Portable computerized wireless apparatus

US 9,299,053 B2
Filed: 01/27/2015
Issued: 03/29/2016
Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
Status: Active Grant

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1. A mobile apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

memory in data communication with said processor;

a display device;

a user interface configured to receive a selection of a desired service from a user;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to generate information related to a current location of said mobile apparatus; and

a software process operative to run on said processor, said process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, encode and transmit a message, said message being based at least on said selection and said information related to said current location;

wherein said message causes a provision by a third party of said desired service for said user at said current location.

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Abstract

A mobile user apparatus useful for obtaining services wirelessly, such as for transfer of items or transport modalities to a prescribed location. In one embodiment, the mobile user apparatus is a wireless-enabled device which can cause transmission of a message to a third party to provide the desired service at a location previous specified by a global positioning system (GPS) or similar position determining apparatus of the user apparatus. In one variant, the user apparatus can communicate wirelessly with other user mobile devices to receive location information, and cause provision of the desired services at the received location.

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204 Claims

1. A mobile apparatus, comprising:
- a processor;
  
  memory in data communication with said processor;
  
  a display device;
  
  a user interface configured to receive a selection of a desired service from a user;
  
  a global positioning system (GPS) receiver configured to generate information related to a current location of said mobile apparatus; and
  
  a software process operative to run on said processor, said process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, encode and transmit a message, said message being based at least on said selection and said information related to said current location;
  
  wherein said message causes a provision by a third party of said desired service for said user at said current location.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- - 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mobile apparatus comprises a handheld electronic device, said device having a radio frequency interface over which said message is transmitted.
  - 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said radio frequency interface comprises a cellular telephony and data interface.
  - 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said radio frequency interface comprises a Wi-Fi (IEEE Std. 802.11) compliant interface.
  - 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mobile apparatus comprises a cellular-enabled smart-phone, and said desired service comprises movement of a transportation modality to said current location.
  - 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the smart-phone is further configured to conduct a purchase transaction enabled by a financial institution.
  - 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said user interface comprises a touch screen interface configured to display at least one soft function key, said at least one soft function key enabling said transmission of said message to said third party without further user intervention.
  - 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is further configured to encode and transmit user-specific data comprising information that uniquely identifies said user.
  - 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said user-specific data further comprises user financial account information.
  - 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said desired service comprises movement of a transportation modality to said current location.
  - 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said movement of a transportation modality to said current location comprises movement by the transportation modality to deliver an item carried on the transportation modality which the user wishes to obtain.

12. A mobile apparatus, comprising:
- a processor;
  
  a display device;
  
  a wireless interface in data communication with the processor;
  
  memory in data communication with said processor;
  
  a global positioning system (GPS) apparatus configured to generate information related to at least one location of said mobile apparatus;
  
  a user interface configured to receive an input from a user causing the apparatus to store the generated information related to the at least one location; and
  
  a software process operative to run on said processor, said process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed, encode and transmit a message via the wireless interface, said message being based at least in part on said stored information;
  
  wherein said message causes provision of a service by a third party at or proximate to the at least one location.
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
- - 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said user interface configured to receive an input from a user causing the apparatus to store the generated information related to at least one location comprises a user interface configured to receive multiple inputs from the user, and store respective ones of multiple locations for later use by the user, the user interface configured to display information on the display device allowing the user to select at least one of the stored multiple locations.
  - 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said user interface comprises a touch screen interface configured to display at least one soft function key, said at least one soft function key enabling said transmission of said message to said third party without further user intervention.
  - 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said message is transmitted to said third party, and said apparatus is further configured to encode and transmit user-specific data comprising information that uniquely identifies said user to said third party.
  - 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said transmitted user-specific data further comprises information that enables payment by the user for the provided service from a credit or debit account of the user.

17. A mobile user apparatus, comprising:
- a data processing apparatus;
  
  a display device;
  
  a wireless interface in data communication with the data processing apparatus;
  
  storage apparatus in data communication with said processing apparatus;
  
  a global positioning system (GPS) apparatus; and
  
  a software process operative to run on said processor, said process comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed;
  
  receive a message from a computerized device via the wireless interface, the message comprising location information relevant to a user of the computerized device;
  
  store at least a portion of the location information; and
  
  encode and transmit a second message, said second message being based at least in part on said stored information and causing provision of a service by a third party at or proximate to the location specified by the location information.
- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- - 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said location information relevant to a user of the computerized device comprises a fixed address associated with the user of the computerized device.
  - 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said service comprises delivery by said third party of one or more items.
  - 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:
    - said display device comprises a touch screen interface, and said apparatus is configured to display at least one soft function key on the display device, said at least one soft function key enabling said transmission of said second message to said third party without further user intervention; and
      
      said apparatus is further configured to encode and transmit user-specific data comprising information that uniquely identifies said user to said third party, said transmitted user-specific data further comprises information that enables payment by the user for the provided service from a credit or debit account of the user.
  - 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the mobile user apparatus is configured to employ both (i) physical layer security and (ii) protocol level security, for at least the second message.
  - 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the physical layer security comprises security provided for an air interface of the wireless interface, and the protocol level security comprises use of a secure sockets layer (SSL) protocol.

23. Non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus configured for use in a mobile electronic apparatus, the mobile electronic apparatus comprising:
- a processor;
  
  a display device in data communication with the processor;
  
  a first radio frequency interface in data communication with the processor;
  
  a user interface configured to receive a selection of a desired service from a user and generate at least one signal relating thereto; and
  
  an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) receiver in data communication with the processor and configured to generate data related to a current location of said mobile electronic apparatus;
  
  wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus is in data communication with said processor and comprises at least one computer program stored therein, the at least one computer program operative to run on said processor, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed;
  
  encode and enable transmission of a message, said message being based at least on said at least one signal related to said selection of said desired service and said data related to said current location of said mobile electronic apparatus;
  
  wherein said message is configured to cause provision by a third party of said desired service for said user at said current location.
- View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
- - 24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said mobile electronic device is configured to perform said transmission via the first radio frequency interface substantially automatically upon receipt of said at least one signal.
  - 25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 24, wherein said first radio frequency interface comprises a wireless interface utilizing an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexed) protocol, the wireless interface utilizing said OFDM protocol to mitigate interference with other radio frequency communications devices.
  - 26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 25, wherein said first radio frequency interface comprises a Wi-Fi (IEEE Std. 802.11) compliant interface.
  - 27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said mobile electronic apparatus comprises a cellular-enabled smart-phone, and said desired service comprises movement of a transportation modality to said current location by said third party.
  - 28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 27, wherein the smart-phone is further configured to conduct an electronic purchase transaction enabled by a financial institution, the purchase transaction conducted based at least in part on data stored in a secure data storage element of the smart-phone.
  - 29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 28, wherein said user interface comprises a capacitive touch screen interface configured to display at least one soft function key, said at least one soft function key configured to, when selected, cause said transmission of said message to an electronic proxy agent of said third party without further user intervention.
  - 30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to encode user-specific data comprising information that uniquely identifies said user to the third party or a proxy thereof.
  - 31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 30, wherein said user-specific data further comprises user financial account information.
  - 32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 30, wherein said desired service comprises movement of a transportation modality to said current location in order to deliver one or more chattel for the user.
  - 33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 32, wherein said chattel is selected from the group consisting of:
    - (i) a liquefied substance in a container;
      
      (ii) one or more tools; and
      
      (iii) one or more car key apparatus.
  - 34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 33, wherein the transportation modality comprises a shipping agent or service with whom the third party has previously shipped the one or more chattel.
  - 35. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said at least one computer program comprises a client portion of a distributed application, the distributed application having a plurality of client portions and at least one server portion, the at least one server portion configured to communicate with each of the plurality of client portions via the Internet and a universal resource locator (URL) supplied by the third party.
  - 36. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one computer program comprises at least one transportation-related application computer program configured to run thereon, the at least one transportation-related application computer program having been downloaded to the non-transitory computer-readable apparatus of the mobile electronic apparatus after manufacture of the mobile electronic apparatus, the at least one transportation-related application computer program having been rendered in a Java-based programming language.
  - 37. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 36, wherein the mobile electronic apparatus is further configured to conduct a purchase transaction enabled by a financial institution for the desired service.
  - 38. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least one computer program further comprises at least one commerce-related application computer program configured to run thereon, the at least one commerce-related application computer program having been rendered in a Java-based programming language and having been downloaded to the non-transitory computer-readable apparatus of the mobile electronic apparatus after manufacture of the mobile electronic apparatus, the at least one commerce-related application computer program configured to enable conduct of the purchase transaction.
  - 39. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 36, wherein said user interface comprises a capacitive touch screen interface configured to display at least one soft function key, said at least one soft function key causing, when activated by said user, said transmission of said message without further user intervention, said transmission comprising transmission to a universal resource locator (URL) supplied by the transportation-related application computer program, said URL associated with or controlled by a second party acting as a proxy or agent for the third party, the third party actually performing the desired service.
  - 40. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said first radio frequency interface comprises an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexed)-based data interface, and the mobile electronic apparatus further comprises a Wi-Fi (IEEE Std. 802.11) compliant OFDM interface;
    - andwherein the at least one program is configured to enable transmission of the message over either the first radio frequency interface or the Wi-Fi compliant interface.
  - 41. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said mobile electronic device comprises a smartphone capable of utilizing Java-based application programs, and further comprises a short-range radio frequency interface in data communication with the at least one computer program, the short-range interface disposed within the mobile electronic device at the time of manufacture of the mobile electronic device, the at least one computer program configured to cause the short-range interface to exchange data with an external radio frequency device, the exchanged data enabling purchase by the user of the desired service from the third party or its proxy.
  - 42. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 41, wherein said at least one computer program further comprises at least one electronic-commerce-related application computer program rendered in a Java-based programming language, the at least one electronic-commerce-related application computer program having been downloaded to the non-transitory computer-readable apparatus of the mobile electronic apparatus after manufacture of the mobile electronic apparatus and configured to enable conduct of the purchase by the user via the user interface.
  - 43. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to encode said message such that said desired service is simultaneously provided to two or more users, said simultaneous provision of the desired to two or more users comprises use of the same transportation modality for provision of the service.
  - 44. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 43, wherein said use of the same transportation modality for provision of the service provides an economic benefit to at least one of:
    - (i) the third party, or, (ii) one or more others.
  - 45. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said at least one computer program is configured to receive an electronic message comprising information relating to the performance of the desired service, the electronic message comprising the information generated by a remote server acting as a proxy for the third party.
  - 46. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 45, wherein said information relating to the performance of the desired service comprises:
    - (i) a date and time the service was performed, (ii) information indicating the current location; and
      
      (iii) information indicating a payment method.
  - 47. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 46, wherein said information relating to the performance of the desired service further comprises a destination location.
  - 48. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein said at least one computer program is configured to receive an electronic message comprising information relating to the performance of the desired service, said information relating to the performance of the desired service comprises an estimating future time of completion of the desired service.
  - 49. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 23, wherein:
    - said transmission of said message comprises transmission via at least the first radio frequency interface and an Internet to a remote server; and
      
      said at least one computer program is further configured to cause instantiation of at least one user interface element on a display device of a personal electronic device of another user also in wireless communication with the network server.
  - 50. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 49, wherein said at least one computer program comprises a transportation service-related application computer program rendered in an object-oriented programming language, and said personal electronic device of said another user comprises a transportation service-related application computer program, and the at least one user interface element comprises a window or other display element by which the another user can initiate or authorize at least a portion of the desired service.

51. Non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus configured for use in a mobile electronic apparatus, the mobile electronic apparatus comprising:
- digital processor apparatus;
  
  a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus;
  
  a first radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the first radio interface comprising a cellular interface;
  
  a second radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the second radio interface comprising an interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 Standard; and
  
  a global positioning system (GPS) wireless receiver in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and configured to generate data related to a current location of said mobile electronic apparatus;
  
  wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus is in data communication with said digital processor apparatus and comprises at least one computer program stored therein, the at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processor apparatus, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed on the digital processor apparatus;
  
  generate a user interface element via the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the user interface element configured to receive, via the capacitive touch screen input and display device, a selection of a desired service from a user of the mobile electronic device, and generate at least one signal relating to said selection;
  
  based at least on the at least one signal, substantially automatically encode a first message to an internetwork server, said message configured to cause provision by a third party of said desired service for said user at said current location, said message being based at least on said data related to said current location of said mobile electronic apparatus and being uniquely associated with a user account of the user, the user account maintained on the server; and
  
  cause wireless transmission of the first message to the server at least via at least one of the first radio frequency interface or the second radio interface;
  
  wherein the at least one computer program enables the user to cause provision of the desired service at the current location without the user having to know or remember a specific address thereof or name associated therewith.
- View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
- - 52. The non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus of claim 51, wherein:
    - the first radio frequency interface comprises a wireless interface utilizing an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexed) protocol;
      
      the mobile electronic apparatus comprises a smartphone, and further comprises a Bluetooth-compliant wireless interface in data communication with the data processor apparatus, and wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to exchange data with another mobile electronic device via the Bluetooth-compliant wireless interface, the exchanged data relating at least in part to the desired service.
  - 53. The non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus of claim 52, wherein the mobile electronic apparatus further comprises a short-range wireless interface compliant with at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) standard, the short-range wireless interface in data communication with the data processor apparatus, and wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to communicate financial account-related data with an electronic device via at least the short-range wireless interface, the account-related data being used to pay at least in part for at least one of a good or service.
  - 54. The non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus of claim 51, wherein the mobile electronic apparatus further comprises a short-range wireless interface compliant with at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) standard, the short-range wireless interface in data communication with the data processor apparatus, and wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to communicate financial account-related data with an electronic device via at least the short-range wireless interface, the account-related data being used to pay at least in part for the desired service.
  - 55. The non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus of claim 51, wherein the at least one computer program is further configured to utilize a secure sockets layer (SSL) protocol for at least transmission of the message to the server.
  - 56. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 51, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to encode said message such that said desired service is simultaneously provided to two or more users, said simultaneous provision of the desired to two or more users comprises use of the same transportation modality for provision of the service so as to provides an economic benefit to at least one of:
    - (i) the third party, or (ii) one or more others.
  - 57. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 51, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to receive an electronic message comprising a plurality of information relating to the performance of the desired service, the plurality of information relating to the performance of the desired service comprising information indicating:
    - (i) a date and time the service was performed, (ii) at least one of the current location or a destination location; and
      
      (iii) a payment method.
  - 58. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 57, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to receive an electronic message comprising an estimated time of completion of the desired service.

59. Non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus configured for use in a mobile electronic apparatus for provision of one or more services based on location, the mobile electronic apparatus comprising:
- a digital processor;
  
  a display device in data communication with the digital processor;
  
  a first radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processor;
  
  a user interface configured to receive a selection of a desired service from a user; and
  
  an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) receiver in data communication with the digital processor and configured to generate at least information related to a current location of said mobile electronic apparatus;
  
  wherein the non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus is in data communication with said digital processor and comprises at least one computer program stored therein, the at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processor, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed;
  
  receive a user input relating to a second location where the user desires to obtain the desired service, the second location different from the current location;
  
  encode a message, said message being based at least on said second location and said selection of a desired service; and
  
  cause transmission of said message to a network server via at least the first radio frequency interface, the network server maintaining an account associated with the user; and
  
  wherein said message is configured to cause notification of a third party that said desired service is to be performed for at least said user at said second location; and
  
  wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to cause storage of data relating to said performance by said third party of the desired service on the network server in association with the account of the user.
- View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
- - 60. The non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus of claim 59, wherein at least the encoding of the message is based on a plurality of geographic coordinates associated with the second location, the plurality of geographic coordinates determined by the at least one computer program based at least on data generated by the A-GPS receiver.
  - 61. The non-transitory computer readable storage apparatus of claim 60, wherein:
    - the display device comprises a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with the digital processor;
      
      the user interface comprises computerized logic configured to generate a user interface element via the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the user interface element configured to receive, via the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the user input relating to the second location.
  - 62. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 61, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to receive an electronic message comprising a plurality of information relating to the performance of the desired service, the plurality of information relating to the performance of the desired service comprising:
    - (i) a date and time the service was performed, (ii) at least one of the current location or a destination location; and
      
      (iii) a payment method.
  - 63. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 62, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to receive an electronic message comprising an estimated time of provision of the desired service.
  - 64. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 62, wherein said at least one computer program is further configured to cause instantiation of at least one user interface element on a display device of a personal electronic device of another user also in wireless communication with the network server.
  - 65. The non-transitory computer-readable storage apparatus of claim 64, wherein said at least one computer program comprises a transportation service-related application computer program, and said personal electronic device of said another user comprises a transportation service-related application computer program, and the at least one user interface element comprises a window or other display element by which the another user can initiate or authorize at least a portion of the desired service.

66. A method of providing a transport-related service for a user of a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage device having at least one transport service-related application computer program disposed thereon, the at least one transport service-related application configured to be executed on at least the digital processor apparatus, an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) receiver capable of generating location data, an input device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, and a display device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method comprising:
- receiving from the mobile electronic device and at a network server, one or more electronic messages, the one or more messages collectively comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to a then-current location of the mobile electronic device;
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith; and
  
  (iii) a desired transport-related service to be provided at the then-current location, the one or more messages having been generated at least in part by the transport service-related application computer program;
  
  based at least on the one or more messages, facilitate provision of the desired transport-related service at the then-current location by a third party transportation service.
- View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
- - 67. The method of claim 66, wherein the desired transport-related service comprises movement of a transportation modality to the then-current location.
  - 68. The method of claim 67, wherein the desired transport-related service further comprises either pickup or drop-off of an item by the transportation modality at the then-current location, the item comprising at least one of an automobile key or a tool.
  - 69. The method of claim 67, wherein the information relating to the then-current location comprises data relating to geographic coordinates, the coordinates obtained based at least in part on location data provided by the A-GPS receiver.
  - 70. The method of claim 66, wherein the information relating to the then-current location comprises geographic coordinates, the coordinates obtained based at least in part on location data provided by the A-GPS receiver.
  - 71. The method of claim 70, further comprising providing the transport service-related application computer program for download to the mobile electronic device and storage on the storage device, the transport service-related application computer program having been rendered in a Java-based computer programming language and being configured to enable establishment of a secure sockets layer (SSL) session with a remote network server, the transport service-related application program comprising logic configured to enable the user to pay for the desired service using the mobile electronic device and previously supplied credit card data of the user, the previously supplied credit card data retained in a secure data repository.
  - 72. The method of claim 71, further comprising:
    - subsequent to said causing provision, generating an electronic mail or message to the user, the generated mail or message comprising at least;
      
      (i) a date and time the transportation-related service was performed, (ii) at least one of the then-current location or another location; and
      
      (iii) a payment method; and
      
      causing transmission of the generated electronic mail or message to the user.
  - 73. The method of claim 66, further comprising:
    - accessing, based at least one the data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith, financial payment source data of the user; and
      
      utilizing the financial payment source data to cause payment for the desired transport-related service.
  - 74. The method of claim 73, further comprising:
    - subsequent to said facilitating provision, generating an electronic mail or message to the user, the generated mail or message comprising at least information indicative of;
      
      (i) a date and time the transport-related service was performed, (ii) at least one of the then-current location or another location; and
      
      (iii) a financial payment source associated with the financial payment source data; and
      
      causing transmission of the generated electronic mail or message to the user.
  - 75. The method of claim 73, wherein the accessing the financial payment source data of the user comprises accessing a secure repository of credit card data, the repository in data communication with the network server, the secure repository comprising at least credit card data previously supplied by the user.
  - 76. The method of claim 73, wherein said receiving at a network server comprises receiving at a server portion of a distributed application having the server portion and a plurality of client portions, at least one of the plurality of client portion being part of the transport services-related application computer program.
  - 77. The method of claim 73, wherein:
    - said transport services-related computer program is further configured to encode said one or more messages so that said desired service can simultaneously be provided to two or more users, said simultaneous provision of the desired to two or more users comprises use of the same transportation modality for provision of the service so as to provides an economic benefit to at least one of;
      
      (i) the third party, or (ii) one or more others; and
      
      said one or more messages are configured to cause instantiation of at least one user interface element on a display device of a personal electronic device of another user also in wireless communication with the network server, the at least one user interface element comprising a window or other display element by which the another user can initiate or authorize at least a portion of the simultaneous transport-related service.

78. A method of dynamically providing a location-based transport-related service for a user of a mobile electronic device such that the user does not have to know an address or zip code of a location where they desire the service to be performed, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and having at least one application computer program disposed thereon, the at least one application program configured to be executed on at least the digital processor apparatus, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of generating location data, and an input device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method comprising:
- receiving from a user of the mobile electronic device a selection of a location at which the transportation-related service is desired to be provided, the selection of the location based on at least location data generated by the GPS receiver and a user input via the input device, the location data relating to a then-current location of the mobile electronic device, the selection received by the at least one application computer program;
  
  based at least on the receiving of the selection, substantially automatically generating one or more messages comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to the selected location; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith; and
  
  causing transmission of the one or more messages from the mobile electronic device to a remote networked server via at least the wireless interface and an interposed internetwork, the transmission of the one or more messages instigating provision of the transport-related service at the location by a third party transportation service.
- View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85)
- - 79. The method of claim 78, further comprising:
    - saving the selected location at least on a storage device of the mobile electronic device along with at least one other previously saved selection location, and enabling subsequent recall of at least the selected location and the at least one other previously saved selected location via the at least one application computer program, for transmission to the remote networked server.
  - 80. The method of claim 78, wherein the at least one application computer program comprises a transport service-related application computer program for download to the mobile electronic device and storage on the storage device, the transport service-related application computer program having been rendered in a Java-based computer programming language and being configured to enable establishment of a secure sockets layer (SSL) session with a remote network server, the transport service-related application program comprising logic configured to enable the user to pay for the desired transport-related service using the mobile electronic device and previously supplied credit card data of the user, a least a portion of the previously supplied credit card data retained in a secure data repository in data communication with the remote network server.
  - 81. The method of claim 78, further comprising:
    - receiving via the at least one application computer program an electronic message from a remote networked server, the electronic message comprising at least information relating to;
      
      (i) a date and time the transportation-related service was performed, (ii) at least one of the then-current location or another location; and
      
      (iii) a payment method.
  - 82. The method of claim 81, further comprising causing, via the at least one application computer program, establishment of a secure sockets layer (SSL) connection between at least the mobile electronic device and the remote networked server for transmission of the generated one or more messages.
  - 83. The method of claim 78, further comprising receiving via said at least one application computer program an electronic message comprising an estimated time of completion of the desired service.
  - 84. The method of claim 83, wherein said one or more generated messages are configured such that said transport-related service is at least in part simultaneously provided to two or more users, said simultaneous provision of the desired to two or more users comprises use of the same transportation modality for provision of the service so as to economize on transportation costs.
  - 85. The method of claim 78, further comprising causing, via at least said at least one application computer program, instantiation of at least one user interface element on a display device of a personal electronic device of another user also in wireless communication with the remote networked server, the at least one user interface element comprising a window or other display element by which the another user can initiate or authorize at least a portion of the transportation-related service.

86. A method of adaptively providing a transportation-related service for a user of a type of mobile electronic device such that the user does not need to either (i) know an address, or (ii) enter textual data via a user interface for an address, for where the service is to be rendered, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage device capable of storing thereon at least one application computer program, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of generating location data, and an input device and display device each in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing a transportation services-related application computer program configured for use on at least one mobile electronic device of the type;
  
  subsequent to said providing, conducting an authentication process comprising;
  
  using a network server to authenticate said transportation services-related application computer program running on a mobile electronic device of the type; and
  
  using said network server to enable authentication of said server by said transportation services-related application computer program running on the mobile electronic device;
  
  subsequent to said conducting said authentication process, receiving from the mobile electronic device at the network server, one or more electronic messages, the one or more messages collectively comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to a then-current location of the mobile electronic device, the information based at least in part on location data generated by the GPS receiver; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith, the one or more messages having been generated at least in part by the transportation service-related application computer program pursuant to the user'"'"'s desire for the transportation-related service;
  
  based at least on the one or more messages, causing provision of the desired transportation-related service at the then-current location by a third party transportation service, the desired transportation-related service comprising movement of a land-based transportation modality to the then-current location;
  
  accessing, based at least one the data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith, financial payment source data of the user, the accessing the financial payment source data of the user comprising accessing a secure repository of credit card data, the repository in data communication with the network server, the secure repository comprising at least credit card data previously supplied by the user;
  
  utilizing the financial payment source data to cause payment for the desired transportation-related service;
  
  subsequently generating an electronic mail or message to the user, the generated mail or message comprising at least information relating to;
  
  (i) a date and time the transportation-related service was performed, (ii) at least one of the then-current location or another location; and
  
  (iii) a payment method; and
  
  causing transmission of the generated electronic mail or electronic message addressed to the user.
- View Dependent Claims (87, 88, 89)
- - 87. The method of claim 86, wherein:
    - said transportation services-related application computer program is further configured to receive an electronic message comprising an estimated time of completion of the desired service; and
      
      said one or more electronic messages are configured such that said transportation-related service is at least in part simultaneously provided to two or more users, said simultaneous provision of the desired to two or more users comprises use of the same land-based transportation modality for provision of the service so as to economize on transportation costs.
  - 88. The method of claim 87, wherein said one or more electronic messages are configured to cause instantiation of at least one user interface element on a display device of a personal electronic device of another user also in wireless communication with the network server, the at least one user interface element comprising a window or other display element by which the another user can initiate or authorize at least a portion of the desired transportation-related service provided via the same land-based modality.
  - 89. The method of claim 86, wherein said conducting an authentication process comprises at least the network server using a challenge-based approach utilizing at least one RAND (random) value.

90. A method of adaptively providing a transportation-related service for a user of a type of mobile electronic device such that the user does not need to know an address for where the service is to be rendered, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor means, a means for wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor means, a means for data storage in data communication with the digital processor means, the means for data storage capable of storing thereon at least one application computer program, an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) receiver capable of generating location data, an operating system, and a capacitive touch-screen input and display device means in data communication with the digital processor means, the method comprising:
- providing a transportation services-related application computer program means configured for use on at least one mobile electronic device of the type;
  
  at a later time, receiving from the mobile electronic device at a network server, one or more electronic messages, the one or more messages collectively comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to a then-current location of the mobile electronic device, the information based at least in part on location data generated by the A-GPS receiver; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith, the one or more messages having been generated at least in part by the transportation service-related application computer program means pursuant to the user'"'"'s desire for the transportation-related service, at least a portion of the one or more messages having been secured by the at least one transportation service-related application computer program means according to a protocol-layer security process associated therewith;
  
  based at least on the one or more messages, causing provision of the desired transportation-related service at least at the then-current location by a third party transportation service, the desired transportation-related service comprising movement of a land-based transportation modality means to the then-current location;
  
  accessing, based at least one the data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith, financial payment source data of the user, the accessing the financial payment source data of the user comprising accessing a secure repository of credit card data, the repository in data communication with the network server, the secure repository comprising at least credit card data previously supplied by the user;
  
  utilizing the financial payment source data to cause payment for the desired transportation-related service;
  
  subsequently generating an electronic mail or message to the user, the generated mail or message comprising at least;
  
  (i) a date and time the transportation-related service was performed, (ii) at least one of the then-current location or another location; and
  
  (iii) a payment method; and
  
  causing transmission of the generated electronic mail or electronic message to the user; and
  
  further wherein;
  
  said transportation services-related application computer program is further configured to receive an electronic message comprising an estimated time of completion of the desired service;
  
  said one or more electronic messages are configured such that said transportation-related service is at least in part simultaneously provided to two or more users, said simultaneous provision of the desired to two or more users comprises use of the same land-based transportation modality means for provision of the service, said use of the same transportation modality means for provision of the service provides an economic benefit to at least one of;
  
  (i) the third party service, or, (ii) one or more others; and
  
  said one or more electronic messages are configured to cause instantiation of at least one user interface element on a display device of a personal electronic device of another user also in wireless communication with the network server, the at least one user interface element comprising a window or other display element means by which the another user can initiate or authorize at least a portion of the desired transportation-related service provided via the same land-based modality means.

91. A method of adaptively providing a transport-related service for a user of a type of cellular-enabled smartphone, such that the user does not need to know an address for where the service is to be rendered, the cellular-enabled smartphone comprising a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage device capable of storing thereon at least one application computer program, an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) receiver capable of generating location data, and a touch-screen input device and display device each in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing a transport service-themed application computer program configured for use on at least one cellular-enabled smartphone of the type;
  
  establishing a data communications session between a network server apparatus and the transport service-themed application computer program operative on the cellular-enabled smartphone of the user, the communications session utilizing at least the wireless interface and an interposed internetwork for communication of data;
  
  at a later time, receiving from the cellular-enabled smartphone of the user, and at the network server apparatus, one or more electronic messages, the one or more messages having been transmitted via at least the wireless interface, at least one of the one or more messages comprising information relating to a then-current location of the cellular-enabled smartphone, the information based at least in part on location data generated by the A-GPS receiver, the then-current location having been affirmatively selected by the user for provision of the transport-related service via a touch on a touch-sensitive screen of the input device, the one or more messages having been generated at least in part by the transport service-themed application computer program, at least a portion of the one or more electronic messages having been secured according to a protocol-layer security process associated with at least the session;
  
  based at least on the one or more messages, enabling provision of the desired transport-related service at least at the then-current location by a third party transport service, the transport-related service comprising movement of a land-based transport modality of the third party transport service to the then-current location;
  
  accessing credit card-related data previously supplied by the user and designated by the user as a payment source to cause payment for the transport-related service;
  
  generating a first electronic mail or electronic message to at least one third party designated by the user, the generated first mail or message comprising information relating to at least an estimated time of completion of the transport-related service;
  
  causing transmission of the generated first electronic mail or electronic message to the at least one third party;
  
  subsequently generating a second electronic mail or electronic message to the user, the generated second mail or message comprising at least;
  
  (i) a date and time the transport-related service was performed, (ii) at least one of the then-current location or another location; and
  
  (iii) the payment source; and
  
  causing transmission of the generated second electronic mail or electronic message to the user.
- View Dependent Claims (92, 93, 94)
- - 92. The method of claim 91, wherein the method further comprises:
    - receiving at the network server apparatus a message initiated by the user of the cellular-enabled smartphone via the transport service-themed application computer program, the message intended ultimately for another user of another cellular-enabled smartphone in data communication with the network server apparatus, the message intended to cause the another user to take an action related to the provision of the transport-related service; and
      
      based at least on the message initiated by the user of the cellular-enabled smartphone, causing automatic instantiation of a window or display element on the another cellular-enabled smartphone of the another user, the window or display element prompting the another user to take the action.
  - 93. The method of claim 92, wherein the method further comprises:
    - receiving at the network server apparatus a message initiated by the another user of the another cellular-enabled smartphone, the message in response to the prompting of the another user to take the action relating to the provision of the transport-related service; and
      
      based at least on the received message initiated by the another user, enable said causing provision of the desired service; and
      
      wherein the receiving at the network server apparatus a message initiated by the user of the cellular-enabled smartphone via the transport service-themed application computer program, the message intended ultimately for another user of another cellular-enabled smartphone in data communication with the network server apparatus, and the receiving at the network server apparatus a message initiated by the another user of the another cellular-enabled smartphone, the message in response to the prompting of the another user to take the action relating to the provision of the transport-related service, are each performed prior to the causing provision of the transport-related service.
  - 94. The method of claim 92, wherein the transport service-themed application computer program comprises an application computer program rendered in an object-oriented programming language, and the automatic instantiation of a window or display element on the another cellular-enabled smartphone of the another user comprises instantiation of a display element in a corresponding transport service-themed object-oriented application computer program operative to run on the another cellular enabled smartphone.

95. Apparatus configured for adaptively providing a transport-related service for respective ones of a plurality of users of respective cellular-enabled smartphones from a substantially centralized location, such that none of the plurality of users (i) need to know an address for where their respective service is to be rendered, and (ii) need make a voice call or other voice-based communication to obtain the desired service, the cellular-enabled smartphones each comprising a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage device capable of storing thereon at least one application computer program, a radio frequency-based positioning system capable of generating location data, and an input device and display device each in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a network server apparatus in data communication with a data internetwork, the network server apparatus comprising a server portion of a client-server computer program, the server portion configured to execute on the server apparatus and communicate via at least the data internetwork with a plurality of client portions disposed on respective ones of the cellular-enabled smartphones and operative to execute on the respective digital processor apparatus thereof; and
  
  a plurality of client portions of the client-server computer program, the client portions disposed on the respective ones of the cellular-enabled smartphones, the client portions each comprising a transport service-themed application computer program written in a Java programming language;
  
  wherein the server portion and the client portions are, as applicable, configured to, when executed;
  
  establish a plurality of respective data communications sessions between the network server apparatus and respective ones of the transport service-themed application computer programs operative on the cellular-enabled smartphones of the respective plurality of users, the communications sessions each utilizing at least the respective smartphone'"'"'s wireless interface, and the data internetwork for communication of data;
  
  at respective ones of later times, transmit from the respective cellular-enabled smartphones, and receive at the network server apparatus, one or more electronic messages, the one or more messages transmitted via at least the respective smartphone'"'"'s wireless interface, at least one of the one or more messages comprising information relating to a then-current location of the respective cellular-enabled smartphone, the information based at least in part on location data generated by the positioning system of that smartphone, the then-current location having been affirmatively selected by the respective user of that smartphone for provision of the transport-related service for the respective user via the respective input device, the one or more messages having been generated at least in part by the transport service-themed application computer program of that smartphone, at least a portion of the one or more electronic messages having been secured according to a protocol-layer security process associated with at least the session associated with that smartphone;
  
  based at least on the one or more messages, cause provision of the respective desired transport-related service at least at the respective one of the then-current location by a third party transport service, the respective transport-related service comprising movement of a land-based transport modality of the third party transport service to the respective then-current location, the causation of provision enabled by the network server apparatus;
  
  access credit card-related data previously supplied by the respective user and designated by the respective user as a payment source to cause payment for the respective transport-related service;
  
  generate a respective one of a first electronic mail or electronic message to at least one respective third party designated by the respective user, the generated first mail or message comprising information relating to at least an estimated time of completion of the respective transport-related service;
  
  cause transmission of the generated respective first electronic mail or electronic message to the at least one respective third party;
  
  subsequently generate a respective one of a second electronic mail or electronic message to the user, the generated second mail or message comprising at least;
  
  (i) a date and time the respective transport-related service was performed, (ii) at least one of the respect then-current location or another location; and
  
  (iii) the respective payment source; and
  
  cause transmission of the generated respective second electronic mail or electronic message to the respective user.

96. A method utilized by an electronic proxy agent for one or more third-party transportation service providers, the method to cause substantially automated provision of a transportation-related service for a user of a type of mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage device capable of storing thereon at least one application computer program, a radio-frequency-based positioning system capable of generating location data, and an input device and display device each in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method enabling the user to obtain the transportation-related service without knowing an address for where the transportation-related service is to be rendered, and without conducting a voice communication with any of the one or more third-party transportation service providers, the method comprising:
- receiving from the mobile electronic device, via a previously established secure communications session between the electronic proxy agent and the mobile electronic device, one or more electronic messages, the one or more messages collectively comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to a then-current location of the mobile electronic device, the information based at least in part on location data generated by the positioning system; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated with the user, the one or more messages having been generated at least in part by a transportation service-related application computer program operative on the mobile electronic device, the one or more messages configured for transmission to the electronic proxy agent and being generated in response to an input of the user;
  
  using the electronic proxy agent to, based at least on the one or more received messages, facilitate provision of the transportation-related service at the then-current location by one of the one or more third-party transportation service providers, the transportation-related service comprising movement of a land-based transportation modality of the one service provider to the then-current location;
  
  using the electronic proxy agent to cause access of, based at least one the data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated with the user, financial payment source data of the user, the access of the financial payment source data of the user comprising accessing a secure repository of credit card data, the repository in data communication with the electronic proxy agent, the secure repository comprising at least credit card data previously supplied by the user for storage therein;
  
  utilizing the accessed financial payment source data to cause payment for at least a portion of the transportation-related service;
  
  subsequently generating an electronic mail or message addressed to the user, the generated mail or message comprising at least;
  
  (i) a date and time the transportation-related service was performed, (ii) a location; and
  
  (iii) information indicative of a credit card associated with the credit card data; and
  
  causing transmission of the generated electronic mail or electronic message to the user via a mail or message server, such that the user can selectively view the generated mail or message at a later time if desired by accessing the mail or message server.
- View Dependent Claims (97)
- - 97. The method of claim 96, wherein the method further comprises causing, by way of the electronic proxy agent and based at least in part on a communication initiated from the transportation-related service application computer program, instantiation of a display element on a display device of a mobile electronic device of a second user in data communication with the proxy agent, the display element instigating the second user to provide an input causing an action relating to the transportation-related service.

98. A method of dynamically providing a location-based transport-related service for a user of a mobile electronic device, the user not having to know the address of a location where they desire the service to be performed, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and having at least application computer program disposed thereon, the at least one application program configured to be executed on at least the digital processor apparatus, an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) receiver capable of generating location data, and an input device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method comprising:
- receiving a user selection of a desired transport-related service via the input device, a selection received by the at least one application computer program;
  
  based at least on the receiving of the selection, generating one or more electronic messages for transmission via an internetwork to a network server apparatus in data communication therewith, the one or more electronic messages comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to a then-current location of the mobile electronic device, the information based at least in part on location data generated by the GPS receiver; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith; and
  
  causing transmission of the one or more messages from the mobile electronic device to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless interface and an interposed internetwork, the transmission of the one or more messages instigating provision of the desired transport-related service at the location by a third party transportation service.
- View Dependent Claims (99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189)
- - 99. The method of claim 98, wherein the desired transport-related service comprises delivery of one or more items that the user needs.
  - 100. The method of claim 99, wherein the one or more items that the user needs comprises one or more substantially liquefied substances in a container.
  - 101. The method of claim 99, wherein the one or more items that the user needs comprises apparatus enabling access to at least an interior of an automobile.
  - 102. The method of claim 101, wherein the apparatus enabling access to at least an interior of an automobile comprises at least one automobile key.
  - 103. The method of claim 98, wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a cellular enabled smartphone capable of executing a computer program rendered in an object oriented programming language, and the method further comprises providing the at least one application computer program for download to the mobile electronic device, the at least one application computer program comprising a theme relating to provision of transport-related services and having been rendered primarily in a Java-based programming language.
  - 104. The method of claim 98, wherein the mobile electronic device further comprises a display device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the display device and input device collectively comprising a capacitive touch screen input and display device;
    - andwherein said application computer program is configured to generate a user interface having at least one soft function key, said at least one soft function key enabling said generation and causing transmission of at least one of said one or more messages without further user intervention; and
      
      wherein the at least one application computer program is configured to instantiate, based on a communication from a remotely disposed mobile electronic device, a display element or window on the display device, the display element or window prompting the user for an input relating to the transport-related service.
  - 105. The method of claim 104, wherein the at least one application computer program comprises a theme relating to provision of transport-related services, and is further configured to receive an electronic message comprising an estimated time of provision of the transport-related service, the message generated by the network server apparatus.
  - 106. The method of claim 105, wherein:
    - the desired transport-related service comprises delivery of one or more items that the user needs, the one or more items that the user needs comprising at least one of;
      
      (i) a substantially liquefied substance in a container, and/or (ii) automobile key apparatus configured to enable access to at least an interior of an automobile; and
      
      wherein the mobile electronic device further comprises a display device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the display device and input device comprising a capacitive touch screen input and display device; and
      
      wherein said application computer program is configured to generate a user interface having at least one soft function key, said at least one soft function key enabling said generating and causing transmission of at least one of said one or more messages without further user intervention.
  - 107. The method of claim 98, wherein the mobile electronic device further comprises a short-range radio frequency interface in data communication with the at least one computer program, the short-range interface disposed within the mobile electronic device at the time of manufacture of the mobile electronic device, and the method further comprises using the at least one computer program configured to cause the short-range interface to exchange data with an external radio frequency device.
  - 108. The method of claim 107, wherein the short-range interface comprises a Bluetooth compliant wireless interface, and the exchanged data relates to the provision of the transport-related service by the third-party transportation service.
  - 109. The method of claim 107, wherein the short-range interface comprises a Bluetooth compliant wireless interface, and the exchanged data comprises the location data.
  - 110. The method of claim 107, wherein the short-range interface comprises an RFID (radio frequency ID)-based wireless interface, and the exchanged data relates to financial account data of the user.
  - 111. The method of claim 98, wherein said transmission of the one or more messages from the mobile electronic device to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless interface comprises transmission via a wireless interface utilizing an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexed) protocol, the wireless interface utilizing said OFDM protocol to at least mitigate interference with other radio frequency communications devices.
  - 112. The method of claim 98, wherein said transmission of the one or more messages from the mobile electronic device to the network server apparatus via at least the wireless interface comprises transmission via a plurality of radio frequency carriers, and via a plurality of different time periods, so as to at least mitigate interference with other radio frequency communications devices within the same frequency band.
  - 113. The method of claim 112, wherein said transmission via a plurality of radio frequency carrier frequencies comprises modulating data onto at least a portion of said radio frequency carriers using binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation.
  - 114. The method of claim 98, further comprising:
    - causing, via the application computer program, establishment of a secure sockets layer (SSL) connection between at least the mobile electronic device and the network server apparatus for transmission of the generated one or more messages; and
      
      receiving via the application computer program an electronic message from a remote networked server, the electronic message comprising at least;
      
      (i) a date and time the transportation-related service was performed, and (ii) at least one of the then-current location or another location.
  - 182. The method of claim 111, wherein the transportation modality comprises an automobile.
  - 183. The method of claim 182, wherein:
    - the at least portion of the application computer program comprises a transportation-themed application computer program rendered in a Java-based programming language and downloaded to the mobile electronic device after manufacture;
      
      the mobile device further comprises a capacitive touch-screen input and display device which comprises the input device;
      
      the at least portion of the application computer program is configured to generate one or more soft function keys on a display of the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the one or more soft function keys enabling the user to provide the user input by way of one or more touches of one or more areas of the display corresponding to respective ones the one or more soft functions keys.
  - 184. The method of claim 182, wherein the network entity is in at least wireless communication with the transportation modality.
  - 185. The method of claim 184, wherein the network entity comprises a server apparatus in data communication with an internetwork, the server apparatus comprising a proxy for the transportation modality.
  - 186. The method of claim 184, wherein the network entity comprises a server apparatus comprising at least one storage apparatus in data communication therewith, the storage apparatus comprising account data for a plurality of individual users, the account data accessible by the server apparatus at least in response to a user'"'"'s request for the service.
  - 187. The method of claim 186, wherein the providing the desired service to the user at the then-current location further comprises generation and transmission to the server apparatus via the wireless interface of the mobile electronic device at least one message, the at least one message comprising data enabling the server apparatus to access account data for the user.
  - 188. The method of claim 186, wherein the providing the desired service to the user at the then-current location further comprises generation and transmission to the server apparatus via the wireless interface of the mobile electronic device at least one message, the at least one message comprising data enabling the server apparatus to authenticate the user.
  - 189. The method of claim 186, further comprising establishing a secure sockets layer (SSL)-enabled session between the server apparatus and the at least portion of the application computer program so as to protect sensitive data relating to the user or the user'"'"'s account during transmission between the server apparatus and the mobile electronic device.

115. A method utilized by a network proxy agent for one or more third-party transportation service providers, the method to cause provision of a transportation-related service for a user of a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage device capable of storing thereon at least one application computer program, a radio-frequency-based positioning system capable of generating location data, and an input device and display device each in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method enabling the user to obtain the transportation-related service without knowing an address for where the transportation-related service is to be rendered, the method comprising:
- receiving from the mobile electronic device, via a previously established communications session between the proxy agent and the mobile electronic device, one or more electronic messages, the one or more messages collectively comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to a then-current location of the mobile electronic device, the information based at least in part on location data generated by the positioning system; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated with the user, the one or more messages having been generated at least in part by a transportation service-themed application computer program operative on the mobile electronic device, the one or more messages configured for transmission to the proxy agent and being generated in response to an input of the user received via the input device;
  
  using the proxy agent to, based at least on the one or more received messages, facilitate provision of the transportation-related service at the then-current location by one of the one or more third-party transportation service providers, the transportation-related service comprising movement of a land-based transportation modality of the one service provider to the then-current location in order to provide at least one chattel to the user at the then-current location; and
  
  using the proxy agent to cause generation and transmission to the user of an electronic message comprising an estimated time of provision of the transportation-related service to the user.
- View Dependent Claims (116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123)
- - 116. The method of claim 115, wherein the at least one chattel comprises one or more substantially liquefied substances disposed in a container.
  - 117. The method of claim 115, wherein the at least one chattel comprises apparatus enabling access to at least an interior of an automobile.
  - 118. The method of claim 116, wherein the apparatus enabling access to at least an interior of an automobile comprises at least one automobile key.
  - 119. The method of claim 115, wherein the at least one chattel comprises one or more tools.
  - 120. The method of claim 115, wherein the input device and display device collectively comprise a capacitive touch screen input and display device of the mobile electronic device;
    - andwherein said transportation service-themed application computer program is configured to generate a user interface having at least one soft function key, said at least one soft function key enabling, when selected by said user via the capacitive touch screen input and display device, said generation and causing transmission of at least one of said one or more messages without further user intervention.
  - 121. The method of claim 120, further comprising enabling, via at least the proxy agent, establishment of a secure sockets layer (SSL) connection between at least the mobile electronic device and the network server apparatus for transmission of the received one or more messages and the electronic message comprising an estimated time of provision, the session utilizing the connection.
  - 122. The method of claim 120, wherein the transportation services-themed application computer program comprises a computer program rendered in a Java-based programming language, and the method further comprises causing, from the proxy agent, the transportation services-themed application computer program to instantiate a display element or window on the display device, the display element or window prompting the user for an input relating to the transport-related service, the input required before the at least one chattel can be provided at the then-current location.
  - 123. The method of claim 122, further comprising:
    - using the proxy agent for accessing, based at least one the data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated with the user, account data of the user, the access of the account data of the user comprising accessing a secure repository of user data, the repository in data communication with the proxy agent, the secure repository comprising at least data previously supplied by the user for storage therein; and
      
      utilizing the accessed data to verify that the user is authorized for provision of the transportation-related service by one of the third-party providers.

124. A method utilized by an electronic network proxy agent comprising a network server, the method to cause provision of a delivery one or more chattels to a user of a mobile electronic device, the one or more chattels having been specifically designated by the user, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the storage device capable of storing thereon at least one application computer program, a radio-frequency-based positioning system capable of generating location data, and a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method enabling the user to obtain the one or more chattels in substantially automated fashion and without having to specifically enter address data for where the one or more chattels is/are to be delivered, the method comprising:
- enabling establishment of a secure communication session between at least a Java-based application computer program operative on the mobile electronic device and the electronic proxy agent, said application computer program configured to generate a user interface having at least one soft function key;
  
  receiving from the mobile electronic device, via the communications session between the electronic proxy agent and the mobile electronic device, one or more electronic messages, the one or more messages collectively comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to a then-current location of the mobile electronic device, the information based at least in part on location data generated by the positioning system; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely relating to the mobile device or an account associated with the user, the one or more messages having been generated at least in part by the application computer program, the one or more messages configured for transmission to the electronic proxy agent and being generated at least partly in response to an input of the user received via the touch screen input and display device, the input of the user to designate at least one of the designated one or more chattels, the input received via at least one soft function key displayed on the capacitive touch screen input and display device;
  
  using the electronic proxy agent to, based at least on the one or more received messages, facilitate provision of the delivery of the designated one or more chattels at the then-current location by one of the one or more third-party transportation service providers, the delivery comprising movement of a land-based transportation modality of the one service provider to the then-current location in order to provide the designated one or more chattels to the user;
  
  using the electronic proxy agent to cause generation and transmission to the user of an electronic message comprising an estimated time of delivery to the user.
- View Dependent Claims (125, 126, 127, 128)
- - 125. The method of claim 124, wherein the at least one chattel comprises one or more of (i) a substantially liquefied substance disposed in a container;
    - (ii) at least one automobile key; and
      
      /or (iii) one or more tools.
  - 126. The method of claim 125, wherein the at least one application computer program comprise a transportation services-themed application computer program, and the method further comprises causing, from the proxy agent, the transportation services-themed application computer program to instantiate a display element or window on the display device, the display element or window prompting the user for an input relating to the transport-related service, the input required before the at least one chattel can be provided at the then-current location.
  - 127. The method of claim 125, further comprising:
    - using the electronic proxy agent for accessing, based at least one the data uniquely indicative of the mobile device or an account associated with the user, account data of the user, the access of the account data of the user comprising accessing a secure repository of user data, the repository in data communication with the electronic proxy agent, the secure repository comprising at least data previously supplied by the user for storage therein; and
      
      utilizing the accessed data to verify that the user is authorized for provision of the transportation-related service by one of the third-party providers.
  - 128. The method of claim 127, wherein:
    - the accessing a secure repository of user data, the repository in data communication with the electronic proxy agent, the secure repository comprising at least data previously supplied by the user for storage therein, comprises accessing credit-card data previously supplied by the user and stored within the repository; and
      
      the utilizing the accessed data to verify that the user is authorized for provision of the transportation-related service by one of the third-party providers comprises using the accessed credit-card data to pay for at least a portion of the delivery of the one or more chattels.

129. A method of opportunistically providing delivery of a chattel for a user of a mobile electronic device, the user not having to know or manually enter any portion of an address of a location where they desire the chattel to be delivered, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a cellular or Wi-Fi-based wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a short-range wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and having at least application computer program disposed thereon, the at least one application program configured to be executed on at least the digital processor apparatus, and an input device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method comprising:
- opportunistically establishing a communications session between the mobile electronic device and a computerized electronic device having a complementary short-range wireless interface operative thereon;
  
  receiving via the short-range wireless interface of the mobile electronic device, data from the computerized electronic device, the data relating to location data generated by a radio-frequency-based positioning apparatus of the computerized electronic device when the computerized device was previously disposed at a location;
  
  receiving a user selection of a desired chattel to be delivered, the user selection received via the input device and provided to the at least one application computer program;
  
  based at least on the receiving of the selection, generating one or more electronic messages for transmission via an internetwork to a network server apparatus in data communication therewith, the one or more electronic messages comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to the location; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith; and
  
  causing transmission of the one or more messages from the mobile electronic device to the network server apparatus via at least the cellular or Wi-Fi-based wireless interface and an interposed internetwork, the transmission of the one or more messages instigating provision of the desired delivery of the chattel at the location by a third party service.
- View Dependent Claims (130, 131, 132, 133, 134)
- - 130. The method of claim 129, wherein:
    - the short-range wireless interface comprises a Bluetooth-compliant interface; and
      
      the user encounters the computerized electronic device while present in a facility having a plurality of other persons also present therein or thereat, the computerized electronic device comprising a kiosk.
  - 131. The method of claim 129, wherein:
    - the short-range wireless interface comprises a Bluetooth-compliant interface; and
      
      the radio-frequency-based positioning apparatus comprises a global positioning system (GPS)-based receiver; and
      
      the computerized electronic device comprises another mobile electronic device having a corresponding one of the application computer program thereon.
  - 132. The method of claim 131, wherein the opportunistically establishing a communications session between the mobile electronic device and a computerized electronic device having a complementary short-range wireless interface operative thereon comprises establishing a communications session between the corresponding one of the application computer program and the application computer program of the mobile electronic device, the session instigated by the user of the mobile electronic device via the application computer program.
  - 133. The method of claim 131, causing access of, based at least one the data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated with the user, financial payment source data of the user, the access of the financial payment source data of the user comprising accessing a secure repository of credit card data, the repository in data communication with the electronic proxy agent, the secure repository comprising at least credit card data previously supplied by the user for storage therein, the accessed financial payment source data useful for payment for at least a portion of the delivery of the chattel;
    - andsubsequently generating an electronic mail or message addressed to the user, the generated mail or message comprising at least;
      
      (i) a date and time the delivery was performed, (ii) a location; and
      
      (iii) information indicative of a credit card associated with the credit card data; and
      
      causing transmission of the generated electronic mail or electronic message to the user via a mail or message server, such that the user can selectively view the generated mail or message at a later time if desired by accessing the mail or message server.
  - 134. The method of claim 131, further comprising establishing a secure sockets layer (SSL)-enabled communications session between the application computer program of the mobile electronic device and the network server apparatus, the session instigated by the user of the mobile electronic device via the application computer program.

135. A method of providing provision of a service for a user of a mobile electronic device, the user not having to know or manually enter any part of an address of a location where they desire the service to be delivered, the mobile electronic device having a digital processor apparatus, a long-range wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a short-range wireless interface in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, a storage device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus and having at least one application computer program disposed thereon, the at least one application computer program configured to be executed on at least the digital processor apparatus, an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS)-base location apparatus capable of generating data relating to a location of the mobile electronic device, and an input device in data communication with the digital processor apparatus, the method comprising:
- establishing a communications session between the mobile electronic device and a computerized electronic device having a complementary short-range wireless interface operative thereon;
  
  receiving via the short-range wireless interface of the mobile electronic device, data from the computerized electronic device, the data relating to a desired service to be provided to the user, the received data provided to the at least one application computer program;
  
  based at least on the receiving of the selection, generating one or more electronic messages for transmission via an internetwork and using a transmission control protocol and Internet protocol (TCP/IP) to a network server apparatus in data communication therewith, the network server apparatus in data communication with one or more third-party providers of service, the one or more electronic messages comprising at least;
  
  (i) information relating to the location of the mobile electronic device; and
  
  (ii) data uniquely indicative of the user or an account associated therewith; and
  
  causing transmission of the one or more messages from the mobile electronic device to the network server apparatus via at least the long-range wireless interface and an interposed internetwork, the transmission of the one or more messages enabling provision of the desired service at the location by at least one of the one or more third-party providers.
- View Dependent Claims (136, 137, 138, 139, 140)
- - 136. The method of claim 135, wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a cellular-enabled smartphone, and the computerized electronic device comprises both (i) a capacitive touch screen input and display device and (ii) a voice recognition apparatus operative thereon, the touch screen input and display device and the voice recognition apparatus configured to receive a selection of the desired service.
  - 137. The method of claim 136, wherein the computerized electronic device comprises a wristwatch form factor, the computerized electronic device configured to be encoded by the user with user-specific data after manufacture and acquisition thereof.
  - 138. The method of claim 136, wherein the application computer program of the mobile electronic device comprises a Java-based transport services-themed application, and the method further comprising establishing a secure sockets layer (SSL)-enabled communications session between the application computer program of the mobile electronic device and the network server apparatus, the session instigated by the user of the mobile electronic device via the application computer program, the session instigated by the user selecting the desired service via the touch screen input and display device computerized electronic device, the desired service further comprising delivery of one or more chattel to the user at the location.
  - 139. The method of claim 138, wherein the one or more chattel comprises one or more substantially liquefied substances disposed in a container.
  - 140. The method of claim 138, wherein the one or more chattel comprises one or more of (i) tools, and/or (ii) an automobile key apparatus enabling entry to an automobile.

141. Mobile computerized electronic apparatus configured to enable provision of one or more services to a user thereof, the computerized electronic apparatus comprising:
- a digital processing apparatus;
  
  a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;
  
  a cellular wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to transmit data wirelessly from the mobile computerized electronic apparatus to a receiver;
  
  a global positioning system (GPS)-based receiver apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the receiver apparatus configured to generate data relating to a location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus;
  
  a Bluetooth-compliant radio frequency transceiver in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the radio frequency transceiver configured to communicate with a complementary Bluetooth radio frequency transceiver of a personal electronic device in order to permit user data to be exchanged between the personal electronic device and mobile computerized electronic apparatus;
  
  speech processing apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and comprising at least one speech processing computer program operative to run thereon, the at least one speech processing computer program operative to convert received user speech to a digital representation thereof; and
  
  a storage device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the storage device comprising at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus, said at least one computer program configured to, when executed;
  
  encode one or more electronic messages for delivery to a remote network server, the one or more electronic messages including at least a portion of the data relating to the location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus generated by the GPS-based receiver; and
  
  transmit the one or more electronic messages to the remote network server via at least the cellular wireless interface in order to enable the provision of a first service to the user via the mobile computerized electronic device, the first service provided by a third-party service provider.
- View Dependent Claims (142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171)
- - 142. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 141, wherein the first service comprises a location-based service.
  - 143. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 142, wherein the location-based service comprises delivery of data useful to the user at the location.
  - 144. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 142, wherein the at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus comprises an application computer program having at least one theme, the at least one theme comprising entertainment, and the provision of the first service to the user via the mobile computerized electronic device comprises streaming of data via the cellular wireless interface from the remote network server or a proxy thereof, the streamed data comprising music data.
  - 145. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 144, wherein the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is a mounted part of a mobile vehicle capable of moving to a plurality of different locations.
  - 146. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 145, wherein the at least one computer program is configured to utilize the digital representation of user speech to cause encoding of one or more electronic messages for delivery to a network server apparatus, the one or more electronic messages including at least a portion of the digital representation;
    - andtransmit the one or more electronic messages to the network server apparatus via at least the cellular wireless interface in order to enable on-demand provision of the first service to the user via the mobile computerized electronic device.
  - 147. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 146, wherein the network server apparatus comprises the remote network server.
  - 148. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 146, wherein the streamed music data comprises music data rendered in a Motion Picture Experts Group Audio (MP3) format.
  - 149. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 146, wherein the streamed music data comprises music data rendered in a lossy compression format.
  - 150. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 149, wherein the lossy compression format comprises a Motion Picture Experts Group Audio (MP3) format.
  - 151. The mobile computerized electronic device of claim 149, wherein the lossy compression format comprises a code excited linear prediction (CELP)-based format.
  - 152. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 146, wherein the at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus further comprises an application computer program having at least one theme, the at least one theme comprising Internet access, the application computer program further comprising access for the user to at least one Internet search engine, and the provision of the first service to the user via the mobile computerized electronic device comprises download of content data via the cellular wireless interface from a service provider Internet website located using the Internet search engine.
  - 153. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 152, further comprising a short-range radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and the at least one computer program, the at least one computer program configured to cause the short-range interface to exchange data with a portable radio frequency device carried by the user when the portable radio frequency device is within communications range of the short-range radio frequency interface, the exchanged data enabling the user to actuate one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device.
  - 154. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 153, wherein the short-range interface is configured to exchange data with a portable radio frequency device carried by the user only after successful authentication of the portable radio frequency device via a challenge-based protocol utilizing at least one randomized value (RAND).
  - 155. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 153, wherein the mobile computerized electronic device is part of a vehicle capable of moving from one location to another, and comprises a compartment secured by at least one lockable door, the at least one door selectively unlocked based at least in part on said successful authentication.
  - 156. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 141, further comprising a short-range radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and the at least one computer program, the at least one computer program configured to cause the short-range interface to exchange data with a portable radio frequency device carried by the user when the portable radio frequency device is within communications range of the short-range radio frequency interface, the exchanged data enabling the user to actuate one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device.
  - 157. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 141, further comprising:
    - a first radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and the at least one computer program; and
      
      a second radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and the at least one computer program;
      
      wherein the at least one computer program configured to cause the first radio frequency interface to exchange data with a portable radio frequency device carried by the user when the portable radio frequency device is within communications range of the first radio frequency interface, the exchanged data enabling the user to actuate one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device via at least the second radio frequency interface.
  - 158. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 157, wherein the actuation of one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device via at least the second radio frequency apparatus comprises actuation initiated by the user via at least one of the capacitive touch screen input and display device, and the speech processing apparatus.
  - 159. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 157, further comprising a universal serial bus (USB) interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the USB interface configured to communicate with a personal electronic device in order to permit user data to be transferred from the personal electronic device and mobile computerized electronic apparatus.
  - 160. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 159, wherein the at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus further comprises an application computer program having at least one theme, the at least one theme comprising entertainment, and the data exchanged between the personal electronic device and the mobile computerized electronic apparatus via the Bluetooth-compliant transceiver comprises music data.
  - 161. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 160, wherein the music data comprises data formatted according a Motion Picture Experts Group Audio (MP3) format.
  - 162. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 161, wherein the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is a mounted part of a mobile vehicle capable of moving to a plurality of different locations.
  - 163. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 162, wherein the mobile computerized electronic apparatus further comprises a Wi-Fi compliant wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to operate utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme;
    - andwherein;
      
      the cellular wireless interface comprises an interface also utilizing an OFDM modulation scheme; and
      
      the use of the OFDM modulation scheme of at least one of Wi-Fi compliant interface and the cellular interface is selected to mitigate radio frequency interference with at least one radio frequency emitter.
  - 164. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 162, wherein:
    - the mobile computerized electronic apparatus further comprises a Wi-Fi compliant wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to operate utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme;
      
      the cellular wireless interface comprises a Third Generation (3G) wireless interface compliant with at least one of a 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) standard;
      
      the first radio frequency interface comprises a radio frequency ID (RFID)-based radio frequency interface comprising an interrogator apparatus capable of interrogating the portable radio frequency device when the portable radio frequency device is within the communications range; and
      
      the second radio frequency interface comprises apparatus thereof configured to implement a security policy so as to prevent surreptitious interception or use of data transmitted from the second radio frequency interface.
  - 165. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 164, wherein said personal electronic device comprised a cellular-enabled smartphone, and the at least one computer program is configured to interface, via at least the cellular wireless interface, with a remote networked server, the remote networked server configured to enable communication with an application computer program disposed on the personal electronic device of the user, such that the user can transfer user data between the personal electronic device and the mobile computerized electronic apparatus via at least the remote networked server and the cellular wireless interface.
  - 166. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 165, wherein said application computer program disposed on the personal electronic device of the user comprises a transportation-themed application program, and the application computer program is further configured to establish a secure sockets layer (SSL) session with at least the remote networked server, the session utilized to securely transfer the user data between the personal electronic device and the remote networked server.
  - 167. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 165, wherein the at least one computer program of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is further configured to cause encoding and transmission of at least one message to the cellular-enabled smartphone via at least the cellular wireless interface, the at least one message comprising data relating to an estimated time of completion of a service being performed for the user.
  - 168. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 165, wherein the at least one computer program of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is further configured to cause encoding and transmission of at least one message to the cellular-enabled smartphone via at least the cellular wireless interface, the at least one message comprising data relating to an estimated time of completion of a service being performed for the user.
  - 169. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 141, further comprising at least one communication apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and the at least one computer program, the communication apparatus enabling at least user packet-based voice communication with a remote customer service agent, the packet-based voice communication utilizing at least a transport control protocol (TCP) for packet transport over an internetwork interposed between the customer service agent and the mobile computerized electronic apparatus.
  - 170. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 141, wherein the at least one computer program and is further configured to establish, based at least on a second digitized representation generated by the speech processing apparatus, a communication session with a remote customer service entity whereby the user can communicate spoken information that has been converted to a textual representation to the customer service entity, the communication occurring over at least the cellular wireless interface.
  - 171. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 170, wherein the at least one computer program and is further configured to, in response to the receipt of the second digitized representation, automatically encode and transmit at least one electronic message comprising the at least the data relating to the location to the remote customer service entity.

172. Mobile computerized electronic apparatus configured to enable provision of one or more location-based services to a user thereof via one or more of a plurality of wireless interfaces, and without the user having to know or manually enter an address of the mobile electronic apparatus, the computerized electronic apparatus comprising:
- a digital processing apparatus;
  
  a capacitive touch screen input and display device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus;
  
  a cellular wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to transmit data wirelessly from the mobile computerized electronic apparatus to a receiver;
  
  a wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 standard and in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and configured to transmit data wirelessly from the mobile computerized electronic apparatus to a receiver;
  
  a global positioning system (GPS)-based wireless receiver apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the receiver apparatus configured to generate data relating to a location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus;
  
  speech processing apparatus in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and comprising at least one speech processing computer program operative to run thereon, the at least one speech processing computer program operative to convert received user speech to a digital representation thereof; and
  
  a storage device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the storage device comprising;
  
  (i) at least one first computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus, said at least one first computer program configured to, when executed;
  
  receive the digitized representation from the speech processing apparatus;
  
  encode one or more electronic messages for delivery to a first remote network server, the one or more electronic messages including at least a portion of the data relating to the location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus generated by the GPS-based receiver; and
  
  transmit the one or more electronic messages to the first remote network server via at least one of the cellular wireless interface and/or the 802.11-compliant interface in order to enable the provision of a first location-based service to the user of the mobile computerized electronic device, the provision of the first location-based service based at least in part on the one or more electronic messages;
  
  and (ii) at least one second computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus, said at least one second computer program configured to, when executed;
  
  encode one or more second electronic messages for delivery to a second remote network server, the one or more second electronic messages including at least a portion of the data relating to the location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus generated by the GPS-based receiver; and
  
  transmit the one or more second electronic messages to the second remote network server via at least the 802.11-compliant interface in order to enable the provision of a second location-based service to the user of the mobile computerized electronic device.
- View Dependent Claims (173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179)
- - 173. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 172, wherein:
    - the at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus comprises an application computer program having at least one theme, the at least one theme comprising entertainment, and the provision of the first service to the user of the mobile computerized electronic device comprises streaming of data via the cellular wireless interface from the first remote network server or a proxy thereof, the streamed data comprising music data encoded according to at least a lossy compression format and transmitted over the Internet; and
      
      the second location-based service comprises download of a data file, the data file selected based at least in part on the at least a portion of the data relating to the location.
  - 174. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 172, wherein:
    - the at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus comprises an application computer program having at least one theme, the at least one theme comprising entertainment, and the provision of the first service to the user of the mobile computerized electronic device comprises streaming of data via the cellular wireless interface from the first remote network server or a proxy thereof, the streamed data comprising packetized music data transmitted over the Internet using at least a transport control protocol (TCP); and
      
      the second location-based service comprises registration of at least one of the user and/or the mobile computerized electronic apparatus in a remotely maintained database, the registration based at least in part on the at least a portion of the data relating to the location.
  - 175. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 172, wherein the at least one computer program operative to run on said digital processing apparatus further comprises an application computer program having at least one theme, the at least one theme comprising Internet access, the application computer program further comprising access for the user to at least one Internet search engine using at least the capacitive touch screen input and display device, and the provision of the second service to the user via the mobile computerized electronic device comprises download of content data via the 802.11-compliant wireless interface from a service provider Internet website located using the Internet search engine, at least a portion of the content data configured based at least in part on the at least a portion of the data relating to the location.
  - 176. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 172, further comprising a short-range radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and the at least one computer program, the at least one computer program configured to cause the short-range interface to exchange data with a portable radio frequency device carried by the user when the portable radio frequency device is within communications range of the short-range radio frequency interface, the exchanged data enabling the user to actuate one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device, the short-range interface configured to exchange data with a portable radio frequency device carried by the user only after successful authentication of the portable radio frequency device via a challenge-based protocol utilizing at least one randomized data value (RAND).
  - 177. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 172, further comprising:
    - a first radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and the at least one computer program; and
      
      a second radio frequency interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus and the at least one computer program, the at least one computer program further configured to cause the first radio frequency interface to exchange data with a portable radio frequency device carried by the user when the portable radio frequency device is within communications range of the first radio frequency interface, the exchanged data enabling the user to actuate one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device via at least the second radio frequency interface, the actuation of one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device via at least the second radio frequency interface comprises actuation initiated by the user via at least one of the capacitive touch screen input and display device, and the speech processing apparatus; and
      
      a Bluetooth-compliant radio frequency transceiver in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the radio frequency transceiver configured to communicate with a complementary Bluetooth radio frequency transceiver of a personal electronic device in order to permit user data to be exchanged between the personal electronic device and mobile computerized electronic apparatus, the data exchanged between the personal electronic device and the mobile computerized electronic apparatus via the Bluetooth-compliant transceiver comprising music data formatted according a Motion Picture Experts Group Audio (MP3) format.
  - 178. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 177, wherein:
    - the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is part of a land-mobile vehicle capable of moving to and from various locations;
      
      the wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11is configured to operate utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme; and
      
      the cellular wireless interface comprises an interface also is configured to operate utilizing an OFDM modulation scheme; and
      
      wherein the OFDM modulation scheme of at least one of the 802.11-complaint and cellular interfaces is selected to at least mitigate radio frequency interference with one or more external radio frequency sources.
  - 179. The mobile computerized electronic apparatus of claim 177, wherein:
    - the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is part of a land-mobile vehicle capable of moving to and from various locations;
      
      the wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11is configured to operate utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme and a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation; and
      
      the cellular wireless interface comprises a Third Generation (3G) wireless interface compliant with at least one of a 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) standard;
      
      the first radio frequency interface comprises a radio frequency ID (RFID)-based radio frequency interface comprising an interrogator apparatus capable of interrogating the portable radio frequency device when the portable radio frequency device is within the communications range; and
      
      the second radio frequency interface comprises apparatus thereof configured to implement a security policy so as to prevent surreptitious interception or use of data transmitted from the second radio frequency interface, the security policy comprising at least one of (i) encryption and/or (ii) a challenge-based protocol utilizing at least one randomized data value (RAND).

180. Mobile computerized electronic apparatus configured to enable provision of one or more location-based services to a user thereof via one or more of a plurality of wireless interfaces, and without the user having to know or manually enter an address of the mobile electronic apparatus, the computerized electronic apparatus comprising:
- means for digital data processing;
  
  a capacitive touch screen input and display device means in data communication with the means for digital data processing;
  
  a cellular wireless interface means in data communication with the means for digital data processing and configured to transmit data wirelessly from the mobile computerized electronic apparatus to a receiver;
  
  a wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11 standard and in data communication with the means for digital data processing and configured to transmit data wirelessly from the mobile computerized electronic apparatus to a receiver;
  
  a global positioning system (GPS)-based wireless receiver apparatus in data communication with the means for digital data processing, the receiver apparatus configured to generate data relating to a location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus;
  
  speech processing apparatus in data communication with the means for digital data processing and comprising at least one speech processing computer program operative to run thereon, the at least one speech processing computer program operative to recognize one or more words within a speech input of the user;
  
  a first radio frequency interface means in data communication with the means for digital data processing and the at least one computer program;
  
  a second radio frequency interface in data communication with the means for digital data processing and the at least one computer program, the at least one computer program further configured to cause the first radio frequency interface means to exchange data with a portable radio frequency device carried by the user when the portable radio frequency device is within communications range of the first radio frequency interface means, the exchanged data enabling the user to actuate one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device via at least the second radio frequency interface, the actuation of one or more functions of the mobile computerized electronic device via at least the second radio frequency interface comprises actuation initiated by the user via at least one of the capacitive touch screen input and display device means, and the speech processing apparatus;
  
  a Bluetooth-compliant radio frequency transceiver in data communication with the means for digital data processing, the Bluetooth-compliant radio frequency transceiver configured to communicate with a complementary Bluetooth radio frequency transceiver of a personal electronic device in order to permit user data to be exchanged between the personal electronic device and mobile computerized electronic apparatus, the data exchanged between the personal electronic device and the mobile computerized electronic apparatus via the Bluetooth-compliant transceiver comprising music data formatted according a Motion Picture Experts Group Audio (MP3) format;
  
  a universal serial bus (USB) interface in data communication with the means for digital data processing, the USB interface configured to communicate with a personal electronic device in order to permit user data to be transferred from the personal electronic device and mobile computerized electronic apparatus;
  
  a storage device in data communication with the means for digital processing, the storage device comprising;
  
  (i) at least one first computer program operative to run on said means for digital data processing, said at least one first computer program configured to, when executed;
  
  encode one or more electronic messages for delivery to a first remote network server, the one or more electronic messages including at least a portion of the data relating to the location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus generated by the GPS-based receiver; and
  
  transmit the one or more electronic messages to the first remote network server via at least one of the cellular wireless interface means and/or the 802.11-compliant interface in order to enable the provision of a location-based service to the user of the mobile computerized electronic device, the provision of the location-based service based at least in part on the one or more electronic messages;
  
  and (ii) at least one second computer program operative to run on said means for digital data processing, said at least one second computer program configured to, when executed;
  
  encode one or more second electronic messages for delivery to a second remote network server, the one or more second electronic messages comprising data relating to at least a portion of the one or more recognized words; and
  
  transmit the one or more second electronic messages to the second remote network server via at least one of the cellular wireless interface means and/or the 802.11-compliant interface in order to enable the provision of a content data delivery service to the user of the mobile computerized electronic device;
  
  wherein;
  
  the at least one computer program operative to run on said means for digital data processing comprises an application computer program having at least one theme, the at least one theme comprising entertainment, and the provision of the content data delivery service to the user of the mobile computerized electronic device comprises streaming of content data via the cellular wireless interface from the second remote network server or a proxy thereof, the streamed content data comprising music data encoded according to at least a lossy compression format and transmitted over the Internet using at least a transport control protocol (TCP);
  
  the at least one computer program operative to run on said means for digital data processing further comprises an application computer program having at least one theme, the at least one theme comprising Internet access, the application computer program further comprising access for the user to at least one Internet search engine using at least the capacitive touch screen input and display device means, and the provision of the location-based service comprises download of data via from a service provider Internet website, at least a portion of the downloaded data configured based at least in part on the at least a portion of the data relating to the location;
  
  the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is part of a land-mobile vehicle capable of moving to and from various locations;
  
  the wireless interface compliant with an IEEE 802.11is configured to operate utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme; and
  
  the cellular wireless interface comprises at least one of (i) a Third Generation (3G) wireless interface compliant with at least one of a 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) standard, and/or (ii) a wireless interface configured to operate utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme; and
  
  the first radio frequency interface means comprises a radio frequency ID (RFID)-based radio frequency interface comprising an interrogator apparatus capable of interrogating the portable radio frequency device when the portable radio frequency device is within the communications range.

181. A method of providing a service to a user via at least a mobile electronic device such that the user does not need to know an address of a location where the service is to be provided, the mobile electronic device comprising a hand-held mobile wireless-enabled device having at least a digital processing apparatus, an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS)-based receiver apparatus configured to generate location-related data, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, a storage device configured to store at least a portion of an application computer program thereon, the storage device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, and an input device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the method comprising:
- receiving at the at least portion of the application computer program a user input, the user input relating to a desired service to be provided to the user at a then-current current location of the user and the mobile electronic device, the desired service relating to an associated transportation modality;
  
  receiving at the at least portion of the application computer program location-related data generated by the A-GPS-based receiver apparatus, the location-related data relating to the then-current location;
  
  utilizing at least the received location-related data to provide the desired service to the user at the then-current location, the provision of the service further comprising at least receipt of one or more messages from a network entity relating to the desired service, the one or more messages received by the at least portion of the application computer program via the wireless interface.
- View Dependent Claims (190, 191, 192, 193)
- - 190. The method of claim 181, wherein the desired service relating to the transportation modality comprises providing information enabling the user to converge with a location of the transportation modality.
  - 191. The method of claim 181, further comprising receiving, at the mobile electronic device, at least one message indicating an estimated time of completion of a service being provided relating to the transportation modality.
  - 192. The method of claim 191, wherein the service being provided relating to the transportation modality comprises at least one of a testing service or a maintenance service.
  - 193. The method of claim 191, further comprising receiving, at the mobile electronic device, at least one message indicating an estimated time of completion of a service being provided relating to the transportation modality.

194. A method of providing a service to a user via at least a mobile computerized electronic apparatus such that the user does not need to know an address of a location where the service is desired to be provided, the mobile computerized electronic apparatus comprising at least a digital processing apparatus, a global positioning system (GPS)-based receiver apparatus configured to generate location-related data, a wireless interface in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, a storage device comprising at least one computer program thereon, the storage device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, and an input device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the method comprising:
- utilizing the at least one computer program to receive location-related data, the location-related data generated by the GPS-based receiver apparatus based on a then-current location of the mobile computerized electronic apparatus;
  
  utilizing the at least one computer program to generate at least one message for transmission to a remote entity, the at least one message comprising at least a portion of the location-related data based on the then-current location; and
  
  utilizing the at least one computer program to cause transmission of the at least one message to the remote entity via at least the wireless interface, the at least one message configured to at least enable provision of the service for the user at the desired location.
- View Dependent Claims (195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204)
- - 195. The method of claim 194, wherein the service comprises a service provided at least in part by an automobile transportation modality.
  - 196. The method of claim 195, wherein the mobile computerized electronic apparatus is at least disposed within the automobile transportation modality.
  - 197. The method of claim 194, wherein the service comprises delivery of data related to the user or transportation modality thereof to the user at the desired location.
  - 198. The method of claim 194, wherein:
    - the transmission via the wireless interface comprises transmission via a cellular wireless interface comprising at least one of a Third Generation Project Partnership (3GPP) compliant interface and/or an interface utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme;
      
      the remote entity comprises a handheld smartphone of the user disposed at the desired location and also comprising;
      
      a cellular wireless interface comprising at least one of a Third Generation Project Partnership (3GPP) compliant interface and/or an interface utilizing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation scheme;
      
      an transportation-theme based application computer program rendered in a Java-based programming language and configured to receive the at least one message and utilize at least the at least portion of the location-related data to provide the service.
  - 199. The method of claim 194, wherein the causing transmission of the at least one message to the remote entity comprises transmitting the at least one message substantially automatically based at least on receipt of an electronic message originated from the remote entity.
  - 200. The method of claim 194, wherein the transmission of the at least one message to the remote entity comprises transmitting the at least one message to an electronic network proxy agent, the electronic network proxy agent being a proxy agent for the user, the electronic network proxy agent configured to transmit one or more messages to the remote entity, the one or more message transmitted to the remote entity comprising at least a portion of the at least portion of location-related data based on the then-current location provided with the at least one message received by the electronic proxy agent from the mobile computerized electronic apparatus, the proxy agent further configured to access cloud-based account data specific to the user and previously supplied so as to enable provision of the service to the user.
  - 201. The method of claim 194, wherein:
    - the mobile computerized electronic apparatus further comprises a capacitive touch-screen input and display device in data communication with the digital processing apparatus, the input device being part of the capacitive touch-screen input and display device; and
      
      the at least one computer program is configured to generate one or more soft function keys on a display of the capacitive touch screen input and display device, the one or more soft function keys enabling the user to provide a user input by way of one or more touches of one or more areas of the display corresponding to respective ones the one or more soft functions keys, the input causing at least instantiation of a window or display element via an application computer program running on the remote entity.
  - 202. The method of claim 194, wherein the service comprises a service provided at least in part by an automobile transportation modality, the service comprising providing data enabling the user to physically interface with the transportation modality.
  - 203. The method of claim 202, further comprising generating at, and transmitting from, the mobile computerized electronic apparatus, at least one message indicating an estimated time of completion of a service being provided relating to the transportation modality.
  - 204. The method of claim 203, wherein the service being provided relating to the transportation modality comprises at least one of a testing service or a maintenance service.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Litigation Data

Current Assignee
West View Research LLC
Original Assignee
West View Research LLC
Inventors
Gazdzinski, Robert F., Gazdzinski, Mark J.
Primary Examiner(s)
Kim, Ahshik

Application Number

US14/606,959
Publication Number

US 20150242808A1
Time in Patent Office

427 Days
Field of Search

235/383, 235/384, 235/375
US Class Current

1/1
CPC Class Codes

G04G 21/025   for measuring physiological...

G04G 21/04   using radio waves radio-con...

G04G 21/06   using voice

G06K 19/07762   the adhering arrangement ma...

G06K 7/10297   arrangements for handling p...

G06K 7/10366   the interrogation device be...

G06K 7/10425   the interrogation device be...

G06Q 10/02   Reservations, e.g. for tick...

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

G06Q 10/083   Shipping

G06Q 10/0832   Special goods or special ha...

G06Q 10/0833   Tracking

G06Q 20/14   specially adapted for billi...

G06Q 20/18   involving self-service term...

G06Q 20/204   comprising interface for re...

G06Q 20/32   using wireless devices

G06Q 20/327   Short range or proximity pa...

G06Q 20/3278   RFID or NFC payments by mea...

G06Q 20/363   with the personal data of a...

G06Q 20/405   Establishing or using trans...

G07B 17/00193 : Constructional details of a...

G07B 17/00314 : Communication within appara...

G07B 2017/00225 : Vending machine or POS (Poi...

G07B 2017/00322 : Communication between compo...

G07F 17/0014 : for vending, access and use...

G07F 17/10 : for means for safe-keeping ...

G07F 17/13 : the containers being a post...

G07F 9/0235 : the arrangements being full...

G07G 1/009 : the reader being an RFID re...

H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of th...

H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles

H04W 4/02 : Services making use of loca...

H04W 4/80 : Services using short range ...

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Portable computerized wireless apparatus

First Claim

1 Assignment

Litigations

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

351 Citations

204 Claims

Specification

Use Cases

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Portable computerized wireless apparatus

First Claim

1 Assignment

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Subscription Required

Litigations

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

351 Citations

204 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Use Cases

Quick Links

Others