METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING A MOBILE DEVICE OVER A VIDEO NETWORK

• US 20080242319A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Services Organization Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Phuah, Vincent, Paschetto, James E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,634,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.6
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0283 via a telephone network, e.g. cellular GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0294 Display details on parent unit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/085 using central distribution transmission lines
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/14 Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements

Abstract

An approach is provided for monitoring location of a user of a mobile device. A notification triggering event based on location of a mobile device is detected. Notification information is generated in response to the detection of the notification triggering event. The notification information to a video processor (e.g., set-top box) that is configured to transmit the notification information to a display.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a notification triggering event based on location of a mobile device;

generating notification information in response to the detection of the notification triggering event; and

transmitting the notification information to a video processor configured to provide one or more video channels.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the video processor is a set-top box.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

storing an identifier of the set-top box among a plurality of set-top box identifiers, wherein the mobile device is mapped to the stored identifier.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the notification triggering event is based on either a time schedule or a location schedule.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the notification information includes a map.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a data communication session with an application resident on the set-top box, wherein the application formats the notification information for presentation of the notification information.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the application receives input from a user to enable or to disable receipt of the notification information.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to detect a notification triggering event based on location of a mobile device, wherein the processor is further configured to generate notification information in response to the detection of the notification triggering event; and

a communication interface configured to transmit the notification information to a video processor configured to provide one or more video channels.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the video processor is a set-top box.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a database coupled to the processor and configured to store an identifier of the set-top box among a plurality of set-top box identifiers, wherein the mobile device is mapped to the stored identifier.

11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification triggering event is based on either a time schedule or a location schedule.

12. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification information includes a map.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the communication interface is further configured to establish a data communication session with an application resident on the set-top box, wherein the application formats the notification information for presentation of the notification information.

14. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the application receives input from a user to enable or to disable receipt of the notification information.

15. A method comprising:

receiving, at a set-top box, notification information indicating that a mobile device has satisfied a notification condition based on location of the mobile device; and

transmitting the notification information a display.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the notification condition includes a time schedule or a location schedule.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the notification information includes a map.

18. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

executing an application within the set-top box, wherein the application formats the notification information for presentation of the notification information at the display.

19. A method according to claim 15, wherein the application receives input from a user to enable or to disable receipt of the notification information.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a first communication interface configured to receive notification information indicating that a mobile device has satisfied a notification condition based on location of the mobile device;

a processor configured to execute an application for formatting the notification information; and

a second communication interface configured to transmit the formatted notification information a display.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the notification condition includes a time schedule or a location schedule.

22. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the notification information includes a map.

23. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the application receives input from a user to enable or to disable receipt of the notification information.