ANONYMOUS POSITIONING OF A WIRELESS UNIT FOR DATA NETWORK LOCATION-BASED SERVICES
First Claim
1. A method for providing location-based services relating to a wireless communications unit in a wireless communications network via a data network, comprising the steps of:
- receiving within said data network a data network search request, wherein said search request originates from a wireless unit in said wireless communications network and includes at least one search parameter;
determining a location associated with said wireless communications unit;
searching said data network, utilizing said at least one search parameter and said location associated with said wireless communications unit, to identify information associated with said search request; and
providing said information to said wireless communications unit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention concerns a process and a system for providing location information for a wireless unit in a wireless network to a location-based service provider, using a data network. In particular, the location information is provided to the location-based service provider without necessarily providing the identity of wireless unit, e.g., a subscriber'"'"'s wireless identification number, to the service provider. In this regard, a subscriber'"'"'s identification number may be hidden from the positioning service provider via a process in which an alias is used instead of the subscriber'"'"'s normal identity. The subscriber'"'"'s number may further be concealed from the service provider via a process wherein encrypted information is used instead of the subscriber'"'"'s normal identity.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method for providing location-based services relating to a wireless communications unit in a wireless communications network via a data network, comprising the steps of:
-
receiving within said data network a data network search request, wherein said search request originates from a wireless unit in said wireless communications network and includes at least one search parameter; determining a location associated with said wireless communications unit; searching said data network, utilizing said at least one search parameter and said location associated with said wireless communications unit, to identify information associated with said search request; and providing said information to said wireless communications unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An apparatus for providing location-based services relating to a wireless unit in a wireless communications network using a data network, comprising:
a computer platform including; an interface for receiving a data network search request from a wireless unit, said search request including at least one search parameter; a location module for procuring location information associated with said wireless unit; and a data network search engine for utilizing said at least one search parameter and said location information as first and second search criteria for searching the data network for responsive information. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
Specification