Network support for image blocking based on location stamp

• US 20060128398A1
• Filed: 12/15/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: True, Sandra Lynn, Chin, Frances Mu-Fen, Hasan, Peggy
• Application Number:
  US11/013,978
• Publication Number:
  US 20060128398A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.300
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64

Abstract

A wireless telecommunication network recognizes and blocks image transmissions from designated “no image zones.” In such manner, the wireless telecommunication network can block the transmission of video and/or photo images from mobile image device(s) (e.g., picture phones) attempting to send images from sensitive locations.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving an image message sourced from a mobile image device;

determining a source location associated with the image message;

consulting a database to determine whether the source location coincides with a designated no-image zone; and

blocking further transmission of the image message if the source location is determined to coincide with a designated no-image zone.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the image message includes location-stamp including indicia of the source location, the step of determining a source location comprising identifying the source location based on the location-stamp.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a source location comprises querying the mobile image device for the source location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a source location comprises querying a position determination entity for the source location.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the database includes location information associated with various no-image zones, the step of consulting a database comprising determining whether the source location matches the location information of any of the no-image zones.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the location information identifies a geo-location point associated with various no-image zones, the step of consulting a database comprising determining whether the source location is within a threshold radius from the geo-location point of any of the no-image zones.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the geo-location point specifies a latitude and longitude of the various no-image zones.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the geo-location point specifies a latitude, longitude and elevation of the various no-image zones.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the location information includes boundary information associated with various no-image zones, the step of consulting a database comprising determining whether the source location is within a boundary of any of the no-image zones.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the boundary information comprises a plurality of corner point locations associated with the no-image zones.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the corner point locations are specified by latitude and longitude.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the corner point locations are specified by latitude, longitude and elevation.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an image message comprises receiving the image message at a mobile switching center (MSC), the step of blocking further transmission of the message comprising blocking transmission of the image message from the MSC.

14. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving, at a mobile switching center (MSC), an image message sourced from a mobile image device, the image message including a location-stamp having indicia of a source location associated with the image message;

determining, by the MSC, whether the source location coincides with a designated no-image zone;

the MSC blocking further transmission of the image message if the source location is determined to coincide with a designated no-image zone; and

the MSC permitting further transmission of the image message if the source location is determined to not coincide with a designated no-image zone.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of determining comprises consulting a database including location information associated with various no-image zones, the MSC making a determination based on comparing the source location associated with the image message with the location information in the database.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the location information identifies a geo-location point associated with various no-image zones, the step of consulting a database comprising the MSC determining whether the source location is within a threshold radius from the geo-location point of any of the no-image zones.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the location information includes boundary information associated with various no-image zones, the step of consulting a database comprising the MSC determining whether the source location is within a boundary of any of the no-image zones.