Google gains patent for location-based mobile alerts
updated 12:04 pm EDT, Wed June 6, 2012
Patent suggests changing phone messages by GPS coordinates
Google has patented location-based message alerts. The patent, filed in September and granted yesterday, details a way for various messages on a mobile device to offer different information depending on location. If Google makes software based on the patent itself, it can see Android devices becoming more location-aware, changing functionality based on where a device thinks it is.
Using both network address data and GPS coordinates, a system can tailor certain functions differently. An alarm to wake up the user could automatically change when it is triggered depending on if it is at home or at a different location, for example. By measuring if the handset has been moved more than 15 feet and taking inputs from gyroscope data, it can avoid going to snooze mode and prevent another secondary alarm from triggering. The filing also suggests that information such as taxi availability and the status of flights could be brought onscreen if it detects transit between locations.
With the location of the device known, it could be possible for the handset to check the recently launched Public Alerts platform for Google Maps, and automatically alert the user to emergencies in their area. [via Engadget]
