Abstract:
The present invention relates to a novel apparatus and method for location marking. In an embodiment, an electronic device is operable to identify it&#39;s location depending on the combination of base stations it receives signals from. Different geographic regions are defined and can be identified and renamed by the user based on the unique combination of base station ID&#39;s receivable in each geographic location. The embodiment described herein allows user handsets to continuously track location as they move. Applications in the electronic device can then be configured to respond in different manners depending on the location of the electronic device.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems and electronic devices and more particularly to a method and apparatus for location marking. 
     BACKGROUND 
     One of the recent uses of wireless networks has been location identification. Increasing number of mobile service providers are implementing the capability to locate mobile phones within their wireless networks. Mobile service providers use this capability to provide certain functionality to their subscribers, such as E911, or to enhance the experience of a subscriber when using a particular application. 
     Several different techniques have been used in order to locate mobile phones within wireless networks. High accuracy positioning methods, which provide better location identification, form one group of technologies. Time difference of arrival (TDOA) and Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD) location determination is based on the slight delays caused by the distance differences between the subscriber and the different antennas. These methods compare differences in arrival times of wireless signals between at least 3 different antennas to make the location determination. Assisted GPS (A-GPS) is another technology which can be used for high accuracy location identification. A GPS transceiver, attached to or integrated in the subscriber device, is used to determine the phone&#39;s coordinates. This is done in cooperation with the base stations. There is also a low accuracy method in use, generally known as the Cell-ID method. This method relies on the fact that in a wireless cell network, each location is served by a discrete cell. Thus, the location of a mobile subscriber can be determined when a mobile subscriber enters an area served by a particular cell. 
     High accuracy location identification systems are generally expensive to install, slow to deliver locations and which involve a discrete user request to locate, from an operator. A typical E-OTD installation may require software upgrades to the network, the addition of E-OTD chips to the user devices, and the addit of a hardware component to the network&#39;s base stations. TDOA doesn&#39;t require any modifications to the handset, but in a typical setup, equipment has to be added to tens of thousands of base stations. These methods also typically entail “assistance” from the operator, and hence may involve a charge for doing individual location identification. Moreover, since information is usually communicated to the base stations, there is also additional power drainage from the handsets. Low accuracy systems, on the other hand, can suffer from poor precision. The precision of the coordinate identification depends on the size of the cell; the larger the cell size, the poorer the precision. 
     These limitations make the use of these systems impractical for “location-aware” applications that run in the background. These applications, which need to continually identify a subscriber&#39;s location, need a methodology which will enable location identification inexpensively, and without user intervention. Moreover, these location identifications should be done with greater accuracy then typically provided by the Cell-ID method, though the precision of the high accuracy methods is not needed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel system, apparatus and method for location marking that obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-identified disadvantages. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication system that includes a first base station set that is operable to wirelessly transmit across a first geographic range; and a second base station set that is similarly operable across a second geographic range. The system also includes a subscriber device that wirelessly receives a first identifier from the first base station set when the device is in the first geographic range, and receives a second identifier from the second base station set when the device is in the second geographic range. 
     For seamless roaming, operators place base stations close enough so that a handset is able to receive signals from one or more base stations simultaneously. In dense urban areas, a handset would be able to “hear” a multitude of base stations from different operators while in rural areas it may only be able to “hear” one base station. 
     A typical handset normally builds an internal table listing the base station ID, the frequency band(s) being used by that base station, the received power level per frequency band and other detailed information. This information is typically used for the handset to decide on which base stations it should camp on, when it should try and roam to another cell, and what power level it should use for transmitting information to the base station. Additionally, the power levels, for each frequency, received by a handset are typically different in different locations. This is based on network planning recommendations made by operator staff, for that location and hence provides a mechanism to mark location based on the top three or four power levels for frequency bands for a base station. 
     In the simple case of a rural setting with a single base station, the handset would be able to hear two base stations (at cell edges—where cells overlap) to a single base station. Here the handset would be limited to marking its location based on the base station(s) it hears as well as the top three or four frequency band power levels. 
     In an urban setting, the handset would be able to hear a number of base stations, their frequency bands and power levels. The set of top (by power level) base stations heard would identify a rough location for the user. As the handset moves, it is continuously receiving and updating this data from different base stations and hence is capable of marking approximate location as well as informing applications, through a location event, that the handset is in a particular “marked location”. 
     The device also stores user-defined location associated with each identifier. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a wireless communication system in accordance an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of certain internal components within the device in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a flow chart depicting a method for the operation of the location manager application; 
         FIG. 5  shows the device of  FIG. 2  with the main menu screen displaying a plurality of applications including location setup, task manager and calendar; 
         FIG. 6  shows the device of  FIG. 2  with the location setup application displaying the location of the device, referred to as Location #1; 
         FIG. 7  shows the device of  FIG. 2  with the location setup application displaying a menu, in which the user has chosen to rename the location of Location #1; 
         FIG. 8  shows the device of  FIG. 2  with the location setup application displaying the location of the device having been renamed “Supermarket”; 
         FIG. 9  shows a flow chart depicting a method for the operation of the location setup application; 
         FIG. 10  shows the device of  FIG. 2  with the location setup application displaying the location of the device, referred to as “Location #2”; 
         FIG. 11  the device of  FIG. 2  with the location setup application displaying a menu, in which the user has chosen to rename the location of Location #2; 
         FIG. 12  shows the device of  FIG. 2  with the location setup application displaying the location of the device having been renamed “Office”; 
         FIG. 13  shows the device of  FIG. 2  with the task manager application displaying a plurality of tasks; 
         FIG. 14  shows the device of  FIG. 2  with the task manager application displaying the particulars of the called “Go Grocery Shopping”; 
         FIG. 15  shows a flow chart depicting a method for notification based on location; and, 
         FIG. 16  shows the device of  FIG. 2  notifying the user of the device to “Go Grocery Shopping”. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a wireless communication system in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is indicated generally at  30 . System  30  comprises a plurality of base stations  34  operable to wirelessly transceive across a variety of geographic ranges. In a present embodiment, base stations  34   1  and  34   2  comprise a first set of base stations that transceive across a first geographic range  38 . Base stations  34   3  and  34   4  comprise a second set of base stations that transceive across geographic range  46 . Base stations  34  communicate wirelessly over a plurality of channels  50 . More specifically, base stations  34   1  and  34   2  collectively cover first geographic range  38  by transmitting and receiving signals through channels  50   1  and  50   2  base stations  34   3  and  34   4  collectively cover second geographic range  46  through wireless channels  50   3  and  50   4 . In a present embodiment, system  30  is based on a known voice-based wireless telecommunication such as Global System for Mobile Communications (“GSM”) or Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”). 
     System  30  also includes a subscriber device  54  operable to communicate with each base station  34 , through its respective link  50  each time device  54  is located within a range respective to a set of base stations  34 . For example, whenever device  54  is located within geographic range  38 , device  54  will be communicating with at least one of base stations  34   1  and  34   2  through channels  50   1  and  50   2 , respectively, and whenever device  54  is located within geographic range  46 , device  54  will be communicating with at least one of base stations  34   3  and  34   4  through channels  50   3  and  50   4 , respectively. Various types of information can be communicated through channels  50 , including voice communications, data communications etc. In particular, links  50  each carry a base station identifier ID, that identifies the base station  34  that carries that particular link  50 . For example, if device  54  is located within geographic range  38 , device  54  would receive identifier ID 1  through link  50   1  and would receive identifier ID 2  through link  502 . However if device  54  moves just outside of that region, device  54  can receive information only from one of the channels, or device  54  can not receive information from either link  50   1  or  50   2 , both of which would indicate that device  54  is no longer within region  38 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , device  54  is shown in detail. In the present embodiment, device  54  is based on the computing environment and functionality of an enhanced personal digital assistant with voice telephony capabilities. However, it is to be understood that electronic device  54  can be based on the construction and functionality of any mobile electronic device that can be connected to a wireless network. Such devices include cellular telephones or laptops computers connected to wireless networks. In a present embodiment, electronic device  54  includes, a housing  58 , which frames an LCD display  62 , a speaker  64 , a telephone headset comprising an ear bud  66  and a microphone  68 , an LED indicator  70 , a trackwheel  74 , an exit key  76  and a keyboard  78 . Trackwheel  74  and exit key  76  can be inwardly depressed along the path of arrow “A” as a means to provide additional user-input. It will be understood that housing  58 , can be made from any suitable material as will occur to those of skill in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram of certain internal components within device  54  are shown. Device  54  is based on a microcomputer that includes a processor  80 . Processor  80  is connected to a read-only-memory (“ROM”)  84 , which contains a plurality of applications executable by processor  80  that enables device  54  to perform certain functions. Processor  80  is also connected to a random access memory unit (“RAM”)  88  and a persistent storage device  90 , which are responsible for various nonvolatile storage functions of device  54 . Processor  80  can send output signals to various output devices including display  58 , speaker  66  and LED indicator  70 . Processor  80 , can also receive input from various input devices including trackwheel  74 , exit key  76  and keyboard  78 . Processor  80  is also connected to an internal clock  91  and a modem and radio  92 . Modem and radio  92  are operable to connect device  54  to various base stations  34 . The specific base stations  34  that modem and radio  92  connect to will depend on the location of device  54 . For example, as discussed above, each time device  54  is located within geographic range  38 , modem and radio  92  connect to network  30  through base stations  34   1  and  34   2  and each time device  54  is located within geographic range  46 , modem and radio  92  connect to network  30  through base stations  34   3  and  34   4 . 
     Device  54  is operable to execute various system applications stored on ROM  84 . One specific system application on device  54  is a location manager application, not shown. Location manager application is an application that keeps a list of specific base stations  34  with which device  54  is able to connect. Table I, is an example of the type of list that can be generated and stored by the location manager application and which is updated each time a unique set of base stations becomes available to device  54 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE I 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Location Manager 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Current Location 
               
               
                   
                 Index 
                 Location 
                 ID Set 
                 (Y or N) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 1. 
                 Location #1 
                 ID 1  + ID 2   
                 Y 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As illustrated in Table I, each time a new set of base stations  34  (which can be one or more base stations  34 ) becomes available to device  54 , a new row is created. The first column, entitled “Location”, describes a generic name, automatically assigned by the location manager application, for the location that corresponds to the new set of base stations. Such generic names, in the present embodiment, have no geographic significance and are merely names associated with the set of base stations in the second column. The second column, entitled “ID Set”, describes specific ID&#39;s associated with such base stations. The third column, entitled “Current Location”, indicates the current location of device  54  by having a “Y” inserted in the row that corresponds to the present location of device  54 . Those of skill in the art will recognize that Table I corresponds to the behavior of the location manager application when device  54  is in geographic range  38 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A method reflecting the operation of the location manager application in accordance with another embodiment of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , and is indicated generally at  300 . In order to assist in the explanation of method  300 , reference will be made to the foregoing discussion of system  30  and device  54 . In order to further assist in the explanation of method  300 , the sequence of steps in method  300  shall be followed in connection with a couple of examples using system  30  and device  54 . In these examples, it will be assumed that device  54  will be moving through a series of geographic ranges within system  30 . 
     As demonstrated in the flowchart in  FIG. 4 , device  54  is constantly determining available base stations corresponding to device  54 &#39;s geographic location. For the sake of an example, we will assume that device  54  is located in location  38 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . At step  310 , device  54  receives ID&#39;s from available base stations corresponding to device  54 &#39;s geographical location. In the present example, device  54  receives ID 1  and ID 2  from base stations  34   1  and  34   2  corresponding to geographic location  38 . The method then proceeds to step  320 , where device  54  determines whether the ID set received is already present in Table I. In the case of the present example, the ID set is already present in Table I. Referring now to the flowchart in  FIG. 4 , the method proceeds to step  340 , where the current location of device  54  is updated. In the case of the present example this means inserting a “Y” in the row corresponding to Location #1. Since this is already the case in Table I, the method goes back to step  310  and method  300  begins again. If on the other hand, the ID set was not present in Table I, device  54  would proceed to step  330 , where the combination would be recorded as an additional generic location. 
     To further illustrate method  300 , let us assume that device  54  is moved into geographic region  46  for the first time. In this example, method  300  proceeds through step  310  to receive ID 3  and ID 4  and proceeds through step  320  to determine that the ID 3  and ID 4  set is not present in Table I. Referring now to the flowchart in  FIG. 4 , the method proceeds to step  330  and, as shown in Table II, the set comprised of ID 3  and ID 4  is added to the original information in Table I. At this point the method proceeds to step  340  where the current location gets updated in Table I by having the “Y” inserted in the row corresponding to Location #2 and having an “N” inserted in all other rows. The method then returns to step  310  where method  300  begins. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE II 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Location Manager 
               
               
                 (Updated from Table I using location manager) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Current Location 
               
               
                   
                 Index 
                 Location 
                 ID List 
                 (Y or N) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 1. 
                 Location #1 
                 ID 1  + ID 2   
                 N 
               
               
                   
                 2. 
                 Location #2 
                 ID 3  + ID 4   
                 Y 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Device  54  is, also, operable to execute various user applications stored on ROM  84 . Referring now to  FIG. 5 , device  54  is shown with a main menu screen  96 , that displays a system clock  98 , which is updated according to internal clock  91 . Main menu screen  96  also displays a plurality of applications that are executable on processor  80 . In a present embodiment, such displayed applications include a location setup  100 , a task manager  104  and a calendar  108 . When executed on processor  80 , these applications cause device  54  to operate in various ways, as will be discussed further below. Trackwheel  74  can be used to scroll through the applications and to select a desired application by pressing inwardly, along the path of arrow A, on trackwheel  74 . Exit key  76  can be used to exit any application by pressing inwardly, along the path of arrow A, on exit key  76 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , device  54  is shown displaying a location designation  112  corresponding to the location of device  54 , using the application called location setup  100 . In  FIG. 6 , it is shown that the “Current Location” (of device  54 ) is “Location #1”, which, for the purposes of the present embodiment, corresponds to Location #1 on Tables I and II, indicating that device  54  is in geographic range  38  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Referring now to  FIG. 7 , using menu  116 , the user is given the option to “Rename Location #1” or to “Exit” by highlighting one of the choices and depressing trackwheel  74  along the path of arrow A. If the user chooses to rename location designation  112 , the user is given access to a dialogue box and allowed to rename the generic location with any name the user prefers. For the purposes of the present example, and referring now to  FIG. 8 , the user replaces the generic name “Location #1” with “Supermarket”, indicating that geographic region  38  will now be referred to as “Supermarket”. Accordingly, Table II in the location manager application can now be updated to replace “Location #1” with “Supermarket”, as shown in Table III. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE III 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Location Manager 
               
               
                 (Updated from Table II using location setup) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Current Location 
               
               
                 Index 
                 Location 
                 ID List 
                 (Y or N) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1. 
                 Supermarket 
                 ID 1  + ID 2   
                 Y 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Location #2 
                 ID 3  + ID 4   
                 N 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     A method in connection with the operation of location setup  100  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 9  and is indicated generally at  400 . In order to assist in the explanation of method  400 , reference will be made to the foregoing discussion of system  30  and device  54 . In order to further assist in the explanation of method  400 , the sequence of steps in method  400  shall be followed in connection with an example using system  30  and device  54 . For the sake of the example in the present embodiment, it will be assumed that device  54  has now moved to geographic range  46 . 
     Referring now to the flowchart in  FIG. 9 , at step  410 , location setup  100  displays the current location of device  54  (i.e. location designation  112 ). In the present example, as demonstrated in Table II and shown in  FIG. 10 , location designation  112  for geographic range  46  is Location #2. The method then proceeds to step  420 , where it is determined whether the user selects to re-name the location specified. If the user selects to rename the location specified, the method proceeds to step  430  where device  54  receives input renaming location designation  112 . On the other hand, if the user decides not to rename location designation  112 , the method proceeds to step  450 , where the user selects whether to exit location setup  100 . In the present example, and referring now to  FIG. 11 , let us assume that the user decides to rename location designation  112 , and the method, hence, proceeds to step  430 . At step  430 , device  54  receives input from the user to rename location designation  112 . In the present example, let us assume that the user renames location designation  112  “Office”. The method then proceeds to step  440 , where the location manager application is updated. In the present example, and as demonstrated in Table IV, location manager gets updated to replace “Location #2” with the word “Office”. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE IV 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Location Manager 
               
               
                 (Updated from Table III using location setup) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Current Location 
               
               
                 Index 
                 Location 
                 ID List 
                 (Y or N) 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1. 
                 Supermarket 
                 ID 1  + ID 2   
                 N 
               
               
                 2. 
                 Office 
                 ID 3  + ID 4   
                 Y 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The method then proceeds to step  450  where the user is given the option to exit location setup  100 . If the user chooses to exit, the method ends. However, if the user chooses not to exit, the method returns to step  410  and the method starts again. In the present example, let us assume the user chooses not to exit location manager. The method, thus, proceeds back to step  410  and, referring now to  FIG. 12 , location setup  100  displays the location of device  54 , which has now been renamed “Office”. As described before, the method then proceeds to step  420  where the user selects whether to re-name the location. In the present example, let us assume that the user chooses not to rename location designation and thus proceeds to step  450 , where this time, the user chooses to exit location setup  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , device  54  is shown displaying a set of exemplary tasks  124 , using the application called task manager  104 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, trackwheel  74  can be used to scroll through individual tasks, to select a particular task  124 , using methods known to those skilled in the art. In the example in  FIG. 13 , tasks  124  consist of a first task  130 , which reminds the user to go grocery shopping, a second task  134 , which reminds the user to give a package to Tom, and a third task  138 , which reminds the user to send Christmas cards. To the left of task  138 , there is a checkmark  140 , indicating that task  138 , sending Christmas cards, is completed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , device  54  is shown displaying the particulars of task  130 . In the present embodiment, these particulars are “Status”  142 , and “Notify When”  146 . “Status”  142 , describes the present status of the task. In the present embodiment, status  142  of a task can be one of status options  150 , consisting of “Not Started”, “In Progress”, or “Completed”. It will now be apparent that “Not Started” means the user has not started the task, “In Progress” means the user has started the task but has not completed the task yet, and “Complete” means that the user has finished performing the task. A specific status option  150  is chosen by having checkmark  154  moved beside the chosen status option using trackwheel  74  and methods known to those skilled in the art. In the example in  FIG. 14 , the user has not started task  130 , to “Go Grocery Shopping”, yet. 
     “Notify When”  146 , in  FIG. 14 , describes circumstances in which device  54  notifies or reminds the user of the need to perform the task, by for example, having light emanate from LED indicator  70  or having sound emanate from speaker  64 . In the present embodiment, one of these circumstances is defined by Location description  160 . Location description  160  can be set to any location identified by location manager  100 . In the present example, the Location description  160  is equal to “Supermarket”, which according to the foregoing, corresponds to geographic location  38 . Similar to checkmark  154 , checkmark  158  can be placed beside “No Notification”  162 , indicating that the user will not be notified to perform the task. As in the case of  FIG. 14 , it can also be placed beside Location description  160 , indicating that the user will be notified to go grocery shopping whenever the device is in geographic range  38 , (previously renamed “Supermarket” by location setup  104 ). 
     A method for notification based on location, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, will now be discussed with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 15  and is indicated generally at  500 . In order to assist in the explanation of method  500 , reference will be made to the foregoing discussion of system  30  and device  54 . In order to further assist in the explanation of method  500 , the sequence of steps in method  500  shall be followed in connection with an example using system  30  and device  54 . For the sake of the example in the present embodiment, it will be assumed that device  54  moves from geographic range  46  to geographic range  38 . 
     Referring now to the flowchart in  FIG. 15 , at step  510 , the location manager application determines the current location of device  54 , using for example, method  300  (in combination with method  400  as appropriate), described previously. In the present example, when device  54  is in geographic range  46 , it receives ID 3  and ID 4  and determines that the current location of device  54  is within the range called “Office” in Table IV. Method  500  then proceeds to step  520 , where device  54  determines whether the current location matches Location description  160  in any of tasks  124  in task manager  104 . If the current location matches Location description  160  in any of tasks  124 , the method proceeds to step  530 , where the task containing the matched Location description is opened and device  54  generates a notification signal notifying the user of that particular task. If, on the other hand, the current location does not match any Location description  160  of tasks  124 , the method proceeds to step  510 , where the method starts all over again. In the present example, the current location, Office, does not match Location description  160  in  FIG. 14 . Let us assume that, it similarly does not match the Location descriptions  160  of tasks  134  and  138  in  FIG. 13 . 
     The method, thus, returns to step  510 , where method  500  begins again, where device  54  determines the current location of device  54  once again. By this time, let us assume that the user of device  54  has moved from geographic range  46  to geographic range  38 . In determining the current location of device  54 , this time, device  54  receives ID 1  and ID 2  and determines that the current location of device  54  is within the range called “Supermarket” in Table IV. The method then proceeds to step  520  where it is determined that this time, the current location, Supermarket, matches Location description  160  in task  130 . The method, thus, proceeds to step  530 , where, referring now to  FIG. 16 , task  130  gets opened and device  54  notifies the user to go grocery shopping by having light emanate from LED indicator  70  and sound emanate from speaker  64 . At this point, the method proceeds back to step  510  and the method begins all over again. 
     While the embodiments discussed herein are directed to specific implementations of the invention, it will be understood that subsets, combinations and variations of the embodiments are within the scope of the invention. For example, the embodiment can be modified to have as little as just one base station covering just one geographic area or it can be modified to have as many different base station sets as desired, covering as many geographic ranges. 
     The embodiment discussed, can also be modified to be used with a variety of functions such as the calendar function, where the location of an appointment can be entered when setting up the appointment. In these circumstances, the device would process the location of the appointment, check it against the current location of the device and remind the user to allow for appropriate “travel time” in order to make the appointment. Such functions can be as simple as detecting whether the location of the appointment is different than the location of the device and warning the user of the upcoming appointment thirty minutes ahead of time to allow for travel time, or as complicated as determining how much travel time is needed (either based on predefined travel time limits or based on the device&#39;s own travel time estimate) and warning the user accordingly. 
     Furthermore, a device can be configured to behave differently when it is located in different geographical locations. For example, a device can be configured not to notify the user of an incoming call or message when the device is in certain geographic locations, or to notify the user using a different mode of notification when the user is in a specific geographic location. A device can be configured not to ring when the person is in the Office (or the geographic range that includes the Office) or it can be configured to vibrate when the device is at home (or the geographic range that includes the person&#39;s home. Other examples of having the device behave differently based on its geographic location include, having the device send an automated message (voice or email) when it enters a certain geographic location to, for example, tell Mom that the user has arrived, or to have all calls forwarded to an answering machine when the user leaves a certain neighborhood. 
     Furthermore it should be understood that, in other embodiments, one set of base stations may be associated with more than one location. ie. Geographic region  38  could be associated with not only the supermarket, but also the gymnasium or the bank and any other location physically located within that geographic region. Applications would be able to use any of these location markers to trigger actions as the location events come and go. 
     It is also contemplated that notification methods used to notify the user of various reminders, related to the location of the device, are not limited to light emanating from an LED indicator or sound emanating from a speaker. Notification methods can consist of a variety of audible, inaudible or mechanical modes of notification, such as various sounds, tunes, flashings of light or vibrational modes and/or combinations thereof, which are familiar to those skilled in the art.