Location blocking service from a web advertiser
First Claim
1. A server including software stored thereon for sending an advertisement to a user operating a wireless communication device, the server comprising:
- a memory storing software code for receiving an identity of the user, receiving a location of the user for a fee;
searching a database containing a plurality of user-specific advertisements;
identifying a user-specific preference associated with the user in the database, the database containing a plurality of user-specific preferences;
identifying a location-specific preference associated with the location of the user in the database, the database containing a plurality of location-specific preferences;
selecting a user-specific advertisement based on the identified user-specific preference and the identified location-specific preference in the database;
receiving an activation of a location-blocking option; and
sending the selected user-specific advertisement to the wireless communication device over a communication network without transmitting the location of the user in the selected user-specific advertisement.
9 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 server including software stored thereon for sending an advertisement to a user operating a wireless communication device, the server comprising:
- a memory storing software code for receiving an identity of the user, receiving a location of the user for a fee;
searching a database containing a plurality of user-specific advertisements;
identifying a user-specific preference associated with the user in the database, the database containing a plurality of user-specific preferences;
identifying a location-specific preference associated with the location of the user in the database, the database containing a plurality of location-specific preferences;
selecting a user-specific advertisement based on the identified user-specific preference and the identified location-specific preference in the database;
receiving an activation of a location-blocking option; and
sending the selected user-specific advertisement to the wireless communication device over a communication network without transmitting the location of the user in the selected user-specific advertisement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- a memory storing software code for receiving an identity of the user, receiving a location of the user for a fee;
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8. A system for sending an advertisement to a user, the system comprising:
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a communication network; a server in communication with the network; a database in communication with the network, the database containing a plurality of user-specific advertisements, a plurality of user-specific preferences, and a plurality of location-specific preferences; a wireless communication device in communication with the network; and a software code on the server for receiving an identity of the user; receiving a location of the user for a fee, identifying a user-specific preference associated with the user in the database, identifying a location-specific preference associated with the location of the user in the database, selecting a user-specific advertisement based on the identified user-specific preference in the database and the identified location-specific preference in the database, receiving an activation of a location-blocking option, and sending the selected user-specific advertisement to the wireless communication device over the network without transmitting the location of the user in the selected user-specific advertisement. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of sending an advertisement to a user operating a wireless communication device, the method comprising:
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receiving an identity of the user; receiving a location of the user for a fee; searching a database containing a plurality of user-specific advertisements; identifying a user-specific preference associated with the user in the database, the database containing a plurality of user-specific preferences; identifying a location-specific preference associated with the location of the user in the database, the database containing a plurality of location-specific preferences; selecting a user-specific advertisement based on the identified user-specific preference and the identified location-specific preference in the database; receiving an activation of a location-blocking option; and sending the selected user-specific advertisement to the wireless communication device over a communication network without transmitting the location of the user in the selected user-specific advertisement. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification