Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia

DC CAFC

US 7,876,239 B2
Filed: 10/26/2007
Issued: 01/25/2011
Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
Status: Expired due to Fees

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First Claim

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1. A method for a computer-based notification system, comprising:

enabling a party to provide or select authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing;

storing the authentication information;

monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing;

initiating the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party;

providing the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.

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Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for notification or messaging systems that give confidence to the notification-receiving party that a notification concerning the travel status of a mobile thing is from a proper authorized source. One representative method, among others, comprises the following steps: monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing; communicating a notification involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with a party; and providing authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification is from an authorized source. A representative system, among others, comprises a computer system that is programmed to perform each of the foregoing steps.

308 Citations

61 Claims

1. A method for a computer-based notification system, comprising:
- enabling a party to provide or select authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing;
  
  storing the authentication information;
  
  monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing;
  
  initiating the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party;
  
  providing the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- - 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling the party to contact the system with the personal communications device or another communications device and define the authentication information.
  - 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the engaging step is performed when the mobile thing is a predetermined proximity with respect to a stop location, another predetermined location, or a geographic region.
  - 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are performed with a single computer system, a plurality of computer systems that are communicatively coupled, or a computer system having a distributed architecture.
  - 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
  - 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving an image from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the image with a stored image; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving a code from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the code with a stored code; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing step is performed before, during, or after the initiating step.
  - 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are performed by computer software residing on a non-transitory computer readable medium or media.
  - 10. The method of claim 1, wherein authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
  - 11. The method of claim 1, wherein authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
  - 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication information is an image or video of the mobile thing, a person or thing in the mobile thing, or something outside of the mobile thing.
  - 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
  - 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enabling the party to provide or select a communication method associated with the notification communication session.
  - 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.

16. A computer-based notification system, comprising:
- means for enabling a party to provide or select authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing;
  
  means for storing the authentication information;
  
  means for monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing;
  
  means for initiating the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party; and
  
  means for providing the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- - 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for enabling the party to communicate to the system with the personal communications device or another communications device and define the authentication information.
  - 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the initiating means initiates the notification communication session when the mobile thing is a predetermined proximity with respect to a stop location, other predetermined location, or geographic region.
  - 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the authentication information includes a telephone number that can be called to verify authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
  - 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
  - 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
  - 22. The system of claim 16, wherein the authentication information comprises at least one of the following:
    - a password, a symbol, a text or numeric code, a number, a sound, music, a distinctive ring, a video, or an image.
  - 23. The system of claim 16, wherein the authentication information is an image or video of the mobile thing, a person or thing in the mobile thing, or something outside of the mobile thing.
  - 24. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for enabling the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
  - 25. The system of claim 16, further comprising a means for enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving an image from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the image with a stored image; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 26. The system of claim 16, further comprising a means for enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving a code from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the code with a stored code; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 27. The system of claim 16, wherein the providing means performs the providing function before, during, or after the initiating means performs the initiating function.
  - 28. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for receiving a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
  - 29. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for enabling the party to provide or select a communication method associated with the notification communication session.
  - 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.

31. A computer-based notification system implementing secure notification messaging, comprising:
- means for storing and accessing authentication information;
  
  means for permitting a party to communicate with the system and provide or select the authentication information and provide or select a communication method;
  
  means for monitoring travel data associated with a mobile thing;
  
  means for initiating a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with the communication method, based upon the travel data; and
  
  means for, during the notification communication session, providing the authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates that the notification is from a source authorized by the party.
- View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
- - 32. The system of claim 31, further comprising means for enabling the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
  - 33. The system of claim 31, further comprising a means for enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving an image from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the image with a stored image; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 34. The system of claim 31, further comprising a means for enabling the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving a code from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the code with a stored code; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 35. The system of claim 31, wherein the authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
  - 36. The system of claim 31, wherein the authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
  - 37. The system of claim 31, further comprising means for enabling the party to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task by enabling receipt of a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
  - 38. The system of claim 31, wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.

39. A computer system, comprising:
- (a) a memory storing authentication information and a computer program;
  
  (b) a processor that executes the computer program to;
  
  (1) enable a party to provide or select the authentication information for use in connection with a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with a mobile thing;
  
  (2) monitor travel data associated with a mobile thing;
  
  (3) initiate the notification communication session with a personal communications device associated with the party; and
  
  (4) provide the stored authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates to the party that the notification communication session was initiated by an authorized source.
- View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
- - 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to communicate to the system with the personal communications device or another communications device and define the authentication information.
  - 41. The system of claim 39, wherein the notification communication session is initiated by the computer program when the mobile thing is a predetermined proximity with respect to a stop location, other predetermined location, or geographic region.
  - 42. The system of claim 39, wherein the authentication information includes a telephone number that can be called to verify authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
  - 43. The system of claim 42, wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
  - 44. The system of claim 42, wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
  - 45. The system of claim 39, wherein the authentication information comprises at least one of the following:
    - a password, a symbol, a text or numeric code, a number, a sound, music, a distinctive ring, a video, or an image.
  - 46. The system of claim 39, wherein the authentication information is an image or a video of the mobile thing, a person or a thing in the mobile thing, or something outside of the mobile thing.
  - 47. The system of claim 39, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
  - 48. The system of claim 39, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving an image from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the image with a stored image; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 49. The system of claim 39, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving a code from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the code with a stored code; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 50. The system of claim 39, wherein the computer program is further designed to provide the authentication information before, during, or after initiating the notification communication session.
  - 51. The system of claim 39, wherein the computer program is further designed to receive a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
  - 52. The system of claim 39, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to provide or select a communication method associated with the notification communication session.
  - 53. The system of claim 52, wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.

54. A computer system, comprising:
- (a) a memory storing authentication information, a communication method, and a computer program;
  
  (b) a processor that executes the computer program to;
  
  (1) permit a party to communicate with the system and provide or select the authentication information and provide or select the communication method;
  
  (2) monitor travel data associated with a mobile thing;
  
  (3) initiate a notification communication session involving a delivery or pickup task associated with the mobile thing to a personal communications device associated with the communication method, based upon the travel data; and
  
  (4) providing the authentication information to the personal communications device that indicates that the notification is from a source authorized by the party.
- View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
- - 55. The system of claim 54, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to select a link to communicate over the Internet to verify the authenticity of the notification communication session and/or the authentication information.
  - 56. The system of claim 54, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving an image from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the image with a stored image; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 57. The system of claim 54, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to verify whether an arriving mobile thing is the mobile thing that is authorized for the delivery or pickup task by:
    - receiving a code from the personal communications device;
      
      comparing the code with a stored code; and
      
      communicating a message back to the personal communications device, the message indicating a match or mismatch.
  - 58. The system of claim 54, wherein the authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a communications device situated on the mobile thing.
  - 59. The system of claim 54, wherein the authentication information comprises a telephone number and wherein the telephone number corresponds to a verification entity.
  - 60. The system of claim 54, wherein the computer program is further designed to enable the party to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task by enabling receipt of a response from the personal communications device to cancel, reschedule, or modify the delivery or pickup task.
  - 61. The system of claim 54, wherein the communication method is a telephone, a text, or an email communication.

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Litigation Data

Current Assignee
Electronic Communication Technologies LLC (f/k/a Eclipse IP, LLC)
Original Assignee
Electronic Communication Technologies LLC (f/k/a Eclipse IP, LLC)
Inventors
Horstemeyer, Scott A.
Primary Examiner(s)
Nguyen; Tai T

Application Number

US11/924,810
Publication Number

US 20080046280A1
Time in Patent Office

1,187 Days
Field of Search

340/994, 340/995.13, 340/928, 340/539.11, 340/502, 340/504, 340/506, 701/147, 701/200, 701/201, 455/456.1
US Class Current

340/994
CPC Class Codes

B60R 2325/304   Boats

B60R 25/102   a signal being sent to a re...

B60R 25/33   of global position, e.g. by...

G01C 21/3407   specially adapted for speci...

G01C 21/3438   Rendez-vous, i.e. searching...

G01C 21/362   received from an external d...

G06F 40/134   Hyperlinking

G06Q 10/0631   Resource planning, allocati...

G06Q 10/06316   Sequencing of tasks or work

G06Q 10/08   Logistics, e.g. warehousing...

G06Q 10/083   Shipping

G06Q 10/0833   Tracking

G06Q 10/109   Time management, e.g. calen...

G06Q 20/382   insuring higher security of...

G06Q 20/40   Authorisation, e.g. identif...

G06Q 30/0231   Awarding of a frequent usag...

G06Q 30/0241   Advertisements

G06Q 30/0257   User requested

G06Q 30/0259   based on store location

G06Q 30/0261   based on user location

G06Q 30/0265 : Vehicular advertisement

G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices

G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or at...

G06Q 30/0273 : Determination of fees for a...

G06Q 30/0609 : Buyer or seller confidence ...

G08G 1/127 : to a central station ; Indi...

G08G 1/20 : Monitoring the location of ...

G08G 1/205 : Indicating the location of ...

H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entit...

H04M 3/487 : Arrangements for providing ...

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Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia

First Claim

6 Assignments

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Abstract

308 Citations

61 Claims

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Secure notification messaging systems and methods using authentication indicia

First Claim

6 Assignments

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Litigations

0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

308 Citations

61 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

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