Patent Publication Number: US-2005131639-A1

Title: Methods, systems, and media for providing a location-based service

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Pursuant to 35 USC §119(e), this application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR ACQUIRING RATINGS FOR POINTS OF INTEREST”, attorney docket number AUS920030903US1, filed on the same day, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
      The present invention is in the field of providing a location-based service. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods, systems, and media for providing a service based on a particular location, such as a location different than the current location of a user.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Position-determining devices that provide a person with their current position have become ubiquitous in the early 21 st  century. The Global Positioning System (“GPS”) was first developed by the U.S. military to provide positional information to its members. Recently, however, civilians have been provided access to the GPS system with acceptable accuracy. Now, the costs and availability of position-determining devices allow the average person to acquire accurate position-determining technology in a hand-held device.  
      The GPS system provides continuous three-dimensional positioning information throughout the world. The GPS system relies on a constellation of twenty-four (24) satellites orbiting the earth at approximately 10,900 miles, each orbiting the earth about twice a day. A GPS receiver seeks out and receives signals from a number of GPS satellites and uses each as a precise reference point. Based on information encoded into the signal received from each satellite and the amount of time the signal traveled, the distance between the GPS receiver and the satellite can be determined. The position of the GPS receiver can then be “triangulated” based on the distance of the receiver from the known positions of multiple satellites. Generally, receiving signals from two satellites can give latitude and longitude information and a third signal can also give elevation information. Fourth and additional satellite signals can serve to eliminate errors from satellite clocks, built-in inaccuracies of the GPS system, etc., to provide additional accuracy for three-dimensional positions. Because of inaccuracies inherent in the system, four or more satellite signals are usually desired for satisfactory accuracy. By using a GPS receiver receiving enough satellite signals, and individual can determine their current position relatively quickly and accurately.  
      GPS receivers, however, receive and keep signals best when a direct line-of-sight to an orbiting satellite is available. The most common reason to lose a satellite signal (or to fail to acquire it at all) is that the GPS satellite is below the horizon line for a particular receiver, as the signal will not travel through the earth. Because the satellites are roughly distributed uniformly around the globe, only a fraction of the full constellation of satellites is even theoretically available at one time. Another common reason to fail to “acquire” a satellite is the presence of an object blocking a GPS receiver&#39;s line-of-sight (such objects are sometimes called obstructions). Many common objects can serve as obstructions, such as buildings, landforms (e.g., mountains), trees, etc. Accordingly, if a building is located between the GPS receiver and the satellite, the receiver is very unlikely to receive a clean signal from the satellite. Similarly, a GPS receiver located in a tunnel would also have a difficult time acquiring GPS satellites.  
      Another problem with using GPS receivers is multipath, which is reflection of GPS signals near the antenna of the receiver. For example, reflections off of nearby objects, such as buildings, can confuse GPS receivers and produce inaccuracies or difficulties in acquiring signals. One way reflections can cause inaccuracies is by changing the amount of time it takes the signal to reach the GPS receiver and thus changing the calculated distance. Yet another problem with GPS receivers is radio frequency (RF) interference caused by nearby sources, which can seriously impact the performance of GPS receivers. Because of these restrictions, GPS-based position determination is unacceptable, inaccurate, or simply unavailable for some locations.  
      Because GPS receivers have become relatively inexpensive and portable, many people bring them along when traveling for business or pleasure, such as when hiking, going on a business trip, etc. As GPS technology has matured, the manufacture of GPS receivers has evolved into a highly competitive industry. Accordingly, many manufacturers or providers desire to increase their functionality and/or to improve existing deficiencies so as to increase their desirability in the eyes of consumers. To accomplish this, some manufacturers provide GPS receivers that come with mapping information to help provide a user of the receiver with a map of their area with their current position identified. For these systems, the GPS receiver provides a map, perhaps with nearby landmarks or other points of interest, based on the current position of the GPS receiver. These systems are plagued, unfortunately, with the fact that the areas in which an individual is most likely to get lost and need a map—in a city or crowded outdoor environment—are precisely the areas where GPS receivers are least likely to provide information, because of the difficulty in acquiring sufficient satellite signals or the possibility of multipath.  
      Even if someone has a map, they might have a hard time finding their destination as they may not know which direction to go, as people in strange locations often become disoriented or lost. This problem is even more prevalent when the terrain of any area makes it more difficult to see the surrounding area. For example, urban environments can be confusing, particularly if a person is in a tunnel, near large skyscrapers, etc. Rural or other environments have similar problems because of trees, landforms, etc.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The problems identified above are in large part addressed by methods, systems, and media for providing location-based services related to a particular location. One embodiment provides a method for utilizing a location-based service. The method generally includes receiving from a user at a current location differential information indicating a difference between the current location and a particular, different location; determining the current location; determining the particular location based on the current location and the differential information; providing a location-based service, wherein the location-based service produces results that are at least partially based on the particular location; and displaying information to the user, wherein the information displayed to the user is at least partially based on the results of the location-based service.  
      Another embodiment provides an apparatus for utilizing a location-based service. The apparatus contemplates a position determining module for determining a current location; a compass, wherein the compass indicates directional information between the current location and the particular location; a user interface, wherein the user input comprises differential information indicating a difference between the current and particular locations; a service module, the service module providing a location-based service based on the particular location; and a display device.  
      A further embodiment provides a machine-accessible medium containing instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause said machine to perform operations. The operations can involve receiving from a user at a current location differential information indicating a difference between the current location and a particular, different location; determining the current location; determining the particular location based on the current location and the differential information; providing a location-based service, wherein the location-based service produces results that are at least partially based on the particular location; and displaying information to the user, wherein the information displayed to the user is at least partially based on the results of the location-based service.  
      One embodiment provides a method for providing a location-based service. The method generally involves receiving a request from a user at a current location for a location-based service based on a particular location; receiving the current location; receiving differential information between the particular location and the current location; determining the particular location based upon the differential information and the current location; providing a location-based service based on a particular location; and transmitting to the user results of the location-based service. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which like references may indicate similar elements:  
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment for a system for providing location-based services based on a particular location;  
       FIG. 2  depicts a schematic view of an apparatus according to one embodiment, including a position determining module and a compass;  
       FIG. 3  depicts a flow chart for requesting and receiving information from a location-based service according to one embodiment; and  
       FIG. 4  depicts a flow chart for providing a location-based service according to one embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
      The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The detailed descriptions below are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.  
      Generally speaking, methods, systems, and media to provide location-based services based on a particular location, such as a location different than the current location of a user, are contemplated. Embodiments include hardware and/or software for receiving from a user at a current location differential information indicating a difference between the current location and a particular, different location; determining the current location; determining the particular location based on current location and the differential information; and providing information from a location-based service, wherein the location-based service utilizes the particular location. Some or all of the information provided by the location-based service may be displayed to the user. In one embodiment, the differential information is a distance between the current location and the particular location. In one alternative embodiment, hardware and/or software for determining directional information between the current location and the particular location is also provided.  
      Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a system  100  for providing rating information related to a particular location. More specifically, system  100  facilitates providing to a user located at a current location location-based services that are based on a particular, different location. System  100  includes a position determining device  102  at a current location  112 , an optional wireless network  104 , and an optional GPS constellation  106 . A particular location  110  may be physically located at a distance  120  from the position determining device  102  and current location  112 .  
      Position determining device  102  is a device that is able to determine its current position. In one embodiment, position determining device  102  comprises a GPS receiver that may receive signals from GPS satellites in a GPS constellation  106 . The GPS constellation  106  may contain one or more GPS satellites transmitting signals to one or more GPS receivers. In this embodiment, the position determining device  102  may be hand-held or mounted to a building, transportation device (e.g., automobile), etc., or located anywhere. The positioning determining device  102  may either be a stand-alone unit or it may be integral or connected to another device, such as a wireless phone, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), personal computer, automobile, navigation unit, pager, watch or other wearable item, Bluetooth-enabled device, etc.  
      Position determining device  102  may include a position determining module  116  and a compass  114 . Position determining module  116  may include hardware and/or software capable of determining the present location of the position determining module  116 , and, thus, the present location of the position determining device  102 . In one preferred embodiment, position determining module  116  is a GPS receiver integrated into the position determining device  102 . In another embodiment, position determining module  116  is an add-on or aftermarket GPS receiver adapted to be connected to position determining device  102 . In alternative embodiments, the position determining module  116  may be any system able to ascertain a current position, such as inertial measurement units, other satellite-based navigation systems, etc.  
      Compass  114  may include hardware and/or software to determine a compass direction. In one embodiment, compass  114  is a digital compass integrated with the position determining device  102 . In an alternative embodiment, compass  114  may be an add-on or aftermarket compass, such as a digital compass, adapted to be connected to position determining device  102 . Digital compass  114  could, in one embodiment, use an existing display of the position determining device  102  to display output. Alternatively, digital compass  114  could have a dedicated display or graphical interface or no user display at all. In another embodiment, compass  114  is a traditional magnetic compass that optionally provides output directly to the position determining device  102 .  
      In one embodiment, the user interface  118  should be as simple as possible. The user can simply push existing buttons to fill out a form on their position determining device  102 . The form, for example, could simply have options to enter differential information (such as a distance or angle) or an optional request button (to begin the process of requesting a particular location-based service). The form could be stored on the position determining device  102  itself, or could be delivered to the position determining device  102  upon request via the wireless network  104 . As bandwidth is often very important, it is usually optimal to store the form on the position determining device  102 . As position determining devices  102  often have difficult user interfaces  118 , minimizing the frequency and level of user input will likely increase user satisfaction and usage.  
      In one embodiment of system  100 , a wireless network  104  and/or other network  105  in communication with the position determining device  102  is provided. In this embodiment, position determining device  102  is also a mobile communication device adapted to communicate wirelessly via wireless network  104 . In one embodiment, the position determining device  102  may communicate with a base station as part of the wireless network  104 , which in turn is in communication with a mobile switching center, gateway mobile switching center (“GMSC”), or other elements of a wireless or cellular network. In one embodiment, a wireless network  104  communicates with another network  105 , which may be any type of network. In one embodiment, network  105  is a telephone network (or other wireless or cellular network) that communicates with wireless network  104  via a GMSC. In another embodiment, wireless network  104  communicates with network  105 , such as the Internet, using the Wireless Access Protocol (“WAP”) via a WAP gateway, which translates between the protocols of the WWW and the WAP protocols of position determining device  102 .  
      Particular location  110  may be any object or position for which a user with a position determining device  102  desires related information or services. In one example, particular location  110  could be a building two hundred yards away from a user with a position determining module, where the user desires to utilize location-based services based on that particular location  110  (the building). The particular location  110  could be any type of object, such as a building, a mobile object (e.g., parked car), geographical feature (e.g., mountain, waterfall, etc.), or any other object. The particular location  110  could also be any type of position, such as something in the user&#39;s line of sight, a place of a defined distance in some direction (e.g., five miles ahead, 200 yards east, 4 blocks northeast, etc.), road intersection, trailhead, mountain peak, etc. The user with a position determining device  102  is located at a current location  112 , which, like the particular location  110 , may be any object, position, place, etc. where the user may be located.  
      In a preferred embodiment, particular location  110  is in a different position than the position determining device  102 . The difference between the particular location  110  and the position determining device  102  may be described in terms of differential information. In one embodiment, differential information includes a distance  120  and directional information. In this embodiment, distance  120  is the distance between the particular location  110  and the position determining device  102  and the directional information is any information representing the angular difference between the particular location  110  and the position determining device  102 , such as an angle  124 . In another embodiment, differential information may also include a height  122 . The height  122  may be any type of distance and represents the height difference, or difference in altitudes, between the position determining device  102  and the particular location  110 . Similarly to the distance  120 , the height  122  may be estimated by the user, calculated by a rangefinder or altimeter, etc.  
      The distance  120  may be in any type of units, such as feet, meters, miles or other distances, or other types of measurements, such as city blocks. The user may estimate distance based on any method, including guessing, use of signs or other information (e.g., road signs), or from a rangefinder. A rangefinder, such as a laser or infrared rangefinder, may be used to provide range distance to a user or directly to the position determining device  102 .  
      Directional information, as described above, may include any information which provides an indication of the angular difference between the particular location  110  and the position determining device  102 . In one embodiment, the directional information includes a reading from compass  114  when a user requests a reading. For example, when a user requests a location-based service using user interface  118  while pointing the position determining device  102  towards the particular location  110 , the current reading of compass  114  (e.g., 30 degrees north-northeast) provides an indication of which direction the particular location  110  lies from the current position of the user. In another embodiment, directional information may include an angle of rotation; for example, a user may manually input that the particular location  110  is, say, 45 degrees from the direction the user is presently facing.  
      In some embodiments of system  100 , if a user of a position determining device  102  desires to receive location-based services based on a particular location  110 , the user would point position determining device  102  in the direction of particular location  110 . Compass  114  would determine the direction in which particular location  110  lies. User, in one embodiment, would input an estimated distance  120  to the particular location  110  using the user interface  116  of the position determining device  102 . The current location of the position determining device  102  is calculated by the position determining module  116 . When the current location, direction to the particular location  110 , and estimated distance  120  to the particular location  110  are known, the position of the particular location  110  can be calculated.  
      Location-based services include any services or information that are at least partially based on a position. For example, a service that provides reviews of any restaurants within one mile of a specified position is a location-based service. In one embodiment, location-based services provide information. Any type of information could be provided by a location-based service, such as directions, mapping information, ratings, reviews, descriptions, costs, hours of operation, menus, product availability, video information (e.g., photographs from the position), etc.  
      In one embodiment, location-based services are performed on a service system  108 . The services system  108  may include a computer system, such as a server, with storage capability. In one embodiment, services system  108  includes a computer system such as an IBM eServer™ having one or more processors, or threads of processors, executing software and/or one or more state machines coupled with data storage devices such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, compact disc drives, hard drives, and the like. Software executing on the services system  108  may be adapted to receive and respond to a request for location-based services related to a particular location. The services system  108  may communicate with wireless network  104  directly or through another network  105 , such as the Internet. The services system  108  may receive a request for a location-based service, process the location-based service, and transmit the results via wireless network  104 .  
      Once the position of the particular location  110  is known, the user can then receive information from a location-based service based on that particular location  110 . The ability to provide a location-based service based on a particular location  110  provides a number of advantages. In one situation, the particular location  110  may not be physically accessible by the user, such as if there was a physical impediment to reaching the particular location (e.g., lake, cliff, mountain side, traffic blockage, etc.). By providing location-based service based on the particular location  110 , the location-based service becomes useful for that user who cannot reach the particular location  110 . Another useful situation might occur if a user desires information about a particular location  110  that the user is heading towards or will soon be near. In this situation, a user may see a small town across a lake and desire to know whether there are any good restaurants nearby. Another example is if a user is on a ferry and heading towards a downtown area of a city and wants to locate highly-rated service establishments, such as a gym or masseuse. Yet another example is a user in an automobile who is running out of gas or having car trouble who may desire to know of service stations located at a service station at the next exit ten miles ahead.  
      Another potential benefit of providing location-based services for a particular location  110  is for cases when GPS receivers cannot achieve an accurate position at a location. For example, a user might desire location-based services based on a location where GPS receives cannot acquire enough satellites or suffer from multipath. A user could instead go to another location with good line-of-sight to the GPS satellites, input the differential information to the desired location (treating it as a particular location  110 ), and receive location-based services based on that location. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many other embodiments are contemplated.  
      In one embodiment, the location-based service is a rating service. A rating service provides rating information on one or more points of interest based on a particular position, such as the particular location  110 . Rating information may include virtually any type of information about points of interest (e.g., restaurants, stores, tourist sites, etc.) that are somehow related to the particular location  110 . In one example, the particular location  110  might be a corner of a city block. The rating information could be, say, ratings of restaurants within a five block radius. When this rating information is transmitted ultimately to the user of the position determining device  102 , the user could then choose a restaurant in the area of the particular location  110  based on the rating information. Rating information may also include a wide variety of information about the points of interest, including some type of rating of the point of interest, such as a rating by critics, users, other individuals, proprietors, the requesting user, etc. In one embodiment, rating information includes user-provided rating information about points of interest. To get rating information about points of interest near a particular, different location  110 , a user could point a position determining device  102  towards the particular location  110 , input an estimated distance  122 , and receive rating information related to points of interest near the particular location  110 . Rating services are described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR ACQUIRING RATINGS FOR POINTS OF INTEREST”, attorney docket number AUS920030903US1, incorporated previously herein.  
      In another embodiment, the location-based service is a mapping service. In a mapping service, a map of the area around the particular location  110  is provided. A user on a hike, for example, could point the position determining device  102  at a distant peak she wishes to climb (which becomes a particular location  110 ). The user could then receive a mapping service providing a map of the area around the peak, so that she could determine the best route up the peak. The map information may include contour lines, roads, landmarks, points of interest, photographs of the area, detailed information, etc.  
      In another embodiment, the location-based service is an information service. An information service provides information related to a particular location, such as a particular location  110 . Any type of information could be includes, such as information about nearby restaurants, historical information, retail establishments, tourist sites, government facilities, other users, environmental information, etc. In yet another embodiment, the location-based service is an advertising service. An advertising service may provide directed or customized advertising based on the particular location  110  (e.g., nearby restaurants, local night clubs, etc.) and/or the user himself (e.g., directing advertising on Indian restaurants to users who prefer those, etc.). In yet another embodiment, the location-based service is a military service, such as targeting for the particular location  110 . Any service based at least in part, directly or indirectly, on a location may be considered a location-based service.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic view of a position determining device  102  according to one embodiment, including a position determining module  116  and a compass  114 . Position determining device  102  may include a service module  202 , a display  204 , a processor  206 , a position determining module  116 , a user interface  118 , memory  208 , a compass  114 , a rangefinder  212 , and an antenna  210 . Service module  202  provides a location-based service, either by providing the service internally or by receiving the service from an outside source. In one embodiment, service module  202  includes hardware and/or software to transmit and receive information from a wireless network  104 , where the service module  202  may work with optional antenna  210  to transmit and receive signals. In this embodiment, part or all of any location-based service is performed outside of the position determining device  102  (such as by a services system  108 ) and the service module  202  facilitates this, such as by transmitting a request for a location-based service and receiving the results of the location-based service. In another embodiment, service module  202  provides the location-based service using hardware and/or software on-board the position determining device  102 .  
      Position determining device  102  includes a processor  206  and optional memory  208  for performing functions, storing user preferences, etc. Processor  206  may be used to perform necessary tasks for position determining device  102 , such as calculations, handling the various subsystems, etc. In some embodiments, one processor  206  is used for execution of instructions; in other embodiments, one or more processors or threads of processor(s)  206  may execute instructions. Memory  160  may include random access memory (RAM) such as double data rate (DDR) synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), caches, buffers, read only memory (ROM); flash memory, and/or remote data storage like magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, and flash memory drives.  
      Position determining device  102  may include a display  204  and user interface  118 . Display  204  may be, for example, a display screen for displaying information, such as the results of a location-based service, to the user. Any apparatus for conveying information to the user, such as a printer, is contemplated. User interface  118  may be any apparatus which accepts input from a user, such as buttons, dials, keys, keypad, levers, a voice recognition device, a device for accepting optical input, etc. In some embodiments, user interface  118  utilizes existing input devices, such as buttons or a touch-screen, so as to not require additional complexity.  
      As described in relation to  FIG. 1 , position determining device  102  includes a position determining device  116 , such as a GPS receiver, and a compass  114 , such as a digital compass. The position determining device  116  and compass  114  may be in communication with processor  206  so that processor  206  can handle directional and position information. In one embodiment, compass  114  is configured so that when a user points the position determining device  102  in the direction of a particular location  118 , the compass  114  provides directional information between the user&#39;s current position and the particular location  118 . For example, if the user is pointing the position determining device  102  due north, the compass  114  will indicate that the wireless device is pointing  102  due north. In one embodiment, the position determining device  102  is marked in some way so as to indicate to the user how to orient the position determining device  102  (e.g., antenna  210  pointing towards particular location  118 ) in order to provide the most accurate reading.  
      In one embodiment, a user could have a position determining device  102  configured so that the user points the antenna  210  towards the particular location  110  before requesting a location-based service based on that particular location  110 . To request the location-based service, the user could select, for example, a service button on the user interface  118 . Here, a user could point the antenna  210  towards, say, a building one mile away and select the service button  118 . The system could then request that the user enter an estimated distance to the particular location  110 . Alternatively, the user could point and hold the position determining device  102  towards the particular location  110  building while entering an estimated distance  120 , where entering an estimated distance serves also as the request for a location-based service. In this embodiment, the compass  114  reading would be based on the reading at the moment the request was made. The user would then receive information from a location-based service based on a particular location  110  one mile away in the direction of the antenna  210  when the request was made.  
      Compass  114  may optionally provide an additional benefit to the user of the position determining device  102 . Compass  114  can, obviously, provide directional information to the user, helping orient the user when they are located in a strange place. Moreover, compass  114 , particularly if it is a digital compass, may be able to integrate with either mapping or direction software to assist the user in finding their destination. For example, if a user desires to go to another location (say, an address), software could create directions from their current location to that new location, and the compass  114  could help guide the user in the right direction.  
      Position determining device  102  may also optionally contain a rangefinder  212  for determining the distance from the position determining device  102  and some other location, such as the particular location  110 . In one embodiment, a user may utilize a rangefinder  212  (e.g., laser, infrared, acoustic, etc.) to estimate a distance  120  or height  122  from a particular location  110  that they may then enter into the position determining device  102  using user interface  118 . In an alternative embodiment, the rangefinder  212  interfaces directly with the position determining device  102  (e.g., the processor  206  or service module  202 ) so that user input is minimized.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an example of a flow chart  300  for a method for requesting and receiving a location-based service based on a particular location according to one embodiment. Flow chart  300  begins with element  302 , receiving a request for location-based services associated with a different location. The request for location-based services may be received from a user via a user interface  118 , such as via a button on the position determining device  102 . A user may also optionally supply preferences for the location-based services. In element  304 , differential information is received from a user via a user interface  118  or from a component of the position determining module  116 , such as a compass  114  or rangefinder  212 . In one embodiment, differential information includes an estimated distance  120  (or height  122 ) between the user&#39;s location and a particular location  118  input via user interface  118 . In this embodiment, directional information (such as an angle  124 ) is received from a compass  114 . In one alternative embodiment, differential information is received in element  304  directly from a rangefinder device instead of from user input. In another alternative embodiment, input of differential information by a user is considered a request for rating information pursuant to element  302 , thus performing elements  302  and  304  with one input from the user.  
      After receiving a request for rating information, the system determines the current position in element  306 . In one embodiment, the current position is determined by a position determining module  116 , as described in relation to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The position determining module  116  may automatically (e.g., continually) calculate the current position of it may do so upon request. For the level of accuracy needed, positions calculated by the position determining device  116  reflect the position of the position determining device  102 .  
      Element  310  illustrates a decision block based on whether the position of the particular location  110  is calculated internally to the position determining device  102  (e.g., via the processor  206 ) or external to the position determining device  102 . If the particular location  110  is calculated internally, the particular location is then determined in element  312 . The particular location  110  is calculated based on the current position and the differential information. A particular location  110  can be calculated, for example, if a starting location (e.g., current position), a compass direction (e.g., directional information), and a distance along that compass direction (e.g., distance  120 ) are known. In element  314 , a location-based service is provided. In one embodiment, a location-based service related to the particular location  110  is provided internally without requiring a wireless network  104 . In an alternative embodiment, a request for a location-based service related to the particular location  110  is transmitted via a wireless network  104  and the results of the location-based serviced are received. In this embodiment, such as when the position of the particular location  110  is determined internally, the position of the particular location  110  may be transmitted. In an alternative embodiment, such as when the position of the particular location  110  is not determined internally, the current position and differential information are both transmitted so that the particular location  110  can be determined later (such as by a services system  108 ). When the position of the particular location  110  is not determined internally (and is instead performed externally), element  312  may be skipped.  
      The results of the location-based service, such as information, are displayed to the user in element  316 . As described in more detail in relation to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a wide variety of information may be included in the results of the location-based service.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an example of a flow chart  400  for a method for providing a location-based service related to a particular location according to one embodiment. The method of flow chart  400  may be utilized externally at a services system  108 , externally on a different system (e.g., a wirelessly connected local device, such as a Bluetooth-enabled enabled device), or any combination thereof. Flow chart  400  begins with element  402 , receiving a request for a location-based service associated with a particular location. In one embodiment, the request for a location-based service is received from a service module  202  via a wireless network  104 . The location for which the request is made is the particular location  110  and will be used in providing the location-based services. In this embodiment, the user may have originated the request for a location-based service via user input  116  on the position determining device  102 .  
      As flow chart  400  continues to element  404 , a split occurs depending on whether the position determining device  102  determines the particular location  110  internally or whether the particular location is determined external to the position determining device  102 , such as at service system  108 . If the position determining device  102  determines the particular location  110 , the flow chart continues to element  406 , receiving the position of the particular location  110  via the wireless network  104 . If the position determining device  102  does not determine the position of the particular location  110 , the flow chart continues to element  408 , receiving the position of the requestor. After receiving the differential information in element  410 , the function continues to element  412 , calculating the position of the particular location  110 . The position of the particular location  110  can be calculated, if necessary, using the position of the requestor and the differential information.  
      After the position of the particular location  110  is known (either from receiving it from the position determining device  102  or from determining it based on other information), the flowchart continues to element  414 , providing location-based services based on particular location  110 . After the location-based service is provided, the results (e.g., information) are transmitted via the wireless network  104  in element  416  and flowchart  400  terminates.  
      One embodiment of the invention is implemented as a program product for use with a computer system such as, for example, the system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The program product could be used on a position determining device  102 , on a services system  108 , or any combination thereof, or on other computer systems or processors. The program(s) of the program product defines functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein) and can be contained on a variety of signal-bearing media. Illustrative signal-bearing media include, but are not limited to: (i) information permanently stored on non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive); (ii) alterable information stored on writable storage media (e.g., floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive); and (iii) information conveyed to a computer by a communications medium, such as through a computer or telephone network, including wireless communications. The latter embodiment specifically includes information downloaded from the Internet and other networks. Such signal-bearing media, when carrying computer-readable instructions that direct the functions of the present invention, represent embodiments of the present invention.  
      In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of the invention, may be part of an operating system or a specific application, component, program, module, object, or sequence of instructions. The computer program of the present invention typically is comprised of a multitude of instructions that will be translated by the native computer into a machine-readable format and hence executable instructions. Also, programs are comprised of variables and data structures that either reside locally to the program or are found in memory or on storage devices. In addition, various programs described hereinafter may be identified based upon the application for which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature that follows is used merely for convenience, and thus the invention should not be limited to use solely in any specific application identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.  
      It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present invention contemplates methods, systems, and media for providing location-based services based on a particular location, such as a location different than the current location of a user. It is understood that the form of the invention shown and described in the detailed description and the drawings are to be taken merely as examples. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted broadly to embrace all the variations of the example embodiments disclosed.