Custom information for wireless subscribers based on proximity

1. A method of delivering location-specific information to a wireless subscriber, comprising:

at a host computer, receiving one or more rules from an information distribution entity, wherein the one or more rules define a geographic area related to the information distribution entity and define information to be distributed to the wireless subscriber when a wireless device of the wireless subscriber is in the geographic area;

receiving, at a server, a subscriber-initiated registration message from the wireless subscriber, wherein the subscriber requests to receive information from a selected information distribution entity, wherein the subscriber-initiated registration message is sent by the wireless subscriber from a subscriber computing device other than the wireless device, the subscriber computing device being located outside the geographic area;

determining that the wireless device of the subscriber is in the geographic area, wherein determining that the subscriber is in the geographic area comprises receiving a periodic broadcast from the wireless device that includes the device's location; and

delivering the information to the wireless device of the wireless-subscriber, wherein at least one rule includes a specification of a duration that the wireless device must remain in the geographic area after which duration the information is delivered.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information distribution entity comprises a selection from the group consisting of business, point-of-interest, event planner, museum, tour operator, park service, employer, and public transportation facility operator.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless device comprises a selection from the group consisting of cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, pager, text messaging device, personal computer, and two-way radio.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information comprises a selection from the group consisting of short text message, pre-recorded voice message, graphic image, and audio visual message.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a registration message from the wireless subscriber comprises receiving a wireless transmission from the wireless device of the subscriber.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving a registration message from the wireless subscriber comprises receiving a message via the Internet.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the subscriber is in the geographic area comprises interrogating the wireless device to return its location.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one rule includes a specification of a frequency for delivering the information.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subscriber-initiated registration message is sent to the server prior to receiving any information from the selected information distribution entity.

10. A system for delivering location-specific information to a wireless subscriber, comprising:

a host computer;

a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for programming the host computer to:

receive one or more rules from an information distribution entity, wherein the one or more rules define a geographic area related to the information distribution entity and define information to be distributed to the wireless subscriber when a wireless device of the wireless subscriber is in the geographic area, and wherein one of the one or more rules comprises a predefined rule;

receive, at a server, a subscriber-initiated registration message from the wireless subscriber, wherein the subscriber requests to receive information from a selected information distribution entity, wherein the subscriber-initiated registration message is sent by the wireless subscriber from a subscriber computing device other than the wireless device, the subscriber computing device being located outside the geographic area;

determine that the wireless device of the subscriber is in the geographic area, wherein determining that the subscriber is in the geographic area comprises receiving a periodic broadcast from the wireless device that includes the device's location; and

deliver the information to the wireless device of the wireless subscriber, wherein at least one rule includes a specification of a duration that the wireless device must remain in the geographic area after which duration the information is delivered.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the information distribution entity comprises a selection from the group consisting of business, point-of-interest, event planner, museum, tour operator, park service, employer, and public transportation facility operator.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the wireless device comprises a selection from the group consisting of cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, pager, text messaging device, personal computer, and two-way radio.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the information comprises a selection from the group consisting of short text message, pre-recorded voice message, graphic image, and audio visual message.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein at least one rule includes a specification of a frequency for delivering the information.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the subscriber-initiated registration message is sent to the server prior to receiving any information from the selected information distribution entity.

16. A system for delivering location-specific information to a wireless subscriber, comprising:

means for receiving one or more rules: from an information distribution entity, wherein the one or more rules define a geographic area related to the information distribution entity and define information to be distributed to the wireless subscriber when a wireless device of the wireless subscriber is in the geographic area, and wherein one of the one or more rules comprises a predefined rule;

means for receiving, at a server, a subscriber-initiated registration message from the wireless subscriber, wherein the subscriber requests to receive information: from a selected information distribution entity, wherein the subscriber-initiated registration message is sent by the wireless subscriber from a subscriber computing device other than the wireless device, the subscriber computing device being located outside the geographic area;

means for determining that the wireless device of the subscriber is in the geographic area, wherein determining that the subscriber is in the geographic area comprises receiving a periodic broadcast from the wireless device that includes the device's location; and

means for delivering the information to the wireless device of the wireless subscriber, wherein at least one rule includes a specification of a duration that the wireless device must remain in the geographic area after which duration the information is delivered.