that includes the location tag via the instant messaging system to at least one other wired or wireless device over the network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network of claim 8 , wherein the positioning device is incorporated within the wireless device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The network of claim 8 , wherein the positioning device uses a network-assisted positioning method.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The network of claim 8 , wherein a client device associates the position with the location tag.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The network of claim 11 , wherein the client device is the wireless device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network of claim 8 , wherein a server associates the position with the location tag.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The network of claim 13 , wherein the server is a proxy server.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A wireless device that operates within a network that supports an instant messaging system for communicating instant messages, comprising: a transmitter that transmits a status update message containing a location tag via the instant messaging system over the network, wherein a position of the wireless device is associated with the location tag.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A wireless device that operates within a network that supports an instant messaging system for communicating instant messages, comprising: a transmitter that transmits a status update message containing a location tag via the instant messaging system over the network, wherein a position of the wireless device is associated with the location tag.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The wireless device of claim 15 , further including a positioning device that determines position data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The wireless device of claim 15 , wherein the position is determined using a network-assisted positioning method.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The wireless device of claim 15 , wherein a client device associates the position with the location tag.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The wireless device of claim 18 , wherein the client device is the wireless device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The wireless device of claim 15 , wherein a server associates the position with the location tag.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-12-22 | 2007-06-23 | 2007-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-22 | 2011-06-23 | 2011-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-22 | 2015-06-23 | 2015-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |