2608 results about "Geographic area" patented technology

Method and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes monitoring a set of signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting at least one predefined signaling transaction occurring on at least one of the predefined signaling links. Then, in response to the detection of the at least one predefined network transaction, at least one predefined location service is triggered.

A system and method for efficiently searching directory listing information to obtain more relevant results is provided. In a computer system running a computing application, it is advantageous to provide search capabilities, in the form of a search engine, to operators to assist them in their effort of retrieving desired data. The search engine may cooperate with a data store having directory listing information to provide listings data to an operator. In an illustrative implementation, this search engine may be deployed on an Internet Web site that offers business listing information. The search system may comprise a user interface to enter search query information, a data store that houses a variety of directory listing information according to a predefined data taxonomy, and a means for displaying the search results. In operation, the search engine offers a variety of search options, such as, search by business name, by business categories levels, by geographic position of the user or the business, or a combination thereof. Depending on the search query entered, the search engine will perform either a bounded search (i.e. a search bounded to a specific geographic area), a proximity search (i.e. a search proximate to a computed centroid), or a combination of the two to find the most relevant directory listings. Using the inputted search qualifiers, the search engine polls the data store according to a predefined set of rules and instructions for the relevant directory listing information. These rules are directly related to the taxonomy of the data store.

A system and method for searching, accessing, retrieving, representing and browsing geographic or location related information from the Web (i.e.: HTML documents that describe physical places), including a geographic distribution of places where selectable types of resources are located or certain types of services provided. A user may select any one of the automatically mapped locations and browse the information for this location.Documents accessible through the Web are tagged with the cartographic coordinates of the physical location referenced in the document and, optionally, with attributes of this physical location. Also provided is a method for searching and retrieving the tagged documents from a computer system by queries specifying parameters such as the cartographic coordinates of a reference location, the size of the geographic area to search around this reference location, and / or attributes of the locations to search inside that geographic area.

The present invention is designed to seamlessly deliver localized content to users on a network corresponding to each users' geographic area. In particular, the present invention considers a user's geographic location information (such as an address) in the determination of which geographic areas, if any, correspond to the user, and automatically delivers content associated with those geographic areas. By associating a unique spatial identity with a user, the present invention may use various known digital mapping spatial techniques to provide the user with information relevant to the user's location.

An auction service is provided that stimulates competition between energy suppliers (i.e., electric power or natural gas). A bidding moderator (Moderator) receives bids from the competing suppliers of the rate each is willing to charge to particular end users for estimated quantities of electric power or gas supply (separate auctions). Each supplier receives competing bids from the Moderator and has the opportunity to adjust its own bids down or up, depending on whether it wants to encourage or discourage additional energy delivery commitments in a particular geographic area or to a particular customer group. Each supplier's bids can also be changed to reflect each supplier's capacity utilization. Appropriate billing arrangements are also disclosed.

A satellite gateway is coupled to a communications network and is operative to communicate with a communications satellite. A terrestrial terminal interface subsystem is operative to communicate with the satellite gateway via the communications satellite using a first radio interface and to communicate with terminals over a geographic area using a second radio interface. The communications network may be a wireless communications network, and the satellite gateway is configured to communicate with a base station controller of the wireless communications network, such that the terrestrial terminal interface subsystem may provide one or more satellite-linked terrestrial base stations.

A method for accurately determining the geographic location of a PC or other networked device on the Internet. Client software furnished by a service provider performs trace-route or other network analysis commands to known servers (e.g., eBay, Yahoo, Amazon) or even servers at random locations. The client collects an array of IP address and other network information as a result of the trace-routes, and the trace-route IP information is then transmitted to the service provider that is trying to identify the geographic location of the client. Using the array of IP addresses thus generated, the Internet server software can analyze location information of each Internet hop within each trace-route. For example, the server might look at the first five hops from the client to the server. If four of the five routers have addresses within the geographic area of interest, the server can conclude that the client is probably within the geographic area.

The present invention uses spatial dictionaries (termed locationaries), for meaningfully checking and correcting the spelling of text on Geographic Information System (GIS) maps or other computer documents containing spatially, or coordinate-, bound text. Locationaries keep track of correctly spelled words and the geographic areas within which they are considered correctly spelled. In a preferred embodiment, locationaries are feature classes, ‘map layers’ of properly-spelled words or attributed features (objects). The invention selects such features from locationaries based on spatial criteria relative to the textual objects to spell-check. It then exports the attribute values to dictionaries that can be used by conventional spell checking engines. Once all errors and suggestions are found with such an engine and within user-specified criteria, a dialog is shown that contains a row per potentially-misspelled word found. From that dialog, the user can edit the word in the original textual object of the map.

A system and method for providing location information associated with a location owner to location consumers. A location server includes an owner profile for controlling access to the owner's location information. The owner profile contains information describing a user-defined geographic area. In response to a location consumer requesting the location owner's location information, the location server obtains data describing a current location of the location owner. The server determines if the current location falls within a set of boundaries that defines the user-defined geographic area. If the current location falls within a set of boundaries that defines the user-defined geographic area, the location server transmits the location information to the requesting location consumer.

A system and method for combining the delivery of advertising with weather predictions that are limited in geo-graphical area and time, and hence which are much more precise but also more time sensitive than regular weather forecasts. The present invention is preferably implemented with “nowcasting”.

The present invention is related to the delivery of requests for emergency service initially handled by an emergency service call center to a public safety answering point. The invention additionally allows for enhancement information to be provided to a public safety answering point operator visually in connection with calls routed to that public safety answering point. This information may include caller identification, and additional information, such as information regarding the location of the caller and the nature of the emergency. Furthermore, the routing of requests for emergency service to an appropriate public safety answering point can be accomplished for requests received over a wide geographic area. In particular, requests can be appropriately routed even though they may originate from locations encompassed by different E9-1-1 tandems. The present invention is particularly well suited for use in connection with automatic collision notification and personal alarm monitoring call centers serving areas encompassed by more than one E9-1-1 tandem.

Systems, methods and apparatuses for managing ground transportation in a geographical area are disclosed. A system for managing ground transportation in a geographical area in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one airborne surveillance platform, a graphical information systems (GIS) database, receiving information from the airborne surveillance platform, the GIS database storing data that represents the geographical area, the GIS database including at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area, and a routing tool, coupled to the GIS database, wherein the dynamic routing tool accepts data from the GIS database and determines a transportation route for at least one vehicle within the geographical area using at least the data from the GIS database and the information from the airborne surveillance platform.

Disclosed are systems and methods for creating and distributing programming content carried by a digital streaming media to be a plurality of remote nodes located over a large geographic area to create customized broadcast quality programming at the remote nodes. At the remote nodes, a multi-window screen display simultaneously shows different programming including national programming and local programming content. The remote nodes utilize a remote channel origination device to assemble the customized programming at the remote location that can be controlled from a central location. An encapsulated IP and IP encryption system is used to transport the digital streaming media to the appropriate remote nodes. Also disclosed is a graphical user interface (“GUI”) providing a software control interface for creating and editing shows or programs that can be aired or played on a remote display device having a multi-window display. The intuitive GUI Software provides the user the ability to easily manage and assemble a series of images, animations and transitions as a single broadcast quality program to be displayed on a remote display device. Another application software system is capable of automating the production of audio narration reports. The disclosed audio concatenation engine automates the creation of audio narration using prerecorded audio segments to minimize the requirement for live, on-air personnel to record audio narration segments.

Systems, methods and apparatuses for managing ground transportation in a geographical area are disclosed. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a graphical information systems (GIS) database that stores traffic data related to the geographical area, wherein the GIS database includes at least one node representing at least one geographical location within the geographic area and at least one arc representing at least one street within the geographic area, an impedance calculation engine, coupled to the GIS database, that determines impedances associated with the at least one node and at least one arc, and a data formatter, coupled to the GIS database and to the impedance calculation engine, for formatting incoming data used by the impedance calculation engine, wherein the impedance calculation engine updates impedances associated with the at least one node and the at least one arc based on inputs from the GIS database.

Some embodiments use scanning devices to characterize radio signals received at a number of locations within a geographical area of interest. The signal characteristics along with the location information associated with the characteristics are stored in a centralized reference database. A mobile device characterizes signals it receives at a certain location and compares the characteristics with the signal characteristics stored in the reference database to obtain accurate location information of the certain location.

The present invention uses spatial dictionaries (termed locationaries), for meaningfully checking and correcting the spelling of text on Geographic Information System (GIS) maps or other computer documents containing spatially, or coordinate-, bound text. Locationaries keep track of correctly spelled words and the geographic areas within which they are considered correctly spelled. In a preferred embodiment, locationaries are feature classes, ‘map layers’ of properly-spelled words or attributed features (objects). The invention selects such features from locationaries based on spatial criteria relative to the textual objects to spell-check. It then exports the attribute values to dictionaries that can be used by conventional spell checking engines. Once all errors and suggestions are found with such an engine and within user-specified criteria, a dialog is shown that contains a row per potentially-misspelled word found. From that dialog, the user can edit the word in the original textual object of the map.

A method of estimating a location of a WLAN-enabled user-device in a WLAN-based positioning system is provided. The WLAN-enabled device receives signals transmitted by WLAN-enabled access points in range of the WLAN-enabled user-device so that observed WLAN-enabled access points identify themselves. The method includes accessing a master database that associates WLAN-enabled access points with corresponding audited locations as determined by an audit of a relatively large geographic area and obtaining location information for any identified WLAN-enabled access point. The method includes accessing a supplemental database to obtain inferred location information corresponding to any identified WLAN-enabled access point. The supplemental database has a relatively small set of WLAN-enabled access points and corresponding inferred locations. The inferred locations are inferred based on input by a user of the WLAN-based positioning system. The method includes estimating a location of the WLAN-enabled user-device based on the audited location information and the inferred location information.

A space segment for a radioterminal communications system includes a satellite having service link antennas of different sizes that are configured to communicate with at least one radioterminal. The service link antennas of different size may serve different sized geographic areas, which may at least partially overlap. Analogous radioterminal communications methods also are provided.

A Common radio resource management method is performed in a mobile radio communication network employing different radio access technologies that overlap over a geographic area subdivided into cells belonging to the domains of respective controllers which are connected to each other in overlapping or adjacent domains and to a core network by means of relevant interfaces. The controllers calculate new traffic-related Information Elements to be exchanged over the existing interfaces to the aim of planning handovers and / or cell reselections towards adjacent cells either of the same or different RAT. Cell capabilities and mobile terminal capabilitiess being also specified by respective IEs. Diversely from the conventional traffic-related IEs based on Cell Load parameters or Free Capacity, the new IEs include indications of the “availability” of bearer services in the cell in terms of maximum bitrate, either guaranteed or not guaranteed, that can currently be allowed to each bearer service.

A method of operating a navigation system comprises providing an image of a geographic area through which a portion of a route between an origin and destination passes. The image is an approximate 360-degree image. The method provides a guidance information overlay on the image. The guidance information overlay may be a route highlight, a maneuver arrow, an indication of a path that has been traveled, an identification of a main route and an alternative route, and a label.

Systems and methods to determine prices for communication leads generated from pay for performance advertisements. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing an advertisement with a reference to customers on behalf of a specific party; facilitating communications between the party and a customer via the reference; and charging the party according to a price bid specified by the party in response to a lead to communications between the party and the customer facilitated via the reference. In one embodiment, a fee for the communication leads is determined according to the price bid specified by the party for the advertisement and at least one predetermined rule, which may be based on the geographic area of the advertisement, the categories of the advertisement, the price bids of a selected set of advertisements, and / or the query that causes the advertisement to be presented.

A communication system for distributing information via a network to one or more subscribers includes a multi-port switch, one or more radio frequency (RF) modems coupled to respective ports of the switch, a combiner and a transmitter. The switch forwards source information to the RF modems based on address information. Each RF modem modulates and up converts information from the switch to an RF signal within a respective subscriber channel of the television broadcast spectrum. Each channel is assigned to one or more subscribers, and each subscriber is allocated unshared bandwidth. Each channel may be further divided into unshared bandwidth increments, so that multiple subscribers may share a single channel. The combiner combines modulated information from each RF modem into a combined signal and the transmitter transmits the combined signal to the subscribers via the network. An HFC network including a distribution point and one or more optical nodes is contemplated, each optical node serving a particular geographic area via a corresponding coaxial cable. Each subscriber destination includes a gateway device or the like that is tuned to a corresponding channel to retrieve source information from that channel, and to deliver the information to one or more local subscriber devices. The gateway further includes converters, a modulator and an up converter to receive and transmit subscriber information upstream to the distribution point. The gateways and an address resolution server enforce point to point communications. A bandwidth manager allocates bandwidth and monitors bandwidth usage.

System and method for dynamic delivery of services and applications from a server to mobile computing devices in a wireless proximity framework. This wireless proximity framework allows users of mobile computing devices to dynamically access services and applications available in a given geographic area without preinstalling software for each service or application. Further, the wireless proximity framework allows developers to more quickly and easily adapt existing non-wireless services for use by heterogeneous mobile computing devices. Still further, the wireless proximity framework allows for services and applications to be delivered in a customized manner to each mobile computing device.

Systems and methods for two-way, interactive communication regarding emergency notifications and responses for mobile environments are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a specific geographic area is designated for selective emergency communications. The emergency communications may comprise text, audio, video, and other types of data. The emergency notification is sent to users' mobile communications devices such as in-vehicle telematics units, cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, etc. that are currently located in the designated area. The sender of the emergency message or the users' service provider(s) may remotely control cameras and microphones associated with the users' mobile communications devices. For example, a rear camera ordinarily used when driving in reverse may be used to capture images and video that may assist authorities in searching for a suspect. The users' vehicles may send photographs or video streams of nearby individuals, cars and license plates, along with real-time location information, in response to the emergency notification. Image recognition algorithms may be used to analyze license plates, vehicles, and faces captured by the users' cameras and determine whether they match a suspect's description. Advantageously, the present invention utilizes dormant resources in a highly beneficial and time-saving manner that increases public safety and national security.

The present invention is directed to a method and management service platform for implementing a global ecosystem of interrelated services. The service platform is comprised of three distinct layers: a physical machine layer; a virtual machine layer and a layer of interrelated services. The physical machine layer may be deployed on large numbers of small generic servers in many geographic locations distributed for enterprise use. Associated with one or more servers are particular resources managed by that particular server. Any server in any geographic location can process any service needed by any client in any other geographic area. The operating system of each physical server is not used directly in the operating environment, but instead, each server runs a platform-independent programming language virtual machine on top of the operating system—this is the virtual machine layer. Services are location independent processing entities that are managed dynamically, configured dynamically, load their code remotely, and found and communicated with dynamically. A generic service container is a CPU process into which arbitrary software services may be homed to a host server at runtime. Thus, a virtual machine layer is an interface layer of service which supports the layer of interrelated srvices rather than the operating system of the physical machines.

Various embodiments relate to the systems and methods for creating events, creating points of interest, associating points of interest with geographic locations, associating events with points of interest or with geographic locations, discovering events in a geographic area given a time frame, tagging and rating events and points of interest and sharing events among users. A particular embodiment includes a computer-implemented method including associating geographical locations or points of interest with events having geographical and temporal attributes in a geo-temporal data store, receiving a geo-temporal search query specified by a user, and producing search results including items from the geo-temporal data store having a pre-determined degree of relevance to the geo-temporal search query in both a geographical and temporal domain.

A system and method for transaction processing includes a central repository of transaction information which can be accessed by a variety of participants who may be located over a wide geographic area in the recovery process of a property unit such as a vehicle or other collateral. Interfacing with a variety of computer systems over a communication network, such as the Internet, allows interchange of data relating to the recovery process and centralized coordination of the recovery process.

System and method for dynamic delivery of services and applications from a server to mobile computing devices in a wireless proximity framework. This wireless proximity framework allows users of mobile computing devices to dynamically access services and applications available in a given geographic area without preinstalling software for each service or application. Further, the wireless proximity framework allows developers to more quickly and easily adapt existing non-wireless services for use by heterogeneous mobile computing devices. Still further, the wireless proximity framework allows for services and applications to be delivered in a customized manner to each mobile computing device.

A method of operating a navigation system comprises providing an image of a geographic area through which a portion of a route between an origin and destination passes. The image is an approximate 360-degree image. The method provides a guidance information overlay on the image. The guidance information overlay may be a route highlight, a maneuver arrow, an indication of a path that has been traveled, an identification of a main route and an alternative route, and a label.