WO2001080499A2

WO2001080499A2 - System and method for the provision of services for communities based on cellular phones and mobile terminals

Info

Publication number: WO2001080499A2
Application number: PCT/IL2001/000360
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oded Napchi; Ariel Napchi; Ronny Golan
Original assignee: Valis Limited
Priority date: 2000-04-18
Filing date: 2001-04-18
Publication date: 2001-10-25
Also published as: WO2001080499A3; AU2001252505A1

Abstract

A communication system for determining the location of users and for further using the users location information for the generation and transmission of communication data required by a plurality of users sharing common interests. The system (23) includes a wireless communication network and a plurality of user terminals (44) having a user interface providing wireless communication capabilities through the wireless communication network. Each terminal is configured to generate a query (24) and for further transmission of the query to a query processor apparatus. The user terminal is further configured to receive from the query apparatus query results (32) and providing them as an output. The query processor apparatus (26) being responsive to the query for processing the query results on the basis of information regarding user's location provided from a user location device that coupled to data communication bus coupled to a central processing unit. The central processing unit delivers, through the data bus, communication data stream that include user's location data. The user location device is configured to extract the user location data.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES BASED ON CELLULAR PHONES AND MOBILE TERMINALS

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mobile computer terminals,

PDA and cellular phone systems and, in particular, to location related services

available to cellular communities.

In order to understand the field of the invention, one should be familiar

with general background regarding the Internet, virtual communities, and New

Media.

Many experts see "New Media" as the future of electronic

entertainment. By "New Media" people generally mean the Internet and

interactive television. According to Don Tapscott, author of the "Digital

Economy" and "Growing up Digital", the evolution of New Media progresses

through three stages:

the information stage, the community stage and the gaming stage.

The information stage dominates the early days of New Media. Articles,

news, academic papers and general info were the first items published as static

contents via the Internet. However, the medium qualities, and especially its interactive potential, enabled more complex uses. Bulletin Board Services

(BBSs), where users could publish information and get other users' responses,

were one of the first interactive contents. Newsgroups and real time chats (IRC)

are some more examples for using the interactivity ability. These services and

others, based on the interactive quality, helped to develop the concept of virtual

communities, which today are the dominant source to generation of interactive

content. A virtual community is a community of people sharing common

interests, ideas, and feelings over collaborative networks, and particularly, the

web.

Nowadays, the Internet has established itself in the community stage and

is in the process of developing into the games stage (with successes such as

Ultima On-line, Sega Sites etc.).

Successful Internet sites (such as Geocites, Yahoo, Excite, etc.) have

built large communities using community tools such as chat forums, news

groups, instant messengers, etc. and expertise in community building to

develop their clientele. Once these communities are established, they form a

"captive audience" for future applications offered by the site owner.

Little attention has been given, yet, to the potential of cellular phones as

an independent form of New Media. Cellular users represent a very large

potential market. IDC estimates that there are 1,300 cellular networks

worldwide and that potentially there will be one billion worldwide users in the

year 2003. In the cellular media, technology is currently in the information stage.

The user can obtain information such as general news, financial information,

sport results, entertainment information, and lottery results. Additional services

include access to an encyclopedia and an English dictionary, arithmetic

calculations, a personalized horoscope prediction, and weather forecasts

worldwide (these services are available by companies as GoSMS.com and

Sonera). To date, some companies have started offering simple cellular

applications for the community stage, however they do not supply a whole

package of services that has a conceptual mutual theme. There are some chat

companies, or cellular games, but no comprehensive solution on the level of an

integrated system and method are known that offer such required cellular

communication cervices for defined users' communities with location services

built-in.

Present known solutions combine location data only technically, they do

not design it conceptually as part of their system, but only enable a connection

to an external location server designed and managed by another entity.

There has been much publicity surrounding the future migration of the

Internet to wireless net in the form of cellular phones and PDA's. Many

companies are working on developing applications which will enable users to

"hook" into the world wide web using their cell phones or PDA's in the same

manner in which they use the Internet at home, while utilizing services of

virtual communities as well. This approach has two drawbacks: • It is based on the premise that the content of community

tools used for developing communities on the Internet is

appropriate for building communities on cellular networks; and

• It allows slow development of community-related

applications, since it is dependent on the completion of the WAP

protocol, available since the year 2001. Nevertheless WAP

enabled communication services and cellular communication

terminals are in general too expensive for teenagers, and WAP

did not find its place as the leading cellular technology, as it was

expected by the technology community to be. Many experts

consider it as a transit technology to the next generation of

protocols and networks. In addition, the use of WAP initially will

enable using the application only when connected to the Internet

through an ISP (during which time, the user will not be able to

receive or initiate phone calls).

Internet community building tools expose the weaknesses of the cellular

media. In order to be fully effective, Internet tools require high bandwidth and

relatively large displays with high quality resolution. Today, the cellular media

is characterized by low bandwidth, small displays and low quality display

resolution.

More importantly, Internet community building tools do not fully utilize

the unique attributes of the cellular media. Advantages of the cellular media

include the following: it is location-based (meaning that the user can always be located), it is always on the user and users are accustomed to paying for

services (as opposed to the Internet).

Based on the above information, which emphasizes contents concept,

one can focus on the factors of the suggested patent, which provides a technical

solution to the discussed content approach.

There are two basic factors to this invention: the ability to locate cellular

phone users, and the ability to offer unique services (especially social) to a

community of cellular phone subscribers.

Various attempts have been made to execute the first factor, the ability

to determine an exact location of cellular phones, for different purposes.

Location of vehicles equipped with cellular phones is the most common usage

of this ability. Janky et al. discuss in U.S. Pat. No. 5777580 method and

apparatus for determining vehicle present location using a location

determination system (LDS), such as GPS, GLONASS, Loran or an inertial

navigation system, that receives LDS signals from two or more sources. An

LDS signal antenna and receiver/processor, an interrogation signal (IS) receiver

means and IS responder means are electrically connected and carried on the

vehicle. When a vehicle trigger event occurs, a specified vehicle is broadcast

and is received by the IS receiver means. The IS receiver means causes the

LDS receiver/processor to obtain vehicle present location information and to

provide such information for the IS responder means, for transmission to an IS

contact receiver (selected based upon vehicle present location). The IS receiver

means and IS responder means are independently selected to be a cellular phone receiver, a paging signal receiver, a WAN/LAN workstation, or an

Earth-satellite-Earth radio-wave link, such as ORBCOMM.SM. Optionally, the

LDS receiver/processor is kept in a "sleeper" mode, to conserve power until the

IS receiver receives and responds to the specified IS, or is periodically

activated to update the LDS antenna present location. Presence of the LDS

equipment, IS receiver means and/or IS responder means are concealed on the

vehicle. In another embodiment, a trigger event sensor is positioned on the

vehicle and the responder means is caused to transmit to the vehicle present

location information when a vehicle trigger event occurs, such as unauthorized

movement of or entry into the vehicle, or collision of the vehicle. Song, in U.S.

Pat. No. 5208756 discloses a vehicle locating and navigating system operating

in conjunction with a cellular telephone network. A small, hidden device

located in a vehicle is activated through DTMF signals transmitted from any

telephone station. Upon activation, the device determines the power at which

normally transmitted control channels are received from several base stations

of the network. Based upon these determinations, the device then calculates the

distance between the vehicle and each of the base stations and, using

triangulation or arculation, determines the location of the vehicle. The location

information is transmitted through a voice synthesizer back to the telephone

station from which the activation signal is received, or to a different telephone

station dedicated to receive this information. The location information also is

transmitted digitally to a central station where the position of the vehicle is

displayed on a computer screen along with a graphical representation of a map of the region served by the cellular telephone network. An operator at the

central station can assist the vehicle's operator with navigational information or

provide tracking coordinates to a tracking vehicle equipped with a similar

device.

CT Motion offers location-based services by using The Cellebrity™

platform in order to locate field workers (http://www.ctmotion.co.il).

The second factor; services provided to a community of subscribers, is

common in other media, and especially, the Internet. Virtual communities are a

major player in the electronic entertainment industry, and as such, they offer

unique services, particularly for social purposes. Internet products, such as: ICQ

by IOL, and Yahoo Messenger by Yahoo! provide services for virtual

communities by using the Internet online quality. Subscribers are notified when

peers are online. They can send instant messages to online peers. They can have

group conversations. They can leave messages on web pages they browsed at.

Tn all of the mentioned products, the community issue is of a primary

importance.

Considering all the above, there is thus a widely recognized need for a

system and a method geared and dedicated to the construction and maintenance

of users' communities using mobile communication terminals. Specifically the

offered solution should be tailored to address the advanced technical

capabilities of modern mobile computer terminals and their communication

systems in general and the cellular telephony communication media in

particular. GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION

It would be highly advantageous to have a solution that enables cellular

service providers to create and manage tailor-made or scope of interest oriented

cellular communities using as an integral part of the service location-based or

location information oriented for the generation of the required applications.

The community members would preferably share other common subjects of

interest, which will be stored in the service provider database. This data can be

further used to facilitate direct communication between users having common

interests and in most application use location based information as an integral

part of facilitating such direct communication between such users.

The preferred solution should enable such services while using at least

the related mobile terminal interconnecting networks, that are characterized by

having low communication bandwidth.

An embodiment of the present invention described in figure 1. of the

invention detailed description provides a system and method for facilitating

services to communities of cellular phones subscribers, based on their location

and common subjects of interest.

The present invention refers to a need of cellular phone users to locate

peers in or out of their vicinity in general, with or without a reference to a

particular user. In accordance with another embodiment of the present

invention the cellular phone system comprises a data base of subscribers' peers

list and preferences, a query processor, a sub-system providing information regarding subscribers' location, and user interface which enables creating

queries and presenting replies. When a subscriber is interested in locating a

peer in his vicinity, he activates the cellular phone system through a user

interface component. This initiates a relevant query, regarding location of

peers. The query processor component processes the request, while using the

data base component and the sub-system which provides information regarding

subscribers' location. Eventually, the system provides the subscriber an output

of his request through the user interface. The sub-system, providing

information regarding subscribers' location, can be received alternatively by a

few methods. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a dedicated

location server system is used. The server system comprises a Call Description

Record ("CDR") parser: a component which filters information regarding

subscribers' ID and cell ID, including in it the user location, out of an extended

call profile (this component is originally used for billing purposes). The server

also comprising of a data base component that stores subscribers' ID and

location information, and an initiator component, which consists of a clock and

a CDR trigger. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, when

using a clock that its cycle rate can be controlled by the communication system

operator, or remotely through the Internet, all according to the location

accuracy required and system communication overhead constraints, the initiator

initiates a CDR trigger to all subscribers. The trigger is unnoticeable by the

subscribers. Following the trigger, a CDR that contains information regarding

the call, is created, and is received by the cellular company server. This server sends CDRs of subscribers, and other users of the cellular company, to the

CDR parser component within one embodiment of the present invention

dedicated location server. The CDR parser component filters relevant

information out of the CDR (subscriber's ID and cell ID), including the users

location for subscribers only, and stores it in the data base component. The

result is updated information regarding the location of all system subscribers.

It should be noticed that the commonly used and a most standard mode

of operation of the users location finding by the cellular communication service

provider systems is the initiation of such information once for every call,

usually at the beginning of the call initiation process. Such a slow location data

updating rate and the related system mode of operation is note adequate as for

the wide range of applications that are connected to the use of the user's

location data for uses different then the user account billing for the specific

call, due to location of the user during that call. For the applications connected

with some if not most of the present invention embodiments the used location

data is needed to be more precise and frequently updated and therefore the

location measurement refresh rate should be in the order of as several minutes

typical clock rate. The location updating refreshment rate, controlled by the

invention CDR trigger through the CDR generating clock, can be controlled at

any point of the system operation through the cellular communication control

system or by using a remote control panel through the Internet as explained in

the following section. The CDR fresh location data generating clock rate (

cycle time) and the derived momentary user location data accuracy, may be changed in the time range varying from seconds to hours and is limited only by

the operational and data handling constraints of the specific cellular

communication system used for the application.

One embodiment of the present invention system offers a wide range of

applications that has a preferably but not necessarily, very specific target group

- the teenagers (ages 12-25). The embodiment range of applications creates and

manages a community of teens, all applications are using the same mobile

community management communication system as the community operational

platform and all users are connected to the same location server and database.

The teens as a general rule of behavior, are less caring and sensitive as for their

privacy but demand a rich and original content. The teenagers may use the

system to find the exact location of their mates, connect them either by voice or

data messages, chat to them, use the location-based dating system or play

multi-user location-based games.

The present invention system operates as a new medium for teens. Games can

be added to the system, as well as advanced features. The teenagers focus

group demands a special approach in developing applications, language of

commands and operational requirements.

The following are general descriptions of control oriented applications in

relation to embodiments of the present invention, wherein the ability of the

invention system to create and manage a large variety of applications oriented

to cellular community activities, is explained and briefly detailed. Privacy management system:

Since location information of at least one user is given to other users in the

system, a special privacy management system is be supported by its users. In

that way, each user can control his filtering level in each given moment

towards all the users in the system, or define a specific and different filter

towards each one of the users, as he likes.

By one embodiment of the invention there are 5 basic levels of exposure, the

user can control:

1. freeze - a special state, in which no location is available on the

user. Can be defined toward all users or toward specific users.

The operation of this state is easy and very accessible.

2. mazed by - the "mazed by" is a special list in which the user can

view, at all times, all the users, which have him on their private

buddy-lists (after he gave his early approval). The user can decide

3. to delete mates from this list whenever he wishes.

4. demazed - another virtual state which can be defined towards all

the mates or specifically towards one user. This state indicates

that the user has no really intension to communicate and he is in a

bad mood. He can be located, however.

5. mazed - the default state, in which the user uses the system and

would like to communicate with his old mates, or find new ones.

The user can be located. 6. crazed - total exposure state, in which the user tells all, some or

one of the other users that he is eager to communicate. Off

course, in this state location is available at any time.

The invention privacy application if of course not bounded by the above

offered selection of levels of exposures and may be applied in other levels and

limitations of exposure.

Relative distance:

Whenever a user of the system chooses to view the list of his mates, either the

known ones, which were added by him to his private buddy lists, or new

anonymous mates, whom he wants to address, he could check the relative

distance between him and them.

The system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention divides the

user's proximity to 3 sectors:

Very close- within the nearest distance sector.

Moderate sector - within the medium distance sector.

Far sector - within the far distance sector.

This would be determined by the system by checking the locations of both

users and comparing that data. Location distance and its measurement level of

accuracy may be limited to the typical size of the cell area diameter in some

applications, according to one embodiment of the invention. In other

applications according to another embodiment of the invention it may be of

improved distance measurement accuracy due to improved user location methods used by cellular system operators. Such methods may based on

triangulation techniques used for location of the user within the communication

cell area. In more advanced systems, based on the use of location sensors like

GPS to locate the user location in world coordinates, typical accuracy levels of

10-20 meters or better, can be achieved depending on the GPS sensor used.

A special graphic or iconic tool would represent that information to the

user, either on the mobile/PDA terminal or on the web platform.

Another embodiment of the present invention is the Game club.

The Game club is the community zone of various game players using the

present invention system.

The Game club has at least the following 5 major features:

1. Find online game partners - based on location, or not.

2. Subscribe for the SMS update service - the user will receive

SMS messages with info, suggestions and news about games.

3. Read game news.

4. Online chat - about games.

5. Game forums.

The invention game application selected embodiment if of course not bounded

by the above offered selection of game oriented applications and the invention

may be applied in other game oriented applications.

Note the difference between chat and forums: in chat users are sending

messages and reading them on-line, and these messages are for the chat

participants only. Forums are more like notice board - users can write longer

messages and leave them for others to read, or read other users' messages. The game club system and method application is designed to be the place for

users that are interested in games, or just want to find a partner for a game

(whether quick or long term). Unlike the main feature of another class games,

which are designed especially for groups of old friends, this application section

is for playing games against random opponents.

Every game community can be divided into two: the casual gamers, playing

games when they have spare time, and the 'hardcore' gamers - spending a lot

of time playing games. In the game club both can find their needs - the casual

gamers can play quick games, like Trivia, chosen one or checkers, and the

'hardcore' gamers can exchange information about games and arrange groups

for long term games, like role-playing games such games are presently known

to the public under the generic name Dungeons and Dragons.

The Management console:

The management console is a special tool, designed to remotely create and

change game parameters of the present invention game embodiments.

In such a typical application of any of the invention embodiments the game

operator enters the console through the Internet communication network, using

any kind of Internet communication terminal and can create and start a game

and further manage the parameters of an on going game. The game operator

may set all or part of the game typical operational and definitional parameters,

such as number of players, location of players, etc as well as date, time, etc. The game operator can also send SMS messages through the cellular

communication network to all system users, or to all the players of the specific

game.

In the management console there is also a database of all the users that played

games, sorted by game name.

Every user of the present invention system may get a limited access to the

management console, and then set a private game for himself or for himself and

a selected group of his friends.

The advantage from the user's point of view is obvious - he can play with his

friend only, and set the game according to their internal language and humor.

In some games the user can access the management console and set a private

game through his handsets.

According to the present invention there is provided communication

system for determining the location of users and for further using the

users location information for the generation and transmission of

communication data required by at least one of a plurality of users

sharing common interests, comprising: (a) a wireless communication

network; (b) a plurality of user terminals having a user interface

providing wireless communication capabilities through said wireless

communication network; each terminal is configured at least to generate

a query and for further transmission of said query to a query processor apparatus; said user terminal is further configured to receive from said

query apparatus query results and providing them as an output; (c ) the

query processor apparatus being responsive to said query for processing

said query results on the basis of at least: (i) information regarding

user's location provided from a user location device that is associated

with a data communication bus coupled to a central processing unit; the

central processing unit delivers, through said data bus, communication

data stream that include user's location data; said user location device is

configured to extract said user location data; (ii) subscribers data

including registered users peers list and preferences stored in a

subscribers database.

According to the present invention there is provided communication

method for determining the location of users and for further using the

users location information for the generation and transmission of

communication data required by at least one of a plurality of users

sharing common interests, comprising: (a) receiving a query from a user

terminal; (b) processing said query to obtain query results on the basis

of at least information regarding user's location users peers list and

preferences; and (c) outputting said query results to said user. According to the present invention there is provided communication

method for determining the location of users and for further using the

users location information for the generation and transmission of

communication data required by at least one of a plurality of users

sharing common interests, comprising: (a) receiving a query from a user

terminal; (b) processing said query to obtain query results on the basis

of at least information regarding user's location users peers list and

preferences; outputting said query results to said user; and conducting

and managing a treasure hunt electronic game utilizing at least said

users location.

According to the present invention there is provided communication method for determining the location of users and for further using the users location information for the generation and transmission of communication data required by at least one of a plurality of users sharing common interests, comprising: (a) receiving a query from a user terminal; (b) processing said query to obtain query results on the basis of at least information regarding user's location users peers list and preferences; (c) outputting said query results to said user; and (d) conducting and managing a mobile terminal based electronic monopoly game for purchasing and management of real estate properties game utilizing at least said users location. GLOSSARY

The following is a glossary of some terms, commonly used names and specific

applications or invention embodiment titles, which will be used in the

description below:

AOA - Angle Of Arrival - A way to determine the position of a cellular phone

by finding the angle of the radio waves from 3 or more antennas.

CDR - Call Description Record - A file that holds billing information on a

specific action of the cellular phone.

FindExact - one embodiment of the invention for the generation of users'

location data, based on information derived from the Cellular service provider

billing sub-system.

GPS - Global Positioning System - A way to determine the position of a

suitable item by computing the angle from 3 or more satellites.

ISP - Internet Service Provider

MexE - A cellular protocol based on Java.

Multipath positioning method - A way to determine the position of a cellular

phone.

PDA - Personal Digital Assistant - A handheld device that combines

computing, telephone/fax, and networking features.

Push - delivery of information that is initiated by a server rather than by the

information user or users, as it usually is. SMS - Short Message Service - A service for sending messages of up to 160

characters to, and from, mobile phones.

STK - SIM Tool Kit - A GSM protocol that enables the network to interact

with the phone's SIM card.

TO A - Time Of Arrival - A way to determine the position of a cellular phone

by computing the time differences of the radio wave from 3 or more antennas.

WAP - Wireless Application Protocol - a specification for a set of

communication protocols to standardize the way that wireless devices can be

used for Internet access.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with

reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the system illustrating also the related

method steps for providing services for cellular communities, in accordance

with the teachings of one embodiment the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the method for providing services for

cellular communities, in accordance with one embodiment of the present

invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for operating the dedicated

location server, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG 4 is a flow diagram of a method for processing data by the query

processor component, within the system, in accordance with one embodiment

of the present invention;

FIG 5 is a flow diagram of a method for CDR parsing by the CDR

parser component, within the dedicated location server, in accordance with one

embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the system illustrating also the related

method steps for providing services for cellular communities implementing the

findExact enhancement to the system, in accordance with one embodiment of

the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates in a schematic block diagram the present invention one

embodiment of the location server and its connection structure to the cellular

service provider central communication control system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram describing one embodiment of the present

invention system and method related to the management of a specific

community zone of a teenagers.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram describing another application of the present

invention system, focused on the applications related to Chats and forums, in

accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates another application of the present invention system that is

hereby is defined as the T-hunt (treasure hunt), which is a location based

treasure hunting game for mobile terminal users, in accordance with one

embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates in a block diagram another application of the present

invention system - this application is a mobile terminal based electronic

monopoly location based game, in accordance with one embodiment of the

present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates in a block diagram another family of applications of the

present invention system - this common element to the games in this game

family is that they are role playing adventure games, wherein the dynamically

controlled and monitored location of the player or players, is an essential element in the conduction of the game, in accordance with one or more

embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 13 illustrates graphically the console panel of the treasure hunt game in

accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is of mobile and portable computer terminals and

cellular phone based systems, which provides location-based services to mobile

users of cellular communities and alike. Specifically, the present invention can

be used to facilitate cellular phone users information on their whereabouts and

enabling the connection with their peers, within or out of the user vicinity, on a

basis of common interests.

The principles and operation of the present invention system and method

according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to

the drawings and the accompanying description.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block

diagram of one embodiment of a system and method providing services for

cellular communities. A subscriber of the system initiates a request 24 for

information or details updating, via a user interface 22. The system operation

sequence starts when a query/update request 24 is sent to the system 23, and is further processed by the query processor component 26. In order to execute the

operation, the query processor 26 access subscribers' and peers' info database

34 and location database 60. When the process of the data is terminated, the

query processor 26 sends a reply 32 to the subscriber, via the user interface 22.

System block diagram 23 illustrates one possible embodiment solution of an

integration of a dedicated server subsystem 37 for the generation of

continuously updated users' location data. Such users' location data can be also

received from other location generation sources, such as: AOA, GPS, STK,

WAP, and more. System 23 describes in further details the composing modules

of sub system 37, in this embodiment a dedicated location server 37 is used.

The main advantage of this location server 37 and its operational mode lies in

the fact that in the normal way of operation of a cellular communication system

center the users' location information is generated at the beginning of each user

call, it is then extracted and stored in the core of the communication server,

being one example of a central processing unit. Access to this information is

problematic from operational and security reasons for third party specific

application service providers. In this embodiment detailed herewith the users'

location data is extracted in a different way that does not need any access to, or

interfere with the cellular communication system center. The location server

37 includes 3 modules: an initiator 38, a CDR parser 56, and location data base

60. The initiator module 38 includes 2 sub-module elements: a clock 40, and a

CDR trigger 42. The clock 40 activates the CDR trigger 42 repeatedly. The

trigger 42, which is a data packet, is sent to all system 23 subscribers' cellular phones 44 through the cellular communication system main server 52 and

antemia 48. (for the simplicity of description drawing 1 shows CDR trigger 42

output directly transmitted to the subscribers 44) . List of subscribers 36 is

accessible from the subscribers and peer's info database 34. When subscribers

44 receive the trigger 42 initiated by the initiator module 38 and sent to them

through the cellular company server 52 through the antenna unit 48, they react

by sending a CDR message 50, back to the cellular server 52. The improved

user location information is required to update frequently the location of each

system user, if he belongs to the monitored users' community (subscribers) and

for further using this improved user's location accuracy to generate

applications and games wherein the users need this improved location accuracy

to participate in the development or conduction of their part in the application .

In parallel one should note that as an integral part of the general cellular

communication system 23 operation, subscribers 44 and other cellular phone

users 45 send CDRs 47 for every action committed via the cellular phone. The

triggered CDRs 46 at typical software controlled clock rates of 3-60 CDR

triggers per hour and the normally and routinely generated CDRs 47, are all

collected and transmitted via the cellular phone company's antennas 48 to a

cellular company server 52. Therefore, the cellular company server 52 receives

many CDRs, from different cellular phones, of the same cellular company. The

server 52 sends all CDRs 54 to the dedicated location server subsystem 37

through the CDR parser component 56. The parser 56 filters the users and

handles subscribers' CDRs only, by accessing the subscribers and peers info database 34. For all system subscribers only, the CDR parser 56 extracts

process relevant data and stores it for further use this data is also related to the

continuously updated location data covering the subscriber-user ID and cell ID

with its related location data 58, all to be stored in the location database 60. The

main advantage of the mode of operation of the present invention location

server 37 lies in the user cell ID data location extraction operational mode,

wherein this data is extracted by listening to the data stream exchanged

between the cellular company server 52 and its billing server ( shown in figure

7. Following) carried on data bus 54, thus without having to access the internal

core of cellular server 52, an operational demand practically rejected by most

cellular communication service operators.

Figure 2 illustrates a flow-chart diagram the method steps for providing

information services for cellular communities subscribers according to one

embodiment of the present invention. In block 25, a system subscriber initiates

a request in order to locate a peer or to update personal preferences in the

system via the user interface. In block 27, the system processes the request

while using subscribers and location data, by accessing subscribers' and peers'

info data base 34, and location data base 60. In block 33, When processing

stage is completed, the system provides relevant information to the subscriber.

Figure 3, is a flow-chart diagram describing the method steps for

operating the dedicated location server to generate updated subscribers'

location data. Numbers of all the system functional modules participating in

this process are as described in figure 1. In block 39, a clock 40 activates a CDR trigger 42 repeatedly having software controlled varying clock rates of

typical 3-60 interruptions per hour. That trigger frequency can be even of

higher or lower rates, depending upon the cellular communication system data

flow overhead constraints. In block 43, the CDR trigger 42, which creates a

CDR, is sent to all system subscribers, by accessing the subscribers' list from

the subscribers' and peers' info data base 34. In block 49, cellular phones,

which receive the CDR trigger 42, send a CDR in return, to the cellular

company server 52. In block 53, CDRs from all cellular phone company users

are sent to the system CDR parser 56. In block 55, the CDR parser 56 parses

the subscribers' CDRs only and extracts their present location for further use in

specific interaction applications between these subscribers and between them

and other users. In block 57, the extracted location information is stored for all

system subscribers, in the location database 60.

Figure 4 is a flow diagram, which illustrates the method for processing

data by the query processor component within the system. In block 70, the

system receives a request for a query or for an update from a subscriber, it is

first directed to the Query processor 26. In block 72, the query processor 26

decodes the request. In block 76, the processor 26 identifies the user interface

type (Internet platform, STK, SMS, WAP, voice mail platform, MexE, voice

recognition, packet data platform). In block 76, the query processor 26 executes

the requested commands by accessing the subscribers' and peers' info database

34 and the location database 60. Eventually, in block 78, the query processor

sends back reply to the request initiator. Figure 5 is a flow-chart diagram illustrating the method steps for the

CDR parsing by the CDR parser 56 component as executed within the

dedicated location server 37. In block 80, the CDR parser 56 receives a CDR

from a cellular company server 52. In block 82, the parser searches for user ID

data within the CDR. In block 84, the parser filters out non-subscriber users

and handles subscribers' CDRs only, by accessing the subscribers' and peers'

info database. If the user is not a subscriber as indicated in step 86, the CDR

parser aborts task, as shown in block 88. If the user is a subscriber as indicated

in step 90, the CDR parser searches for cell ID data within the CDR, as shown

in block 92. In block 94, the parser stores for further use all the related

subscribers' ID and the users' present position cell ID in the location database

60.

Figure 6 illustrates in a block diagram the findExact enhancement

subsystem in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, which

enables improved accuracy and faster location data generation by the invention

system. Figure 6 block diagram describes another embodiment of the present

invention system and its related operational method, it is similar to Figure 1,

but with a single addition: from the Query processor 26 a FindExact trigger is

sent to the Initiator 38. The data generated from this trigger, including

momentary location data of the system users, is streamed through the

communication channel 50 and is then collected at location DB 60 and further

managed by the Query processor 26. The Query processor 26 waits for the

required time duration it estimates to take the data to be streamed through the data channels 30 and stored in database 60, or further streamed through

communication data channel 32 to the user interface 22.

Figure 7 illustrates in a schematic block diagram the present invention

preferred embodiment regarding the location server 37, wherein a dedicated

solution is offered regarding the extraction of the localization data and the

related location server 37 connection structure to the cellular service provider

communication system. This preferred embodiment enables simple extraction

and generation of the user's location data by implementing an extraction

process based on location server 37 dedicated logic component 108 listening to

the data communication link between the service provider core system 104 and

its billing sub-system 106. In this preferred embodiment the extraction of the

location information is done by the location server 37 directly from the cellular

service provider communication management system. The location server 37

extracts the users' location data directly from the Billing records. The need to

intervene with the integrated structure of the carrier system core in order to

extract the location data is thus obviated.

The advantage of this location data extraction method is the low exposure

amount by which the cellular service provider internal system and network 104

gets exposed to a 3^rd side entity. Cellular service providers request location

based applications to refrain from penetrating the inner layers of their

communication control network. Using extracted location data from the billing

communication traffic is therefore a preferred solution due to the fact that the

billing records on the other hand are usually sent and can be easily accessed out of the Cellular service providers core system 104, and they include in the

transferred data the location information required by the location server 37.

Figure 7 is a block diagram demonstrating the present invention one preferred

embodiment of generating location data wherein the location server 37 is

hooked to the service provider system 100, while listening and extracting

location data transferred on data bus 102, connecting the service provider core

control sub-system 104 to the billing sub-system 106, through the use of the

location listener module/component 108, which is a functional module of the

CDR parser unit 56 of figure 1. The general data communication traffic on the

data bus 102 contains also data flow of CDR location oriented information.

This information is easily accessible to the location server 37 through the

location listener module/component 108 and it does not interfere in any way

with the regular and normal way of operation of the service provider central

system 100. This solution is a preferred location data extraction method related

to other known location data extraction finding methods due to the fact that the

CDR data is regularly accumulated and transferred from the service provider

core control sub-system 104 to the billing module 106 for various billing

requirements, therefore it can be easily accessed. This preferred solution does

not require the connection of the location server to the cellular service provider

communication management system core. Consequently this solution therefore

does not require, like other prior art solutions, that the service provider system

core will be directly accessed by an external system for the extraction and

processing of location data. Such a prior art solutions require the hazardous direct coupling of a third party location listener and location sever to the

service provider highest security zone that includes the cellular service provider

protected central communication system server core.

The following figure descriptions are covering, in a non limiting way, a

limited number out of a large number of embodiments with application oriented

system structures and their related way of operation, regarding the present

invention system, wherein the system is implemented for the conduction and

management of various specific cellular communities activities while

integrating the users' location data for the best conduction of such community

of users activities. It is also to be understood that the system structures

embodiments described in figures 1-7 are only a limited number of the present

invention system possible structures and configurations.

Figure 8 is a block diagram describing one embodiment of the present

invention system and method related to the location data derived management

of a specific community zone of a teenagers, implementing a preferred

application of the present invention system. In this application the users can

meet other users, based on their location, chat to them, exchange information

and date. This community has two major sections. The first is a dating system

described in this section under figure 8, and the second is a section for

chat-rooms and forums described under the following figure 9. Two symbolic names characterize the participants in such cellular based

coimnunities:

( a ) Maze is where the user has his close buddies, which he knows their phone

numbers.

( b ) Community is where the user meets new anonymous friends who can take

any identity they like, including a false one.

One of the main differences is that in the Maze exact location is given, and in

the Community for natural reasons - only relative distance is given, in order to

protect the privacy of the user.

This community is different from the buddy-list section of the system ( see

above summery of the invention section). Here, the user meets mostly new

anonymous mates and not those, which he added to his main list by typing in

their phone numbers.

Dating system - This is a sophisticated dating mechanism; whereby users

define a profile of themselves by answering a questionnaire, go out searching

for users who fit this profile, and then can add them to a special friends-list.

The location data of such system users is used as an important parameter in the

creation of matching criteria among these users.

The questionnaire is divided in two parts: a. some basic questions defining the

user's gender, age, zodiac, obsessions etc. b. A much more detailed

psychological-oriented questionnaire that defines the user's social type , that

step is demonstrated in action 1. Those questions, which are original and not obvious, let the system figure out

the user's qualities and likes in an indirect and smart way.

Another set of user defining parameters tool is included in action 2 which is an

empty data filling space the user can use to describe his motto in life or any

information he would like to share with other users.

The personal picture action 3 is a picture the user can choose as another

information source of his personality. This picture can be chosen from a gallery

of existing pictures or icons, or brought by the user and scanned into the

system.

The user can view other users' profiles in the lists of new anonymous users,

which are active at present time. Even though he cannot get the exact location

of an anonymous user, he can always get the relative distance of that user from

his own present location zone. More than that, the system includes a special

matching apparatus a user can apply to and get an accurate match in action 4,

which is based on the combination of the users' predefined profiles and their

locations derived from system database server 34.

If the user finds another anonymous user he would like to keep in touch with,

he can add him to a special list - "active friend" marked as action 5, which is

different from his main buddy-list of mates. This special list is specified only

for the specific community, and can be viewed only when the user enters that

section of the system. This list also includes information of the relative

distances of the anonymous users from the user's zone. In the actions 7,8, 9 - The location server 37 gathers information concerning

the location of all subscribers of the system through the network. Location

server holds information of the user's location (actin 8), as well as all the other

users in the community section, action 7.

This information is transferred by the location server 37 to the system server

52 and database and is updated there , action 9.

In actions 5,6 - If the user finds another anonymous user he would like to keep

in touch with, he can add him to a special list ("active friends"), marked as

action 5, which is different from his main buddy-list of mates (see summary

above). This special list is specified only for the specific community, and can

be viewed only when the user enters that section of the system. This list also

includes information of the relative distances of the anonymous users from the

user's zone, information gathered in the database of the system and is presented

to the user on his handset - in action 6.

The personal picture, in action 3 is a picture the user can choose as another

of existing pictures or icons, or brought by the user and scanned into the

system.

The type questionnaires action 1, the free note 2 and the personal picture 3 all

combined, create the full profile of a user, which is saved in the system server

34 and database in a personal profile creation and storage action 10. Figure 9 is a block diagram describing another embodiment of a non

limiting structure and operational mode application of the present invention

system focused on the applications related to Chats and forums.

The other section of the community management application, described in

figure 8 is the chat. Here, here the user can find chat rooms divided to content

subjects such as movies, music, sports, sex etc - step 11.

Another feature of the chat system would be local rooms, step 12, which host

users located in the same zone.

The user can decide either to join an existing room or to create his own room

with the approval of the network's operator, step 13. When entering a room, the

user will be notified of the number of users, which are active at the moment in

that room by step 14.

Due to the present art common limitations of the cellular medium, each room

would host limited number of users (such as 5, in a non limiting way) and if the

number of attendees is greater, the room would be divided automatically to

sub-rooms of the same topic.

The user can than view the profiles of other users and their relative distance

from him by data extracted from the system server demonstrated by step 14.

The user can send a one-to one SMS message to each user in the room, a

one-to-some SMS message to 2 users or more, or a one-to-many SMS message

to the whole room. He can always decide to leave the room and join another. Alternative way of communications is using voice-chat, step 15. Special chat

rooms would be defined for that cause, and the attendees can speak through the

system without really knowing the phone numbers of each other.

A special software module/apparatus that can be integrated to the system may

allow users to exclude an intruder, i.e. a user that disturbs the communications

in the room and is offensive to the other users. The module logic lies in a rule

that If at least a predefined number of users decide to ignore that person, he

would be excluded from the room automatically. In another version of the

system, there would be a censoring artificial agent, which will identify

offending words and deal with users who posted them.

In action blocks 17,18,19 - The location server 37 gathers information

concerning the location of all subscribers of the system through the network.

Location server 37 holds information of the user in block 18, as well as all the

other users in the community section 44.

In action block 17 this information is transferred by the location server 37 to

the system server 52 and the database in 60and is updated there, in action

block 19.

In action blocks 13+16 the user can decide either to join an existing room

(blocks 11,12,15) or to create his own new room. If so, he types in his preferred

topic - step 13. The system will send a message to the user, approving or not

his suggestion for a new room (step 16).

Growth features: As the community develops, the system database can gather

much information about the users and their typical activity. This information can be used as part of the user's profile, as long as he approves it. Such

information could be, for example, the amount of usage of that user which

defines his social activity level.

Another feature is special recommendations section, whereby the users add

updated information of their favorite movies, music etc. That information is

saved in the database. A special engine would provide each user with smart

recommendations, i.e. those who were given by users of a similar profile, with

a big chance of success to suit his taste.

Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of a non limiting structure and operational mode application of the present invention system, that is defined herewith as T-hunt (treasure hunt), which is a users' location data based game for mobile terminal users. There might be invoked two versions of T-hunt: open version, for the whole community, and private version - for small groups of friends.

In order to play, the user must register for the game, by adding a special phone number to his main buddy list. When he does so, he is added to the game database. There are limited number of players per game.

The game course is the same in both versions: the game begins with a message to all the players. This message contains a riddle that directs them to a specific place in the city. In order to progress, they must reach this place, where they will get another riddle, directing them to another place. When the user reaches the place, he uses the 'find' command on the treasure. The system locates him through location server 37, and updates his location in the database, as demonstrated in step 201. The system then sends the user the next clue, but only when it identifies that the user is in the right place, step 202.

In this way the user progresses from place to place in the city or searched area, until he reaches the last place, where he should find the treasure - and win it.

The first who reaches the treasure and finds it - wins it. The game administrator at server 34 can decide that there will be more than one winner - he can set it using the management console.

The user can also detect his relative distance from the treasure using the relative distance icon - he can also change his radius Zone, and see how close he is to the treasure.

The user can also check the previous riddles he received, and check the scoreboard - in order to compare his progress to his opponents, step 203. In the scoreboard he can see how many players are playing the game, and what is the percentage of players in each level (i.e. 70% are in the 3^r base)

Another option is to combine this game with mobile e-commerce, i.e. the user will have to pass through a chain of restaurants, or the treasure will be hidden in one of them.

The prize doesn't necessarily have to be in the 'treasure' place. The players can be asked to combine a code, or answer a question, and only if they succeed, they win the game - and will get the treasure at the producer office.

The game administrator can start and modify games through the management console. He can set the prize, write the riddles, and so on. Users can start their own games using this management console. When a player reaches the place, he uses the "find" command on the treasure. The system locates him on the cellular network through location server 37, as demonstrated in block 205. Then it updates his location in the database, as shown in step 201. Same process is done with all other players of the game. The location server 37 locates them on the network (step 206) and sends the information to the data server (step 201). The system sends the next clue to players in action block 204, only after it identifies that they have reached the right place (= the solution of the previous clue) - as demonstrated in action block 202.

Figure 11 illustrates in a block diagram another embodiment of a non limiting structure and operational mode electronic game application of the present invention system -this application is a mobile terminal based electronic monopoly location supported game It is a location based role playing/adventure game. The idea of the game is to buy areas in the game geographic zone, e.g. the city - but only if the player is physically in this area. When a player walks in the city, he can perform a check on the place he is standing at the moment by first extracting location data from location server 37 and then executing property check by step 305. In this check there are two options: the area is available and the player can buy it, or the area has already been bought, and the player must pay rent to the owner. After he pays the rent, he can try and take over the place - by challenging the owner to a trivia/boxing fight , step 302. The winner gets the area.

Players can pass through bought properties without being noticed (and therefore not to pay rent) - they are noticed only when they use their phone in any way (phoning, receives call or SMS message, trying to check the area availability). Only when he does one of these actions, the system locates him and updates his location in the database 34.

Every area has a detail card, specifying the price of the area, the average number of players going through this area per day and the rent (without and with upgrades).

The player can upgrade the properties he owns, and get extra rent for them. The goal is to own as many areas as possible, earn money - and lead the other players to bankruptcy. The map of the city, divided into areas, is publicized in the in the game's website, so the players will be able to check the details on the areas. The game has a Ηall of fame' section , step 303, with accumulated updating data regarding the players and their profit.

Figure 12 illustrates in a block diagram another embodiment of a non limiting structure and operational mode of an electronic game application of the present invention system -this application is a location based role-playing game:

In the initial phase of this electronic game embodiment the players create their own character; define their skills and preferences, in step 401. In the following game steps they have a mission to complete using their adopted character.

In step 402 there will be ready-made missions that the players will be able to play, alternatively, in step 403 the players will have the tools, using the Internet as the communication network, to create their own adventures and further to publicize and conduct them with other system users.

The adventures will range from simple fighting adventures (groups of soldiers fighting in order to conquer a place, and capture the other soldiers), fantasy adventures (wizards and warriors trying to fight dragons and save their town) and detective adventures (detective tries to solve a mystery case). The common element of all this embodiment including a family of electronic games will be the creation and conduction of adventures games that are location based. Another common game element to all this embodiment games is the demand that the players will have to move from place to place in a city, or in a defined geographic area, wherein the players will pick items and information, as in step 408 and further use their skills, information and the items they picked to interact with other players, in step 407 like talking and fighting with the other game players. In all such embodiment family of games, the players will be able to finish their mission, in more than one possible way. The players will create the adventures using a management console which is a game management tool, supplied to the system users for the required game parameters definition and which is available to the users through a dedicated

Internet web site.

The game is designed in three versions: the user playing with the whole cellular registered users community step 405, for groups of friends, step 404 - and for one player only, step 406.

There can be also a non-location based game embodiment version, which the players will be able to play from home.

A user will be able to invite and role-play with his friends 409, get into an imaginary character and enjoy adventures, while wandering around in the city or a pre-defined geographic area, fighting and collaborating with other players, in step 412. When a player walks in the game territory, he can perform a check on the place

he is standing at the moment (step 301). This location data is extracted from

location server 37 as shown in step 305, and is sent to the system server and

database 34 in step 309. Same process is done with other users: the location

server locates them in the city (step 308) and sends the updated data to the

database (309).

In this check there are two options: the area is available and the player can buy

it (step 306), or the area is already been bought and the player must pay rent to

the owner (step 307). After he pays the rent, he can try and take over the place

by challenging the owner to a trivia/boxing fight, step 302.

In advanced embodiments of this family of games, the games can further implement use new technologies and developments, like: enabling voice chats during the game (GPRS), streaming sound & video, WAP graphic menus (for example, the player can choose a photo of the item he wants to use). Figure 13 illustrates one possible control screen visualization embodiment of a non limiting image, structure and operational mode of an electronic game application of the present invention system, specifically regarding a module of a general games management console operated through a remote terminal display, preferably through the Internet network. The functions and the look of this control console can vary and may be adapted as to the following operational, display and control tasks:

1. Start a new game

2. Change details of scheduled games

3. Cancel games

4. Currently running games

5. Send messages to all the users 6. Players database

The game administrator chooses the function he wishes to use by choosing one screen of the six available, each such screen covers the selected control function. 1. Start a new game:

In this control frame page the game administrator can set the parameters relevant to the game, such as:

Date

Specify an hour

Location

Number of players

The prize

Helpdesk phone number

Begin message for the players

End message for the players

Location parameters - (such as the location of the hints in T-hunt, and the names of the cells in Cellfish-monopoly). In the "start a new game" page, the game administrator defines all the parameters required for the game. These parameters changes from game to game.

Figure 13 visualizes as an example only the image of the management console for the T-hunt game described under figure 10.

2. Change details of scheduled games: in this function, the game administrator can change and modify all the parameters he set in the previous section (start a new game). This function was created to enable the change of mistakes - and enable modifying games.

3. Cancel games: canceling scheduled games.

4. Currently running games: functions available on games that are currently in progress. Functions such as 'cancel the game', 'send message to all the players', and option to see the score table, the number of players - and the location of the players.

5. Send message to all the users: the game administrator can send SMS messages to the users, or just to the players. Moreover, he can decide more specifically to whom he sends the message, i.e. in t-hunt management console there are checkboxes that indicates the stages of the game, and the administrator can check some of the boxes, and only the players in this stage will receive the message.

6. Players database: in this section, all the information about the players that played the game is stored.

This information is sorted by dates or by games.

For example, the game administrator can see who played in the monopoly game that occurred between 20/4 to 30/4.

Returning to figure 13 which visualizes specifically one possible image of the control screen image application of the T-hunt embodiment of figure 10, the data entry windows and control buttons of the game operator are as to the following:

Data entry windows 510,512 and 514 are for selecting the exact date of the game. Data entry window 518 is for selecting the hour of screen updating or start of game.

Data entry window 520 provides the location of the game.

Data entry window 522 provides the selected number of stages by which this game will be conducted through.

Data entry window 524 provides the type, or nature, of the specific treasure

selected for the specific game by the game operator. Data entry window 526

provides the telephone number at the location of the game selected treasure.

Data entry window 532 provides the e-mail address for a help-desk offered to

participants of the game.

Indication windows 528 and 530 provide the operator or the player with the

possibility to learn if there is a phone in the place of the treasure, needed if

he/she is located far from the treasure.

516 are checkboxes that indicates the stages of the game, and the administrator can check some of the boxes, and only the players in this stage will receive the message.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number

of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and

other applications of the invention may be made.

In the method claims that follow, alphabetic characters used to designate

claim steps are provided for convenience only and do not imply any particular

order of performing the steps. It will also be understood that the system according to the invention may

be a suitably programmed computer. Likewise, the invention contemplates a

computer program being readable by a computer for executing the method of

the invention. The invention further contemplates a machine-readable memory

tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for

executing the method of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1. A communication system for determining the location of users and for

further using the users location information for the generation and

transmission of communication data required by at least one of a

plurality of users sharing common interests, comprising:

(a) a wireless communication network;

(b) a plurality of user terminals having a user interface providing

wireless communication capabilities through said wireless communication

network; each terminal is configured at least to generate a query and for

further transmission of said query to a query processor apparatus; said

user terminal is further configured to receive from said query apparatus

query results and providing them as an output;

(c) the query processor apparatus being responsive to said query for

processing said query results on the basis of at least:

(i) information regarding user's location provided from a user

location device that is associated with a data communication bus

coupled to a central processing unit; the central processing unit

delivers, through said data bus, communication data stream that include user's location data; said user location device is configured

to extract said user location data;

(ii) subscribers data including registered users peers list and

preferences stored in a subscribers database.

2. the system of claim 1, wherein said query is at least one selected

from the group comprising of at least, requesting information

regarding at least the location of a user's group of peers, requesting

information from said subscribers database on selected users and

peers and updating information within the system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said query is originated by

default preferences of the system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said query processor query input

is including at least one location data element, selected from the

group comprising of the user authentic location, other selected

users authentic location and the user's selected peers authentic

location.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said query processor reply

including data selected from the group of data elements comprising of data on peers in vicinity to the system user, data on

peers in vicinity to least one system user from a selected list of

system users and data on peers and users in the vicinity of a

certain site location.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said query processor reply to said

requesting user including the location of at least one of said

user's peers.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said database of users and their

peers preferences refers to a list of personal preferences of each

system user and his peers.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said user's peers preferences refers to

their fields of interests.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said database of users and their peers

preferences is including the users personal status.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said information regarding

users' location is received by the system's triggered user position

request, executed through a coimnunication procedure with the

user hand-set, comprising of at least one interfacing solution selected from the group comprising of at least; a STK and a

WAP.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said information regarding users'

location in a format of a Cell Global Identity.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said location server apparatus, further

comprising:

(a) a CDR parser, filtering information received from said communication

network management system regarding subscribers' ID and cell ID;

(b) a database that stores subscribers' ID and cell ID; and

(c) an initiator.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said initiator is comprised of a clock

and a CDR trigger.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said initiator operation comprising the

steps of:

(a) the clock activates the CDR trigger repeatedly; and

(b) the CDR trigger forces a CDR creation, said CDR including data

determining at least a plurality of said system users location.

15. The CDR parser of claim 12 wherein its operation method comprising

the steps of:

(a) receiving at least one CDR from a cellular company server;

(b) searching for user ID data within the CDR;

(c) identifying whether the user is a subscriber by accessing said subscribers

database;

(d) in case the user is a subscriber, then:

(i) searching for cell ID data within the CDR; and

(ii) storing subscriber ID and cell ID in the data base; and

(e) in case the user is not a subscriber, aborting task.

16. The CDR trigger of claim 13, configured to be unnoticeable by

subscribers.

17. The CDR trigger of claim 13, selected from the group comprising of; an

invisible SMS message and any kind of an unnoticeable packet of data

selected from the group including at least an empty packet and a

dedicated packet.

18. The user interface of the system of claim 1, running on an Internet

platform.

19. The user interface of the system of claim 1, based on a STK protocol.

20. The user interface of the system of claim 1, operating through a SMS

communication format.

21. The user interface of the system of claim 1, based on a communication

protocol selected from the group comprising of at least WAP and MexE.

22. The user interface of the system of claim 1, operating on a voice mail

platform.

23. The user interface of the system of claim 1, operating through voice

recognition.

24. The user interface of the system of claim 1 running on a packet data

platform with text messages.

25. The system of claim 12, wherein said initiator is triggered by said query

processor to activate said location server apparatus.

26. The system of claim 1, further comprising a privacy management

system, wherein each user can control and define his filtering level in

each given moment towards each or all other system users, said filtering

level is selected from a group of filters including at least: a special state, in which no location is available on said

user, said filter can be defined toward all other users or toward specific

users;

(b) a special list in which said user can be viewed at all times by a

group of other users, which have said user on their private

buddy-lists after said user gave his preliminary approval, said

user can decide to delete mates from this group whenever he

wishes;

(c) a virtual state which can be defined by said user towards

all the mates or specifically towards one user, this state

indicates that the user has no really intention to

communicate and he is in a bad mood, he can still be

located if required;

(d) a default state, in which the user uses the system and

would like to communicate with his old mates, or find new

ones, said user can be located by all system users defined

as said user mates;

(e) a total exposure state, in which the user tells all, some or

one of the other users that he is eager to communicate. Off

course, in this state location is available at any time.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said information on user's

location is used by said system to calculate the distance between said

system users and to further categorize said distances to at least two

distance classes.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said information on user's

inter-distances is used by the system to conduct and manage interaction

between said users.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein said information regarding said

subscribers location and said subscribers data is further used to manage

dating services between said subscribers.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein said information regarding said

subscribers location and said subscribers data is further used to manage a

communication service selected from the group including at least

chatting, audio and audiovisual direct communication link between said

subscribers.

31. The system of anyone of the preceding Claims wherein said information

regarding said subscribers location and said subscribers data is further

used to manage a game club , said game club being the community zone of various game players using the system ,said game club has at least one

feature of:

(a) find online game partners - based on location, or not;

(b) subscribe for the SMS update service - the user will receive SMS

messages with info, suggestions and news about games;

(c) read game news;

(d) online chat - about games; and

(e) game forums.

32. The system of anyone of the preceding Claims wherein

said information regarding said subscribers location and said

subscribers data is further used to conduct and manage a treasure

hunt electronic game.

33. The system of anyone of the preceding Claims, wherein said

information regarding said subscribers location and said subscribers data

is further used to conduct and manage a mobile terminal based

electronic monopoly game for purchasing and management of real estate

properties.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein said information regarding said subscribers location and said subscribers data is further used to conduct and manage any one of location information based electronic adventure games, said selected adventure game will be selected from a group including at least one of fighting adventures , fantasy adventures and detective adventures games.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said game players will create the adventures using a management console which is a game management tool, said console supplied to said system users for said game parameters definition and is available to said system users through a dedicated Internet web site.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein said game player can play with a pre-selected group of players selected from several player group options, including the whole cellular registered users community, a groups of friends and a single specific player.

37. A communication system for determining the location of users and for

further using the users' location information for the generation and

transmission of data required by at least one of a plurality of users sharing

common interests, comprising:

(a) a wireless communication network;

(b) a plurality of user terminals providing wireless communication

capabilities through said wireless communication network; each terminal

is configured at least to generate a query and for further transmission of

said query to a query processor apparatus; said user terminal is further

configured to receive from said query apparatus query results and

providing them as an output;

(c) the query processor apparatus being responsive to said query for

processing said query on the basis of at least: (i) information regarding users' location provided from a user

location apparatus; and

(ii) subscribers data including registered users peers list and

preferences stored in a subscribers database.

the system of claim 1, wherein said query is at least one selected from

the group comprising of at least, requesting information regarding at

least the location of a user's peers, requesting information from said

subscribers database on selected users and peers and updating

information within the system.

38. A communication method for determining the location of users and for

further using the users location information for the generation and

transmission of communication data required by at least one of a

plurality of users sharing common interests, comprising:

(a) receiving a query from a user terminal;

(ii) processing said query to obtain query results on the basis of at

least information regarding user's location users peers list and

preferences; and

(c) outputting said query results to said user.

39. A communication method for determining the location of users

and for further using the users location information for the generation and transmission of communication data required by at least one of a

plurality of users sharing common interests, comprising:

(a) receiving a query from a user terminal;

(b) processing said query to obtain query results on the basis of at least

information regarding user's location users peers list and preferences;

(c) outputting said query results to said user; and

(d) conducting and managing a treasure hunt electronic game utilizing at

least said users location.

40. A communication method for determining the location of users and for further using the users location information for the generation and transmission of communication data required by at least one of a plurality of users sharing common interests, comprising:

(a) receiving a query from a user terminal;

(b) processing said query to obtain query results on the basis of at least

information regarding user's location users peers list and preferences; and

(c) outputting said query results to said user; and

(d) conducting and managing a mobile terminal based electronic

monopoly game for purchasing and management of real estate properties

game utilizing at least said users location.

41. A communication method for determining the location of users and for further using the users location information for the generation and transmission of communication data required by at least one of a plurality of users sharing common interests, comprising:

(a) receiving a query from a user terminal; (b) processing said query to obtain query results on the basis of at least

information regarding user's location users peers list and preferences; and

(c) outputting said query results to said user; and

(d) conducting and managing any one of location information based

electronic adventure games, said selected adventure game will be

selected from a group including at least one of fighting adventures ,

fantasy adventures and detective adventures, utilizing at least said users

location.

42. A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing all the steps of Claims 39 when said program is run on a computer.

43. A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing all the steps of Claims 40 when said program is run on a computer.

44. A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing all the steps of Claims 41 when said program is run on a computer.

45 A computer program as claimed in Claim 39 embodied on a computer readable medium.

46 A computer program as claimed in Claim 40 embodied on a computer readable medium.

47 A computer program as claimed in Claim 41 embodied on a computer readable medium.

48 The method according to Claim 32 and wherein the game is conducted in the following steps:

(a) an electronic message containing a riddle is sent to a group of subscribers defined as participants directing them to a specific destination in the game territory; (b) in order to advance in the game, said participants must reach said destination, where said participants will get another riddle, directing them to another destination;

(c ) when a participant reaches a destination, he activates a 'find' command in his mobile terminal

(d) the system locates a participant through said system location server and updates his location in said system database;

(e) the system sends the participant a next clue after it identifies that the participant is in the right location; and

(f) a participant progresses from destination to destination in the game territory until said participant reaches the last destination where he could find the treasure and win it.

49. The method according to Claim 33, and wherein the game is conducted in the following steps:

(a) a player walks in the city, he can perform present ownership check

on the place he is standing at the moment by first extracting location

data from the system location server through his mobile terminal;

(b) said check can provide a result selected from the group including :

the area is available and the player can buy it and the area has already

been bought and the player must pay rent to the owner;

( c) in case said player pays a rent, said player can try and take over the

place by challenging the owner to a trivia/boxing fight;

(d) the winner gets the area; and

(e) the final game winner is the one with most assets at a predefined

point of time

50. The method according to Claim 34 and wherein the selected game is conducted in the following steps: (a) said selected game players create their own character; define their skills and preferences;

(b) said game players have a mission to complete using their adopted character by choosing at least one of the group of play mode options including an option wherein there are ready-made missions that the players will be able to play and an option wherein the players will have the tools, using the Internet as the communication network with the system manager, to create their own adventures and further to publicize and conduct them with other system users.

(c) said game players to move from place to place in a defined geographic area, wherein said players pick items and information;

(d) said game players using their skills, information and the items they picked to interact with other players, said interaction element is at least one selected from the group including searching, talking, negotiating and fighting with the other game players; and

(e) said game players finish their mission, in more than one possible way.

51. The system according to Claim 1 , wherein said data communication bus is

coupled to at least billing unit.

52. For use in a system according to anyone of the preceding system claims, a

user terminal.

53. For use in a system according to anyone of the preceding system claims,

a query processor.

54. For use in a system according to anyone of the preceding system claims,

a user location device.