US7123926B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for providing information to users based on the user's location
Assignee: Fleet Connect Solutions LLC
•
Filing: 2003-11-10
•
Granted: 2006-10-17
•
Expires: 2023-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for providing an advisory communication to a user via a mobile unit includes locating means for locating the position of the mobile unit and sending means for sending a communication to the mobile unit. The mobile unit includes alerting means for alerting the user of the communication. The advisory communication can include information relating to an approaching emergency vehicle, an accident scene, road conditions, a traffic signal, traffic conditions, or weather conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard B. Himmelstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/12; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0251; G06Q30/0265; G06Q30/0267; G06Q40/00; G07; G07B; G07B15/00; G07B15/06; G07B15/063; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/008; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/3805; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72403; H04M1/72409; H04M1/72412; H04W12/00; H04W12/03; H04W12/08; H04W4/02; H04W4/024; H04W4/025; H04W4/027; H04W4/029; H04W4/24; H04W4/30; H04W4/40; H04W4/46; H04W4/80; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/06; H04W4/90; H04W84/00; H04W84/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for alerting a remote user to an emergency situation via a mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: determining a geographic location of the mobile unit; determining an identity of the vehicle based on a unique identification stored in the mobile unit; determining a priority level associated with the emergency situation; assembling a header of a communication, the header including the geographic location of the mobile unit, the identity of the vehicle and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by a second mobile unit to alert the remote user of the second mobile unit of the emergency situation based on the geographic location of the mobile unit, the identity of the vehicle and the priority level; and transmitting the communication to the second mobile unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for alerting a remote user to an emergency situation via a mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: determining a geographic location of the mobile unit; determining an identity of the vehicle based on a unique identification stored in the mobile unit; determining a priority level associated with the emergency situation; assembling a header of a communication, the header including the geographic location of the mobile unit, the identity of the vehicle and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by a second mobile unit to alert the remote user of the second mobile unit of the emergency situation based on the geographic location of the mobile unit, the identity of the vehicle and the priority level; and transmitting the communication to the second mobile unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile unit includes a global positioning system receiver and the step of determining includes using the global positioning system receiver to automatically determine the geographic location of the mobile unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the priority level is associated with an emergency situation selected from the group consisting of: an emergency vehicle, an accident scene, road conditions, traffic signal, weather conditions, traffic conditions and detour instructions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the communication includes a payload, the payload including data relating to the emergency situation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the unique identification includes data selected from the group consisting of: a vehicle license number, a vehicle license number and state identifier, an identifier of a user of the vehicle, vehicle registration information, insurance information and a driver's license number of a user of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for alerting a user to an emergency situation via a mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: receiving a communication from a broadcasting mobile unit; processing a header of the communication to determine a geographic location of the broadcasting mobile unit, an identification of a vehicle associated with the broadcasting mobile unit and a priority level of the emergency situation; determining a geographic location of the mobile unit; alerting the user of the emergency situation based on the geographic location of the mobile unit, the geographic location of the broadcasting mobile unit, the identification of the vehicle associated with the broadcasting mobile unit and the priority level.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for alerting a user to an emergency situation via a mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: receiving a communication from a broadcasting mobile unit; processing a header of the communication to determine a geographic location of the broadcasting mobile unit, an identification of a vehicle associated with the broadcasting mobile unit and a priority level of the emergency situation; determining a geographic location of the mobile unit; alerting the user of the emergency situation based on the geographic location of the mobile unit, the geographic location of the broadcasting mobile unit, the identification of the vehicle associated with the broadcasting mobile unit and the priority level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the mobile unit includes a global positioning system receiver and the step of determining includes using the global positioning system receiver to automatically determine the geographic location of the mobile unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the mobile unit is in communication with a visual indicator within the vehicle and the step of alerting further includes communicating with the visual indicator within the vehicle to alert the user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the mobile unit is in communication with an audio indicator within the vehicle and the step of alerting further includes communicating with the audio indicator within the vehicle to alert the user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the step of alerting further includes transmitting a signal through an electro-mechanical interface to control at least one electro-mechanical system of the vehicle in response to the emergency situation.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for selectively distributing information from a transmitting mobile unit to a plurality of receiving mobile units installed in vehicles, comprising: receiving a geographic location for each receiving mobile unit; obtaining an identity of each vehicle based on a unique identification associated with each mobile unit; determining a subset of the plurality of mobile units based on the geographic location of each mobile unit; determining a priority level associated with the information; assembling a header of a communication associated with the subset of the plurality of mobile units, the header including the unique identification associated with each of the mobile units of the subset and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by each mobile unit of the subset to alert a remote user of the respective mobile unit to the communication; and transmitting the communication directly from the transmitting mobile unit to the plurality of receiving mobile units.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for selectively distributing information from a transmitting mobile unit to a plurality of receiving mobile units installed in vehicles, comprising: receiving a geographic location for each receiving mobile unit; obtaining an identity of each vehicle based on a unique identification associated with each mobile unit; determining a subset of the plurality of mobile units based on the geographic location of each mobile unit; determining a priority level associated with the information; assembling a header of a communication associated with the subset of the plurality of mobile units, the header including the unique identification associated with each of the mobile units of the subset and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by each mobile unit of the subset to alert a remote user of the respective mobile unit to the communication; and transmitting the communication directly from the transmitting mobile unit to the plurality of receiving mobile units.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 11 further including: determining at least one of a current speed and current direction for each mobile unit; and the step of determining a subset of the plurality of mobile units is further based on at least one of the current speed and current direction of each mobile unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 11 further including comparing the unique identification associated with each mobile unit to a contact log, and wherein the step of determining a subset of the plurality of mobile units is further based on the step of comparing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the communication includes advertising information.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for providing an advisory communication from a transmitting first mobile unit installed in a first vehicle to a remote user via a second mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: determining a geographic location of the first mobile unit; determining an identity of the first vehicle based on a unique identification associated with a the first transmitting mobile unit; determining a priority level associated with the advisory communication; assembling a header of a communication, the header including the geographic location of the first mobile unit, the identity of the first vehicle and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by the second mobile unit to alert the remote user of the second mobile unit to the advisory communication; assembling a payload of the communication, the payload including information relating to the advisory communication; and transmitting the communication from the first mobile unit to the second mobile unit.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for providing an advisory communication from a transmitting first mobile unit installed in a first vehicle to a remote user via a second mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: determining a geographic location of the first mobile unit; determining an identity of the first vehicle based on a unique identification associated with a the first transmitting mobile unit; determining a priority level associated with the advisory communication; assembling a header of a communication, the header including the geographic location of the first mobile unit, the identity of the first vehicle and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by the second mobile unit to alert the remote user of the second mobile unit to the advisory communication; assembling a payload of the communication, the payload including information relating to the advisory communication; and transmitting the communication from the first mobile unit to the second mobile unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the advisory communication is a situation selected from the group consisting of: an emergency vehicle, an accident scene, road conditions, traffic signal, weather conditions, traffic conditions and detour instructions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the payload includes advertising information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
139 words
A mobile unit installed in a vehicle for alerting a remote user to an emergency situation, comprising: means for determining a geographic location of the mobile unit; means for determining an identity of the vehicle based on a unique identification stored in the mobile unit; means for determining a priority level associated with the emergency situation; means for assembling a header of a communication, the header including the geographic location of the mobile unit, the identity of the vehicle and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by a second mobile unit to alert the remote user of the second mobile unit of the emergency situation based on the geographic location of the mobile unit, the identity of the vehicle and the priority level; and means for transmitting the communication to the second mobile unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
139 words
A mobile unit installed in a vehicle for alerting a remote user to an emergency situation, comprising: means for determining a geographic location of the mobile unit; means for determining an identity of the vehicle based on a unique identification stored in the mobile unit; means for determining a priority level associated with the emergency situation; means for assembling a header of a communication, the header including the geographic location of the mobile unit, the identity of the vehicle and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by a second mobile unit to alert the remote user of the second mobile unit of the emergency situation based on the geographic location of the mobile unit, the identity of the vehicle and the priority level; and means for transmitting the communication to the second mobile unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile unit of claim 18 wherein the mobile unit includes a global positioning system receiver and the means for determining uses the global positioning system receiver to automatically determine the geographic location of the mobile unit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mobile unit of claim 18 wherein the priority level is associated with a situation selected from the group consisting of: an emergency vehicle, an accident scene, road conditions, traffic signal, weather conditions, traffic conditions and detour instructions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mobile unit of claim 18 wherein the communication includes a payload, the payload including data relating to the emergency situation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The mobile unit of claim 18 wherein the unique identification includes data selected from the group consisting of: a vehicle license number, a vehicle license number and state identifier, an identifier of a user of the vehicle, vehicle registration information, insurance information and a driver's license number of a user of the vehicle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
118 words
A mobile unit for alerting a user to an emergency situation via a mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: means for receiving a communication from a broadcasting mobile unit; means for processing a header of the communication to determine a geographic location of the broadcasting mobile unit, an identification of a vehicle associated with the broadcasting mobile unit and a priority level of the emergency situation; means for determining a geographic location of the mobile unit; means for alerting the user of the emergency situation based on the geographic location of the mobile unit, the geographic location of the broadcasting mobile unit, the identification of the vehicle associated with the broadcasting mobile unit and the priority level.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
118 words
A mobile unit for alerting a user to an emergency situation via a mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: means for receiving a communication from a broadcasting mobile unit; means for processing a header of the communication to determine a geographic location of the broadcasting mobile unit, an identification of a vehicle associated with the broadcasting mobile unit and a priority level of the emergency situation; means for determining a geographic location of the mobile unit; means for alerting the user of the emergency situation based on the geographic location of the mobile unit, the geographic location of the broadcasting mobile unit, the identification of the vehicle associated with the broadcasting mobile unit and the priority level.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile unit of claim 23 wherein the mobile unit includes a global positioning system receiver and the means for determining uses the global positioning system receiver to automatically determine the geographic location of the mobile unit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile unit of claim 23 wherein the mobile unit is in communication with a visual indicator within the vehicle and the means for alerting communicates with the visual indicator within the vehicle to alert the user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mobile unit of claim 23 wherein the mobile unit is in communication with an audio indicator within the vehicle and the means for alerting communicates with the audio indicator within the vehicle to alert the user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The mobile unit of claim 23 wherein the means for alerting transmits a signal through an electro-mechanical interface to control at least one electro-mechanical system of the vehicle in response to the emergency situation.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
158 words
A system for selectively distributing information from a transmitting mobile unit to a plurality of receiving mobile units installed in vehicles, comprising: means for receiving a geographic location for each receiving mobile unit; means for obtaining an identity of each vehicle based on a unique identification associated with each mobile unit; means for determining a subset of the plurality of mobile units based on the geographic location of each mobile unit; means for determining a priority level associated with the information; means for assembling a header of a communication associated with each mobile unit of the subset, each header including the unique identification associated with the respective mobile unit and the priority level, each header capable of being processed upon receipt by the respective mobile unit to alert a remote user of the respective mobile unit to the communication; and means for transmitting the communication directly from the transmitting mobile unit to the plurality of receiving mobile units.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
158 words
A system for selectively distributing information from a transmitting mobile unit to a plurality of receiving mobile units installed in vehicles, comprising: means for receiving a geographic location for each receiving mobile unit; means for obtaining an identity of each vehicle based on a unique identification associated with each mobile unit; means for determining a subset of the plurality of mobile units based on the geographic location of each mobile unit; means for determining a priority level associated with the information; means for assembling a header of a communication associated with each mobile unit of the subset, each header including the unique identification associated with the respective mobile unit and the priority level, each header capable of being processed upon receipt by the respective mobile unit to alert a remote user of the respective mobile unit to the communication; and means for transmitting the communication directly from the transmitting mobile unit to the plurality of receiving mobile units.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 28 further including: means for determining at least one of a current speed and current direction for each mobile unit; and the means for determining a subset of the plurality of mobile units is further operative to determine the subset based on at least one of the current speed and current direction of each mobile unit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 28 further including means for comparing the unique identification associated with each mobile unit to a contact log, and wherein the means for determining a subset of the plurality of mobile units is further operative to determine the subset based on a comparison of the unique identification associated with each mobile unit to the contact log.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 28 wherein the communication includes advertising information.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for providing an advisory communication from a transmitting first mobile unit installed in a first vehicle to a remote user via a second mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: means for determining a geographic location of the first mobile unit; means for determining an identity of the first vehicle based on a unique identification associated with a the first transmitting mobile unit; means for determining a priority level associated with the advisory communication; means for assembling a header of a communication, the header including the geographic location of the first mobile unit, the identity of the first vehicle and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by the second mobile unit to alert the remote user of the second mobile unit to the advisory communication; means for assembling a payload of the communication, the payload including information relating to the advisory communication; and means for transmitting the communication from the first mobile unit to the second mobile unit.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for providing an advisory communication from a transmitting first mobile unit installed in a first vehicle to a remote user via a second mobile unit installed in a vehicle, comprising: means for determining a geographic location of the first mobile unit; means for determining an identity of the first vehicle based on a unique identification associated with a the first transmitting mobile unit; means for determining a priority level associated with the advisory communication; means for assembling a header of a communication, the header including the geographic location of the first mobile unit, the identity of the first vehicle and the priority level, the header capable of being processed upon receipt by the second mobile unit to alert the remote user of the second mobile unit to the advisory communication; means for assembling a payload of the communication, the payload including information relating to the advisory communication; and means for transmitting the communication from the first mobile unit to the second mobile unit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the advisory communication is a situation selected from the group consisting of: an emergency vehicle, an accident scene, road conditions, traffic signal, traffic conditions, weather conditions and detour instructions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the payload includes advertising information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the transmitting unit is a mobile unit installed in a vehicle.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the transmitting unit is a base unit.
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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) | 2009-10-16 | 2010-04-17 | 2010-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-10-16 | 2014-04-17 | 2014-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-10-16 | 2018-04-17 | 2018-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |