Enhanced user privacy for mobile station location services
First Claim
1. A privacy control system for use in a mobile station, wherein the mobile station communicates with a wireless communication system, and wherein the privacy control system provides geographical location information associated with the mobile station, comprising;
- a) a Privacy Engine, including a Privacy Policy component having at least one Privacy Rule, wherein the Privacy Engine receives location requests related to the geographical location of the mobile station generated by a location requestor external to the mobile station, and determines whether to respond to the location request based in part on the at least one privacy rule; and
b) a Position Determination Module (PDM), operatively coupled and responsive to the Privacy Engine, wherein the PDM provides estimates of the geographical location of the mobile station to the Privacy Engine;
wherein, the Privacy Engine receives the geographical location estimates from the PDM, and selectively responds to the location requests by processing the location estimates and providing response messages in accordance with the Privacy Policy component.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for enhanced user control of location information for mobile devices. The method and apparatus provide user control within the mobile station of privacy policies that supervise responses to requests for location information. In an exemplary embodiment the mobile station includes a Privacy Engine, a Position Determination Module, and a User Interface. The Privacy Engine is a software module that controls the responses of the mobile station to location requests. The Privacy Engine preferably includes a Privacy Policy that may be modified by the mobile station user by means of wireless downloads, the User Interface, or by locally connected devices such as a personal computer, personal digital assistant, or laptop. Advantageously, the Privacy Engine or the Privacy Policy may be downloaded to the mobile station by means of a wireless data network or other data connection such as Bluetooth, infrared connection, Universal Serial Bus, etc.
36 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A privacy control system for use in a mobile station, wherein the mobile station communicates with a wireless communication system, and wherein the privacy control system provides geographical location information associated with the mobile station, comprising;
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a) a Privacy Engine, including a Privacy Policy component having at least one Privacy Rule, wherein the Privacy Engine receives location requests related to the geographical location of the mobile station generated by a location requestor external to the mobile station, and determines whether to respond to the location request based in part on the at least one privacy rule; and b) a Position Determination Module (PDM), operatively coupled and responsive to the Privacy Engine, wherein the PDM provides estimates of the geographical location of the mobile station to the Privacy Engine;
wherein, the Privacy Engine receives the geographical location estimates from the PDM, and selectively responds to the location requests by processing the location estimates and providing response messages in accordance with the Privacy Policy component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of providing privacy control in a mobile station of the mobile station geographical location information, wherein the mobile station communicates with a wireless communication system, and wherein the mobile station includes a Privacy Engine comprising software instructions, wherein the Privacy Engine software instructions also include Privacy Policy instructions, and wherein the mobile station limber includes a Position Determination Module (PDM) capable of providing geographical location estimates of the mobile station;
- the method comprising the steps of;
a) receiving location requests for a current geographical location of the mobile station; b) processing the location requests in accordance with the Privacy Engine software instructions, the Privacy Engine software instructions including Privacy Rules that determine whether to respond to the location request based at least in pan on information included in the location request; c) obtaining geographical location estimates of the mobile station; d) processing the location estimates in accordance with the location requests, the Privacy Engine software instructions, and the Privacy Rules; and e) selectively providing response messages responsive to the location requests, in accordance with the Privacy Engine software instructions, the location estimates and the Privacy Rules. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
- the method comprising the steps of;
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32. An apparatus providing privacy control in a mobile station of the mobile station geographical location information, wherein the mobile station communicates with a wireless communication system, and wherein the mobile station includes a Privacy Engine comprising software instructions, wherein the Privacy Engine software instructions also include Privacy Policy instructions, and wherein the mobile station further includes a Position Determination Module (PDM) capable of providing geographical location estimates of the mobile station, comprising:
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a) means for receiving location requests for a current geographical location of the mobile station; means for processing the location requests in accordance with the Privacy Engine software instructions, the Privacy Engine software instructions including Privacy Rules that determine whether to respond to the location request based at least in part on information included in the location request; c) means for obtaining geographical location estimates of the mobile station; d) means for processing the location estimates in accordance with the location requests, the Privacy Engine software instructions, and the Privacy Rules; and e) means for selectively providing response messages responsive to the location requests, in accordance with the Privacy Engine software instructions, the location estimates and the Privacy Rules. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification