Abstract: A system and method for selectively enabling communications at a user interface using a user profile. The system and methods have particular utility to communication user interfaces in vehicles but may be used with other wireless user interfaces as well. In one embodiment, a user uses his user interface to define a user profile indicative of the types of communication channels he wishes to receive. This user profile is transmitted to a communications server and is used to filter all potential channels so that the user only has access to those channels potentially of interest. User preferences specified in the user profile may be, for example, topical, commercial, weather, traffic, or emergency in nature, and can be stored for future reference. The user may also prioritize preferred or received channels so that they are given precedence at his user interface.

Abstract: An improved system and procedure for allowing participants within a group conversation on a wireless communication network to at least temporarily break away from a group conversation and hold a side bar conversation. The side bar conversation may comprise several different types, including a public conversation (much like the original group conversation) or may constitute a private conversation (much like a standard phone call) or private text messaging or data exchange. A group conversation user wishing to hold the side bar conversation uses his user interface to alert other group conversation user(s) with whom he would like to hold the side bar conversation. Either the initiating user or the recipient user(s) can recommend the type of side bar conversation to be had using their user interfaces.

Abstract: A system and procedure for posting and receiving location-based messages in a wireless communication based network. The system allows messages to be posted to specified users and to be associated with a particular location for which the message is pertinent. The messages can be left when a user passes a particular location, or the user can specify the location for the message even if not present at that location. The messages can then be displayed at a user interface of the recipient either when the recipient nears that location, or they can be reviewed in advance. Such location-based messages can be left either for another user or for the same user that is posting the method. The posted and received messages can be textual, audio, video, or pictorial messages and may be superimposed on computerized maps to make association between the message and the location more meaningful. Regardless, the disclosed system and methods allow messages to be associated with particular locations of interest.

Abstract: An improved system and procedure for allowing a user to post a route to another mobile user or to himself. In one embodiment, a user engages his user interface to record and transmit the traveled route to a second user or to himself at a later time. The recipient receives the route in accordance with his user ID and other parameters specified or messages left by the initiating user. The route can be displayed on a map, in text, or audibly broadcast. In an alternative embodiment, the route can be left by a non-mobile user for the benefit of a mobile user using, for example, a home computer.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling communications in a wireless communications network on the basis of user-specified locations or orientations, having particular utility to vehicle-based communications. Users of the network broadcast their locations and orientations (headings) to a central server. Using his user interface, a user can specify either a location or a heading and transmit the same to the server. The server will query other system users to determine which correspond to the specified locations or orientations, and the requesting user is then permitted to contact such other users. With such functionality, a given user can, for example, be enabled to communicate with other users at or near his current location, at or near some specified distant location, or that are traveling in the same direction as the user.