METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THE GRANT OF A SUBSCRIBER'S PERMISSION

• US 20140295798A1
• Filed: 05/06/2014
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited, LLC
• Original Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited
• Inventors: Roach, Peter O. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US14/271,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20140295798A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• 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 2203/6009 Personal information, e.g. profiles or personal directories being only provided to authorised persons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/14 with services dependent on location where the service is an information service H04M2242/15; services independent of location H04M3/42229
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0048 where the text-based messaging service is a Short Message Service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 selectively restricting mobility data tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/186 Processing of subscriber group data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Confirmation of a mobile subscriber'"'"'s permission to release their personal information is completed prior to transmitting the information to a requesting party. The mobile subscriber can view the requesting party'"'"'s identity prior to making a decision to release their directory information. In the alternative, the mobile subscriber can contact the requesting party directly without a release of their personal information. Other types of information, such as location information, can also be communicated to a requesting party by this permission grant methodology.

Claims

1. A method for offering location-based information services, the method comprising:

receiving a query based on a request from a requesting party for location information about a mobile communication device associated with a mobile device user;

responsive to the query, issuing a permission release request to a mobile communication device, the permission release request seeking permission for release of the requested location information on behalf of the requesting party; and

releasing the requested location information for distribution to the requesting party in response to receipt of a permission release response output by the mobile communication device, the permission release response providing permission for communication of the requested location information to the requesting party.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting the location of the mobile communication device associated with the mobile device user and storing the location information in advance of issuing the permission release request.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting the location of the mobile communication device associated with the mobile device user and storing the location information at regular intervals.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the requested location information comprises location information relevant to the mobile device, the location information comprising at least one of an address, location description, network, coordinates, and a mapped location specific to the mobile device user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the permission release request comprises at least one of an identity of the requesting party and a telephone number for the requesting party.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to an automated decision made by logic of the mobile communication device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to a decision made by the mobile device user based on interactions with a user interface of the mobile communication device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the permission release response is output by the mobile communication device in response to a decision made by the mobile device user as a result of a presentation by a user interface of the mobile communication device, the presentation providing an identity of the requesting party.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the requested location information is distributed to the requesting party in the form comprising one of the following:

a text message transmitted to the mobile communication device of the requesting party;

an integrated voice response device (IVR) speaking the requested location information to the requesting party;

an operator calling the requesting party with the requested location information;

a web page presenting the requested location information;

a video message transmitted to the mobile communication device of the requesting party;

a multimedia message transmitted to the mobile communication device of the requesting party; and

an electronic mail message presenting the requested location information.

10. A method for offering location-based information services, comprising the steps of:

receiving a query based on a request from a requesting party for location information about a mobile communication device associated with a mobile device user;

responsive to the request, communicating with a mobile device user to seek permission for release of the requested location information on behalf of the requesting party;

receiving a communication from the mobile device user granting permission for release of the requested location information to the requesting party; and

transmitting the requested location information to the requesting party.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

requesting the location of the mobile communication device associated with the mobile device user and storing the location information in advance of transmitting the requested location information.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

communicating the location of the mobile communication device associated with the mobile device user at regular intervals.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the requested location information comprises location information relevant to the mobile device, the location information comprising at least one of an address, location description, network, coordinates, and a mapped location specific to the mobile device user.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein communicating with a mobile device user to seek permission for release comprises transmitting at least one of an identity of the requesting party and a telephone number for the requesting party.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the requested location information is distributed to the requesting party in the form comprising one of the following:

a text message transmitted to the mobile communication device of the requesting party;

an integrated voice response device (IVR) speaking the requested location information to the requesting party;

an operator calling the requesting party with the requested location information;

a web page presenting the requested location information;

a video message transmitted to the mobile communication device of the requesting party;

a multimedia message transmitted to the mobile communication device of the requesting party; and

an electronic mail message presenting the requested location information.

16. A system for offering location-based information services, the system comprising:

a receiver configured to receive one or more queries from a requesting party for location information about a mobile communication device associated with a mobile device user,

a processor configured to generate one or more permission release requests to a mobile communication device, wherein the permission release request seeks permission for release of the requested location information on behalf of the requesting party; and

a database configured to store the information associated with the mobile device users;

an information release component configured to retrieve the requested location information from the database and further configured to transmit the location information to the requesting party in response to receipt of a permission release response output by the mobile communication device, the permission release response providing permission for communication of the requested location information to the requesting party.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the database is configured to store the location information in the in advance of the processor generating a permission release request.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the requested location information comprises location information relevant to the mobile device, the location information comprising at least one of an address, location description, network, coordinates, and a mapped location specific to the mobile device user.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the permission release response is received from the mobile communication device in response to a decision made by the mobile device user as a result of a presentation by a user interface of the mobile communication device, the presentation providing an identity of the requesting party.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve the location of the mobile communication device at regular intervals.