Portable communications device and method of use

Abstract

A system, method, apparatus and computer program product for providing location based functions and mobile e-commerce comprising a central processing unit including a processor, a storage device, and programming stored in the storage device, a display device, an audio input device, an audio output device, a communications module, a commerce module, an image module, and a location module. The programming controls the operation of the present invention to provide functions based on location data, to facilitate commercial exchanges by wirelessly exchanging payment and product information with venders, to identify services such as venders meeting selection criteria, to wirelessly exchange select information with other users and systems, to restrict and / or monitor the use of the device based on authorized user parameters, to select one of a plurality networks through which to communicate, to detect a trigger for performing an action based on a change in location and sensed data, to store a voice annotation with a computer data file, to determine service providers and associated communication parameters, to contemporaneously maintain a wireless voice and data link, to provide a system for selecting mobile advertisements, and many other functions and services that are described herein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 154,008, filed May 23, 2002 (Barnes-3), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety, for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates, generally, to the field of mobile communications and computer processing and more particularly, to a system, method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing location based services, mobile e-commerce, and other functions. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Background [0005] Mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDA) include functionality that is typically limited to providing a telephone communication link, which can be also sometimes used as a data communication link, and a set of software programs such as a calendar, email client, mini-browser, word processor, and other similar user applications. Such devices therefore typically...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables enhanced mobile e-commerce, location-based services, and wireless network communications, allowing vendors to target customers with location-specific advertisements and promotions, improving user experience and sales opportunities.

Problems solved by technology

Such devices therefore typically have limited functionality.

However, currently portable devices do not provide users with many services and functions that are related to, or based on, the user's location or changes in location.

Similarly, while such devices often have capabilities for providing a telephone communication link, very few provide capabilities for providing wireless Local Area Network (LAN), wireless Personal Area Network (PAN), or any other wireless network communications.

Furthermore, such devices typically do not include Web services capabilities or access thereto.

As a result of these deficiencies and others, such devices fail to provide substantial mobile e-commerce services, location based functions, and functions or services available through the use of a wireless LAN.

Furthermore, to date, venders have not been able to take advantage of location information associated with customers and potential customers or obtain information about prospective customers.

Consequently, venders are typically not aware of the nearby or approaching presence of a past customer, potential customer, or person seeking a product that the vender offers.

In addition, even if a vender had such information, venders have no mechanism in place for presenting advertisements to the person or otherwise enticing the user to visit the vender store location or make a purchase.

Furthermore, even if such a mechanism was in place, the vender typically has no information about the person that can be used as a basis for selecting of an advertisement to be presented to the person or customizing the advertisement and the person has little incentive for viewing such an advertisement.

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