Location blocking service for wireless networks
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a location system configured to provide location information of a wireless handheld device operating in a wireless network;
a user interface configured to receive a request to block location information associated with the wireless handheld device from being transmitted to a third party, wherein the request to block the location information is associated with at least one condition comprising at least one of a time and a current user location;
a storage medium configured to store the condition under which the location information is to be blocked in a user profile; and
a location block processor in communication with the user interface, wherein the location block processor is configured to;
receive the request to block the location information;
disregard the request to block the location information if the third party is a public safety answering point (PSAP);
determine whether a transmission meets the condition; and
if the third party is not a PSAP, in response to determining that the transmission meets the condition;
block the location information from the transmission;
disable the location system that generates the location information; and
provide the transmission to the third party without any location information,wherein the request to block the location information includes a request to block identity information and the instructions for disabling the location system further comprise instructions for removing the identity information from the transmission.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention disclosed is a location blocking service for use in a wireless network that tracks the location and identity of network users, such as networks complying with enhanced 911 standards. The service provides a network user with the ability to prevent the location of her wireless handheld device from being disclosed to parties other than the wireless network provider and PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points). The network user blocks the forwarding of location information by signaling to the wireless handheld device when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device, or by signaling to the network when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device or the network. Primary components of the present invention include at least one user interface and at least one location block processor provisioned in the wireless handheld device and/or the wireless network. The user interface prompts the user of the handheld device to enter the commands that then send the signals to the device or network.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a location system configured to provide location information of a wireless handheld device operating in a wireless network; a user interface configured to receive a request to block location information associated with the wireless handheld device from being transmitted to a third party, wherein the request to block the location information is associated with at least one condition comprising at least one of a time and a current user location; a storage medium configured to store the condition under which the location information is to be blocked in a user profile; and a location block processor in communication with the user interface, wherein the location block processor is configured to; receive the request to block the location information; disregard the request to block the location information if the third party is a public safety answering point (PSAP); determine whether a transmission meets the condition; and if the third party is not a PSAP, in response to determining that the transmission meets the condition; block the location information from the transmission; disable the location system that generates the location information; and provide the transmission to the third party without any location information, wherein the request to block the location information includes a request to block identity information and the instructions for disabling the location system further comprise instructions for removing the identity information from the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of a wireless handheld device, the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of the wireless handheld device, cause the processor to perform a method for implementing a location blocking service in a wireless network, the method comprising:
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receiving, via a user interface of the wireless handheld device, a request to block location information associated with the wireless handheld device, wherein the request to block the location information is associated with at least one condition comprising at least one of a time and a current user location; storing the condition under which the location information is to be blocked in a user profile; determining whether a transmission meets the condition; and in response to determining that the transmission meets the condition; blocking the location information from being included in the transmission; disabling a location system that generates the location information; and forwarding the transmission without the location information to the wireless network; wherein the request to block the location information includes a request to block identity information and the instructions for disabling the location system further comprise instructions for removing the identity information from the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of a wireless handheld device, the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of the wireless handheld device, cause the processor to perform a method for implementing a location blocking service in a wireless network, the method comprising:
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receiving, via a user interface of the wireless handheld device, a request to block location information associated with the wireless handheld device from being transmitted to a third party, wherein the request to block the location information is associated with at least one condition comprising at least one of the following;
a time and a current user location;storing the condition under which the location information is to be blocked in a user profile; disregarding the request to block the location information if the third party is a public safety answering point (PSAP); determining whether a transmission meets the at least one condition; if the third party is not a PSAP and, in response to determining that the transmission meets the condition; blocking the location information from the transmission; disabling a location system that generates the location information; and providing the transmission to the third party without any location information; wherein the request to block the location information includes a request to block identity information and the instructions for disabling the location system further comprise instructions for removing the identity information from the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification