Location Display Patents (Class 455/457)
  • Publication number: 20150024792
    Abstract: Providing location information on a mobile device includes receiving signals from external devices. Each signal includes information that specifies a geographic location for the external device that has provided the signal. A geographic location for the mobile device is calculated by using the information contained in each of the received signals. A representation of the geographic location of the mobile device is generated. The representation of the geographic location is included within an electronic message that provides information describing a user of the mobile device to other users of an electronic communications system. The electronic message is transmitted to another device to provide an indication of the geographic location for the user to one of the other users of the electronic communications system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Jennifer Granito, Alexander Franco
  • Patent number: 8938263
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided that enable a method for providing location information to be selected based upon a determination, such as a minimization, of the consumption of location server resources that will be consumed by the method. The method, apparatus and computer program product may determine a selected location method from a set of location methods based on predetermined selection criteria. Specifically, the selected location method may be selected to meet a location accuracy requirement specified in a request for location information while consuming a determinable, such as a minimum, amount of resources. The predetermined selection criteria may be updated over time such that method, apparatus and computer program product are self-learning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jarko Niemenmaa, Ville Ruutu
  • Patent number: 8938256
    Abstract: A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user as well as voice mail messages from other users and selectively transmitted selected ones of these files to the remote listener, or to the voice mail system of a remote user. Voice mail messages are composed, stored, transmitted, forwarded and reviewed using a voice mail system without ringing the remote party's telephone, much as email is composed, stored, transmitted and reviewed using an email server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Logan
  • Publication number: 20150018020
    Abstract: System and method for characterizing a geographical location by finding the behavioral patterns of groups of users of mobile devices being in the vicinity of the geographical location. Accordingly, after an examined Point of Interest is determined, signaling data related to the users is aggregated over a limited period of time, from the cellular network they use. The location, including change in the location of the users, is continuously calculated and cross-checked with anonymous multi-sensors with data records from external data sources. Then the mobility patterns of users are derived and the users are classified to groups according to the cross-checking results. Finally, the geographical location is characterized according to the mobility patterns and the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Yuval ELOVICI, Dudu MIMRAN, Bark CHIZI, Alexander BINUN, Moshe BIXENSPANER, Pavel ACKERMAN
  • Publication number: 20150017983
    Abstract: A method of providing a physical cell identity (PCI) assignment by a management server for small-cell base stations (BSs) in a heterogeneous network environment includes setting a location coordinate and radius for the small-cell BSs; grouping every first preset number of small-cells together to define one femto zone; constructing a location map for each femto zone; grouping every second preset number of femto zones to define one femto group; and constructing a location map for each femto group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Eun Seon CHO, Chan Yong LEE, Byung-Han RYU
  • Publication number: 20150018018
    Abstract: Techniques for indoor location-finding are described herein. Inside buildings, anomalies in the Earth's magnetic field may be caused by the buildings' structures. These anomalies tend to be location specific and temporally stable. Accordingly, a database or map may be constructed of field strength measurements, and made available to clients, either online (e.g., through cloud services) or offline. As a user carrying a portable device walks within a building, magnetic field measurements may be made. The measurements may be configured in as vectors and compared to the database. A specific location may be indicated by anomaly information seen in both the vector(s) and database. Optionally, techniques may be combined with a particle filter that may be operated step-by-step as the user moves within the building. In another option, fusion with Wi-Fi signals may be performed, such as with a two-pass bidirectional particle filtering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Guobin (Jacky) Shen, Chunshui Zhao, Feng Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150018019
    Abstract: A method of increasing accuracy of location determination of mobile devices within a location-based subgroup starts with server receiving location data and proximity information from each of the mobile devices. Location data received from first mobile device includes first mobile device's fixed location. Proximity information received from first mobile device includes an identification of mobile devices within a proximity sensitivity radius of first mobile device's location. Server forms subgroup of mobile devices based on proximity information from each of the mobile devices. Subgroup may include first mobile device and mobile devices that have provided proximity information that identifies first mobile device are being within the proximity sensitivity radiuses of the mobile devices, respectively. Server may then refine the fixed location of the first mobile device, which includes identifying an intersection of the proximity sensor sensitivity of each of the mobile devices that are in subgroup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: LIFE360, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Haro, Christopher Hulls, Michael Borsuk, Michael Hood, Ajna Cackovic
  • Patent number: 8934923
    Abstract: A system and method provides for the real-time geo-position monitoring of a handheld device and the continual calculation of its relational position with respect to the boundary of a tract of land in which the device is situated. The invention utilizes existing geo-positioning systems within mobile devices and a software application to compare the position of the device, and thereby its user, with the boundary of a track of land having its geo-position attributes uploaded into or accessed by the device. Audible and visual cues are presented to a user to allow them to know their current position relative to a land tract's boundary or predefined buffer zone adjacent to the tract's boundary. The system accommodates the access and uploading of geo-position information of a tract of land and the recordation of movements with respect to the boundaries of the tract of land in a remote database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: John Michael Golden
  • Patent number: 8934616
    Abstract: In a call center, a caller's geographical position may be mapped together with a geographical position of a call agent allocated to handle the call. A map may display tags depicting the respective positions of the caller and the call agent with a visual link indicating the call connection. The call agent may be selected dependent on the relative proximity to the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Boutcher, Michael Joseph Parmeley
  • Patent number: 8930129
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: operating a communication unit for establishing a communication link between a first device and a second device; receiving a user defined destination; displaying a first location and a first route to the user defined destination on the first device and the second device, where the first location represents the location of the first device; and displaying a second location and a second route to the user defined destination on the first device and the second device, where the second location represents the location of the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventor: Qian Chen
  • Patent number: 8929921
    Abstract: A method and device of geographically tagging images by capturing an image, determining a position based on detection of satellite signals and a wireless network signal, and tagging the image with the determined position is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Arnold Jason Gum, Ajay Vasanadu, Charles Seunghwan Han, Marc Ische, John Alfred Tan
  • Patent number: 8929345
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for managing devices in a wireless network includes defining, by a managing device, assignment rules for geographic areas in the wireless network. The method also includes retrieving, by the managing device, device parameters from a device, the device located in a selected geographic area. The method further includes determining, by the managing device, the selected geographic area of the device by comparing the device parameters with the assignment rules. The method further includes displaying, by the managing device, the device in the selected geographic area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Golash, Rohit Shankar, Rajesh Dharmalingam, Srinivas Gudipudi
  • Patent number: 8929920
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture are provided for use in checking-in a mobile device with a location based service provider at a venue location. A candidate device check-in profile for a candidate device and one or more check-in validation schemes may, for example, be provided, directly or indirectly, to a computing device via the candidate device and/or one or more peer devices. The candidate device may, for example, be checked-in with the location based service provider in response to a determination that the candidate device check-in profile is valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Behrooz Khorashadi, Saumitra Mohan Das, Rajarshi Gupta
  • Publication number: 20150005017
    Abstract: A communication device and method of controlling an operation of a communication device are provided, by which an application can be efficiently selected according to location information. The communication device includes a wireless communication unit for determining a location using received information, a controller for generating location information based on the determined location and searching for an application corresponding to the location information, and a display for displaying an indicator of the searched application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Je Hun RYU, Hyeoun Joo SO, Geun Cheol LIM
  • Patent number: 8923894
    Abstract: An automated spectrum monitoring system may include a measurement device having a signal information display configured to visually present signal information pertaining to a signal, a real-time trigger detector configured to detect a trigger corresponding to the signal, and a mapping application configured to determine a geographic location of a source of the signal and visually present an indication of the geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle L. Bernard, Man-Kit Yau
  • Patent number: 8923893
    Abstract: Generating a planogram of a facility in real-time, includes positioning a wireless mobile device at a plurality of geometric positions within the facility. A location of the mobile device at each position is then established using a location mechanism. Each geometric position is then associated with that location of the mobile device. The planogram is then updated with information about the geometric position. The geometric positions are associated with physical objects modeled in the planogram. Non-geometric information can also be obtained at the location of the mobile device, and this non-geometric information can be overlaid onto the planogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Austin, Russell Calvarese
  • Patent number: 8923805
    Abstract: An emergency rescue system and a handheld electronic device and an emergency rescue method are provided. The emergency rescue system comprises a help-seeking device, a rescue device and a server. The help-seeking device is used to position, and used to provide a help-seeker to input situation information to send a help-seeking message to the server. The rescue device is used to position and send a positioning message to the server. The sever is used to compare the help-seeking message and the positioning message to execute a supply-demand pairing, and used to send the help-seeking message and the positioning message to the help-seeking device and the rescue device respectively for making the help-seeking device can communicate with the rescue device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Mitac International Corp., Mitac Computer (Shun De) Ltd.
    Inventor: Meng Single
  • Patent number: 8918121
    Abstract: In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes detecting a current context associated with a mobile computing device and determining, based on the current context, whether to switch the mobile computing device from a current mode of operation to a second mode of operation during which the mobile computing device monitors ambient sounds for voice input that indicates a request to perform an operation. The method can further include, in response to determining whether to switch to the second mode of operation, activating one or more microphones and a speech analysis subsystem associated with the mobile computing device so that the mobile computing device receives a stream of audio data. The method can also include providing output on the mobile computing device that is responsive to voice input that is detected in the stream of audio data and that indicates a request to perform an operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. LeBeau, John Nicholas Jitkoff, Dave Burke
  • Patent number: 8918087
    Abstract: A method. The method comprises maintaining a regional data store of landscape models for each of a plurality of base stations, wherein each regional data store is proximate to its corresponding base station and wherein each landscape model is derived from a plurality of images of a landscape located proximate to the base station. The method further comprises receiving a request for a landscape image from a mobile access terminal in the serving area of a first base station, wherein the first base station is one of the plurality of base stations and wherein the request for the landscape image identifies a landscape model maintained by the first base station. The method further comprises transmitting the landscape image to the mobile access terminal by the first base station, wherein the landscape image is created based on the landscape model identified in the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Lyle W. Paczkowski, Arun Rajagopal, Matthew Carl Schlesener
  • Publication number: 20140370921
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing the map of an environment (20) surrounding a wireless device (100), the environment (20) being equipped with one or more radio frequency tags (1) set in a number dependent on the level of detail to be obtained in the reconstruction, the method including the steps of: receiving identification and localization data of the one or more radio frequency tags (1) over a wireless connection by at least one wireless receiver (3) of the wireless device (100); storing the identification and localization data of the one or more radio frequency tags (1) into a filing and/or storage component (5,6) by a processor (2) of the wireless device (100); and providing on an output component (7) of the wireless device (100) at least one map of the environment (20) built on the basis of the identification and localization data of the radio frequency tags (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Andrea Scozzaro
  • Patent number: 8914000
    Abstract: A system and method for a user to send presence information to authorized contacts in her device's address book and to receive the presence information of those contacts in her device's address book that have authorized her. A user can authorize any contact in her address book. Optionally, a user can only authorize a contact and be authorized by a contact if she is in that contact's address book. A local application on the device interacts with and displays the device's address book, manages the authorization of contacts, updates the user's presence, and receives and displays the presence of contacts. The local application updates the user's presence manually, semi-automatically, or automatically. Semi-automatic updates involve synchronizing with the device's calendar. Automatic updates may involve the use of location data, the device's built-in sensors, and augmented reality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Wallrust, Inc.
    Inventors: Jozsef Patvarczki, Adam Kornafeld, Endre Tamas
  • Patent number: 8914047
    Abstract: A communication device determines a load measure representing a measure of traffic currently handled by a communication node. The color of a skin of the communication device is changed from a first color to a second color associated with availability of a communication node, based on the load measure. The communication device comprises a mobile telephone having a display adapted to display text and images. The skin does not include the display, and the skin comprises at least one surface located on at least two sides of the communication device, one of the at least two sides being a side that does not include the display. The communication node may be, for example, a Wi-Fi access point or a cellular base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Tyler
  • Patent number: 8914079
    Abstract: Provided are a mobile information terminal, an information management device, and an information management system for mobile information terminals comprising the mobile information terminal and the information management device, with which it is possible to flexibly display also information that is voluntarily provided, for example, by a user, on map information. A navigation system of a vehicle acquires, by wireless communication, location information and post information that has been posted together with the location information, from an information management device of a management center in a state where the location information and the post information are associated. The navigation system controls the display of the acquired post information by a display device to be displayed in superposition in a location that is displayed upon the map information by the acquired location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Namba, Satoshi Nagao, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Kazuo Okami
  • Patent number: 8913999
    Abstract: First party geolocation data is obtained along with data indicating one or more contact parties associated with the first party. A relevant contact party radius from the geolocation of the first party is defined such that any contact parties within the relevant contact party radius are considered relevant contact parties with respect to the first party. Contact party geolocation data indicating the geolocation of at least one of the contact parties is then obtained. The first party geolocation data and the contact party geolocation data is then analyzed to identify any relevant contact parties within the relevant contact party radius. When a relevant contact party is identified, contact data for the identified relevant contact party is obtained and/or accessed and provided to one or more applications associated with the first party computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Asad Ramzanali, Dheeraj Sanka, Adam Kane Sanders, Kabir Nadir Daya
  • Patent number: 8909194
    Abstract: A process for secure, safe, and easy provisioning of a wireless device with credentials to connect to a wireless network. A connecting wireless device and an established wireless device both utilize low power transmission at close proximity to exchange wireless connection setting information and/or a password. The connecting wireless device is moved into proximity with the established wireless device and a low power setting is discovered at which the wireless devices may communicate with a sufficiently low error rate. The proximity of the connecting wireless device to the established wireless device is verified and the connecting wireless device is then passed the secret information by the established network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Poovanpilli G. Madhavan, David A. Roberts, Mohammad Shabbir Alam, Zhong Deng, Sharad Mittal, Ankur Agiwal
  • Publication number: 20140357306
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an object tracking system and method thereof. The object tracking system can track at least one positioning device through a mobile device. The mobile device includes a processing component coupled to a storage component, a master communication component, a display component, and a control component. Every positioning device includes a processing unit coupled to a control unit, a memory unit, and a slave communication unit. Accordingly, the object tracking system and method thereof may verify the current location of the positioning device, the distance between the mobile device and the positioning device as well as instantly obtain the surrounding information of the positioning device. Additionally, the positioning device may also call the mobile device thereby achieve two-way communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Tiny Finder Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: JIA-CHIAN SHIE
  • Publication number: 20140357307
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for maintaining location information in a database. An application running in a client device scans for stationary devices that have a unique identifier. If such a device is found, the location of the device by means of the unique identifier is looked up from a central server comprising a database. If the unique identifier is in the database the physical location of the stationary device could be retrieved. As the stationary device is in the vicinity of the stationary device, the physical location of the user using the stationary device is known. If the unique identifier of the stationary device is not found, the user is asked once to identify its location. The unique identifier and location is then stored in the data structure of the database. Subsequent requests by a client device for the same stationary device will result in a known location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventor: Frederik Hugo Zwaal
  • Patent number: 8903421
    Abstract: A wireless terminal, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The wireless terminal includes circuitry configured to receive a wireless signal transmitted from a base station; perform signal intensity measurement of the received wireless signal; receive, via a graphical user interface, section information that identifies a section of a building structure for which the signal intensity measurement is to be performed; and transmit measurement information acquired by the signal intensity measurement of the received wireless signal, base station identification information that indicates a base station of a transmission source of the wireless signal, and the section information. The measurement information is associated with the base station identification information and the section information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Rekimoto
  • Patent number: 8903430
    Abstract: A user of a mobile device is able to display information about objects in the surrounding environment and to optionally interact with those objects. The information may be displayed as a graphical overlay on top of a real-time display of imagery from a camera in the mobile device with the overlay indexed to the real-time display. The graphical overlay may include positional information about an external object and may include navigational information intended to assist the user in moving to the object's location. There may also be a graphical user interface which allows the user to utilize the mobile device to interact with an external object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Ian M. Sands, V. Kevin Russ
  • Patent number: 8903431
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the detection, location stamping, and logging of electronic events and subsequent generation of habitat information. According to implementations, electronic events are detected and location stamped. Associated descriptions and other data corresponding to the electronic events is retrieved and stored along with the geographic locations of the electronic events in an activity log. The information in the activity log is used to generate visual representations of one or more geographic areas in which electronic events that meet user-defined or default criteria occurred within a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Koch
  • Patent number: 8897739
    Abstract: A distributed antenna system wirelessly receives an overhead signal having a network identifier. The antenna system replaces the network identifier with a first pseudo-network identifier and with a second pseudo-network identifier. The antenna system wirelessly transmits the network overhead signal having the first pseudo-network identifier from a first coverage antenna at a first location. The first pseudo-network identifier is associated with first information associated with the first location. The antenna system wirelessly transmits the network overhead signal having the second pseudo-network identifier from a second coverage antenna at a second location. The second pseudo-network identifier is associated with second information associated with the second location. User communication devices may receive and translate the pseudo-network identifiers into the information for their respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mateski, Alan Falk, Darrin Mott, Julie A. Hart
  • Patent number: 8898008
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: selecting a category of interest; receiving available information for the category of interest; and extrapolating a relative ranking based on the available information for displaying at a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Telenav, Inc.
    Inventor: Daqing Li
  • Patent number: 8897804
    Abstract: A portable technical support device includes a location-determining element configured to allow the portable technical support device to be location-aware, and a communicating element configured to allow the portable technical support device to access a network management system, the network management system having information relating to a communication device, wherein the portable technical support device obtains from the management system the information relating to the communication device by making the network management system aware of the location of the communication device using the portable technical support device as a location-determining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Adtran, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Couch
  • Patent number: 8897833
    Abstract: A system and method for distributing at least one digital photographic image is presented, the system and method comprising at least one capturing device and at least one receiving device disposed in a communicative relation with one another via at least one wireless network. In particular, the capturing device is structured to capture the at least one digital photographic image via, for example, a capture assembly, whereas the receiving device is cooperatively structured to receive the digital photographic image via, for example, the at least one wireless network. In addition, the capturing device(s) and receiving device(s) may be disposed in a selectively paired relationship via one or more common pre-defined pairing criteria. Further, the at least one digital photographic image may be filtered via at least one pre-defined transfer criteria disposed on the capturing device and/or receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rothschild Storage Retrieval Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Leigh M. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 8897816
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one a processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine that an input defining a piece of information to be located has been received, determine the location of the information in an environment of the apparatus, and report the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Perttu Makkonen
  • Patent number: 8897793
    Abstract: The location of a mobile terminal associated with a user is determined using GPS or by monitoring signals generated and received by the mobile terminal, etc. Coordinates for at least one hot spot defined by the user are accessed to determine whether the location of the mobile terminal is within the hot spot. When an incoming contact is received for the user, a determination is made as to whether there are any contact routing rules associates with the user. If so, the record of contact routing rules associated with the user is accessed. If the record of contact routing rules includes at least one contact routing rule assigned to a hot spot, the contact is routed according to the at least one contact routing rule, based on whether or not the mobile terminal is determined to be within the hot spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bandwidth.com, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mulcahy, Anders Brownworth
  • Patent number: 8897817
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for blurring location information for an entity. The system may be configured to receive a location display setting comprising a condition and a blur level to apply to location coordinates, receive location coordinates for an entity, determine whether the condition is satisfied based on the location coordinates, and, if the condition is satisfied, report location information for the entity in a mapping interface based on the location coordinates for the entity and the blur level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Kenneth Jackson, Daniel Victor Klein
  • Patent number: 8897803
    Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems for finding wireless network access points. Geographic location information describing a geographic location of a computer system within a geographic area is received. From a storage medium that stores information defining multiple geographic cells and, for each cell, information defining multiple wireless network access points, a particular geographic cell within which the geographic location described by the geographic location information is located is identified. Access points within the particular geographic cell are identified, and provided in response to receiving the geographic location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Seejo Pylappan, François M. Jouaux
  • Patent number: 8897810
    Abstract: A method for establishing wireless communication between a service vendor and a customer accepts entry of a wireless address for a customer communications device, obtained from an electronic transaction. The entry of the stored wireless address is confirmed by transmitting a first wireless message that displays a hypertext link to a network address. Response to hypertext link selection classifies the customer communications device, identifies a network applications storage location, and transmits a second wireless message to the customer device that includes a first set of programmed instructions that display a download prompt. Response to download prompt selection transmits a third wireless message to the customer communications device, including a second set of programmed instructions associated with the service vendor, wherein the second set of programmed instructions generates and displays a user-actuable link on the customer communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: BuzzTable, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Brennan, Warner Hardwick Siebert, Michael Christopher Cerrone, John Rider Williams
  • Patent number: 8897807
    Abstract: In a mobile communication network that does not support simultaneous data communication during an active voice call of a mobile station, location information of the mobile station is obtained from a positioning server on the mobile communication network using mobile messaging service type messages as a transport bearer between the mobile station and the mobile communication network. A mobile messaging service message from the mobile station includes information regarding one or more nearby WiFi access points and/or cellular base stations detected by the mobile station. The location of the mobile station is determined by the positioning server, and the results are sent to the mobile station via a responsive mobile messaging service message including the determined location, during the active voice call, for use by an application program running on the mobile station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Biren Patel, Shilei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8897794
    Abstract: The location of a mobile terminal associated with a user is determined using GPS or by monitoring signals generated and received by the mobile terminal, etc. Coordinates for at least one hot spot defined by the user are accessed to determine whether the location of the mobile terminal is within the hot spot. When an incoming contact is received for the user, a determination is made as to whether there are any contact routing rules associates with the user. If so, the record of contact routing rules associated with the user is accessed and the contact is routed to at least two designated devices simultaneously, each designated device associated with a different telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Bandwidth.com, Inc.
    Inventors: James Mulcahy, Anders Brownworth
  • Patent number: 8890705
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a location of a wireless device using radio waves and pressure measurements is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of Radio Signal Strength (RSS) measurements are used to trilaterate an approximate location of the wireless device. The wireless device also takes pressure measurements that are compared with a second pressure measurement made by at least one other pressure sensor at a known elevation and in a local area near the wireless device. This comparison is used to generate an accurate estimate of the elevation of the wireless device. The accurate estimate of elevation may be combined with the RSS measurements to yield an accurate estimate of the location of the wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard O. Farley, Dimosthenis Kaleas, Gianni Giorgetti
  • Patent number: 8890864
    Abstract: A mobile terminal and 3D image controlling method therein are disclosed to create a 3D image. The present invention includes displaying a map in a prescribed range on a display unit with reference to a current location, setting 1st area to create a 3D space image on the display map, displaying a 1st shot location information for obtaining a plurality of right and left eye images within the set 1st area using at least one of a distance information and an angle information, consecutively obtaining a plurality of the right and left eye images within the set 1st area, creating a source image of the 3D space image for the 1st area by synthesizing a plurality of the obtained right and left eye images together, and outputting the created source image to be outputted as a 3D image of a stereoscopic type via the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yunhwan Seol, Soojung Lim, Kyungdong Choi
  • Patent number: 8892119
    Abstract: Disclosed are an automatic position information transmission system and a method using a wireless data network capable of improving convenience of search by registering icons associated with keywords on search screens of corresponding mobile phones and registering icons representing a search position range on the search screens while improving convenience of use by automatically transmitting position information regarding the corresponding mobile phones during a call attempt to a pre-authorized specific mobile phone through a wireless Internet network and automatically transmitting the position information regarding the corresponding mobile phones for each predetermined period or at the time of a call connection failure. The automatic position information transmission system and the method using the wireless data network can automatically transmit the moving routes or positions of children to the mobile phones of a parent as being previously set without performing the separate operations on the mobile phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: TW Mobile Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-Yong Lee, Ki-Won Nam, Hyun-Jong Song, Kyo-Sik Hong, Chun-Dong Kim, Yeon-Seok Cho
  • Patent number: 8892133
    Abstract: Apparatus comprising a first antenna configured to receive alignment signalling from a first transmitter over a first communication channel, the first communication channel having a first set of characteristics, and a second antenna configured to exchange data with a second transmitter over a second communication channel, the second communication channel having a second different set of characteristics. The apparatus also comprising a processor configured to process the alignment signalling received from the first antenna and determine the location of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus; and generate control signalling representative of the determined location of the second transmitter relative to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Timo Petteri Karttaavi, Likka Hemanni Hakala, Mauri Honkanen, Aarno Tapio Parssinen
  • Patent number: 8892169
    Abstract: A mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment includes a display unit that displays predetermined information, a display control unit that controls the display unit, an input unit that allows input of predetermined information, and a setting unit that sets the display unit to a first low brightness display state, in which the first low brightness display state displays the display unit with low brightness. When the setting unit sets a display state of the display unit to the first low brightness display state, the display control unit controls the display unit to display only predetermined information that should be displayed while controlling the display unit to display a background screen of the display unit with lowest brightness or brightness near the lowest brightness, which is first low brightness, at the time of displaying the predetermined information on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Casio Mobile Communications Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8892130
    Abstract: A system enables interactive socialization of users having a wireless device at a venue. The system includes a registration mechanism for registering a user. A location determination mechanism comprises a global positioning system that identifies the longitude and latitude of other users. An on-location update mechanism publishes the availability of the service at a given venue. A data mechanism runs a list of active sessions against a user compatibility engine. A notification is transmitted to each user that contains a compatibility match listing compatible users at the venue. Intercommunication among users is provided through the system/application, whereby a user receives the compatibility match notification and can respond with a message, block or ignore based on a compatibility assessment. The subject system or application may be used for a dating aid for meeting others, or to create networking opportunities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Robert P. Hudson, Peter R. Hyra
  • Patent number: 8892116
    Abstract: A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker at a first interval when the worker is assigned to a work task. When the worker is not working on the work task, the wireless communication device does not transmit location information, or transmits the location information less persistently. In this manner, business value of tracking mobile worker location is achieved while also allowing for enhanced privacy for the mobile worker when not working on a work task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Omnitracs, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas F. Doyle
  • Patent number: 8886256
    Abstract: A mobile electronic apparatus includes a memory that stores a search range of an object and a processor that executes a process. The process includes acquiring a moving speed of the mobile electronic apparatus, determining the search range of the object on a basis of the moving speed, detecting the object existing within the search range, detecting whether a display unit of the mobile electronic apparatus is in an active state, and notifying that the object is detected when the display unit is detected to be in the active state and the object existing within the search range is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Noriyuki Harada, Hiroshi Kanno, Toshiya Miyazaki
  • Patent number: RE45287
    Abstract: A system may enable vehicle operators to request information automatically along the route of travel by transmitting information requests, tied to the vehicle's current position, to a server. The server may store a plurality of informational files associated with particular global positioning system coordinates. Upon receipt of a request, the files associated with a particular position may be located and transmitted to the vehicle. The files may be stored as audio files so the user may listen to the files without being distracted while driving the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford H. Needham, Anthony C. Salvador, John W. Sherry