Apple’s Innovative Lead with Location-Based Content Patent

Apple’s latest filing (US Patent 20080113614), entitled “Personal media devices with wireless communication,” details benefits of location-based content, which is surely one of the coolest features that might come to the iPhone and iPod Touch.

The proposed concept would incorporate one or more routers connected to a “local server” over a wired or wireless network at a business. Local server would be connected to one or more routers, such as an AirPort Extreme, and it would be operative to receive and process data from the iPhone and iPod touch devices  to fulfill a user request.

For example, assuming the establishment is a restaurant, local server 1010 may provide a menu to media device 1020. A user may choose contents in the menu for an order by interfacing with device 1020 and submit the order to local server 1010 when complete. Local server 1010 may then process that order upon receipt…. in a restaurant, each table may include a docking station… when a user places an order… the merchant may know which table placed the order.

Another benefit of localized content would enable user preferences. For example, If a user has a dietary restriction (e.g., diabetic) or prefers to eat vegan food, the menu may be customized such that only the food the user is permitted to eat or prefers to eat is provided on the menu. The user preference profile may be uploaded to the merchant server, which may generate a custom menu to be provided to the personal media device.

Automatic ordering or selection may occur when the user knows in advance what item or items he or she typically orders from a particular establishment. For example, a user may prefer a decaffeinated coffee with cream, but no sugar.

Specific content may be played based on a detected geographic location of a media device. Let’s say you are passing by a theatre and you catch a wireless signal with information on upcoming shows, ticket prices, movie trailers… you name it. Local content in this example could also include music, soundtracks, and movies for purchase from content source, including podcasts with director’s commentary, showtime schedule, advertisements, or any other suitable information. Here is another example by Apple:

A concert or music venue may provide content including, for example, music, setlists, virtual cards, website information, schedule information (e.g., for upcoming shows at the venue), graphics (e.g., album art, pictures of the band members, etc.), ticket sales (e.g., provide user option to purchase tickets in advance), general information relating to the concert, or any other information.

Other examples of location-based content may be provided in connection with a tourist attraction (e.g., a museum or zoo) and a transportation hub (e.g., an airport, bus station, or train station). The possibilities are limitless, and they don’t come as a surprise - since Apple’s innovative mind continues to come up with the best innovations in the industry.