Class structured location based services

• US 8,107,973 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2008
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sjothun, Jon
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIVJI, NIZAR N
• Application Number:
  US12/187,816
• Time in Patent Office: 1,272 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.3, 455/414.1, 701/207
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

A system for providing class structured location based services can include a memory and a processor. The memory can store instructions for execution by a processor, and rules. The processor can use location information provided by a location component, and the rules stored in the memory to analyze an attempted use of location based services. The system can determine whether the attempted use should be allowed based upon classification of the location based service and comparison of the classified service to classes defined by rules. Many classes can be included, and override conditions can be defined. Some methods for providing class structured location based services are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system, for managing location based services provided to a wireless device, comprising:

at least one non transitory computer-readable memory comprising instructions;

a processor, in communication with the memory and configured to execute the instructions to;

analyze a request for wireless device location information;

classify the request into one of four classes of request;

determine whether the location information should be provided based on the class, of the four classes, into which the request is classified; and

initiate provision of the location information in response to determining that the location information should be provided;

wherein;

(A) initiating provision of the location information includes;

(1) determining a source of the request for location information;

(2) determining a manner by which to obtain the location information based on the source of the request; and

(3) initiating determination of the location information according to the manner determined; and

(B) each of the four classes is stored at a memory, and the four classes comprise;

(1) a first class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device;

(2) a second class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is not intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device;

(3) a third class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is not initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device; and

(4) a fourth class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is not initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is not intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the source determined includes a source selected from a group consisting of:

a user of the wireless device; and

a non-user of the wireless device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the manner determined includes a manner selected from a group consisting of:

triangulation; and

global positioning system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the memory and the processor are remote to the wireless device; and

the instructions further cause the processor to, in initiating provision of the location information, initiate transmission of a rule, from the processor remote to the wireless device, to the wireless device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the memory and the processor are components of the wireless device; and

the instructions further cause the processor to, in initiating provision of the location information, initiate transmission of a rule, from the wireless device, to an entity remote to an entity remote to the wireless device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the request includes a variable; and

the instructions, in causing the processor to classify the request into one of four classes of request, cause the processor to classify the request based on the variable.

7. A method, for managing providing management of location based services for a wireless device, comprising:

analyzing a request for wireless device location information;

classifying the request into one of four classes of request;

determine whether the location information should be provided based on the class, of the four classes, into which the request is classified; and

initiate provision of the location information in response to determining that the location information should be provided;

wherein;

(A) initiating provision of the location information includes;

(1) determining a source of the request for location information;

(2) determining, a manner by which to obtain the location information based on the source of the request; and

(3) initiating determination of the location information according to the manner determined; and

(B) each of the four classes is stored at a memory, the four classes comprise;

(1) a first class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device;

(2) a second class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is not intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device;

(3) a third class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is not initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device; and

(4) a fourth class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is not initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is not intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the communicating is initiated remote to the wireless device; and

initiating provision of the location information comprises initiating transmission of a rule, from remote to the wireless device, to the wireless device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the communicating is initiated at the wireless device; and

initiating provision of the location information comprises initiating transmission of a rule, determined at the wireless device, to an entity remote to the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the source determined includes a source selected from a group consisting of:

a user of the wireless device; and

a non-user of the wireless device.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the manner determined includes a manner selected from a group consisting of:

triangulation; and

global positioning system.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein initiating provision of the location information, includes initiating transmission of a rule, from the processor remote to the wireless device, to the wireless device.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein initiating provision of the location information, includes initiating transmission of a rule, from the wireless device, to an entity remote to the wireless device.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein:

the request includes a variable; and

classifying the request into one of four classes of request includes classifying the request based on the variable.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium with having computer-readable instructions that, when executed, perform a process comprising:

analyzing a request for wireless device location information;

classifying the request into one of four classes of request;

determine whether the location information should be provided based on the class, of the four classes, into which the request is classified; and

initiate provision of the location information in response to determining that the location information should be provided;

wherein;

(A) initiating provision of the location information includes;

(1) determining a source of the request for location information;

(2) determining a manner by which to obtain the location information based on the source of the request; and

(3) initiating determination of the location information according to the manner determined; and

(B) each of the four classes is stored at a memory, and the four classes comprise;

(1) a first class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device;

(2) a second class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is not intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device;

(3) a third class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is not initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device; and

(4) a fourth class, wherein;

(a) the request for the location information is not initiated at the wireless device; and

(b) the location information is not intended for use to provide a location based service at the wireless device.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the source determined includes a source selected from a group consisting of:

a user of the wireless device; and

a nonuser of the wireless device.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the manner determined includes a manner selected from a group consisting of:

triangulation; and

global positioning system.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein:

the medium and the processor are remote to the wireless device; and

the instructions further cause the processor to, in initiating provision of the location information, initiate transmission of a rule, from the processor remote to the wireless device, to the wireless device.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein:

the medium and the processor are components of the wireless device; and

the instructions further cause the processor to, in initiating provision of the location information, initiate transmission of a rule, from the wireless device, to an entity remote to a node of a cellular network operatively linked and in communication with the wireless device.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein:

the request includes a variable; and

the instructions, in causing the processor to classify the request into one of four classes of request, cause the processor to classify the request based on the variable.