Method and apparatus for controlling a mobile device beyond an area of interest boundary

• US 20070149219A1
• Filed: 10/10/2006
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Sean S., Guzman, Jorge
• Granted Patent: US 9,316,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.300
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications

Abstract

A mobile wireless system (10) includes a transmitter such as a satellite (18) that broadcasts wireless signals such as boundaries for specific areas to a mobile receiving device (22). Mobile receiving device (22) may include an antenna (26) and a mobile receiving device (28). A locating receiver (50) is used to generate locating signals so that a determination may be made to the location of the mobile receiving device. When the location is outside an area of interest the area of interest may be extended to provide services to the mobile device.

Claims

1. A method of operating a mobile device comprising:

determining a location of the mobile device;

determining an area of interest fixed on the surface of the earth in response to the location;

broadcasting wireless signals have location specific information therein;

receiving the wireless signals at the mobile device;

utilizing the wireless signals corresponding to the area of interest; and

when the mobile receiver travels outside the area of interest, maintaining displaying the wireless signals corresponding to the area of interest.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein maintaining is performed at a water-land boundary.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a mobile phone.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a personal electronic device.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining a location comprises determining the location in response to a GPS receiver.

6. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein determining a location comprises determining the location in response to a GPS receiver disposed within an automotive vehicle.

7. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein determining a location comprises determining the location in response to a GPS receiver disposed within the mobile receiving device.

8. A method as recited in claim 5 wherein determining a location comprises determining the location in response to a cellular phone system.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises an integrated receiver decoder.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the area of interest comprises a designated marketing area and receiving signals comprises receiving local channels corresponding to the designated marketing area.

11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein receiving comprises receiving from a satellite.

12. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein broadcasting comprises broadcasting from a terrestrial source.

13. A method as recited in claim 12 wherein the terrestrial source comprises a cell tower.

14. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein broadcasting comprises broadcasting from a satellite.

15. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein broadcasting comprises broadcasting from a stratospheric platform.

16. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the area of interest comprises a designated marketing area.

17. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein utilizing comprises displaying the wireless signals.

18. A method of operating a mobile device comprising:

determining a location of the mobile device;

determining an area of interest fixed on the surface of the earth in response to the location;

broadcasting wireless signals have location specific information therein;

utilizing the wireless signals corresponding to the area of interest, and

when the mobile receiver travel outside the area of interest, determining an extended area of interest and displaying the wireless signals corresponding to the extended area of interest.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 further comprising broadcasting extensions to an area of interest boundary to the mobile receiver.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the extension corresponds to extensions into water beyond a water-land boundary.

21. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein maintaining is performed at a water-land boundary.

22. A method of operating a mobile device comprising:

determining a location of the mobile device;

determining the receiver device is outside a designated marketing area fixed on the surface of the earth in response to the location;

determining a first distance to a first designated marketing area;

determining a second distance to a second designated marketing area;

comparing the first distance and the second distance to determine a shortest distance;

selecting a selected designated marketing area from the first designated marketing area and the second designated marketing area;

broadcasting wireless signals have location specific information therein; and

displaying the wireless signals corresponding to the selected designated marketing area.

23. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein determining the first distance comprises determining the first distance to a first designated marketing area boundary.

24. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein determining the second distance comprises determining the second distance to a second designated marketing area boundary.

25. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein determining the first distance comprises determining the first distance to a first broadcast center.

26. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein determining the second distance comprises determining the second distance to a second broadcast center.

27. A mobile television device coupled to a GPS receiver generating GPS signals comprising:

a controller coupled to the GPS receiver, said controller determining a location of the mobile device, determining a designated marketing area fixed on the surface of the earth in response to the location, receiving the wireless signals, displaying the wireless signals corresponding to the designated marketing area, and when the mobile receiver travels outside the designated marketing area, maintaining displaying the wireless signals corresponding to the designated marketing area.