Bookmark beacon system and method

Abstract

A bookmark beacon system comprises a computer network, a wireless network configured to enable a wireless device to access the computer network, and a bookmark beacon that transmits a bookmark data packet to the wireless device. The bookmark data packet includes a resource address that enables the wireless device to retrieve information stored on the computer network.

1 . A method for transmitting information associated with a physical location to a wireless device, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a computer network;    storing information associated with the physical location on the computer network;    providing a wireless network configured to enable the wireless device to access the computer network;    providing a bookmark beacon associated with the physical location that transmits a bookmark data packet, wherein the bookmark data packet includes a resource address that identifies the location on the computer network where the information associated with the physical location is stored;    receiving the bookmark data packet on the wireless device; and    accessing the computer network with the wireless device and retrieving the information associated with the physical location.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the physical location is a commercial establishment.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless device automatically receives the bookmark data packet when the wireless device is within transmission range of the bookmark beacon.  
     
     
         4 . A method for enabling a point-of-sale device to communicate with a wireless device, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a computer network;    providing a network connection between the computer network and the point-of-sale device;    entering information relating to a transaction into the point-of-sale device;    storing the information relating to the transaction at a location on the computer network;    providing a wireless network configured to enable the wireless device to access the computer network;    providing a bookmark beacon associated with the point-of-sale device that transmits a bookmark data packet, wherein the bookmark data packet includes a resource address that identifies the location on the computer network where the information relating to the transaction is stored;    receiving the bookmark data packet on the wireless device; and    accessing the computer network with the wireless device and retrieving the information relating to the transaction.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , comprising the further step of: 
 transmitting credit or debit information from the wireless device to the computer network.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising the further step of: 
 providing software executing on the computer network, wherein the software (1) receives the credit or debit information from the wireless device (2) approves or denies the transaction based on the credit or debit information, and (3) transmits the approval or denial to the point-of-sale device.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the information relating to the transaction is included in the bookmark data packet and is transmitted to the software along with the credit or debit information.  
     
     
         8 . A method for enabling a wireless device to communicate with a printer, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a computer network;    providing a network connection between the computer network and the printer, wherein the printer has a network address that enables information to be transmitted to the printer over the computer network;    providing a wireless network configured to enable the wireless device to access the computer network;    providing a bookmark beacon associated with the printer that transmits a bookmark data packet, wherein the bookmark data packet includes a resource address that identifies the network address of the printer;    receiving the bookmark data packet on the wireless device; and    transmitting data from the wireless device to the printer over the computer network using the network address.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the resource address also identifies a location on the computer network where information regarding the printer is stored, and further comprising the step of: 
 retrieving the information regarding the printer from the computer network with the wireless device, wherein the information enables the wireless device to format the data before transmission to the printer over the computer network such that the data is transmitted in a format associated with the printer.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the resource address identifies a location on the computer network where information regarding the printer, including the network address of the printer, is stored, and further comprising the step of: 
 retrieving the information regarding the printer from the computer network with the wireless device, wherein the information (1) provides the wireless device with the network address of the printer, and (2) enables the wireless device to format the data before transmission to the printer over the computer network such that the data is transmitted in a format that can be printed by the printer.    
     
     
         11 . A method for enabling a wireless device to communicate with a facsimile machine, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a bookmark beacon associated with the facsimile machine that transmits a bookmark data packet, wherein the bookmark data packet includes a facsimile number for the facsimile machine;    receiving the bookmark data packet on the wireless device; and    wirelessly transmitting data from the wireless device to the facsimile machine using the facsimile number.    
     
     
         12 . A method for enabling a wireless device to communicate with a facsimile machine, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a computer network;    providing a network connection between the computer network and the facsimile machine, wherein the facsimile machine has a network address that enables information to be transmitted between the facsimile machine and the computer network;    providing a wireless network configured to enable the wireless device to access the computer network;    providing a bookmark beacon associated with the facsimile machine that transmits a bookmark data packet, wherein the bookmark data packet includes a location on the computer network where information regarding the facsimile machine is stored;    retrieving the information regarding the facsimile machine from the computer network with the mobile device, wherein the information includes the network address of the facsimile machine; and    transmitting data from the wireless device to the facsimile machine over the computer network using the network address of the facsimile machine.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the information regarding the facsimile machine also enables the wireless device to format the data before transmission over the computer network such that the data is transmitted in a format associated with the facsimile machine.  
     
     
         14 . A method for opening a secure door with a wireless device, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a computer network;    providing a network connection between the secure door and the computer network;    providing password software operating at a location on the computer network, wherein the password software is configured to (1) receive passwords over the computer network, and (2) transmit a door open signal to the secure door when a valid password is received;    providing a wireless network configured to enable the wireless device to access the computer network;    providing a bookmark beacon associated with the secure door that transmits a bookmark data packet, wherein the bookmark data packet includes the location on the computer network where the password software is operating;    receiving the bookmark data packet on the wireless device;    transmitting a door password from the wireless device over the computer network to the password software;    determining whether the door password is valid using the password software; and    if the door password is valid, then (1) transmitting the door open signal from the password software to the secure door over the computer network, and (2) unlocking the secure door.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the password software is also configured to generate a secure door password and transmit the secure door password to the secure door, and further comprising the steps of: 
 generating the secure door password with the password software;    transmitting a copy of the secure door password to the secure door;    encrypting the copy of the secure door password in the bookmark data packet; and    comparing the copy of the secure door password encryped in the bookmark data packet and the door password transmitted from the wireless device with the secure door password generated by the password software to determine whether the door password is valid.    
     
     
         16 . A method for retrieving information on a wireless device, comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a bookmark data packet from a bookmark beacon, wherein the bookmark data packet includes a network address for a location on a computer network;    receiving the bookmark data packet on the wireless device;    accessing the computer network with the wireless device over a wireless network, and contacting the location on the computer network identified by the network address; and    retrieving information that is stored at the location on the computer network identified by the network address.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of accessing the computer network is proceeding by the additional steps of: 
 storing the bookmark data packet on the wireless device; and    enabling a wireless device user to determine whether or not interact with the computer network.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the bookmark beacon is associated with a device or physical location; and    the information stored at the location on the computer network relates to the device or physical location.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the location on the computer network is an Internet website.