SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A SUBSCRIBER'S ZONE INFORMATION

• US 20160165392A1
• Filed: 12/09/2014
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Caldwell, Christopher E., Linkola, Janne P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,693,189 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for delivering customized content to wireless service subscribers are disclosed. According to the disclosed embodiments, wireless access points can be grouped into various zones. Some of all of these zones can be further associated with predefined service types or other customized attributes. When a wireless subscriber connects to an access point in a given zone, the subscriber can be provided with content and/or services based on the zone to which he is connected.

Claims

1-28. -28. (canceled)

29. In a system serving multiple wireless devices wherein the devices communicate with at least one server computer via an internet protocol (IP)-based wireless local area network (WLAN), a method associated with the providing of services, the method comprising:

defining multiple service zones, wherein each service zone includes one or more access points associated with one or more IP-based WLANs;

storing the defined multiple service zones;

assigning at least one service type for each of the multiple service zones,

wherein some of the service types for some of the service zones differ from service types for other service zones;

storing the service types assigned to each of the multiple service zones;

determining that one of the multiple devices is operating within one of the multiple service zones,

wherein the one device is configured to communicate over the IP-based WLANs or over a cellular phone network under a wireless protocol;

associating the one device with the one service zone; and

,

providing to the one device at least one of the service types assigned to the one service zone in which the one device is operating.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the devices employ at least a portion of an Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), Generic Access Network (GAN), or Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) protocol to communicate with the WLAN.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the one device is identified using an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) number, or a mobile phone number.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the service types assigned to the one service zone include billing rates, delivery of certain content, advertisements, or rules.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the certain content is based at least in part on a geographical location associated with a service zone or a time of day or day of week.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the rules relate to filtering, screening, or security for providing data or communications to or from wireless devices in a service zone.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein each of the access points is identified using an IP address, a MAC address, a proximate Cellsite Global Indicator (CGI), or a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN).

36. The method of claim 29, wherein the one service zone includes a plurality of noncontiguous access points scattered throughout a geographical region.

37. At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium carrying a computer program to map network locations to mobile service zones, the computer program performing a method comprising:

storing definitions of multiple service zones in a database,

wherein each of the multiple service zone includes one or more network locations for one or more IP-based WLANs;

obtaining information of a specific network location associated with a mobile telecommunications device,

wherein the mobile telecommunications device is configured for wireless voice communications over both a cellular network and an IP-based computer network, and

wherein the mobile telecommunications device employs at least a portion of an Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), Generic Access Network (GAN), or Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) protocol to communicate with an IP-based WLAN; and

mapping the specific network location to one of the predefined service zones.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the specific network location is identified using an IP address, a MAC address, a proximate Cellsite Global Indicator (CGI), or a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN).

39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein one of the service zones includes a plurality of non-overlapping network locations scattered throughout a geographical region.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, the method further comprising:

storing the mapping in the database;

associating the mobile telecommunications device with the one service zone; and

storing the association in the database.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein the mobile telecommunications device is identified using an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) number, or a mobile phone number.

42. A mobile device capable of being associated with a service type, comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one memory coupled to the processor;

at least one data input device coupled to the processor;

at least one data output device coupled to the processor; and

at least one wireless radio coupled to the processor,

wherein the radio permits the mobile device to communicate with an access point of an IP-based wireless access network (WLAN),

wherein the radio permits the mobile device to communicate with the WLAN based on a Generic Access Network (GAN), Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA), or Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) protocol, and

wherein the processor is configured to receive one service type for the mobile device based on;

a determination of a service zone that covers the access point,

an association of the mobile device with the service zone, and

an identification of services types assigned to the service zone.

43. The mobile device of claim 42, wherein the mobile device is identified using an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) number, or a mobile phone number.

44. The mobile device of claim 42, wherein the service types include billing rates, delivery of certain content, advertisements, or rules.

45. The mobile device of claim 44, wherein the certain content is based at least in part on a geographical location associated with a service zone or a time of day or day of week.

46. The mobile device of claim 44, wherein the rules relate to filtering, screening, or security for providing data or communications to or from mobile devices in a service zone.

47. The mobile device of claim 42, wherein the access point is identified using an IP address, a MAC address, a proximate Cellsite Global Indicator (CGI), or a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN).

48. The mobile device of claim 42, wherein the service zone includes a plurality of noncontiguous access points scattered throughout a geographical region.