Identity blocking service from a wireless service provider
First Claim
1. A method for providing a feature blocking feature service, the method comprising:
- obtaining, from a wireless communication device;
identity information identifying a user operating the wireless communication device;
location information indicating a location of the wireless communication device; and
a service blocking preference, wherein the service blocking preference comprises one or more of;
an indication not to block the identity information;
an indication not to block the location information; and
an indication to block the identity information; and
an indication to block the location information;
receiving, from another entity, a request for at least one of the identity information and the location information;
if the other entity comprises an emergency service provider, transmitting to the emergency service provider the at least one of the identity information and the location information; and
if the other entity does not comprise the emergency service provider, transmitting;
the identity information, if the service blocking preference indicates that the identity information is not blocked;
the location information, if the service blocking preference indicates that the location information is not blocked; and
neither of the location information and the identity information if the service blocking preference indicates that the identity information and the location information are blocked.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing a feature blocking feature service, the method comprising:
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obtaining, from a wireless communication device; identity information identifying a user operating the wireless communication device; location information indicating a location of the wireless communication device; and a service blocking preference, wherein the service blocking preference comprises one or more of; an indication not to block the identity information; an indication not to block the location information; and an indication to block the identity information; and an indication to block the location information; receiving, from another entity, a request for at least one of the identity information and the location information; if the other entity comprises an emergency service provider, transmitting to the emergency service provider the at least one of the identity information and the location information; and if the other entity does not comprise the emergency service provider, transmitting; the identity information, if the service blocking preference indicates that the identity information is not blocked; the location information, if the service blocking preference indicates that the location information is not blocked; and neither of the location information and the identity information if the service blocking preference indicates that the identity information and the location information are blocked. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A network for providing a feature blocking service using data stored at a database, wherein the network is configured to:
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obtain location information indicating the location of a wireless communication device and identity information indicating the identity of a user associated with the wireless communication device; receive, from another entity, a request for the location information and the identity information; examine a service blocking preference associated with the user, the service blocking preference being stored at the database and comprising at least one of; an indication not to block the identity information; an indication not to block the location information; and an indication to block the identity information; and an indication to block the location information; if the other entity comprises an emergency service provider, transmitting the location information and the identity information to the other entity; and if the other entity does not comprise the emergency service provider, transmitting one or more of; the identity information, if the service blocking preference indicates that the identity information is not blocked; the location information, if the service blocking preference indicates that the location information is not blocked; and neither of the location information and the identity information if the service blocking preference indicates that the identity information and the location information are blocked. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A wireless communication device comprising:
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a location component; and a memory unit configured to store identity information associated with a user of the device and instructions executable by a processing and control unit to make the device operable to; determine location information comprising an indication of the location of the device; store the location information at the memory unit; receive, from an entity in communication with the device, a request for the location information and the identity information; obtain a service blocking preference, wherein the service blocking preference comprises one or more of; an indication not to block the identity information; an indication not to block the location information; and an indication to block the identity information; and an indication to block the location information; if the entity comprises an emergency service provider, transmitting the location information and the identity information to the entity; and if the entity does not comprise the emergency service provider, transmitting, to the entity, one or more of; the identity information, if the service blocking preference indicates that the identity information is not blocked; the location information, if the service blocking preference indicates that the location information is not blocked; and neither of the location information and the identity information if the service blocking preference indicates that the identity information and the location information are blocked. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification