Methods of determining and transmitting messages

Abstract

Methods of determining and transmitting messages receivable by objects, wherein a message is determined by a physical location of a corresponding object and at least one of an identity of a user of that object and a characteristic of a user of that object.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A computer implemented method comprising:
 receiving first data indicative of a physical location of an object and a time at which the object was at that physical location; and   transmitting second data,
 wherein at least some of the second data is determined by at least the physical location of the object indicated by the first data. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the physical location of the object was at least partially determined from at least one item selected from a group consisting of data from a cellular network and data from a GPS unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the second data is determined additionally by at least one item selected from a group consisting of an identity of a user of the object and a characteristic of a user of the object. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the object comprises an item selected from a group consisting of a cellular phone, a client device, a beeper, and a mobile computer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second data is transmitted to at least one target selected from a group consisting of the object, a second object, and a web site. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein transmitting the second data comprises transmitting a map depicting the physical location of the object. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second data is transmitted when predetermined criteria are satisfied by the first data. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second data is transmitted when at least one criterion is satisfied, and wherein the at least one criterion is selected from a group consisting of the first object is inside a specified geographical region, the first object is outside a specified geographical region, and the first object is within a specified proximity of a second object. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 wherein a plurality of instances of the first data indicative of a physical location of the object and a time at which the object was at that physical location are received from time to time, each received instance of the first data associated with a corresponding physical location; and   wherein information indicative of the corresponding physical location of the object is stored for each received instance of the first data.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  also including
 marking the corresponding physical location of the object on a map for each received instance of the first data. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 calculating a speed at which the object is traveling; and   coordinating this calculated speed with a legally allowed speed on a highway at the physical location of the object.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising performing a computer authentication process in connection with the physical location of the object. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising programming into the computer at least one disallowed activity for the object. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 detecting a disallowed activity; and   generating a notification in response to detecting the disallowed activity;   wherein the notification is transmitted to at least one target selected from a group consisting of the object, law enforcement authorities, and a parent of a user of the object.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second data comprises at least one form selected from a group consisting of an email, a phone call, and a map.