METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR LOCATION-BASED MANAGEMENT OF WIRELESS DEVICES

• US 20080207218A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ruckart, John P., Craine, Ari J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,285,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Method and apparatus are for monitoring the location of a wireless device and taking supervisory action in response to that location. Location information obtained from a user'"'"'s wireless device, or otherwise concerning the present location of the user, is monitored and compared with one or more locations previously approved for that user. An exception is noted if the user reaches a non-approved location, or fails to timely arrive at an approved destination. In response to an exception, supervisory action is taken which may include contacting the wireless device, partially or completely disabling further service of that device, or contacting another person.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a user of a wireless device, comprising:

receiving location information identifying a geographic location of the wireless device;

comparing the geographic location with a source of predetermined locations for the wireless device;

determining an exception if the comparison indicates that the wireless device is located at other than the predetermined locations for the wireless device; and

responsive to the exception, sending an instruction to take supervisory action.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information is received continuously and at predetermined time intervals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device comprises a GPS receiver, and wherein the location information is received periodically from the wireless device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the supervisory action controls a function of the wireless device

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the supervisory action disables a function of the wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the supervisory action disables a function of the wireless device and sends a message to the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the supervisory action disables a function of the wireless device and sends a message to another device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the location information that identifies the geographic location, the geographic location being a certain first geographic location of the user;

receiving information identifying a time of departure from the first geographic location by the user or the wireless device; and

determining the exception if the location information fails to identify that the wireless device arrived at a certain second geographic location within a predetermined amount of time after the time of departure from the first geographic location.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the information identifying the time of departure from the first geographic location is determined from the location information received from the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the information identifying the time of departure from the first geographic location is received from a device associated with the first location.

11. A system for monitoring a user of a wireless device, comprising:

means for receiving location information identifying the geographic location of the wireless device; and

a processor operative to compare the location information with a source of predetermined location information for the wireless device, to determine an exception if the comparison indicates that the wireless device is located at other than a predetermined location for the wireless device, and in response to the exception, to send an instruction message operative to control a function.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instruction message controls a function of the wireless device

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the instruction message disables a function of the wireless device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the instruction message disables a function of the wireless device and sends a message to the wireless device.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the instruction message disables a function of the wireless device and sends a message to another device.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein:

the processor receives location information that identifies a certain first location of the user, receives information identifying the time of departure from the first location by the user or the wireless device, and determines an exception if the received location information fails to identify that the wireless device arrived at a certain second location within a predetermined amount of time after the identified time of departure from the first location.

17. A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform:

receiving location information identifying the geographic location of the wireless device;

comparing the location information with a source of predetermined location information for the wireless device;

determining an exception if the comparison indicates that the wireless device is located at other than a predetermined location for the wireless device; and

responsive to the exception, sending an instruction message operative to control a function.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instruction message controls a function of the wireless device.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instruction message disables a function of the wireless device and sends a message to at least one of the wireless device and another device.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to perform:

receiving location information that identifies a certain first location of the user;

receiving information identifying the time of departure from the first location by the user or the wireless device; and

determining an exception if the received location information fails to identify that the wireless device arrived at a certain second location within a predetermined amount of time after the identified time of departure from the first location.