Systems and Methods for Speed and Location Based Network Access and Features Control

• US 20120238252A1
• Filed: 03/20/2011
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Benjamin Charles Levitan, James Heath
• Original Assignee: Benjamin Charles Levitan, James Heath
• Inventors: Levitan, Benjamin Charles, Heath, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,868,081 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

Systems and methods are presented to allow or prohibit any or all services between a network and a node in the network based upon the geographic location and rate of travel of the node. One exemplary application is for the prevention of texting while driving. For example, in FIG. 1: Typical Wireless Communications Network, the location and rate of travel of the mobile station, (MS), 140, can be determined from the use of Global Positioning System, (GPS), information received by the MS, (140), and transmitted to the network. The MS, (140), may have any or all of its subscriber services enabled or disabled by the network based upon the speed that the MS, (140), is traveling and/or its geographical location. Other methods are possible to determine the location and rate of travel of a mobile station as well. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, it is possible for a mobile wireless network to determine the location and speed of an MS. The preferred exemplary embodiment will disallow the operation of features like text messaging or speaking on the mobile phone, when an individual is driving over a range of predetermined speeds. Additionally, this embodiment would disallow the operation of similar features in specific locations, like schools, and jails. In this embodiment it is also possible to allow any MS to access predetermined destinations for emergencies, like 911, at any time. This embodiment also allows services at otherwise forbidden speeds and/or locations to specific MSs or end-users. In this way public safety officials are not restricted and “hotspot” service can be offered on buses or trains. This enhancement to the network would permit more fine-grained control over where and when services can be allowed.

Claims

1. ) A communications network comprised of:

a. a plurality of nodes which can insert, remove or relay data

b. a means of interconnecting said nodes to each other, either by fixed cable connection or wireless connection

c. a means of measuring the speed of every node, or any subset of nodes.

d. a means of determining whether a node'"'"'s speed falls within a predetermined range of speeds

e. a means of refusing or allowing any or all services to and from said node whose speed falls within these predetermined range of speeds.

2. ) A network as in 1) wherein a process is implemented which includes the steps of:

a. allowing a node requesting access to the network to register with the network as an attached node, if it meets the necessary requirements to register with the network

b. determining if the speed of said node requesting to join the network falls within a predetermined range of speeds

c. refusing or allowing access to and from said node for any or all services or transmissions in excess of those required to keep said node registered with the network if the speed of said node falls within this predetermined range.

3. ) A network as in 2) wherein a process is implemented which includes the steps of:

a. periodically measuring the speed of any attached node or subset of attached nodes

b. periodically comparing the measured speed of said node or nodes to a predetermined range of speeds

c. allowing or refusing access to and from said node for any or all services or transmissions in excess of those required to keep said node registered with the network if the speed of said node falls within this predetermined range.

4. ) A network as in 3) wherein a signal, message or indication is sent to the node upon registration and after every periodic verification of node speed to said node indicating connection status.

5. ) A network as in 3) wherein a process is implemented that consists of:

a. A means of examining the connection request from an attached node to acquire the destination of the connection request

b. a table of predetermined destinations

c. a means of allowing access with any or all services to the requested destination if the destination is on the predetermined list.

6. ) A network as in 3) wherein a process is implemented that consists of:

a. a means of authenticating the identity of a node or user of a node

b. a predetermined list of node identities or user identities

c. a means of allowing or refusing any or all services between said node and any other node in the network based on whether the node identity or the user identity is on said predetermined list.

7. ) A Network as in 3) wherein:

a. if any or all services are refused to a node

b. and contact to said node is attempted but refused

c. a message may be sent to the party or node that initiated said contact that said node is unavailable.

8. ) A network as in 3) wherein:

a. if any or all services are refused to a node

b. and contact to said node is refused

c. a message or signal indicating a contact attempt may be sent to said node.

9. ) A network as in 3) wherein:

a. if any or all services are refused to a node

b. and contact to said node is refused

c. a means of storing a message from the party or node initiating the contact to the node or the user of the node to which contact was refused may be provided

d. a message or signal indicating the existence of a stored message may be sent to said node or the user of said node that was refused contact.

10. ) A data network as in 3) wherein the nodes whose speeds are being monitored may be mobile stations and the interconnection to the other nodes in the network is wireless, through a radio access network.

11. ) A data network as in 3) wherein the process to authenticate the speed of the node is performed in said node.

12. ) A data network as in 3) with the additional capabilities of:

a. a means of measuring the location of every node, or any subset of said nodes.

b. a means of determining whether a node'"'"'s location falls within a predetermined range of locations

c. a means of refusing or allowing any or all services to and from said node whose location falls within these predetermined range of locations.

13. ) A communications network comprised of:

a. a plurality of nodes which can insert, remove or relay data

b. a means of interconnecting said nodes to each other, either by fixed cable connection or wireless connection

c. a means of measuring the location of every node, or any subset of nodes.

d. a means of determining whether a node'"'"'s location falls within a predetermined range of locations

e. a means of refusing or allowing any or all services to and from said node whose location falls within this predetermined range of locations.

14. ) A network as in 13) wherein a process is implemented which includes the steps of:

a. allowing a node requesting access to the network to register with the network as an attached node, if it meets the necessary requirements to register with the network

b. determining if the location of said node requesting to join the network falls within a predetermined range of locations

c. refusing or allowing access to and from said node for any or all services or transmissions in excess of those required to keep said node registered with the network if the location of said node falls within this predetermined range.

15. ) A network as in 14) wherein a process is implemented which includes the steps of:

a. periodically measuring the location of any attached node or subset of attached nodes

b. periodically comparing the measured location of said node or nodes to a predetermined range of locations

c. allowing or refusing access to and from said node for any or all services or transmissions in excess of those required to keep said node registered with the network if the location of said node falls within this predetermined range.

16. ) A network as in 15) wherein a signal, message or indication is sent to the node upon registration and upon every periodic verification of node location to said node indicating connection status.

17. ) A network as in 15) wherein a process is implemented that consists of:

a. A means of examining the connection request from an attached node to acquire the destination of the connection request

b. a list of predetermined destinations

c. a means of allowing full access to the requested destination if the destination is on the predetermined list.

18. ) A network as in 15) wherein a process is implemented that consists of:

a. a means of authenticating the identity of a node or user of a node

b. a predetermined list of node identities or user identities

c. a means of allowing or refusing any or all services between said node and any other node in the network based on whether the node identity or the user identity is on said predetermined list.

19. ) A Network as in 15) wherein:

a. if any or all services are refused to a node

b. and contact to said node is attempted but refused

c. a message may be sent to the node that initiated said contact that said node is unavailable.

20. ) A network as in 15) wherein:

a. if any or all services are refused to a node

b. and contact to said node is refused

c. a message or signal indicating a contact attempt may be sent to said node.

21. ) A network as in 15) wherein:

a. if any or all services are refused to a node

b. and contact to said node is refused

c. a means of storing a message from the party or node initiating the contact to the node or the user of the node to which contact was refused may be provided

d. a message or signal indicating the existence of a stored message may be sent to said node or the user of said node that was refused contact.

22. ) A data network as in 15) wherein the nodes whose locations are being monitored may be mobile stations and the interconnection to the other nodes in the network is wireless, through a radio access network.

23. ) A data network as in 15) wherein the process to authenticate the location of the node is performed in said node.

24. ) A data network as in 15) with the additional capabilities of:

a. a means of measuring the speed of every node, or any subset of said nodes.

b. a means of determining whether a node'"'"'s speed falls within a predetermined range of speeds

c. a means of refusing or allowing any or all services to and from said node which falls within these predetermined range of speeds.