MXPA96006380A - System and method for maintaining personal communications information in a communications system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for updating a communication network from one or more user communications devices. The invention employs electronic programming or other time-based features within a communications device to control and / or initiate transmission of information between the communication device and the communication network. Information from one or more communications devices is updated to the communication network in response to time-based components in the information registers corresponding to a synchronization device associated with the respective communications device. Also, once the network has received this updated information, comparisons of related information entry are initiated to detect discrepancies between them. In this way, geographic location and time information provided by the user is compared with similar information automatically retrieved by the communications network using conventional and future network communications technology. Any detected discrepancies are used to initiate appropriate notification to the user and / or retrieve updated information or move to a predefined value in existing message delivery systems.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS INFORMATION IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to personal communications, with communication devices. More particularly, the invention relates to transferring information within communication systems, using one or more communication devices. 2. Description of the Related Art The communication systems in the current mobile society involve numerous communication devices including telephones, cellular phones, radio locators, personal computers, LapTop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs = personal digital assistants), or machines, machines of fax and networks, signal switching stations, locator stations, and affiliated services that maintain communication relationships between these devices. Mobile telephony technology and advanced radio location systems have done much to reduce inconveniences associated with variant locations of one or more of these communication devices during use. Important to reduce inconveniences within REF: 23353 communications systems that have mobile users is a network or network system that is easily accessible and contains the most current information regarding communication devices. This information includes, for example, the identity and location of a particular communications device at a given time and the current content of the information transmitted by or to these devices, whether voice or data information. For example, in a radio location system a mobile individual transports a portable radio locator. Typically, the locator radio is assigned a radio location number and is capable of receiving a radio signal. When a calling subscriber dials the radio locator number, a radio signal is broadcast from a radio location service or similar location and the paging radio responds to the radio location signal by activating an audible and / or visual alarm. The alarm serves to alert the mobile individual that an attempt has been made to contact the individual. Many radio locators support two-way communications, that is, two-way radio locators are equipped to transmit as well as receive radio location signals from a radio locator service. Information transmitted from radio locators to a radio location service, includes, for example, the identity and location of the radio locator at the time of transmission. The accuracy in determining the location of the locator radio is based on existing and future network capabilities. In addition to establishing communications with other devices, many communications devices are equipped to perform functions independent of other communication devices, including the storage, processing and dissemination of information. For example, personal computers (including desktop and laptop computers) and PDAs have relatively extensive processing and information features. Typically, PDAs and personal computers are equipped with programming capabilities and "electronic" phone directory. Often, the information contained is accessible by external resources. For example, an electronic telephone book record can be accessed manually and transmitted by an ode to place or direct a telephone call. Similarly, a programming record may be displayed or activated on a particular day and at a time corresponding to the internal clock of the device or its access to an external clock.

It would be convenient to improve the transfer and maintenance of information within existing and future communication systems, in a way that improves the accuracy and correctness of the information within communication systems. Commendation of the Invention The invention comprises an apparatus and method for updating a communication network of one or more user communication devices. In particular, the invention employs electronic or other time-based programming features within a communications device for controlling and / or initiating transmission of information between the communication device and the communication network. Information from one or more communications devices is updated to the communications network in response to time-based components in the information registers corresponding to a synchronization device associated with the respective communications device. Also, once the network has received this updated information, comparisons of related information registers are initiated to detect discrepancies between them. In this way, the geographical location and time information presented by the user is compared with similar information automatically retrieved by the communications network using conventional and future network communications technology. Any detected discrepancies are used to initiate appropriate notification to the user and / or retrieve updated information or to address predefined value to existing message delivery systems. Brief description of the pjfoujos Figure 1 is a schematic view of a communication system according to the embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the invention in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic view of a communication system according to another embodiment of the invention.; and Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the invention according to another embodiment of the invention.

In the following description, similar components are referred to with the same reference number in order to simplify the understanding of the invention. With reference to Figure 1, a schematic view of a communication system according to the embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Included as part of the communication system 10, at least one communication device 12 is having, for example, an electronic programmer and / or a telephone directory. These communication devices include, for example, desktops, laptops, PDAs, certain clocks and calculators, telephones, radio locators and the like. For purposes of discussion in this description, an electronic programmer and / or electronic programming is understood as anything associated with a communications device that provides any response to the program of one or more users within a communications system of interest. Similarly, a telephone book or electronic telephone directory with electronic telephone book capabilities are comprised of anything associated with a communications device that provides any response for the name, telephone number, and other related information associated with one or more users within the communications system of interest. The communication system 10 also includes one or more paging networks 14 and / or one or more wireline networks 16. Operably connected to / or contained within the network 16 is a network controller 22, which processes information received by example of the radio location network 14 and the communications device 12. Also, the network 16 includes a database 24 that stores various information received by the network 16 through the network controller 22. Although the network controller 22 is illustrated and described as part of the communication network itself, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the network controller 22 may be separated from the network 16 and / or the network database 24 with only one connection operable between them. . The communications device 12 includes a controller or control unit 32, for receiving information records from a user 34 through any convenient power interface 34, for example a keypad, speech recognition module, disk controller or other device. which transfers information from one or more users to the communications device 12. The control unit 32 is in operable connection with a database 38, which stores information (eg programming information and telephone directory) supplied to the communications device 12. For example, the information stored in the database 38 includes records containing information associated with personal appointments of the user 34 and containing the names, addresses and telephone numbers of various persons associated with the user 3. Although illustrated as part of the communications device 12, the database 38 only requires access The communication device 12 for a period of time long enough to accept the information transferred therefrom.

Also, the control unit 32 is operatively connected to a clock or synchronization device 42 and a transmitter 44. The clock 42 is any convenient synchronization device that provides the control unit 32 with time-based information, such as a stopwatch contained within the communications device 12, as illustrated, or an internal module (not shown) that obtains time-based information from sources external to the communications device 12. The time-based information includes, for example, the day, the time of the day and date. The transmitter 44 is any device that transmits information in a convenient format and through an appropriate means of the communication device 12 to any of a number of other communication devices., including for example the radio location network 14 and the physical line network 16. The transmitter 44 is removably connected to the communications device 12 or alternately installed or otherwise contained within the communications device 12. example, the transmitter 44 is a two-way radio locator or wireless modem inserted in the PCMIA slot of a portable communication device 12, and transmits information from the communication device 12 in the form of radio signals (illustrated as 46) to reception by the radio localization network 14.

Alternately, the information is transmitted over wired lines (illustrated as 48) using conventional technology. That is, the information is transmitted in the form of electrical impulse signals through electrical wiring or optical radiation signals through optical fibers. Figure 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the communication system 10 shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the invention. The communication system 10 is used, for example to update network information through the portable communication device 12 (for example a PDA or a LapTop computer) as to the location of the user 34 and probably a telephone number (or radio locator). ) in which the user 34 is reached. The first step 64 illustrated in the flowchart is to provide appropriate information in the communications device 12, for example for a subsequent meeting that the user 34 plans to attend. That is, the user 34 accesses the electronic programming portion of the database 38, the date and time of the meeting and either the location of the meeting or the meeting to which the user intends to attend. 34. The information records they contain, for example, time-based components (ie the time and date of the meeting) and location-based components (for example when or with whom the meeting will be held). From these two components, any remaining necessary information components are obtained either through access to the database 38 or by questioning the user 34. In this manner, a first conditional branch 66 interrogates whether the information supplied has any related information already existing in the electronic address book portion of the database 38. For example, if the information provided indicates that a meeting will be held at a particular site, the first conditional branch 66 interrogates whether the name, number telephone and / or other information (including non-essential information associated with the person in that site already exists in the database 38. If so, it is not required to provide additional information (except possibly for an affirmation) and the information is accessed Subsequently, for example, by the control unit 32. If not, the control goes to a step 68, which inst ruye the user 34 to supply any remaining information. This subsequently supplied information, if essential, is also stored in the electronic telephone book portion of the database 38 for any subsequent access.

The conditional branch 66 includes additional interrogations, for example, if the meeting is going to. be interrupted by calls. If the meeting is not interrupted by calls, other questions are probably not necessary. However, if the meeting will be interrupted by a phone call, radio locator or other type, the appropriate call numbers need to be identified. Thus, an additional interrogation included in the conditional branch 66 is whether an amount or group of numbers typically associated with a particular integrating part or location is suitable for the meeting. If so, it is not required to provide additional information except possibly for an affirmation. If this is not the case (that is, if the meeting is held in a place with a number or groups of telephone numbers that are not normally identified with the party with whom they meet), the supply of the correct number or numbers is requested). Once all the necessary information regarding the meeting has been supplied to the communications device 12, a second conditional branch 72 interrogates the user 34 regarding the transmission of the information of the communication device 12. If the user 34 chooses to update the information on network 16 immediately, a manual transmission stage 74 is executed by the user 34. However, if the user 34 wants the information to be transmitted automatically, an automatic transmission stage 76 transmits information records at the appropriate time, based on the component based on time of the information record and / or the synchronization device 42 of the communication device 12. For example, as will be discussed in more detail below, the automatic transmission stage 76 is an event-based stage that transmits information records when the The time-based component of the event captured in an information register matches the synchronization device 42. Alternately, the automatic transmission stage 76 is a time-based stage that transmits information records at a particular time, not necessarily related to the time of the event captured in an information record. Transmitted information registers, in addition to having time-based components and location-based components, contain as part a device identification (e.g., a device identification code) unique to the particular communications device 12. It is this device identification that allows that the source of transmission be determined by existing and future information transmission technology. Also, as will be discussed later, the device identification allows certain additional aspects (eg, general and specific location) of each particular communications device 12 to be determined by existing and future technology. An inventive portion of the communication system 10 includes the automatic transmission stage 76. In this step, the time-based component of an information record as compared to the synchronization device 42 is used to trigger the transmission of at least that record of particular information. Therefore, the electronic programming capabilities, particularly their time-based functions, are used in combination with the timekeeping functions of the communications device 12, to control the transmission of information records of the communication device 12. The transmission of transmitted information records, in this way is automatic in response to the contents of the synchronization device 42, which, for example, changes continuously with the passage of time. In this way, depending on the specific configuration of the automatic transmission stage 76, information registers are capable of being transmitted at any time between the registration to the communications device 12 and the specific time reflected in its time-based component. For example, if user 34 has a meeting at 10:00 A.M. on the 15th of the month and provides this information to the communications device 12 at approximately 3:00 P.M. of the seventh of the month, the automatic transmission stage 76 is capable (by appropriate configuration) of transmitting the pertinent information regarding this meeting at any time between 3:00 P.M. 7 and 10:00 A.M. of 15) (including transmission exactly at 10:00 AM of the 15th). As illustrated in Figure 1, the transmitter 44 sends information registers through an appropriate communication coupling. That is, information registers that are received by the fast location network 143, are transmitted by radio signals 46. Similarly, information registers that are received directly by the network controller 22 are transmitted, for example by infrared signals. wireless, by signals of electrical impulses through electrical wiring or by impulse signals of optical radiation through optical fibers (usually illustrated as 48). The network controller 22 uses the device identification code in each information record to store the appropriate information in the appropriate area of the network database 24. As previously discussed, this information includes, for example date, time and location of a meeting, the parties with whom to meet, if the meeting is going to be interrupted and if so, a number to access the meeting, also, the network controller 22 receives information indicating the identity and location of the communications device 12. In this way, the network controller 22 and the network 16 are updated with information regarding the current and / or expected location of the user 34. As will be discussed below, this Information is used, for example in conjunction with other inventive aspects and with existing and future network communication technology. With reference to Figure 3, a schematic view of a communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated for a user 34 having access to one or more communication devices 12, 78 wherein at least one device of communications has electronic programming capabilities. For example, the communication device 12 is a PDA or laptop computer with electronic programming features and the communication device 78 is a two-way paging radio operatively contained within the communication device 12 or carried by the user 34. Also, as will be discussed later, the user 34 has access to a message delivery system 79. The communication system 10 includes a network 16 comprising a network database 24 and a network control point (NCP) or controller 22. In this embodiment, the network controller 22 includes an interface 82, a database for network controller 84 and a comparator 86, all of which are operatively connected as illustrated. Also, the network controller 22 is in operable connection with the network database 24 as illustrated. Also, included as part of the communication system 10 is a radio location network 14. The communication devices 12, 78 communicate with the radio location network 14, for example by transmitting radio signals 46 to the reception area of the radio. the radio location network 14. However, it will be understood that information may be transmitted directly to the network controller 22 with appropriate coupling. For example, if the communication device 12 is a desktop computer, the information is transmitted there, for example by means of a MODEM or a wired connection between the desktop computer and the network interface 82. In general, the network controller 22 handles the storage and movement of information to the network 16 and between the network 16 and its interface 82. For example, the network interface 82 receives information from a plurality of communication devices, including the communication devices 12, 78 (via the radio localization network 14) and the message delivery system 79 (via coupling 48). Also, the network interface 82 is used to transmit information from the network 16 to those same communication devices, as well as to a radio location network 14 and message delivery system 79.

The network controller database 84 provides data storage when on a temporary basis for information moving between the network interface 82 and the network database 24. The comparator 86, whose operation will be discussed in more detail later , verify the. accuracy of certain information stored in the base of network controller 84, compared to information that can be through network interface 82. Network database 24 stores information received from network controller 22. Also, the base Network data 24 maintains network operating codes (for example, destinations and instructions for addressing and telephone calls) to be used by the network 16 and the network controller 22 to handle information that circulates inside and outside the network 16. Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a manner in which the communication system illustrated in Figure 3 operates to determine the location of the user 34 according to an embodiment of the invention. In general, the location of the user 34 is compared (or cross referenced) by information transmitted from one or more communication devices, for example, first communication device 12 and / or the second communication device 78. As previously established, in one embodiment of the invention, the first communications device 12 is a PDA and the second communication device 78 is a two-way locator radio operatively contained, whereby this arrangement is considered a simple communications device. Alternatively, the proposed location and the current location of the user 34 is compared by information transmitted at different times from one or more communication devices. For example, the information indicating whether the user 34 will be at a specific time in the future is transmitted and compared later in that specified time with information transmitted from one or more communication devices indicating the current location of the user 34. In the operation illustrated in Figure 4 a first step 88 is the transmission of information from the first communication device 12 to the network 16, for example in the manner previously described here. For example, the communications device 12 is a PDA or laptop computer with electronic programming that transmits to the network 16, an information record indicating the time and location of a future meeting for the user 34. The network controller 22 receives the registration of information and uses the included device identification code to store the contents of the information record at an appropriate location in the database of the network controller 84 and / or network database 24. By appropriate location, it is understood that the information record is stored in such a way that it can be accessed based on one or more comparable components (for example a time-based component or a location-based component) contained therein. In this way, the network 16 is updated with the accessible information that identifies a location where the user 34 proposes to be at a specific time in the future. A counting stage 89 is then employed at or near the specific meeting time to determine the current location and a second communications device 78. For example, the second communications device 78 is a paging radio operatively contained within the communications device. 12 or transported by the user 34 and interrogate or scrutinize by the radio location network 14, to determine its approximate location in the manner known in conventional radio location technology. Depending on the limits and / or configurations of the system, the radio location is performed periodically, ie at a specified speed, or is performed continuously in a way that is limited only by system restrictions, cost considerations and the like. For example, if the transmitter 44 (see Figure 1) is a two-way radio locator, the geographical location of the communication device 12 is determined from the location of the two-way radio locator by a locating radio antenna, for example a tower, of a conventional two-way radio system. However, it is understood by a person skilled in the art that any two-way wireless communications device that is served by only one wireless communication source, for example an antenna or tower, at any particular time, is suitable for identifying the geographical location of the communications device. This includes the use of a global positioning system (GPS). The scrutinized information is received by the network controller 22, and is appropriately stored, for example in a network controller database 84. The network controller 22 employs the device indetification code contained in the scrutinized information to recover any corresponding or related information of the network database 24. The next step in the operation is a conditional branch 92 that compares (or cross references) to comparable components of the two information registers (i.e. the previous registration of the first device). of communications 12 and the scanned record of the second communication device 78 (for discrepancies between them).

For example, the network controller 22 is configured such that when the time-based components of the corresponding information registers match, their location-based components are compared for accuracy. In this way, the conditioned branch 72 tests to verify if the two components based on location correspond, ie if the locations are approximately equal. If the component-based locations correspond, the communications network 16 is configured such that nothing else is required to be done, at least for this particular period of time. If the components do not correspond to the communications network 16, it is configured in such a way that a user interrogation 94 is initiated. Alternatively, the communications network 16 is configured to update the information registers for example of the second communication device 78 for Subsequent comparison If the user interrogation stage 94 is successful in notifying the user 34, the communications network 16 is configured in such a way that no further action is required, at least with respect to the information records relating to the specific meeting time. . However, if the user interrogation stage 94 is not successful in contacting or notifying the user 34, the communication system is configured for a pre-defined value, for example to the message delivery system 79, in this way, by example, a message indicating that a discrepancy exists between the information registers, is transmitted and / or directed to an appropriate communication device of the user 34. As mentioned previously, the message delivery system 79 is operatively connected to the interface network controller 82 and employs for example existing network communications technology. In this way, the inventive features described herein are shared with current and future message delivery systems 79 by an appropriate transmission means 48 as illustrated. Characteristics of the message delivery systems include, for example, the calling subscriber addressing system described in US Pat. No. 5,428,663 entitled "Incoming Communications Forwarding Technique Utilizing a Called Party Location Indicator" (Technique for Sending Input Communications Using a Called Party Locator Indicator). It will be understood that the communication system 10 is operative in this way, whether the first and second communication devices are two different communication devices as just described, or whether the first and second communication devices are in fact the same communication devices as the communication devices. They transmit information records at different times. Also, comparisons of information records of more than one communications device or of a communications device that transmits a plurality of information records is within the scope of the inventive features described herein. The inventive features described herein fit exactly within the infrastructure of existing networks including radio location networks. For example, inventive features * are incorporated into existing and future networks, for example through additions to software and / or appropriate physical wiring arrangements. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and substitutions can be made to the communication systems and operating methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (31)

1. CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for use in a communication device, the communication device has a device identification and a synchronization device associated with it, the communications device has a database associated to receive information records and a transmitter to send the information. device identification and information registers, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a controller to establish a time-based component to the information registers based on the associated synchronization device, and to coordinate the transmission of the information registers with a synchronization device based on the time-based components associated with the information registers.
2. 2. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the communications device wherein the controller is operatively connected to the database and the transmitter, wherein the transmitter sends the device identification and the information registers in response to the synchronization device that triggers the transmission of information based on the component based on associated time.
3. 3. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the information registers contains a location-based component, and wherein the transmitter sends the information registers that contain location-based components.
4. 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmitter sends the information registers when accessing information inputs to the communications device.
5. 5. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the communications device is chosen from the group consisting of a PDA, a computer, a laptop, a desktop computer, a telephone, a calculator and an electronic recording device.
6. 6.- The apparatus in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the database includes an electronic programmer that receives information comprising information based on time, information based on date and information based on location.
7. 7.- The device in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that the communication device is used as a communication network and wherein the transmitter sends a signal containing at least one information input to the communication network.
8. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the information registers contains a location-based component and wherein the controller coordinates the transmission of information registers that contain location-based components.
9. 9. A method for transmitting information from a communication device to a communication system, the communication device has a synchronization device, an information transmitter and a database associated therewith, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: providing information to the database, the provisioning step includes choosing a time-based component for one or more of the information records by a scheduler associated with the communications device; and transmitting a device identification and at least one of the information records to the communications system, in response to the synchronization device that triggers the transmission of information based on the associated time-based component.
10. 10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the supplying step further comprises the selection of a date-based component for one or more of the information registers by a programmer associated with the communications device and wherein the stage Transmission also comprises transmitting in response to the synchronization device that triggers the transmission of information, based on the component based on associated date.
11. 11. - Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the provisioning step further comprises the step of choosing a location-based component for the information records and wherein the transmission stage further comprises sending information records having location-based components .
12. 12. An apparatus for use with a communication network, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: an interface in operational connection with the communication network to receive information records of at least a pair of communication devices, the information registers have associated with at least one comparable component; and a comparator in operable connection with the interface to detect discrepancies based on at least one comparable component, among the information registers received by the interface.
13. 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one comparable component associated with the information registers includes a location-based component and wherein the comparator detects discrepancies between the location-based components of the received information registers. by the interface.
14. 14. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that at least one comparable component associated with the information registers includes a time-based component and a location-based component and wherein the comparator detects discrepancies based on the time-based and location-based components of the data records. information received by the interface.
15. 15. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the interface initiates an inquisitive signal at least one of the communications devices in response to discrepancy detection by the comparator.
16. 16. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an associated synchronization device wherein one or more of the information registers includes an associated time-based component and wherein the operation of the comparator is triggered by the device. of synchronization based on the time-based component associated with the information records.
17. 17. The apparatus in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that at least one of the communication devices has an electronic programmer associated with it that transmits information records that have time-based and location-based components.
18. 18.- The apparatus in accordance with the claim 12, characterized in that at least one of the communication devices is a two-way locator radio that transmits information records with time-based and location-based components as a portion.
19. 19. - The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one pair of communications devices is chosen from a group consisting of a paging radio, a PDA, a desktop computer, a laptop, a cell phone and a transmitter of radio signal.
20. 20. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the interface receives signals through a means selected from the group consisting of electrical impulse signals through electrical wiring connected between them, impulse signals by optical radiation through of optical fibers connected between them, and radio broadcast signals through a wireless connection between them.
21. 21. A method to use with a communication network to verify information of communications that have time-based and location-based components, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving information inputs from a first communications device, the Communication information has associated a device identification, a time-based component and a location-based component; coupling communication information to a network database from a second communication device, the communication information has associated a device identification, a time-based component and a location-based component; and comparing the information received from the first communication device with corresponding communications information coupled from the second communication device to detect discrepancies between them.
22. 22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the comparison step further comprises detecting discrepancies in the components based on location of the communications input received from the first communications device and corresponding communications information received from the second devices of Communications that have similar time-based components.
23. 23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises the step of initiating an inquisitive signal at least one of the first and second communications devices if discrepancies are detected between the coupled communications information and the corresponding information input .
24. 24.- The method of compliance with the claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises the step of updating information of at least one of the first and second communication devices when a discrepancy is detected between the coupled communication information and the corresponding information register.
25. 25. - The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the first communication device has an associated synchronization device and wherein the reception stage further comprises receiving information logs transmitted on initiation by the synchronization device associated with the first device of communication. communications.
26. 26. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the comparison step further comprises the steps of determining the location of the second communication device, when the first communication device transmits the information register at least, and compare the location from the second communication device to the component based on location of the information record at least transmitted.
27. 27.- The method of compliance with the claim 21, characterized in that the second communication device couples the communication information when the information record is at least transmitted by the first communication device.
28. 28.- The method of compliance with the claim 21, characterized in that the second communication device is located within one of the plurality of location areas and wherein the second communication device couples the communication information when the second communication device has entered a new one of the plurality of areas of location.
29. 29. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the second communication device periodically couples the communications information.
30. 30. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the second communication device couples the communications information continuously.
31. 31.- The method according to claim 21, characterized in that at least one of the communication devices is coupled to the communications information using a global positioning system.