U.S. patent application number 14/359931 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-13 for system, methods and nodes for providing zone-based services based on pairings between compatible profiles.
The applicant listed for this patent is UNIVERSITE LAVAL. Invention is credited to Serge Lacasse, Guillermo Saldana.
Application Number | 20140335901 14/359931 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48468941 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140335901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lacasse; Serge ; et
al. |
November 13, 2014 |
SYSTEM, METHODS AND NODES FOR PROVIDING ZONE-BASED SERVICES BASED
ON PAIRINGS BETWEEN COMPATIBLE PROFILES
Abstract
Disclosed methods and systems allow provision of zone-based
services to users. Both zones and users have their own profiles. A
detection system allows determining when users enter or leave a
zone. A pairing is calculated between compatible elements of zone
profiles, or between compatible elements of the user profiles.
Delivery of zone-based services may conditionally be granted
according to a level of the pairing. Pairings may also be
established between users or between zones. A server may manage
profiles for the zones and for the users.
Inventors: |
Lacasse; Serge;
(Saint-Romuald, CA) ; Saldana; Guillermo; (Quebec,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNIVERSITE LAVAL |
Quebec |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
48468941 |
Appl. No.: |
14/359931 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 19, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CA2012/001068 |
371 Date: |
May 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61562532 |
Nov 22, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/456.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 51/043 20130101;
H04L 12/1859 20130101; H04W 4/021 20130101; H04W 4/21 20180201;
H04L 51/20 20130101; H04L 12/1845 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/456.3 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/02 20060101
H04W004/02; H04W 4/20 20060101 H04W004/20 |
Claims
1. A method for providing zone-based services to users, comprising:
detecting presence of a user in a zone; calculating a pairing
between compatible elements of a profile of the zone and of a
profile of the user; and offering a service to the user based on
the pairing.
2. The method of claim 1, comprising: conditionally offering the
service to the user if the pairing meets or exceeds a threshold
value.
3. The method of claim 2, comprising: assigning a weighting value
to each profile element for calculation of the pairing.
4. The method of claim 3, comprising: assigning greater than zero
weighting values to compatible profile elements; and assigning a
weighting value set to zero or to a negative value to incompatible
profile elements.
5. The method of claim 1, comprising: receiving a displayed user
profile from the user; wherein the profile of the user comprises at
least the displayed profile.
6. A method for providing zone-based services to users, comprising:
receiving from a first user a searched user profile (SUP);
receiving from a second user a displayed user profile (DUP); and
calculating a pairing between compatible elements of the SUP and of
the DUP.
7. The method of claim 6, comprising: conditionally establishing a
communication between the first and second users if the pairing
meets or exceeds a threshold value.
8. The method of claim 6, comprising: editing by the second user of
an element of the displayed user profile (DUP) according to a
desired service.
9. A method for providing zone-based services to users, comprising:
calculating a pairing between compatible elements of a searched
profile of a first user and of a displayed profile of a second
user; detecting a presence of the second user in a given zone; and
conditionally establishing a communication between the first and
second users if the pairing meets or exceeds a threshold value.
10. The method of claim 9, comprising: detecting a presence of the
first user in the given zone.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein: the second user is virtually
present in the given zone.
12. A system for providing zone-based services to users,
comprising: a plurality of detection systems associated with zones
for detecting presence of the users in the zones; and a server
communicatively coupled to the detection systems and comprising a
database for storing areas of coverage of each zone and for storing
location information about the users.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein: a detection system associated
with a given zone is configured to inform the server of the
presence of a given user; and the server is configured to:
calculate a pairing between compatible elements of a profile of the
given zone and of a profile of the given user, and conditionally
grant a service to the given user if the pairing meets or exceeds a
threshold value.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein: the database is further
configured to store weighting levels for each element of the
profile of the given zone and for each element of the profile of
the given user; and the server is further configured to use the
weighting levels to calculate the pairing.
15. A method for acquiring a service at a terminal, comprising:
receiving, at the terminal, a displayed zone profile (DZP) and a
searched user profile (SUP); selecting, at the terminal, a
displayed user profile (DUP) and a searched zone profile (SZP)
based on a desired service corresponding to the DZP and to the SUP;
and transmitting, from the terminal, the DUP and the SZP.
16. The method of 15, wherein: selecting, at the terminal, a
displayed user profile (DUP) comprises selecting one or more
information elements of a generic user profile.
17. A terminal, comprising: a receiver for receiving a displayed
zone profile (DZP) and a searched user profile (SUP); a controller
for selecting a displayed user profile (DUP) and a searched zone
profile (SZP) based on a desired service corresponding to the DZP;
and a transmitter for transmitting the DUP and the SZP.
18. The terminal of 17, wherein: the controller selects the
displayed user profile (DUP) by selecting one or more information
elements of a generic user profile.
19. A method of detecting presence of mobile terminals in a zone,
comprising: receiving, from a mobile terminal, a signal indicating
that the mobile terminal is entering or leaving a coverage area of
the zone; and forwarding toward a server a message indicating that
the mobile terminal has entered or left the coverage area of the
zone.
20. The method of claim 19, comprising: transmitting, within the
coverage area of the zone, a signal allowing the mobile terminal to
detect boundaries of the coverage area of the zone.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein: the signal allowing the mobile
terminal to detect boundaries of the coverage area of the zone
comprises a system code and an identification code of the zone.
22. A device for detecting presence of mobile terminals in a zone,
comprising: a receiver for receiving, from a mobile terminal, a
signal indicating that the mobile terminal is entering or leaving a
coverage area of the zone; and a controller for forwarding toward a
server a message indicating that the mobile terminal has entered or
left the coverage area of the zone.
23. The device of claim 22, comprising: a transmitter for
transmitting, within the coverage area of the zone, a signal
allowing the mobile terminal to detect boundaries of the coverage
area of the zone.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein: the signal allowing the mobile
terminal to detect boundaries of the coverage area of the zone
comprises a system code and an identification code of the zone.
25. A zone for providing services to users, comprising: a displayed
profile of services provided by the zone; and a searched profile of
a user or of another zone.
26. The zone of claim 25, comprising: a geographical coverage area;
and a detection system for detecting presence of a given user in
the coverage area.
27. The zone of claim 26, wherein: the detection system is
communicatively coupled to a server and is configured to inform the
server of a presence of the given user within the geographical
coverage area.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of mobile
services. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a
system, methods and nodes for providing zone-based services based
on pairings between compatible profiles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Current location based service solutions are based on
geolocation mechanisms that rely on Global Positioning System (GPS)
technology, location of WiFi transmitting stations, and the like.
These solutions are ill-adapted for indoor detection, positioning
in shopping centers, subways or other underground spaces, or for
discriminating between floors of a building. Moreover, current
solutions do not adequately support location based intelligent
interactivity.
[0003] Another problem lies in the absence of a true bond between
virtual worlds and the real world. Virtual connections between
users may be established over the Internet. However, the Internet
may only provide a disembodied communication between users, without
accounting for their actual physical location.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need for techniques for enabling the
provision of zone-based interactive services.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a method for providing zone-based services to users.
Presence of a user in a zone is detected. A pairing is calculated
between compatible elements of a profile of the zone and of a
profile of the user. A service is offered to the user based on the
pairing.
[0006] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is also
provided a method for providing zone-based services to users. A
searched user profile (SUP) is received from a first user. A
displayed user profile (DUP) is received from a second user. A
pairing between compatible elements of the SUP and of the DUP is
calculated.
[0007] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a method
for providing zone-based services to users. A pairing between
compatible elements of a searched profile of a first user and of a
displayed profile of a second user is calculated. Presence of the
second user in a given zone is detected. A communication is
conditionally established between the first and second users if the
pairing meets or exceeds a threshold value.
[0008] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure
provides a system for providing zone-based services to users. The
system comprises a plurality of detection systems associated with
zones for detecting presence of the users in the zones. The system
also comprises a server communicatively coupled to the detection
systems and having a database for storing areas of coverage of each
zone and for storing location information about the users.
[0009] According to a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides
a method for acquiring a service at a terminal. The terminal
receives a displayed zone profile (DZP) and a searched user profile
(SUP). Selection is made, at the terminal, of a displayed user
profile (DUP) and of a searched zone profile (SZP) based on a
desired service corresponding to the DZP and to the SUP. The
terminal transmits the DUP and the SZP.
[0010] In a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a terminal comprising a receiver, a controller and a
transmitter. The receiver receives a displayed zone profile (DZP)
and a searched user profile (SUP). The controller selects a
displayed user profile (DUP) and a searched zone profile (SZP)
based on a desired service corresponding to the DZP. The
transmitter transmits the DUP and the SZP.
[0011] In a seventh aspect, the present disclosure provides a
method of detecting presence of mobile terminals in a zone. A
signal indicating that a mobile terminal is entering or leaving a
coverage area of the zone is received from the mobile terminal. A
message is forwarded toward a server to indicate that the mobile
terminal has entered or left the coverage area of the zone.
[0012] According to an eight aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided a device for detecting presence of mobile
terminals in a zone. The device comprises a receiver and a
controller. The receiver receives, from a mobile terminal, a signal
indicating that the mobile terminal is entering or leaving a
coverage area of the zone. The controller forwards toward a server
a message indicating that the mobile terminal has entered or left
the coverage area of the zone.
[0013] In a ninth aspect, the present disclosure provides a zone
for providing services to users. The zone comprises a displayed
profile of services provided by the zone and a searched profile of
a user or of another zone.
[0014] The foregoing and other features will become more apparent
upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of
illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a sequence for
granting a zone-based service to a user;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing another example of a sequence
for granting a zone-based service to a user located outside of the
zone;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a sequence for
sending service offers from a zone to users;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of an example of a
detection system within a zone;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an example of mobile
terminal;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a basic diagram showing examples of interaction
between users, a zone and a server;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a schematic, simplified representation of a zone
showing presence of users within the zone and showing information
elements about users present in the zone;
[0023] FIG. 8 shows examples of associations that may be
established between various user profiles and zone profiles;
[0024] FIG. 9 shows a map of possible associations that may be
established between various user profiles and zone profiles;
and
[0025] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example of mapping of
profile elements between two entities.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Various aspects of the present disclosure generally address
one or more of the problems of detecting users accessing a zone
(physically or virtually) and providing the users with advanced
services based on profile compatibility.
[0027] The present disclosure combines, in a complementary way, (1)
using a presence detection system for identifying users accessing a
zone, (2) offering to detected users or to users virtually visiting
a zone a secure and interactive communication link, (3) offering a
fixed or mobile interactive spatial communication reference, (4)
valorization of a time factor for a limited time duration of a
communication space, and (5) a possibility to adapt and group
services and applications, such as for example product orders, road
guidance, safety video camera, programs, alarm messages, and the
like. A combination of some or all of from these five (5)
principles amounts to a concept of intelligent zones.
[0028] The following terminology is used throughout the present
disclosure: [0029] Wireless communication: communication between
two communication devices via radio communication, infrared
communication, ultrasound communication, or like means for
propagating information. [0030] Terminal: one of many types of user
devices capable of having bi-directional communication with a
network. [0031] Mobile terminal: a portable terminal capable of
wireless communication with a network. [0032] User: a person
accessing a system disclosed herein through a terminal or a mobile
terminal. [0033] Zone: a physical or geographical area, of any
size, which may offer services to users or other zones; by
extension, the zone may comprise site equipment for detecting user
presence. [0034] Service: any useful zone-related function offered
for the benefit of a user or for the benefit of a zone, whether or
not the user or the zone is charged therefor. [0035] Profile: a
representation of at least one characteristic of a user or his/her
terminal (user profile, also called terminal profile), or a
representation of at least one characteristic of a zone (zone
profile); in the context of the present disclosure, any mention of
a profile may comprise an entire profile, a subset of an entire
profile, or a profile among a plurality of profiles of a given user
or of a given zone. A plurality of profiles may be active at the
same time. A given profile, or part of a profile may be
confidential. [0036] General Profile: A general profile may be
created by an entity defining its basic characteristics. [0037]
Displayed profile: A representation of at least one characteristic
about an entity (user or zone) that is accessible to other entities
(users or zones) at a given time. [0038] Searched profile: A
representation of at least one characteristic that an entity (user
or zone) requires from other entities (users or zones) at a given
time. [0039] Detection: the act of manually or automatically
discovering the presence of a user, or of his/her terminal, within
a zone, or his/her departure from the zone. [0040] Detection
system: equipment used to detect presence, entry or exit of a user
from a zone; the detection system may comprise dedicated site
equipment at a zone; alternatively, nodes of a cellular network, of
a WiFi system, of a Wimax system, of a Bluetooth system, or other
similar devices may be associated with the zone for use as a
detection system. [0041] Geolocation: identification of a
geographical location of a person or device, for example but not
limited to using the Global Positioning System (GPS). [0042] WiFi:
a wireless connectivity technology based on the IEEE 802.11 family
of standards. [0043] Wimax (Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access): a wireless connectivity technology based on the
IEEE 802.16 family of standards. [0044] Bluetooth: a proprietary,
but open technology for wirelessly exchanging data over short
distances. [0045] Pairing: profile-based association between two
(or more) entities, wherein the entities may comprise users and/or
zones. [0046] Server: a network node or a group of network nodes
that stores and manages information about entities (users or
zones), such as profiles, detection, zone delimitation, statistics,
and the like, as well as any other form of content, and performs
pairings between entities.
[0047] The present disclosure introduces a method, nodes, and a
system for providing zone-based services, as disclosed herein. The
disclosure involves a clarification of fundamental user needs
related to zone-based services, leading to a definition of
intelligent zones.
[0048] Two types of entities are defined, comprising zones and
users. A system server manages information about the two types of
entities. The system server may store, for each zone, nominal data,
information about commercial contents and services available within
coverage of the zone, profiles of the zone, and information
concerning presence of users in the zone, obtained through
automatic or manual detection, for example using special software,
compatible with features of the overall system, implemented in a
terminal of a user. The system server may store, for each user,
nominal data, one or more user profiles including confidential
parts of user profiles, statistics about user behavior, location
information including current or earlier presence in a given zone.
In various embodiments, the system server may be realized as a
central server, a network of servers, a distributed server, a
server specific to each zone, or any other similar configuration
serving the same purpose. When more than one server is present,
some servers may treat some type of information elements while
others may treat other types of information elements.
Alternatively, a plurality of servers may support the same
functions, in a load-sharing fashion. A zone-specific server may be
connected to a central server, complementary features being
implemented in the central server and in the zone-specific server.
In yet another embodiment, a zone-specific server may operate in
isolation. When a zone has a zone-specific server, features of the
zone-specific server may be construed as features of the system
server. In the context of the present disclosure, mentions of
"system server" may relate to any of the above-mentioned server
configurations, including combinations thereof.
[0049] The present solution allows providing a broad range of
services, including services available only through the present
system, while also integrating existing services. The disclosed
system uses in a complementary manner various types of links. Links
may be established between two or more users, between a user and a
service provider, for example a commercial application, or even
between two or more zones. In this way, it is possible to deliver,
within a zone, mobile communication services that promote local
value-added services or contents, which are offered exclusively in
the zone.
[0050] The present disclosure also overcomes the absence of a true
bond between virtual worlds and the real world. Virtual visits
provide users the possibility to be simultaneously in contact with
a plurality of zones. Unlike the Internet, which may provide a
disembodied communication between users without accounting for
their actual physical location, the present disclosure becomes an
open door to establishment of actual contacts between users at a
given moment and at a given physical location. These types of
contact take several forms, including interaction between a user
and a zone, zone-based interaction between users, interaction
between zones, virtual visit to a zone, interaction with fixed
computers, with fixed terminals, with stations especially installed
for providing zone-based services, with mobile terminals, and the
like.
[0051] Moreover, the system server manages in a general way the
following data types: delimitation of the coverage areas of the
zones and neighboring relations of the zones, detection of users
accessing or leaving a zone, user and zone profiles, statistics,
content, etc., and establishment of relations between the data. The
system server also may allow or deny data access or service
access.
[0052] Zones are areas in which users may enter, reside for a time
period before leaving again. A zone thus represents a virtually or
physically delimited space in which a user may be located and
benefit from a service. Creation of these intelligent zones allows
interactive, secure and adapted communication services, indoors as
well as outdoors. A system built on such zones offers location
adapted information to users physically or virtually present in a
given location. Examples of location adapted information may
comprise local service offerings, publicity, local information,
news alerts, multi-media content, software applications, software
downloads, and exchange of information with third parties software
or database, and the like. As a specific example, a user may visit
a zone having a coverage corresponding to a coffee shop. Based on a
user profile, which may include consumer habits of the user, and
based on a profile of the zone that incorporates the coffee shop,
the user may be immediately greeted with his preferred coffee brew
as he enters the coffee shop, and the beverage may be billed to his
account.
[0053] The system thus comprises intelligent zones that may
interact with users whose presence is detected within the zone, or
as a result of a virtual visit from outside one of the zone. A
communication is established between the user/mobile and the system
server as soon as the server is informed that the user has accessed
a zone. An interactive contact may be established between users
(individuals and/or businesses) within and/or outside of the zones,
using terminals equipped with special software compatible with the
overall system for offering and for requesting information and/or
for marketing, by means of specific profiles, services, contents,
and the like. Contact may also be established between zones, for
example between two neighboring zones, when one zone offers a
service that the other zone may use, or when one zone may redirect
users to the other zone.
[0054] In fact, the present disclosure involves an ability to
determine whether or not a user is present within coverage of a
zone, whether indoors or outdoors, including user presence on a
given floor of a multi-story building. It should be observed that
some earlier geolocation techniques, such as GPS, do not provide a
required amount of location granularity for some of the location
base services. In addition, GPS coverage may be poor or inexistent
in many indoor locations, especially in underground locations in
shopping centers, subways, underground areas, or in multi-story
buildings. The disclosed system avoids limits imposed by GPS
geolocation. In contrast to existing solutions that are based on
geolocation, through the use of GPS, location of WiFi access
points, and the like, the present system makes it possible to
determine an access location in any type of zones, whether or not
such location is detectable at a sufficiently fine granularity by
conventional geolocation mechanisms. In a variant, detection
equipment specifically dedicated to detection of users in a zone
may further provide an alternative Internet access to its users.
For example, a zone where a user may be located may comprise all or
a part of a shopping center, a subway, an underground location, a
floor of a multi-story building, and the like. The zones may have
various sizes, from broad external spaces, for example an outdoor
music festival, to very small spaces, for example a space in front
of a kiosk in a congress center. Location methods used herein allow
avoiding limits imposed by existing types of geolocation. This in
turn allows providing of a broad range of services.
[0055] The system may include at least two types of detection: An
automatic detection, a manual detection, or a combination of
automatic and manual detection of the localization of the users may
be made. Any one or both of these two types of detection may be
used, according to the needs of a particular implementation.
[0056] Manual detection may require an action of the user, for
example a reading of a barcode or of a Q-Code by his intelligent
mobile terminal, or a manual input of a code when a user reaches a
given location. Automatic detection may for example have recourse
to various solutions for the detection of mobile terminals when a
user reaches a zone, including but not limited to ultrasounds,
microwaves, WiFi, Wimax, chips, Bluetooth, smart card, and the
like. A mobile terminal may detect entry into a zone by detection
of a service set identification (SSID) emitted by a WiFi or
Bluetooth station. Location updating mechanisms of well-known
cellular systems may also be used as a form of automatic detection,
or complement other forms of automatic detection. These types of
detection may be used individually or complementarily, according to
the needs of a specific application. In some cases, a mobile
terminal may be able to manage both detection types, according to
hardware and software features implemented in the mobile
terminal.
[0057] For example, a congress center could use an automatic
control for all accesses, additionally having recourse to barcodes
for precisely locating users at a given kiosk. In the case of
external zones, where manual reading of codes bars may not be
practical, if one needs to know at what time a user leaves the
zone, several alternative methods may be used singly or in various
combinations: [0058] 1) Access to another zone: as a user reaches a
new zone, the system server obtains information about the detection
of the user accessing the new zone and thus automatically assumes
the user has left the previous zone. [0059] 2) Interaction time
between the system server and the user: after a certain inactivity
time, the system server may contact the user to confirm whether or
not he/she has left the zone. [0060] 3) By geolocation: a
geolocation system, for example GPS, cellular tower, a WiFi access
point, may detect that a user has left a zone and provide this
information to the system server. [0061] 4) Generally, automatic
location updating in the system server when users enter the zones
facilitates cancellation of user presence information in the
preceding zones.
[0062] The present disclosure also introduces aspects of "virtual
visits" of a zone. Thus, a user may be located outside of any zone
but be able to visit any zone virtually. A user may also be located
(physically or virtually) in several zones at the same time. For
example, while being physically located in one zone, a user may be
located at the same time in other zones virtually. The disclosure
therefore includes the possibility of being physically in a given
zone and obtaining a service offered by this zone, as well as
obtaining a service from a different zone that is accessed
virtually.
[0063] By combining different kinds of information (detection, zone
delimitation, profiles, content, and the like) the system server
may establish relations between the data.
[0064] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing
an example of a sequence for granting a zone-based service to a
user. A sequence 100 comprises a first step 110 of detecting a
presence of a user in a zone; the user may then be alerted that he
has accessed the zone. Of course, the user owns a terminal used for
acquiring zone-based services. At step 120, a pairing is calculated
by the system server between elements of the zone profile and of
the user profile. At step 130, the user receives customized service
offers and/or contact opportunities. Then, at step 140, the user
accepts or declines these offers and/or opportunities. In an
embodiment, a threshold value may be determined by the server. The
threshold value may be any value indicative of at least a minimal
level of compatibility between the profiles. In another embodiment,
the threshold may comprise any positive, non-zero value.
[0065] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing another example of a sequence
for granting a zone-based service to a user located outside of the
zone. A sequence 200 comprises a first step 210 of transmitting a
searched zone profile (SZP) by the user. Then, at step 220, the
system server compares the SZP with profiles of a plurality of
zones. At step 230, the system server sends to the user/mobile zone
profiles corresponding to the SZP. At step 240, the user may choose
to visit either physically or virtually one or many zones that were
sent by the system server. Once in a zone (virtually or physically)
the user has now access to the services.
[0066] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a sequence for
sending service offers from a zone to user terminals. A sequence
300 comprises a first step 310 of a zone transmitting towards the
system server a Searched User Profile (SUP). At step 320, the
system server calculates pairings between the SUP and the user
profiles, which may notably include information about the consumer
habits of the user. At step 330, users whose profile has been
selected following the pairing process receive service offers from
the zone at the user terminal. In an embodiment of the terminal, at
least some of the steps of the sequence 300 may be implemented
using the terminal software compatible with features of the overall
system.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of an example of a
detection system within a zone. A detection system 400 contributes
to the detection process allowing discovering entry and departure
of users. The detection system 400 may comprise a transmitter 410,
a receiver 420, a controller 430 and a communication port 440. The
transmitter 410 may transmit 450, within a coverage area of the
zone, a signal intended to be received by mobile terminals when
present within the zone boundaries. In an embodiment, the signal
may comprise a general system code as well as an identification
code of the zone related to services disclosed herein, supported by
the system server. In a variant, dedicated codes may be used to
distinguish between entry in the zone, ongoing presence in the
zone, and departure from the zone. Alternatively, the detection
system 400 may display a barcode or a Q-code (not shown) that may
be read by a user's mobile terminal in order to provide the
aforementioned codes. The transmitter 410 may or may not be present
in embodiments displaying a barcode or a Q-code. In any case, the
receiver 420 receives 460 from a mobile terminal a signal
indicating that the mobile terminal is entering or leaving the zone
coverage area. Communication between the detection system 400 and
mobile terminals may rely on various access technologies and
methods, including but not limited to ultrasounds, microwaves,
WiFi, Wimax, radiofrequency identification (RFID), chips,
Bluetooth, and the like. The system server manages information from
the detection system 400. The detection system 400 may forward a
message 470 to the system server, via the communication port 440,
indicating that the user has entered or left the zone coverage
area. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
detection system 400 may not be dedicated to the detection of users
in a zone, but may be part of any radio communication network.
Consequently, they will recognize that the detection system 400 may
also comprise other components, not shown on FIG. 4, for providing
wireless communication services or for communicating with other
nodes.
[0068] FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an example of mobile
terminal. Mobile terminal 500 comprises a receiver 520, a
transmitter 540 and a controller 510. The receiver 520 receives 530
a displayed zone profile (DZP) and a searched user profile (SUP).
The controller 510 selects a displayed user profile (DUP) and a
searched zone profile (SZP) based on a desired service
corresponding to the DZP. In an embodiment, selection of the DUP
may comprise editing by the user, via a keypad (not shown)
connected to the controller 510, or via a touch-sensitive screen
(not shown) connected to the controller 510, of one or more
information elements of a generic user profile in order to better
match a service that a user wishes to access, for example in
accordance with the DZP and/or with the SUP. In an embodiment, a
generic user profile may comprise a name, age, occupation and/or an
address of the user, as well as other types of information related
to the user's consumer habits. For example a user profile element
may indicate that his consumer habits involve frequently making
purchases of a given type. The transmitter 540 transmits 550 the
DUP and the SZP. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
that software may be used by the mobile terminal 500 to support
some or all of the features described hereinabove and that the
mobile terminal may also comprise other components, not shown on
FIG. 5, for setting up wireless communication with zones or with
other networks, or for displaying information to its user.
[0069] FIG. 6 is a basic diagram showing examples of interaction
between users, a zone and a server. A system 600 comprises users
620.sub.i, a zone 605 and a system server 610 connected via
wireless or wired communication links and forming a network. Of
course, the system 600 is greatly simplified for ease of
illustration, and a typical network may comprise a plurality of
zones and a very large number of users.
[0070] In an embodiment, the system 600 may comprise a plurality of
delimited zones, such as zone 605, having zone coverage for
providing zone-based services to mobile terminals of the users
620.sub.i. The system server 610 manages various types of
information. The system server 610 is communicatively coupled with
the detection system 400 and comprises a database of areas of
coverage of each zone 605 and a database for storing detection
information about the mobile terminals. The detection system 400
may identify a presence of a given mobile terminal in the zone 605
and inform the system server 610 of the presence of the given
mobile terminal (arrow #2). The terminals communicate with the
system server by means of a wireless communication network (not
shown) such as for example a cellular network, a 3G network, a 4G
network, a WiFi network, or a network dedicated to supporting the
zones 400 (arrows #1). Users or zones can either activate an
existing profile located in the system server or create a new one
according to immediate needs. The system server 610 can calculate a
pairing between compatible elements of the different profiles
according to the needs. Alternatively or in addition, in
calculating the pairing, the system server 610 may consider user
profile elements that are stored in a memory of the system server
610 and that have not necessarily been received as a part of
displayed profiles, because some profile elements may be kept
confidential within the system server 610 or because it may be more
efficient to maintain permanent or semi-permanent elements of a
generic profile in the system server 610, thereby avoiding a need
to transmit those elements with the displayed profiles. In yet
another embodiment, the system server 610 may store in memory
elements of the displayed profiles, for eventual future use. The
system server 610 can conditionally authorize a delivery of a
service to the mobile terminal if the pairing meets or exceeds a
threshold value.
[0071] Steps shown on FIG. 6 are as follows: [0072] 1--The zone 605
and mobile terminals of users 620.sub.1 and 620.sub.2 exchange data
with the system server 610, including for example profile
information, nominal information, geographical maps, and the like.
[0073] 2--According to the zone needs, the detection system 400 may
determine a) the user 620.sub.2 access to the zone 605, b) its
presence within the zone 605 or c) its departure from the zone 605.
[0074] 3--The system server 610 parses data: [0075] a. the system
server 610 facilitates user to user interaction, for users located
physically (620.sub.2) or virtually (620.sub.1) within the zone
605. [0076] b. the system server 610 facilitates interaction
between the zone 605 itself and a user, whether the user is
physically or virtually within the zone. [0077] c. concurrently,
the system server 610 treats other types of data for example
gathering statistics, managing communication interfaces, providing
messages of general interest, manages detection systems 400, zone
delimitation, pairing, dedicated applications, and the like.
[0078] The system server 610 may further act as a data relay.
[0079] Information concerning a number of users present within the
coverage of a zone may be accumulated. The system server controls
interactions between the users, for example between users having
compatible searched and displayed profiles, or between a user and
the zone itself, or any other type of pairing. FIG. 7 is a
schematic, simplified representation of a zone showing presence of
users within the zone and showing information elements about users
present in the zone.
[0080] Some or all of the users and zones have their own general
profile and may have at a given time additional displayed or
searched profiles.
[0081] In a particular aspect, at least some profile elements of a
displayed profile, searched profile, user profile or zone profile
may be obtained from external systems, for instance Facebook.TM.,
Foursquare.TM., LinkedIn.TM. and like social media systems, or any
other similar external software, media, or any other communication
platforms.
[0082] In another particular aspect, a user profile may either
represent a person as an individual consumer, or a worker employed
by a corporation, by a government organization, and the like. While
a consumer profile may include information related to that user's
personal interests, a worker profile may rather incorporate
information related to that user's professional activities,
including information related to zones where the worker has his/her
professional activities. It is understood that a same person may
have more than one user profile, alternating between a consumer
profile and a worker profile. Both profiles of a same user may be
linked to a same physical terminal and the user may activate one or
the other of the profiles, or both profiles, at different
times.
[0083] In yet another particular aspect, the system server 610 may
add a third-party element to a zone profile. As an example, the
system server 610 may add, to the profile of a zone including a
night club, an advertisement for a particular beer brand. As
another example, the system server 610 may add, to the profile of a
zone including a restaurant, an advertisement for a neighboring
movie theater. A variant of this aspect may consider the
third-party as yet another user who may be placed in communication
with a user visiting the night club or the restaurant. Any
condition or restriction to the addition of third-party information
to a given zone profile or to allowing connection between a
third-party deemed a user and an actual person entering a zone may
be handled by the system server 610 according to commercial
agreements between the operator of the system server 610 and the
owner of a zone, and between the operator of the system server 610
and the third-party.
[0084] The system server manages interaction between data
associated with the different users and zones profiles. General
profiles provide basic information about zones and users, including
some consumer habits. Displayed profiles contain specific data that
zones or users wish to render available at a given time. Searched
profiles relate to zones or users characteristics as sought by
zones or by users at a given time. These profiles (General,
Displayed, Searched) may be edited by users and zones through their
respective terminals. In an embodiment, upon receiving profiles
corresponding to a pairing process by the system server, a given
mobile terminal may alert its user 620.sub.i about these received
profiles. In response, the given user 620.sub.i may or not access
to interactive activities involving either other users or
zones.
[0085] As shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 7, two information
elements are maintained about users/mobile terminals currently
physically located within its coverage of the zone 605: [0086] A
first number 710, which is set to two (2) in the example of FIG. 7,
represents a number of users present in the zone 605, whose profile
has sufficient compatibility following a paring process. [0087] A
second number 720, which is set to three (3) in the example of FIG.
7, represents a total number of users physically present in the
zone.
[0088] The right-hand side of FIG. 7 illustrates interactivity
between the zone 605 and various users 620.sub.i visiting the zone
605. Considering at once the left-hand side and the right-hand side
of FIG. 7, one user located outside the zone (620.sub.3) transmits
a Searched User Profile to the system server. From the number 710
of compatible users in the zone 605, only two (2) of the users
620.sub.i pairings may be found with sufficient compatibility with
the searched profile. Because of the possibility to establish
pairings between users 620.sub.4,5,6 located within the zone
coverage, based for example on similar or complementary user
profiles, the sheer presence of users 620.sub.4,5,6 within the zone
may become a means to attract other users within the zone. It may
be observed that while user 620.sub.3 is located outside of the
zone 605, it may enter in communication with the zone 605. In this
manner, the user 620.sub.3 may visit the zone 605 virtually. In an
embodiment, when pairing is established between two (or more)
users, the system server may provide each of these users with
profile elements that users wish to render accessible to the other
user(s) participating in the pairing. In another embodiment, the
displayed user profile of a given user may remain inaccessible by
other users. In yet another embodiment, user or zone profiles for
business services may be made public without restriction.
[0089] Pairing Between Compatible Profiles
[0090] The system server builds a dynamic and interactive contact
list that is continuously established using a pairing mechanism on
the basis of profiles provided by users and zones and the data
provided by the detection system 400. Within the pairing mechanism,
each contact is weighted, as explained hereinbelow.
[0091] FIG. 8 shows examples of associations that may be
established between various user profiles and zone profiles. On
FIG. 8, various arrows 4-8 indicate examples of possible relations
between the profiles of the zones and of the individuals based on
their profiles. A valid relation between two entities, whether
between a user and a zone, between two users, or between two zones,
has a pairing (or pairing level, PL) determined according to a
number of common elements between the profiles of the two entities.
If the PL between two entities is higher than a threshold level,
contact is established between the entities.
[0092] FIG. 8 shows five (5) examples of pairing between profiles.
In a first example (arrow 4), a user (U2) has a searched profile
that matches a displayed profile of a zone (Z1). In a second
example (arrow 5), a user (U1) has a searched profile that matches
a displayed profile of another user (U2). In a third example (arrow
6), a zone (Z1) has a searched profile that matches a displayed
profile of a user (U1), for example, for targeted marketing
applications. In a fourth example (arrow 7), a zone (Z2) has a
searched profile that matches a displayed profile of another zone
(Z1), for example for search for suppliers of a particular type. In
a fifth example (arrows 8.sub.1 and 8.sub.2), a user (U1) has a
searched profile that matches a displayed profile of another user
(U2) who is located in a zone (Z2). In the above cases, when the
pairing involves a displayed profile, such displayed profile could
also be the general profile. While the pairings have been described
hereinabove in the sequence of "searched profile matches displayed
profile" one skilled in the art will appreciate that the reverse,
"displayed profile matches searched profile" will also lead to a
pairing because pairings are bi-directional. The system server
maintains information about the pairings identified on FIG. 8.
[0093] The PL calculation is made between the various general,
searched and displayed profiles in order to determine if a contact
may be established according to certain criteria such as for
example a research from user towards zone and the reverse. The PL
calculation may also be based on additional user profile elements
that are not transmitted, but remain confidential within the system
server 610.
[0094] Examples of pairings between a user, or his mobile terminal,
and a zone are provided hereinabove. Given that pairings may also
be established between two users or between two zones, the present
disclosure further introduces other manners of providing zone-based
services to users of mobile terminals. In an embodiment, a method
for providing zone-based services to mobile terminals capable of
accessing a zone comprises a detection of a presence of a first
mobile terminal and of a second mobile terminal in the zone. For a
first user, a displayed user profile, and a searched user profile
are either activated on the system server or created according to
this user needs. For a second user, a displayed user profile and a
searched user profile are either activated on the system server or
created according to this user needs. The system server then
calculates a pairing between compatible elements of the first
displayed user profile and of the second searched user profile,
and/or between compatible elements of the first searched user
profile and of the second displayed user profile. Communication may
then be conditionally established between the first and second
mobile terminals if the pairing meets or exceeds a threshold value.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the first and second mobile
terminals may receive information about the pairing and display
dialog windows providing contact information about each other user,
for example a phone number, an email address, or a physical
location where the users can meet. As another option, the first and
second mobile terminals may receive information regarding a type of
profile, either general, displayed or searched, of the other user
that has been used in establishing the pairing. In yet another
embodiment, a method for providing zone-based services to users,
comprising calculation of a pairing between compatible elements of
the profile of a first and a second zone. A presence of a user is
detected in the first zone. A communication between the user and a
service of the second zone is conditionally established if the
pairing meets or exceeds a threshold value.
[0095] A general search without criterion may be made, for which a
PL value may be determined for all possible relations. FIG. 9 shows
a map of possible associations that may be established between
various user profiles and zone profiles. It may be observed that
pairings may in theory involve any searched profile, of a user or
of a zone, placed in relation with any displayed or general profile
of another zone or with any displayed or general profile of another
user. In a large network comprising a plurality of zones and a
large number of users, this may amount to an unmanageable number of
possible pairings. In order to limit the quantity of calculations
that could increase exponentially according to a number of zones
and of users, searches may be carried out starting from zones
appearing in a delimited area, such as a group of zones, and stop
when a preset limited number of results is met or when a maximum
search time is expired.
[0096] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example of mapping of
profile elements between two entities. Because a relationship may
be established between a user and a zone, between two users or
between two zones, two profiles identified as Profile 1 and Profile
2 on FIG. 10 may each represent a zone profile or a user profile.
As a specific example, Profile 1 may be a displayed zone profile,
for example the displayed profile of restaurant of a particular
type, while Profile 2 may be a searched profile of a user for a
particular type of zone, such as a restaurant of a particular type.
Of course, this example is non-limiting and is solely intended to
illustrate one of multiple possibilities for mapping profile
elements.
[0097] In FIG. 10, labels having a format "Ex" designate profile
elements. A value of a profile element is identified as "Vx.y", in
which "x" represents one of Profiles 1 or 2 and "y" represents a
particular profile element type. A level of weighting per profile
element is identified as "Wx.y". Weighting level Wx.y may be
determined by the system server based on the information contained
in the profiles, this information being stored permanently or
semi-permanently in a database of the system server. The weighting
level Wx.y may alternatively be provided by the user or the zone
for each of the profile elements. The two profiles may share some
of the same compatible elements, while some other elements will be
incompatible. A given profile element is found compatible, at least
to some degree, when weighting level for the element type has a
non-zero, positive value in both profiles.
[0098] As an example, a user may have in his profile two elements
representing (a) an interest for Italian food and (b) an interest
for science-fiction movies. A zone representing a restaurant may
(a) have Italian food as a relevant element, but (b) will not have
science-fiction movies as another relevant element. A weighting
level for a profile element designating (a) Italian food will be
greater than zero, while (b) another weighting level of zero will
be assigned to a profile element designated science-fiction movies.
In an embodiment, a template may be devised for calculating
pairings between profiles. The template may comprise profile
element values, and corresponding weightings, for profile elements
related to a zone, for example to a restaurant. A user may fill the
template with his own profile values, including by editing values
from his profile, and a pairing between the user and the restaurant
may be calculated by the system server. Those of ordinary skill in
the art will be able to define other manners of applying weighting
values to arrive at a finding of compatible and of incompatible
elements.
[0099] When values V1.y and V2.y for a given element are compatible
in the two profiles, a pairing (PL) is calculated according to
respective weighting levels. Considering for example a case where
V1.1=V2.1 and where V1.3=V2.3, the level of pairing between
Profiles 1 and 2 (PL.sub.1-2) may be calculated according to
equation (1):
PL.sub.1-2=W1.1.times.W2.1+W1.3.times.W2.3 (1)
[0100] As shown in equation (1), the weighting factors of both
Profiles 1 and 2 are used to establish the pairing. In an
embodiment, a contact may be established between the entities
having the Profile 1 and the Profile 2 of FIG. 10 if the calculated
PL.sub.1-2 is greater than zero. In another embodiment, the contact
may be established on the condition that PL.sub.1-2 is equal to or
higher than a threshold determined by the owner of Profile 1 or of
Profile 2, by the zone or by the system server.
[0101] Alternatively, a simpler embodiment may be implemented
without any weighting. In such an embodiment, a pairing may for
example be established as long as, for a profile element type "y",
a value V1.y and a value V2.y are non-zero in both profiles.
[0102] In addition to the above determination based on the pairing
meeting a value set by a threshold, other criteria may also be
added in the decision to establish a contact. An example of this is
shown the fifth example (arrows 8) of FIG. 8, in which a user seeks
another user, wherein an added criterion designating a given zone
is also included. In addition to a sufficient pairing, another
condition may stipulate a needed presence of one of the users in
the zone for the pairing to be established.
[0103] It may be observed that a level of weighting Wx.y of a
profile element may adopt a negative value. For example, in the
case of a user seeking any type of restaurants with the exception
of vegetarian restaurants, a level of high negative weighting for
this last element of profile may be used to automatically exclude
all vegetarian restaurants in any pairing calculation for this
user.
[0104] Virtual Zones
[0105] Virtual zones may be defined for providing services related
to businesses, to consultants, non-profit organizations, and the
like, especially when these entities do not have any place of
business that may be physically accessed by users. Of course, it is
also possible for a commercial entity to operate both physical
zones and virtual zones. These virtual zones do not have any
geographical coverage and may thus not be "physically" visited.
However, these virtual zones may be logically defined in the system
server and may have their own profiles. As expressed hereinbefore,
a user may communicate with a zone without physically accessing the
zone. In the case of a virtual zone, a virtual visit may be the
sole manner of accessing the zone. A user may access a virtual
zone, for example, by means of a web browser accessing a web site
of the virtual zone. Selection by the user, through his terminal,
of a web link leading to the virtual zone then makes the virtual
zone detect a presence, although a virtual one, of the user. The
virtual zone and the user have their respective profiles and the
system server may then establish a pairing between the virtual zone
and the user.
EXAMPLES OF USE
[0106] Among the broad range of services offered by the disclosed
system, applications may comprise safety applications, for example
offering an efficient means to locate a lost child or to deliver
public safety messages within one or many zones. Other applications
may comprise targeted marketing, including publicity or
individualized service offerings, complementary interaction with
another media, software download, statistics management,
announcements related to local events, automated payment, including
but not limited to payment of fees when entering a movie theater or
a museum, or payment of a fee when crossing a toll-bridge, the user
terminal acting much like a smart card replacement, and the like.
The following paragraphs present a series of application examples
of the method and system of the present disclosure. These examples
are not meant to be exhaustive and are not limiting.
Example 1
User Looking for a Particular Zone
[0107] A user wishes to find a nearby restaurant serving vegetarian
food. His mobile terminal transmits to the system server, or
activates in the system server, a searched profile, the searched
profile comprising a profile element indicating a desire to find
this type of restaurant. This profile element becomes a searchable
item that the system server uses to establish a weighting level
between the profile element and profiles of zones located within
the same area of the user. Assuming that at least one zone profile
contains an element typical of a vegetarian restaurant, the system
server builds a list possible pairings between the user and this at
least one zone. The list appears on a visual interface of the
mobile terminal. In an embodiment, the list may appear as a local
geographical map identifying a location of each zone that fulfills
the search criteria. If the list is large, the user may also limit
the range of the list. By selecting an item of the list or by
pointing on a location on the map, the user may obtain data related
to a selected zone. As a particular example of such data, one of
the zones may advertise, for a limited time, a special deal for
vegetarian dishes. An advertisement for this special deal may be
part of a displayed profile for that particular zone, as the zone
is searching for users that are interested in this type of
vegetarian dishes. The user may select the zone on his mobile
terminal; this may be facilitated when the mobile terminal presents
the list as locations on a map. When the user enters the zone, his
mobile terminal may be automatically detected by the detection
system 400. The system server provides relevant information about
the user to the zone so that the zone is aware of the presence of
this particular user and of his particular interests in vegetarian
dishes. Employees of the restaurant may then provide a personalized
service to this user. By extension, when the user is a regular
customer of this restaurant, the employees may adjust their service
offering according to the habits and wishes of this privileged
customer.
Example 2
User Looking for Another User
[0108] An employee takes part in a large congress bringing together
2000 participants. Once on the premises of the congress, this user
creates or activates two searched profiles. On one hand, the user
desires to meet suppliers for a type of materials used by the
company that he represents. Although the congress presents many
kiosks, the user is aware that several small and specialized
independent suppliers are present at the event, in the hope of
making new contacts, but cannot afford the cost of having their own
kiosk or of displaying any publicity. Finding these suppliers may
constitute a challenge. A first searched profile may thus indicate
a desire to meet suppliers for a given type of materials. On the
other hand, the user enjoys hunting in his spare time and would
like to meet other people sharing the same interest, for drinks and
dinner in the evening. A second searched profile may thus indicate
a desire to socialize with other hunters at a given time within the
congress premises. The system server treats independently the two
searched profiles by proposing two lists of potential pairings,
which may be ranked by level of weighting for each of the elements
in the two profiles. The user may receive and alert announcing a
found displayed user profile corresponding to one of the search
criteria, for example a supplier of an interesting type of
material. The user may then contact the material supplier and
organize a meeting. Organizers of the congress may offer a specific
meeting room for users of the present system. Later on, two or more
users sharing an interest in hunting may meet for dinner, the
system having established pairings between these users. Optionally,
they may meet in a restaurant having its own displayed profile
advertising a promotion for congress participants or for game
hunters. In the present example, a given user having two distinct
and unrelated profiles has been able to find a supplier and dinner
companions.
Example 3
Zone Looking for Users for Marketing Purposes
[0109] It is desired to attract the interest of customers having a
given profile while present in a large-sized zone enclosing a
department store. The zone has access through the system server to
all profiles of users visiting virtually or physically its premises
including all associated statistics. Following the analysis of
these data the zone creates a searched user profile in the system
server. The system server thus calculates pairing between the
searched profile and the user profiles. The zone acquires the
profiles of these potential customers and adjusts its sale
promotion consequently. Information about the sale promotion is
sent to the customers informing the customers that, for example a
50% rebate is being offered on particular goods located in a
specific area of the store for the next 30 minutes. Other users of
the system, who are not in the zone but who have asked the
department store to be informed of any promotion, for example
because the zone where the store is located is part of a list of
favorite zones for these users, may also receive information about
the sale promotion. Once these users access the zone where the
department store is located, their presence is detected and they
receive additional personalized information.
Example 4
User Looking for Another User in a Given Zone
[0110] A woman visiting a foreign city has been told of a city
district known for its famous nightclubs. In order to select a
nightclub, she consults the system to obtain a list of subscribed
zones within the district. Five clubs are parts of zones subscribed
to the system. For each club, the system server knows a number of
users who are present and subscribed to the system. This woman's
mobile terminal transmits to the system server a searched profile
of users detected in at least one of the five zones. In turn, she
receives information about other user profiles that may potentially
form a good pairing with her searched profile. She consults these
other user profiles and selects a club accordingly. When she enters
the club's premises, her physical presence is automatically
detected and a waiter offers her a free drink. In an embodiment,
her profile may indicate her language of choice, or her country of
origin, so that the waiter may address her in her mother tongue.
The waiter may then direct the women to an area of the nightclub
designated to users of the present system where she will meet other
people having common interests. Evidently, the woman has at any
time a choice of disseminating, or not, information elements of her
general profile.
Example 5
Multiple Cases Occurring at a Summer Gathering
[0111] A gathering, for example a summer festival, takes place in a
large but delimited area consisting of several zones. Users of the
present system may benefit from a plurality of distinct services,
in real-time. For example, a recording company may offer a price
reduction on downloading to their mobile terminal music pieces of
an artist being featured at the festival. This promotion may also
offer downloading of an electronic rebate coupon, valid for a
limited time, for the purchase of a CD of this artist. Meanwhile,
organizers of the festival may accumulate vital statistics on, for
example, a distribution of the number users of the present system
having entered the event or crossed various zone boundaries at
various times over the course of the event. Another service offered
at the event may concern recovery of a lost child on the premises.
Following a request from the child's parents, an alert broadcasted
in coverage of the zone may be sent to all the users present in one
or more zones associated with the event, the alert comprising a
photograph of the child. As a user locates the child and responds
to the alert, the child may rapidly be returned to her parents. Of
course, distinct zones within the premises of the event may provide
distinct services.
[0112] Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the
description of the system, nodes and methods for providing
zone-based services are illustrative only and are not intended to
be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest
themselves to such persons with ordinary skill in the art having
the benefit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the disclosed
system, nodes and methods may be customized to offer valuable
solutions to existing needs and problems of zone-based services
delivery.
[0113] Those of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that
numerous types of user devices and wireless communication nodes or
other apparatuses may embody aspects of the mobile or non mobile
terminals and of the detection system described herein.
[0114] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features
of the implementations of system, methods and nodes are shown and
described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the
development of any such actual implementation of the system,
methods and nodes, numerous implementation-specific decisions may
need to be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals,
such as compliance with application-, system-, network- and
business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will
vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to
another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that a development effort
might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in
the field of mobile communications having the benefit of the
present disclosure.
[0115] In accordance with the present disclosure, the components,
process steps, and/or data structures described herein may be
implemented using various types of processors, controllers,
operating systems, computing platforms, network devices, computer
programs, and/or general purpose machines. In addition, those of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that devices of a less
general purpose nature, such as hardwired devices, field
programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), or the like, may also be used. Where a method
comprising a series of process steps is implemented by a computer
or a machine and those process steps may be stored as a series of
instructions readable by the machine, they may be stored on a
tangible medium.
[0116] Systems and modules described herein may comprise software,
firmware, hardware, or any combination(s) of software, firmware, or
hardware suitable for the purposes described herein. Software and
other modules may reside on servers, workstations, personal
computers, computerized tablets, personal digital assistants (PDA),
and other devices suitable for the purposes described herein.
Software and other modules may be accessible via local memory, via
a network, via a browser or other application or via other means
suitable for the purposes described herein. Data structures
described herein may comprise computer files, variables,
programming arrays, programming structures, or any electronic
information storage schemes or methods, or any combinations
thereof, suitable for the purposes described herein.
[0117] Although the present disclosure has been described
hereinabove by way of non-restrictive, illustrative embodiments
thereof, these embodiments may be modified at will within the scope
of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and nature
of the present disclosure.
* * * * *