Patent attributes
A network based information system has a server or other source management system connected to the network and to an information database, and a portable communication device enabled to access the server on the network by keypad entry, and to indicate geographic position upon access. The system is characterized in that the keypad is graphically mapped for direction, and the server, in response to a call placed from the portable communication device, including keypad input indicating direction, accesses the database for information associated with the geographic position and the direction, and transmits that information to the portable communication device. Other criteria, such as distance and information type may also be mapped and used in retrieving information. In the case of voice-capable devices, information is rendered as speech to be transmitted to the communication device.
