Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a satellite
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-08
2001-01-23
Blum, Theodore M. (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a satellite
C701S208000, C701S211000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177905
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to features of mobile user devices, such as personal digital assistants and wireless communications devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many things that a person has to do are associated with particular places. For example, one mails a letter at a post office or a mailbox, buys groceries at a local grocery store, and checks the condition of furnace filters at home. There is presently no easy way for a person to be reminded of something (e.g., a to-do item) when he or she arrives at a corresponding location. Hence, a person is usually required to keep the association of the action and the corresponding location at the forefront of their mind, and thus subject to be forgotten.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to solving these and other problems and disadvantages of the prior art. Illustratively, according to the invention, a mobile user device—such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless telephone, a car phone, or any other programmable device that the user generally has with him or her—is equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and is programmable by the user to alert the user to when he or she (along with the device) arrives at a predetermined location, as well as to disclose to the user whatever information or perform whatever action the user chose to associate with the location. Thus, for example, when the user arrives in the vicinity of the post office, the device alerts him or her that they have a letter to post; when the user is passing by the local grocery store, the device alerts him or her and displays a shopping list; and when the user arrives at home, the device alerts him or her to check the furnace filters. Consequently, the user does not have to rely on his or her memory to be reminded of desired information or actions upon his or her arrival at a particular location.
Generally according to the invention, an apparatus comprises a mobile (e.g., a portable) device that includes an information input facility and an information output facility, a global positioning system receiver connected to the mobile device for indicating to the portable device a geographical location of the mobile device, a matcher responsive to information received via the input facility specifying a geographical location and information associated therewith for repeatedly determining whether a presently-indicated said geographical location matches the specified geographical location, and a notifier responsive to the matcher's determination of a match for generating an alert and disclosing the associated information via the output facility (e.g., a display, an I/O port). Preferably, the portable device is for accompanying (e.g., being carried by) a user, the information input facility enables the user to input information, including the information associated with the geographical location and information specifying the geographical location into the device, the information output facility enables the user to receive information, including the information associated with the geographical location from the device, and the notifier generates an alert for alerting the user accompanying the device.
These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention considered together with the drawing.
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patent: WO 98 35311 (1998-08-01), None
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Zeli Systems Homepage, Providing “No Hassle” GPS Solutions for Popular Computer Platforms.
U. S. Robotics, Copyright 1997,Palm Pilot, The Connected Organizer Handbook,—pp. ii-iii, pp. 1-22, pp. 45-63, pp. 77-85, pp. 135-150.
Avaya Technology Corp.
Blum Theodore M.
Volejnicek David
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