Method for providing alternate communication services based on geographic location

• US 5,594,947 A
• Filed: 03/10/1994
• Issued: 01/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grube, Gary W., Shaughnessy, Mark L., Naddell, Marc C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Application Number:
  US08/209,329
• Time in Patent Office: 1,041 Days
• Field of Search: 455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/54.1, 455/54.2, 455/56.1, 455/63, 455/38.1, 379/59, 379/60, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 455/509
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Alternate communication services may be provided in a communication system 100 based on the geographic location of a target communication unit. When a service request, which identifies the target communication unit and a particular service, is received by a communication resource controller (101), the communication resource controller (101) ascertains the location of a target communication unit and determines whether the target unit is located within a predefined area. If the target unit (102, 103) is located within the predefined area, the communication resource controller (101) determines whether the particular service requested is prohibited in the predefined area. If the service is prohibited, an alternate service is made available to the initiating communication unit.

Claims

1. A method for a communication resource controller to provide alternate communication services based solely on a geographic location of a target communication unit, the method comprises the steps of:

a) receiving a service request from a first communication unit, wherein the service request identifies the target communication unit and a service type;

b) determining the geographic location of the target communication unit;

c) when the geographic location of the target communication unit is within a predefined geographic region, determining whether the service type is prohibited within the predefined geographic region, the predefined geographic region being established independent of a geographic location of the first communication unit;

d) when the service type is prohibited, determining whether an alternate service type is available within the predefined geographic region; and

e) when the alternate service type is available, automatically executing the alternate service type between the first communication unit and the target communication unit.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprises denying the service request when the alternate service type is not available.

3. In the method of claim 1, step (d) further comprises selecting the alternate service type from a list of alternate service types that are allowed within the predefined geographic region.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

f) determining whether the target communication unit has relocated outside of the predefined geographic region; and

g) when the target communication unit has relocated outside of the predefined geographic region, processing the service request.

5. A method for a first communication unit to perform alternate communication services based solely on a geographic location of a target communication unit, the method comprises the steps of:

a) initiating a service request, wherein the service request identifies the target communication unit and a service type;

b) receiving a message indicating that the service type is prohibited based on the geographic location of the target communication unit and independent of a geographic location of the first communication unit;

c) receiving a message indicating that an alternate service type is available for use by the target communication unit; and

d) automatically executing the alternate service type.

6. In the method of claim 5, step (d) further comprises, prior to automatically executing the alternate service type, selecting the alternate service type from a list of alternate service types.