Location blocking service for wireless networks
First Claim
1. A method for blocking location information of a wireless handheld device that is used in a wireless network that tracks locations and identities of network users, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving through a user interface a request to block the location information;
b) providing location information with at least one of a handheld location system in the wireless handheld device and a network-based location system in the wireless network;
c) removing the location information from a transmission from the wireless handheld device before the transmission is sent from the wireless network to a third party; and
d) forwarding the transmission without the location information to the third party.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention disclosed is a location blocking service for use in a wireless network that tracks the location and identity of network users, such as networks complying with enhanced 911 standards. The service provides a network user with the ability to prevent the location of her wireless handheld device from being disclosed to parties other than the wireless network provider and PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points). The network user blocks the forwarding of location information by signaling to the wireless handheld device when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device, or by signaling to the network when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device or the network. Primary components of the present invention include at least one user interface and at least one location block processor provisioned in the wireless handheld device and/or the wireless network. The user interface prompts the user of the handheld device to enter the commands that the send the signals to the device or network.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for blocking location information of a wireless handheld device that is used in a wireless network that tracks locations and identities of network users, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving through a user interface a request to block the location information;
b) providing location information with at least one of a handheld location system in the wireless handheld device and a network-based location system in the wireless network;
c) removing the location information from a transmission from the wireless handheld device before the transmission is sent from the wireless network to a third party; and
d) forwarding the transmission without the location information to the third party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for blocking location information of a wireless handheld device that is used in a wireless network that tracks locations and identities of network users, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving through a user interface a request to block the location information of a transmission directed to a third party;
b) disregarding the request to block the location information if the third party is a public safety answering point such that the location information remains a part of the transmission;
c) removing the location information from the transmission if the third party is not a public safety answering point; and
d) forwarding the transmission to the third party. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for blocking location information of a wireless handheld device that is used in a wireless network that tracks locations and identities of network users, the system comprising:
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a) a location system that provides the location information;
b) a user interface that accepts a request from a user to block the location information; and
c) a location block processor in communication with the user interface, wherein the user interface, based on the request, directs the location block processor to block the location information in a transmission from the wireless handheld device, the location block processor removes the location information from the transmission, and the location block processor forwards the transmission to a third party. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A wireless handheld device for use in a wireless network that tracks locations and identities of network users, the device comprising:
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a) a location system that provides the location of the wireless handheld device;
b) a user interface that prompts a user to remove location information from transmissions generated by the wireless handheld device; and
c) a location block processor in communication with the location system and the user interface, wherein the location block processor receives the location information from the location system, receives directions from the user interface to remove the location information from the transmissions, and removes the location information from the transmissions. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A wireless network that tracks locations and identities of network users comprising:
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a) a plurality of wireless handheld devices;
b) a location system that provides location information on the plurality of wireless handheld devices;
c) a user interface that prompts users to enter commands to remove location information from transmissions generated by the plurality of wireless handheld devices; and
d) a location block processor in communication with the plurality of wireless handheld devices, the location system, and the user interface, wherein, in response to the commands, the location block processor removes the location information from the transmissions before the transmissions are forwarded to a third party. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification