Location blocking service from a wireless service provider

• US 7,509,133 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2006
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moton, Jr., Robert T., Zellner, Samuel N., Enzmann, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BEAMER, TEMICA M
• Application Number:
  US11/406,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/410, 455/411, 455/456.3
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 7/009 using thermal means, e.g. infrared radiation, heat
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 selectively restricting mobility data tracking

Abstract

Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service promoter, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service promoter may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the mobile subscriber'"'"'s identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber'"'"'s identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber. However, in the case of the mobile subscriber requesting emergency help, the service promoter may not block identity and/or location information. Instead, the service promoter may send all such information to the emergency service provider (e.g., the police or a hospital).

Claims

1. A system for providing a location-blocking service, comprising:

means for obtaining identity information for a user operating a wireless communication device;

means for obtaining location information for the user; and

means for transferring the identity information for the user to a third party without disclosing the location information for the user to the third party, wherein not disclosing the location information for the user to the third part is optionally selectable by the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for obtaining the identity information for the user includes:

means for requesting the user to provide information about the identity of the user; and

means for storing the information about the identity of the user.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the means for requesting the user to provide the information about the identity of the user is operative upon activation of a communication service that allows the user to operate the wireless communication device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the means for requesting the user to provide the information about the identity of the user is operative upon activation of the location-blocking service.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for obtaining the location information for the user includes:

means for monitoring one or more signals transmitted by the wireless communication device operated by the user; and

means for determining the location of the user based on an analysis of the one or more signals.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the means for obtaining the location information includes means for receiving the information about the location of the user supplied by the wireless communication device.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for disclosing the location information for the user to an emergency service provider when the user requests emergency help.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising means for allowing the user to unblock disclosure of the location information to the third party.

9. A system for providing information about identity of a user operating a wireless communication device, comprising:

means for obtaining identity information for the user;

means for identifying the location of the user of the wireless communication device; and

means for transmitting the identity information for the user to a subscriber desirous of sending an advertisement to the wireless communication device, wherein the transmission of the identity information excludes disclosure of the location of the user such that the excluded disclosure of the location is optionally selected by the user.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for obtaining the identity information for the user includes:

means for obtaining from the user data about the identity of the user; and

means for maintaining a record of the identity data obtained from the user.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the means for obtaining the data from the user is operative upon activation of a communication service that allows the user to operate the wireless communication device.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for identifying the location of the user includes:

means for monitoring one or more signals transmitted by the wireless communication device; and

means for determining the location of the user based on an analysis of the one or more signals.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the means for identifying the location of the user of the wireless communication device operates continuously, at predetermined intervals, upon activation of the wireless communication device and without further action on behalf of the user.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for obtaining the identity information for the user includes:

means for obtaining from the user data about the identity of the user; and

means for maintaining a record of the identity data obtained from the user.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the means for obtaining the data from the user is operative upon activation of a communication service that allows the user to operate the wireless communication device.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the means for identifying the location of the user includes:

means for monitoring one or more signals transmitted by the wireless communication device; and

means for determining the location of the user based on an analysis of the one or more signals.

25. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for disclosing the location of the user to an emergency service provider when the user requests emergency help.

26. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for allowing the user to unblock over the Internet the disclosure of the location of the user to the subscriber.

14. A system for providing a location-blocking service comprising:

means for obtaining identity information for a user operating a wireless communication device;

means for obtaining location information for the user; and

means for transferring the identity information for the user to a third party without disclosing the location information for the user to the third party, wherein the means for obtaining location information for the user operates continuously, at predetermined intervals, upon activation of the wireless communication device and without further action on behalf of the user.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for obtaining the identity information for the user includes:

means for requesting the user to provide information about the identity of the user; and

means for storing the information about the identity of the user.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for requesting the user to provide the information about the identity of the user is operative upon activation of a communication service that allows the user to operate the wireless communication device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for requesting the user to provide the information about the identity of the user is operative upon activation of the location-blocking service.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for obtaining the location information for the user includes:

means for monitoring one or more signals transmitted by the wireless communication device operated by the user; and

means for determining the location of the user based on an analysis of the one or more signals.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for obtaining the location information includes means for receiving the information about the location of the user supplied by the wireless communication device.

20. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for disclosing the location information for the user to an emergency service provider when the user requests emergency help.

21. The system of claim 14, further comprising means for allowing the user to unblock disclosure of the location information to the third party.