Abstract:
A Waypoint Services Navigational System (WSNS) is disclosed comprising a mobile unit connected to a server and to a database by the Internet. The WSNS uses omnipresent digital cellular links or any other form of radio frequency communications for transmission of information by a registered services provider to a traveler with a WSNS mobile unit. Using WSNS, the registered service provider announces its presence along with specific services/products to a traveler with a WSNS mobile unit within a predefined geographic radius. This information may be viewed via a conventional mobile computer, a personal digital assistant screen, or through a Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping longitude/latitude device. The WSNS mobile unit may be portable or mounted in a vehicle in a convenient location. Specific directions to a selected services provider are provided based upon the proximity positioning information at that moment in-time when the information is requested. Advertising specials, competitive services/products, entertainment, or emergency services may all be broadcast, and the user may choose from menus for the nature of services desired. Information may be provided regarding “upcoming” service providers through a combination of user geographical location, user directional data, and overlay maps showing registered businesses. Products or services may be ordered through a WSNS online order system for placing credit-or account backed purchases using the WSNS combination of locational information and business registration. WSNS service may also be provided through conventional internet-only communications, downloadable into a GPS-attached mobile computer to alleviate the need for a cellular link to the car.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to data processing and providing information and services to a user based upon the user&#39; position as determined by a navigational system.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In today&#39; world of ever-increasing travel and mobile computing, and with a multitude of news, products and services catering to the mobile public, it is still a difficult proposition to locate providers of various goods and services while traveling. A need arises for a way to rapidly discover service and product providers while traveling. A further need arises for a way for businesses, including but not limited to restaurants, gas stations, and retail stores, to register their offerings and locations with a central service provider for exposure and advertising to mobile travelers within a preset geographic distance. Once registered, any mobile person would then be able to be guided to the chosen place of business, once in a general proximity of the selected place of business. The need includes providing the mobile traveler with both navigational instructions to the registered business and providing information on specific services/products available from the registered business. A further need exists for a way for pro-active advertising and discounted specials (i.e. “electronic coupons”) of the registered businesses to be provided directly to the mobile traveler.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The invention that meets the needs identified above is a Waypoint Services Navigational System (WSNS) comprising a mobile unit connected to a server and to a database by the Internet. The WSNS uses omnipresent digital cellular links or any other form of radio frequency communications for transmission of information by a registered services provider to a traveler with a WSNS mobile unit. Using WSNS, the registered service provider announces its presence along with specific services/products to a traveler with a WSNS mobile unit within a predefined geographic radius. This information may be viewed via a conventional mobile computer, a personal digital assistant screen, or through a Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping longitude/latitude device. The WSNS mobile unit may be portable or mounted in a vehicle in a convenient location. Specific directions to a selected services provider are provided based upon the proximity positioning information at that moment in-time when the information is requested. Advertising specials, competitive services/products, entertainment, or emergency services may all be broadcast, and the user may choose from menus for the nature of services desired. Information may be provided regarding “upcoming” service providers through a combination of user geographical location, user directional data, and overlay maps showing registered businesses. Products or services may be ordered through a WSNS online order system for placing credit-or account backed purchases using the WSNS combination of locational information and business registration. WSNS service may also be provided through conventional internet-only communications, downloadable into a GPS-attached mobile computer to alleviate the need for a cellular link to the car. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    [0004]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a distributed data network;  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 2 is an illustration of a data processing system;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 3 is an illustration of a data processing system;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the WSNS system;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the target business registration process;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the WSNS server registration process;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 7A is a flow chart of the WSNS user set up process;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 7B is a continuation flow chart of the WSNS user set up process;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7C is a continuation flow chart of the WSNS user set up process;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7D depicts the relationship of the available and immediate radii used by WSNS;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7E depicts the available and immediate forward distance parameters used by WSNS;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the WSNS user request process;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the WSNS server request answering process;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the WSNS server ordering process; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 11 a flow chart of the WSNS CD-Rom process. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    As used herein, Radius immediate  shall mean and be numerically equal to the number of miles/kilometers around a vehicle for which to display businesses as being optimal for stopping.  
         [0020]    As used herein, ForwardDistance immediate  shall mean and be numerically equal to the forward distance before a vehicle, given the current direction of driving, for which to display optimal businesses.  
         [0021]    As used herein, LateralDistance shall mean the perpendicular distance away from the highway at the point where ForwardDistance is calculated, and may be factored in either absolute terms, or via a suitable trigonometrical function. For example, if a business requires five miles forward and one mile lateral movement, it may or may not be considered “forward.” Similarly, if reaching a business requires one mile forward and five mile lateral movement, it may or may not be considered “forward.” Again, this will depend on lateral or angular permissiveness, contingent on implementation principles.  
         [0022]    As used herein, Radius available  means and is numerically equal to the number of miles/kilometers greater than the Radius immediate  that is around the vehicle in which WSNS will display businesses as being available for stopping.  
         [0023]    As used herein, ForwardDistance available  means and is numerically equal to the Forward Distance, greater than ForwardDistance immediate  that is before the vehicle, given current direction of driving, for which to display available businesses. Trigonometric or absolute lateral permissiveness factors will apply depending upon implementation design parameters.  
         [0024]    As used herein, the term “target business” shall mean a business that has registered with the Waypoint Services Navigational System service provider so that information can be provided to travelers, orders placed and orders received through the Waypoint Services Navigational System service provider.  
         [0025]    As used herein, the term Geographic Information Systems (GIS) table, means a list compiled by the WSNS server of all available businesses within a specified distance of the mobile user, based upon prior business registration information. The resultant list of compiled businesses will be displayed, by category, within the car, possibly but not necessarily on a dashboard display. Speech synthesis or recording of business names and distances from current location may also be used for compilation and presentation and may be either Radius immediate  ForwardDistance immediate  Radius available  or ForwardDistance available  Furthermore, the WSNS may present an ordered list, in ascending or descending order, of business by distance. Likewise, it is possible for the WSNS to present the list in gradients, either as two degrees of desirability as outlined here (i.e., “immediate” and “available”) or in even greater degrees of desirability.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a distributed data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented and is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation, for the processes of the present invention. Distributed data processing system  100  is a network of computers which contains a network  102 , which is the medium used to provide communication links between the various devices and computers connected together within distributed data processing system  100 . Network  102  may include permanent connections, such as wire or fiber optic cables, or temporary connections made through telephone connections. In the depicted example, a server  104  is connected to network  102  along with storage unit  106 . In addition, clients  108 ,  110 , and  112  also are connected to a network  102 . Clients  108 ,  110 , and  112  may be, for example, personal computers or network computers.  
         [0027]    For purposes of this application, a network computer is any computer, coupled to a network, which receives a program or other application from another computer coupled to the network. In the depicted example, server  104  provides Web based applications to clients  108 ,  110 , and  112 . Clients  108 ,  110 , and  112  are clients to server  104 . Distributed data processing system  100  may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. In the depicted example, distributed data processing system  100  is the Internet with network  102  representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. Distributed data processing system  100  may also be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram depicts a data processing system, which may be implemented as a server, such as server  104  in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention. Data processing system  200  may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system including a plurality of processors such as first processor  202  and second processor  204  connected to system bus  206 . Alternatively, a single processor system may be employed. Also connected to system bus  206  is memory controller/cache  208 , which provides an interface to local memory  209 . I/O bus bridge  210  is connected to system bus  206  and provides an interface to I/O bus  212 . Memory controller/cache  208  and I/O bus bridge  210  may be integrated as depicted. Peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridge  214  connected to I/O bus  212  provides an interface to first PCI local bus  216 . Modem  218  may be connected to first PCI bus local  216 . Typical PCI bus implementations will support four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. Communications links to network computers  108 ,  110  and  112  in FIG. 1 may be provided through modem  218  and network adapter  220  connected to first PCI local bus  216  through add-in boards. Additional PCI bus bridges such as second PCI bus bridge  222  and third PCI bus bridge  224  provide interfaces for additional PCI local buses such as second PCI local bus  226  and third PCI local bus  228 , from which additional modems or network adapters may be supported. In this manner, server  200  allows connections to multiple network computers. A memory-mapped graphics adapter  230  and hard disk  232  may also be connected to I/O bus  212  as depicted, either directly or indirectly. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted in FIG. 2 may vary. For example, other peripheral devices, such as an optical disk drive and the like also may be used in addition or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention. The data processing system depicted in FIG. 2 may be, for example, an IBM RISC/System 6000 system, a product of International Business Machines Corporation in Armonk, N.Y., running the Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) operating system.  
         [0029]    With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrates a data processing system in which the invention may be implemented. Data processing system  300  is an example of either a stand-alone computer, if not connected to distributed data processing system  100 , or a client computer, if connected to distributed data processing system  100 . Data processing system  300  employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted example employs a PCI bus, other bus architectures such as Micro Channel and ISA may be used. Processor  302  and main memory  304  are connected to PCI local bus  306  through PCI bridge  303 . PCI bridge  303  also may include an integrated memory controller and cache memory for Processor  302 . Additional connections to PCI local bus  306  may be made through direct component interconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter  310 , SCSI host bus adapter  312 , and expansion bus interface  314  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by direct component connection. In contrast, audio adapter  316 , graphics adapter  318 , and audio/video adapter (A/V)  319  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by add-in boards inserted into expansion slots. Expansion bus interface  314  provides a connection for a keyboard and mouse adapter  320 , modem  322 , and additional memory  324 . SCSI host bus adapter  312  provides a connection for hard disk drive  326 , tape drive  328 , and CD-ROM  330  in the depicted example. Typical PCI local bus implementations will support three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. An operating system runs on processor  302  and is used to coordinate and provide control of various components within data processing system  300  in FIG. 3. The operating system may be a commercially available operating system such as OS/2, which is available from International Business Machines Corporation. “OS/2” is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. An object oriented programming system, such as Java, may run in conjunction with the operating system and provides calls to the operating system from Java programs or applications executing on data processing system  300 . “Java” is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Incorporated. Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented operating system, and applications or programs may be located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive  326 , and they may be loaded into main memory  304  for execution by processor  302 .  
         [0030]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in FIG. 3 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash ROM (or equivalent nonvolatile memory) or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 3. Also, the processes of the present invention may be applied to a multiprocessor data processing system. For example, data processing system  300 , if configured as a network computer, may not include SCSI host bus adapter  312 , hard disk drive  326 , tape drive  328 , and CD-ROM  330 , as noted by the box with the dotted line in FIG. 3 denoting optional inclusion. In that case, the computer, to be properly called a client computer, must include some type of network communication interface, such as LAN adapter  310 , modem  322 , or the like. As another example, data processing system  300  may be a stand-alone system configured to be bootable without relying on some type of network communication interface, whether or not data processing system  300  comprises some type of network communication interface. As a further example, data processing system  300  may be a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device which is configured with ROM and/or flash ROM in order to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data. The depicted example in FIG. 3 and above-described examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention. It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functioning data processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes of the present invention are capable of being distributed in a form of a computer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media, such a floppy disc, a hard disk drive, a RAM, and CD-ROMs, and transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communications links.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is an illustration of WSNS system  400 . WSNS mobile unit  410  comprises microprocessor  412  connected to a processor memory  414 . WSNS mobile unit  410  may be configured for vehicle installation or stand alone use by connecting  410  to one or more of the following: memory  416 , display  418 , CD-Rom  422 , keyboard  420 , transmitter/receiver  424 , global positioning system  428 , personal digital assistant (PDA)  452  and printer  454 . In the preferred embodiment, display  418  is a “heads up display” that will project the data from WSNS system  400  onto the inside of the windshield of the automobile (not shown) in which WSNS mobile unit  410  is installed. The “heads up display” allows the driver to access data from WSNS system  400  without turning his vision away from the direction of travel. Alternatively, display unit  418  may be any type of suitable display known to persons skilled in the art. Also in the preferred embodiment, mobile unit  410  is connected by transmitter/receiver  424  to cellular/RF communications network  430  and cellular/RF network  430  is connected to Internet  440 . Client computer  442 , target business computer  444 , database  446  and server  448  are illustrative of the hardware that mobile unit  410  communicates with via the Internet.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart of target business registration process  500 . A target business may sign up with the WSNS service provider through a variety of means including but not limited to telephone or the Internet. Depending on the business model followed, a cost may or may not be incurred by the business registering with the service. Additionally, advantages exist for chambers of commerce and other such business promotion entities, to promote local ventures by mass-registering the proprietors within their jurisdiction. Target business registration process  500  begins ( 510 ) and the target business contacts WSNS service provider ( 520 ). The target business enters the type of business in which the target business is engaged ( 530 ). Examples of the type of business may include without limitation one or more of the following: lodging, fuel, or food. The target business enters its location ( 540 ). If the target business has any incentives that it may want to offer, these can be entered ( 550 ). Incentives include without limitation discounts or electronic coupons. The user at the target business reviews the entered data to check for accuracy and completeness ( 560 ) and sends the data to the WSNS service provider ( 570 ). If an error message is received, target business registration process  500  goes to step  530  to check and re-enter data. If an error message is not received, target business registration process  500  saves the information ( 580 ) and stops ( 590 ). Persons skilled in the art will recognize the interchangeability of steps for the entry of data in FIGS. 5.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the WSNS server registration process. Server registration process  600  begins ( 610 ) and target business information submitted by target business registration process  500  is received ( 620 ). A determination is made as to whether the information received is complete ( 630 ). If the information is not complete, an error message describing the incomplete information is sent to the target business ( 640 ) and server registration process  600  goes to step  620 . If the information is complete, server registration process  600  enters the target business information in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) table ( 650 ). A determination is made as to whether there is another target business to process ( 660 ). If there is another target business, server process  600  goes to step  620  and if not ends ( 670 ).  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7A is a flow chart of the WSNS user interface set up process. Set up process  700  begins ( 702 ) and the user turns the power on for mobile unit  410  (see FIG. 4). A user driving on a given road, with the WSNS available, will switch on the system. In the preferred embodiment, mobile unit  410  will be installed in a vehicle but may also be handheld carried by a pedestrian. Upon power-on ( 704 ), or other initiation of active engagement, the mobile unit  410  will use existing technology to register location and directional information with a WSNS central server. The existing technology includes without limitation the Global Positioning System (GPS). The granularity of position resolution may be sub-mile which may be achieved with current methodologies. A desirable resolution will be within several meters, consistent with current technologies. Mobile unit  410  displays a graphical user interface/menu to guide the user through the set up process ( 706 ). The user identifies the trip for which data will be entered ( 708 ). The user selects either Radius immediate  or Radius available  ( 710 ). Next, the user selects either ForwardDistance immediate  or ForwardDistance available  ( 712 ). The user sets desirability preferences, if different from those selected in step  710  and  712  ( 714 ). Next the user sets the position determination preference ( 716 ). The user sets order preferences ( 718 ). A determination is made as to whether the user wants to select options ( 720 ). If the user does not want to select options, then a determination is made as to whether parameters and preferences for another trip are to be entered ( 722 ). If another trip is not to be entered, power is turned off ( 724 ) and set up process  700  ends ( 750 ). If another trip is to be entered, set up process  700  goes to step  708 .  
         [0035]    Referring to FIG. 7B, if at step  720 , a determination is made that the user wants to select options, then a determination is made as to whether the user wants to enter payment data ( 726 ). If the user wants to enter payment data, the user selects payment mode ( 728 ), enters the payment data ( 730 ) and set up process  700  goes to step  732 . If the user does not want to enter payment data, a determination is made as to whether the user wants to receive advertising ( 732 ). Advertising may be desirable for the following reasons. If the user chooses to leave his or her mobile unit powered on for any length of time (a likely possibility, resulting in a continuous stream of updates to the mobile unit), it may be advantageous to allow and to even encourage onboard advertising. In this implementation, a user may have upcoming businesses displayed in any of the previously mentioned formats, while a separate portion of the screen (or intermittent voice-delivered messages over the WSNS link) will offer words of advertisement and/or special promotions to the user. It is further possible that the user will have “WSNS-only” promotions available, through which he or she can receive reduced rates and prices at local businesses. If the user wants to receive advertising, a determination is made as to whether the user wants to receive visual advertising ( 734 ). If the user wants to receive visual advertising, the user sets visual parameters ( 736 ). If the user does not want to receive visual advertising, a determination is made as to whether the user wants to receive audio advertising ( 738 ). If the user wants to receive audio advertising, the user sets audio parameters ( 740 ). A determination is made as to whether the user wants to receive pre-travel information ( 742 ). If the user wants to receive pre-travel information, the user sends the itinerary for which the pre-travel information is desired ( 744 ) and selects a method of delivery for the pre-travel information ( 746 ).  
         [0036]    The user&#39; credit card number (or analogous account information) may be stored on the WSNS mobile unit (including memory sticks) and broadcast to the service provider when goods or services are desired, or it could be stored in a local trusted server, for conveyance to the business when stipulated by the user. For example, the mobile user may select an item via either keyboard, touch-sensitive screen, or via speech queues, to the WSNS options displayed on his or her mobile unit. This information is conveyed back to the WSNS provider via RF links (possibly, but not necessarily, through cellular telephone/personal communications systems frequencies). The WSNS provider provides the information to the target business through one of several means. These means may include human intervention via telephone, fax machine, email or other electronic communications. The credit card number or account information will be provided to the target business, so that food will be prepared, rooms will be held, et cetera, based upon the financial backing for the order being placed.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 7C, set up process  700  continues and the user determines whether or not to utilize personal profile information. The personal profile information may be used by the WSNS server to identify target businesses with products and services that meet the particular needs of the user&#39; profile. For example, such general items as age, educational background, and interest items may be entered as well as specific items such as brand preferences for particular food, lodging, gasoline or automotive products. If the user desires to use the personal profile option, then the user enters profile data to be used by the WSNS server and set up process  700  goes to step  752 . If the user does not want to use the personal profile option, then the user makes a determination as to whether the expense tracking option is desired. The expense tracking option allows the user to receive a summary of trip expenses where the expenses are incurred from the WSNS target businesses. If the expense tracking is desired, then the user chooses whether or not the user will enter expense data into the system during the trip ( 754 ). If the user does not want to enter data, the user will select a target business report option ( 756 ) and transaction information will be gathered by the WSNS server from the target business when a transaction is made. If the user decides to enter the data, the user entry is selected ( 758 ). For user entry to be accomplished, the user will have to have hardware to scan in receipts, or alternatively a keyboard, touchscreen, or voice recognition capability to transmit the transaction data from the WSNS mobile unit  410  for summarization and reporting by the WSNS server at the conclusion of the trip. Set up process  700  then goes to step  722 . Persons skilled in the art will recognize the interchangeability of steps for the entry of data, preferences or for the selection of options in FIGS. 7A through 7C.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7D depicts the relationship of the available and immediate radii used by WSNS. Radius immediate  establishes a circle that is smaller than the circle established by Radius available .  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 7E depicts the available and immediate forward distance parameters used by WSNS. ForwardDistance immediate  is smaller than ForwardDistance available  ForwardDistance immediate  has LateralDistance  774  and ForwardDistanceavailable has LateralDistance  784 .  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the WSNS user request process. Request process  800  begins ( 802 ) and power is turned on ( 810 ). The user registers with the WSNS server ( 820 ). If necessary, the WSNS server will prompt the user for verification of the road currently being traveled. Such verification may be necessary in urban areas, where road density is high. If GPS is being used, then such verification would probably be unnecessary. Therefore, a determination is made as to whether verification is necessary ( 830 ). If verification is necessary, the user will enter the road designation ( 840 ) and request process  800  goes to step  830 . If verification is not necessary, mobile unit  410  will receive the data ( 850 ) and display the data ( 860 ). A determination is made as to whether the user wants to continue to receive data ( 870 ). If the user desires to continue to receive data, request process  800  goes to step  820 . If the user does not desire to continue to receive data, mobile unit  410  powers off ( 880 ) and request process  800  ends.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9 is a flow chart of the WSNS server request answering process  900 . Answering process begins ( 902 ) and a request is received from a user ( 904 ). A determination is made as to whether the request is for an immediate real time response ( 906 ). If the request is not for an immediate real time response, then answer process  900  receives the route information from the user ( 908 ), identifies all matches on the route ( 910 ) and saves the match file ( 912 ). A determination is made as to whether to send the match file electronically ( 914 ). If the match file is to be sent electronically, then the match file is sent ( 918 ) and answer process  900  goes to step  932 . If the match file is not to be sent electronically, then answer process  900  will place the match file on magnetic media for delivery by mail ( 916 ). If at step  906  a determination is made that the user is requesting immediate information in real time, then the user information is received ( 920 ). A determination is made as to whether the user needs to verify the position location ( 922 ). If verification is needed, a message is sent ( 924 ) and answer process  900  goes to step  920 . If verification is not needed, then user preferences are loaded ( 926 ). The user position is compared to the GIS table ( 928 ). Matches from the GIS table are sent to the user ( 930 ). A determination is made as to whether another request is made ( 932 ). If another request is made, answer process  900  goes to step  904 . If not, answer process  900  ends ( 940 ).  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the WSNS server ordering process  1000 . User set up process  700  considered that specific business offerings and prices may be displayed or otherwise conveyed to the customer. Order process  1000  begins ( 1005 ). The WSNS server receives an order to be placed with a target business from a user ( 1010 ) and accesses target business information ( 1020 ). For example, if the target business is a restaurant, the order may be for an amount of food from a menu with prices. If the target business is a hotel, the order may be a room at the rate provided. A determination is made as to whether the target business is on the Internet ( 1030 ). If the target business is not on the Internet, the WSNS server sends the order by phone or fax transmission ( 1040 ). If the target business is on the Internet, the order is sent by the Internet ( 1050 ). Order process  1000  receives confirmation from the target business that the order has been received ( 1060 ) and sends confirmation to the user ( 1070 ). A determination is made as to whether another order is received ( 1080 ). If another order is received, order process  1000  goes to step  1010 . If another order is not received, order process ends ( 1090 ).  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 11 a flow chart of the WSNS CD-Rom process. CD-Rom process provides pre-travel information. Prior to travel, the user provides the WSNS service provider his or her intended route. The WSNS will provide, through well-known download principles, business contact information which might be found along the route. This download will be placed upon some form of media, ranging from real memory, to flash memory, to traditional physical media types such as CD-RW or diskette, as is readable by the mobile unit. This media will be placed within the mobile unit prior to the trip. Within this implementation, the mobile unit will use positional data, such as that provided by GPS, to track movement relative to a GIS overlay map. The mobile unit will similarly display business information as the traveler moves along the route, achieving an effect similar to that obtained using the full-RF implementation. CD-Rom process  1100  begins ( 1110 ) and power is tuned on ( 1120 ). The user loads the CD-Rom in mobile unit  410  ( 1130 ). The user enters parameters for the present position into mobile unit  410  and data is displayed from the CD-Rom. A determination is made as to whether the user wants to continue using the CD-Rom ( 1160 ). If the user wants to continue using the CD-Rom, a determination is made as to whether the user wants to change the parameters. If the user wants to change the parameters, CD-Rom process  1100  goes to step  1410 . If the user does not want to change parameters, CD-Rom process  1100  goes to step  1150 . If the user does not want to continue at step  1160 , CD-Rom process ends ( 1180 ).  
         [0044]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.