Virginia Patent of the Month – September 2021
There are some methods for delivering location data to location-aware devices. Most of these describe visual only data such as text or icons. There are some methods that use location-triggered “rich” media like audio or video but none of them do more than a simple trigger of these media when near certain points of interest. Gotham Studios, Inc. has recently worked on advancing these technologies, especially for location-aware devices like smartphones.
Their system uses location information from the traditional route – GPS satellites – and interprets it to the Location Determination Module. They use a geodatabase on a remote server which stores and provides an array of geocoded information regarding the points of interest to the Geo Filter. Their system and program can determine current location information including if an object is moving, by comparing it with the same device’s previous location information. Then, future location information can be calculated and a point of interest is filtered using this information. Gotham Studios program then matches a media asset to the calculated point of interest and a current score is determined. The current score includes determining a window in which the matched media asset is geographically relevant to this future location information. The program displays this information to the user as a visual representation to clearly tell them what they can expect in the near future. The application filters can range in length and specificity, from very specific such as announcements about Points of Interest to very broad such as songs about states.
To simplify this, consider the use of location as a trigger for advertising or music scheduling. You no longer need to estimate timing and hope that the correct audio or visual comes when you arrive at the relevant location (eg. guided tours). Instead, the user’s device shows location, calculates the next location and time of arrival, and pulls the relevant music or video. It was also designed to function with airplanes – a system which previously had no existing system for location-based content. By implementing this GeoRadio program, airplane in-flight entertainment systems can offer guided tours, music, documentaries and explanations of the sights you see out the windows.
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