14 DAY TRIAL // A report points out to a new Apple patent published by the US Patent & Trademark Office for “Dynamic Presentation of Location-Specific Information.” Basically, it's an improved overview of the “Now playing” service Apple earlier implemented for iPhone owners buying their coffee at Starbucks, the report says.
According to unwired view, Apple has undoubtedly seen some potential in the concept of following the content that is being played from a local cache. Sensing that competitors such as Palm or Nokia might want to use this method to attract more profits, Apple decided to patent the invention which also includes beaming the associated info to Apple portables via a local Wi-Fi network. Icons or store logos may also appear on the iPhone, at which point the customer may want to get additional information about a certain song, for instance, or even an option to buy it. “This can easily be tied in with various promotions, e.g. buy an additional coffee and get one song free, etc; and other things,” unwired view suggests.
From the US Patent & Trademark Office, the “abstract” description of the invention reveals the following:
Dynamic Presentation of Location-Specific Information
Abstract
Improved approaches to allow a portable electronic device to dynamically present location-specific information while the portable electronic device is at a predetermined location are disclosed. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device has a display that can display the location-specific information and has wireless capabilities for use in receiving the location-specific information from the server. The location-specific information can, for example, augment other information that is to be presented on the display. In one embodiment, the location-specific information can be information pertaining to a media item being played in an establishment, such as a store, where the portable electronic device is located.
Also from the patent application, Apple believes “One advantage of the invention is that patrons of establishments can dynamically receive store-based information while at the establishments. Store-based information facilitates user experience and can also facilitate locating associated media content from an online media store.”
Inventors credited are Mirrashidi; Payam; (San Francisco, CA); Strand; Tyler A.; (Palo Alto, CA); Miller; Mark; (San Francisco, CA); Verosub; Ellis M.; (San Carlos, CA); Hwang; Yoon Sub; (Alameda, CA).
The patent was filed September 4, 2007, but has only been published today.