System and method for accessing local information by using referencing position system

Abstract

A system and method for searching a database over a computer network for information relating to items located in a particular geographic area as specified by a user. The database is accessed and built-up by users interested in making their items known to the public (e.g., advertising). The items include articles of merchandise, services, events, and persons. The information stored in the database relating to the items includes a description of the provider of the item (e.g., a vendor, or an event sponsor), a description of the item, and the current geographical location of the item. The geographical location of the item may be defined using Global Position System (“GPS”) coordinates or other positioning technologies (e.g., network-based techniques). The user searches for item information in the database by specifying a description of the item and a search area within which items matching the description are to be located.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for a computing device to interact with a user, the method comprising: 
 receiving information relating to a search object, including information describing a current geographical location of the search object;    storing the information in a database used by the computing device;    receiving a search request from the user for information pertaining to the search object, wherein the search request includes search criteria used to identify the search object, the search criteria including an area in which the search object is geographically located;    processing the request, including searching the database using the search criteria; and    sending a result of the processing to the user, wherein the result includes information relating to the search object satisfying the search criteria, including the current geographical location of the search object.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving and the sending are performed over a communication link.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the acts recited in  claim 1  are performed using a stand-alone computer.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 wherein the storing is performed in response to receiving the information relating to the search object; and    wherein the processing and the sending are performed in response to receiving the search request.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search object is selected from the following group consisting of: a piece of merchandise, a service, an event, and a person.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the computing device is selected from the following group consisting of: a handheld computer, a portable computer, and a mobile telephone.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the current geographical location of the search object includes either a postal address or position coordinates.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the position coordinates includes either Global Position System coordinates or network-based position coordinates.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search criteria include a keyword describing the search object.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search criteria include a Boolean expression describing the search object.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search area is defined by an area and at least one point in the area.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the point is specified by either a postal address or position coordinates.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the area is specified by any one selected from the following group: a distance, a governmental district, a street name, or an additional point.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the governmental district is selected from the following group consisting of: a postal code, a name of a municipality, a name of a state or province, a name of a county, or a name of a town.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the distance operates as a radius of circle with the point as the circle's center.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received information includes pricing information for the search object.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the pricing information includes a purchase price.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the pricing information further includes discount and promotional information relating to the purchase price.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search criteria includes a price range.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the result includes pricing information for the search object.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received information includes a description of the search object.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the result includes a description of the search object.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received information includes a description of a vendor of the search object.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the result includes a description of a vendor of the search object.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received information includes a description of an event.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the result includes a description of an event.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the result includes a description of a sponsor of an event.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received information includes a description of a person.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the result identifies a pre-determined number of search objects satisfying the search criteria.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the result includes a map displayable on the user's computing device which marks the current geographical location of the search object on the map.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the map further displays the current geographical location of the user.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the result further provides routing information between the geographical location of the search object marked on the map and the current location of the user.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the routing information includes driving directions.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the receiving of information is performed for a plurality of search objects;    the processing is performed for a plurality of search requests received from a plurality of users; and    the sending is performed in response to the plurality of search requests.    
     
     
         35 . A computer system comprising a computer connected to a computer network, and computer instructions executed by the computer for performing the acts in  claim 1.