Identity Blocking Service from a Wireless Service Provider

• US 20130303127A1
• Filed: 07/22/2013
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zellner, Samuel N., Enzmann, Mark J., Moton, Robert T. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,755,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/23 for mobile advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/14 between corresponding nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 selectively restricting mobility data tracking

Abstract

Identity-blocking services are provided. The current physical location of a mobile device may be disclosed to a third party without sending any identity information of the mobile subscriber to the third party. Blocking of the mobile subscriber'"'"'s identity may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying, by a system comprising a processor, subscriber authorization information from a wireless communication device, the subscriber authorization information indicating that a location of the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that personally identifies a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device; and

in response to identifying the subscriber authorization information, obtaining, by the system, location data indicating the location of the wireless communication device without obtaining information that personally identifies the subscriber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the system comprises an advertising server.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the location data is obtained at predetermined intervals.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining, by the system, further location data indicating a further location of the wireless communication device;

comparing, by the system, the location data with the further location data; and

determining, based upon the comparing, that the wireless communication device has moved.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining, by the system, location-specific information associated with the location of the wireless communication device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the location-specific information is to be delivered to a user associated with the wireless communication device.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the location-specific information is obtained based on a preference associated with the subscriber.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the location-specific information is obtained in response to receiving permission from a user.

9. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

identifying subscriber authorization information associated with a wireless communication device, the subscriber authorization information indicating that a location of the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that personally identifies a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device; and

in response to identifying the subscriber authorization information, location data indicating the location of the wireless communication device without obtaining information that personally identifies the subscriber.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the location of the wireless communication device is obtained at predetermined intervals.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

obtaining further location data indicating a further location of the wireless communication device;

comparing the location data with the further location data; and

determining, based upon the comparing, that the wireless communication device has moved.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising obtaining location-specific information.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the location-specific information is associated with a location of the wireless communication device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the location-specific information is to be delivered to a user of the wireless communication device.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the location-specific information is obtained based on a preference associated with the subscriber, and wherein the location-specific information is obtained in response to receiving permission from a user.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the system comprises an advertising server.

17. A method comprising:

identifying, by an advertising server comprising a processor, subscriber authorization information associated with a wireless communication device, the subscriber authorization information indicating that a location of the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that personally identifies a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device; and

in response to identifying the subscriber authorization information, obtaining, by the advertising server, location data indicating the location of the wireless communication device without obtaining information that personally identifies the subscriber.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

generating, by the advertising server, an advertisement for delivery to the wireless communication device based upon the location of the wireless communication device; and

delivering, by the advertising server, the advertisement to the wireless communication device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the subscriber authorization information indicates that the information that personally identifies the subscriber is authorized to be shared with sharing the information that indicates the location of the wireless communication device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

generating, by the advertising server, an advertisement for delivery to the wireless communication device based upon the information that personally identifies the subscriber; and

delivering, by the advertising server, the advertisement to the wireless communication device.