Abstract:
A system, apparatus, and method for providing a distributed location based service system to a mobile user. Information related to a particular geographic location may be electronically transferred to a mobile electronic device, without a request from the user, and interpreted locally on the device in the form of a virtual map of location based resources. The mobile device is capable of determining its location using a GPS (Global Positioning System) or a process of measurement and prediction based on calculation. The mobile device can then use the location information and compare it to available location based resources within the device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to mobile interactive service systems, and, more particularly, to distributed location based service systems. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Mobile communication systems, such as cellular wireless networks, provide communication means for mobile users. In addition to providing two way communication, wireless networks can be used to provide a variety of mobile information and transaction services based on the location, time and other information filtering preferences of the user. Mobile services are typically provided using voice, text or graphical information. A user may request information about the location of the nearest restaurant, ATM or other local amenity, and be presented with a graphical map, local address information or directions. Alternatively, a user may be “pushed” information, such as the proximity of a nearby shop with a special offer which matches the personal preferences of the mobile user. 
     Mobile location information updates are either triggered by user intervention, e.g., a request for information; the result of periodic updating, e.g., regular polling of a mobile device to determine location; or triggered by some system event, e.g., the user makes a call, changes cell or switches the mobile device on or off. The matching of a location to a service is accomplished centrally within the network. The matching operation increases network interaction for the mobile device, thereby causing increased latency in transactions between network and mobile device, increased network traffic, and a decreased ability to provide push services. 
     What is needed is a system and mobile communications device whereby accurate location based services may be pushed to a mobile user. What is further needed is an associated system and method which can provide such push services to a mobile communications device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a distributed location based information service system which permits information in the form of a virtual map of location based resources related to a particular geographic location to be electronically transferred to a mobile electronic device, and to be interpreted locally by that device. The mobile device is equipped with a means of determining its location and is able to compare its current location to available location based resources independently of the network. 
     The present invention, in one form thereof, includes a mobile communications device which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. The mobile communications device could be a mobile phone, pager, wireless equipped portable data assistant, personal computer, or other suitable device. The mobile device may be carried by a person or may be located in a car, boat, aircraft, train, or other conveyance. The mobile communications device contains a location determination system which allows the device to determine its location either from the network or independently from the network. The mobile communication device triggers a determination of its location. This in turn will cause a map to be downloaded to the device from a location resource server. The device contains memory in which to store the downloaded map and to store algorithms. The downloaded map may user preferences regarding the type of information which the user desires to obtain. The user preferences may be held on the device itself to facilitate updating of preferences or to protect the privacy of the user. The device also contains a processor which operates on the basis of algorithms to interpret the downloaded map. The algorithms determine the current geographic location of the mobile device by a process of both measurement and prediction, or interpolation, based on calculation. In essence, the invention provides a mobile device which is fundamentally autonomous by determining its location and comparing that information to a database held on the device. This feature of the present invention facilitates very rapid interaction with local services. 
     The invention in one embodiment thereof comprises a mobile communication device including a processor, a radio frequency transceiver connected to the processor, and an electronic memory, output device, and a location determination element connected to the processor. Information regarding resources available at the location of the mobile communication device may be downloaded to the device, without a request from the device, whereby the processor can process the information and processed information is made available at the output element. 
     The invention, in another embodiment, comprises a communication system. The system includes a mobile communication device including a processor, a radio frequency transceiver connected to the processor, and an output device, memory and location determination element connected to the processor. The system further includes a location resource server including a memory in which data is stored, the data pertaining to resources which are available at selected geographic locations. The location resource server is capable of establishing communication with the mobile communication device. Thus, the location resource server can establish communication with the device and download information to the mobile communication device without a request for information from the device, whereby the device can process such information and output processed information on its output. The processed information pertains to resources available at the location of the mobile communication device. 
     The invention, in another embodiment, comprises a method for supplying geographically based resource information to a mobile communication device. The method includes the steps of determining the location of the device, communicating the location to a location resource server, selecting information based on the communicated determined location, and downloading the selected information to the device. 
     An advantage of the present invention is the increased ability to provide opportunistic or push services where a user is offered information without initiating a request. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the current geographic location of a mobile device may be determined accurately within the mobile device by a process of both measurement and prediction, or interpolation, based on calculation. 
     Yet another advantage is that network traffic and latency are reduced by distributing the process of location to information matching and using the process of location prediction. 
     Still another advantage is that location accuracy is improved by distributing the process of location to information matching and using a process of location prediction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a prior art mobile location based information system. 
         FIG. 2  is a preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention and including the mobile communications device. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of information to location match areas overlaid on a geographic map. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart which illustrates the process of location based service interaction between a location resource server and a mobile communications device. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of the method of location interpolation and prediction according to a mathematical algorithm. 
         FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 1 , a prior art mobile location based information system is shown. Mobile communications device  100  is in communication with communication network  102 . The location of mobile communications device  100  is determined by mobile location determination system  101  which may be entirely network based. The time difference of arrival of the mobile signal at three or more base station sites may be used to triangulate the position of mobile communications device  100 . Alternatively, mobile communications device  100  may be equipped with a self-contained location determination capability; for example, GPS (Global Positioning System). Location technologies could use both measurements made by mobile communications device  100  and mobile location determination system  101  to determine the location of mobile communications device  100 . 
     The location of mobile communications device  100  is passed via communication network  102  to location to information matching system  106  which matches the location of the user to available information for that location. Information server  104  provides information to the user via communication network  102 . The information may be provided to mobile communications device  100  by the passing of a unified resource locator (URL) or other pointer, such as a telephone number, from location to information matching system  106 . Mobile communications device  100  may then directly contact information server  104  through communication network  102 . 
       FIG. 2  is a preferred embodiment of a mobile distributed location based information service system. Mobile communications device  100  communicates with communication network  102  via wireless base stations  140  and wireless link  141 . Mobile communications device  100  can be a mobile phone, pager, wireless equipped portable data assistant (PDA), personal computer, or other suitable device. Mobile communications device  100  includes radio transceiver  110  connected to antenna  116  and controlled by processor  112 . Processor  112  executes program instructions  114  held in memory  113 . Memory  113  includes random access memory for program execution and non volatile memory  115  for storage of program instructions  114  and system data. In addition, mobile communications device  100  includes input device  111 , e.g., an alphanumeric keyboard, microphone or touch screen, and output device  109 , e.g., an LCD graphical display, earpiece, audible device, visual device, or any other such way to communicate information to the user. 
     Mobile communications device  100  includes location determination system  117  by which mobile communications device  100  is able to accurately determine its current geographic location. Such determination may be made either from the network  102  or independently of network  102 . Device  100  triggers the determination of its location. One well-known method to provide the location determination function would be to use a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver which is able to receive satellite signals to determine the location to within approximately +/−10 meters. GPS is an example of a self-contained location system. Another example of a self-contained location system is a system that receives signals from short range wireless beacons, e.g., radio, acoustic or infrared beacons, which emit an identifying location signal to mobile communications devices  100  within range. As the user moves from place to place and enters the range of new beacons, the location of mobile communications device  100  may be updated. Many other implementations of location determination system  117 , including the use of the time difference of arrival of a mobile signal at three or more base station sites to triangulate the position of mobile communications device  100 , are possible depending on the application. Mobile communications device  100  may be carried by a person or may be located in a car, boat, aircraft, train, or other conveyance. 
     Once the location of device  100  has been determined, location resource server  103  provides an electronic map or database of location based information services to device  100 . The database can directly store information related to a location, or, alternatively, the database could store a resource locator such as a telephone number or an email address. Location resource server  103  could both store the database and match the location of mobile communications device  100  to available resources. Location resource server  103  maintains the centralized record of geographic areas mapped to information or transactional services. Location resource server  103  can download the database to mobile communications device  100  on a periodic basis, on request by the user, or by other events. The database can interact with user preferences that modify the behavior of mobile communications device  100  in encounters with location based information services. Preferences may be stored on location resource server  103  or entered directly by a user into mobile communications device  100  by means of a user interface. The preferences may be uploaded via mobile communications device  100  and communication network  102  or modified via a user interface associated with location resource server  103 , such as a web server user interface. 
     The user preferences modify the interaction with a location based service. The user preferences may include geographical information which provides a filter to eliminate any unnecessary information, e.g., information about a resource outside of the current geographic region of mobile communications device  100 . Further, the user preferences may include an item selection process. For instance, a user may set his preferences to forbid any information that would be pushed to him regarding the location of an ATM or restaurant. A time preference may also be utilized by a user of mobile communications device  100 . If the user is at work from the hours of 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., for instance, he may not want any information to be pushed to him. The number of items pushed to a user could also be controlled with user preferences. For example, if while in a certain location there are 5000 restaurants, a user preference could truncate the number of items presented to facilitate use of the information. The preferences may further accept or reject categories, or eliminate service types (push/pull). Additional device preferences may include device limitations such as storage availability for downloaded maps, and user interface limitations which further modify the unique location database records for a particular mobile communications device  100 . By providing an enhanced match of device location to available information service on mobile communications device  100  through the use of user preferences, network interaction is minimized, latency effects are reduced, and the power used by the positioning system on the mobile device can be reduced. Furthermore, downloaded map information may be suitable to provide for the variable system loading in mobile networks where low system loading may be used overnight to download new map database information; therefore minimizing real-time network interaction during heavier usage periods. 
     Once equipped with location determination system  117  and the downloaded electronic service/geographic database, mobile communications device  100  is able to autonomously match its location to available information services. This embodiment is well-suited to opportunistic or push services which may require a rapid response to alert the user to a new location match. The location database and current location information is immediately available on mobile communications device  100 . Mobile communications device  100  has memory  113 , which can store a downloaded map, and processor  112 , which operates on the basis of algorithms to interpret the downloaded map. Processor  112  takes control of location determination system  117  and informs the algorithms where the device is at any one time. Interaction with communication network  102  is not required to communicate current geographic location or receive information relating to a location, thereby decreasing communication latency. 
     All or part of the electronic service/geographic location database could be copied into mobile communications device  100 . The amount of data stored by mobile communications device  100  can vary and depends on the available storage, the number of unique geographic locations, and network parameters such as communication latency and bandwidth capability. All or part of the location database could be downloaded to mobile communications device  100  using any suitable protocol over wireless link  141 . In a cellular wireless system, the method could include SMS (short message service), WAP (wireless access protocol), or other protocol over a circuit switched network or packet data link. The update of a new map portion could be triggered by several processes. In a cellular system, the update could be triggered by registration with the cell which is in communication with mobile communications device  100 . Another process updates the location of mobile communications device  100  on a periodic basis using location determination system  117 ; thus triggering the download of a new map section if mobile communications device  100  had moved to a location requiring a new map database fragment. The update could also be triggered when user preference database records are updated, when mobile communications device  100  is turned on or off, or upon user request. 
     By further reference to  FIG. 2 , location resource server  103  includes a computer system with non volatile storage  124 , e.g., fixed disk storage, stored programs, or data relating to location and services; memory  122 ; programs  121 ; processor  120  which executes program instructions; and port  123  which connects location resource server  103  to communication network  102 . Information server  104  includes a computer system with non volatile storage  134 , e.g., fixed disk storage, stored programs, or data relating to services and information; memory  132 ; programs  131 ; processor  130  which executes program instructions; and port  133  which connects information server  104  to communication network  102 . Communication network  102  may be a packet switched or circuit switched network, e.g., the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or the Internet. Information relating to a particular geographic location could be served to mobile communications device  100  by any number of information servers  104  which are connected to communication network  102 . Information server  104  can hold additional information about a particular location which cannot be completely stored in the individual records in location resource server  103 . The information used by mobile communications device  100  could be the URL for an HTTP (web server) or WAP (wireless access protocol) server. In an alternative embodiment, location resource server  103  and information server  104  may be combined into a single system. 
       FIG. 3  is a map which depicts information to location match areas. The map includes latitude and longitude coordinate axes, but other coordinate systems may be used to define the unique locations relevant to a particular information service. Information to location match areas are denoted by areas  150 ,  151 ,  152 , and  153 . Four (4) unique information or transactional services could be defined as relevant to the areas. For example, area  150  could define an area around a shop which desires to broadcast an advertisement to mobile devices carried by pedestrians who walk within area  150 . Area  151  may be a bus station which desires to make available a bus timetable to mobile users inquiring about bus schedules while in area  151 . Area  152  could be an airport which desires to broadcast continually updated gate information to users inside the terminal. In addition, information to location match areas may overlap; thus defining layered regional and local services. Area  153  defines a regional area by substantially overlapping areas  150 ,  151 , and  152 . In each area, a unique set of latitude and longitude data can describe the area associated with an information service. Once a mobile device is determined to be within a defined area, an action may be triggered. The type of action or result may be determined by the information associated with the location. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart which illustrates how an electronic service/geographic location database is provided to mobile communications device  100  and subsequently used for mobile location service provisioning. Location resource server  103  includes elements  200  and  202 . Element  200  contains the user preferences for service interaction as well as data for mobile communications device  100 . The user preferences for service interaction include those described above. The data for mobile communications device  100  includes user interface limitations, storage limitations, and connection limitations. Element  202  includes the location based service data record(s). The location based service data record includes geographic location area definitions; the type of information—push or pull; information associated with the location, e.g., a URL, other resource locators or data associated with the location; and information categories such as “restaurant” and “Chinese.” Elements  200  and  202  are combined in step S 1  via paths P 4  and P 5  to form a location service database map. Once step S 1  is complete, step S 2  is initiated which downloads the database map to mobile communications device  100  via link L 1 . The initiation of step S 2  can be accomplished with several procedures. Step S 2  may be infrequent or occur on a periodic cycle such as hourly or daily; step S 2  may be initiated when mobile communications device  100  moves outside the boundaries of the existing stored map database; step S 2  may be initiated when user preferences held by location resource server  103  are updated; step S 2  may be initiated with a time-based trigger or when mobile communications device  100  is turned on or off; step S 2  may be initiated when a user requests information or a location based service data record update is required; or step S 2  might also, for example, be initiated by the mobile device crossing the boundary between two wide-area network cells. The above procedures are illustrative only and are not intended as limitations on the types of procedures which may be used. 
     The downloaded information is sent via link L 1  to mobile communications device  100  at which time step S 3  is initiated. Step S 3  initiates an internal scan for information services. Element  204  includes user preferences held on mobile communications device  100 . The user preferences are additional preferences which are held locally on mobile communications device  100  and include items such as short term preference modifications, private preferences, and frequently updated preferences and profile data such as a phone book and push alert choices. Element  204  inputs the user preferences through path P 3  into step S 3 . Step S 4  is then initiated to check for the current location of mobile communications device  100 . Step S 4  occurs frequently on a second or minute based cycle when searching for push services. Step S 5  is then initiated to compare the new location to the local map database. Step S 6  then decides whether service is available for the current location. If no service is available, the process continues to step S 9 . Step S 9  provides return path P 6  to step S 3  based on a location search algorithm found in mobile communications device  100 . Step S 9  modifies the search frequency according to the algorithm and the inputs, e.g., service density, mobile device speed, location accuracy available, and service geographic match area. If a service is available, step S 7  is initiated which includes a matching filter to compare the service against the local preference information derived from element  204 . Step S 8  chooses an action based on the information record for location and the matching filter output from step S 7 . If no action is required, the process goes to step S 9  via path P 7 . If information is in the local data record, step S 10  is initiated via path P 1  to present the available information to the user. If additional information is needed, step S 11  is initiated via path P 2  to request additional information from a remote information server  104  via communication network  102 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of a location determination process using a mathematical prediction algorithm. The location of mobile communications device  100  is measured using location determination system  117  described above. At time T, mobile communications device  100  is found to be at point A with Cartesian coordinates (x,y). At time T+t, mobile communications device  100  is found to be at point B with coordinates (x+a, y+b). A simple algorithm based on the assumption that mobile communications device  100  is travelling in a straight line is used to predict the location of mobile communications device  100 ; therefore, mobile communications device  100  is predicted to be at point C with coordinates (x+2a, y+2b) at time T+2t. The algorithm may be modified by additional measurements from location determination system  117  which produces a value for positional error E. Point D indicates the actual location of mobile communications device  100  at time T+2t. Well-known mathematical techniques may be used with the measurements to predict and interpolate the position of mobile communications device  100  over time. These may include, for instance, second- or higher-order interpolation schemes, inverse interpolation methods, data averaging and smoothing techniques to reduce the influence of small directional or velocity fluctuations of the path of the mobile device. The rate of location updating may be modified within the algorithm. Also, the algorithm may fit the path of mobile communications device  100  to alternative predicted paths. The algorithm to predict location may use a number of inputs to modify the process by which the mobile location is determined for example, rate of location change, the value of positional error E, accuracy requirements, and the granularity of location based information and fit of mobile movement to known geographic features such as roads and buildings. 
     By using actual measurements and calculations, the location service matching system can maintain updated knowledge of the location of mobile communications device  100  and the need for measured location fixes is reduced. Power in mobile communications device  100  is saved and network interaction with network based location determination systems is minimized. Interpolation between known data points may increase location accuracy and provide real-time knowledge of the location of mobile communications device  100 . In essence, the current geographic location of mobile communications device  100  may be determined by the process of both measurement and prediction or interpolation based on calculation. 
     Location prediction may be made over any time period. Rapid calculation and measurement cycles which track the movements of mobile communications device  100  every few seconds could be used to track real-time movement of mobile communications device  100  along a path. Alternatively, a long term profile covering several hours or days could be used to predict future user movement. A user who is always found to be in a particular area of a city on certain days of the week, e.g., at work, but elsewhere in the evenings and weekends, e.g., at home, could have location service database maps preloaded for both locations overnight, thereby saving network resources at peak times. 
       FIG. 6  is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Mobile electronic device  105  communicates with communication network  102  via port  166 . The communication may only be possible when mobile electronic device  105  is expressly connected to communication network  102  via non-permanent link L 10 . Link L 10  could be a dial up modem, a temporary connection to a wired or wireless LAN, or an optical or acoustic coupler. Mobile electronic device  105  could be a portable data assistant (PDA), personal computer, or other mobile or portable device which is able to periodically connect to communication network  102 . Mobile electronic device  105  includes processor  162  which executes program instructions  164  held in memory  163 . Memory  163  includes random access memory for program execution and non volatile memory  165  for storage of program instructions  164  and system data. Mobile electronic device  105  also includes input device  161 , e.g., a keyboard, microphone, touch screen or mouse, and output device  160 , e.g., an LCD graphical display, earpiece or speaker. Additionally, mobile electronic device  105  includes location determination system  167  by which mobile electronic device  105  is able to determine its current geographic location. A well-known method to provide the location determination function is to use a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, which is able to receive satellite signals to determine location to within approximately 50 meters. GPS is an example of a self-contained location system. Another self-contained location system is a system which receives signals from short range wireless beacons, e.g., radio, acoustic or infrared beacons, which emit an identifying location signal to mobile electronic devices  105  within range. 
     In operation, the download of a map database may be initiated by a user actively connecting mobile electronic device  105  to communication network  102 , thereby connecting to location resource server  103  and information server  104 . The user may also initiate the choice of the downloaded map or map fragment based on prior knowledge of the planned activities of the user. While in communication, mobile electronic device  105  is able to upload location history information to location resource server  103  which permits long term location profile manipulation and map download to be accomplished as previously described. In this embodiment, where real-time access to communication network  102  is not possible, the downloaded map database may be the only source of information when a location/information match is encountered using location determination system  167 . Additional location resource locators may be stored in memory  163  or non volatile memory  165  for subsequent use when mobile electronic device  105  is able to connect to communication network  102 . This embodiment permits the pre-loading of a location service map to mobile electronic device  105  to use while mobile and unable to connect to communication network  102 . 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.