Interactive advisory system for prioritizing content

[Cross-reference to related applications]

Not applicable.

[Federal-sponsored research or development statement]

Not applicable. The present invention relates to a method of passing content to a communication device.

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in demand for detailed information such as weather information. Personal computers and communication devices are highly capable of collecting, manipulating, transmitting and receiving data, and as a result, there is an increasing demand for more information. As a result, there is a great demand for specialized information and value-added services. End users no longer want to collect, manipulate, and evaluate raw data. For example, nothing reveals this situation more than a meteorological service across North America.

A few years ago, radio and television broadcasters recognized the growing demand for weather information from viewers and increased the number of weather segments on the air as a means of increasing their market rating. Today, the demand for specific content in weather reports exceeds the capabilities of broadcasters to meet this demand. Virtually every aspect of business and personal activity is constantly influenced by the weather (good or bad).

<p> In the United States, as in most countries, government agencies (US Meteorological Department in the United States) have the primary responsibility for producing meteorological products for the general public. These products, such as warnings, statements, and forecasts, are generated for third parties (eg, broadcasters, newspapers, internet websites, paging companies, and others who distribute them to the general public). It will be available. However, this chain of data management is unidirectional.</p><p> Today's lifestyle is fast-paced and sophisticated. The demand for detailed weather information for a particular application exceeds the government's ability to process it. However, adhering to the responsibilities delegated to them, the US Meteorological Department produces common products for general consumption twice a day. This situation forces citizens to interpret common and outdated warnings to meet their needs. This interpretation is often misunderstood. To make matters worse, these products are usually in local or national scope and do not fit into a particular location where various local activities are underway.</p><p> As an example, weather alerts are broadcast by radio stations throughout the United States. These warnings identify specific meteorological effects within a designated area. In most cases, the warning area contains one or more counties, covering tens to hundreds of square miles. In many cases, these threats (eg, thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc.) only affect very small areas within the warning area. These threats also move fast. As the impact approaches a particular zone, it is effectively moving away from other zones within the overall warning zone. In essence, existing reporting systems are inadequate to specifically identify and properly warn of personal hazards. Moreover, when a threat is imminent, existing systems cannot or do not provide precautions to each user near or in the presence of the threat. Therefore, by default, users are unnecessarily "alert" even when the threat is moving away from the user's location, even if the user is far away or unaffected.</p><p> Another general example further clarifies the problem. A family is excited to attend a championship softball game this weekend and is looking closely at local weather forecasts. According to the weekly forecast, the weather will be sunny to cloudy on the day of the match. Early on the day of the match, there is a 30 percent chance of a shower in the late afternoon, and the forecast will change to cloudy weather in places. The family decides to attend the match, believing that the possibility of rain is below the danger level they understand. At noon, the family doesn't know, but a shower of rain showers is about to drop a dangerous thunder on the field of the match. Participants and spectators are at risk, even if the morning weather forecast is not entirely inaccurate. If asked later, family members may not have heard or remembered the weather forecast. They too failed to relate their limited knowledge of weather to their needs and risk impact. They did not monitor the changing weather events. Maybe they didn't have the ability to monitor the emerging dangers during the match. Obviously, these people were forced to interpret limited, outdated information for specific applications.</p><p> Therefore, the system must automatically and continuously provide consumers with customized reports, alerts, alerts, forecasts and alerts to the level of needs and dynamic spatial location defined by the consumer. Must match. Such a system is the subject of the present invention.</p>

<p> The present invention provides an interactive advisory system and method for delivering personalized user-defined information based on the ordering of information typically assigned by the user or recipient of the information. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for passing content to at least one communication device. The method comprises selecting at least one service for delivering a plurality of different types of content to be passed to the at least one communicator device.</p><p> The method further comprises assigning a user-defined priority to at least one type of content and assigning a user-defined priority to one or more communication service providers. The method also includes storing the user-defined priority on a computer-readable medium and passing different types of content to the communicator device based on the user-defined priority.</p><p> Other advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings and claims.</p>

<figref num="1">It is a block diagram of the interactive weather advisory system which concerns on this invention.</figref>

<figref num="2">It is a coordinate system exemplifying the spatial position identifier and the spatial range identifier used by each version of the present invention.</figref>

<figref num="3">It is a block diagram of the interactive advisory system which concerns on this invention.</figref>

<figref num="4">It is a block diagram of the interactive weather advisory system which concerns on this invention.</figref>

<figref num="5">It is a block diagram of the interactive advisory system which concerns on this invention.</figref>

<figref num="6">It is a block diagram of another version of the interactive advisory system which concerns on this invention.</figref>

<figref num="7">It is a block diagram of still another embodiment of the interactive advisory system which concerns on this invention.</figref>

With reference to the drawings, especially FIG. 1 shown in block diagram format, one embodiment of the present invention is an interactive weather advisory system configured in accordance with the present invention. The meteorological advisory system 8 includes a broadcast network 10 for selectively sending individual meteorological output signals to the remote communicator device 11. The broadcast network 10 includes a meteorological analysis unit 12, a user input database 14, a communication device location database 16, and a communication network 20. The meteorological analysis unit 12 receives real-time meteorological data from the meteorological information database 21. The weather information database 21 may be located in the broadcast network 10 or may be located away from the broadcast network 10. The meteorological analysis unit 12, the user input database 14, the communication device location database 16, the meteorological information database 21, and the communication network 20 are related to each other and are related to each other via signal paths 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32. connect.

Multiple users can enter data corresponding to weather forecasts, reports or forecasts into the user input database 14 so that individual weather forecasts, reports or forecasts of phenomena can be sent to individual users. The user input database 14 contains data representing at least one user-defined parameter associated with each of the plurality of users. In some versions of the invention, user-defined parameters include various information about meteorological output signals. For example, spatial range identifiers, user profiles, weather content identifiers to identify weather patterns, time identifiers to identify the number of times or time intervals users request for weather products, fixed or dynamic codes for spatial positions, and When a fixed or dynamic code for a spatial position indicates that the spatial position is fixed, it is information such as a spatial position identifier for identifying a particular spatial position of interest to the user. The user profile in the user-defined parameter contains at least a user identifier code for identifying a particular communicator device 11 associated with a particular user.

For example, the user identifier code may be a mobile phone number that identifies one of the communication device 11. In this case, the communication device may be, for example, a mobile phone or a pager. Meteorological content identifiers are one of a variety of weather conditions or events, such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, hailstorms, lightning storms, blizzards, blizzards, blizzards, strong winds, high winds, spikes or falls, or other It may be a computer code for identifying such a weather pattern or condition. The time identifier preferably indicates a particular time, number of times, or time interval that the user wants the interactive weather advisory system 8 to deliver weather data to the user or monitor real-time weather data for a particular time and / or date. It may be a computer code for identification. Spatial location identifier 26 refers to a given spatial location, such as, but not limited to, the longitude / latitude, city, state, village, address, zip code, elevation, and combination thereof of any location in the world. It may be a computer code for identification.

As mentioned above, the spatial position identifier identifies a specific spatial position and / or altitude above sea level anywhere in the world. The spatial range identifier identifies a specific spatial range that surrounds the spatial position identifier. Each of the users chooses a spatial position identifier and a spatial range identifier, is for the spatial position specified by the spatial position identifier, and is within the spatial range specified by the spatial range identifier, weather forecast, weather report, or something else. You can receive the weather information of.

For example, with reference to FIG. 2, in the present invention, a coordinate system illustrating four spatial position identifiers and four spatial range identifiers selected by different users is shown. That is, one of the users selects a spatial position identifier (X1, Y1, Z1) and a spatial range identifier (R1). Another user chooses a spatial location identifier (X2, Y2, Z2) and a spatial range identifier (R2).

Users who choose the spatial position identifier (X1, Y1, Z1) and the spatial range identifier R1 are identified by the spatial position identifier (X1, Y1, Z1) and the spatial range identifier R1 as predefined in their user input database. Receive weather products and reports regarding the spatial extent of the space. The user who chooses the spatial position identifier (X2, Y2, Z2) and the spatial range identifier R2 uses the spatial position identifier (X2, Y2, Z2) and the spatial range identifier R2 as defined in advance in his user input database 14. Receive weather products and reports regarding the identified spatial range. Similarly, users who choose the spatial position identifiers (X3, Y3, Z3), (X4, Y4, Z4) and the spatial range identifiers R3, R4 will find the spatial position identifier (X3) as predefined in the user input database 14. , Y3, Z3), (X4, Y4, Z4) and receive meteorological products and reports regarding the spatial range specified by the spatial range identifiers R3, R4.

The magnitudes of the spatial range identifiers R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be different or the same. Further, the magnitudes of the spatial range identifiers R1, R2, R3 and R4 may differ significantly and are preferably chosen by the user. A particular user may enter user-defined parameters into the user input database 14 by any suitable method. For example, the user input database 14 is preferably configured to obtain its data from various optional sources selected by the user. Data is acquired, for example, in words via a telephone customer service network, or via a mobile phone network, email, personal mobile information device, laptop computer or interactive website with wireless application protocol technology. To. Furthermore, the user can mail the user-defined parameters to the broadcast network 10, and an individual on the broadcast network 10 can enter the user-defined parameters directly into the user input database 14 using a keyboard or other similar input device. it can. In one embodiment, the user inputs selected information into the user input database 14 by the user's communication device 11.

The weather information database 21 includes at least real-time weather data for the spatial position included in the communication device location database 16 and the spatial position specified by the spatial position identifier in the user input database 14. The meteorological analysis unit 12 generates forecasts of all meteorological phenomena based on real-time meteorological data. The meteorological information database 21 is preferably at least one of a plurality of possible resources (eg,, but not limited to, government meteorological information resources, private meteorological information resources, and various other meteorological resources). Receive real-time weather data from one. Real-time weather data may be entered directly at the physical location of the weather information database 21, mobile phone networks, mobile phone networks with wireless application protocols, the Internet, aircraft communication systems, email, personal mobile information devices, laptops. It may be input via a computer, ordinary computer or other wireless device.

Alternatively, the weather information database 21 may include at least the weather forecast data and the weather forecast data for the spatial position included in the communication device position database 16 and the spatial position specified by the spatial position identifier in the user input database 14. In this embodiment, the meteorological analysis unit 12 generates forecasts of all meteorological events based on real-time meteorological data.

The communicator location database 16 is an optional feature of the present invention that can be used through the signal path 22 when a user requests real-time weather reporting or event prediction at the dynamic spatial location of his communicator device 11. It becomes. The communicator location database 16 is continuously updated so that the communicator location database 16 contains real-time data indicating the spatial location of the communicator device 11. In one embodiment, the user identifier code in the user's profile is sent to the communicator location database 16 through signal path 22. The communicator location database 16 preferably receives data from the communicator device 11 identified by the user identifier code via at least one of a variety of possible resources. Possible resources are, for example, mobile phone networks, mobile phone networks with wireless application protocol technology, global positioning satellite technology, the Internet, long-range navigation technology, radar technology, transponder technology, or tracking the spatial location of communication device 11 And any other type of technology that can convey the location of such a communicator device 11 to the communicator location database 16 of the broadcast network 10. Preferably, the communicator location database 16 is continuously and automatically updated for each location of the communicator device 11, eg, by wireless application protocol technology. Alternatively, the communication device location database 16 may be updated according to the user's demand for each position of the communication device device 11, for example by wireless application protocol technology.

The communication network 20 is an example, but not limited to, a mobile phone network, a mobile phone network having wireless application protocol technology, the Internet, a facsimile communication network, a satellite network (one-way or two-way), an RF radio network, and the like. Or some other means of sending information from the source to the end user.

The communication device 11 may be a bidirectional or unidirectional communication device. The communication device 11 is, by way of example, an example, but not limited to, a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, pager, laptop computer or personal mobile information device, or any other electronic device capable of receiving weather information data. It may be a device. Furthermore, the communicator device 11 may be incorporated, for example, into an object that the user can use or access, such as a helmet, car or airplane. Although only three communicator devices 11 are shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration, the interactive weather advisory system 8 assumes the use of a large number of communicator devices 11.

The meteorological analysis unit 12 receives data from the signal paths 24, 26, and 28 into the user input database 14, the communication device position database 16, and the meteorological information database 21. The meteorological analysis unit 12 is an example and is not limited to, but it is desirable to automatically and continuously compare the data of the user input database 14, the communication device position database 16, and the weather information database 21 to obtain the user input database. It may be a computer programmed to generate an individual meteorological output signal containing meteorological information within the spatial range specified by the spatial range identifier for each of the 14 user-defined parameters. The weather output signal is sent to the communication network 20 through the signal path 32.

The meteorological analysis unit 12 collects real-time meteorological data from the meteorological information database 21. The term "real-time meteorological data" here refers to meteorological information that is continuously updated to indicate current or near-current information. In one example, the "real-time meteorological data" may be delayed with relatively small increments, such as 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes. In another example, "real-time weather data" may be provided with virtually no delay. The faster the communication network and weather-related technology, the smaller the step size can be expected. The meteorological analysis unit 12 generates forecasts of all meteorological phenomena, compares past and present phenomena contained in the meteorological information database 21 (for example, future position, strength, orbit, etc.), and creates a four-dimensional database. To construct. The three dimensions of the database define the physical position of the surface or top of the earth (spatial position identifiers (X1, Y1, Z1)). The fourth dimension is time, the past, present or future (identified as T1, T2, T3, T4). By using a high-speed computer processor in real time, the meteorological analysis unit 12 can perform all (past, present, and predicted) phenomena at specific locations (X1, Y1, Z1, T1) by the same user. (User input database-X1, Y1, Z1, R1, T1) is compared with the supply data (user input database-X1, Y1, Z1, R1, T1) to identify the content (weather output signal) suitable for the user via the communication network 20 and the communication device 11.

The communication network 20 receives the weather output signal and the user identification code through the signal paths 32 and 30. In response, the communication network 20 sends an individual weather output signal through the signal paths 34a, 34b, 34c to the communication device 11 associated with the user identification code, and can receive the individual weather information requested by each user. To do so.

Signal paths 34a, 34b, 34c are some suitable communication links that enable electronic communication. For example, the signal paths 34a, 34b, 34c may be point-to-point shared dedicated communications, infrared links, microwave links, telephone links, CATV links, satellite and wireless links, fiber optic links.

Various combinations of weather information may be incorporated into the user input database 14 to provide the user with specific selected weather information. For example, a user traveling by car will be notified by Interactive Meteorological Advisory System 8 about hailstorms over areas within 2.5 miles of their vehicle while traveling from the starting point to their destination. May want. The user inputs selected information into the user input database 14, for example, using a smartphone (communication device 11) in his / her vehicle operating together with a mobile phone network (communication network 20) having a wireless application protocol. That is, the phone number of the user's smartphone (user identifier code), hail (weather content identifier), within 2.5 miles (spatial range identifier 24), dynamic spatial position (spatial position of the user's smartphone is automatic and continuous). Enter information such as (monitored in).

The Interactive Meteorological Advisory System 8 then monitors weather information and phenomenological predictions in the Meteorological Analysis Department 12 to detect hailstorms within 2.5 miles of the vehicle along the vehicle's travel path during the travel period. Or, if hail is very likely, send an individual weather output signal to the user's smartphone.

The individual weather output signal may be an audio, video, text or graphical data signal. For example, the individual weather output signal may be a .WAV file or other suitable file containing a video representation of a real or virtual individual speaking an individual message to the user. In the example above, the individual message may be that the hailstorm is 2.5 miles ahead of the vehicle, at which time the user must consider stopping for a short period of time to avoid the hailstorm. Must be. Alternatively, the individual message may state that the hailstorm is 2.5 miles ahead of the vehicle, at which time the user is further notified by another individual weather output signal to avoid the hailstorm. Until then, you have to think about stopping. In other words, the meteorological analysis unit 12 sends another individual meteorological output signal to the user via the communication network 20 and the communicator device 11, and the meteorological state specified by the meteorological content identifier has passed or is identified by the spatial range identifier. The user may be notified that the spatial position is exceeded.

As another example, the user may wish to be informed of all real-time meteorological data and event predictions for a particular spatial range of a particular dynamic spatial location. For example, users may be interested in whether an aircraft is at risk of icing when flying from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Tulsa. To provide the right level of comfort and safety, users should be informed about freezing conditions within 10 miles of the dynamic spatial position of the aircraft. User input using a smartphone or other suitable aeronautical electronic engineering device (communication device 11) in an aircraft operating in conjunction with a user, eg, a mobile phone network with a wireless application protocol (communication network 20). Enter the selected information in database 14. The information entered is the phone number of the user's smartphone (user identifier code), icing (weather content identifier), within 10 miles (spatial range identifier 24), and dynamic spatial location. The spatial position of the user's smartphone or other suitable aeroelectronic device is then automatically set when the aircraft traverses space and time from (X1, Y1, Z1, T1) to (X4, Y4, Z4, T4). , Continuously monitored. The interactive meteorological analysis unit 12 then monitors the real-time meteorological data of the meteorological information database 21 and the predicted phenomenon in the meteorological analysis unit 12. This is to allow individual weather output signals to be sent to the user's smartphone or other aeronautical electronics device when icing is detected or highly likely to form over a 10 mile radius of the aircraft.

As yet another example, the user may be interested only in a particular weather pattern within a particular spatial range at a particular fixed spatial position, regardless of the immediate position of the communicator device 11. To fulfill this user request, the broadcast network 10 does not utilize the communicator location database 16. The user selects the information, that is, the user's telephone number (user identifier code), the code for a specific weather pattern that the user is interested in (meteorological content identifier), and the spatial range around the spatial position that the user is interested in (spatial range). The identifier) and the spatial position (spatial position identifier) that the user is interested in are input to the user input database 14. The meteorological analysis unit 12 then transmits the real-time meteorological data of the meteorological information database 21 and the predicted phenomenon in the meteorological analysis unit 12 in order to transmit individual meteorological information regarding the meteorological pattern to the spatial position and the spatial range requested by the user. Monitor.

As a further example, the user may be interested only in a particular weather condition within a particular spatial range at a particular time at that spatial location. The user selects the information, that is, the user's telephone number (user identifier code), the code for a specific weather pattern that the user is interested in (meteorological content identifier), and the spatial range around the spatial position that the user is interested in (spatial range). The identifier, the spatial position identifier of the spatial position of interest to the user), and the date and time (time identifier) for which the user wants to be notified of the weather conditions at the spatial position of interest are input to the user input database 14. In response, the meteorological analysis unit 12 determines the probability of a specific meteorological pattern occurring at the time specified by the time identifier in real time with respect to the spatial position and spatial range specified by the spatial range identifier and the spatial position identifier. Monitor the weather data from the weather report database 21. The meteorological analysis unit 12 transmits an individual meteorological output signal to the communication network 20 via the signal path 32. The communication network 20 receives the user identifier code from the user input database 14 through the signal path 30, and transmits the weather output signal received from the weather analysis unit 12 to the specific communication device device 11 specified by the user identifier code. In this way, the user receives an individual weather report regarding the spatial position, spatial range and time requested by the user.

Signal paths 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 are logical and / or physical links between various software and hardware used to implement the present invention. Each of the signal paths 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 is shown and described herein solely for the purpose of clearly exemplifying the information and logic communicated between the individual components of the invention. It should be understood that there is. During operation, these signal paths may not be separate signal paths and may be a single signal path. Also, these various pieces of information do not necessarily have to flow between the components of the invention in the manner shown in FIG. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a user identifier code transmitted directly from the user input database 14 to the communication network 20 via the signal path 30, but the user identifier code is transmitted to the meteorological analysis unit 12 via the signal path 24. After that, it can be transmitted to the communication network 20 via the signal path 32.

Although it is stated that the user manually inputs the user identifier code into the user input database 14, it should be understood that the user identifier code can also be automatically entered into the user input database 14 by the communicator device 11.

Once the user-defined parameters have been entered into the user-input database 14, the user-defined parameters can be analyzed by the meteorological analysis unit 12 along with the meteorological content identifier for target marketing. The plurality of vendors 36 are provided with access to the weather analysis unit 12 of the broadcast network 10 via the plurality of signal paths 38a, 38b, 38c. Vendor 36 can independently enter search information into Meteorological Analysis Unit 12 to collect a data set of information that is useful to Vendor 36.

For example, a particular vendor 36a (who is engaged in the business of selling snowplows) has a meteorological analysis department 12 to request a list of all spatial locations in the United States that are expected to suffer at least 10 inches of snow the following week. You may enter the weather content identifier and the time identifier in. The Meteorological Analysis Department 12 then reports all spaces in the United States that are alleged to suffer at least 10 inches of snow the following week based on at least one weather content identifier, time identifier, and real-time weather data stored in the weather reporting database 21. Collect a location data set. The data set is then output to vendor 36a. Based on that data set, Vendor 36a may send advertisements or additional snowplows to the areas identified in that data set.

As another example, a particular vendor 36a (who is engaged in the business of selling snowplows) of all user profiles that identifies users in a spatial location in the United States that is expected to suffer at least 10 inches of snow the following week. A weather content identifier and a time identifier may be entered into the Meteorological Analysis Unit 12 to request a list. The Meteorological Analysis Department 12 will then be subject to at least 10 inches of snow the following week based on at least one weather content identifier, time identifier, user profile, and real-time weather data stored in the weather reporting database 21 in the United States. Collect data sets for all spatial locations. The data set is then output to vendor 36a. Based on that data set, Vendor 36a may send ads to the users identified in that data set.

It is assumed that the user subscribes to the services provided by Broadcast Network 10. In this regard, the broadcast network 10 may or may not incur service charges to the user. Also, some services may be provided by the broadcast network 10 at a certain rate, and additional services may be provided at an extended rate.

To save processing power, the meteorological analysis unit 12 may periodically decide which communicator device 11 should be turned off or out of range. Once this is determined, the meteorological analysis unit 12 will then generate no individual meteorological output signal for the communicator device 11 that has been turned off or out of range. Once a particular one of the communicator devices 11 is turned on or within range, the meteorological analysis unit 12 then attempts to generate an individual meteorological output signal for such communicator device 11. .. In other words, in order to save processing power, the meteorological analysis unit 12 may generate an individual meteorological output signal only for the communicator device 11 which is in operation and within range.

The meteorological analysis unit 12 is located in the broadcast network 10. Alternatively, the meteorological analysis unit 12 may be separated from the rest of the broadcast network 10, in which case the meteorological analysis unit 12 is provided as a service to the broadcast network 10.

In one preferred embodiment, rather than the user giving (or in addition to) user-defined parameters to the user-input database 14, the user-input database 14 provides a plurality of predefined user profiles with activity data and time. It is programmed to provide each of the predefined user profiles for user-specified activities, including as an option. This activity may be for business, personal, or entertainment needs. For example, business needs depend on or are affected by weather conditions to perform desirable activities, such as, but not limited to, ranchers, contractors, farmers or painters. It may be any job. Personal needs are activities that are positively or negatively affected by weather conditions, such as, but not limited to, missions performed by homeowners (cutting lawns, painting homes, trees or theirs). It may be (such as pruning other things in the seed). Amusement needs are entertainment or other outdoor activities that depend on weather conditions, such as, but not limited to, golf, cycling, boating, hiking, fishing or snow skiing. Good.

In this case, the user selects or provides an activity or category to the user input database 14. The user input database 14 reads the predefined information about such activities or categories and stores or links such predefined information in the user's user profile. The broadcast network 10 and / or the weather analysis unit 12 then functions as described above to provide weather warnings or other information regarding the information contained in the user's user profile.

For example, a user may plan to play golf between 9 am and 4 pm on a particular weekend. In this case, the user would choose a predefined user profile for "golf" and a time frame for such planned activities. The location of the planned activity can be entered in the user input database 14. Alternatively, the location of the communicator device 11 can be monitored by the communicator location database 16. The information contained in the defined user profile is entered into the user input database 14, after which weather warnings and forecasts are generated as described above.

The defined user profile is determined by the members of the broadcast network 10 and / or the meteorological analysis unit 12. These components identify weather conditions that are typically suitable or unfavorable for each designated activity. Thus, for example, a predefined user profile for "golf" includes data on wind conditions, lightning, rain, temperature, and other conditions that have a positive or negative impact on golf activity, for example. .. Predefined user profile data can be determined before or after the user selects an activity.

If the user so desires, the broadcast network 10 and / or the meteorological analysis unit 12 may be responsible for generating a spatial range identifier of appropriate size (as in the case of a user profile or a predefined user profile). To). Alternatively, the spatial range identifier may be determined by the nature of the meteorological phenomenon. In the latter case, the members of the broadcast network 10 and / or the meteorological analysis unit 12 determine the "area of concern" for each possible or possible meteorological phenomenon, and the communication network 20 then contacts the area of concern. It could also send a notification to a potentially user or communicator device 11.

For example, a tornado may be 1/2 mile wide, but broadcast network 10 and / or meteorological analysis department 12 has areas of concern of 1 and 1/2 miles based on its experience, knowledge, and capabilities. It is 8 miles long and may be determined to be moving northeast. If the user's location contacts the "area of concern", any user within the scope of the user input database 14 will be notified, as described above.

[Other uses of this system]

Figures 3 and 4 show advisory systems 8a, 8b that can be used to deliver other types of information or to more accurately predict weather-related phenomena. The advisory systems 8a and 8b are similar to the meteorological advisory system 8 in terms of structure and function, except as noted below. For clarity, similar components are prefixed with the same number and suffixed with different alphabets.

The advisory system 8a includes a broadcast network 10a. In one embodiment, the broadcast network 10a is used, for example, to send individual job assignments from an employer to an employee in real time. The broadcast network 10a includes an analysis unit 12a, a communication device location database 16a, and communication device devices 11a and 11b. Here, the communication device 11a is referred to as an "employer communication device", and the communication device 11b is referred to as an "employee communication device". The communication device position database 16a is continuously updated to include real-time data indicating the spatial positions of the communication device devices 11a and 11b. In a manner similar to that described above, the analyzer 12a performs the user profile (indicated by block 80a), the dynamic position stored in the communicator location database 16a, the fixed position indicated in block 82a, and the employment. Compare the work assignments entered into the analysis unit 12a from one of the communication device devices 11a. To elaborate on the types of information transmitted within System 8a, System 8a is further described as Employer System 40a and Employee System 42a.

For example, the employer uses the employer communication device 11a to enter employee information and criteria into the employee's user profile. For example, enter work locations, work schedules, skill requirements, personality traits, and other criteria as shown in block 84a. In addition, the employer enters a job or job assignment criteria in Analysis Unit 12a. For example, enter work locations, work schedules, skill requirements, personality traits, and other criteria. The employer enters the above criteria in one of the employer communication device 11a. The employer communication device 11a may, for example, be a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, combined mobile phone / PDA, or any other capable of transmitting employee information and job assignment criteria to analysis unit 12a. It may be any of the devices. The analysis unit 12a may be, for example, a computer or a web server. Analysis Unit 12a matches the employee user profile criteria with the job assignment criteria to generate a data set of at least one individual job assignment.

Individual real-time job assignments are sent to one of the employee communication device devices 11b based on the result of matching the job assignment criteria with the employee user profile. The data set can also be sent to the employer communication device 11a, which allows the employer to review the data set and assign the job assignment to a particular employee. Alternatively, the analysis unit 12a can automatically assign the job assignment to a specific employee, thereby assigning the job assignment to the employee's communication device 11b without interference from the employer. Can be sent to. The employee's communication device 11b is, for example, a PDA, mobile phone, combined mobile phone / PDA, pager, or analysis unit 12a or any other device that allows the employer to communicate information to the employee. It may be.

A user profile for each employee contains information about the employee's characteristics, such as personality, sales style, clothing, skills, location, schedule, or any other quality or characteristic of a particular employee. In addition, the user profile is preferably accessible by both the employer communicator device 11a and the employee communicator device 11b. However, it is preferred that the employee communicator device 11a has access to the entire user profile, while the employee communicator device 11b has access to only a subset of the user profile. Thus, the user profile accessible to the employee system 40a may be different from the user profile accessible to the employee system 42a.

For example, a user profile accessible to the employer system 40a may include features related to a particular employee that are hidden or unknown to the employee. For example, employees can access information stored in their user profile. For example, access to locations, appointments, skills, and other criteria, as shown in block 86a. Access to your user profile may then be provided to update the information as needed. In addition to the information accessible to employees above, employers access employee user profiles to enter and access employee characteristics such as personality, sales style, clothing, and skills. Access may be provided to update this information as needed.

In another embodiment, the system 8a is used to deliver the goods based on the real-time position of the goods carrier. More specifically, System 8a can be used to facilitate the purchaser of a product ordered online in order to deliver the product to the purchaser's designated location quickly and efficiently.

The employee user profile and location are loaded into the analysis unit 12a. The analysis unit 12a identifies the delivery person (employee) located at the purchaser position. Part of the employee's user profile can include an inventory of goods on the employee's delivery truck. Employees do not need to know what inventory can be found on their delivery trucks, but only their delivery destinations.

For example, a buyer may order a new product online. The employer may enter the purchaser's order (job assignment) in the employer communication device 11a, which enters the job assignment in the analysis unit 12a. Thereby, the analysis unit 12a can determine which delivery person can efficiently deliver the specified product to the purchaser. The purchaser may also send the order directly to Analysis Unit 12a by placing an online order. The analysis unit 12a can then automatically determine the appropriate delivery person to deliver the goods to the purchaser and send the job assignment to the delivery person via the employee's communication device 11b. In addition, the employer tracks the exact inventory located on the employee's delivery truck and monitors whether the items on this inventory are being delivered or stolen from the delivery truck. Update the user profile to.

In yet another embodiment, system 8a can be used to send a salesman to the field to seek new clients. For example, a company may receive questions from prospective customers. Information about the prospect is input to the analysis unit 12a as a job assignment from the employer communication device device 11a. The analysis unit 12a then determines the appropriate salesman to send to the prospect based on the information stored in the salesman's user profile. A salesman's user profile can be, for example, the salesman's position, personality traits, clothing style, or other attributes used to determine which salesman is appropriate to get to a prospect. Information may be included.

FIG. 4 shows another advisory system 8b configured according to the present invention. Advisory system 8b includes broadcast network 10b. Broadcast network 10b is similar in structure and function to broadcast network 10 described above, except for the following: Broadcast networks 10b include individual sensor networks 48a with meteorological and environmental sensors 48b, these sensors being specifically associated with a predetermined user-related geographic area.

For example, meteorological and environmental data collection sites are very sparse in the world's growing territories. In Iowa, there are only a minimum number of US Meteorological Department data collection points. The lack of meteorological data hinders farmers' behavior because there is no dense network of meteorological data points sufficient for farmers to make critical decisions about harvesting. For example, how can we know if 160 acres of land should be fertilized when land temperature data, harvest humidity data, and probability of precipitation data are not available?

The sensor network 48a includes temporary or permanent data acquisition sensors 48b, which may be installed in a grid of 10-40 acres, for example, on the land of the subscriber or the user of the system 8b. Each sensor 48b may have its own associated spatial range (eg, within 5 or 20 miles). The spatial range associated with each sensor 48b can be selected by the user and can be specified according to the type and purpose of the sensor 48b, as well as the density of the sensor network 48a. For example, if the user is interested in soil humidity to schedule fertilizer treatment, the spatial range associated with the selected sensor 48b may be determined, for example, 375 feet. In another example, the user may be interested in soil temperature to plant seeds on the ground. The desired spatial range associated with the selected sensor 48b may be, for example, 2,000 feet. The user of system 8b has a user profile as described above. The profile is supplemented with information about, for example, the user-related sensor 48b installed at or near the user's land. The sensor 48b sends individual information for a specific area to the weather analysis unit 12b so that the weather analysis unit 12b can use more detailed information when generating a weather report for a specific area for the user. become.

Sensor 48b is any type of sensor that predicts weather, sends current weather conditions, sends current environmental conditions, and / or produces information that can be used to predict environmental conditions. .. For example, sensor 48b can be used to sample and record parameters. Parameters include, but are not limited to, temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar radiation, wind speed and direction, soil temperature, soil humidity, and land chemistry.

For example, a user may enter information in his user profile of the type that he wants to use the sensor network 48a to monitor temperature, humidity, land conditions, and so on. The meteorological analysis unit 12b receives the sensor data from the sensor network 48a and sends the information to the user via the user's communication device device 50b based on the information input to the user profile. Users may choose specific sensors to monitor specific areas at any time by modifying their user profile.

Further, the system 8b may be used to send real-time road condition information to the meteorological analysis unit 12b to enhance the meteorological report sent to the users of the system 8b. The sensor 48b can include its own power source, such as a battery or solar power source, but preferably the sensor 48b is located on a device with an electrical power source. For example, temporary or permanent sensors 48b may be installed at various locations along the roadway. For example, it can be installed on a vehicle, on a roadway or beside it, on a bulletin board next to a roadway or railroad, a petrol pump, a cell phone tower, or on a delivery vehicle such as a UPS or Federal Express. Or on a street light. If the sensor 48b is installed on the roadway, it may be installed in concrete or asphalt. When installed on the side of the roadway, for example, the sensor 48b may be installed in the groove. Sensor 48b may detect, for example, humidity, temperature, or any other weather or environmental condition. These conditions are associated with road signs, roadside signs and street lights, delivery vehicles such as UPS and Federal Express, and passenger car signs. Alternatively, the sensor 48b may be used to detect traffic conditions or some other condition associated with a particular road or railroad.

For example, each sensor 48b may be installed 100 feet away from the nearest sensor to create a sensor network 48a to determine state for a specified area along the road or railroad. In addition, sensors 48b may be installed in various cell phone towers to allow users of a particular cell phone system associated with the tower to access different situations using system 8b.

Each of the weather sensors 48a may include a system such as a GPS system for determining the current position of such a weather sensor. As a result, the current position of the meteorological sensor can be sent to the meteorological analysis unit 12b.

Those skilled in the art will find that System 8b has many uses. For example, when sensor data is collected by a sensor 48a placed on a vehicle traveling along a roadway or railroad, the meteorological analysis unit 12b sends the sensor data to a communicator device 11b located near where the sensor data is collected. You can send a weather report. In this way, the information gathered by the sensors on the Federal Express Truck can be sent to the Subscriber, assuming the Federal Express Truck is 5 miles from the Subscriber.

An advisory system 8c that can be used to deliver other types of information is shown in Figure 5. The advisory system 8c is similar to the advisory system 8a in terms of structure and function, except as described below. For clarity, similar components are prefixed with the same number and suffixed with different alphabets.

The advisory system 8c includes a broadcast network 10c. In certain embodiments, the broadcast network 10c is used to find at least one known or unknown individual distant from the broadcast network 10c. The broadcast network 10c includes an analyzer 12c, a communication device location database 16c, and at least one communication device device 11c, preferably at least two communication device devices 11c, 11d. Here, the communication device 11c is referred to as a "locator communication device", and the communication device 11d is referred to as a "locator communication device". The term "locator" as used herein means a person seeking locator. The term "locatee" as used herein means the person to be sought. The communication device location database 16c is continuously updated to include real-time data indicating the spatial positions of the locator communication device device 11c and the location communication device device 11d.

In a manner similar to that described above, Analysis Unit 12c has a user profile (unique personal personality) entered into Analysis Unit 12c from one of the remote communicator devices 11c, 11d (as shown in block 80c). (Contains information indicating specific characteristics), the dynamic position stored in the communication device position database 16c, and the fixed position indicated by block 82c. To elaborate on the types of information transmitted within system 8c, system 8c is further described as locator system 40c and locator system 42a.

For example, a locator uses a locator communicator device 11c to enter its locator information and criteria into its user profile, as shown in block 84c. For example, personal traits (ie height, weight, age, eye color, hair color, sex, race, occupation, etc.), personality traits (ie, extroverts, sociable drinkers, non-smokers, etc.), Enter photos, locator audio representations, locator video representations, locator audio / video representations, and other user information and criteria. Moreover / instead, the locator inputs the desired criteria for location into the analyzer 12c. For example, enter an individual's trait, personality trait, proximity (including a spatial range identifier that indicates the distance from a fixed or dynamic position of the locator) or some other criterion. The locator inputs the above criteria into one of the locator communication device 11c. The locator communication device 11c may be, for example, a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a combined mobile phone / PDA, or any other device capable of sending locator criteria to the analyzer 12c. Good. The analysis unit 12c may be, for example, a computer or a web server. The analysis unit 12c matches the locator's user profile criteria with the locator's user profile criteria and / or the locator's desired criteria to generate a data set of locator user profiles that match the locator criteria.

Send the locator criteria to one of the locator communication device 11d based on the result of matching the locator criteria with the locator's user profile. If necessary, permission for the location may be obtained before transferring any information about the location to the locator communication device 11c. Once the location permission has been received (if required), the data set can be sent to the locator communicator device 11c. As a result, the locator can review the data set and determine the location to contact by text message or some other means of communication. Alternatively, the analyzer 12c can automatically determine which location to contact, thereby communicating with the location's communicator device 11d by text message or some other means of communication without locator intervention. .. The location communication device 11d may be, for example, a PDA, a cell phone, a combined cell phone / PDA, a pager, or any other device on which the analyzer 12c or locator can communicate information to the location. ..

Each location's user profile includes, for example, height, weight, age, eye color, hair color, gender, race, occupation, and other personal characteristics of the location, as well as, for example, outgoing, sociable drinkers, non-smokers. Contains information about personality traits such as smokers, or other qualities or characteristics regarding a particular location. The location user profile may further include location photos, location audio representations, location video representations, locator audio / video representations, and other user information and criteria, as shown in block 86c.

Once the locator user profile has been downloaded to the locator's communicator device 11c, the locator adds additional information about the locator, such as the locator's impression that the locator considers meaningful to the locator, the locator's opinion, or other information. You may. This additional information is hidden from the location, but may be broadcast to additional users of Advisory System 8c. For example, a user profile accessible to the locator system 40c may include features related to a particular location that are hidden or unknown to the location, as shown in block 86c. For example, as shown in block 86c, the location can access his user profile, such as the personal characteristics and personality criteria entered, and go to his user profile to update the information as needed. Access may be provided. In addition to the information accessible to the locator above, the locator may access the locator's user profile to access locator features such as personal and personality traits.

For example, a locator may include in his user profile that he is single, Caucasian, male, 26 years old, college student, nonsmoker, and light sociable drinker. Locators want to find white single women who share the same personal and personality traits. The locator may download the user profile entered by another user of Advisory System 8c ("Locatey"). The locator may also send a text message or other means of communication to the locator to contact the locator. In this embodiment, the present invention may be considered as a romance service, a date service, or a marriage intermediary service.

In another embodiment, the system 8c is used to find and provide entertainment among users with similar user profiles. Examples of such users include movie lovers, gamers, or other people who are interested in a particular class of entertainment industry. More specifically, System 8c can be used to find individuals with similar interests in the entertainment industry and to provide such individuals with the desired entertainment. System 8c can be used to find individuals associated with the specified spatial range entered into analysis unit 12c by the locator. Alternatively, regardless of the location of the location, System 8c can be used to find an individual / location.

In the same way as described above, the locator uses the locator communicator device 11c to enter its locator information and / or criteria into its user profile, as shown in block 84c. For example, enter an interest in entertainment, a desired or specified spatial range (based on fixed or dynamic position), other user information and / or criteria. Moreover / instead, the locator inputs the desired criteria for location into the analyzer 12c. For example, enter an interest in entertainment, a desired or specified spatial range, and other criteria. Analytical unit 12c matches locator information with locator information in the same way as described above, and finds other users of system 8c who have similar interests in the entertainment industry and / or have proximity within the area indicated by the locator. Take a match.

For example, a locator who wants to use a game like tag as another user of the system 8c inputs his / her locator / user profile information into the analysis unit 12c via his / her locator communication device 11c in the same way as described above. You may. Examples of such locator user profile information include, for example, personal traits, personality traits, and desirable spatial ranges for finding locacy. The locator may also enter the desired criteria for location in the analyzer 12c. For example, enter the desired personality trait, personality trait, desired location location, and desired spatial range to find the location.

For example, a locator who wants to play a tag game can enter information about the type of game, locator's personality traits and personal traits (via locator communication device 11c) into analysis unit 12c, for example, himself. Specify your desire to find a location within 50 miles of your location. Specified demon you using the world as a "game board" for participating in Tsu this game, the analysis unit 12c against the locatee user profile based on the locator user profile criteria and / or locator want standards, locator reference Generate a data set of location user profiles that match.

Based on this data set of locators, the locator may select the locators / participants who should participate in the specified game and send a message. For example, you may send a text message such as "Tag, that's you" via your locator device 11c to a designated location via your locator device 11d. Alternatively, System 8c can automatically determine which location to contact, thereby sending a text message or other means of communication to the location's communicator device 11d without locator intervention.

In addition to finding and matching interested users similar to the entertainment industry, System 8c specifies whether users / gamers play or participate in games, such as video games, and wish to do so. Used to interact with other users / gamers to play games. In the same way as described above, with System 8c, the user is a space that indicates the (static or dynamic) position (distance from the user's fixed or dynamic position) of each user involved in a particular game. You can interact with other individuals / users involved in the game based on (including range identifiers).

In addition, the locator can read a particular location (through its locator communicator device 11c) for entertainment (ie, cinema, casino, etc.) or a particular event (ie, a particular movie, a particular game event, etc.). In addition, system 8c may be used. System 8c may be used to alert users of entertainment events based on their user profile.

In another embodiment, the system 8c is used to track an individual ("location") based on the individual's real-time position with or without the help of a spatial range identifier. More specifically, the system 8c can be used to find an individual traveling within a specified spatial range and notify the user when a particular individual moves outside the specified spatial range. In addition, System 8c can be used to find an individual, regardless of their location or the location associated with the specified spatial range.

The location user profile is loaded into the analysis unit 12c. In addition, the analysis unit 12c may be loaded with the desired spatial range or route that the location intends or is instructed to travel, i.e. the travel range intended by the location and / or the destination of the location. The analyzer 12c tracks the location of the location communication device 11d and warns the location communication device 11c when the location communication device 11d moves out of the location's intended travel range or location's intended destination. You may. Further, the analysis unit 12c may warn the locator communication device 11c when the location communication device 11d moves to an area geographically referred to as a "good area" or "bad area". System 8c may track the location through the location communication device 11d or, if necessary, seek the consent of the location.

For example, parents may want to track their child's movements with System 8c. The parent may enter the child's intended destination (with or without the desired spatial range) into the locator communicator device 11c, which inputs the child's intended destination to the analyzer 12c. As a result, the analyzer 12c can track the child's movement through the location communication device 11d, and if the child moves out of the desired spatial range (if specified), the locator communication device. You will be able to warn your parents via 11c. Also, if the child moves to a geographically referenced "good area" (ie, school, etc.) or "bad area" (ie, drinking bar, etc.), the analyzer 12c will be via the locator communicator device 11c. You may warn your parents.

In addition, the user can locate a friend ("locator") in a location such as a mall, football stadium, etc. by tracking the friend's location communication device 11d in the same way as described above (locator communication device). It may be tracked (via device 11c). In this embodiment, the desired spatial range may or may not be specified. In addition, the system 8c may track the location via the location communication device 11d or, optionally, seek the consent of the location.

An optional aspect of Systems 8, 8a, 8b, and 8c is the performance of "operations research." The term "operations research" used herein means georeferencing an object in conjunction with time tracking of the object. The term "geographical reference" used herein refers to the X1, Y1 coordinates (expected position or expected route) and the X1, Y1, Z1 coordinates (expected position or expected route). Means to determine the position O1 of the object with respect to. As used herein, the term "time tracking" means the first departure time (Td) of an individual or object in conjunction with the expected and / or expected arrival time (Te) of the individual or object. Operations research is applicable to any embodiment of the invention described herein.

Operations research can be used in a variety of fields. For example, mobile commercial services (ie vehicle management, asset location, field sales and services), entertainment services (ie game services, individual location services, other "social" services such as romance), security services (ie). , Child Locator Services, Mobile Road Services), Information Services (ie, Point of Interest Identification, GPS Navigation Support, Meteorological Information &amp; Data, Traffic Information &amp; Data), or any other operation research wishes to be used and applied. Can be used in the field of.

For example, a child with a location communication device 11d leaves home (X1, Y1) at 8:00 am (Td) and arrives at school (X2, Y2) at 8:30 am (Te). Is expected. Through the locator communication device 11c, the child's parent can, for example, (1) a unique identification code that identifies the child's location communication device 11c, (2) the child's intended destination (ie, school) (desired space). By entering the ranged / unranged), (3) child's departure time (Td), and (4) the child's expected arrival time (Te) into the locator communicator device 11c, the child's position (O1) can be determined. You may track it. The locator communicator device 11c then has a unique identification code that identifies the child's locator communicator device 11c, (2) the child's intended destination (ie, school) (with or without the desired spatial range), (3). ) Enter the child's departure time (Td) and (4) the child's expected arrival time (Te) in the analysis unit 12c. This allows the analyzer 12a to track the movement of the child via the location communication device 11d, and further, if the child moves out of the desired spatial range (if specified), the locator communication device. You will be able to alert your parents through device 11c. In addition, the analysis unit 12a may notify the parent if the child does not arrive at school by the entered expected arrival time (Te), or the child's actual arrival time (Ta) or expectation to the intended destination. You will be able to notify parents about deviations in the child's position from the route (if specified). Also, as mentioned above, if the child moves to a geographically referenced "good area" (such as a school) or "bad area" (such as a drinking bar), the analyzer 12a will pass through the locator communication device 11c. You may call your parents.

As yet another example, the employer uses the employer communicator device 11a to determine the employee's intended destination (ie, the delivery destination) (with or without the desired space range) and the employee's departure time. Enter (Td) and the employee's expected arrival time (Te) in the employee communication device 11a, which enters the employee's intended destination in the analysis unit 12a. This allows the analysis unit 12a to track the employee's movement through the employee's communicator device 11b, and further moves the employee out of the desired spatial range (if specified). If so, it will be possible to warn the employer through the employer communication device 11a. In addition, the analysis unit 12a will notify the employer if the employee does not arrive at the delivery destination by the entered expected arrival time (Te), or the employee's actual arrival at the intended destination. You will be able to notify your employer about deviations in employee position from arrival time (Ta) or expected route (if specified).

Also, as mentioned above, if the employee moves to a geographically referenced "good area" or "bad area", the analysis unit 12a will notify the employer through the employer communication device 11a. May be good.

Drawings, in particular FIG. 6, show another embodiment of the advisory system 8e configured in accordance with the present invention. The advisory system 8e includes one or more communication devices 11, one or more service providers (here, for example, the three shown by reference numbers 90, 92, and 94), and one or more prioritization units. It has 95. The prioritizing unit 95 communicates with the communication device 11 via one or more communication networks 96, and also communicates with one or more service providers 90, 92, 94 via one or more communication networks. .. Due to the configuration of the prioritization unit 95, users of the communication device 11 are individually (as described below) to give different types of content, service providers, communication networks, and / or third vendors different priorities. Is allowed to choose and assign to. Alternatively, the prioritization unit 95 can automatically individually select at least one of the communication networks 96 to pass content to each communication device 11 or group of communication devices 11.

The prioritizing unit 95 is implemented as an instruction (stored on one or more computer-readable media) executed on an appropriate logical device (eg, a computer or a group of computers). In a preferred implementation, the prioritization unit 95 includes a web server that uses a global public network (eg, the Internet) to communicate not only with the communicator device 11 but also with service providers 90, 92, and 94.

User-defined priorities are provided to the prioritization unit 95 by users using a variety of different methods (such as communication devices, telephones, other computers, facsimiles, emails or using email electronically). Will be done. The user's priority instruction is a "user-defined priority" on one or more computer-readable media that can be read by the prioritizing unit 95 when determining the priority to pass content to the communicator device 11. Is stored as.

User-defined priorities can also be based on predetermined conditions, locations, and / or service providers. For example, the predetermined condition may be the geographic area where the communicator device 11 is currently located (or not located). The location of the communicator device 11 can also be used to prioritize the content provided to the communicator device 11. For example, the location of the communicator device 11 can be used to provide a higher priority when the communicator device 11 enters the service area of one or more vendors or service providers.

The current location of the communicator device 11 can be automatically monitored using the communicator location database 16 as described above. Alternatively, the communicator device 11 can provide its own location to one of the prioritizing units 95 and / or service providers 90, 92, 94. The location of the communicator device 11 can be determined using any of the various possible resources. Possible resources, for example, determine the spatial location of a mobile phone network, a mobile phone network with wireless application protocol technology, global positioning satellite technology, the Internet, long-range navigation technology, radar technology, transponder technology, or communication device 11. Or any other type of technology that can be tracked.

Each service provider 90, 92, 94 is an instruction (one or more computers readable) executed on a suitable logical device (eg, a computer or set of computers suitable for providing one or more services). It is typically implemented as (stored in a computer). Services include, for example, movie services, news services, financial data services, weather and other environmental data services, business distribution data services, job assignment data services, location-specific game data (entertainment data), as mentioned earlier. ) Services, third-party location data services, etc. The user associated with the communication device 11 signs up or registers with service providers 90, 92, 94, and the service or content provided by service providers 90, 92, 94 helps prioritization unit 95. Sign up or register with the prioritization unit 95 so that it can be borrowed and delivered to the communication device 11. Once the user signs up with service providers 90, 92, 94, the content is delivered to the user's communication device 11 continuously or on demand (in a push or pull manner). In a preferred implementation, each service provider 90, 92, 94 comprises a web server and uses a global public network such as the Internet to communicate with the prioritization unit 95 or the communicator device 11. However, it should be understood that the prioritization unit 95 can also communicate with service providers 90, 92, 94 in other ways.

For example, one of service providers 90, 92, 94 is suitable for providing third-party location data to the communicator device 11. Priorities for third-party location data are selected, assigned, ranked in the prioritization unit 95, and / or transfer third-party location data to the communicator device 11 on a first-priority basis. Given the priority to do. As another example, meteorological data may be ranked second priority and entertainment data may be ranked third priority based on the desires of each user. In this example, when resources are scarce, third-party location data takes precedence over meteorological and entertainment data, resulting in the user prioritizing third-party location data over meteorological and entertainment data. receive.

Content is created directly by service providers 90, 92, 94, or by third-party vendors who convey such content to service providers 90, 92, 94. Multiple third-party vendors may provide content to a single service provider. Third-party vendors may also provide single or multiple content to service providers. Third-party vendors are typically implemented as one or more computer systems (eg, one or more database servers working together to obtain or generate content).

The designation of priorities via the prioritization unit 95 may be provided at various levels within the system 8e. For example, for any System 8e user, through the prioritization unit 95, at the service provider level (content created by one service provider 90, 92, 94, by another service provider 90, 92, 94). Assign priorities, including priorities over created content), content levels (based on assigned priorities for different types of content), third-party vendor levels, or any combination thereof. May be good.

Service providers 90, 92, 94 may create or acquire at least one piece of content that should be passed to at least one communicator device 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, service providers 90, 92, 94, respectively, have a plurality of contents 102, 104, which should be passed to one or more communicator devices 11 via a prioritizing unit 95 and a communication network. Create 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 respectively.

With reference to FIG. 7, another advisory system configured in accordance with the present invention is shown by reference number 8f. The advisory system 8f includes one or more communication devices 11 and one or more service providers 90a, 92a, 94a that communicate with communication devices via one or more communication networks 96a. The service providers 90a, 92a, 94a are similar in structure and function to the service providers 90, 92, 94 shown in FIG. 6, but each service provider 90a, 92a, 94a is a communication device individually from each service provider. The difference is that 11 includes one or more prioritization units 95a to prioritize the delivery of content 102a, 104a, 106a, 108a, 110a, 112a, 114a, 116a, 118a. The prioritization unit 95a is similar in structure and function to the prioritization unit 95 described above, but the prioritization unit 95a is independently associated with one of the service providers 90a, 92a, 94a. Is different.

Thus, in summary, each broadcast network of the above systems (8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) is for prioritizing the desired content passed to the communication device 11 through the communication networks 96, 96a. By including one or more prioritization units 95, 95a, it can be one of the service providers 90, 92, 94 in systems 8e, 8f. Examples of desirable content are based on weather and other environmental data, business delivery data, job assignment data, location-specific game data (entertainment data), third-party location data, and user-assigned user-defined priority assignments. It includes, but is not limited to, similar ones.

Desirable content may be predetermined such that only user-defined priority assignment is required. Alternatively, the desired content and user-defined priority may be selected and assigned at the same time. Assigning priorities to a variety of desirable content reduces the limited capacity of potential storage associated with the user's communication device 11 and / or service providers 90, 92, 94, resulting in a first priority. The content to which the degree is assigned will preferably be received by the user. Certain communicator devices 11 may not receive lower priority content if resources such as storage and service provider bandwidth are scarce.

Desirable content is at least one communicator device by choosing at least one service provider for delivering one or more different types of content that should be passed to at least one communicator device 11 over the communications networks 96, 96a. Passed to 11. Content may be provided by at least one vendor that provides the same content or different content. Priority may also be assigned to content based on the vendor providing such content. At least one user-defined priority is assigned to at least one content type and one or more communication service providers.

Content allocation may be based on predetermined conditions, location, and / or service provider. Predetermined conditions are selected from a group consisting of a geographic area where the communicator device is currently located and a geographic area where the communicator device is not currently located. The selected geographic area may or may not be within the service area of at least one vendor. User-defined priorities, predetermined conditions, locations, and / or service providers are stored on computer-readable media so that different types of content are passed to the communicator device based on user-defined priorities. In certain embodiments, it may be determined whether predetermined conditions, locations, and service providers are available before the content is passed to the communicator device 11 over the communications networks 96, 96a. Also, the content may be received and the user-defined priority may be read prior to the step of passing different types of content to the communication device 11 via the communication networks 96, 96a.

The computer-readable medium is readable by the communicator device 11 and may be located on the communicator device 11. Alternatively, the computer-readable medium may be located away from the communicator device 11, such as prioritizing units 95, 95a.

In one version of the invention, the communicator device 11 confirms that the communicator device 11 has received the content by prioritizing unit 95 (via communication network 96a) or service provider 90a (through communication network 96a). It may be suitable for sending to 92a, 94a. If confirmation is not received by Prioritization Units 95, 95a or Service Providers 90a, 92a, 94a, Prioritization Units 95, 95a or Service Providers 90a, 92a, 94a will continue until such confirmation is received. Continue to send content. In this way, at least one type of content may be resent to the communication device 11 until the receipt of the content by the communication device 11 can be confirmed. Whether or not the content is resent can be selected by the user in the user-defined priority.

In one version of the invention, the systems 8e, 8f are based on the user's historical prioritization of available content based on the user's selection history of available content and the user's preferred history. You may assign priority to the available content that should be passed to the communicator device 11. That is, systems 8e, 8f automatically assign priorities to the available content created by service providers or third-party vendors at the various levels described above via prioritization units 95, 95a. It may be configured as follows. These levels include, for example, the service provider level (content created by one service provider 90, 92, 94 takes precedence over content created by another service provider 90, 92, 94). , Content level (based on assigned priorities of different types of content), third-party vendor level, or history of user-available content selection and prioritized user-available content Includes any combination of these based on history.

For example, users select different types of content, such as location-specific data, weather and other environmental data, business distribution data, job assignment data, location-specific game data (entertainment data), and third-party location data. I have received it. However, changes in the position of your child have a higher priority than game updates and weather data, so users should rate their child finder data as the highest priority and always put it first. And protect resources. This allows the user to receive it regardless of bandwidth, communication device memory, other communication networks or communication device restrictions.

In the embodiment of the system described above, the communication device 11 may be configured to include a prioritization unit (not shown) in place of or in addition to the prioritization units 95, 95a. This allows content to be presented to the user (eg, receive, receive,) independent of any prioritization scheme available to service providers 90, 92, 94, 90a, 92a, 94a or prioritization unit 95. You will be able to prioritize the display or storage device). The prioritization unit included in the communication device can be implemented in various ways, for example, with instructions executed on a suitable logical device (microprocessor, digital signal processor, or microcontroller), and suitable inputs. A device (eg, a keyboard, tablet, touch screen or something else of its kind) can be used to receive user-defined priorities. Such instructions can be implemented in a variety of ways (eg software, firmware or hardware).

Also, in any of the embodiments of the system described above, content that has not been prioritized by the user or system is rejected by the prioritization unit so that the user does not receive non-prioritized content. May be good.

Incorporated herein by reference to the full contents of US Application No. 11 / 334,898 filed January 19, 2006.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is configured to achieve not only the objectives and advantages inherent in the invention, but also the objectives and advantages described herein. The currently preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for the purposes of disclosure, with numerous modifications, including modifications readily suggested to those skilled in the art and modifications achieved within the spirit of the disclosed invention. You can immediately understand that it is good.