METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ANONYMOUS USER IDENTIFICATION AND CONTENT PERSONALIZATION IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

• US 20090227290A1
• Filed: 05/19/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chien, Herman
• Granted Patent: US 8,254,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/558
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6254 by anonymising data, e.g. decorrelating personal data from the owner's identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/383 Anonymous user system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0407 wherein the identity of one or more communicating identities is hidden cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for anonymous credentials or for identity based cryptographic systems H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/72 Subscriber identity

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing personalized content to a user of a wireless network include establishing an anonymous user identifier and delivering the user identifier to a content provider. Based on the user identifier, communication with a predetermined data source is established or predetermined data content is selected. In some embodiments, a device identifier is provided in addition to the user identifier and device specific, personalized content is delivered to the user. In one example, a device identifier and a user identifier are based on a mobile station serial number and a subscriber identity module, respectively, and are used in an HTTP header. The anonymous user identifier can be based on a subscriber identity module (SIM) serial number, or a hash of the SIM serial number so that user information such as a user phone numbers is not available to content providers.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

a register configured to store a user identifier; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the user identifier to a network.

2. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a register configured to store a device identifier, and wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the device identifier to the network.

3. The communication device of claim 2, further comprising:

a processor; and

a user input interface configured to supply commands to the processor.

4. The communication device of claim 2, further comprising a subscriber identity module (SIM), wherein the user identifier is associated with a serial number assigned to the SIM.

5. The communication device of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to encrypt at least one of the device identifier and the user identifier before transmission to the communication network.

6. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a processor; and

a user input interface configured to supply commands to the processor.

7. A cell phone, comprising:

a display configured to display data and commands;

a user input interface for data entry and command entry;

a subscriber identity module (SIM) that includes a user identifier; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the user identifier.

8. The cell phone of claim 7, further comprising a memory configured to store a device identifier, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the device identifier.

9. The cell phone of claim 8, wherein the user identifier is associated with a SIM serial number.

10. A content provider configured to communicate with one or more mobile stations, comprising a content personalization interface configured to receive an anonymous user identifier from at least one of the mobile stations.