Method and apparatus for interlocking communication and tracking applications in a wireless communication device

• US 20070178908A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Omnitracs LLC (Solera Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Doyle, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 selectively restricting mobility data tracking

Abstract

A wireless communication device transmits location information associated with a mobile worker, and provides an option to the mobile worker to disable such location transmissions. The use of the location transmission function is enhanced by interlocking the location tracking function with one or more other functions of the wireless communication device. When the tracking function is disabled, one or more other functions that the mobile worker finds valuable are also disabled, thus reducing the likelihood that the mobile worker will disable location tracking. Rules may be implemented to disable the other functions only in the event that disabling the tracking function violates a violated. Location monitoring for such workers is thereby enhanced.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing the use of location tracking in a wireless communication device that provides location tracking functionality and the option for a user to disable the location tracking function, comprising:

periodically tracking the location of the wireless communication device using a location sensing component within the wireless communication device;

determining that a user of the wireless communication device has disabled the location tracking function; and

disabling at least one function of the wireless communication device that is different than the location tracking function.

2. The method, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

generating a notification that the location tracking function has been disabled.

3. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disabling comprises:

disabling at least one of a voice communication function and a data messaging function.

4. The method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disabling comprises:

accessing a rule associated with the wireless communication device;

determining whether disabling the location tracking function violates the rule; and

disabling the at least one function of the wireless communication device that is different than the location tracking function when it is determined that disabling the location tracking function violates the rule.

5. The method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the determining whether disabling the location tracking function violates the rule comprises:

determining a priority of a current work assignment; and

determining that the rule is violated when the priority of the current work assignment is higher than a pre-set priority.

6. The method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the determining whether disabling the location tracking function violates the rule comprises:

comparing the current time with a business schedule; and

determining that the rule is violated when the current time is within the business schedule.

7. The method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the determining whether disabling the location tracking function violates the rule comprises:

determining a status of the user associated with the wireless communication device; and

determining that the rule is violated when the status of the user is below a pre-set status.

8. The method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the determining whether disabling the location tracking function violates the rule comprises:

determining a status of a current work assignment; and

determining that the rule is violated when the status of the current work assignment is past due.

9. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a wireless transmitter/receiver operable to send/receive wireless signals over a wireless communication network;

a location sensor operable to determine a location of the wireless communication device and output location information;

a user interface; and

a controller operably interconnected to said wireless transmitter/receiver, said location sensor, and said user interface, said controller operable to periodically cause the transmission of said location information from said wireless transmitter/receiver and to disable said transmission when a predetermined input is received from said user interface, and

wherein said controller is further operable to disable at least a first function of the wireless communication device, in addition to disabling transmission of said location information, when said predetermined input is received.

10. The wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least a first function includes at least one of a voice communications function and a data messaging function.

11. The wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said controller is further operable to cause the transmission of a notification when said predetermined input is received.

12. The wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein when said predetermined input is received, said controller is operable disable said transmission and start a timer, said timer stopped when a second input is received that re-enables said transmission, wherein said first function is disabled when said timer expires.

13. The wireless communication device, as claimed in claim 12, wherein said timer is reset when said second input is received.

14. A tangible data storage medium comprising executable data capable of causing a programmable device to perform:

initiating a location tracking function of a wireless communication device;

determining that a user of the wireless communication device has disabled the location tracking function; and

disabling at least one function of the wireless communication device that is different than the location tracking function.

15. The tangible data storage medium, as claimed in claim 14, wherein said determining comprises:

determining if an input from a user interface is received to disable the location tracking function; and

generating a notification that the location tracking function has been disabled.

16. The tangible data storage medium, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the disabling comprises:

disabling at least one of a voice communication function and a data messaging function.

17. The tangible data storage medium, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the disabling comprises:

accessing a rule associated with the wireless communication device;

determining whether disabling the location tracking function violates the rule; and

disabling the at least one function of the wireless communication device that is different than the location tracking function when it is determined that disabling the location tracking function violates the rule.

18. The tangible data storage medium, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the determining whether disabling the location tracking function violates the rule comprises:

determining a status of the user associated with the wireless communication device; and

determining that the rule is violated when the status of the user is below a pre-set status.

19. The tangible data storage medium, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the determining whether disabling the location tracking function violates the rule comprises:

determining a status of a current work assignment; and

determining that the rule is violated when the status of the current work assignment is past due.