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Networks In Motion Empowers Businesses with Newly Awarded Patent for "Smart" Online POI Directory
Online Directory Helps Businesses Securely Update Their Information
ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Feb. 24, 2009
Networks In Motion (NIM), the award-winning wireless navigation, hyper-local search and location-based services (LBS) company with the largest mobile phone navigation subscriber base in North America, today announced that it has secured a U.S. patent that enables owners or authorized personnel of points of interest (POI) to securely, conveniently and immediately update POI-specific information in an online database, creating an accessible and accurate directory for Internet and mobile device users.
Based on NIM's SearchBuilder™ server platform, which is used by a multitude of NIM's customers today, this patent is a realization of NIM's early vision into the "search" market. Networks In Motion filed the patent application in September 2002 with a forward-thinking vision of empowering the owners and operators of businesses and entertainment venues to proactively update their business information in online directories through the Web. U.S. Patent No. 7,486,958, titled "System and method for maintaining an online point-of-interest directory," was granted to NIM on Feb. 3, 2009.
“We envisioned this technology as democratizing the directory concept,” said Doug Antone, president and CEO of Networks In Motion. “Instead of waiting for annual updates to telephone books, business owners can now control the information directories provide about their business – address, phone number, Web site, hours of operation, pictures, coupons, and more, which in turn, provides the public with more accurate real-time information. As more mobile devices become available, online directory searches drive the need for providing routes or driving directions from the device’s current location to a desired destination, such as a restaurant, is becoming commonplace.
Business owners will be able to securely register and update their point of interest in a globally accessible database by uploading their contact information and physical address. The system allows the option of using authorization for business registrants to ensure security and accuracy. Once verified (by methods such as via phone, mail, etc.), the POI’s representatives may access the database and update their information in real-time if necessary. For example, if a restaurant is closed due to a holiday, the POI’s representative can revise the listing for that day. The collected data can then be made accessible to the general public, and may be searched through using a variety of search criteria. The directory also allows an opportunity for POI representatives to add coupons and other business incentives, such as advertisements, to reach their customer base in real time and through a secure, authentication-based system.
Currently, POI information is available to people by means of telephone books, both hard copies and online, that has been collected, updated and slowly disseminated by governing communication organizations such as telephone companies. In the past, the information gathering has been accomplished with a “rake” collection method, where information is initially documented from various organizations (such as where a telephone is installed) and then gathered, or “raked,” together from these initial databases. This prevents businesses from quickly updating POI information, which, in turn, reduces potential business transactions when prospective customers cannot find updated information following changes to a location or phone number.
About Networks In Motion
Networks In Motion is an award-winning wireless navigation and local search company, with products on most major wireless carriers. Networks In Motion powers: AAA Mobile® on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and Alltel Wireless; Verizon Wireless’ VZ Navigator; YellowPages.com Mobile, which is currently deployed on AT&T; Alltel’s Axcess Mobile Guide navigator; U.S. Cellular’s Your Navigator; TELUS Navigator and TELUS Kid Find, making NIM's NAVBuilder platform the most widely used mobile phone navigation service in North America. A partnership to develop carrier-branded navigation systems for customers of Ericsson, the world’s largest supplier of wireless network gear, will expand NIM’s global subscriber base. Founded in 2000, the company is privately held and headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif., with offices in the Silicon Valley, Sweden, Spain and China. More information is available at http://www.networksinmotion.com.
Contact:
Bob Maples
Maples Communications, Inc.
949-855-3555
bmaples@maples.com
Steve Andler
Networks In Motion, Inc.
949-453-3807
sandler@networksinmotion.com