Local area wireless airspace management

• US 20070117558A1
• Filed: 09/22/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ramesh Balwani
• Original Assignee: Ramesh Balwani
• Inventors: Balwani, Ramesh
• Granted Patent: US 8,532,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/421
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A mobile wireless device that is implemented to provide personal communications services in a wireless communications network can be integrated with hardware and/or software to manage the device at the device level (e.g., control device usage or operation at the device) at the local level. Management can be implemented to be invisible to wireless device user such as to be implemented without requiring user initiation to acknowledge or allow management to proceed. Local management can be implemented on a real time basis to manage the usage or operation of a device, device components (hardware or software, peripherals (e.g., speaker, display, keyboard, microphone, etc.), or hardware (e.g., camera, voice recorder, etc.) or software integrated into the device. Different policies can be applied within a local airspace management network. A local airspace management network can be configured to interact with wireless devices to authenticate the user of a device. Security measures can also be implemented to assure that local airspace management is applied by a trusted network. Information associated with a local airspace management network such as user biometrics, trusted network certification, authentication information can be stored in a wireless device. A local airspace management network can include a transmitter and associated hardware and/or software that implement the local airspace management policy of an entity.

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing a wireless device based on local airspace policies of an organization, comprising an integrated circuit that is implemented on wireless personal communications services devices to apply the local airspace policy when one of the wireless devices is present within the airspace of the organization.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit is dedicated to applying the local policies of organizations.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit is an ASIC.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit implements a local policy that disables a wireless device or that disables components, features, or peripherals of the device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit receives local policy on a first frequency band and provides personal communications services on a separate and distinct second frequency band.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit implements a local policy that disables a camera that is integrated into the wireless device.

7. A cellular telephone that incorporates an integrated circuit for managing the cellular telephone based on a local policy of an organization, wherein the integrated circuit is designed and configured to apply the local airspace policy when the cellular telephone is present within the airspace of the organization.

8. The cellular telephone of claim 7 wherein the integrated circuit implements a local policy to disable functionality generally available to the cellular telephone user within the cellular network.

9. A WiMAX telephone that incorporates an integrated circuit for managing the WiMAX telephone based on a local policy of an organization, wherein the integrated circuit is designed and configured to apply the local airspace policy when the WiMax telephone is present within the airspace of the organization.

10. A WiFi telephone that incorporates an integrated circuit for managing the WiFi telephone based on a local policy of an organization, wherein the integrated circuit is designed and configured to apply the local airspace policy when the WiFi telephone is present within the airspace of the organization.

11. Local airspace management network equipment comprising:

a transmitter and related circuitry that is configured to transmit a local airspace policy to wireless devices that enter its airspace to manage such wireless devices.

12. The equipment of claim 11 wherein the transmitter comprises an integrated circuit that is configured to implement a local airspace management network.

13. The equipment of claim 12 wherein the integrated circuit is dedicated to implementing a local airspace management network.

14. The equipment of claim 11 wherein the transmitter is assigned to operate on a frequency band than personal communications services that are provided by the wireless devices.

15. The equipment of claim 11 wherein software is implemented at the transmitter to implement a local airspace management network.

16. The equipment of claim 11 wherein a transmitter is in communications with a database in accordance with LDAP or other directory access protocol for user authentication and permission information.

17. The equipment of claim 11 wherein the transmitter is designed and configured to transmit the local policy only within an airspace controlled by an organization that sets the local policy.

18. The equipment of claim 17 wherein at least one of an integrated circuit or software implements a local airspace management layer on a wireless device.

19. Local airspace management network equipment comprising an access point that includes a local airspace management layer that is configured to initiate transmission of the local airspace policy to wireless devices that enter its airspace.

20. A method for providing a local airspace management network comprising:

implementing a personal airspace management protocol that establishes communications and carries policy information to wireless devices that are operatively associated with a local airspace management network.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the personal airspace management protocol is implemented on wireless devices that are connected to the local airspace covered by the network.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the wireless devices include an integrated circuit that is designed and configured to receive and apply the personal airspace management protocol.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the personal airspace management protocol is implemented as the wireless devices that pass an access point to the local airspace.

24. Computer-readable medium on which machine-readable instructions for implementing a method is recorded, the method comprising:

a personal airspace management protocol that establishes communications and carries policy information to wireless devices that are operatively associated with a local airspace management network.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the personal airspace management protocol is implemented on wireless devices that are connected to the local airspace covered by the network.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein the protocol is implemented on wireless devices using an integrated circuit that is designed and configured to receive and apply the personal airspace management protocol.