Aliso Viejo’s Networks in Motion announced today that it was awarded a patent that will let the company expand its location-based search services to include user reviews of businesses.
The patent, No. 7,321,826 for “Point of Interest Spatial Rating Search Method and System,” allows for searching based on location on a GPS-enabled device, while also using sub-categorical searches such as finding “seafood” within “Mexican food.” According to the U.S. Patent Office, Networks in Motion filed for the patent June 8, 2006, and it was awarded Jan. 22. More details gleaned from the patent:
The technology will help in “finding the best restaurant, or for finding a specific book in a highly rated bookstore in the surrounding area.”
The patent appears (see image at bottom right from the patent) to be designed for an in-car navigation device, rather than a mobile phone. But, the application could be under development for both.
The searching offered by Networks in Motion would allow finding by food, decor, service, food and location - information generated by the businesses and users who would rank various businesses on a Web site that we hope is also available on mobile phones.
This information to be accessed in real-time if an Internet connection is available or also through stored information when no Internet connection is established.
Franchise or chain stores would be connected allowing for a search for “best rated Best Buy stores in California.”
The company has already rolled out some applications related to the patent in the company’s navigation and local search applications such as a AAA guidebook and the Atlasbook navigation (seen at top left). This patent is one of 50 patents and patent applications held by the company that are directed to location-based technology, including navigational functions, search features, social networking using GPS-enabled devices, and others.“There are endless opportunities for creating unique applications using GPS-enabled devices and we look forward to continuing to bring innovative products to our customers, using the patents we have in place, to help them navigate their lives,”said Doug Antone, president and CEO of Networks In Motion.
A recent report from Nielsen Mobile says that Networks In Motion in Aliso Viejo was responsible for more than half of the revenue generated by “location-based” wireless programs last quarter.
In other recent news, the company announced yesterday that it has formed a “think tank” to explore technologies beyond its current focus on navigation and local-search services for GPS-enabled cell phones. For more on that news, click here.
